Contact Form

 
Yesterday, after (n) weeks of doing nothing but being an excellent addition to the world of (f)unemployees, I went to a couple of job interviews. I was already awake at 6 in the morning; I wedge-walked and bus-rode 3 cities in the metro: from Pasig to Mandaluyong to Makati, and, finally, to Las Piñas, and; at 4 in the afternoon, I was dead tired. I napped twice during the night, with a good meal in between, while watching FRIENDS.

Because I am used to being awake in the night and asleep during the day, it would be hard for me to reset my Circadian rhythm once I start working in the day shift. Not that I have to worry about it right now but when I think of the daily drag-me-out-of-my-bed mornings and how I would need to go through the tedious commute and traffic every single day, everything just makes me want to curl up and become (f)unemployed for the rest of my life.

But even the Care Bears who do not really care about my issues in life know that that is not a good idea. I'm now beyond my mid-20s and I have to make my life happen: set aside all the bollocks and begin all over again. Even though some things have not been happening the way I want them to be, I still have to start somewhere, somehow, really soon. But most importantly, because not all of the best things in life are free, I am compelled to get a job because I'm nearly running on empty. Being a bum may be glorious at first but being broken, currency-wise, is what's not cool.

So there I went with my corporate zombie look and my biggest hopes to nail a new job so I can go back to doing something relevant to my future. This is me, with my hair at its awkward, uneven length and sans my cat-eyeglasses.



Also yesterday,
  • I was told that I look like someone who's not into relationships and sex. Seriously? (sneers)
  • I was told that I was "very Selena Kyle." Seriously? (sneers)
In other news, I've been hanging out in the South for the past few weeks with Bijan and the rest of the dudes. He has gotten me into a lot of new things lately. Like playing video games, watching a whole lot of TV series and really looking forward to the next episodes, checking out new music, and eating like I have a black hole of a stomach (this one's not exactly new for me, though). What can I say? I think I'm slowly turning into a female Bijan - especially since I've been wearing his shirts and boxers lately as well, haha. All I need now to is learn how to play the bass, grow my own balls and beard, or bird, and gain enough experience to be logically sound. This is us, in a La Sardina x color negative point of view, taken during the first quarter 2012.



Aside from all these, I've been constantly contributing articles to various sites and here are my latest ones:

Well, this seemed like a legit blog post. It's been a while since my last one and no one knows, not even I, when the next one would be. Till then, fellas. But wait, here's a picture of my cat, Brucifer, before I go.




Ciao cacao,
Erin

Total comment

Author

Unknown
Majestic lights
Majestic nights
And all that flickers
In between
+

- more photographs soon -

Total comment

Author

Unknown
Hello! I'm back here on Blogger - although I never really left. Anyway, after n months of no updates, I re-manipulated my old layout to a simpler one and filtered my posts so everything looks more minimalistic. I'm still fixing my site's content, though, so there aren't too much to scour here for now. Also, I'll be using the moniker basterda again (on all my online accounts). Ergo, everything's quite back to (my) normal programming.

Ciao,
Erin

Total comment

Author

Unknown
* originally published on Network Awesome Magazine's Trailer Trash *

During the psychedelic seventies, blaxploitation, also spelled as blacksploitation, reigned in the film industry. Specifically and originally intended for black audience, blaxploitation expanded its popularity and appealed to interracial viewers, too. Oftentimes, blaxploitation films are characterized by ethnic slurs, soul music, black characters, and all that jazz. In this installment of Trailer Trash, we dissected six sweet, swinging film titles that will surely get you in a soulful mood!

The Thing with Two Heads (1972)

The Thing with Two Heads is a hetero-genius mixture of science fiction, comedy, and of course, blaxploitation. Ray Milland plays the role of Dr. Maxwell Kirshner, a cancer-stricken wealthy racist and a transplant surgeon who’s nearing death. He demands to perform his own experiment to himself so he could graft his head onto another human being’s body, just so he could continue his medical endeavours. Post-surgery, Dr. Kirshner becomes horridly horrified when he finds out that his head was paired to the body of Jack Moss, a huge black man who is sentenced for death penalty, played by Roosevelt Grier. A series of mishaps ensue as the titular Thing with Two Heads runs about. This film was directed by Lee Frost and special effects were done by Rick Baker.

