Perhaps one of the more low-key (yet always-engaging) productions around is the Kathy Gener-Anj Pessumal baby Attraction! Reaction!, whose monthly shows at Route 196 in Katipunan, though they may appear like soirees for friends and acquaintances, are really good previews of what’s up-and-coming in Manila indie. From Ciudad to Ang Bandang Shirley to The Strangeness to the more novel sounds of the Number Line artists, A!R! never fails to be an oasis for those thirsty for true musical alternatives. Tonight, however, the party aims to come to a friend’s mother’s aid. From A!R!’s Facebook event posting:

“Maeyet Lapena, who teaches Psychology at DLSU, is confined at the Philippine General Hospital for a mysterious mass in her brain which tests show might be a tumor, but acts like an infection. She was in a coma, now awake, but still very sick. She loves to help people, but this time it’s our turn to help her with her hospitalization and treatment so she can get better.”

Apart from gate revenue, the producers also wish to raise funds through sales from event posters. Prints of famed comic-strip artist Manix Abrera’s design from last month, as well as this month’s collab between Abrera and Apol Sta. Maria, will be sold at the venue. It will be smart to make reservations, though, as these really handsome-looking things sell fast. Contact Attraction! Reaction! (or Kathy Gener, or Anj Pessumal) for more info. Enjoy performances from 9:30PM onwards by Modulogeek, Ciudad, Outerhope, Ang Bandang Shirley, Gorgoro, Once More with Feeling, and Matilda, for a mere PhP150, and that comes with a drink. (Pulse.ph)

“Attraction! Reaction!: Hope Floats” poster image by Manix Abrera and Apol Sta. Maria; Kathy-and-Anj cartoon profile by Amadeus Cobangbang, both from A!R!’s Facebook page.

Heidi Pascual: Embody

Embody is an intimate photography exhibition that explores the written word, underlying definitions, remembrance, and the desire for permanency.

Heidi Pascual presents eight large-scale black-and-white photographs which examine how literature and tattoos, when combined, becomes a compelling, tangible expression of the challenging circumstances and vulnerabilities of individual [human] lives.

In this collection, the needle works of poetic text and images have been stimulated by words from Rilke to Gaiman, from Slaughterhouse Five to the Bible.

Tattoo art by Arvin de la Cruz, Dyun Depasupil, Jobi Guanzon, Epoy Silvosa, and Ricky Sta. Ana [are featured].

About the photographer

Born in Manila, Heidi Pascual received her first camera in 2000 (a Canon AE-1) from her father, and immediately began taking portraits of friends and daily life scenes.

She graduated from De La Salle University with degrees in BS Advertising Management and BA Psychology.

Seeking to make a living through photography, she established a career as an editorial and commercial photographer in 2006. Her works have been published in Cosmopolitan, FHM, Chalk, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, Women’s Health, Total Girl, and Men’s Health, among others. She currently keeps a studio situated at Maginhawa Street in Quezon City.

Her paintings have been included in several group exhibits organized by the Kapisanan ng mga Pintor sa Pilipinas, founded by Maestro Rogelio Orobia.

This exhibition will mark her first photography and solo show.

Exhibit run: November 27 – December 4, 2010

Venue: Nineteen Zero One, Cubao Expo, Quezon City

Exhibition opening date: November 27, 2010, 7:00 PM

Jeebus: Jeebus [EP]

Fans of heavy music (with or without the gnarly vocals) can now enjoy the self-titled maiden release of Jeebus, one of the most interesting metal acts to come out of the woodwork as of late, instrumental or otherwise. The cool thing is, the band (guitarists Gino Garcia and Dylan Pizarro, bassist Mikey Abola, and drummer Plep Junginger) is letting you download their EP for free. However, the band says, “we’re not shutting off the possibility of your kindness compelling you to add some money to your mouse clicks—because it would be awesome if you do donate.” They add, “All that we ask is that you share this music with as many people as you can. Frankly, we can’t do the sharing alone. Rest assured, the universe will repay you handsomely.” Jeebus is also willing to make its fans physical copies of the three-track record. Feel free to drop them a line at their Facebook page. Or, to make matters simpler, download the EP here.

Hannah+Gabi: Haha Yes

We here at Pulse.ph let you in on the best upcoming releases, just as we have with Hannah+Gabi some time ago. Incidentally, we now live in a world that has Haha Yes—haha, yes, Mikey Amistoso’s debut solo is now out, and you can keep tab on retail outlets by visiting Hannah+Gabi’s Tumblr, or by directly messaging the talented Mr. Amistoso himself here. (Pulse.ph)

So you like freebies. Who doesn’t? When you pass the deli-tray person at the grocery, holding tiny bits of designer sausage on frilly toothpicks, you act nonchalant but, really, you’re nursing a seething excitement unparalleled in the history of, uhm, people sampling designer sausage on frilly toothpicks at the grocery. Over the last couple of weeks (months, for some of these items), some of the most interesting releases have become available to the public for free (yes, the other “f” word that’s arguably more thrilling to the ear). There is a camp in the download debate that takes the if-you-can’t-beat-‘em-join-‘em stance (why hello there, In Rainbows), and hey, they might be winning.

