Save Me Hollywood: Headlights Intimate Press Launch

In a game of "Cyber Tag" members of the Save Me Hollywood Street Team were invited to a secret party that the band was holding for the press. It was nice to see the band in a laid back atmosphere as they talked about their new EP Headlights. Members of the press were also present to ask questions about the band, the journey to their new record as well as what to expect from the group with the release of their new EP. 

I wasn't sure if we were invited as fans or maybe as part of the press as we do get invited to press launches, maybe for both but for whatever reason we were there, Paul and I still did our usual thing, photos for him and writing for me. :) 

The Band answering questions from the Press. 

For the second record, the band talked about being more comfortable with each other, they made a conscious effort to move to a different direction with their sound and you can easily hear this on their new record Headlights. "We wanted to spread our wings a little bit more: build from what we already knew and put elements that weren't explored in the previous album," says Aaron Corvera. 

"Most of the songs from the Your Story To Tell (album) was written when I was in College and a lot has changed since then. I'd like to think that what I write about now are topics more people can relate to. I write about what I know, and more life experiences mean more knowledge." 

Adds Julz Savard, who pens all the lyrics. 

I wrote an EP review for Save Me Hollywood's Headlights a few weeks back. 

Here's an excerpt: 

The Headlights EP shows us that Save Me Hollywood has more tricks up their sleeves. We see a raw and vulnerable side of them but still delivering well written songs worthy of representing Original Pinoy Music to other countries. There is less distortion giving the new songs a more refined sound. 

The EP had not been released yet and had only been available on Spotify and was a great music experience. :) Still can't wait for the physical copy of the EP- speaking of which, the launch of said EP will be on June 19 at B-Side in Makati ^_^ 

That's such an awesome line up I'm actually tempted to go on leave T_T 

I also really suggest that you guys go to the show since Julz will be going to London in July for her studies in Fashion. So better catch this gig! 

Boss! I'm going on leave on Friday o-kaaay? 

I was really impressed (and touched) that the band also invited some of their fans at the press launch. They really make an effort to keep in touch and keep them updated. It's just like friends hanging out.

Unfortunately Paul and I had to duck out early since we had a screening of Jurassic World to go to. We might have missed on some fun hang out sesh but we definitely appreciate the effort :) 

Hopefully next time we can stay longer :) 

Headlights will be available in CDs at Astroplus, Odyssey Music & Video and is released 12 Stone Records and is distributed by Universal Records. You can listen to their music on Spotify, Deezer and iTunes :) 

Click HERE for More Photos! 

Headlights: EP Review

Save Me Hollywood is a local band that we follow and you've probably seen them on the blog since we do cover their gigs and I also wrote an album review for their debut "Your Story To Tell" which came out in 2013. When the band started playing new songs from their upcoming sophomore effort we were there to drink in and savor the goodness that new songs bring- at last the thirst has been quenched. 

Last Easter Sunday the band released the video accompanying their catchy single "Everybody Wants You" and fans loved it. The music video ends with a teaser for another video, you know the "to be continued" kind. (You can watch it below). 

The band represented the Philippines in the recently concluded Music Matters Live in Singapore, here they released their new EP Headlights, all copies they brought with them were sold out. They didn't forget about their fans back home though as they recently made the EP available to stream on Spotify. Which is why I am writing this EP review now, originally I thought we would be going to the EP launch, getting a physical copy then I would be able to write an EP review but when it became available to stream on Spotify I literally went now what? 

Headlights On Spotify

As if a response to my question I saw bassist Calde's posts on social media asking fans to let them know what they thought of the new songs and upon seeing that it gave me the resolve to go ahead and write the review :) 

Headlights is a 6 track EP, which opens with the sounds of waves crashing to the shore, you are transported to the beach, to the ocean, you smell the salt in the air, then the drums sound off and the song Headlights plays. Taking a different route from her usual range, vocalist Julz Savard sings in a higher range for this song. It's a raw song which leaves the musicians vulnerable, it's sad and shows the band at a more comfortable stage in their song writing. I remember in one of their shows Julz talks about this song and says "when you're in the headlights, you can't see anything but everyone else can see you" and it's this vulnerable feeling which also transcends to the song. 