Disco Godfather (1979)

Rudy Ray Moore was one of the hailed kings of blaxploitation. He starred in and produced 4 epic blaxploitation films, such as Dolemite (1975), The Human Tornado (1976), Petey Wheatstraw (1977), and, his most brain-melting ouvre and one of our featured trailers, Disco Godfather (1979). In this Blaxploitation/martial arts crossover, Moore played the role of Tucker Williams, a former police officer and the operator-owner of of the Blueberry Hill Disco nightclub. His nephew gets caught up with PCP and Tucker gets motivated to avenge and haunt for the drug lords and dealers. Disco Godfather, fuelled by hallucinogenic Angel Dust and disco lights, was directed by J. Robert Wagoner. Alternately known as The Avenging Disco Godfather, one of its most mesmerizing catch phrases was “Put your weight on it!

The Black Gestapo (1975)

Starring Rod Perry as General Ahmed, The Black Gestapo is a radical and violent rendition of the blaxploitation genre. In this crime film’s beginning, its vigilante protagonist forms his personal army to end the misery of the black citizens of Watts – by eradicating the white hooligans who roamed and ruled the place. The succeeding events are a hodgepodge of Caucasian gangsters being tortured and barenaked ladies strutting everywhere. The blacks are having a ballin’ blast until they abuse their authority; they begin dressing up as Nazis and they even mock their slogans. The fun doesn’t last long when the Watts community decides to revolt against them. The Black Gestapo was directed by Lee Frost and was released in 1975. Pin-up queen of the cult genre, Uschi Digard, cameo-ed in this film, too.

Savage! (1973)

Another blaxploitation classic in the 1970s, Savage!, was directed by Cirio H. Santiago. It starred James Iglehart Jim Haygood, who becomes the black and brilliant leader of a rebel army and was later given the vicious moniker, Savage. After his victorious ambush of Moncada at the beach, Savage celebrates and meets two dazzling chicks who perform in a nightcub: Lada Edmund Jr. as Vicky the Knife Thrower and Carol Speed as Amanda of the High Wire. Savage gets accused of the murder and arrested, but manages to escape out of prison. A series of action-packed exploits in the jungle stirs the entirety of this ultra-violent film reel that is Savage!.

Sugar Hill (1974)

Here is a different twist on blaxploitation – the one with flesh-devouring zombies! Sugar Hill is a horror hokum film, directed by Paul Maslansky, which centers on a young black lady nicknamed Sugar, played by Marki Bey, who seeks the help of a voodoo priestess, Mama Maitresse, so she could get her cold revenge against the hoodlums that killed her lover. Several chants and incantations later, the soul of Baron Samedi, portrayed by Don Pedro Colley, is summoned from the underworld, Sugar exchanges her soul for the power, and a famished army of zombie slaves arise. Sugar Hill was released in the theatres in 1976 and later on, it was shortened into 83 minutes running time and was shown on television, with the alternate title, The Zombies of Sugar Hill.

Trouble Man (1972)

In spite of being included in The Fifty Worst Films of All Time (And How They Got That Way), a 1978 book by Harry Medved, Michael Medved, and Randy Dreyfuss, Trouble Man is, nevertheless, worth watching. More famously known for the war film Hogan’s Heroes (1965), Ivan Dixon directed this classic. This blaxploitation crossover between streetwise action and drama stars Robert Hooks as Mr. T, a private detective who owns a billiards bar in Los Angeles. Since he has a good connection between with the cops and the thugs, he knows how to differentiate good guys from the bad. Through the course of the movie, Mr. T tries to take justice into his own hands and also becomes romantically involved with Cleo, played by Paula Kelly. Additionally, Marvin Gaye was responsible for Trouble Man’s score.

Total comment

Author

Unknown

Currently no permanent address because of the heavy rains and massive floods in the entirety of Manila. After staying (n) days at Francis', I am now here at Bijan's. Can't go home to our house in Pasig yet; most roads are still inaccessible. Can't do anything from here but hope for my family's safety... :-<

Hope everyone else is okay, though.

