Local artists pay tribute to The Dawn

The past decade has seen tribute albums dedicated to music industry legends such as the Eraserheads, the Apo Hiking Society, and Gary Valenciano.

It was only a matter of time before one was made for seminal rock band The Dawn.

The long-lived group—currently composed of original members Jett Pangan and JB Leonor, with former Eraserhead Buddy Zabala on bass and recent addition Kenneth Ilagan on guitars—first came out in 1986.

Its new wave sound coupled with the intense presence and guitar work of the late Teddy Diaz (and eventually Francis Reyes who left the band only a couple of years ago), brought the rock classics "Salamat" and "Iisang Bangka Tayo."

The tribute album, "Enveloped Ideas" (named after the band's breakout song and one of its biggest hits) comes 25 years after The Dawn's massive mainstream success. Unlike previous tribute albums which featured the biggest names in local pop and rock, this collection has indie artists paying tribute to 80s OPM's biggest gamble.

"It really was a conscious decision to feature new indie artists," explains album co-producer Kerwin Rosete.

"It's frustrating when you hear all these new sounds right now, waiting to be heard by the public. When (producer) Eric Perpetua broached that idea, we knew it had to be done that way."

One of those acts is electronica group Techy Romantics. "It's really a great honor to be part of this album," confides the band's resident tech-head Dondi Virrey.

Techy Romantics is in an interesting position, having reinterpreted the title track (a rock classic) into a dance ditty in the vein of Kylie Minogue.

"I felt nostalgic doing the song," confides guitarist Ryan Villena. "I first heard the song when I was in grade 3. Now doing the song I've always wanted [to cover], it's a great feeling."

Singer Camille Besinga felt nervous about it though. "It added a lot of pressure, especially when I heard the album was going to be called 'Enveloped Ideas,' which really encapsulated everything I felt!"

It's a feeling shared by the other artists in the album.

"It's overwhelming. But we're really grateful," says guitarist Robby Mananquil whose band Lip Service covered the Teddy Diaz opus "Living Seed."

"I've been listening to The Dawn since I was a kid," narrates former TV star and The Pin-Ups singer Mondo Castro whose new project Gun Monkeys is part of the album as well. "And now my cousin Kenneth is part of that band, it feels like I've gone full circle in a sense with me being in this album. I'm geeking out."

Other artists in the album include Join the Club ("I Saw You Coming In"), Soft Pillow Kisses ("Runaway"), Flying Ipis ("Babaeng Mahiwaga"), Overtone ("Ang Iyong Paalam"), and more.

Tracks of note are The Discoball's space-rock version of "Sali-Salita," Enemies of Saturn's ballsy rendition of "Harapin ang Liwanag," and Rubberpool's eerily Eraserheads-ish "Talaga Naman" (which, ironically, was first released when the local Fab Four reintroduced the usage of street lingo in 90s Pinoy rock).

Interestingly enough, other than Techy Romantics, no one else covered the other popular songs.

The big question is, how does The Dawn feel about this tribute?

"I smiled when I first heard about the album," admits singer Jett Pangan. "Because I was like 'We're not dead yet, and we're not that old.'"

"But of course followed by the honor and the pleasure of knowing there are bands who actually like our music enough to cover them. They definitely played it better than us!"

The Dawn's fans would be pleased to know that the band has no intentions of quitting anytime soon (despite having temporarily broken up in the late 90s). "The band still has a long way to go. But now you see a lot of new bands—good bands—who deserve the recognition and the venue. And as the audience the fans are the venue.

"So fans, please support your local bands."