After the song plays, you hear the sound of the ocean again, teasing you of the summer that has come to pass, then the short but sweet and catchy Everybody Wants You plays, reminiscent of their more upbeat songs like High from their debut album, the chorus is ingeniously written with lyrics that goes: "Give Me One, Give Me Two, Give Me All Of You..." fans will definitely be screaming-err singing that out loud at gigs and shows. I just wish that the song were longer though, it's so good that you just want more of it. 

Secrets is the next song and no longer has the fun and upbeat characteristic it's predecessor had, the lyrics paint a vivid picture and tell a strong story  "We're in the streets eh, and I just can't sleep eh, So let's keep Secrets eh.." I can really see a couple, sitting on the sidewalk in the early morning, whispering secrets to each other. 

Coming Up Roses continues to show the band's more vulnerable side with lyrics like "I know I'm safe but it can't be that simple, the longer I wait, the more wretched I get" you feel the emptiness but then there is a saving grace in the story of the song with the lyrics "You came along and it all made sense" and it just brings a smile to your face. 

An old song that the band wrote but did not make it to the first album, Hold Your Fire picks up the pace and brings back the energy to which the band is known for. There is more angst in the song "If this means war-it just means you're asking for more" you hear the angry guitar riffs and you know they mean business. A good balance to the rest of the EP which otherwise shows a more mellow side to the band.

The EP closes with a song aptly called Slow It Down, have you ever heard songs that just makes you overcome with emotion and when the guitar adlibs play you just get goosebumps and you feel like crying? Well this is one of those songs, it's so scathing raw you can't help but be sad and calm at the same time. Then you hear the waves again, you're back at the beach and the EP is over, the sounds of the beach making everything come full circle.

Save Me Hollywood performing at Treehouse Tavern. 

The Headlights EP shows us that Save Me Hollywood has more tricks up their sleeves. We see a raw and vulnerable side of them but still delivering well written songs worthy of representing Original Pinoy Music to other countries. There is less distortion giving the new songs a more refined sound. I'm definitely missing their more angsty, let's 'bang our heads' songs like Reckless, We Are One Tonight and Any Press Is Good Press from their debut album. Hopefully there will be a couple of tracks with a similar feel in their yet untitled sophomore album. 

Even if I already have the album on Spotify (you can download it so it's available offline when you go premium) I will still be getting a physical copy of the EP as soon as it's made available. Why? Because I support the artist and the local music industry plus it's an addition to my collection :p I don't have a copy of the very first EP that the band came out with so that sucks and so I also suggest you get Headlights so you won't regret it in the future :p 

Other ways of supporting the band is by listening to their songs on Spotify, voting for their music videos and requesting for their songs on the radio. Of course going to their shows! Hope to see you in one soon :) 

Save Me Hollywood Pre-Album Launch & Listening Party

Save Me Hollywood is coming out with their sophomore album in a few months' time and they're giving everyone a treat by playing their new songs in gigs!

Loved the interior at Treehouse and yeah you don''t
talk about Fight Club. 

Got to listen to a couple of their new songs when we attended Vanity Riots' acoustic set at Zili's but we got to listen to these songs in a full band during their album-pre launch and listening party at Treehouse House Tavern in Makati! 

First of all can I just say that I really, really loved the interior of Treehouse Tavern! It is Geek Galore! The walls were painted with famous movie characters (Fight Club -> one of our favorite movies) Stormtroopers incidentally I was wearing my Rebel Leia shirt, unfortunately wasn't able to take a photo with the framed and/or painted Stormtroopers on the wall-maybe next time. :)

I just have to say though that the second best thing that happened that night (the first of course was being able to catch Save me Hollywood) was getting to play in an old school arcade - the very first Street Fighter game! It was soooo cool and brought back a lot of memories and I'm proud to say that I beat everyone I went up against! My Dad would have been so proud :) 

The Battle of the Two Chun-Li's: Cristine Ang VS. Ica Cheng :P 

Another great thing about that f*cking night to remember was getting to hang out with our fellow Woodies / Hollies from the Save Me Hollywood Street Team. You guys can join our group also for event/gig updates and more! It's also a great way to get instant gig buddies ^_^ 

Going back to the music, Save Me Hollywood played their past singles, as well as the Myx 2015 Award Nominated Happier This Way which you guys can of course vote for ^_^

Notes. 

