The return of Bamboo

Bamboo is back. But then again, not really. Bamboo then was the frontman of Rivermaya. A lot of people do think the group then got its edge from his distinctive vocals. Then they went off to tour in the US and Bamboo Manalac just dropped everything here and stayed on and on out there. They said he will be back but five long years passed and still no Bamboo. Then some months ago Bamboo came back.

While it is true Bamboo has ended his US hiatus, what we now have is not really Bamboo. It is instead a band named Bamboo. It is fronted by Manalac and also boasts of Nathan Azarcon, also formerly of Rivermaya and one of the best bass players in the country today, Ira Cruz, formerly of Passage and another mean guitarist and Vic Mercado, also formerly of Passage and a wiz at the drums.

Fans, (and these four, individually, have a lot!) are eager to get answers to a lot of questions. Why did Bamboo leave Rivermaya? What about Nathan? What has happened to Passage? Will Ira and Vic, whose popularity owes to their former group’s pop image, gel with the harder stuff Bamboo and Nathan are used to? How far are they willing to take this band? Will these restless souls take on gigs, promo tours, press interviews, etc., etc.? Or are we going to wake up one of these days with Bamboo off to parts unknown, Nathan twiddling his thumbs, Ira, not performing but in the gossip columns and Vic, with another band?

I know it is never wise not to ask questions. And that goes for even those times when you cannot believe your good fortune. That though is what I intend to do in Bamboo’s case. Don’t ask questions. Be thankful these four guys are together. Just enjoy their music while you can and hope they will make more in the future.

Bamboo’s collective efforts can be found in the album As the Music Plays. It rocks. It is bluesy. It is made up of new originals composed and performed by the band. I am glad to say it all sounds new and exciting. Can this be the kick in the pants Filipino music has been waiting for? Maybe. A lot of kids have already picked up the cut Noypi and taken to singing out the chorus. Is this in expression of their admiration for Bamboo? Is this being patriotic or taking pride in being Filipino? Or are they just in want of something different from Bulaklak or Otso-Otso?

Whatever the case, I am glad we now have a band like Bamboo with a hit tune like Noypi and that Bamboo, the singer is as electrifying as ever. Last but not least, since we are all living in times when we can use large doses of patriotism, it is nice to see Bamboo’s Noypi is a rocking cheer for the Pinoy. Take note of what it says:

Tignan mo ang iyong palad
Kalyado mong kamay sa hirap ng buhay
Kay dami mong problema
Nakuha mo pang ngumiti
Noypi ka nga…astig
Saan ka man naroroon,
Wag kang matatakot
Sa baril o patalim,
Sa bakas na madilim…
Hoy, pinoy ako! Buo ang aking loob,
May agimat ang dugo ko…
Sinisid ko ang dagat
Nilibot ko ang mundo
Nasa puso ko na pala
Ang hinahanap kong pulo
Ilang beses na akong muntikang mamatay
Oh, alam ko ang sikreto kaya andito pa’t buhay
Sabi nila may anting-anting ako
Pero di nila alam na Diyos ang dahilan ko…
Hoy, pinoy ako! Buo ang aking loob,
May agimat ang dugo ko…
Dinig mo ba ang bulong ng lahi mo
Isigaw mo kapatid ang himig natin…
Hoy, pinoy ako! Buo ang aking loob,
May agimat ang dugo ko!

Other cuts in the album are Take Me Down, As the Music Plays the Band, where Bamboo, the singer brings forth the sensitive inner man in the artist, Mr. Clay, my favorite cut, Pride and the Flame, Masaya, a likely single, War of Hearts and Minds, Light Years, These Days, should also get great airplay and Hudas which goes deep, deep, deep into the foibles of mankind.