Premier Filipino band comes a-knocking at mainstream America’s door.
-by Joseph De Veyra
(E-mail the author at joedev18@yahoo.com)
source: balita.com
JAMPACKED: All three floors of BB King’s Blues Club in Universal City was filled for the performance of South Border.
UNIVERSAL CITY—On the exciting night of Sept. 30, a clueless middle-aged American asked the bartender at BB King’s Blues Club in Universal City what South Border was. In the middle of preparing his drink, he replied: “they’re the biggest band in the Philippines.” The band definitely didn’t disappoint the jam-packed three-floor venue.
Democracy
Before the show started Jay revealed to this writer that people mistake him for being the bandleader because he was the musical director of the group. “When it comes to selecting our songs and the musical approach, every member has a say, South Border is pretty much a democracy,” he chuckled. He goes on to credit the band’s two young (but immensely) talented vocalists, Duncan Ramos and Vince Alaras. “I commend them because they have been very good in adapting to the band, whatever we advise them they follow.”
He also apologized to fans who were disappointed in their sold-out concert with MYMP in the Grove of Anaheim on Sept. 15 for not performing two of their biggest hits, “Rainbow” and “Kahit Kailan.” He explained: “We were supposed to perform (those songs) but the management of the venue stopped us and we had ten minutes overtime already.”
On a more personal note, Jay shared his passion for music was infused to him by his dad, Bong who is also an exceptional musician. He is currently staying in Cerritos with his very hospitable Uncle Joseph. “He is also in the music business, I guess it’s all in the family,” he said with amusement.
He also revealed that the reason for South Border’s westernized musical style is because of simply listening to the radio while he was growing up. “All the English songs had affected my music,” he said.
With regard to penetrating to mainstream, Jay’s sentiments were both realistic and hopeful. “We’ve been trying to penetrate the world stage for fifteen years now.” Jay added that an obvious difference is that you wouldn’t be hearing any Pilipino songs in a mainstream gig such as this.
“We’re slowly getting to that goal because in this performance tonight, we didn’t apply, it was the BB King’s management that called us,” he said with pride.
“Satisfying the Filipino crowd and an American crowd is very different,” he adds “Filipinos are very laid back so love songs and ballads are a must but with a mainstream crowd, you need to keep the energy up all the time.” Definitely, that statement defined their electrifying performance that night.
Electrify
Dimarcko Chandler, owner and general manager of the magnificent venue, the same man who baptized South Border as “the best band that has ever played in BB King’s,” introduced the band with flair. In describing the band’s potential, he even said to the crowd that “you ain’t seen nothin’yet.” He revealed that tonight isn’t any ordinary performance because South Border is also recording a live album. Not just that, he also revealed that the band’s performance can be seen via web telecast at www.bbking.com, the club’s official site.
South Border energized everybody and made the crowd stand up and dance. The powerful vocal duo of South Border, Duncan Ramos and Vince Alaras, started the night with the band’s brisk and sensuous “Sweet.”
South Border’s ensemble also includes Ric Junasa, saxophonist and flutist; Paul Benitez, percussionist; Tata Balane, bass guitarist; and guitarist Butch Victoriano.
They also performed Earth, Wind and Fire’s “September” and Queen’s timeless rock anthem, “We will Rock You.”
They moved on and kept everybody pumped up with the Black Eyed Peas’ “Let’s Get It Started.” Many went in front (Americans and Filipinos alike) of the stage and danced to the beat. Duncan even showed his dance moves in the middle of the performance.
But the highlight of the performance was definitely their power balled “Love of My Life.” Ric was at his element as he showed his eloquent approach to playing his sax. Moreover, Butch, the band’s guitarist showed his plucking abilities. Of course, Jay’s smooth vocal, paired with that of Duncan and Vince was simply captivating. This song definitely highlighted every aspect of what makes South Border special: a unique, elegant sound unmatched by anyone in the industry.
Blown away
“I’m blown away and I know everybody is too,” Dimarcko said as he returned to the stage after the performance. Even Vanessa Brown, a well-known music producer for Platinum Touch commented: “These boys are incredible, I’m speechless.”
The group was finished already with their set but as a result of the constant chanting of the crowd for “more,” in a fitting ending, the group performed its (arguably) best written song ever, “Rainbow.”
Surprisingly, even the people from the crowd who were obviously born and grew up in America seem to have been captivated by South Border everyone was dancing to the groove. It was world-class entertainment at its best.
Watching South Border, an evidently premier Filipino band, definitely made one proud of his roots. This is definitely just the start of what could be the greatest thing that can happen in Filipino music.