We also got to hear some of the new songs which will be part of their new album Yehey! 

Everybody Wants You - I'm really loving this song, it's really catchy and even if I've only heard it twice it's already stuck in my head. 

Give me one..Give me Two - Give me all of you...

Headlights is another new song which the band played, it talks about celebrating your weirdness and that it makes you awesome. Lead vocalist Julz Savard said that the song is about when you're in the headlights people tend to see everything that is wrong with you, while you don't see anything.

Hold Your Fire is actually an old song which the band wrote before but didn't make it in their debut album Your Story To Tell (album review here). The song will make the new album this time around and that's definitely a good thing :) 

 So many good things happening for the band - you guys better make sure to stay updated it's going to be a great year for a once unknown band but now, everybody will.

Save Me Hollywood Street Team - represent! 

Click HERE for MORE Photos! 

Vanity Riots Acoustic Set At Zili's

Vanity Riots 

We were invited to cover another acoustic night at cozy Zili's and this was no ordinary acoustic night since Australian Glam Rock band Vanity Riots was also set to perform an acoustic set along with some of my favorite local female led bands, namely Save Me Hollywood and Talata.

We've been covering a lot of Save Me Hollywood's gigs around 2013, we were at the launch of their debut album Your Story To Tell, album review here, unfortunately we missed a lot of their gigs in 2014 but with our renewed endeavor to cover more gigs and music this year, we'll make sure to be around more often especially since Save Me Hllywood is coming out with their sophomore album in a few months (Yehey!) and I got to hear a few of their new songs last night and they sound goooood.

The band also has been nominated for Favorite Rock a Video for Happier This Way for the upcoming Myx Awards 2015 (More Yehey!) 

Talata 

As for Talata we started the year right when we covered their self titled EP launch -> review here by the way. You can still vote for their current single "Fed Up" on Myx. 

It was a good thing that the invite came in in advance, so Paul and I were able to file leaves since it was a Thursday night. :) 

After getting the invite, I did a little research and I really liked what I found out :) 

Vanity Riots is a 5 piece rock band from Australia, described as "a young, determined DIY band with a heavy yet catchy original sound" which I got to see and hear myself albeit in an acoustic set. They were recently on a tour in the Philippines, as my research (AKA Facebook) unearthed some of their stops which included Laguna, Olongapo, Metro Manila and even Boracay. Big thanks to their official sponsors Macbeth Footwear and Pulp Philippines. That 3/4 Macbeth top on vocalist Monica really looked cute too :)

Save Me Hollywood 

As vocalist Monica Strut said it was their first time to do an acoustic set and that it was fun, and I have to say that I was impressed with her vocal range as an acoustic set can bring out the raw prowess of a singer and we heard that in their set as they performed their original songs as well as some oldies but goodies such as Skidrow's I Remember You and Guns And Roses' Sweet Child Of Mine and as anyone can bear witness too- you definitely need a some guts and a pretty wide vocal range to pull that off. 

These choice in songs to cover shows the 80's glam-rock influence that the band has which they juggle with their young and current energy. Even if we weren't able to catch them as a full band I know that this band has a lot of potential and I'm really happy that they made their ways to our shores in this Philippine tour - hoping to get to see them as a full band and to see and hear them unleash their true potential - mosh pit and everything. Maybe the next time you guys come and visit us-yes? 

I got a copy of their EP Ambulance, I don't really do foreign EP reviews but I'll make an exception for these guys :) 

I admire bands who work hard and I can tell that Vanity Riots is one of those bands and I know that their music will make it's way to a global stage - really soon.

Vanity Riots with Reyg Linao of Talata 

Click HERE for MORE PHOTOS! 

Female Fronted Bands does not mean PARAMORE

No. They are not all like Hayley Williams or Paramore. 

I've always had a frustrated feeling whenever I see this equation: 

Female Vocalist + Band + (any form/type) of Rock = Paramore

I mean seriously, can we get any more narrow minded? There is more to a female fronted band than just being like Paramore. I cuss, swear and foam at the mouth every time I read a comment that goes: Kaboses niya si Hayley or 'Hayley Williams ng Pilipinas'. I mean are you guys that limited with your musical exposure that you cannot think of anything else when you see or hear a female fronted band except as to compare them to Paramore and/or Hayley Williams?

