My chemistry days were over, so I thought. That is, until I
stumbled onto a recent experiment that was too tempting not to pry my fingers
at.
It’s quite a messy experiment, the one that we all love.
First there’s the term “rock”, which covers everything from the Beatles to Jack
White and all in between. Then there’s “acoustic’, which may refer to sonic
properties of materials or the symphonic instruments. Add a generous dash of
the “blues” and we still are amazed in 2017 how it roots from deltas, yet
deluges the whole planet.
The key lies on the final element: “experiment”. A little mix of the above given
elements under the daring mind of Mr. Stephen Lu and we get an interesting
hybrid which is The Rockoustic Blues
Experiment. For starters. Lu is no
stranger to the blues, as evidenced by his larger than life hits with then
Rizal Underground, “Sabado Nights” and “Bilanggo”.
Lest the word “blues” create a stereotype of endless 12 or 8-bar
jams, nope. TRBE is more than that.
TRBEs debut indie album, “In-Flight” contains six cuts plus
two bonus minus-one tracks: Ilaw, Kapag
Ikaw ang Kasama ko, Mahal na Mahal Kita, Brown and White, Loveland, and Wait
for Me. It is an album that sings of a love
bittersweet - save for one track, Brown
and White (a song celebrating humanity underneath the colors and status).
The team of Lu (acoustic guitar, vocals), Bonglennon
(guitars), Pex Holigores (bass), Nikko Tirona (drums), and Edgar Mendoza
(keyboards) concocts one solid groove over a steady chugging pace. How does it sound like? Sonically, we get the
necessaries: solid acoustic rhythm guitar, Keef-worthy chunky parts, tight
drums and bass, and nice doses of vintage piano parts. Think of post -Beatles Harrison
or pre-Eagles Walsh, and even Robert Cray. The overall mix fits perfectly at
home in the periodic table of Pinoy Rock. Lu tops it with a voice that careens one
moment, and then turns to raspy brawl –perfect for the material. And the mandatory solos? Not a problem - as
guests take turn to add their unique elements to the brewing rock mix.
The album takes an entirely different breath live.
Bonglennon stands, cigarette clipped between pinky and ring
finger a la Clapton, while churning meaty tele riffs. Pex, the bearded bass man,
lays own the rock solid groove which at times, hint his influences of reggae-ish
behind the beat feel. If this then be an experiment, Edgar catalyzes the mix
with a thick amount of blues licks or a good chord bed on vintage keys. Nikko rolls
steadily like a drummer’s drummer – right in the pocket. Lu the frontman carries
the “oomph” (or swag for the
millineal/mosaic readers), like a cross between Bruce Springsteen and Tom
Petty. And as some wise alchemist, Lu leads the band through the terrain from
smooth to bumpy rides. A little trade of solos here, a breakdown there, a sudden
detour to traditional blues forms – make the whole experiment interesting and
fun.
Collectively the band knows well when to let the explosions
fly. And when they do, we get our fix of burns and dents right before our noses. But we all know that lab explosions and pops often
predate those ‘eureka’ moments. And like any experiment, we can therefore conclude that TRBE – works fine. Really fine.
TianoBM2017
TianoBM2017
Album guests:
Lead guitars, Ilaw
: Peter Vinco
Lead guitars, Kapag
Ikaw ang Kasama Ko: Jun Lopito
Vocals, Loveland: Ramone
Rodriguez
Harmonica, Loveland: Ian
Lofamia
Wurlitzer, Loveland: Butch
Saulog
Bass, Loveland: Maly
Paraguya
Band links:
