FIRST BLOOD PHILIPPINE TOUR JAN.17 1PM

FIRST BLOOD PHILIPPINE TOUR JAN.17 1PM AT TEN02 BAR

LAKEFEST 2010

Be here. Support the scene. Great bands. Great music.

apologies for no update

Its been quite some time since i posted some articles here, and my apologies to people whose been checking this site. Ive been busy over the last few months with my new job and personal stuff. I have several pending interviews with some of our local bands, and also a CD review from the latest ep of Walk Me home released under the label Radio Off Project. But I havent write something meaningful as of this moment. Again my sincere apologies.

Im also cooking something with my new band, if everything goes well as planned and if time permit us to play with our different and changing schedules. We are supposed to play last week at Cubao X, but again work schedules didn't allow us. And we all know it always sucks.

Please continue checking this site, I know we will all be busy within the next couple of weeks because of the holidays and everything. Hopefully we can update this site as soon as possible.
And if there is someone whose interested in helping me writing some articles, news or whatever that, I would gladly appreciate. I will give you rights and access to this site.

So if you're interested, just drop me an email, batangashcpunk@gmail.com or just leave a message on our shoutbox.

Thank you, and Happy holidays!

enzo

VOTE for IYA on MTV EMERGE

Lets help and support IYA by voting them on MTV EMERGE

Click the link and vote now

Batangueño Music festival

Batangueño Music festival
Sigaw Ng Kabataan.

Oct 30 2009
Batangas City Sports Coliseum Open Grounds.
Ticket 20Bucks
4pm
A Benefit Concert For Typhoon Victims.

Featuring Original Batangueño Musicians and talents. such as.

One4zero
Survival of the Fittest
Tellayouthska
Skin 46
IYA
8FoldPath
Tsugalogs
Sinag
God's will
Bloody scarlett
Failure
And More Surprise Guest. plus the 13 Finalist For the Battle of the Bands.

Be involved to be heard
Support Your Local Scene
Support The Movement.

EARTH DECAY Ecofest 09 "Our Earth is Our Concern"

EARTH DECAY Eco Fest 09 "Our Earth is Our Concern"
102409
Lion's Club Hall
Sampaloc Lake San Pablo City, Laguna.
Show Start at 2pm


Good line up. See you there!

Batangas Music Festival

NSC, spread the word!

Batangueño Music Festival 09': Sigaw ng Kabataan Battle of the Bands/Concert

October 30,2009 4PM onwards
Batangas City Sports Coliseum(open grounds)


Elimination Dates for Battle of the Bands:
October 7, 14, 21(every wednesdays) @ Alexi Bar and Resto
Pallocan West, Batangas City

Grand Champion- P20,000 tax free
1st runner up -P15,000 tax free
2nd runner up -P10,000taxfree

formoreinformations:
http://batangasmusicfest.blogspot.com/
091 5-5 09-4041 (GLOBE)
0919-960-8510( SMART)
look for Ismael or Phat G

2 songs- 2 cover or 1 cover 1 compo...
get ur form at 40 Noble St. Batangas City.. (in front of pldt)
deadline until oct 7. bring all ur requirements..

Update: one4zero in studio recording new songs

Sorry guys for the late update. im just busy within the past few days, got a new job and i moved to a different location. Anyhow, one4zero is in the studio recording an acoustic ep. hopefully we can talk to them sometime and have some songs posted here.

- We are still waiting for the guys from Radio Off Project to give us some news about their label. Im still waiting for their reply.

Music Review No. 1 Iya's debut CD The Epic Battle Between Goodlooks and Money

Myspace

Purevolume

Track list:

1. Quick hello

2. APT song

3. Under the sleep sign download for free

4. Sleepless

5. The keypad dance

6. WBS 263 (The Maan Song)

7. The gift

8. Her and me

Today for our review corner we’re going to feature Batangas City’s newest pop punk outfit, “IYA” and their independently released debut album “The epic battle between goodlooks and money.” I somehow heard this band before, but I don’t really pay much attention to them since I don’t really listen to pop punk or “emo” bands nowadays, not that I don’t listen to them, but right now I’m more into the Indie, shoegaze and post rock kind of music. I still dig local music no matter how much they sound or whatever genre they’re into to help them in my own simple ways like this, I still buy some merchandise and stuff from them.

