Rocking to the beat of Vertical Horizon

 Just when you thought that the influx of visiting foreign acts has already come to end, there comes the news that another one has booked a concert date in Manila. This time around it is Vertical Horizon (VH), the rock group responsible for the hits Everything You Want, You’re a God, Best I Ever Had, I’m Still Here and others. VH is set to perform tonight, Dec. 7 at the Araneta Coliseum in a triple header that also features Pinoy rock group Rivermaya and American comedian Jamie Kennedy.

Vertical Horizon took a long time coming to local shores. If I remember right, the band first surfaced nearly a decade ago with Everything That You Want. Led by Matthew Scannel and Keith Kane, Vertical Horizon easily distinguished itself with melodic pop rock music. I admire groups who are able to accomplish this. Rock may be loud but that does not mean it is making noise. Rock may introduce new chord combinations but that does not mean forsaking the melody. Most of all, rock can be dark and nihilistic but without being offensive to be interesting. Take note that these are qualities that can be found in the music of the great rock acts and Vertical Horizon has them all.

It was right there on their first time out with Everything That You Want and it was there again in the more recent Go. It is not only there, but better. Go is a solid piece of work, a more cohesive production where themes, harmonies and solos, most especially the guitars, flow effortlessly in combination with everything else. Some rockers may find this presentation too pop or formulaic for their taste, but why blame these guys? They know their music. They are adept with their poetry. They turn out good songs that do not jar the ears. Bless them. Best examples in Go are I’m Still Here, When You Cry, Goodbye Again and Won’t Go Away.

Vertical Horizon concert is presented by Smart Buddy with Red Horse Beer as co-presenter. It caps a grand year of concerts from music channel MTV. Just think, the MTV Philippines Concert Series brought in Beyoncé, Josh Groban, Fall Out Boy, Christina Aguilera, Tortured Soul and Ziggy Marley in what turned out to be hugely-successful performances this 2007. Will 2008 bring in bigger names and bigger shows? It will not be long before we get to find out.

Meanwhile the Vertical Horizon show will serve as the introduction to the public of the new vocalist for Rivermaya. I am sure most of you out there already know the story of how vocalist Rico Blanco suddenly left the band and of how the remaining members conducted an intensive search for their new vocalist via reality television. Well, they have found the right guy and remaining Mayas Mark Escueta, Mike Elgar and Japs Sergio are going to introduce him to us tonight.

His name is Jayson Fernandez, 18 years old, and he comes from Manguisoc, Camarines Norte. He bested 500 other aspirants from all over the country and even from the UK, the Middle East and the US, who joined the competition. Jayson is just a kid and I have a feeling that he has been quaking in his shoes from the time it was announced that the band got this gig with Vertical Horizon. He has very big shoes to fill. Not just Blanco’s but also that of first soloist Bamboo Mañalac. On the other hand though, he passed the grueling search and that means he has what it takes. Do you think he will sing solo in trademark Rivermaya tunes like Kisap-mata and I’ll Be Right Here? Find out tonight.

Also joining the show is stand-up comedian Jamie Kennedy. He is an actor who starred in films like Scream and Son of the Mask. You have also probably seen him on TV in all sorts of disguises, while putting unsuspecting people in silly situations in The Jamie Kennedy Experiment. I do not know if he will do something like that at the Big Dome, but even if he doesn’t, he is clever and quick-witted enough to keep audiences entertained. So having him in this rocking show should be quite enjoyable.