Wally@70

Wally Gonzalez’s name is synonymous to  guitar-playing. Being a  member of Juan Dela Cruz and pioneering act in Pinoy Rock, Wally have many reasons to thank his friends, fans and family.
That is why, a fete scheduled on Dec.27, 2019 was conceived by Dudee Alfonso and Nel Gonzalez (wife of Wally) at 19East with an all-star ensemble entitled “WALLY GONZALEZ THANKSGIVING GIG – UP IN ARMS”.
“ I will be 70 years old, can you imagine that? God willing, bonus na ito to reach 70 diba. Kaya it’s something to celebrate talaga”, exclaimed Wally on a recent interview. And to help celebrate this soiree, Wally hand-picked his chosen artist to celebrate the night with him. Kat Agarado, Basti Artadi, Ado Bantula, Rommel Dela Cruz, Dave Deaño, Wendell Garcia, Pigdog, Wowee Posadas, Bea Lao, Kowboy Santos, Jay Ortega, Joko Reantaso, Louie Talan, Charlie Ysmael, Peter Lambengco, Martin de Leon, Doc Ted Nicoloff, Janno Quayquep, Evy and Erwin Rodriguez, Relli De Vera, Calle Victoria, Khristine Virtucio and John Zuñiga. Plus other surprise guests.
It also noteworthy to notice that Pepe Smith’s birthday is 2 days shy of Wally’s birthday. “Oo nga December 25 si Pyaps, sayang nga, sabay sana kame mag celebrate. Anyway, kasama naman natin sya parati in spirits. Nakaka miss din si Pyaps”, admits Wally.
His friends Louie Talan and Bea Lao hinted to Wally that it has been 42 years ago since he last came out with an album. “It’s time na daw gumawa ng new recording. My last album was ‘On The Road’ 1977 pa, grabe iba na panahon ngayon nag daan na tayo sa mga iba't ibang klaseng royalty issues and piracy na charge it to experience and work of love parin .. at least ngayon may indie na. Hawak mo yun recording nyo, may mga gusto pa kame invite na mag session musician kaya dpa talaga tapos yun album relax lang take time lang walang pressure hopefully by December 2019 may mailabas kame 1 or 2 songs from the album”, reveals Wally.
Wally won’t reveal yet the musicians behind this project, citing that, it might pre-empt the hype. The album is being recorded at Southbay Studio of Bea Lao and Wombworks of Louie Talan. “The album art was designed by my son John Gonzalez”, says Wally. Yes, Wally is planning to release it by vinyl. “Ganun na nga, vinyl ang plan in releasing the album. Medyo mas mahirap i-pirate ang vinyl. Syempre wala ka naman lusot sa downloading pag lumabas na yan digitally”, admits Wally with a sneer.
Asked if the album launching will coincide with the Thanksgiving Gig on Dec.27. “We’ll see. That would be a blast if aabot sa date na yan. Walang kaseng pressing plant for vinyl sa Pinipinas, kaya medyo mahal. We still have a few recording sessions scheduled. The album’s genre is Blues Rock. And hopefully, people would like it”, hopes Wally.
“I hope to see all of you out there on Dec.27 at 19East and let’s celebrate my birthday with a bang! Mabuhay ang Pinoy Rock”, finishes Wally.