One time Pex (vocalist) send me a message at some networking site asking if we can collaborate, team up or work together, (unfortunately it didn’t push trough). I started to get aware of their brand of music, checked their myspace and listen to few samples. Then after a few more weeks, I saw these guys play at Kiko and LC’s post wedding celebration, I approached them and start to make friends with them. Hehe. Ger, the keyboardist and guitarist, I’ve known this guy since college. He handed me his ipod and ask to have a sneak peak of the songs they recorded. Too bad I missed their release party because of work. Anyhow Pex gave me a copy of their cd which I greatly appreciate. Immediately I noticed the quality of recording, Macoy of Earbender studio did a great job on this one. He gets the sound of early “The starting line” albums. Basically this means that the sound is on top quality.

In terms of music and song writing and building up the band, they’ve managed to pull those catchy lyrics and poppish melodies with their technical abilities musically. Songs are mostly based on relationships, girls and their crushes. Songs like Quick hello Pex talks about her crush with lines like “If I say hi there, would you feel special? I’m frozen half to death, imagining how things would be like”, also according to Pex “most of the songs are about desperate attempts for a decent relationship.” APT song (feat. Ton Diva and the APT Crew) is more of a friendship song. According to the band this song is about their rented apartment where they and their crew hang out most of the time. Third song is “Under the sleepsign” which reminds me of the song, “Best of Me” by the starting line. And this song is available for free downloads on their pure volume page. Keypad dance is the only slow song in this record, not sure why it’s called a keypad song. The sixth track was a tagalog song WBS263(the Maan song) is about Tam and some other girls Pex added. One song that I really like as well is the cover of Jim Brickman’s song, “The Gift” which reminds me of the Pop Goes Punk compilation. Other songs that I didn’t mention are Sleepless and Her and me. These guys are chick magnets. Haha. So if you’re a guy and you wonder how to get a girl, you better go and ask them, they definitely know the answer, Haha. Well, I just hope they expand more of their song writing capabilities not just write songs about girls or relationship.

About the tangibles, artwork, layout, and packaging, honestly I didn’t really like the layout of their CD. I told Pex that it looks like a seventh birthday invitation; I ask him what’s with the balloons, confetti and fireworks. He just laughed at me, he even told me that it looks gay but they wanted it that way. It represents how happy they are as individuals. So I said ok, that’s cool and I’m starting to like the cover now though.

They already passed a demo CD at NU 107, probably for the next couple of months you’ll certainly hear this guys on the radio. And I support these guys for the hard work that they put into this record. If you could only hear their stories, it’s really punk rock. I admire you guys for that, it just shows how serious this guys about playing and making their music. I hope you’ll remain true to the core.

Price of the CD is 250 Philippine Peso that’s direct. A little pricey but if you consider their effort it’s a pretty cool deal. For international buyer you can drop us a line on our shoutbox or you can contact the band directly on their myspace.

I give this CD whopping 8.5 stars

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IYA Goes Punk

This time we feature this new and promising young act from batangas IYA, together with their latest release “The epic battle between good looks and money.” They will share us a brief history of the band, the struggle of being an independent artist, being down south without any much place to play. And yet here they are giving a breath of fresh air with their type of music. We are going to feature there Debut CD here tomorrow as well. For now enjoy this interview and read on...

First of all, kindly introduce the band to our readers. Please give us a brief history of your group.

Well, it all started with me(PeX) and Tam, bein in this alternative band way back in highschool... after a couple of experiences playin with the band we were all set(to pack our bags coz they kicked us out of the band haha)... we didnt know that much about playin music back then and i didnt know the difference between a high note and a bitch scream so i dont blame them for lookin for replacements... haha.. tam even sold his own bass right after the incident and made up his mind doin somethin else like karate or somethin... haha... then we started to think of revenge so we made our own band, with my brother Bonjan on drums and there... AFTER a couple of months rehearsing we met Paul in college and the moment he told me he was lookin for a band i knew there was a connection... wahahaha no homo ok? We named the band IYA right after one of our jams.... it was the only name we could all agree upon coz everyone in the band wanted something else like SELVES AS TASTY or IN YOUR ALLIGATOR and the names all sucked... we named it iya coz we think she is the SHIT and we couldnt think of a prettier girl(we write songs mostly about girls so there ya go hehe)... then IYA was born... but a couple of gigs later some asshole named GER started fillin in for Paul when he couldnt play... he made the same connection Paul made coz he was so damn good lookin(still no homo!) and he had the right HAIR for the job... we added him to play keyboards instead coz he was hoggin all the attention while holdin a guitar(he couldnt record his keyboard parts yet on the count of we still didnt have the right stuff at the time)... and then the rest is history... and oh yeah... we have a really cute violinist named Donna but she still has to find the time to record her parts... and so there... hehe thats IYA

