Will XLR8 break the Pinoy boy group curse?

For some strange reason, the boy group was one worldwide phenomenon that Filipino artists and producers were not able to adapt to local tastes. We are usually so good in these things. We hear a new sound from the US and you can bet that within a few weeks there would be a Pinoy version. The same goes for every sort of music type. Think rock, folk, R&B, hip-hop etc., and we have all twisted and tweaked them to our liking and made them our own. Not so the boy band.

I am sure that many of you still recall that time during the late ’80s when boy groups are all the rage in the hit charts. The Backstreet Boys kicked things off to a great start. Then came ‘N Sync, Boyzone, 98 Degrees, Westlife. Even the Puerto Rican boys of Menudo totally captivated the Filipinos. To this day, fans still show up to watch them do Everybody and Quit Playing Games With My Heart whenever the BSB are in town and although he has had tremendous success as a solo artist, we still peg Ricky Martin as an ex-Menudo because that is how we know him best.

It was not for lack of attempts on our part. Some, like the Wiseguys had some degree of success. I guess that while they only danced and did not really sing, the closest we came to having young male idols in a group was with the Universal Motion Dancers or the UMD. They were big on TV and even appeared in the movies. Still we never came up with a song and dance boy group that could have challenged the foreigners and could have established a strong foundation for future incarnations of this type of act.

And that must be the reason why we are trying again with XLR8. Now available in the stores is the self-titled debut album of this song and dance group XLR8 produced by Marcus Davis Jr. and Christian de Walden and which contains the current hit You’re So Hot. Of course, it cannot be denied that XLR8 is the Pinoy answer to the South Korean invasion that has penetrated not only the local music scene but also television, fashion and even make-up and hair styles.

XLR8 is made up of Aki, Carlo, the twins MJ and MM, AJ, Kiko, Arkin and Caleb. They are young, attractive, talented and very hardworking. They are now regulars in the Sunday variety show Party Pilipinas on GMA 7. Hopefully, they will put an end to the Pinoy boy group curse. The all-original CD also includes Tonight’s The Night, I Wish Lang, Dance With Me, I Love You Girl, I’ll Be There, She Was Mine, Anyway, Ms. Beautiful, Precious Love, For You and Money Money.

For those who want to catch the XLR8 boys sing and dance to You’re So Hot and other songs from their album, here is their upcoming schedule of mall shows. April 17 at SM Bicutan; April 24, SM Marikina; May 8, SM North EDSA; May 15, SM Pampanga; May 22, SM SouthMall; May 23, SM Fairview; and May 29, SM Manila. They are also set to join the Party Pilipinas roadshow in Dagupan on April 18; in Cebu, April 25; and Davao, May 2.

XLR8’s You’re So Hot video has entered the Pinoy MYX Countdown at No. 11. The complete list of the most requested videos for this week is as follows: Beautiful Girl by Christian Bautista; Breathe Again by Chicosci; Not Like The Movies by KC Concepcion; Harinawa by Hale; Kalayaan by Bamboo; Makapiling Ka by Sponge Cola; Wag Kang Magtanong by Yeng Constantino; Right Here Waiting by Sarah Geronimo; Missed You by Sam Concepcion; I Don’t Want To Fall by Juris.

 You’re So Hot by XLR8; Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough by Jennylyn Mercado; Please Be Careful With My Heart by Christian Bautista and Sarah Geronimo; Himala by Jay-R; How Can I by Gary Valenciano; Unang Tikim by Kamikazee; Martilyo by Gloc-9 and Letter Day Story; Hitik Sa Bunga by Brownman Revival; Go Go Dance by Mr. Bones and the Boneyard Circus; and Picture Picture by Tanya Markova.