Don't get me wrong - I'm a big Hayley Williams fan myself and Paramore is one of my favorite bands (I have all of their four albums, and was lucky enough to attend their two concerts in Manila- so yeah I know what I'm talking about) so being compared to them wouldn't be such a bad thing in fact it would be a compliment. But if and when the only thing that you see is Paramore or Hayley every time you look or listen at a female fronted band then you are not really seeing and listening to this band for what they really are and that is what frustrates me the most.   

I am writing this with OPM female fronted bands in mind, if you have been following me and if you've been reading the blog you would have come across a post or two about an OPM band that I admire. 

Stop. And REALLY Listen. Julz Savard of Save Me Hollywood during
12 Stone Music Fest and
Save Me Hollywood: Your Story To Tell Album Launch - June 1, 2013. 

I was finally convinced to write this blog post when I read this article from Alter The Press. 


You can read the gist of the article below - and that's just the first paragraph. 

"For over a decade, Hayley Williams has been proving the critics wrong. Sexism and a male-dominated music industry immediately labelled Paramore as just another No Doubt copycat. Critics were quick to compare Hayley to Gwen Stefani, unable to see beyond her gender and see that she's less Stefani and more Freddie Mercury, especially during live performances, when she electrifies crowds like a thunder storm of bubble-gum spunk and roaring vocals."

This post has actually been sitting in our blog and has been saved as a draft for a long time. I started writing this when the Alter The Press article came out. 

I've been seeing, hearing, reading comments, thoughts of bands being compared to Paramore. 

Just recently OPM memes, came out with this meme of Gracenote. 

I mean seriously - that's just unfair. Vocalist Eunice Jorge, hauls a violin and keyboard on stage, she plays the guitars and drums too! 

I actually miss seeing these guys perform live because I have and to actually just box them as Paramore really is being narrow minded. Looking at the comments I was happy to see people I know. 

Behind the smoke - she's just Eunice of Gracenote -They're just Gracenote. Not anyone else.
Taken during the Rakista Radio: Jam Tayo! Event last July 19, 2013. 

Pat Poblador guitarist of Mad Hatter Day says: Listen to our music, appreciate it for what it is, Stop comparing.  Take note of what Chin-Chin Detera of Estrella and Beating The Red Lights says: Syncho-Pop, Punk, Rock, Alternative comment - yes Gracenote plays Synco-Pop. Gracenote is a whole lot of genres and not simply 'The Paramore of the Philippines' they are Gracenote, they are not trying to be anybody else. 

Happy to see my fellow music lovers and supporters Dien Agustin and Netly Yataka give their take as well and these are from people I mosh with in the pits at gigs and give sweaty hugs to when we see each other in bars. We are in the front lines, in the trenches we know what we're talking about. 

Push came to shove to finish this when I woke up and saw this post on Facebook. (If you've been following you would know that I am a fan of Mad Hatter Day and Save Me Hollywood). 

I was sooo mad - sleepiness left and I grabbed a notebook by our bed and began madly scribbling (complete with chicken scrawl handwriting) and you can see my reply in the screenshot above. 

I mean the audacity of this guy to actually post this on Mad Hatter Day's page?! I mean talk about disrespect! Imagine someone going to your home and telling your younger brother or sister that they sucked. Because that's sure what it felt like for me. And as an overprotective older sister I just had to give this guy a piece of my mind. 

I actually lost sleep because of this post. After fuming and posting my reply, I pretty much lay on the bed waiting for the alarm to start blaring. After my anger (yes-anger) subsided, looking back at this post, I would just have to change the 'take a few courses in music' part. I myself didn't take any - except for the one in school but I continually immerse myself in different types and genres of music. 

STOP Comparing. Mewa Cawad of Mad Hatter Day - Greenlight Music Fest - November 12, 2013.

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, The Natives, Save Me Hollywood: Eastwood Show

A local favorite of ours ' Save Me Hollywood - unfortunately drummer Melvin is not in the photo.

