Alert Level

September 11 2008, Club Dredd. Stephen Lu, indie producer of the album, frontnman for Runaway Boys and Rizal Underground, reunited the pillars of second wave of Pinoy rock with The Breed, Color It Red and Tropical Depression.

Definitely, Rob Sunico-producer/manager of the Eraserheads' first album, Patrick Reidenbach-the man synonymous with Club Dredd, Jing Garcia-partner of the only absent +Dodong Viray who managed and produced albums of Color It Red, Alamid, et al, lensman Eddieboy Escudero, Par Sallan- producer/manager of Put3ska's and Ex-Presidents' earlier albums, Manny Amador,and a lot of other familiar faces were there.


Alert Level the album was released in 1992 prior to the actual opening of the floodgate featuring 2-3 tracks each from the said bands. The Breed fronted by Charlie Ysmael opened the night... belting out originals including Black Mercedes Benz and covers.

RU followed with collectible Alert Level cassette tape giveaways... with Stephen, multi-awarded Mike and Angelo Villegas twins taking turn on the rein, belting out their hits Bilanggo, Diskaril, Satisfaction Guaranteed, Powder or Lotion, and the hit-cover Sabado Nights.



Color it Red of the ever-pretty Cookie Chua and partner Bopip, with the rest of the gang followed with an intro of the "most emo of 'em all" Addictive... the rest of the females in the group weren't there, though... with covers from 10,000 Maniacs and Pretenders' Don't Get Me Wrong...



Tropical Depression last on the list but definitely the best - sorry Steph, you're right, I really go for island beat - had the early bed patrons missed the cream of the night with originals and tributes Biyaheng Langit of Asin, Ang Himig Natin of Juan dela Cruz, Cocojam's Bilog ang Buwan, and their originals Bagyo Bagyo, Kapayapaan, Mahal Kita. Tropical Depression is Papadom, Pexx, Ariel and Henry... most here not mentioned are either absent, otherwise, I did not do my assignment... In case you're wondering, I wasn't reviewing, nor analyzing... I was dancing...... and enjoying.

...good morning all...

Avril Lavigne

With my age, I now recoil as analyst rather than music reviewer in this corner. It could be the inevitable aging... It could be a waning interest, it could be because of personal biases and preference...it could be anything at all.

But the September 3 gig of "punk princess" Avril Lavigne was not a punk performance. More of a transition performance from rock to top of the pops (or gunning for it). She had energy of course, 18 songs in a row, with a non-stop stage marching, some gymnastics, a little dancing, and showcasing of her guitar, piano and drums prowess.

She acknowledged how her first hit single "Complicated" will always remain special. I understand. It was a tribute-segue to her predecessor Grammy slammer Alanis Morisette's signature and catchy angst melodies that catapulted her to the heels of the Canadian rocker who remained so.

What was very noticeable on Lavigne's music is the transition from angst-rock, to emo, to all-the-way hip and dance tunes befitting her age and the generation of her listeners. She's ready to challenge the more boring crops of sensational global pop artists we currently have, but she has to learn a lot about the dynamics of dance and pop. Nevertheless, she has nailed her reputation on emo, ballad-rock if you will, singing tunes about unrequited love, undying love, dizzying & confusing passion, and themes that will remain acceptable to teens and young adults, specifically the female gender.