Superb Acoustic in WAT UP Mix. Vol 4: Kings in the North

It was an acoustic night to remember as our favorite indie bands performed with their sought-after music with a twist. If you've never heard Kuneho Rock of BennyBunnyBand in acoustic, this gig surely made new things happen. Imagine MilesExperience performing an acoustic set. That is something worth to catch, right? This event was made possible by We are the Underdogs Productions as they held their 4th WAT UP Mix entitled: Kings in the North which took place at Exile on Main St., Katipunan, July 23. Here are some clips of the performers, who are all by the way amazingly wonderful, during the event:

See you on our next gig! We are the Underdogs Productions can't wait to meet you all!

WAT UP Mix Vol. 4: Kings in the North

WAT UP Mix Vol. 4: Kings in the North

       Hear ye, hear ye! Kings of the indie music scene will journey to the North to reach out to you! See them live at Exile on Main Street along Katipunan Ave., Loyola Heights Quezon City this July 23. Brace yourself for an eargasmic experience with the nobles and royalties as they charm their way to your hearts. Hours of fun music from night till morning is a blast: 9PM-12AM it is! Catch your favorite songs and enjoy the night with the nobility. You can thank We Are The Underdogs Productions later for your ever after. 

Ladies and gents, presenting the Kings:

At the Moment

The Slicks

Carousel Casualties

BennyBunnyBand



Ian Penn



Miles Bondoc of MilesExperience




Burn Mercado of The Putings

Nota Bene:

Php 200 with 1 free beer

What are you waiting for? Click going! 

5-10

(based on BennyBunnyBand's song, 5-10)

Under the summer sky and all things fun

your smile is as vibrant as the sun

and your laughter sinks through my heart

with every chuckle, with every sound an art

music that rings the morning good mood swings

and rhythm that beats the repeat of feelings

Under the promises of never saying goodbye

I hold your hand, warmly kiss them every night

And every time I do that, you close your eyes

It's the most beautiful to stare at under the moonlight

Under the rain, I am drowning with you

Near the verge of emotions that I swim through

Every day, every moment, every second of you

Is a shower and surge of dreams coming true

Under the sheets, entangled feet, lips are one

Under the warmth offered by each other's arms

Cozier than a cup of coffee under the midnight sun

And you, my blanket, all wrapped around me till dawn

Under the stars we trace the map of our fate

Wishing in every point comes the heaven's gate

Or at least a door that would open to see your face

Of promises of heavens, among millions of stars lace

It was perfect when we began, and so I thought it wouldn't end,

but it was just a dream, for I am a five and you are a ten.

I have dragged you under a lot of times

Yet still, I can't reach you, and call you mine

Why can't the universe be just kind

And extend my hand to you, so fine

Your perfection sealed my heart's whines

But I am never the one who get beyond the lines

I'm sorry, allow me

That I am for you

Only for you

But you don't deserve me.

Sometimes kisses fly and find their way to you

but most of the time, they miss you as much as I do

Soon, my love, I'll be seeing you.

With love, and kisses, and all of me, to You.

Sa Ating Pagitan

(halaw sa I'm Coming ng BennyBunnyBand)

Ilang oras na lamang

muli ka na namang mamamaalam
habang gising ang aking mundo,
panaginip mo'y ibabaon sa mga unan
bukas paggising mo mahal,
hahagkan ko ang hangin
na sana sa iyo'y makarating
dahil ako naman ang mananaginip
na muli kang makapiling

Nasanay na tayo sa mga larawan
ng mga bagay na hindi nahahawakan
hindi man pigilan, walang mahahagkan
walang nararamdaman,
maliban sa pag-ibig na namamagitan

Mahal ko, patawad
sa tuwing nais kong hagkan ang iyong palad
o ilapat ang aking kamay
mga daliri ko'y tumulay
sa mga linyang sa ati'y nag-uugnay

Patawad mahal ko sa mga panahon
na nais kitang yakapin, ikahon
sa tuwing ang puso ko'y nababaon,
nauubusan na ng pagkakataon
huminga at huminahon
naiiyak, nanghihina
sa pangungulila
sanlibong luha na bumasa
sa mga kobre kamang
niyayakap mag-isa