Total comment

Author

Unknown

I'm still at Francis' house and still wearing Bijan's clothes. We have just devoured burgers and Twister fries and we are currently waiting for Sex Files on Cinema One. No one's keeping track of time here. The rain sucks, though. Stay safe!

Total comment

Author

Unknown
* originally published on Stache Magazine *

Dial M for Misfits (or Motherf*ckers)

The Strangeness, a 6-piece gang of hooligans from Outer Space, started off in 2010 with Francis Cabal on guitar and Jayme Ancla, Jr., who was then on drums. Since Jayme was not meant for percussing, the two switched places and decided to go on a break until they met Erwin Hilao, the band’s current drummer boy. Ade Magnaye (now with RomCom) used to be part of the band but because of schedule conflicts, Ade was replaced by Bijan Gorospe, who now plays the doom doom bass. Several months later, Ivan Brosas (also from Dr. StrangeLuv) joined the group after he jammed with them at an impromptu gig; he now plays the guitar and synthesizers. Shinji Manlangit, the band’s ‘hype man,’ plays the tambourine and does back-up vocals. He is also the frontman for The Strangeness’ brother band, Don’t Bogart the Can… Man!

Swathed with a hybrid of garage rock and narco-punk, The Strangeness is collectively inspired and stirred by bands like Black Lips, Brian Jonestown Massacre, and other lo-fi stuff. Etymologically, The Strangeness’ name came from an ‘80s horror film. The band admitted, however, that not all of them have seen the movie and that, according to those who have seen it, “The movie sucked so badly.” But the name is undeniably catchy and rad, so there’s that.

Camping with Jesus

The name Jesus Camp for The Strangeness’ debut EP was derived from a documentary about kids who are sent to a religious summer camp, where they become brainwashed with the idea of adoring Jesus. Shinji shared that he was enamoured with this concept. “Our tracks do not have a specific theme. Our songs are not about Christian rock although our EP has hints of religious tones. It’s like going through and achieving a religious experience when you listen to our songs. But you don’t have to take it seriously,” Bijan, Jayme, and Shinji added.

Recorded at Love One Another Studios and produced and released by Wide Eyed Records, The Strangeness’ 5-track EP was released in October last year. Jesus Camp bagged QLE Awards’ Best EP of 2011. “The Strangeness managed to take familiar rock influences and make them sound somehow utterly fresh, because they do it with a laugh and a snarl, and because being sober is such a drag,” Luis Katigbak wrote on The Philippine Star.

When asked which track/s from their EP they like the most, their answers had common denominators. The majority’s vote was Cain Was Furious and He Was Downcast, which was picked by Francis, Erwin, and Bijan. “Out of all the songs from our EP, Cain is the most historical,” according to Francis. It was the first song to be written and was originally intended for his other band, Love Chariot. “It was one of the first Strangeness songs I learned to play,” Bijan said. “I like playing Cain on drums. It’s upbeat but I need to be graceful, too. It challenges me every time,” Erwin adds.

Being Sober Is Such a Drag came second, particularly chosen by Shinji and Ivan. True enough, this anthemic track is a crowd favourite during their gigs. Listening to it is like getting drunk and being sober at the same time – believe me, this is based on a first-hand experience and is coming from someone who has seen them play live for countless of times already. It never fails to bring fuzzy feelings all over.

R.E.B.E.C.C.A. (not included in Jesus Camp), on the other hand, is a song of interest for The Strangeness fans. “It was actually a joke song,” Shinji explained. “But it’s exclusive for playing in Cubao X and during Meiday,” Bijan added.



What Isn’t There (But They Were There)

The Strangeness’ music was featured in the recent Cinemalaya film by Marie Jamora, Ang Nawawala. The band also had a brilliant cameo in it while they performed Jonestown. The entire experience was definitely a highlight for the band. “Seeing our band’s name on the trailer, it was heart-warming,” Shinji confessed. “We’ve never expected that we’re going to be with big bands like Sandwich and Itchyworms. Plus I’ve always been a fan of Marie Jamora. It was really overwhelming,” Erwin added. “They were giving us drinking water, wiping our sweat, and re-touching our make-up. It was a fun experience,” everyone else chimed in.

