A side order of Side A

MANILA, Philippines - Back in the ‘80s, they put the “O” in O.P.M.

Before the Eraserheads steered Filipino music in a decidedly more alt-rock direction, Side A was the band that sold out arenas and charted platinum records. And even after two and a half decades, those songs are still strong.

Remember? Tunes like Windows of Our Souls, Di Pa Huli and Forevermore made the youth sway and swoon amid lush synth keys and tight fusion arrangements. They could rock crowds, and just as easily hit the “senti” buttons.

Now, with a pair of shows in Robinsons Magnolia and Robinsons Place Manila to kick off the Soundbites Music Festival, the perennial crowd pleasers are back. Since forming in 1986 under the musical guidance of Naldy and Rodel Gonzales, Side A has scored a string of hits and platinum-selling records with an ever-changing lineup that now focuses around Naldy on keys and vocals, Ned Esuerra on bass, Joey Generoso on lead vocals and guitar, Ernie Severino on drums and vocals and Leevon Cailao on lead guitar and vocals.

 We asked Ernie and Ned what to expect on this summer tour. Ernie’s been there pretty much since the start, replacing Mar Dizon in ’86 and bringing a new level of battery to their live sound. He recalls how Side A began. “Naldy and Rodel formed the band and played songs they grew up with, everything from Hall & Oates and Doobie Brothers to Steely Dan, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Toto and James Taylor.” Indeed, their live version of Taylor’s Your Smiling Face is still a standout, with each member taking a verse on the mic. With original members Naldy, Ernie and Joey Generoso still active, it’s Side A to the core. 

Cover songs have always been a big part of the mix, whether it was reworking the latest smooth fusion ballad on the radio or serving up a band favorite on the fly. They’re even likely to drop in a Queen medley here or there. They’re also known for their stage presence; you can tell they have fun playing. “Doing things together for so many years translates to stage antics that constantly evolve and an awareness that is semi-psychic,” Ernie says, somewhat mysteriously.

Newer member Ned has taken on bass and vocal duties since 2007. He reflects on the band’s longevity. “Naldy says it best whenever he mentions that visibility, especially in the live gig circuit, is a huge help in maintaining relevance in the industry. Regular club gigs allow us to be seen and heard by our regular patrons and it allows us also to be seen by a newer, maybe younger set of people. It’s quite important.”

I decide to wind the clock back a bit. What was it like being the biggest band of the ‘80s in the Philippines? “It was tiring, but comfortable,” Ernie allows. And what’s different about the local music scene today? “Before, bands would play nightly in one place for months and years. Now, bands play at different places in a week.” Yet Side A has lasted this long. What makes this lineup distinctive?

“Besides Joey G’s unique high voice, Naldy’s keyboard foundation and (my own) energetic drumming, our guitar man Leevon Cailao (who joined in 2003) plays bad-ass guitar and is no ordinary singer; plus Ned, our bass man, is a team player and a natural songwriter.” He adds they are “compiling songs” for a new album at the moment.

Not surprisingly, the band got its name from a relic of the ‘80s, one that has become quite hip again: the LP record. “We were browsing through vinyl records for a musical name, and kept encountering ‘Side A’ and decided — it’s a good band name.”

It’s worth noting that, like the Eheads, this is a band whose success has crossed over internationally. Ernie reflects on their most memorable tour abroad. “It was 1995, our first US concert tour, and our first stop was Manhattan. We walked blocks and blocks in awe and shopped in music stores like crazy and watched live gigs of our music heroes.”

For Ned, it was last year’s summer tour of the States that brought the band to Chicago and New York, where “I got to spend a few days there with my wife and kids.”

It’s a long-lasting road trip that’s taken the band around Asia, the US, Canada, New Zealand and the U.A.E., with more places to come this year. That’s broad appeal for a Filipino band.

Playing at Robinsons Malls this summer was a no-brainer, says Ned. “It’s always exciting to perform inside a mall like Robinsons Magnolia and Robinsons Place Manila because the audience is not always your typical club or concertgoers. It’s quite interesting to see how they react to our music.” He’s happy with the setup and sound quality of Robinsons’ venues. “From my experience the sound has always been quite good whenever we play there… Robinsons malls are always a joy to play in because of the bright, clean and colorful interiors. It gives it a relaxing feeling that makes it easy to perform.”

Ernie adds that Robinsons Malls is really “supportive of the arts” and notes the crowds at places like Galleria are “a mix of curious shoppers, loyal fans and new ‘converts,’ and some balikbayans too.”

And what are these guys gonna eat when they’re in Robinsons Malls this summer?

Ned: “The Magnolia Ice Cream House in Robinsons Magnolia!”

Ernie: “Yabu!”