Nais ko muling kumapit
sa iyong mga balikat
ang aking mukha
sa iyo'y marahang ilapat
damhin ang iyong paghinga
ang init ng ating pagkakadikit

Patawad mahal ko sa aking panaginip
na muli kang marinig sa tainga'y malapit
Gigising sa iyong tabi
Babasahin ang ngiti
ng iyong labi
halik sa mata'y dadampi

Isayaw mo 'kong muli mahal ko
sa awiting alam na alam natin ang ritmo
Sa bawat galaw, bawat hakbang, kapit ko
Susunod ang katawan sa galaw mo
Isayaw mo ako muli mahal ko
Sa ilalim ng buwan, at sa lahat ng pagitan
ng mga haplos na 'di mamamaalam
kailanman

Ilang oras na lamang

muli na akong mamamaalam
habang gising ang iyong mundo,
panaginip ko'y ibabaon sa mga unan
bukas paggising ko mahal,
hagkan mo ang hangin
na sana sa aki'y makarating
dahil ikaw naman ang mananaginip
na muli akong makapiling.

Good Morning, Pam!

Jim and Pam of The Office

(roughly based on BennyBunnyBand's Pam ToGetHer)

My morning starts when your day begins
With all the dreams that midnight brought within
A breaking day is still morning though breaking
Singing the day with a heart beating your rhythm

It may be just another day in the office
But will never be just a day with you
For the sun beams through its varying shades
Thru the panes and the pain when I see you

I'm on my back, the ceiling draws your face
As your face draws out my heart every time
And my dreams tracing every detail
of your elegant features and delicate lines

The revolving door opens my work day
As I work in circles thru your heart's way
An empty hallway greets my silent steps
as my thoughts of you walk in and out my head

Stepping inside the elevator, a box that holds the door
that sums up my world and its not-so-welcomed visitors
As the daily routine, my tummy gets upset as we go up
My brows sweat hard and my heart beats me up

The door opens and I'm never ready
to stretch the awkward smile for you to see
A hesitant high five that never meets your palm
you, perfectly seated at the lobby, lovely and calm

"Good morning, Pam!" I said bravely.
And those are the only words I could utter
The day would pass like a night so silent
Three words aren't enough; what else would matter?

If day dreaming is an offense, I've lost my job long ago
And if staring is a crime, I could've been jailed twice or so
I guess to be your buddy is a choice for me, for us
Among all the eyes on you, mine would surely last

It would have been fair to fight for, even over you
Had not been for Roy who always got your back
Until I figured I got one hit in a million to be with you
Nothing will change anything, I'm on track.

Dear Laarni

(Halaw sa Dear Laarni ng BennyBunnyBand)

Mabillis, makulit, paulit-ulit ang kwerdas na kinakalabit
Isang saglit lamang ang hinihingi ng tugtog at pag-ibig
Patawad sana sa puso kong 'di nagpapaawat sa pagpilit
Ikaw lamang kasi ang ikinakabig ng dibdib at bibig

Itigil mo muna ang pagbuka ng iyong labi
Hayaan mong hawakan ko ng aking daliri
Ano nga ba ulit ang gusto mo sa dami ng sinabi?
Sigurado ako. Ako 'yon. Meron bang hihindi?

Sa tinagal-tagal ng pamimihikan
Nakita ka, nahulog na nang tuluyan
Mapili man, nakapili naman
Oo, ikaw na nga, wala nang bawian

Sa araw-araw na ikaw ay kasama
Pangarap ko ang gabi-gabi na yakap ka
Dati'y akala, naghihintay ako sa wala
Ngayon nariyan na, ikaw lang, sapat na

Sa tuwing ika'y tinititigan
Bumabawi ka nang daglian
Ngumingiti ng lubusan
ang puso kong sinuklian

Nahihiya ka bang basahin ang aking mata?
O pagtingin ko'y di mo talaga makita?
Hindi na bali kung ligaya ko'y di suklian
Pero sige na. Pwede naman.