Can you tell us more about your music? Who wrote the lyrics? And who’s in charge of the music?

Well, the music is mainly pop-punk and happy most of the time... it really sounds like just a couple of kids tryin to make and have fun with their own music(well thats what we think anyways)... and the lyrics? i write most of the lyrics in terms of structure and way... most of the songs are about my desperate attempts for a decent relationship but some of the other songs are not about me like WBS 263(the maan song) coz its about Tam and some other girls...the music ... well i start off with a couple of melodies and a tune with some words, then the band chips in with their ideas once im done with the song structure melody and dynamics... and once its all done the jammin begins... hehe

Who and what are your main influences? Musically and life in general.

Well we get a lotta joy from stupid and sarcasticly mean things like stickin it to your ex with a killer revenge song or somethin so were pretty much hooked by The Starting Line, Taking Back Sunday, The Used, Underoath and some bands that other regular newcomers from the scene really started out with... and yeah coz they’re really the einsteins of the business... hehe in the WHAT category, we’re inspired and influenced byHAPPY! If you know what i mean? Haha lets just say were not straight edge or anything... haha sorry but we are...we’re not potheads or anything but we enjoy the occassional treat whenever we’re stressed out or lookin for fun straight up... In life? Homer Simpson and Will ferrel would give you the key to Success... winx=p

What’s your opinion about this “emo” tagline? Do you think it is being overrated or something?

Huwah?? We dont go by labeling coz we dont believe in it... You dont really need a dresscode or anything... I kinda hate the way people label themselves right after dressing up... it’s become a fad these days... dont call yourselves EMOtera’s and Rockista’s or whatever coz THERE IS NO SUCH THING... just kids dressin up and takin credit... if you want credit just make a difference in your life... dont do it coz you think its a way of bein cool coz its not the point(of music)... its annoying.. so. if you’re not doin any of these things then you have my blessing... you’re good to go... hehe

You guys don’t wear make up right? Lol. Haha

Girlfriends... Sigh. Haha otherwise, non whatsoever...=p

Let’s talk about your record. I heard few songs from your myspace profile and the recording was good. How much money did you spend on this record?

Well, all were gonna say about is .... DANG! Weve got lotsa friends.. haha... Thank You TFC!! n_n

Please tell us more about your recent release... What are the stories behind these songs?

The 1st track of the cd Quick Hello is about AMY the college crush and not bein able to even talk to her and other losery settings... the 2nd track is about the place we rent to hang out in and the people behind what kind of friends we have to support us.... and the rest of the songs are about girls girls girls.. and yeah, girls... did i mention girls?? haha

You released your first album and made your own label all by yourself right? How about distribution? Is it distributed by shurikenfist entertainment? If yes, what’s your arrangement with them if any?

Well it was an independently produced album (APT RECORDS is just the apartment we all love and all the bands we’ve got in it) coz we decided we wanted to take matters into our own hands right after the arrangement we had with salvation records that didnt work out... so every piece of material in that cd came from months and months and weeks and days of beggarship with politicians, rich people and people from abroad tryin to earn money for their kids, and we jacked them! Hahaha... anyways right after all that work and havin the CD all set... we chipped in for some more dough and we were lucky enough that SHURIKEN FIST helped us out and they provided for the release.. it was really big of them and their strivin really good to get our music out there...i think its a win-win with them right now=p

What are the major things you’ve learned in the local hcpunk scene?

A lotta things actually.. but nothin more important than working hard, and bein a bitter eX... hahaha. The time you enjoyed wasting... is not wasted at all... And stick out for your local scene... payter din ang mga batanguenyo... haha

What if you got an offer from some major label? Share your thoughts about hardcore or punk bands signing on a major label deal? What do you think of bands selling out?

