Introducing absolute chaos

As Mick Jagger and Keith Richards continue to prove day by day, no one is ever too old to rock. If that is the case then nobody is too young either. I thought of this when I came across the talented, quite attractive three-man band Absolute Play. The group is made up of Murielle Tanchanco, 14 years old, on vocals and keyboard; Alto Tanchanco, 15, on guitars and also the songwriter; and Mato Tanchanco, 18, on drums. They are young and would you believe, they launched their band in 2010 when they were all four years younger.

It was quite a surprise to find out that they are the children of music producer, punk pioneer, talent manager and lots of other things besides, Tommy Tanchanco. And now, Tommy has raised a rock band. But after finding that out, the fact that these kids are now here making music was no surprise anymore. I do not recall if Tommy was ever with a band but he has been actively involved with the music industry for a long time. And he has taken this involvement home, raising kids who enthusiastically keep the punk banner waving.

Absolute Play plays well. The band’s debut album Children of Chaos makes for a good listen. This is an all-original collection produced, of course, by Daddy Tommy. The band already has three hit singles, Beautiful Star, Here Goes The Show and My Old Pal. All of the songs included were composed by Alto, save for Green Eyed Monster which is by Murielle and Little Miss Homewrecker, the latest which came out to accompany the release of the album and which was written by Julz Sevard of Save Me Hollywood.

These guys may be young but they know what they are doing. Absolute Play has been trained very well. No wonder they are now considered professionals and have done gigs here and abroad with famous Pinoy rock acts like Chicosci, Barbie Almalbis, Kitchie Nadal, Rocksteddy and others. There is still a sweet naivete in Alto’s music that detracts from the punk image but Murielle has early on learned how to do the world-weary vocals and Mato has the hard drumming to go with it. Keep close tabs on Absolute Play, all of you out there. I am very curious about what is in store in the future for this band.

Speaking of indie musicians, multi-awarded singer/ songwriter, president of NDM Studios and himself an independent music producer Njel de Mesa, recently launched the #NDMusic Awards or the Independent Music Awards. He says that this is to encourage local indie musicians to create more original works.

The awards-giving will be held at the Music Hall at the Upper Ground Floor Activity Center of Fishermall in Quezon City on Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. Fans are encouraged to vote for their favorite indie artists by going to www.facebook.com/NjeldemesaMUSIC. Here are the nominees:

• Female Artist: Mica Javier, Kaycee Solis, Cristy Peredo, Maria Herrera.

• Male Artist: Jay-R, Luigi D’avola, Abra, Ken Johns.

• New Artist: Art Oliquino, Alasmedya, Belle Ame, 8 Moons of Jupiter.

• Band of the Year: Kley, Pure Sound, Gin Rum & Truth, KKK, Sali.

• Rap Group: C.U.R., Death Threat, TURF, Pinoy Republic.

• Hip Hop/R&B/Blues/Jazz Singer: Binibini, Pikaso & Layzie Fu; Gigil, Hoochie Coochie MIKK; You Are My Life, Keith Martin; Pantasya, Kiya Kuit.

• Acoustic/Folk/Country Singer: Bula, Jong Sumangil; Love With You, Max Gilbert; Pareho Kita, Noah Zuniga; Galileo, Toto Sorioso.

• Dance/Pop Singer: Sayaw Filipino, Filipina; Rough My Mind, Kat Lopa; Paano Nga Ba, Alasmedya. 

• Collaborative Song: Let’s Not Pretend, Jeff James feat. Jegaan; Malaya, Various Artists; Hindi Ka Mag-iisa, Q-York featuring Yeng Constantino; Rock Your Body, Kaycee, Szphell, 2Tay & HeartythaBone.

• Rock Alternative: Di Ko, Beewings; Pana-panahon, Babybone Paligara; Hamon, Gary Ignacio & the Sanstreets; Nahihibang, Milky Sinner; Tara Na, Muffin.

• Song of the Year: No One, Champ Lui Pio; Ilusyon, Abra featuring Arci Munoz; Parachute, Jay-R; Injianan, Kley.

• Radio Program Supporting Indie Music: Radio Pilipinas, Say More Radio Show; Urban Pinas.

And now here are the Top 20 videos in the Pinoy MYX Countdown for the week, indie and otherwise with Kyla as the queen of the hit list: This Love Is Like by Toni Gonzaga; Dito Na Lang by Kyla; Bahala Na by James Reid and Nadine Lustre; +63 by Sponge Cola feat. Yeng Constantino; Sa ‘Yo by Silent Sanctuary; Kapiling Kita by Karylle; Para-Paraan by Nadine Lustre; Salbabida also by Kyla; Qrush On You by Jay-R, Elmo Magalona and Q-York; Out Of Control by Pupil.

Asintado by Gloc-9 feat. Lirah Bermudez; Right Where You Belong by Julie Ann San Jose; Babalikan Mo Rin Ako by Nikki Gil; Pag Napagod Na Ang Puso by Erik Santos; Kunwa-Kunwari Lang, again by Kyla; Habulan by The Dawn; NGSB by Luigi D’Avola; Torpe by Chris Lawrence; Araw-araw by Dello feat. Jaq Dionisio; and Bagong Siglo by Christian Bautista, Basti Artadi and Gloc-9.