Apologies for the super late blog post - we've been swamped with work - but better late than never right ? :)
Whether or not you went to Pampanga for 7107 International Music Festival you can never get enough of a good thing which is why it really is hard to miss the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and The Natives mall show especially since it was for FREE - this was held last February 20, 2014 - our 101th monthsarry :3  

It was like getting a taste of the 7107 International Music Festival, a tiny portion of a sumptuous appetizer if you will (pardon the use of food as a simile - I'm starving as I am writing this blog post). Another great thing about the show was that it was made possible by Megaworld Lifestyle Malls and the first leg was in Eastwood! And for someone like me who practically lives in Eastwood (in fact, the office where I work is right behind the concert area) it was so convenient that I could not say no; even if it meant waking up 3 hours earlier. As you guys know, Paul and I work the night shift so catching a 6PM show (Save Me Hollywood was playing at 6PM) meant waking up at 4PM when we usually wake up at 7PM for our 10PM shift. That's just how it is for us night owls and a big shout out to my fellow night owl and Woodie (Save Me Hollywood fan) Lynx who also had to wake up extra early to catch the show and just sleep off the remaining hours before her 11PM shift. 

(So enough of our BPO woes and back to the shows) It was basically another great show at Eastwood (We covered the Gin Blossoms Mall show and the 12 Stone Music Fest) and crowd favorites Red Jumpsuit Apparatus (they were just here last year for Bazooka Rocks Fest) were ready to rock the stage with another 7107 band The Natives. 

When I first heard about the free show I decided right then and there to attend. I mean it was freakin Red Jumpsuit Apparatus! One of my fondest memories with their songs is singing Face Down with my siblings and when I say singing this is really feel na feel singing/screaming/shouting even the growling parts and the funny thing is that we just had so much fun and laughs doing it. I guess we just have that weird humor that only we get :P And of course Your Guardian Angel was practically considered a national anthem during it's heyday. My favorites from RJA also include Damn Regret and Cat and Mouse which were performed! 

The icing on top of the cake for me was finding out that one of my favorite rising OPM bands, Save Me Hollywood was opening for them! That definitely sealed the deal and got me even more excited for the show! 

I actually tried getting photographer/media passes for us; unfortunately we weren't given that privilege. Nevertheless as I always say, you just have to make the most of what is given to you and that is exactly what we did! 

Although we arrived a bit late, Save Me Hollywood was already performing, we forgot what afternoon traffic was like :P 

To get in the venue you just had to show that you liked Megaworld Lifestyle Malls and/or Eastwood on Facebook and/or that you are following them on Twitter. I already knew this prior to going to the event but when we got there - the signal was only on Edge - Good job Globe! 

Despite the mishap we were still able to get in :P 

Greenlight Music Festival

As the sun sets. People starting to gather for Greenlight Music Fest 

Have you ever had one of those whole day events, where you get so tired but you are just enjoying every minute of it? Well that was the case for Greenlight Music Fest (which was held last November 22, 2013) that brought a multitude of people together looking to enjoy a night of great music from some of OPM's greatest acts. But not only was Greenlight Music Fest lined up with amazing bands but there were so much fun activities that you could as well. 

Skater Boy hitting the skate ramp in Greenlight Music Fest

Sometimes they say that the best things in life are for free and that was the case for Greenlight Music Fest because of the great show, the skate ramp, the mechanical bull, the freedom wall and the great food and drinks available at the event. 

One of the great things about Greenlight Music Fest being held in Greenfield District was that it was a beautiful commercialized area that had security in place and the convenience of well loved restaurants and establishments around. Definitely a great commercial and residential area at the heart of Ortigas-make sure to check it out! 

The Portal at Greenfield District 

The Greenlight Music Fest was opened by the talented Reese Lansangan, now Paul and I have seen her perform with her pop-rock band Dressed Up Days so I was really surprised to see a toned down (Fiona Apple) side to her. Definitely a fan - make sure to check out her Youtube page here and listen to her great original songs and covers. 

Talented Reese Lansangan, opening up Greenlight Music Fest

  
Thanks to this event we were also able to discover techno/electronica band Techy Romantics who just came out from a nine month hiatus due to baby duties. While Paul and I are not usually fans of techno music we really liked theirs and are just glad that they are back and performing again. Make sure to check out their original songs in their Youtube channel here. 