Ano nga ba talaga ang nais ituran
Sa aking walang pagod na pamamanhikan
Meron ba o wala d'yang nararamdaman?
Ikakahon mo na ba ko ng tuluyan?

Anong ligaya kung saka-sakali
Oo na ang sagot at 'di na lamang ngiti
Pagbigyan mo na sana ang sayo'y pagpili
Ikaw lang naman kasi ang aking minimithi

Iaalis mo ba kapag kamay mo'y hinawakan?
Mabilis man ngunit 'di ko na mapigilan
Hindi naman kita agad hahalikan
Pero kung gusto mo, pwede rin naman.

Sa tagal kong naghintay sa iyo paraluman
Sasandal sana ako ng banayad at marahan
Araw ko'y nakukumpleto 'pag ika'y nagigisnan
Paos na ang pusong sigaw ang iyong kagandahan

Gandang hinding-hindi kailanman lilisan
Hindi lilipas, hindi pagsasawaan
Minimithing ikaw ang tanging inaasam
Sabihin mo man sa 'kin "ang bilis mo naman."

***

If you like the poem, you can listen to it here.

PS

(Halaw sa PS Laarni ng BennyBunnyBand)

Ubos na ang mga tintang tinuyo ng paglisan
Naninilaw na ang mga sobre ng kahapon at walang hanggan
Hindi matatawarang paalam sa lahat ng sinimulan
Nariyan ka pa ba para tanggapin ang basang-basa kong liham?

Tadhana ang sabi nilang magbabalik sa ating panahon
Sa bawat selyong inipon, bawat sobreng nilikom
Hindi pa rin tumatak ang destinasyon ng kahapon
May bukas pa nga ba sa pagtanging pilit mong itinapon?

Hindi mo ba naaalala ang awit ng ating mga puso?
Nagpapaindayog sa iyong balikat, pababa ng iyong pulso
Nagdidikit na mga palad na 'sing init ng pagsuyo
Sa iyong malambot na labi'y humahaplos, pumupuno.

Ngunit ngayo'y ibang ritmo na ang nagpapaindak sa iyo
Tingin ko'y hawig naman sa musikang inialay ko
Ngunit ibang palad pa rin ang pinipisil ng mga kamay mo
at humahaplos sa labing araw-araw ay pangarap ko.

Nag-iisa pa rin ako sa bawat araw na ika'y nakikita
Pumupunit, kumakayas, dumudurog sa aking pag-asa
Tuwing mababakas ko ang ligaya sa iyong magandang mukha
Hindi ko na kayang supilin ang pait ng lahat sa ati'y nawala

Mistula nang lukot na sobre ang puso kong 'di mo nilingon
Na dati'y iyong iniingatan, marahang binabasa buong maghapon
Dati man ay halik ang kalakip ng mga salitang sa aki'y pabaon
Ngayo'y iyo nang dinuraan at sa mukha ko'y dagling itinapon

Dalangin ko na lamang na ang pag-ibig nya'y hindi panandalian
At magpapaagos ng mga luhang hindi ko kailanman natunghayan
Bagkus bumura ng aking ulirat at sumakop sa aking katinuan
Naglulunoy sa tila dagat ng kalungkutang sa aki'y iyong iniwan

Sa tingin mo man ako ay paulit-ulit, pumipihit, nagpapakasakit
Hindi ako hihinto sa siklo ng pagsuyo, hindi man nagpupumilit
Hayaan mo akong mahalin ka, na parang linya ng korong binabalikan
Sa tuwing natatapos ang mga berso na tinuldukan mo na ng tuluyan.

Balang araw, mararating ko rin ang hantungan ng mga nilisan
Magpapahinga ang pusong pagal nang magmahal kahit tinalikuran
Tapos na. Tapos na ba?
Sa iyo, oo. Sa akin, hindi pa.

***

If you like the poem, you can listen to it here. 

