Lion and the Scouts enlivens UPLB crowd

Text and photos by: Chris Quintana Lion and the Scouts recently headlined a gig in UPLB entitled sE-DI-Tion: Get Up, Stand Up last November 19, 2015. It was the reggae band's first time to play in Los Banos. Backed up by rap group Kartel, they performed in front of an intimate yet spirited and bouncy campus…

New and old faces reunite at Freshmeat

Text by: Kimmy Baraoidan Photos by: Chris Quintana and Kimmy Baraoidan The U.P. Jammers’ Club celebrated their 23rd anniversary last October 8, 2015 at Duplex Tavern with Freshmeat, a night of music from fresh and 'veteran' bands, all products of the socio-cultural organization based in the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Original and cover…

Skrappy Koko wins Bandemonium 2015

Last night's Bandemonium 2015 Battle of the Bands showcased several of the most promising bands from the Los Banos (LB) local band scene. Presented by the U.P. Jammers' Club as part of their 23rd anniversary, the event was held at a recently opened bar Duplex Tavern. The night saw the bands perform various genres of…

BLKD fires up LB with pieces from “Gatilyo”

Text by: Kimmy Baraoidan Photos by: Chris Quintana and Kimmy Baraoidan It was drizzling when we arrived at Los Baños, Laguna-based lifestyle store Fam on the evening of October 1, 2015. Fam was packed with cyclists, their bikes parked along the store's facade, as an alley cat race had just finished. Performers for Wordplay, a spoken-word…

Valley of Chrome rocks Sta. Rosa

Text by: Kimmy Baraoidan Photos by: Chris Quintana and Kimmy Baraoidan You got to love it when things fall into the place. We were going to shoot a skateboarding competition last Sunday, September 6 in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Coincidentally, Valley of Chrome was playing at SM City Sta. Rosa that day. I sent text messages…

Kokoi Baldo performs during the Nalu Music Fest in Baler, Aurora. Photo by: Kimmy Baraoidan

Kokoi Baldo rocks Baler

Text by: Kimmy Baraoidan Photos by: Chris Quintana and Kimmy Baraoidan Authentic. That’s the first word that came to my mind when I experienced the performance of reggae artist Kokoi Baldo during the Nalu Music Fest last May 1 to 3, 2015 in Baler, Aurora. I first saw Kokoi on stage on the first day.…

DreadKnot Used performs during the Nalu Music Fest in Baler, Aurora. Photo by: Kimmy Baraoidan

DreadKnot Used pumps up the Baler crowd

Text by: Kimmy Baraoidan Photos by: Chris Quintana and Kimmy Baraoidan DreadKnot Used was another band that caught my fancy during the Nalu Music Fest last May 1 to 3, 2015 in Baler, Aurora. Members include Ram Yparraguirre on vocals, VJay "Krayzie-V" Dano on rhythm guitar and additional vocals, Earl Canilias on lead guitar, Leal…

Embercore: Eight years in the pit

Text by: Kimmy Baraoidan Photos by: Chris Quintana and Kimmy Baraoidan Longevity and endurance are hard to come by these days with fast-changing times, disposable things, and instant everything. Embercore built itself from the ground up. Since 2007, the group has been putting piece by piece together with buckets of sweat, long hours of practice,…