Premier Filipino band performs in front of an intimate crowd
-by Joseph De Veyra
(E-mail the author at joedev18@yahoo.com)
source: balita.com
ROCK THE HOUSE: South Border delivers another unforgettable performance during the recording session.
UNIVERSAL CITY—South Border returned to BB King's Blues Club on Oct. 11 to record their live album. In front of a "by invitation only" only crowd, the band performed as if they were in front of thousands.
Re-record
"Kanta tayo ng Tagalog," Vince Alaras, one of the band's vocalists, jokingly said onstage before performing their first song. Of course, that would be impossible because the album will be sold to mainstream America, not just to the Filipino community.
Butch Victoriano, the band's lead guitarist, said the band's recording on their last performance in BB King on Sept. 30 didn't pass the band's standards. "Since there were other bands who performed, it became harder to fix it, and the sound isn't clean enough, there were some problems with the sound system," he said.
South Border's ensemble also includes Jay Durias, the band's musical director, keyboardist and vocalist; Duncan Ramos, vocalist; Ric Junasa, saxophonist and flutist; Paul Benitez, percussionist; and Tata Balane, bass guitarist.
The band definitely delivered the goods as it performed its unforgettable originals (like "Sweet" and "Rainbow") to perfection. South Border also played their soothing rendition of the Eraserheads' classic "With a Smile."
The band also performed their Earth, Wind and Fire (like "September") and Michael Jackson medley. When the band finished with their performance, Dimarcko Chandler, owner and general manager of the magnificent venue, requested for an extension for the Filipino crowd. This is the same man who baptized South Border as "the best band that has ever played in BB King's."
Suddenly, Jay had the idea of performing their Pilipino monster hit "Kahit Kailan." Of course, Chandler and the audience enjoyed the bonus song.
Learning experience
Before the show, Jay revealed to this writer that the band is still fresh from visiting Seattle this previous weekend. "Unlike in Los Angeles, most of the crowd were composed of Filipinos who were born here that's why they've never seen South Border live but they know our songs," he said.
Jay added that the revelation of the composition of the audience made him nervous. "Good thing when we started singing our original songs, they joined us and that definitely was a great feeling," he said.
The keyboardist also said that he is slowly adapting to the musical life in America. "Unlike in Manila, where we have gigs almost everyday, here, we have fewer performances, but that makes it more special because that makes each one a memorable learning experience."
Jay also praised Chandler. "I'm very thankful for his help, he believes in the band's potential and he has become very supportive." It is evident that help that band is receiving from Chandler, a well-known personality in the Los Angeles music circuit, is a testament to the immense potential the band exudes.
South Border is definitely on the right track to mainstream success.
(E-mail the author at joedev18@yahoo.com)
source: balita.com
ROCK THE HOUSE: South Border delivers another unforgettable performance during the recording session.
UNIVERSAL CITY—South Border returned to BB King's Blues Club on Oct. 11 to record their live album. In front of a "by invitation only" only crowd, the band performed as if they were in front of thousands.
Re-record
"Kanta tayo ng Tagalog," Vince Alaras, one of the band's vocalists, jokingly said onstage before performing their first song. Of course, that would be impossible because the album will be sold to mainstream America, not just to the Filipino community.
Butch Victoriano, the band's lead guitarist, said the band's recording on their last performance in BB King on Sept. 30 didn't pass the band's standards. "Since there were other bands who performed, it became harder to fix it, and the sound isn't clean enough, there were some problems with the sound system," he said.
South Border's ensemble also includes Jay Durias, the band's musical director, keyboardist and vocalist; Duncan Ramos, vocalist; Ric Junasa, saxophonist and flutist; Paul Benitez, percussionist; and Tata Balane, bass guitarist.
The band definitely delivered the goods as it performed its unforgettable originals (like "Sweet" and "Rainbow") to perfection. South Border also played their soothing rendition of the Eraserheads' classic "With a Smile."
The band also performed their Earth, Wind and Fire (like "September") and Michael Jackson medley. When the band finished with their performance, Dimarcko Chandler, owner and general manager of the magnificent venue, requested for an extension for the Filipino crowd. This is the same man who baptized South Border as "the best band that has ever played in BB King's."
Suddenly, Jay had the idea of performing their Pilipino monster hit "Kahit Kailan." Of course, Chandler and the audience enjoyed the bonus song.
Learning experience
Before the show, Jay revealed to this writer that the band is still fresh from visiting Seattle this previous weekend. "Unlike in Los Angeles, most of the crowd were composed of Filipinos who were born here that's why they've never seen South Border live but they know our songs," he said.
Jay added that the revelation of the composition of the audience made him nervous. "Good thing when we started singing our original songs, they joined us and that definitely was a great feeling," he said.
The keyboardist also said that he is slowly adapting to the musical life in America. "Unlike in Manila, where we have gigs almost everyday, here, we have fewer performances, but that makes it more special because that makes each one a memorable learning experience."
Jay also praised Chandler. "I'm very thankful for his help, he believes in the band's potential and he has become very supportive." It is evident that help that band is receiving from Chandler, a well-known personality in the Los Angeles music circuit, is a testament to the immense potential the band exudes.
South Border is definitely on the right track to mainstream success.
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