New OPM sightings

MANILA, Philippines - From Cavite to Katipunan, Young Star has rounded up four acts that range from the brand new to a veteran cloaked as a furry primate. They’ve all set out to set themselves apart and we’ve noticed their taste in what appears to be a trippy cauldron of newer wave, electro, garage rock, and a metal hybrid from the south. They’re an alternative to your alternative and we suggest you tune in fast:

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Never The Strangers

Personnel: Anthony Libre on keyboards/vocals, Francis Victa on bass/vocals, PJ La Vina on drums/vocals and JP del Mundo on guitars/vocals

Sounds like: Melodic helpings of synth-soaked new wave with modern pop reflexes — a lush sound the radio would actually want to be friends with

Why they matter: Currently signed under Warner, NTS nail a sound that goes all the way back to the ‘80s — a period marked by icons like Tears for Fears, and in recent times, Miami Horror. The band pays hard-hitting homage to this era by way of their originals, sung by all four members both in English and Tagalog. Local new wave pioneers like The Dawn would’ve been proud of these guys. Expect more gigs and a couple of videos out in the near future.

Tarsius: Diego Mapa pairs up with Jay Gapasin for a rawer rendition of electro

Listen to: “Bago Mahuli Ang Lahat”

Find them online: https://www.facebook.com/neverthestrangers

Tarsius

Personnel: Diego Mapa (laptop) and Jay Gapasin on drums

Sounds like: Swirls of throbbing, dance-inducing alt electro shaped by the likes of Daedelus, Aphex Twin, Madlib, J Dilla, Kraftwerk, Boredoms, Squarepusher, and locally, Caliph8 and Malek Lopez.

Why they matter: “We want to trick everybody that they’re on drugs,” says a smiling Mapa, who, as you know, also plays for Pedicab, Monsterbot, Cambio, and The Diegos with Diego Castillo. Complemented by sticksman Jay Gapasin of Radioactive Sago Project, the all-new two-man team of Tarsius aims to shake whatever dance floor they’re given. An album is set to be released for free under Number Line Records so keep both eyes out for that.

Listen to: “Deathless Gods”

Find them online: http://numberlinerecords.com/artists/tarsius-ap

The dropouts!

Personnel: Vic “The Sick” Laugo on guitars/vocals, BJ Esber on guitars/bass, Bidge Perez on bass and JP Concepcion on drums

Vik Laugo of The Dropouts!: He wants his audience to feel electric

Sounds like: New York Dolls-blessed garage rock and a fuzzy, grimy split between the Ramones and early Weezer.

Why they matter: Listing Chavit Singson as their manager and filing Andrew E under the same musical influencing breadth as the Sex Pistols reflect the kind of recklessness The Dropouts! are starting to get known for. “One word to describe our music is electric,” says Laugo. “We want our audience to feel the energy.”

Listen to: “Sheila is a Gold Digger”

Find them online: https://www.facebook.com/dropouts

Twin Lobster

Personnel: Nick Lazaro on vocals/guitars/keyboards, Manfred Francisco on drums and Marc Inting on bass

Sounds like: A family tree of greatness. “If Michael Jackson, Bjork, Cannibal Corpse, and Dave Matthews had a baby, Twin Lobster would be its baby,” compares San Francisco-schooled frontman Lazaro. “Pinback would be its uncle.”

Twin Lobster: Trio has produced all three of their albums DIY-style

Why they matter: With three full-length albums under their belts, Twin Lobster blurs the lines between fame and the indie-new. Their niche brand of toned-down metal once got them a gig in Hong Kong, yet they still choose to go DIY back home — mainly because it works. Their third album, “The Wait of the Entire World,” “explores a lot of new things we were not so comfortable experimenting with before like pianos, electronic beats, synthesizers — and good lyrics,” half-jokes Lazaro.

Listen to: “‘Travelling By Feet’ has the best and most meaningful lyrics by far,” admits Lazaro. “And I learned to play piano for this song.”

Find them online: http://www.myspace.com/twinlobstermanila