1. The Pinups’ discography. I don’t know what the motivations are behind the uploading of the entire oeuvre of Mondo Castro and company, but, to the uninitiated, this is a good way to start. To those who thought that 2001’s Hello, Pain was an incendiary indie-pop release in the bourgeoning age of alt-rock, to those whose hearts jumped a little each time they heard “Ride Rocket Wild,” well, there is certainly much more of these here. My biases lean a little more towards All Seats are Taken though, for its late-‘80s college-rock vibe (and more Jeng Tan!), but you don’t have to take my lead. Click on the link and sample their stuff yourself. As Castro told me once for Pulp, “The best ingredient for revenge, I think, is success, and we’re a very successful band—I mean, considering the fact that we’ve been indie ever since. It doesn’t bother me anymore now. They can still say a lot of things—I think they still do—but it’s sort of tempered now, because you can only say so much about a band that’s been here for ten years and released stuff on their own.” Fuck, yeah.

2. Ciudad: Brooklyn Sessions. Another decade-old-or-so band that deserves careful retroactive scrutiny is Ciudad, who literally grew up in the public eye (they were teenagers when they cut Hello, How are You, Mico the Happy Bear?). In October of last year, the band flew to New York to play the CMJ Festival, where they hooked up with those amazing guys from +/- to jam and collaborate. The result is this interesting bit of Anthology-type irreverence and stripped-down attitude, sampling the best from well-loved (albeit low-key) releases such as Is that Ciudad? Yes Son, It’s Me, It’s Like a Magic, and their most recent, Bring Your Friends, among others. Things to watch out for, apart from the band’s reliable, sing-song guitar pop: surprise appearances from erstwhile guitar player Jeff Cabal, as well as +/-’s James Baluyut and Chris Deaner.

3. Khavn de la Cruz and Vigo: Bang! There is, to my mind, no other person quite as busy as Khavn de la Cruz, a.k.a. Kamias Man, a.k.a.  Mr. Filmless Films. His solo stuff could pass as pop-radio fodder sang in an inebriated character voice; his songs with The Brockas are like little pockets of atonal rebellion; and, now, we have his stuff with new outfit Vigo, a merry band of crazy-good musicians. How can you go wrong with Kakoy Legaspi, who can turn run-of-the-mill balladry into glorious guitar-toting gems on any given day; Simon Tan, whose tasteful playing often belies the low-note monster within; Caliph8, who’s nearly synonymous with samplers, turntables, and drum machines; Paolo Manuel, a more-than-reliable rhythm-pounder; and Tao Aves, whose pipes are simply otherworldly? Bang!, as the official Vigo site claims, “pits [the] Filipino folk song with neo-jazz, avant-pop lyrics with torch-song crooning, love of life with lunacy of mind.” All true? You know how to find out.

4. Manuel Nicolas Alvero: So Much Excelsior. Ang Bandang Shirley’s mainman adopts his birth-given name for this, his first solo outing. The sonic discrepancy between band and solo act is most marked in the title track, which is nothing like anything by Alvero’s band, whose saccharine melodies and harmonies are deliciously countered by a punk sensibility. So Much Excelsior, to put it simply (though not in any way dismissively), is replete with lo-fi productions which at times recall the best bits of Radio Dept. and Yo La Tengo. Listen to the aforementioned title track below:

5. Tubby Trousers Vol. 2: Unreal is Here. Tubby Trousers, the production outfit run by Joe de Jesus, is a tried-and-tested venue for emerging indie. It may not be filling arenas and such, but it has managed to keep itself interesting and, dare I say, a serious contender in the new-music-provider department. Their second free volume, Unreal is Here, is yet another testament to the breadth and expanse of the said production. Sample tracks by The Lowtechs, Jeebus, Ginseng Luzon, Identikit, Marty McFly, Shoulder State, The Basking Sharks, The Strangeness, Mayo Baluyut, and many, many more (I’m not even kidding; damn thing features 35 bands).

The best things in life, it turns out, are downloadable. (Aldus Santos)

Thanks are due to Mikey “Billy B.” Abola for some of the leads in this list. The streaming of “So Much Excelsior” is made possible by Manuel Nicolas Alvero’s personal green-lighting.

In a recent conversation about the merits of pioneering Filipino photographer Teodulo Protomartir, accolade upon accolade are tossed out by my brother Joey, punctuating his tirade with eager chants such as “He uses a Leica! He’s not just a photographer; he’s a connoisseur!” Ultimately, the implications of Protomartir’s pioneering work with 35mm film or his keen compositional eye are difficult to assess for a pedestrian photography enthusiast such as myself (seeing the photos were a different matter altogether; you sure missed a lot if you weren’t able  to check his exhibit out). However, the idea that mere choice of equipment would somehow be equated to status or even proficiency is something right up my alley.

