Suitcase 101 Album Launch a Success

by Ryan Macalandag\

Aside from Suitcase 101 bassist Benjo's "backbone injury", the launching of this phenomenal band's first independently released album was a success. Support for the band was just overwhelming. Family, friends, supporters and brother bands went all out. Even the mothers went to see.















For more photos from this event, go to my Picassa account.

Events: Manok ni Ambo @ ICM

Never mind that there were only 4 people in front of the stage or that Ambo looked hip-hoppy, the night was sure a blast for Manok ni Ambo, who on their first ever stage appearance was flaming hot with Roy's guitars on fire.

Manok, the band's drummer, went on it like a madman from hell, hitting the kit with a ruthless rockin' rythm that awed all the front row audiences - all four of them.

Ambo, the bassist, was sizzling on the low notes as he head-banged around as they played one of Silverchair's iconic songs.

I'm sure there will be more for them fellas. Watch out!






For more photos from this set, click here.

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Photo by Ryan Macalandag
Shot using a Nikon D80 DSLR
Copryright �2007 All rights reserved.

Bands: Suitcase 101

Bohol's band scene is very anemic. One can only count the number of bands around. (Not counting the regular show bands,) There are about 8. But more recently, these few who survived playing gigs here and about are starting to rocky really hard. Take Suitcase 101 for example. These kids are winning regional contests and are starting to record their own stuff. Yeah, it's been slow but the lack of record labels/companies picking up are not a hindrance. The bands are coughing up their own dough to finance their recordings. I salute.



And BTW, Arvin the drummer passed the recent Nursing Board exams. Gratz, pre!

(More of this set, here.)
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Photos by Ryan Macalandag
Shot using a Nikon D80
Copyright �2007 All rights reserved.

Events: Field of Screams 1 @ Martin's Bar

It's quite difficult for underground rock bands in Bohol to get a decent event to play at these days. No producer seems to be interested with producing a concert with bands who look like (and sound like) a bunch of hungry retards/addicts/degenerates pounding on empty rice kettles. All they want are the commercially viable, publicly loved and horribly boring radio pop-rock bands. I mean, I totally understand them. They won't bet their money on something that won't be a viable for the cashflow.

But, some bands got brains too, apparently. "Why not produce our own concert/event for ourselves?", they thought. Genius. The result was a night of sweet and pure rock 'n roll chaotic fun. A total of thirteen (or so?) rock bands from Bohol's underground scene came out and got together for a wickedly wicked hell of a party at Martin's Bar in Gallares. The event was dubbed, Field of Screams.






About a hundred or so rock-thirsty boys and girls flocked and crammed themselves into a standing-room-only bar. The nooks, crannies and even the hallway to the toilet was filled to the brim.

Red horse - the beer of choice - overflowed and intensified every beat of the songs played upfront. You can already hear the old wooden walls and floor of the bar moaning and groaning.








The night had to end at 12 midnight though. As the son's and daughter's of rock and roll drunkily haul their rocked-out asses out of the place, one could not help but ask when will this happen again? Fact is, there is no telling when.



Thanks and kudos to Plug-Out Productions for the blind-courage of making this happen. Roy Tutor SoundGarage for the undying loyalty to your dream. For the boys and girls who saw it all happen.



(More of this set, here.)
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Photos by Ryan Macalandag
Gear: Nikon D80, SB-600
Copyright ©2007 All rights reserved.