KUH!! Ang harsh naman... hehe but anyways... SELLIN OUT? Lets see... uhm... if you have the ability to sell millions of copies, it doesnt mean you’re an ass kisser... go for it... it just means your music is really that good and its ready to have a wider array of audiences to capture... but never! EVER!- let any major label, for no matter how much money--- tell you what to do with your music or what you should write about or what you should sound like to sell coz thats just plain wrong and plastic and just not cricket...=p

What do you think of people copying and ripping your cd or your music? Are you guys cool with that? And if yes, would you mind sharing your music to our readers?

If youve got the nerves... then go for it!! Just dont let us catch you... Hahaha joke... if you dont want the original copy then thats fine with us... its not us who’s gonna be wondrin what the song was really about or anything... its your problem... haha... if i had the ears and stenographer like abilities then i wouldnt buy my album either... nyahahaha

Well if you want a free song just check out our purevolume and myspace page... its www.pure volume.com/iya and www. Myspace.com/iyatheband... from there you can get our attention if you’re interested in copies... n_n

How people can get a copy of your cd?

well if anybody would like a copy of our album they could message us through our purevolume and myspace page mentioned earlier...or you could just drop by the APT behind lyceum of the philippines university - batangas in SWA capitolio BATANGAS to grab one yourself.. hehe advanced thanx to those who do would want a copy...

Do you have any recent projects or merchandise?

Nobody wants to do shirts for us so thats a big no... would you do a shirt for us?? Haha its just the cd and we’re thinkin about IYA trading cards, lunchboxes, pencil cases, detergent, and pin buttons... thats all...=p

Any last thought and people you want to thank.

thanx sa lahat ng mga tao na nakinig at nakikinig pa din samen...
we wouldnt have been driven to write our own material without of all those people...plus all the girls in the songs(you know who you are) haha... and please support our fellow bands from the 043 batangas scene... SHOUTS to our brothers from NSC SHURIKEN FISt, APT records. Puredeath, RAdio off and to everyone and everything else that IYA the band came to know and love... TALAMATZ n_n

Links: myspace, purevolume

* photos by lorenzo reyes

news update no.2 IYA interview and cd review

Watch out for the interview of Batangas City's newest poppunk outfit IYA. they will give some info about the band, their struggle and everything. We' re also going to feature their independently released debut cd here. Another quality release from the proud batangas underground scene.

We will review their debut CD as well.

For fans of The Starting Line and the likes.

Listen to their songs for the meantime at this pages myspace and purevolume


Support your local scene.

email us at: batangashcpunk@gmail.com

sauna

sauna - expire [2009.02.22] from sannee crapsalad on Vimeo.

SAUNA is one of the best band that came out in the batangas hardcore punk movement. This video/song is from their 1st full length "Deeper it goes". they already have three records released under take four collective. Initially they were compared to Converge and Curl up and die but the band manage to overcome and stand all those criticism on this latest release. One of the best record released locally in recent times. lyrics are very poetic,music was very chaotic the cd cover and inlay was very artistic and creative. What can you ask for, this is a quality release from this band and T4. And according to Jade (coffeemug zine, walk me home) sometimes you wonder if this is a local release because you can simply put them on labels like HydraHead or Deathwish records.

Musicallywise, we evolved to a more atmospheric feeling sound than before. And more passion was put on ink as we wrote even harsher lyrics still depicting the personal turmoils we've been through. And we could see how much people relate through the words when we sing it live. - from the myspace profile

Hopefully we can set an interview with them and feature them here in our online zine.

If you havent heard this band yet. now is the time. go to their myspace

To order their cd click this link takefourcollective

* video posted from crapsalad

N.Y.H.C documentary

while waiting and getting ready for the next article here in our online zine. im sharing this documentary about NEW YORK HARDCORE also know as NYHC. a very good documentary and its a must see for anyone in our local hc/punk scene or anyone who loves and appreciate this type of music. it feature live performances and interview of some prominent and legendary people on the famous NYHC scene.

