NAGBIGAY NG SPECIAL thanksgiving dinner, mini-concert at giveaways ang tatlong hottest band ng dekada – Sponge Cola, Itchyworms at Kjwan para sa entertainment press last Tuesday, September 21 at Center Stage. Ito’y bilang pasasalamat sa tremendous at solid support na ibigay ng media sa kanila. Ipinagdiwang nila ang kanilang musika which earned each of them a well-deserved place sa pinakarespetadong echelon ng recent history ng OPM. They performed their respective greatest hits mula sa kanilang individual multi-platinum studio albums.
Original ang mga awiting pinerform ng Sponge Cola, Itchyworms at Kjwan dahil strong supporters at advocates sila ng Original Pilipino Music at ang kanilang artistic contributions sa music industry, rightfully canonized as modern classic by aficionados through their distinct and unforgettable music.
Ang Sponge Cola ay kinabibilangan nina Yael Yuzon lead vocals at guitar, Erwin ‘Armo’ Armovit lead guitars, Ted Mark ‘Tmac’ Cruz, drums, at Gosh Dilay, bass. Ang kanilang current re-packaged self-titled album under Universal includes such hits as “Puso,” “‘Di Na Mababaliw,” “Ayt” ang groundbreaking collaboration at duet ng banda kasama si Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano at “Makapiling Ka.” Sponge Cola shall come out with a new full-length studio album next year. “Makapiling Ka” ang kanilang current music video playing on Manila’s top-rating music video channels.
Ang grupong Itchyworms ay sina Chino Singson, guitars at vocals, Jazz Nicolas sa drums at vocals, Kelvin Yu, bass at vocals at Jugs Jugueta, guitars at vocals. Their newest single released ay pinamagatang “Suplado Ka Pala Sa Personal” mula sa kanilang current album self-titled under Sony Music Entertainment. The music video is directed by Galileo Te, umeere sa Myx at TV5. On TV, featured ang Itchyworms every Friday alongside fellow rock band Rocksteddy sa top-rating noontime variety show ng ABS-CBN na Showtime, kung saan regular co-host din si Jugs. In it’s highly-anticipated segment “Himigsikan,” the two band showcase their music prowess as they put their own spin sa mga timeless hits ng The Beatles, Eraserheads at mga 70’S OPM legends to Francis M., Madonna and Michael Learns To Rock. Radio DJs din sina Jugs at Kelvin every Sunday as the new hosts of JAM 88.3’s Jam Sessions.
Ibang klaseng mag-perform ang Kjwan, full of emotion ang kanilang lead vocalist na si Marc Abaya habang kumakanta ito. Rocked the music scene sa pamamagitan ng kanilang edgy at powerful brand of rock six years ago at patuloy pa rin ang paglakas ng grupo today as one of the most formidable and talented rock bands and musicians of today’s generation. Sila ang nagpasikat ng mga hit songs gaya ng “Daliri,” One Look,” at “Pintura.”
One of the biggest breakthroughs of Kjwan was winning the grand prize sa Asian at Philippine leg ng Ikon ASEAN Competition, na ginanap sa Putrajaya, Malaysia and watched by hundreds of thousands all over the region. Their performance made an impact to the Asian Music Community. Kjwan bested 30 other bands mula sa South East Asia. Ang latest CD nila ay pinamagatang “13 Seconds To Love” and it contains 11 tracks including such hits as “Lifeline,” “Pause” at “Meron Ba.” The CD is distributed by MCA Music and its music video is directed by Enzo Marcos.
You can catch Sponge Cola at Cuneta Astrodome, Sept. 24; Butuan, Sept. 25; 0’s Bistro, Sept. 28; Capiz, Roxas, Oct. 01; Iloilo, Oct.2; Dumaguete, Oct.9; Ica, Oct. 16; Bacolod, Oct.18; at Cagayan Oro, Oct. 30.
Ang Itchyworms ay may shows naman sa Cebu City para sa SMB Oktoberfest, Sept. 24; General Santos, Sept. 25; Tuna Festival for Smart, 70’s Bistro, Sept. 28; at Awit Awards on Sept. 30.
Kjwan will be performing at Robinson, Pulilan Bulacan, Oct. 15; Robinson’s Cabanatuan, Oct. 16; SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, Oct. 17; Mckinley Hills, The Fort, Oct. 22; Robinson’s BF Parañaque, Oct. 23; SM, Molino, Oct. 24; at Calapan Plaza , Mindoro, Nov. 01.
AYAW Paawat!
by Eddie Littlefield
