Allow us a few words to offend you
April 21, 2006 | 12:00am
The whole uproar sparked by a column by fellow critic and colleague Igan D Bayan a couple of weeks ago in his review of Up Dharma Down certainly brings a smirk to those of us in the business of being critics. Text messages flew fast and furious denouncing D Bayan and his quips about certain bands and the popular music hangout Saguijo in Makati. Apparently, D Bayan irked a few barflies after some catty asides about certain bands that played the same night, as well as taking issue with the venue itself: in the article, he said, it was frequented by "real rockers and kids who still think The Libertines is a punk band." Perhaps the most interesting condemnation of the writer was that he had no right to comment about the scene since he rarely showed up at the gigs or spent time doing idle chit-chat with the artists. As far we know, the embattled writers response has been sober and justified: its his opinion. In our opinion, he doesnt need anybodys approval save his editors to say it.
Of course, given the emotions involved in the whole affair, no one can expect an intelligent debate. As far as we know, D Bayans credibility and integrity as a journalist has never been questioned throughout the mudslinging. In fact, he is actually the best rock journalist we have at that moment if we are to consider that hes probably one of the few who has an innate understanding of music and its history as well as and heres where most so-called music writers fail the fact that he can actually write. "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture," once quipped Elvis Costello. D Bayan, as far as I know, is a terrible dancer but the man can surely make you want to listen to the stuff he writes about. Also, if you re-read his article, his remarks stop short of being mean. In our business, its so easy for us to just name the bands we dont like rather than keep our readers guessing (and causing many misunderstandings). In effect, he was giving them constructive criticism that, hey, giving a shout out to a Japanese post-modernist author may not save a song that frankly weve all heard before. Nowhere did he say that this band should be avoided at all costs or that they were unsalvageable. Though the criticism might hurt, the advice is that there is always room for improvement. No matter how you hate critics, we do indeed serve a function.
Another thing that got peoples panties in a twist is that DBayan supposedly disparaged Saguijo itself. Weve been to the bar several times and we can say that nothing he wrote was untrue. It is common knowledge to its regulars that it can be a bit crowded but, hey, that aint a bad thing in my book. Rock n roll was born in such places. And for those too young to know (but really with the internet there really is no excuse) The Libertines are nowhere near being a punk band. (John Lydon himself said in a recent interview that the less you look or sound like a punk band from the 1970s the more punk you probably are. Listening to the former Pistols forays into electronic music in recent years, wed say an artist like local IDM practitioner Moon Fear Moon is punk rock.) Despite everything, Saguijo is still the best place to see live music.
DBayans situation is not unlike that of film critic Alexis Tioseco. In our opinion, Tioseco is probably the best and perhaps most credible writer on cinema in the country at the moment. Why? The reason is simply that hes the only one we can think of that does it without any reason but an almost naïve passion for the cinematic medium. Of course, combined with his in-depth knowledge of cinema history and a lucid, evocative literary style, he surpasses even Noel Vera as being the one local critic who does matter. Of course, given all his talents, its no surprise that most people in our film industry hate him.
To conclude, were sure that there are those reading this that are raring to send letters telling us how wrong we are. After 10 years of doing this gig, were used to it. DBayan is too; and hopefully, Tioseco. Word of advice though: like it or not, were here for a reason. We know our s**t. It wouldnt be too arrogant to say that were smarter about these things than a lot of you who write us. Hate to say it, but its true.
Theres a special place in Hell for critics, they say. Well, we can only hope that the music is great.
Of course, given the emotions involved in the whole affair, no one can expect an intelligent debate. As far as we know, D Bayans credibility and integrity as a journalist has never been questioned throughout the mudslinging. In fact, he is actually the best rock journalist we have at that moment if we are to consider that hes probably one of the few who has an innate understanding of music and its history as well as and heres where most so-called music writers fail the fact that he can actually write. "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture," once quipped Elvis Costello. D Bayan, as far as I know, is a terrible dancer but the man can surely make you want to listen to the stuff he writes about. Also, if you re-read his article, his remarks stop short of being mean. In our business, its so easy for us to just name the bands we dont like rather than keep our readers guessing (and causing many misunderstandings). In effect, he was giving them constructive criticism that, hey, giving a shout out to a Japanese post-modernist author may not save a song that frankly weve all heard before. Nowhere did he say that this band should be avoided at all costs or that they were unsalvageable. Though the criticism might hurt, the advice is that there is always room for improvement. No matter how you hate critics, we do indeed serve a function.
Another thing that got peoples panties in a twist is that DBayan supposedly disparaged Saguijo itself. Weve been to the bar several times and we can say that nothing he wrote was untrue. It is common knowledge to its regulars that it can be a bit crowded but, hey, that aint a bad thing in my book. Rock n roll was born in such places. And for those too young to know (but really with the internet there really is no excuse) The Libertines are nowhere near being a punk band. (John Lydon himself said in a recent interview that the less you look or sound like a punk band from the 1970s the more punk you probably are. Listening to the former Pistols forays into electronic music in recent years, wed say an artist like local IDM practitioner Moon Fear Moon is punk rock.) Despite everything, Saguijo is still the best place to see live music.
DBayans situation is not unlike that of film critic Alexis Tioseco. In our opinion, Tioseco is probably the best and perhaps most credible writer on cinema in the country at the moment. Why? The reason is simply that hes the only one we can think of that does it without any reason but an almost naïve passion for the cinematic medium. Of course, combined with his in-depth knowledge of cinema history and a lucid, evocative literary style, he surpasses even Noel Vera as being the one local critic who does matter. Of course, given all his talents, its no surprise that most people in our film industry hate him.
To conclude, were sure that there are those reading this that are raring to send letters telling us how wrong we are. After 10 years of doing this gig, were used to it. DBayan is too; and hopefully, Tioseco. Word of advice though: like it or not, were here for a reason. We know our s**t. It wouldnt be too arrogant to say that were smarter about these things than a lot of you who write us. Hate to say it, but its true.
Theres a special place in Hell for critics, they say. Well, we can only hope that the music is great.
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