End of the year.

This is essentially the time of the year where I post that "it's the end of a fckd up year, and another one coming..." as sung by Embrace and post some top ten of the year. This year had its ups and downs, good shows, good music and good friends. There were a lot of terrible things that happened and even considered quitting on everything all together. But there are still a LOT of reasons to look forward to 2012. Let's learn from the negative things and move forward. No use in crying over spilled milk. I got a feeling that next year will be a lot better than this one.

I tried to make a traditional top ten or best of 2011 but nothing's coming out so before I go to my folk's house and celebrate new year with the people closest to me, here's a final post for 2011. Thanks for reading this blog the past year and hopefully I'll find the energy to continue doing it next year.

This is a Ruiner tour shirt which was sold when they toured here. "I heard those dudes are assholes" is 100% right.

Asiong Salonga is a great film minus the cuts made to make it more viewer friendly., Hopefully, we can get our hands on the director's cut soon.

Soundtrack for the coming of the end: Backtrack 'Darjer Half', Foundation, 'When the Somke Clears', Indecision 'Unorthodox'

Amici for the holidays.

Taking a break from the furious holiday rush, we got to eat at Amici in the premises of Greenhills. The place has a really nice ambiance. We got some good ol' spaghetti pomodoro and vegie pizza. Good, good stuff. Price is not too steep as well. Good thing they got rid of customers waiting in line. They also have gelatos if you like that stuff.

Currently listening to: Rise and Fall 'Deceiver b/s Sinking in Sin' (Holy sht. Their cover of 'Sinking in Sin' is f'n epic! Throw in guest appearances by vox from legendary H8000 bands' Congress and Liar and sht's gonna blow! Highly recommended).

Are you ready for this?

Backtrack from New York City. Reaper Records. Manila. February 10, 2012. Mark your calendars.

December 30, Deworming?

No year ender show from the guys at the pinoy hc punk forum? What's up with that? If you want to end your year right, go to this "sludge" show happening at IDB Bar at Paranaque City. Kill Ratio and Jahannam will be playing so you know it ought to be a good show. Should have featured Eyes of Fire and Tsimpayne. Can you say "stoner" rock?

Currently listening to: Backtrack 'Darker Half'

Indecision.

This is an Indecision shirt which is a pretty rare sighting even in eBay. Got this via trade from a friend for some local shirts (ssupp Rup?!). Indecision will always be one of my fave bands. From the earlier material up to 'Release the Cure' can't be fckd with.

Also wanted to say HAPPY HOLIDAYS to everyone. Enjoy the season.

Currently listening to: Chorus of Disapproval 'One Firm Standing Law'

Integrity.

Classic Integrity shirt for y'all this chilly Wednesday morning. This is the Integ logo with the skull backprint that's all too familiar. Check out the latest Integ output with a 15 minute interview with the band. Really good sht.

Gonna be playing a show tonight at Ten02. Hope to see everyone there. Got some shirts for you if you want one.

The NBA season opens on Christmas Day with a rematch of last year's NBA finals and the Celtics facing the vastly improved Knicks. Might finally be the last year of the Big Three era. Hopefully another title before they split up.

Currently listening to: Backtrack 'Darker Half'

December 21, Ten02.

Bystorm will be playing a pre-Christmas show on the 21st of the month at Ten02. It's the return of The Beauty of Doubt and this promises to be a real fun show.

By the way, we'll be selling the new BS 'Darkness shines the brightest' shirts at this show. Sorry for not being to bring some to the shows lately. To those who placed their orders, see you at this show. Very limited quantity remaining.




Notes: Christmas shopping is a real pain in the @ss but you got to do what you got to do right?

Currently listening to: NWA and Ice Cube 'AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted'

Diary.

Its been a really rainy weekend because of typhoon sendong. Heard there was insane flooding in CDO and other parts of Mindanao. Take care y'all.

Second best thing to do on a rainy Sunday morning: coffee, diary by chuck pahlaniuk while listening to In Cold Blood's 'Hell on Earth'

Zine Review: I Remember Halloween No. 7.

