New sounds by old & new bands

It is the era of rock bands and whether old or new, these groups do not seem to run out of song ideas or because these are indeed difficult times for the music industry, also of finding new ways to sell their products. In the case of hot newcomer Soapdish, this means the re-release of its self-titled debut album to include the new song Nandito Lang Ako. Composed by vocalist and lead guitar player Jeff Bolivar, the song is the theme of the popular new TV series Posh, a co-production between Viva-TV and GMA 7 which airs on QTV 11.

Nandito Lang Ako again puts to fore Soapdish’s expressive way with soulful rock ballads. Take note that despite the warm market reception accorded early rocking singles Ewan Ko and Tensionado, it was with the third, the ballad Pwede Ba that Soapdish turned up a truly big hit. Aside from Jeff Bolivar, other members are Cesar Bendoy on bass and backing vocals; Pey Signey on guitar and Kurt Floresca on drums. Soapdish also includes originals like Sandali, Sana Sinabi, Would You, Pain Redeemed, Nana Song, Dahil sa Ilaw, Aimee, Higher and Hintay.

Siakol is one of the most durable folk-rock bands of recent times. Made up of Noel Palomo on vocals; Wowie Flores on bass; Anthony Fernandez on guitars and James Rodriguez on drums, the group has been making music for over a decade now. Fans doubtless recall the previous hit albums Tayo Na Sa Paraiso, Rekta, Pantasya, Karoling, Sa Pag-ikot ng Mundo and Hiwaga.

Members of Siakol decided to call themselves Siakol to denote a free, happy, sometimes naughty state of mind. Given the fact that they have not compromised their music, I do believe they have remained free, happy and sometimes naughty. Judging from the contents of the new album, Kabilang Mundo, I can also say that just as with their early works, these guys are also astute, albeit sometimes sentimental observers of all that goes on around them. Songs included are Kabilang Mundo, Plastic, Nilalang, Basted, Kwarto, Gobyerno, Lakas TAMA (Panibagong Tama), Gabay, Aanhin, Kung Walang Ikaw, Teka Lang, Bidyoke and Inihaw.

Frio is the new band on the block and it started out as a high school campus band in far-off Zamboanga. It’s a big group with eight members, vocalists Alain Echem, Christopher Sison and Sheila Taup; Archie Lim on lead guitar; Christian Quiambao on rhythm guitar; Tristan Climaco on keyboards; Raz Itum on bass and Marvin Salazar on drums. Because of its size, I have a feeling the group must be a showband that can dish out any kind of music to please its audience.

For its first album though, the self-titled Frio, the band decided to go all-original with songs composed by Roosevelt Itum, plus two by keyboardist Tristan, Could Have Been and Let Him Go. The Roosevelt songs are Alive, Breathe, Himig, E, Nasa’n Ka Na? Why? Baby and Parapa. The sound is strictly pop-rock and recalls the easy vibe of early M.Y.M.P. when Juris and Michael were still making music together.

For those of you out there who want to catch Frio in a live performance, you can check the band out today at Robinsons Galleria; and on July 16 at SM Valenzuela; July 22 at Robinsons Imus; July 23 at SM Sta. Mesa; July 29 at SM Southmall and July 30 at Robinsons Metroeast.

Session Road is another very durable local band. Never one for sensationalism, the group spent these past years creating hits with its heartfelt commercial pop tunes. Sometimes you want to kick them in the butt and tell them they’re better than most and should be heard more often. On the other hand, I also like the fact that Session Road just likes to be around while staying consistently good.

New from Session Road these days is The Limited Edition CD Album Pack that has the hit album Suntok Sa Buwan together with a free audio-visual CD. So you get all the tunes from Suntok, plus lots of other things. These are the following: music videos of Eager Angels, Leaving You and Suntok Sa Buwan; the bonus tracks which include the new single release Blanko from the forthcoming album entitled Bakit Hindi and newly-recorded acoustic versions of Eager Angels and Cool Off; minus ones of Suntok Sa Buwan, Eager Angels and Leaving You.

Session Road is composed of Coy Palacio, songwriter and guitarist; Hannah Romawac as vocalist, songwriter and rhythm guitarist; Chavi Romawac on drums; J.V. Romawac on percussions and backing vocals and Richard Carandang on bass.