• Viva Records, 2001
Now you can argue all you want, but I believe that the early Pu3ska helped local alterna-fans realize that having a horn section could be goddamn hip and "with it," too. Who says that brass is for ballroom dwellers alone?
Taking its cue from (what else?) ska greats like Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Pu3ska dished out danceable, positively charged ditties that helped convert many elbow-throwing moshers into goose-stepping rude boys.
Prior to Arnold Morales (remember Urban Bandits?), Myra Ruaro and company’s party-till-you-die rehash of Manila Girl (remember Urban Bandits?), the now-defunct Dredd set largely tuned in to power chords, shoegazing and/or spittle. God forbid that you actually found yourself snapping your fingers to the act on the derelict stage! Nonetheless, Pu3ska pissed at the rules and succeeded fabulously, thank you.
But following an all-too-abbreviated brush with semi-stardom, Pu3ska suddenly found itself living up to its name. Doubtless, not just "Pu3ska" was hurled all over the place as a classic squabble ensued – with Myra at the center of the maelstorm. The charismatic vocalist promptly packed her bags and moved office, leaving Pu3ska to soldier on.
Now, Myra is back with both a swingin’ new band and a spankin’ new name. Call her Skarlet, thank you.
But whether it’s Myra or Skarlet, the lady and the rest of the Brownbeat All Stars are doing pretty well. Brownbeat seems to be all over place these days, doing everything from rock venues to the Goma Cup recently held in Boracay. They’re knockin’ the socks out of both the pacifier-suckers and the geriatrics, so to speak.
Capping the meteoric rise of its career is its inking up with Viva Records. And if you haven’t had the chance to catch the band live, well snap up a copy of its self-titled debut album.
While there’s nothing like soaking up the energy of the live performances of this eight piecer composed of (aside from Skarlet, of course) Marc Steady on vocals and guitar, Rhany Torres on bass, Bong Termulo on trumpet, Freddie Samson on alto sax, Jon Capistrano on tenor sax, Jay Alviar on drums and Wam Molina on percussion, this album ought to both sate the ears and prime the mind.
You take a stroll through different backways and brightly lit sideways, with Brownbeat leading you into small cafés, lounges and even the ballroom. Care for a cuppa swing? Coming right up! How about a taste of Apo past in Mahirap Magmahal ng Syota ng Iba? Definitely! Or how about a light-hearted ligawan love duet (Lastiko)? Extra servings, please!
Have space for a jazz dessert? Indulge in They Got Rhythm, written by the Rhany Torres, once upon a time a pillar of the late lamented, seminal ’80s band Ethnic Faces (oh how I miss it). The track is actually a Faces reunion of sorts as Rhany’s mean-drummin’ brother Jayvee hops aboard and Ariel Policarpio (now with Color It Red) mans the axe again.
All told, Brownbeat’s first outing is a fun, fun project that can also boast of great musicality. The jokesters even insert snippets of familiar tracks ranging from Sweet Child O’ Mine to the Flintstones theme among their sterling originals.
So you can excuse Skarlet if she’s having a heck of a last laugh these days.
As for the detractors, listen in to Brownbeat’s cover of the Levi Celerio-penned Waray-Waray. "Manigas!"