Ikaw Na

(Ibang anggulo ng pag-ibig sa Ikaw Na Ang Anghel Bow! ng BennyBunnyBand)

Gusto kong maniwala na makikilala mo rin ako

Sa likod ng mga taong naghihiyawan, umiindak at nagkakagulo

Sa dilim ng gabi na kahit anong pilit ng mata, liwanag ay susuko

Nagtatago ba ako? Oo. Sa 'yo.

Ikaw ang tipo na nabubuhay sa gitna ng entablado

at ako, nakukuntento na nasa harapan at nanonood sa 'yo

pilit tinatanaw ang bawat kilos, indayog na dala ng musika mo

habang ang mga tao ay pader na humaharang sa ating mga mundo

Nakalulunod man ang dami ng taong humihiyaw ng pangalan mo

Sa bawat "mahal kita" na ibinabato maya't maya ng mga tao

Walang tumitinag, kumukurot, nagpapalingon sa iyong pihikang puso

at huwag kang mag-alala, marami mang naghihintay, pero hindi ako

Alam ko naman ang hangganan ng mga taong tulad ng kalibre ko

Hindi naman ako nangangarap mahulog sa taong hindi naman sasalo

Hindi ko lang talaga alam kung bakit nagkakilala pa tayo

Ayan. Nabubuhay ako't namamatay sa magdamag, pagtula tungkol sa'yo.

Hinahagilap ko pa ang lakas ng loob ko na ipunin ang aking mga letra

Pagkumpul-kumpulin at ibato sa 'yo ang mapagmahal kong mga salita

Dalangin ko lang na maaari pa 'kong lumiham lakip ang pag-ibig kong kataga

Dahil wala na akong ibang paraan upang marating ang 'di maabot na tala

Oo, isa kang tala na bumihag sa akin at sa puso kong ayaw nang umasa

Ngunit sa bawat kislap mo, hindi ko maipaliwanag, patuloy akong namamangha

Binibighani ng tinig mo sa bawat musikang iyong likha

Sa ritmong humahaplos sa kaluluwa ko na dala ng iyong musika

Umiikot ang mundo mo na hindi kailanman magtatapon sa akin ng pag-asa

Ngunit hindi iyon sapat upang ako'y durugin at tuluyan nang bumitiw sa paghanga

Pagtatagni-tagniin ko na lamang ang puso ko gamit ang iyong alaala

Saka ko pupunuin ng nag-uumapaw na pagmamahal kong hindi mo makikilala

Matatapos na naman ang magdamag na hindi mo ako binabasa

Ngunit patuloy akong tutula, hanggang sa ang sakit ay tuluyang maubos na

Kahit hindi ko alam kung ang sinasaktang puso ay nagmamahal pa

May magagawa pa ba 'ko? Eh, ikaw na. Ikaw na nga talaga.

***

If you like the poem, you can listen to it here.

Nagmamahal (sa) BennyBunnyBand: Album Review

It's been awhile. I know. Forgive me. Adult life.
A month ago during the BennyBunnyBand Tshirt Launch, I got a copy of their EP. If you haven't heard the music of this amazing trio, Kuneho Rock, I had a brief fangirling post about them previously.

After playing their tracks day in and day out, which made my daughter start humming Dear Laarni one day, I've finally found my strength to get up the hospital bed and write a review.

Their EP has six (6) tracks:

Dear Laarni
Ikaw Na (Ang Anghel, Bow!)
5-10
Pam ToGetHer
I'm Coming
P.S. Laarni

Their songs began with "ligaw" songs, upbeat and weirdly nice to hear. Well, that is Kuneho Rock, unique and weird, but good. That is best noted in Dear Laarni which focused on this guy trying to win a girl's heart. Filled with the common words of a seemingly lovestruck guy in a hurry for a yes from his lady love, Dear Laarni poses more on the humorous side of things rushed and ecstatic with young love. With the fast, literal breath-taking singing of lead Benny Giron, and a lot of voice maneuvers, the song made the rhythm like pulsating heartbeat with unpredictable highs and lows, fasts and slows. Ah, young love. That's Dear Laarni.