Another highlight of The Strangeness’ career happened during one of the Meiday events held at B-Side. “We played around 8 songs instead of the usual 3,” Bijan shared.

Hey, OPM’s Not Dead!

The Strangeness believes that the current state of OPM is alive, kicking, and fun. “OPM is alive. There are so many bands. There are a lot of scenes. If some people are saying that OPM is dead, maybe they’re just looking at a different spectrum or in the wrong places,” Shinji and Bijan asserted. “Even though several outlets have been obliterated – NU 107’s demise, Cubao X is gone – the scene is still very much alive. There are new EP releases and new music videos every month. As long as people learn to play musical instrument, OPM will live on,” Erwin expressed.

“It’s really ridiculous if we say that OPM is dead. We have the Internet! We have music players. We have… everything. People just need to dig deeper,” Jayme cracked. Ivan also told us that people should also learn to appreciate the music and the passion behind it, instead of going to gigs – just for the sake of.

More Strangeness Coming Our Way

The Strangeness has just started preaching rock and roll for beginners; they still have a long, long way to go. Their full-length album is in the making and is to be expected next year. When we asked them what else they want to accomplish as a band, everyone bombarded us with eager responses. “We would like to score a film, a play, or a TV show,” Erwin and Jayme exclaimed. “We would like to play on Master Showman and RJ. A tour would also be great,” Bijan and Shinji declared (and they were not kidding).

Behind their electric guitars and microphones, these musical hoodlums are a bagful of jocundity, with frequent avalanches of mirthful puns and witty remarks. There is not a dull moment when you hang out with them, even if they’re just being themselves. Collectively, The Strangeness aims for more gigs, more music videos, and more fun – after all, having fun is what they are incredibly awesome at.

The Strangeness are:

Francis Cabal – rhythm guitar, vocals
Jayme Ancla, Jr. – lead guitar, vocals
Erwin Hilao – drums, vocals
Bijan Gorospe – bass, vocals
Ivan Brosas – guitar, synthesizers
Shinji Manlangit – tambourine, back-up vocals

www.thestrangeness.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/thestrangeness
www.thestrangeness.tumblr.com
www.twitter.com/the_strangeness

Total comment

Author

Unknown
Yesterday, after (n) weeks of doing nothing but being an excellent addition to the world of (f)unemployees, I went to a couple of job interviews. I was already awake at 6 in the morning; I wedge-walked and bus-rode 3 cities in the metro: from Pasig to Mandaluyong to Makati, and, finally, to Las Piñas, and; at 4 in the afternoon, I was dead tired. I napped twice during the night, with a good meal in between, while watching FRIENDS.

Because I am used to being awake in the night and asleep during the day, it would be hard for me to reset my Circadian rhythm once I start working in the day shift. Not that I have to worry about it right now but when I think of the daily drag-me-out-of-my-bed mornings and how I would need to go through the tedious commute and traffic every single day, everything just makes me want to curl up and become (f)unemployed for the rest of my life.

But even the Care Bears who do not really care about my issues in life know that that is not a good idea. I'm now beyond my mid-20s and I have to make my life happen: set aside all the bollocks and begin all over again. Even though some things have not been happening the way I want them to be, I still have to start somewhere, somehow, really soon. But most importantly, because not all of the best things in life are free, I am compelled to get a job because I'm nearly running on empty. Being a bum may be glorious at first but being broken, currency-wise, is what's not cool.

So there I went with my corporate zombie look and my biggest hopes to nail a new job so I can go back to doing something relevant to my future. This is me, with my hair at its awkward, uneven length and sans my cat-eyeglasses.



Also yesterday,
  • I was told that I look like someone who's not into relationships and sex. Seriously? (sneers)
  • I was told that I was "very Selena Kyle." Seriously? (sneers)
In other news, I've been hanging out in the South for the past few weeks with Bijan and the rest of the dudes. He has gotten me into a lot of new things lately. Like playing video games, watching a whole lot of TV series and really looking forward to the next episodes, checking out new music, and eating like I have a black hole of a stomach (this one's not exactly new for me, though). What can I say? I think I'm slowly turning into a female Bijan - especially since I've been wearing his shirts and boxers lately as well, haha. All I need now to is learn how to play the bass, grow my own balls and beard, or bird, and gain enough experience to be logically sound. This is us, in a La Sardina x color negative point of view, taken during the first quarter 2012.



