Local bands on PULP

MANILA, Philippines - After numerous awards and performances at the biggest events in and outside the country, and hit singles on both radio and music television, one would think it’d be a good time to call it a day and step back to admire one’s work. But not for a band like Chicosci, which takes home the honors this month as the cover artists for PULP Magazine.

No strangers to the legion of PULP Army members throughout the years, vocalist Miggy Chavez, guitarist Mong Alcaraz, bassist Carlos Calderon and newbie members Ariel Lumanlan and Macoy Estacio are out to rock the mainstream world via its brand of exciting modern rock, through its latest full-length major label release Fly Black Hearts under MCA Music, Inc. Read all about the band’s all-new plan to conquer the charts once more with a new lineup and rejuvenated take on having serious… fun as PULP music editor Jason Caballa writes the story.

Meanwhile, it’s not only Chicosci which finding its collective groove again, but also former Orange & Lemons chief songwriter Clem Castro — who alongside his new band The Camerawalls — is ready to make music and performing again with a refreshing outlook and approach to songwriting. Hiring the talents of original ONL bandmate Law Santiago and skins man Ian Sarrabia, the band’s independent debut Pocket Guide To The Otherworld (released under Castro’s indie label Lilystars Records) promises to be a collection of vintage rock ‘n roll for both longtime fans and newer, younger audiences who aren’t afraid to look back for the good stuff.

PULP editor-in-chief Joey Dizon sits down with The Camerawalls and talks candidly about anything and everything the band has gone through in its formation and evolution.

And speaking of resurgence, staff writer Karen Sy reports on the again relevant and vital role keyboards play in the world of rock and heavy music as she interviews a hodgepodge of the best keymasters, foreign and local, including Symphony X keyboardist Michael Pinella, Up Dharma Down’s Armi Millare, Eternal Now’s Pepe Manikan, The Out of Body Special’s Inky de Dios and Oremuz’s Pong Katigbak. Sy, herself a keyboardist for local power metal group Andrea Marie, aims to give props to the much-maligned instrument in the rock genre, and shows just how hard keyboardists and pianists rock in the modern music world.

Needless to say, it’s another full-packed month for PULP as readers know they will get more of the most amazing artist features, the most credible album reviews, and the latest features on homegrown bands, artists, events and concerts in this month’s installment. Also, readers shouldn’t forget to check out the hippest columns from a varied pool of personalities, with everything from fashion, style, heavy metal, car audio systems and indie-releases tackled by its noteworthy columnists, namely musician/London-based correspondent Lex Adarme (Critical Lex), Pedicab vocalist Diego Mapa (The Nucleus), stylist Nina Sandejas (One Hip Wonder) and Philippine Star columnist Dong Magsajo (Audio Sonic).

In other related events, PULP is excitedly counting down the days alongside the nation’s legion of metal fans until PULP, JB Music, Water Plus and Draven present ArchEnemy Live In Manila. With less than a month away, tickets are going fast, and music fans are encouraged to grab theirs now. Available are P2,000 Limited Edition V.I.P. with After-Party tickets, P1,500 Limited Edition V.I.P. and P600 regular entrance tickets.

PULP is available nationwide for only P120 in all leading bookstores and magazine shops.