(E-mail the author at joedev18@yahoo.com)
source: balita.com
JAMPACKED: All three floors of BB King’s Blues Club in Universal City was filled for the performance of South Border.
UNIVERSAL CITY—On the exciting night of Sept. 30, a clueless middle-aged American asked the bartender at BB King’s Blues Club in Universal City what South Border was. In the middle of preparing his drink, he replied: “they’re the biggest band in the Philippines.” The band definitely didn’t disappoint the jam-packed three-floor venue.
Democracy
Before the show started Jay revealed to this writer that people mistake him for being the bandleader because he was the musical director of the group. “When it comes to selecting our songs and the musical approach, every member has a say, South Border is pretty much a democracy,” he chuckled. He goes on to credit the band’s two young (but immensely) talented vocalists, Duncan Ramos and Vince Alaras. “I commend them because they have been very good in adapting to the band, whatever we advise them they follow.”
He also apologized to fans who were disappointed in their sold-out concert with MYMP in the Grove of Anaheim on Sept. 15 for not performing two of their biggest hits, “Rainbow” and “Kahit Kailan.” He explained: “We were supposed to perform (those songs) but the management of the venue stopped us and we had ten minutes overtime already.”
On a more personal note, Jay shared his passion for music was infused to him by his dad, Bong who is also an exceptional musician. He is currently staying in Cerritos with his very hospitable Uncle Joseph. “He is also in the music business, I guess it’s all in the family,” he said with amusement.
He also revealed that the reason for South Border’s westernized musical style is because of simply listening to the radio while he was growing up. “All the English songs had affected my music,” he said.
With regard to penetrating to mainstream, Jay’s sentiments were both realistic and hopeful. “We’ve been trying to penetrate the world stage for fifteen years now.” Jay added that an obvious difference is that you wouldn’t be hearing any Pilipino songs in a mainstream gig such as this.
“We’re slowly getting to that goal because in this performance tonight, we didn’t apply, it was the BB King’s management that called us,” he said with pride.
“Satisfying the Filipino crowd and an American crowd is very different,” he adds “Filipinos are very laid back so love songs and ballads are a must but with a mainstream crowd, you need to keep the energy up all the time.” Definitely, that statement defined their electrifying performance that night.
Electrify
Dimarcko Chandler, owner and general manager of the magnificent venue, the same man who baptized South Border as “the best band that has ever played in BB King’s,” introduced the band with flair. In describing the band’s potential, he even said to the crowd that “you ain’t seen nothin’yet.” He revealed that tonight isn’t any ordinary performance because South Border is also recording a live album. Not just that, he also revealed that the band’s performance can be seen via web telecast at www.bbking.com, the club’s official site.
South Border energized everybody and made the crowd stand up and dance. The powerful vocal duo of South Border, Duncan Ramos and Vince Alaras, started the night with the band’s brisk and sensuous “Sweet.”
South Border’s ensemble also includes Ric Junasa, saxophonist and flutist; Paul Benitez, percussionist; Tata Balane, bass guitarist; and guitarist Butch Victoriano.
They also performed Earth, Wind and Fire’s “September” and Queen’s timeless rock anthem, “We will Rock You.”
They moved on and kept everybody pumped up with the Black Eyed Peas’ “Let’s Get It Started.” Many went in front (Americans and Filipinos alike) of the stage and danced to the beat. Duncan even showed his dance moves in the middle of the performance.
But the highlight of the performance was definitely their power balled “Love of My Life.” Ric was at his element as he showed his eloquent approach to playing his sax. Moreover, Butch, the band’s guitarist showed his plucking abilities. Of course, Jay’s smooth vocal, paired with that of Duncan and Vince was simply captivating. This song definitely highlighted every aspect of what makes South Border special: a unique, elegant sound unmatched by anyone in the industry.
Blown away
“I’m blown away and I know everybody is too,” Dimarcko said as he returned to the stage after the performance. Even Vanessa Brown, a well-known music producer for Platinum Touch commented: “These boys are incredible, I’m speechless.”
The group was finished already with their set but as a result of the constant chanting of the crowd for “more,” in a fitting ending, the group performed its (arguably) best written song ever, “Rainbow.”
Surprisingly, even the people from the crowd who were obviously born and grew up in America seem to have been captivated by South Border everyone was dancing to the groove. It was world-class entertainment at its best.
Watching South Border, an evidently premier Filipino band, definitely made one proud of his roots. This is definitely just the start of what could be the greatest thing that can happen in Filipino music.
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