Making noise
How do you stand out in the crowded band scene? If you’re asking the three bands we assembled here, it’s all about marching to the beat of your own drum.
MANILA, Philippines - History tells us that a lot of great musicians incubated their talent while still in school, and it is often the interaction between young student musicians that sets sparks flying. The Apo Hiking Society, for example, or the Eraserheads, came to be while they were preparing for the “real world” in their respective universities.
How do you know which new bands are worth noting, though? The following musicians, most of which are still in college (or fresh out of), are still experimenting with their capacities, their direction — heck, even with their chemistry with one another. But it all comes down to the band that appears right in front of you, ripe with energy, raring to burst. You look at their vision, their sense of direction, their passion at play.
Young STAR is always on the lookout for fresh takes on old views. Here are three bands breathing life into the usual guitar-bass-drums combo.
Oh, Flamingo!
Oh, Flamingo! has no reason in particular for choosing the animal for their name, but it says a lot about their music: subtly unusual, requiring attention, and a great deal of fun.
It’s sonic candy with an unusual bite—it’s not just sweet, usually changing flavors within a beat. A band from UP, Howard Luistro (vocals, guitar), Billie dela Paz (bass), Pappu de Leon (guitars) and Fries Bersales (drums) cull from their diverse influences—from hip hop to foreign indie music to local rock to drive their music to places previously unexplored by upcoming acts—and come up with unusual combinations: power rock riffs in a poppy song, for instance.
Flamingos are one of a kind. (No really, they’re the only birds in their genus.) They’re birds, but not your typical birds. It’s quite an apt animal to take after, they have the same parts as other birds, but they add up to something completely different, unusual, wonderful. Track the trajectory of this band, as they continue fleshing out their sound. I guarantee, they will take flight in no time.
For people who: listen closely, like experimentation, and think about their music
Check out: Charlemagne for its Beatles-esque breakdown and June for its fruity guitar riffs and tropical beats.
Watch out for: the release of their freshly recorded and newly songs next month, December 2014.
Dearest,
Dearest,’s music explores both lyrical and sonic narratives — they begin writing their songs with the question “What story do we want to tell?” instead of “How do we want to sound?”
Like letters unsent, coupled with all the things you wish you could say. That’s what they sound like. Don’t expect sappy or sad music here, however. Their upbeat percussion and sweet guitar hooks play up the tension between happy and sad, keeping your ears glued, their songs one big build-up at a time.
Dearest, — made up of Jackie Francisco (vocals), Miles Malferrari (guitars, back-up vocals), Andrew de Pano (bass, backup vocals), Izzy Young (drums) and Andrew Panopio (guitars, backup vocals) — writes infectious melodies coupled with gut-wrenching harmonies to reach out to the deepest, darkest, dankest parts of your soul… if you’ll let them.
They’re definitely a band you must catch live. Their acoustic sets stun with their incredible vocal harmonies, while their live sets bring out the powerful instrumentation. Either way, they’re out to get you by the feels.
For people who: are (not-so) secretly (still) in love #Hugot
Check out: Umbra for the wistful intro and #feels lyrics and Don’t Call Me Back for the insane vocal harmonies.
Watch out for: Their album, coming out 2015!
Rebelle Fleur
facebook.com/RebelleFleurMusic
Rebelle Fleur doesn’t want you to just pay attention to their lyrics. They want you to immerse yourself in the intricacies of their raunchy but danceable music.
After undergoing numerous lineup changes, Rebelle Fleur—currently Paolo Bermal (vocals, guitars), Madox Sto. Tomas (bass, backup vocals), Charles Villanueva (drums) and Jake Masigan (guitars)— infuses rock with soul influences, “soul with distortion” (“soulstortion”?) Everyone else sings about desolation, frustration with melodies (with an acoustic guitar and flower crowns to back them up). For this band, it’s the distortions that are delicious, the angst and aggression, rambunctious.
Rebelle Fleur, from College of Saint Benilde and University of Sto. Tomas, represents the heavier spectrum of this year’s upcoming artists, heavy and head- bobbing while still remaining accessible to the indie audience. This ain’t no hormone rock. These “hunks that are punks” are hoping to redefine rock and roll, with soul. Stay tuned.
For people who: are looking for updated angsty late-‘90s rock (and are also pushing the #feels away)
Check out: their EP. Tracks of note: Playing Cards and Into the Daylight
Watch out for: An EP coming in 2015!