Rhany Torres

Rhanny Torres - The Lost Boy From Ocean Zoo
“Ang tatay mong kalbo!” This old Pinoy moniker was actually a part a song that stuck to my mind when I was a teenager; GOLDEN BOY by The  Ethnic Faces. The era of richness in musical material that spoke to one in a personal level made it difficult for most to pick which they would consider as their ‘90s anthem. But for some, there are songs that are more long-lasting than others.
“I was born in Sampaloc, Manila  in a household where music was always played through my father's Zenith stereo. He would play albums of Henry Mancini, Herb  Alpert, Ray Conniff, Neil Sedaka, Elvis  Presley  The Cascades, The Beatles”, remembers Rhany.
After forming Lost Boys during the early years of Punk and New Wave in 1982, they had a couple of original songs recorded, sponsored by DZRJ and received airplay. After that, Ocean Zoo was formed and Ethnic Faces eventually evolved in 1984.
“We formed Ethnic Faces to join a 'Punk' band  contest on a noontime show. We were basically a New Wave band but at that time when the music was just being introduced here, Punk and New Wave music was labeled 'Punk' by the entertainment & recording industry”, recalls Rhany.
Lead singer Jack Sikat is the perfect front man - painting his face, bringing a gong on stage , crooning with a sheepish sneer on stage and wearing his trademark 'Salakot'. The band’s essence was a heavy mix of new wave, which at that time was unheard of. Their contemporaries include Ironic Trauma (founded by Teddy Diaz before forming The Dawn), College, led by Arnold Morales (who later formed Put3Ska), identity Crisis and Dean’s December (with Binky Lampano).
 “I was the bassist & co-arranger for Ethnic Faces until 1997”, marvels Rhany.  The group was part of several underground compilations before they recorded ‘Golden Boy’ and  ‘Balikbayan’ for the ‘10 of Another Kind’ album. A few years later they wrote ‘Parang Bowling’ for the LA Rock album. Their solo album, ‘Dekada’ was recorded later. Indie producer Ed Formoso asked them to record a full length album.
Ethnic Faces contribution to the music scene was substantial, but, unfortunately leaving them out of any historical accounts of Pinoy Music. Still, Ethnic Faces' songs are featured in various compilation album. Ethnic faces was gone as soon as they had come back, they've paid for stubbornly refusing to give in to the pressures of mainstream appeal and for always being way ahead of their time.
Rhany, known for his fretless base guitar  also sings and play lead guitar. His influence includes  Jimi Hendrix then there's sax player Earl Bostic and pianist Bobby Enriquez. “ My playing style? A mixture of all kinds of music i listen to. I like improvising so you won't hear me play the exact same notes on performances. As far Bass influences, the first guy that caught my attention was Hendrix's bassist, Billy Cox on the Rainbow Bridge and Cry of Love albums”, reveals Rhany.
EF released an indie single in 1984, Within Tribes (their winning song in PTV 4's Ito Yun). “ I believe it's a much sought-after single amongst collectors. Golden Boy, was covered by Sheila and the Insects, no idea though if they have a recording, punk band Bad Omen and River Maya as carrier single of their  Isang Ugat,  Isang Dugo album”, recalls Rhany.
Original guitarist BOYET MIGUEL played for ‘Tame The Tikballang’ and is a partner in a graphic design and recording studio business; drummer JAYVEE TORRES and guitarist ARIEL POLICARPIO (who replaced Boyet) are now with Color it Red. Keyboardist ED RAMOS has quietly pursued the less complicated life of a musical arranger. Original Drummer BHOJIE GABRIE who said to be either a PE instructor in his alma matter or either running his dad’s security agency. His brother Jayvee, who has been Color It Red's drummer since '97, has been teaching drums at Yamaha School music since 1990.
And vocalist JACK SIKAT? Known to be a recluse, no one’s heard from him since 2010 in a pseudo reunion with Jayvee and Rhany.
“I have been active in the music scene for 38 years though in recent years i work more in recording studios either as record producer or session player. After EF, I joined The Brownbeat  Allstars led by former Put3Ska vocalist Myra Ruara (aka Skarlet)”, says Rhany.
Not bad for a band, that, made the future Eraserheads members dance to their music in UP in 1989.

AnnaMaria

ANNAMARIA – MELODIC DEATH METAL’S FEMME FATALE

It’s not that often that we are treated to sweet metal music interpreted by a foursome of comely ladies to boot. Meet AnnaMaria, a band consisting of four ladies with a ‘metal’ attitude. “Historically, women are not type casted to be an ‘influencer’ in rock music, except for a few exceptional personalities, like Joan Jett, Lita Ford, Joan Baez and others. We are here to break that mold, at least locally”, they claim collectively.
AnnaMaria are Jula Mae on vocals also the chief lyricist, Myan Trinidad on lead guitars, Luz Queruben on drums and Maria Shena Avequel on bass. Officially formed in 2019 (although they knew each other since 2016), AnnaMaria was for formed out of love for the genre from these femme fatale.
Borne out of remnants of  other bands, AnnaMaria came about due to the foursome's love of the Melodic Death Metal genre. To beef up their already thick sound, they sought a second guitarist, “Isa pang Myan”, hoots Jula and the rest.  As of this writing, the quartet is now a quintet, yes, they found their second guitarist.
Shena and Luz are siblings from Zamboanga. They ventured their way to Manila to try their luck in music and in life. “We have no immediate family members nearby, and that puts us against a lot.”, declares Luz.
Their song “Aberration” one of their original composition penned by the group, was featured in a UK radio station called Metal Mayhem Radio is one of their most played song during their stints in and around town gigs. A crowd favorite, whips a fast and melodic tune to boot. “It’s available in Spotify, please subscribe.”, asks Myan.  “Dysthymia” another of their compositions, is also a real kicker.
OneRootsRecord a local independent recording studio is a vital entity in signing up the group's seminal single Aberration.

"Family ang turing ko sa mga band members", declares Jula Mae, a mother of one. "In our time right now, it's hard to find comrades like them", adds Myan.