Make sure to Escape with Techy Romantics! 

The event was hosted by boys from Jam 88.3 DJ Lambert Cruz and DJ Mighty Mike who never wavered in their energy as they brought the crowd through the night until the early morning. They were also game masters as they had some drinking games (both for the ladies and the gents) all courtesy of event sponsor Bavaria.  

The Hostest with Mostest - DJ Lambert Cruz and DJ Mighty Mike of Jam 88.3 

There were also a lot of messages of love and hope that was given out by the artists for our brothers and sisters who were victims of super typhoon Yolanda. Not only where there just messages for the victims but there was also concrete action on the part of the organizers of the event because there was a booth from Caritas Manila that was set up and was accepting donations. Just ask Paul since he had to haul bags of clothes of food which were our donations. :) 

Caritas Manila booth set up at the entrance of Greenlight Music Fest

It was the ultimate Flashback Friday for True Faith vocalist Medwin who kept on making jokes and references on the obvious age gap that they shared with the audience but that didn't stop the good vibes and the great music. 

Save Me Hollywood: BTone Music Gig

Feeling It: Julz Savard of Save Me Hollywood jumping to the music. 

I haven't been able to catch Save Me Hollywood in a gig for some time and so naturally being the fan that I am I missed seeing them perform. So when I heard that they would be headlining a gig at BTone Music Cafe in Baras I wanted to go and good thing that Paul has the weekends off! :) 

It was a bit of a road trip since Baras was a few towns away from us. :P 

I used to go on this long route when I was still going on duties as a student nurse but travelling at night was really different and difficult especially for the driver but all for the love of Save Me Hollywood right? 

BTone Music Cafe is a nice bar with a great interior, I like that the design is pretty much open which allows for fresh air to come in, unlike most bars that are small and cramped and that gets full of cigarette smoke-which I don't like. It's even big enough to have like a birthday party or a big gathering and not just band night. The service was a bit too slow for my taste though :P 

While Save Me Hollywood was slated to perform second to the last in the line up I enjoyed the performance of the Indie bands and it's just fun to think that these guys are basically my neighbors! :P 

Here were the bands that performed that night: 

Give Us A Break

Idiosyncrasy 

Mindbox

Retaso Castro 

Triple P 

To his own beat: Let's show some love for Melvin Macatiag of Save Me Hollywood

When Save Me Hollywood got on stage my heart just exploded seeing the love that the crowd had for them, there was crowd surfing, lots of singing and cheering! :D 

Reaching out: One of our favorite photos of the night - Julz reaching out to a fan mid song. 

For more photos of the night click here! 

Rakista Radio: Jam Tayo at Crosspoint

Julz Savard of Save Me Hollywood amidst the crowd and cameras. 

In our society where everyone is struggling to be part of the popular group and jump on the bandwagon there are still those who march to the beat of their own drum and bang their heads to their own kind of music.

The Hilarious, unapologetic and no holds barred hosts of the event. 

Thank God for Rakista Radio who proudly plays 100% Pinoy Rock Music 24/7. No bubble gum Pop from other countries or an order of Korean boy band in this radio station. 

While Rakista Radio is known for their support of under ground and up and coming local bands they are also known for their unapologetic, no holds barred humor (no bleeps either) but that just makes the Rakista Radio experience true and unique. 

Eunice Jorge of Gracenote with her trusty violin. 

Bazooka Rocks II Bar Tour: 7th High

A great acoustic set from Mad Hatter Day

There is already much anticipation and excitement for Bazooka Rocks II in August (see poster below) and Pulp Philippines is just mounting on the excitement with the Bazooka Rocks Bar Tour, the first leg of which was held last June 22, 2013 at the Apex Lounge in 7th High at Bonifacio Global City. 

Albeit a bit challenging because of logistics, the bands were separated from the audience with an ongoing birthday/engagement party of sorts but that did not stop the crowd from cheering and singing along to their favorite local bands.