Ikaw Na (Ang Anghel, Bow!) is another ligaw song with an upbeat, but rather slower rhythm---something you can pick for a good night gig of harana. This song aimed to use all compliments for the girl from flowers to angels. This poses as an all-out pa-impress, boladas to get that yes in a very Filipino kind of way. The signature Kuneho Rock is still in place and the colloquial lingo of the lyrics makes it more relatable even to youngsters who are ready to strum their way towards their girl's heart.

5-10 is another ligaw song, but this time, hitting a higher level of wooing. This could even pass for an Ode, which is a praise song. Placing the girl on a pedestal, the guy had to present himself so little. It may be sincerely done as he has very low self-esteem, or it's just another Pinoy type of flattery which belittles oneself to praise another. Whatever it is, this is simply another rocking piece that would make your heart melt, ironically, in fast beats.

Pam ToGetHer is more of a ballad that tells a story, like "one normal day, I met this girl..." kind of story. This focuses on Pam, a girl, maybe as beautiful as Helen of Troy that everyone seems to fall on their knees just to get her attention. This song works less on the lyrics, but focused on the instrumentals. It's beat is as rad as Dear Laarni, and it's fun all the way. You really don't need to know what happened to Pam and her suitors to enjoy the music. It's that one song that would make you dance even in your lowest of moods.

I'm Coming is my favorite. According to Benny, this is their most serious song so far. Yes. Serious and heart-warming. It was rather short compared to the other songs, but there is a reason behind that. The first two verses were all about the extreme anguish of longing for your loved one. The person may be in a far away place, or can be emotionally far. So it could be a make-up song, actually. It can also be for LDR. Whatever pleases you, just enjoy the music. These verses have a quite long instrumental in between which gives the slow pacing of thoughts and the sadness despite the upbeat music, each verse shifting to another thought. This is followed by a long "haaaahh...." that marks the faster pacing of rhythm and the increasing intensity concluded by "Malapit na!" This intensity became a surge of emotions and excitement on the couple's nearing moment to meet. The same intensity was sustained and ended by a climactic "Mahal ko...nandito na ko." Then an abrupt stop after several plucking. Does it sound familiar? Yup. Though this song is a very heart-warming composition, it has its sexual undertones. Thus, this suits a good make-up...song.

P.S. Laarni will break your heart into pieces, chopped, minced and seasoned with salt. It was a song you won't expect from the band---tear-jerking especially if you have imagined yourself to be Laarni on the first song. And my first thought when I heard this song, "How could you be so cruel?" Yes, it was a cruel song, for a saksak-puso-tulo-ang-dugo kinda cruel. I don't want to talk about it anymore. Maiiyak na naman ako.

I guess that's it! This band is great in live performances and in everyday sound tripping. My kid even memorized Ikaw Na and dance to it while brushing her teeth. But don't take my word for it. Grab your copy of the BennyBunnyBand's EP! But not now. Sadly, they are still reproducing physical copies after it was sold out.

Don't fret! They have Dear Laarni, Pam ToGetHer and Forbidden Song No. 2: Kamandag (Pogi Problems) on Spotify! Kamandag is the ultimate f***boi song. Just saying.

Also, you can see them perform live this coming Fete dela Musique on June 18, 2016, 4th Floor Alfresco Area, Century City Mall! Here's the schedule of the Fusion Stage:

The best thing about Fete dela Musique:

But there are more reasons to see them:

FREE OPM memes SHIRT!

How?
1. Share this photo and caption your post with "I AM GOING TO #FeteFusion2016" Make sure that your post is "PUBLIC"
2. BE THERE ON SATURDAY! Pag tinawag ang name mo at wala ka, mapupunta sya sa iba. </3

Deadline of entries will be on Friday, June 17, 2016 (8pm)
Here's the Facebook post.

Another!

WIN A FREE D&D UKULELE (Concert size) with Belcat pick-up from Ukulele Philippines.

How?
1. Share this photo and caption your post with "I AM GOING TO #FeteFusion2016" Make sure that your post is "PUBLIC"
2. BE THERE ON SATURDAY! Pag tinawag ang name mo at wala ka, mapupunta sya sa iba. </3

Deadline of entries will be on Friday, June 17, 2016 (8pm)
Here's the Facebook post.

