Punk rock superstars on PULP cover

MANILA, Philippines - One of the world’s most critically-acclaimed punk rock veterans, Green Day — composed of vocalist/guitarist Billy Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt and drummer Tre Cool — is this month’s cover artist of PULP Magazine.

Out with the latest masterpiece 21st Century Breakdown — a “rock opera” not unlike its previous multi-million selling release American Idiot, the band abandons the trappings of stereotypical punk rock and enters the arena of the greats with an 18-track opus of sure-fire hits. PULP staff writer Hershey Homol gets her hands on the exclusive interview, and adds a track-by-track walk-through of the band’s repertoire (as explained by Green Day themselves) in the exclusive.

Music editor Jason Caballa presents Corporate Lo-Fi, the multi-membered hip-hop/rock/fusion outfit that sounds just as big as they are many in the group. A super-group of sorts, the band features some of the most popular names in the local industry. Read more about how they came together and pooled their talents to produce one of the year’s most musically ambitious (and aptly titled) independent releases.

In the tradition of local talent worthy of international recognition, The Camerawalls are on their way to becoming another addition to the growing list of artists, as the new trio of familiar faces form a nifty collective of vintage music fans that both pay tribute to the old guard and styles with a definite youthful energy. Featuring former Orange and Lemons (ONL) guitarist/chief songwriter Clem Castro and original ONL bassist Law Santiago (who are joined by music aficionado and drummer Ian Sarabia), the group proves why fans of their old band should take the cue from them, and move on to greater things. Editor-in-chief Joey Dizon gives cranking the metal a rest and inquires his way through foreign yet enticing territory.

Staff writer Karen Sy contributes her two cents on the return of keyboards in rock music, after a long period of being typecast either as an instrument that didn’t belong in the loud and riotous world of rock ’n roll, or an instrument deemed with lesser regard by musicians and music fans. Sy, a keyboardist herself for metal group Andrea Marie, puts the spotlight on the keymasters in local music today, including international keyboardist Michale Pinnella (of Symphony X fame…), Eternal Now’s Pepe Manikan, Up Dharma Down’s Armi Millare, Oremuz’s Pong, and Inky de Dios.

Heavy metal fans should be reminded that PULP & JB Music Presents: Arch Enemy Live In Manila is coming. Set on Oct. 20 at World Trade Center in Pasay City, fans can purchase tickets early by e-mailing [email protected]. Or they can buy tickets and join the Arch Enemy pre-show party at Ten02 Bar and Restaurant on Aug. 15, featuring local bands Badburn, Mortal Fear, Mass Defect, Bloodshedd, Divine Sacred Order and Intolerant. Entrance is free with every purchase of a concert ticket.

PULP Magazine-Music/Style… In Your Face is available nationwide at leading magazine shops and bookstores for P120.