“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.
No comments:
Post a Comment