Without question, IRH is at the center of the current influx of local zines the [ast couple of years. At a time, when there were no zines coming out, IRH became a model of consistency (content, layout and regularity-wise). This 7th issue features good interviews with local bands NO! (fast hc ala Kid Dynamite from Cebu City), Caitlyn Bailey (defunct screamo band from Davao City), Play (Bulacan's fastest!) and Duress from Chicago, IL. The most interesting part of the zine is an interesting article by Dane called 'Local Bins' wherein he tells interesting stories of his visit to local vinyl stores. Also features some music and zine review. Another good issue for IRH. (irememberhalloween@gmail.com)

The current: Last episodes of Sons of Anarcy S4 and Boardwalk Empire S2 (pretty WICKED season ender!)

Zine Review: Coffeemug No. 10.

Resilience is a rare thing in our community. Doing a zine for ten years (although it boils down to an issue per year, still), is example of resilience. CM recently celebrated its 10th year with a release party somewhere in Makati this month. Bands who were previously featured in CM got to play in the show. This 10th salvo features interesting reads from Sunday Driven Holiday (Cavite, the interview is pretty in-depth and covers a lot of ground), Crapsalad Videos (awesome read from one of the more underrated people we have in our local scene), not so interesting interviews with Lemuria and a couple of labels (except the Goodwill Records interview where you can feel the enthusiasm of the interviewees). This issue also features a bunch of columns, show reviews and music reviews. Local zines have been getting a fresh shot in the arm lately. Continue supporting these guys!(coffeemugazine@yahoo.com)

Currently listening to: Unbroken 'Re-issue, Re-package, Re-evaluate the songs'

Kids on the Move.

Already posted this one before but its been a long time since I wore it that I decided to post it again. KOTM is a positive hardcore band based in Kuala Lumpur. God music and good people. Definitely check em out. Not sure if they're still playing though.

Currently listening to: Morrissey 'Every day is like Sunday' on repeat.

Malabon/Navotas revival show.

Saw this posted on your fave social networking site. Apparently, this is a gathering of Malabon/Navotas based hc punk bands to revive the once thriving Malabon/Navotas scene. Great idea.I've always been a fan of regional scenes. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the area produced some of the great local hc bands of the 80s.

I still have a lot of stuff to post (zine/record/show reviews) and some random stories to tell but sht gets in the way. I used to be pretty excited to post something here. Anyway, it's not for the readers but for my personal consumption, the appreciation is just a bonus. So if things go well, I'll probably continue posting and if not then I guess a big thank you is in order.

The current: Sons of Anarchy (final episode), Boardwalk Empire, Cosa Nostra book, How I Met Your Mother, union meetings, Gameface 'Every Last Time', following the NBA and MLB story lines, HANGING OUT.

No Turning Back this Thursday Night.

No Turning Back from the Netherlands is back for their second tour of duty in the Philippines. They'll be playing an early Thursday show at the Freedom Bar at Anonas, Quezon City. The local line-up is pretty foreign to me except Mihara and The Crimson Cartel. Make sure you come early because NTB will be playing somewhere in the middle of the line-up because they have a flight to catch to Cebu or Davao, I think.

Currently watching: 'Hari ng Tondo' video by Gloc 9 (should be a great movie from what I've seen)

Southern show.

IDB (bar owned by Legarda's Sharen) is currently pumping out a ton of shows. One of which is this showcase by bands from the dirty south. Legarda, Monochrome will be playing among others and will be a good start to all of you who wants to check out what's happening in Paranaque City and its nearby areas.

Coffeemug 10th anniversary show.

It's a rare feat that a zine will run ten (10) years and its just right to celebrate a feat. One of such zines is COFFEEMUG from San Pablo City and their anniv show will be held at The Collective in Makati City. Sunday Driven Holiday and Half the Battle will be playing among other bands so make sure to be there. Tuesday night!

Currently watching: Metallica's insane cover of 'Iron Man' at the Ozzfest.

It's been too long.

Sup everyone? It's been a couple of weeks now since my last post and I've been really dragging posting here for the sole reason that I've been contemplating on stopping it all together. It has been three (?) years i think since I started this blog just to do write about things I like which circle around our little hc punk community but lately the drive just wasn't there. Maybe because of disappointment on some people, maybe on myself. Maybe it's just the natural course of things. We'll see.

The pic above was taken at the Lights and Sounds show at the Ayala Triangle. Get into the holiday spirit. Had a blast just hanging out there. Got some posts coming so just check it.

Not sure on whether or not to do the annual top ten list. Hit me up if you're interested.

Currently listening to: Frank Sinatra 'The Very Best Of' on a rainy Sunday morning.