Aside from all these, I've been constantly contributing articles to various sites and here are my latest ones:

Well, this seemed like a legit blog post. It's been a while since my last one and no one knows, not even I, when the next one would be. Till then, fellas. But wait, here's a picture of my cat, Brucifer, before I go.




Ciao cacao,
Erin
Majestic lights
Majestic nights
And all that flickers
In between
+

- more photographs soon -
Hello! I'm back here on Blogger - although I never really left. Anyway, after n months of no updates, I re-manipulated my old layout to a simpler one and filtered my posts so everything looks more minimalistic. I'm still fixing my site's content, though, so there aren't too much to scour here for now. Also, I'll be using the moniker basterda again (on all my online accounts). Ergo, everything's quite back to (my) normal programming.

Ciao,
Erin

Blaxploitation: We’re Going Black to the Future!

* originally published on Network Awesome Magazine's Trailer Trash *

During the psychedelic seventies, blaxploitation, also spelled as blacksploitation, reigned in the film industry. Specifically and originally intended for black audience, blaxploitation expanded its popularity and appealed to interracial viewers, too. Oftentimes, blaxploitation films are characterized by ethnic slurs, soul music, black characters, and all that jazz. In this installment of Trailer Trash, we dissected six sweet, swinging film titles that will surely get you in a soulful mood!

The Thing with Two Heads (1972)

The Thing with Two Heads is a hetero-genius mixture of science fiction, comedy, and of course, blaxploitation. Ray Milland plays the role of Dr. Maxwell Kirshner, a cancer-stricken wealthy racist and a transplant surgeon who’s nearing death. He demands to perform his own experiment to himself so he could graft his head onto another human being’s body, just so he could continue his medical endeavours. Post-surgery, Dr. Kirshner becomes horridly horrified when he finds out that his head was paired to the body of Jack Moss, a huge black man who is sentenced for death penalty, played by Roosevelt Grier. A series of mishaps ensue as the titular Thing with Two Heads runs about. This film was directed by Lee Frost and special effects were done by Rick Baker.

Disco Godfather (1979)

Rudy Ray Moore was one of the hailed kings of blaxploitation. He starred in and produced 4 epic blaxploitation films, such as Dolemite (1975), The Human Tornado (1976), Petey Wheatstraw (1977), and, his most brain-melting ouvre and one of our featured trailers, Disco Godfather (1979). In this Blaxploitation/martial arts crossover, Moore played the role of Tucker Williams, a former police officer and the operator-owner of of the Blueberry Hill Disco nightclub. His nephew gets caught up with PCP and Tucker gets motivated to avenge and haunt for the drug lords and dealers. Disco Godfather, fuelled by hallucinogenic Angel Dust and disco lights, was directed by J. Robert Wagoner. Alternately known as The Avenging Disco Godfather, one of its most mesmerizing catch phrases was “Put your weight on it!

The Black Gestapo (1975)

Starring Rod Perry as General Ahmed, The Black Gestapo is a radical and violent rendition of the blaxploitation genre. In this crime film’s beginning, its vigilante protagonist forms his personal army to end the misery of the black citizens of Watts – by eradicating the white hooligans who roamed and ruled the place. The succeeding events are a hodgepodge of Caucasian gangsters being tortured and barenaked ladies strutting everywhere. The blacks are having a ballin’ blast until they abuse their authority; they begin dressing up as Nazis and they even mock their slogans. The fun doesn’t last long when the Watts community decides to revolt against them. The Black Gestapo was directed by Lee Frost and was released in 1975. Pin-up queen of the cult genre, Uschi Digard, cameo-ed in this film, too.

Savage! (1973)

Another blaxploitation classic in the 1970s, Savage!, was directed by Cirio H. Santiago. It starred James Iglehart Jim Haygood, who becomes the black and brilliant leader of a rebel army and was later given the vicious moniker, Savage. After his victorious ambush of Moncada at the beach, Savage celebrates and meets two dazzling chicks who perform in a nightcub: Lada Edmund Jr. as Vicky the Knife Thrower and Carol Speed as Amanda of the High Wire. Savage gets accused of the murder and arrested, but manages to escape out of prison. A series of action-packed exploits in the jungle stirs the entirety of this ultra-violent film reel that is Savage!.

