August 2004 Buzz Night

Affirmation rocks.

Buzz Night last Saturday started late. A couple of bands had already arrived, but most of them had a member or two missing and so Allan couldn't kick the program into gear just yet. Roel had just arrived straight from Baguio an hour earlier and we really appreciated his effort to make this night possible for Candyaudioline. Ralph and Charmaine were there, too. Ralph and I were both nervous about our set, especially since our last In Between Days performance was a bit of a laugh (though people said they had a lot of fun hearing us again). People were slowly filling up the place so we had a good-sized audience. We hoped the new bands would enjoy playing. Ayn arrived a bit later with Trina; she said she was studying at their place that night and that was why she could get away with playing. Candyaudioline had a little discussion on the songs to be included in our set (we wanted to take a risk and exclude some safe songs). Thankfully, we were all able to agree on something, and it turned out later that the risks paid off.

Eloha, former Soft Pillow Kisses vocalist, was there with her boyfriend. Later, Apol also arrived, though she left the singing to Eloha because she had to rush to an emergency all of a sudden. The night promised to have more reunions as some Buzz Night peeps from before paid a visit (Ryan from Apple Orchard, Joey from Candy/Pillow/Judith and Mike from Carnival Park), and also ex-Candy vocalist Mich's band Death By Tampon (with Lara SPK on drums!) was on the repertoire.

At 11, newbie band Join The Club kicked things off with their spunky harmonic songs. These guys had played with Pillow and Candy at Backbeat gigs before, but it was only when they let Allan listen to their EP recently that we noticed their infectious, head-bopping music. The people enjoyed their set and Charles heard the vocalist of Easy Mercey comment that bands being lined-up for Buzz Night are quite good these days. Next came Candyaudioline's set. We pulled it off very well, and the crowd really appreciated us starting it with "Flaming Walls". In the middle of the set, Ayn and I exchanged a subtle, relieved, "we're-doing-great!" smile. People liked that we ended with "Nothing Much To Lose".

Death By Tampon played next. Mich called our attention during soundcheck, saying they had a surprise for us. She started playing and singing "So Painful", but she had to stop because she forgot the chords, I think. She explained to the crowd that she used to be the vocalist for Candyaudioline and that it was Allan who had taught her to play the guitar. They gave a very enjoyable performance. They were all eye candy in their dolled-up selves, and their songs were sharply cute. I can't say for certain whether they were everyone's cup of tea, but a lot of us were certainly entertained by them, even Allan. We're happy that Mich and Lara are making a niche for themselves. Their band's personality and gumption will take them a very long way.

Sunset Drive followed with a very tight set. Their guitars sounded great! Next played Helen, which refreshed us with their slow, jazzy tunes after all that guitar angst from the previous four bands. After them, Popular Days took the stage… of course, they were the band that everyone was waiting for :D They played a new song and a cover from Ocean Blue along with a few staples. When they stepped down, they were surprised when people told them they played a great set… and they did!

It was Tether's turn. "Ang galing talaga nilang magpatunog ng gitara," Allan said. At first, their vocalist Joyce was having a hard time keeping up with the volume (Iha, ok lang yun… I had the same problem with Candyaudioline for the longest time, and I still have that problem every now and then… It's tricky when a band loves volume so much), and I could feel the tension of her efforts seeping into the crowd. But they soon won the audience over with sheer talent by the time they played their new songs.

Finally, Soft Pillow Kisses played. Eloha sang for them. She was drunk, but her diminished inhibitions made for good singing, despite the fact that she hadn't practiced in a long time. Allan is considering taking her back into the band now that she seems more interested. That would be good. In the middle of their set, I noticed something big and brown run across the floor from the restrooms, scuttle up onto the stage, make a beeline for Lara's feet and hide behind the amps. I gave out an involuntary cry, while the rest of the audience laughed and instinctively raised their feet. Allan practically did a rocking jump onstage and so did Lara. It was a huge-ass rat! Once again, the sweet strains of SPK's dream pop have lured the pests onto their set, like Orpheus' effect on flora and fauna. What talent.

Anyway, it was a very successful Buzz Night. May we have one again this coming September!