N.Y.H.C. is a documentary film directed by Frank Pavich about the mid-90s New York hardcore scene. distributed by HALO 8 Entertainment

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

For more than a decade now Survival Of the Fittest is one of the few band remain standing behind all the struggles. Earning respect from the local underground scene. Continuing what they've started, helping new bands and keeping the batangas hardcore punk scene alive. We got a chance to interview Cardinal Tank frontman of the band to share his thoughts and opinions about the band, the music, our scene and everything in between. enjoy.

First of all, kindly introduce the band to our readers. Please give us a brief history of the group.

* wassup everybody, we are Survival of the Fittest from Batangas City/Bauan. the core of the group has been together since 1995, but our line up was completed around 1999. the band was started by me and ramon (guitarist) and then asked bonzo to play the drums. we basically added the rest as we moved on. nelson was asked to replace our former bassist, mumen (who was also playing for another group, xOnexAgainstxAllx). we had lots of members come and go, and hewitt (vocals) and aaron (guitarist) were the last addition to the group.

due to lack of funds and different issues, it took us more or less ten years to record and release our 8 song EP Here I Remain Standing released independently through our indie label, SHURIKENFIST Entertainment.

Can you tell us more about your music? Who write the lyrics? And whose in-charge with the music?

* our music is a mix of different genres, but mainly it's hardcore/hiphop/metal. but when you here our record, you can here our other influences, like reggae, ska, electronica and alternative music.

as for the music making part, we all contribute in making songs. if someone thinks of a riff or a melody, it has to pass everyone's taste, filtering it until everybody has contributed and making it better. as for the songwriting, me and hewitt mainly does that but, like in the music making, everybody contributes.


Please tell us more about your previous release Here I Remain Standing. Whats the story behind the songs.

* the EP is actually a testament of our dedication as a band. we had many disagreements in the past that lead to us going our separate ways, but despite how many times we had disbanded, we still remained as good friends and eventually, that lead us to reform again and again.

as for the songs, it's mainly about our experiences, personal and/or as a group. we just took a look around us (at ourselves, our families and community) and made it into songs. they are just simple and heartfelt, and most of all true.

Who and what are your main influences? Musically and life in general.

* individually, it may take us forever to list here all of our influences. we have our own set of "heroes" or people we look up to so it might be difficult to list it all here.

The video for your single Gratitude, I heard it was shown on national tv on some music channel. Did you actually send the video to that network?

* hahaha, i read that many people from the underground scene had reacted to that. the truth is, the director (who is a close friend of mine) worked for ABSCBN and had a few connections in MYX so he passed his (technically, it is his work) video to them. the video, truthfully, is a school project (of the director) and we had no budget when we made that, so it's still DIY. and sa tingin ko e wala sila pakialam kung saan namin dalhin ang video namin kasi, amin naman yun. kung may reklamo sila, e di gumawa din sila ng kanila at di naman namin sila pakikialaman kung saan nila ipakita yun. hahaha (joke lang na medyo hindi).

Your also included in One Voice Asia’s Worldwide Hardcore compilation. Tell us more about this compilation. And now you guys are being recognized outside our country, do you have any plans like touring outside? Southeast asia perhaps?

* kiko blanco (former bassist of hc band Failure), who worked in singapore and connected us to his friend, anis of One Voice Asia Records. we eventually became friends and we became included in their movement to unite people who are involved in hardcore in asia and around the globe. we were then asked to give them a song for their compilation.

hopefully, we can play outside the Philippines later, but we haven't actually played outside of Luzon. there are a lot of great places we really wanted to play first, like Cebu and Davao. but we still have plans to play outside the country. malay mo, maybe next year we'll have a southeast asia tour, hahaha.

You're the only band i know thats still standing since the forgiveness denied, one sweet day era. And thats a whole lot of chemistry, how do you manage to stick together. And how do you see the band within the next three or five years?

* well, we are friends and we prioritize friendship over the band. we had actually been disbanded and reformed for so many times already (the latest was last 2007). we fought a lot during those 14 years but after loosening up, we would eventually be drawn together again. just like a magnet, hahaha. we are like a family, everyone has a role to play.

as a group, I can't really tell what'll happen in 3 to 5 years. we used to have plans but reality usually disperses those plans. a lot has happened in the past few years: aaron and ramon had to work overseas, aaron got married plus had a baby, me and ramon bringing up our kids, etc. so who knows what happens next.


