The Dirty debut of Us-2 Evil-0

Last Saturday, Nov. 28, saw the launch of “Dirty Debutantes,” the first album of indiepop act Us-2 Evil-0 at Mag:net Bonifacio High Street.

The date was chosen for practical reasons, but it turned out to be serendipitously significant.

Guitarist/keyboardist Wincy Ong realized it was the exact date of their first-ever gig two years prior, making it an anniversary party as well as a debut album launch.The album takes its name from the multi-volume series of adult videos that may have made an impact on Henares’s high school years.

Henares is no stranger to the music scene, having been the manager of several bands as early as his college years, most notably Ciudad and Chicosci (when they were still Chico Science).

Henares occasionally sang with Ciudad (who were his high school classmates), and even recorded lead vocals on a few songs over their first three albums. He also sings for anti-show band Blast Ople.Mich Dulce may be familiar to the average person as a fashion designer and former Pinoy Big Brother housemate, though she’s been in the music scene for years. She recorded an entire album as the singer of Candyaudioline that never saw release. She was the vocalist of semi-riot grrl indie rock band Death By Tampon, which saw dissolution before they could release a proper album (a single made it to airwaves, though).Bassist Nix Puno has played with Twisted Halo. Drummer Bogs Jugo came from Pupil and Daydream Cycle. Wincy Ong was a member of the first, best iteration of Narda, and also has a solo career as Patience Dear Juggernaut.The packed house first heard from newer guest bands like Arigato Hato and Turbo Goth and more established names like Monsterbot and Ciudad. Arigato and Goth have been making waves in recent months, with their delicate electro/downtempo pop and brash guitar riffs, respectively.

Monsterbot reminded us how good they are live, and Ciudad, having just arrived from a few gigs in New York, also played a great set, which included older songs they haven’t performed in a while.But when the main act finally took the stage, the audience was in for a visual as well as sonic treat as Us-2 Evil-0 emerged in matching basketball uniforms, with Dulce as the cheerleader.

Kicking off with album lead-in “Yeah, OK!” the dual vocalists launched into occasionally synchronized/spastic dance moves. They ran through their stable of songs in between playful banter, including their current single, This Mighty Heart Attack. Its music video, directed by JA Tadena, can be seen on music TV channels and on YouTube.

Both Mikey Amistoso (Ciudad vocalist and the album’s producer) and Mong Alcaraz (guitarist of Chicosci and Sandwich) were in the audience to hear Mikey Is The New Mong, which is about them apparently.

Us-2 Evil-0 even played Apparently Not which they don’t often include in their set lists. Puno and Jugo seemed to be in a world of their own as the pulse and backbone of the songs, while Ong multi-tasked between singing backup vocals and playing guitar and organ. He even whipped out a melodihorn to the delight of the crowd.After their set the band received numerous requests for autographs and photos, especially in their uniforms.—Mark your calendars in advance as +/- (Plus/Minus) returns to Manila on Dece.18 at Encore (formerly Embassy). Last year’s gigs were a joy and this year should be no different. Consider it an early Christmas gift for being so good.

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Ramon De Veyra blogs at www.thesecuriousdays.com.