Sandwich to rock the Hollywood Bowl
Five-man band Sandwich flies to the U.S. July 6 to take part in Black Eyed Peas' Apl.de.Ap's showcase of Filipino talents at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on July 8.
Dubbed "Apl.de.Ap Takes You to the Philippines — A Celebration of Global Filipino Music," the musical extravaganza will also include Martin Nievera, Ogie Alcasid and prominent U.S.-based entertainers with Pinoy roots like Dessa, Florante, Vanessa Hudgens, Lou Diamond Phillips, the Harana Kings, Nicole Scherzinger, and the Black Eyed Peas.
The presentation is part of a regular attraction at the Hollywood Bowl featuring the cultural heritage of the different ethnic communities in the L. A. area. Rapper/DJ Apl.de.Ap envisions his showcase to reflect the evolution of Filipino music from the Hispanic era to the modern times.
Break from hectic sked
It is the first time that the Filipino community has been invited to participate in the annual event at the historic Hollywood Bowl, which has played host to the biggest names in pop music from the Beatles to Genesis to Blink 182.
Sandwich frontman Raimund Marasigan considers the L.A. gig a rare break from his hectic schedule over the past few months. Considered "one of the country's busiest musicians", Raimund had a hand in the production of the latest album from 6cyclemind, former Yano Dong Abay and his side project Pedicab.
New Sandwich album out soon
Raimund is happy with the new sound of Pedicab. In their previous two albums, Pedicab produced an eclectic but melodic fusion of minimalist electro and pop-rock.
He says, "We have new (musical) devices in the studio and they allow us to expand our music to take on a lush, almost orchestral feel. We can set up these devices in our shows so we can bring out new sound in a live performance."
Sandwich will be back in Manila by the end of July and the band is looking forward to preparations for their seventh album. It's been two years since their last album, "Contra Tiempo", came out to the usual acclaim.
