Three bands rising

MANILA, Philippines - After alternative bands Hale and Orange & Lemons formally announced their return to the music scene, now it’s the shot of rock act Kamikazee.

Composed of vocalist Jay Contreras, guitarist Jomal Linao and Led Tuyay, bassist Puto Astete and drummer Bords Burdeos, Kamikazee staged a “farewell” concert in 2015 due to Jay’s throat issue and now announced its return by way of a poster of a phoenix-like figure with the issue of an unreleased album on “12.09.17.”

Vocalist/rhythm guitarist/songwriter Champ Lui Pio known for his mastery of lyrics, lead guitarist Roll Martinez, bassist Sheldon Gelada and drummer Paolo Santiago, Hale revisits so-called “pogi rock” intact plus one, violinist Chino David.

The band wrapped up its unreleased forthcoming album, appeared in Umagang Kay Ganda, does weekly “ex-deal” mall shows, plays in ticketed shows at gig halls, stays linked with Spotify Playlists and embarks on a first US tour with Gloc-9 and Ney Dimaculangan, formerly of 6Cyclemind.

“Ex-deal” mall shows are free 30 to 40-minute gigs that holders of P500 purchase receipts from any store in the mall entitle holder access to the VIP section and/or purchase of a P250 CD to a meet and greet after the show.

Orange & Lemons, on the other hand, is minus one, guitarist/songwriter Clementine “Clem” Castro known for his endearing melodies and brothers drummer Ace and bassist JM Del Mundo without vocalist/rhythm and acoustic guitarist/songwriter Mcoy Fundales.

Clem will not let bygones be bygones that he will not regroup with Mcoy around. Without Mcoy’s British-sounding lead vocals and with Kenyo, an Orange and Lemon clone that Mcoy leads, the impact is decisively less.

Mcoy is ackward to give a statement. The reformed trio states: “New music is on the horizon and we promise to stay true to the sound we are known for with a clear-cut independent direction.”

“With Clem leading the reformed group, I think they’ll definitely do good. Can’t wait to hear their new materials,” opines Allan Villegas of concert producer Random Minds.

The pattern is similar when alternative rock forerunner Ely Buendia left Eraserheads and management insisted a comeback by switching him with Kris Gorra Dancel, turning similar when Rico Blanco left Rivermaya.

“Nung umalis naman si Bamboo, halos wala nagbago sa takbo ng Rivermaya kasi singer si Bamboo. Rico and Nathan wrote Rivermaya’s songs,” intimates an Original Pilipino Music (OPM) insider who cannot bear the possible stir of a named attribution.

Not the same? “Sadly, yes, especially in the case of a band that disbanded then decides to regroup and the main vocalist won’t have nothing to do with it. Mcoy sang almost all of the original Orange & Lemons hits,” points out Villegas.

“Kumbaga magbabago ‘yung chemistry at mag-iiba ang formula or way ng panulat ng kanta when the singer/composer leaves that a clear change had transpired,” our anonymous commenter concludes.