Romance & laughter

Pinoys like romance in their rock tunes. Think Kung Wala Ka by Hale or Ulan by Cueshé. They also like to laugh. Think Salapi by Itchyworms or Papa Cologne by Parokya ni Edgar. So what is a band to do these days? Get these two ingredients together to make a hit. That is what the band Kamikazee did for its new album entitled Maharot.

The theme of the lead song, Narda, is unrequited love but the object of affection is the well-loved superhero of Pilipino Komiks created by Mars Ravelo, who with her magic stone turns into Darna, nemesis of evil and savior of mankind. Why is Kamikazee singing to Narda? Maybe because she looks like Angel Locsin as she kicks butt in her star-trimmed bra and hip-hugging shorts. Can you think of any red-blooded male who will not fall for her? The boys of Kamikazee did and so they sing:

Tila ibon kung lumipad Sumabay sa hangin

Ako’y napatingin sa dalagang nababalot ng hiwaga

Mapapansin kaya sa dami ng iyong ginagawa

Kung kaagaw ko ang lahat may pag-asa bang makilala ka

Awit na nananawagan baka sakaling napakikinggan

Pag-ibig na palaisipan sa kanta na lang idaraan

Nag-aabang sa langit sa mga ulap sumisilip

Sa likod ng mga tala kahit sulyap lang Darna

Ang suwerte nga naman ni Ding lagi ka niyang kapiling

Kung ako sa kanya niligawan na kita….

Now, Narda is not the stuff usually dished out by Kamikazee. The song is hot and even the kids in the streets are singing along. But I recall a time not too long ago when these guys were doing hard and heavy rock. Even Chinelas, their most commercial work from two years back, owed more to Slipknot than to the Eraserheads.

So Kamikazee has changed tack, decided to join the fun bands and now confronts Parokya ni Edgar and Orange & Lemons head-on. Well done, boys. It’s good to be passionate about your kind of music but nothing compares to the high you get with a hit song.

Kamikazee is made up of Jay Contreras on vocals and stunts, Jomal Linao on guitars and back-up vocals, Led Tuyay on guitars, Jason "Puto" Astete on bass and Allan "Bords" Burdeos on drums. Also included in Maharot are Director’s Cut, Seksi! Seksi! Martyr Nyebera, SpongeJoseph, Chiksilog, Itanong, Sobrang Init, A.I.D.S. Shoot Dat Bol, Ambisyoso, Discoskwela, Is This a Showdown, Petix, My Tender Bear, Apir Day, K.K.K. Pepeng Maghapon and an acoustic version of Narda.

One more thing. I think getting Eula Valdez to pose for your CD cover was a great idea. Eula, one of the most beautiful women in the country today, gamely agreed to personify the maharot of the album. Who needs Narda?

Top 10 songs

The latest MYX chart of hit videos has Narda at No. 3 these past three weeks. The top 10 songs are Sugod by Sandwich; Everything You Do by Christian Bautista, Narda by Kamikazee; If You Walk Away by Rachelle Ann Go; Bakit Ba Iniibig Ka by Eric Santos and Regine Velasquez; 1 by 6Cyclemind; You Win the Game by Mark Bautista; Beep by the Pussycat Dolls; Sorry by Madonna; and Just the Girl by Click Five.

Classicology: Bow, String, Soul

The new album Classicology: Bow, String, Soul will be launched at The Podium in Ortigas Center tomorrow at 5 p.m. This is the result of four months of hard work from 16 broadcasting students of BC106, a subject that deals with music in media at the University of the Philippines. The class chose eight music students from UP and the University of Santo Tomas who are now featured in the album they also produced. They hope their efforts will bring increased awareness and support for young classical musicians.

Included in the album are Sonata op.1 nr, 8 by Mattheson performed by Lester Harry Herco, Normando Villas and Randrews Ryan Ferrer; La Catedral by Angore played by Homer Cabansag; Berceuse by Faure performed by Joshua Legaspi and Ferdinand Medina; Canco del Lladre by Llobet performed by Nicole Anne Asis; and The Grand Solo: Sonata on D by Sor performed by Juan Carlos Barcelona. They will perform these selections plus other classical pieces at The Podium launch.

It sure feels great to know rock bands are not all kids are busy with these days so check these guys out and support the album.