What if you got an offer from some major label? Share your thoughts about hardcore or punk bands signing on a major label deal?

* we had talked about it a lot and i have to say, we are all for it. everyone has their own path to chose. we have nothing against those bands who chose the mainstream way. what we don't like are the negative attittudes that come with that. yung pa-rockstar na ugali.

if ever we get signed, i would probably use the money (and privileges) to help out struggling artists here (and of course, setting aside for the future of our families). majority of us feel the same way. mas madami kang matutulungan kapag ganun, di tulad ng iba, puro imik, pero wala naman sila nagagawa para sa community nila. ang mahirap kasi dito sa atin e madami reklamador, wala na nga ginagawa e nanggugulang pa ng kapwa.

basta, kanya kanya lang yan.


Ive known you guys for more than a decade now and the scene that we have before. What do think about the scene today? What do you think is better?

* i think it's unfair to compare the past with the present. both has their plus and minus. both have their shares of ups and downs. the fact is, the underground music scene here in Batangas is still growing.

In your opinion, how important are the ideals of hardcore punk?
* personally, i think it both has a negative and positive aspect. positive, like the DIY ethic, brotherhood/sisterhood and more. what i don't like is the hardlining and sh*t. be your own person.

We admit, we have two separate scene going on here in batangas. Is there any possible way we can bridge this gap between crews?(dont want to name drop, if your in the scene you know what im talking about). Do you still hope that one day we will just have one united scene?

* I think that this is not about crews, it's about personal stuff. meron lang siguro mga miron na nagpapagulo. a lot of those people are still our brothers. I mean, we grew up together and sh*t like that. we just had to pursue different paths. as a scene, as of lately, I don't see any big gaps or issues like that (except maybe for a few insecure people who still wants to make issues out of it). we have been constantly supporting them in their endevours, and vice versa. in fact, we will be releasing a compilation CD of all the artists here in the province and they are definitely gonna be a part of it.

and besides, Batangas is a small area. imposible na di kami magkita kita, di ga?


What do you think of people copying and ripping your cd or your music? Are you guys cool with that? And if yes, would you mind sharing your music to our readers?

* it's ok with us. we grew up in the "pirate" age, so in MY opinion, wala naman siguro sa amin ang magrereklamo kapag ganun nangyari. basta wag lang ibebenta, yung tipong pagkakakwartahan pa. kung ipapamigay e cguro ok lang. we had shared our music in the past, through blog sites, myspace account and stuff like that.

we don't mind letting our songs be heard everywhere, regardless we get signed or not. spread the music

You guys are one of the most influential band here in batangas. What can you advise to this new kids in the scene who look up to you?

* influential eh. hahahahaha. just be yourselves. you don't have to prove anything to anyone. play what you like and don't be put in a box. music is universal, so be open about it. don't get stuck and explore, find your niche and be happy.

and don't do drugs (hahahahaha).

Any recent projects, merchandise, or record to promote?

* we are currently making new materials. we are planning to make a full length CD to be released next year. we wil also be launching our own tshirt line soon. check out our profiles for other news:

http://profiles.friendster.com/10795506
http://www.myspace.com/sof2006

also check out the other artist on our indie label. check it out: http://profiles.friendster.com/shurikenfistentertainment

I think thats all the question i have for now. Thank you for your time. Any last parting words to our readers?

* 1st off, thank you very much to Batangas Hardcore/Punk Online Zine. more power bro, keep up the goodwork.

shout outs to Ninja Shaolin Crew (NSC), our One Voice Crew (OVC) brothers/sisters in Laguna, Davao, Cebu, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore (sup Anis!), Ala Eh! Mob, Pure Death Records and CUTA043, Cherry Flavour Productions, APT Records, DUKHA, Melvin Cruz and Brgy. Tibay, B-Roc and Turbulence Productions, the staff of SHURIKENFIST Entertainment and all the bands we have played with.

wassup to all the people who are still attending gigs and keeping active. keep doing what you are doing. always support your local underground music scene. walang imposible, basta sama sama tayo.

and to all the haters: YUCK FOU!

Cardinal Tank



* video taken on one of SOF show in San Pedro Laguna performing the song Higher Level.
* photo taken from SOF's myspace: magrudergrind phil. tour and hardcore's finest gigs.