G.A.S., or Gear Acquisition Syndrome, is a self-explanatory ailment that usually befalls enthusiasts of a creative field associated with expensive equipment. Photographers don’t just worry about what cameras to use, but also the myriad of lenses, filters, and flashes, whose limitless array would be enough to drive The Count crazy (“Ah! Ah! Ah!”). So, too, for the aspiring musician dreaming of copping Clapton’s woman tone or Eddie Van Halen’s brown sound; the multitude of tonal options at one’s disposal in this day and age are just staggering. Everybody and their mother are either designing new ways to mangle the signal coming out of an electric guitar or tweaking the tried-and-true circuit designs that mangle the signal coming out of an electric guitar. And that’s just effect pedals we’re talking about, proverbially the tip of the iceberg.

Very knowledgeable of said iceberg is singer-songwriter Barbie Almalbis-Honasan, who after years of hitting the gig circuit with standard issue Boss pedals is now chin-deep in boutique gear. It might have been the search for a particular sound to add to her sonic palette, or maybe something inspiring and unique sounding that drew her attention to more pieces of newfangled guitar gadgetry. Whatever the reason, her pedal board is now a gearhound’s wet dream.

“A few years ago, I was kind of bored with my music gear [pedals, guitars]. I really wanted to create some new, unique sounds but I didn’t know where to start. So I asked around and surfed the web. The first ‘unique’ effect I got was the EHX Microsynth,” Barbie recalls.

Some of her current favorites include the Z.Vex Super Hard On (“[It’s a] simple pedal but [it] makes a lot of difference in the sound. I use it a lot in recording, to push and sweeten the amp’s overdrive.”), the Empress Superdelay (“[It’s a] delay pedal that does it all—well, almost”), and the Lovepedal Eternity (“[It’s] my favorite overdrive”).

“Before we get hung up on equipment, let us not forget, it also has to do with the indian, not just the pana,” says Mark Villena, guitar player for the defunct band Tungaw, and proprietor of Playback Audio. That being said, Mark has nine guitars, ten if you count his MIDI guitar controller, and eleven if you count the amateur classical guitar he has on loaned custody. Eleven guitars!

“Some guitars can be made to sound like other types of guitars, but in general, each type of guitar has its own particular flavor or sonic signature. Sometimes you fight that, trying to look for a new sound; sometimes, you go with it, knowing it’s how people expect certain lines to sound like.” Villena’s is a utilitarian way of looking at things, wherein each instrument has a purpose in a player’s arsenal. This might be a cold way of looking at the oft-romanticized search for that instrument you’d refer to as “the one,” but in Mark’s case, he rationalizes that he has “the one” for different applications (touché). His cherry red Gibson SG, his “Tungaw guitar” (because he used it in his band Tungaw; fellow Tungaw bandmate Jing Gaddi has a beautiful Ibanez Roadstar bass he calls the “Tungaw bass”), covers the humbucker side of the tonal spectrum. But I’d wager my own gear that those PAFs weren’t the straw that broke the camel’s back that fateful day in ’93, when he first laid eyes on that mahogany beauty in Pete’s Music.

Inspiration or utility aside, G.A.S. is still an irrational, borderline-obsessive infatuation, one that drives sensible people to impulsively buy and sell gear. These are usually highlighted by spur-of-the-moment sorties, triggered by some obscure ad on an internet forum, or some opportune sighting of premium goodies. Tether’s guitar wunderkind Beejay Esber tells a classic story of going to Perfect Pitch just to buy new guitar strings for a gig that night, before unexpectedly succumbing to the lures of a Squier Jagmaster. “Bigla ko s’yang nakita tapos parang kinindatan ako,” quips Esber. That wink led to simply trying out the guitar, to withdrawing money, to having a new guitar to play at his gig that night. “High school pa lang ako, pangarap ko na magka-Jaguar or Jagmaster, basta mga ka-korte n’ya,” says Esber, who has since covered “Blazter” in silver sticker paper, “para maiba naman sa ibang banda dito sa Pinas.” Similarly, Villena remembers buying his beloved G&L ASAT Special with “all the money he earned from playing in Tungaw” from a salesman who used to sit in on session guitar for the Talking Heads. “It was love at first sight,” Villena says.

However, G.A.S. isn’t as simple as “monkey see, monkey buy.” There’s always that innate collecting instinct, ingrained in us since our hunter-gatherer days, that factors into every purchase and purchase-to-be. Joe Fontanilla of Ang Bandang Shirley expounds: “You can never have enough, and you’ll never know when you need it,” referring to everything G.A.S.-inducing. Rio Vargas of Shoulder State and Halik ni Gringo, for example, has four Boss DS-1s. He uses only one of them at a time, and he doesn’t know why he has so many. Fontanilla, who already has two fantastic guitars to his name, still dreams of one day owning a Jazzmaster. Chalk it up to hero worship, and the experience of holding James Baluyut’s magical guitar during +/- rehearsals on one of their Manila jaunts. “‘Di ako kakain, ta’s bibili ako ng original na 1959 Jazzmaster,” he says to me with a straight face. A plea for help? A convoluted get-thin-quick scheme? Welcome to the wonderfully absurd world of G.A.S. (Manuel Nicolas Alvero)

Photography: Barbie Almalbis, Rio Vargas, and Mark Villena’s respective photos courtesy of their good selves; Beejay Esber’s by Inez Moro; and Joe Fontanilla’s by Jon San Pedro.