Sugar Hill (1974)

Here is a different twist on blaxploitation – the one with flesh-devouring zombies! Sugar Hill is a horror hokum film, directed by Paul Maslansky, which centers on a young black lady nicknamed Sugar, played by Marki Bey, who seeks the help of a voodoo priestess, Mama Maitresse, so she could get her cold revenge against the hoodlums that killed her lover. Several chants and incantations later, the soul of Baron Samedi, portrayed by Don Pedro Colley, is summoned from the underworld, Sugar exchanges her soul for the power, and a famished army of zombie slaves arise. Sugar Hill was released in the theatres in 1976 and later on, it was shortened into 83 minutes running time and was shown on television, with the alternate title, The Zombies of Sugar Hill.

Trouble Man (1972)

In spite of being included in The Fifty Worst Films of All Time (And How They Got That Way), a 1978 book by Harry Medved, Michael Medved, and Randy Dreyfuss, Trouble Man is, nevertheless, worth watching. More famously known for the war film Hogan’s Heroes (1965), Ivan Dixon directed this classic. This blaxploitation crossover between streetwise action and drama stars Robert Hooks as Mr. T, a private detective who owns a billiards bar in Los Angeles. Since he has a good connection between with the cops and the thugs, he knows how to differentiate good guys from the bad. Through the course of the movie, Mr. T tries to take justice into his own hands and also becomes romantically involved with Cleo, played by Paula Kelly. Additionally, Marvin Gaye was responsible for Trouble Man’s score.

Currently no permanent address because of the heavy rains and massive floods in the entirety of Manila. After staying (n) days at Francis', I am now here at Bijan's. Can't go home to our house in Pasig yet; most roads are still inaccessible. Can't do anything from here but hope for my family's safety... :-<

Hope everyone else is okay, though.

I'm still at Francis' house and still wearing Bijan's clothes. We have just devoured burgers and Twister fries and we are currently waiting for Sex Files on Cinema One. No one's keeping track of time here. The rain sucks, though. Stay safe!

The Strangeness: Saving Rock and Roll, One Drunken Beat at a Time

* originally published on Stache Magazine *

Dial M for Misfits (or Motherf*ckers)

The Strangeness, a 6-piece gang of hooligans from Outer Space, started off in 2010 with Francis Cabal on guitar and Jayme Ancla, Jr., who was then on drums. Since Jayme was not meant for percussing, the two switched places and decided to go on a break until they met Erwin Hilao, the band’s current drummer boy. Ade Magnaye (now with RomCom) used to be part of the band but because of schedule conflicts, Ade was replaced by Bijan Gorospe, who now plays the doom doom bass. Several months later, Ivan Brosas (also from Dr. StrangeLuv) joined the group after he jammed with them at an impromptu gig; he now plays the guitar and synthesizers. Shinji Manlangit, the band’s ‘hype man,’ plays the tambourine and does back-up vocals. He is also the frontman for The Strangeness’ brother band, Don’t Bogart the Can… Man!

Swathed with a hybrid of garage rock and narco-punk, The Strangeness is collectively inspired and stirred by bands like Black Lips, Brian Jonestown Massacre, and other lo-fi stuff. Etymologically, The Strangeness’ name came from an ‘80s horror film. The band admitted, however, that not all of them have seen the movie and that, according to those who have seen it, “The movie sucked so badly.” But the name is undeniably catchy and rad, so there’s that.

Camping with Jesus

The name Jesus Camp for The Strangeness’ debut EP was derived from a documentary about kids who are sent to a religious summer camp, where they become brainwashed with the idea of adoring Jesus. Shinji shared that he was enamoured with this concept. “Our tracks do not have a specific theme. Our songs are not about Christian rock although our EP has hints of religious tones. It’s like going through and achieving a religious experience when you listen to our songs. But you don’t have to take it seriously,” Bijan, Jayme, and Shinji added.