Pat Poblador of Mad Hatter Day

Up and coming local bands, Penguin, Mad Hatter Day, Faintlight and Save Me Hollywood performed cover songs from bands who will be performing on Bazooka Rocks such as All Time Low and Anberlin as well as performing their own original songs. 

It was refreshing to see Mad Hatter Day and Save Me Hollywood to perform an acoustic set since we are used to their signature rock/pop-rock sound. We got to appreciate Mewa's vocal range more and Julz just looks super cute with all her energy even in an acoustic set. :)

Rizza Cabrera

The night was also made special by an improptu Rockaoke hosted by Rizza Cabrera. Make sure you check out her Youtube page here she does great covers and belts out like Adele. :) You can also follow her on Twitter: @cabreezzah 

So what happens in a Rokaoke? - well it's basically an open mic where anyone can come up on stage and sing and you get a prize for it! (A Bazooka Rocks Poster from Pulp) One thing that I noticed is that when it comes to singing we Filipinos really don't let up! My boss from the US is amazed as to how we get each other to sing in front of other people, she says that is not the case in the States. I guess that just goes to show how Filipinos love music as well as singing. 

Thumbs Up for a great prizes!

Album Review: Your Story To Tell - Save Me Hollywood

I get really excited when I think of the fact that a band that I featured in my list of buzz worthy OPM artists last March is well on their way to conquering the local music scene not to mention a few International stops.

With a new album out, (album launch here) constant gigs and a couple of international stints - they will be representing the Philippines in the upcoming Baybeats Festival in Singapore this June and they will also be opening for a number of foreign acts for the upcoming Bazooka Rocks Festival II in August; Save Me Hollywood is everywhere and they are slowly gaining a steady fan base offering love and support to the talented 5 piece band (Hello my fellow Woodies <3). 

Okay - so it's no surprise that I am a big fan of the band and that I will probably ohhh and ahhh at their new album which is out now and currently available at local record bars for only P199! :D But I will try to be as objective as possible (really now Ica?-try nga diba?!) :P 

The album is also available on iTunes! Just click on this link here. 

I got a copy of their 'Your Story To Tell' album during the launch last June 1 during the Eastwood leg of 12 Stone Music Fest and it's a constant soundtrip in our car, in my playlist and even while working. 

The album has 11 tracks which features a genuine pop-rock/punk group whom we can really be proud of representing our country. 

Even before they were Save Me Hollywood, the members have already been making waves in their own respective genres and industries and when they came together formed a formidable band that should be reckoned with. 

Originally a project thought of by Caldie ("Calde") Calderon of Chicosci, he brought in Melvin Macatiag of Typecast and the bassist and the drummer recruited Aaron Corvera and Kenneth Arranza of April Morning Skies as guitarists. The band is fronted by Former Miss Teen Philippines, Myx VJ and current Jam 88.3 Dj Julz Savard. 

The name of the band - 'Save Me Hollywood' rings true to the theme and the songs in the album. In an interview the band has said that they wanted to have a 'Hollywood' theme as the name for their band, they wanted to play on the thought that fame is not what it's made up to be. A number of tracks in their album have that 'Hollywood' theme as well. 

Check out the album tracks here: 

For the Record

Any Press is Good Press

Happier This Way

High 

Not Like the Movies 

We Are One Tonight 

Reckless

05.11

Lights.Camera.Action

Your Story to Tell 

Hollywood Ending 

I think it's pretty unique that they maintained a cohesiveness when it came to the theme and lyrics of the album. It wasn't all over the place but instead had a steady theme which made listening to the album a great experience. 

Aside from having a certain theme when it came to the lyrics and the album in general, the music was an eclectic ensemble of pop-rock and punk-rock which easily showcased each band member's contribution when it came down to the music and the lyrics. 

I've seen and read a lot of posts that when they first listened to 'Save Me Hollywood' they thought that they were listening to a foreign band and that is what you get- a well thought out band who comes out with well thought out music, melodies and lyrics and not just some 'artist' doing revivals or simple melodies with shallow lyrics. 

If you haven't heard of any of Save Me Hollywood's songs you can check out their two music videos here. I've always said that I love their videos since they feature local locations such as Ortigas, the Katipunan LRT Station and even your local Mercury Drug Store - proudly OPM. 

Reckless

High