In case you are not lucky enough to win these prizes, 

you can always take home a souvenir of this event. How?

P R E - O R D E R N O W !

Email: watunderdogsprod@gmail.com or message WAT UP or Para sa Sining on Facebook.

To get updates and to support the Pinoy Music Scene,
You may follow my favorite bunnies on Twitter: @BennyBunnyBand
Like their page on Facebook: BennyBunnyBand

See you, EveryBunny!

Have You Heard Kuneho Rock?

Here's my copy of the EP, signed by my favorite bunnies
and of course, the Bunny shirt!

Have you found yourself hopping with the rhythm of a song? Talk about live performances that bring the hyper kid out of you.That, maybe, is a Kuneho rock you are listening to. Ladies and gents, allow me to introduce to you one of my favorite bands in the indie music scene --- The BennyBunnyBand!

*Kuneho Rock (Bunny Rock) is a tag for the music specifically made by BennyBunnyBand.

Points why I love this band:

Energy
If you have seen them perform live, you would know what I mean. There is this kind of hyper energy, exuded by the stage that seems airborne, and the audience easily catches this feel all throughout the performance. Here's a sample of their song Dear Laarni. Then tell me afterwards if you didn't think of dancing with it. :D




Packaging
I'm not just really talking about the costumes. Though that is one thing I love, too. They can sport any ridiculous costume or go all naked or nearly, and regardless of that, they would deliver the same cool performance. The costume adds to the fun, but it's really more of the performance that makes all the dress-up cool. Another is their name. Benny Giron is the lead vocals who plays the Ukulele and obviously why it's Benny. Sorry for my biases, but I just love figures of speech because I'm an English teacher, so the alliteration of B is so good, I love it. For those who are not familiar with alliteration, that is the repeated consonant sounds employed in order to establish internal rhythm. That is so literary and so musical in my opinion. Also, their EP brought out my frustrations with letters. Really, who doesn't want too receive snail mails in this digital age? There is nothing else more romantic than that. Then marked with Nagmamahal, BennyBunnyBand though there was a last minute cross-out of nagmamahal. Hehe. Love their faces on the stamps. One for the collection.

Humor
We all know how difficult it is to write songs, to perform them and get people to listen to them. How much more to write songs with humor? Their humor reminds me of PNE though they have different sounds. I tip my hat to music makers who can make fun music and not getting the novelty song label. That is one difficult thing to achieve in the kind of music industry we have. On a different note, they may have the humor, kilig, and fun in their music, but they broke my heart in P.S. Laarni. Really, guys. You we're so cruel. I'm going to move on soon. Thank goodness, I'm not Laarni.

Music
So this is the first time I saw a lead vocals using an Ukulele. I didn't even know that it could go well with band performances. I've heard the instrument played many times especially by my students who try to learn it, but I've never imagined it on stage at B-Side Makati for a night gig. That is really amusing for me, so, yo, Benny! You're awesome! The sound of the Ukulele and the unique vocals mark the difference of their music among other indie bands, plus their upbeat Kuneho rock that makes it all jumpy and great to open a gig night, just like what they did during the MilesExperience Album Launch!

By the way, their EP is composed of six tracks:

• Dear Laarni
• Ikaw Na (Ang Anghel, bow!)
• 5-10
• Pam ToGetHer
• I'm Coming
• P.S. Laarni

To get updates and to support the Pinoy Music Scene,
You may follow them on Twitter: @BennyBunnyBand
Like their page on Facebook: BennyBunnyBand

And hey, they're on Spotify! 

Listen to Dear Laarni, Pam ToGetHer and their recently released single on Spotify, 

Forbidden Song No. 2.  

Wondering where Forbidden Song No. 1 is? Here you go. 

Credits to the owner, taken at B-Side Makati during the MilesExperience Album Launch, April 30. 

(Please use your earphones and watch it as how you watch forbidden clips. 

Alam na this! Rated SPG)