Recorded at Love One Another Studios and produced and released by Wide Eyed Records, The Strangeness’ 5-track EP was released in October last year. Jesus Camp bagged QLE Awards’ Best EP of 2011. “The Strangeness managed to take familiar rock influences and make them sound somehow utterly fresh, because they do it with a laugh and a snarl, and because being sober is such a drag,” Luis Katigbak wrote on The Philippine Star.

When asked which track/s from their EP they like the most, their answers had common denominators. The majority’s vote was Cain Was Furious and He Was Downcast, which was picked by Francis, Erwin, and Bijan. “Out of all the songs from our EP, Cain is the most historical,” according to Francis. It was the first song to be written and was originally intended for his other band, Love Chariot. “It was one of the first Strangeness songs I learned to play,” Bijan said. “I like playing Cain on drums. It’s upbeat but I need to be graceful, too. It challenges me every time,” Erwin adds.

Being Sober Is Such a Drag came second, particularly chosen by Shinji and Ivan. True enough, this anthemic track is a crowd favourite during their gigs. Listening to it is like getting drunk and being sober at the same time – believe me, this is based on a first-hand experience and is coming from someone who has seen them play live for countless of times already. It never fails to bring fuzzy feelings all over.

R.E.B.E.C.C.A. (not included in Jesus Camp), on the other hand, is a song of interest for The Strangeness fans. “It was actually a joke song,” Shinji explained. “But it’s exclusive for playing in Cubao X and during Meiday,” Bijan added.



What Isn’t There (But They Were There)

The Strangeness’ music was featured in the recent Cinemalaya film by Marie Jamora, Ang Nawawala. The band also had a brilliant cameo in it while they performed Jonestown. The entire experience was definitely a highlight for the band. “Seeing our band’s name on the trailer, it was heart-warming,” Shinji confessed. “We’ve never expected that we’re going to be with big bands like Sandwich and Itchyworms. Plus I’ve always been a fan of Marie Jamora. It was really overwhelming,” Erwin added. “They were giving us drinking water, wiping our sweat, and re-touching our make-up. It was a fun experience,” everyone else chimed in.

Another highlight of The Strangeness’ career happened during one of the Meiday events held at B-Side. “We played around 8 songs instead of the usual 3,” Bijan shared.

Hey, OPM’s Not Dead!

The Strangeness believes that the current state of OPM is alive, kicking, and fun. “OPM is alive. There are so many bands. There are a lot of scenes. If some people are saying that OPM is dead, maybe they’re just looking at a different spectrum or in the wrong places,” Shinji and Bijan asserted. “Even though several outlets have been obliterated – NU 107’s demise, Cubao X is gone – the scene is still very much alive. There are new EP releases and new music videos every month. As long as people learn to play musical instrument, OPM will live on,” Erwin expressed.

“It’s really ridiculous if we say that OPM is dead. We have the Internet! We have music players. We have… everything. People just need to dig deeper,” Jayme cracked. Ivan also told us that people should also learn to appreciate the music and the passion behind it, instead of going to gigs – just for the sake of.

More Strangeness Coming Our Way

The Strangeness has just started preaching rock and roll for beginners; they still have a long, long way to go. Their full-length album is in the making and is to be expected next year. When we asked them what else they want to accomplish as a band, everyone bombarded us with eager responses. “We would like to score a film, a play, or a TV show,” Erwin and Jayme exclaimed. “We would like to play on Master Showman and RJ. A tour would also be great,” Bijan and Shinji declared (and they were not kidding).

Behind their electric guitars and microphones, these musical hoodlums are a bagful of jocundity, with frequent avalanches of mirthful puns and witty remarks. There is not a dull moment when you hang out with them, even if they’re just being themselves. Collectively, The Strangeness aims for more gigs, more music videos, and more fun – after all, having fun is what they are incredibly awesome at.

The Strangeness are:

Francis Cabal – rhythm guitar, vocals
Jayme Ancla, Jr. – lead guitar, vocals
Erwin Hilao – drums, vocals
Bijan Gorospe – bass, vocals
Ivan Brosas – guitar, synthesizers
Shinji Manlangit – tambourine, back-up vocals

www.thestrangeness.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/thestrangeness
www.thestrangeness.tumblr.com
www.twitter.com/the_strangeness