Local band scene in need of new faces?
That’s what a veteran of the local rock scene believes.
"Dapat may mga bagong banda na umangat o paangatin para healthier ang eksena. What's happening is that audiences remain glued to the 'old-timers' kasi wala namang bago na pumapasok," lamented Bong Baluyot, manager of the band Kenyo, now promoting their latest single "Lahing Kayumanggi."
An ex-member of the 80s band Violent Playground, Baluyot seemed to allude to corporate-sponsored gigs and tours featuring established veterans, with upstarts relegated to a supporting role. Worse, some of these concerts don’t even bother including newbies in their line-up.
Deserving of mainstream success
"Maraming banda ang nasa underground. Sana some of those truly deserving get to penetrate the mainstream action, too," added the rock scene insider who guided the now-defunct Orange and Lemons to stardom nearly a decade ago.
ONL was part of the batch of local acts that dominated radio, TV and general consciousness during the 2000s, along with the emergence of Bamboo, following vocalist Bamboo Mañalac’s split with Rivermaya, and other mainstream-friendly acts like Hale and Sponge Cola.
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While his current wards Kenyo are clearly veterans of the scene, having been formed in 2008 by three of four ONL members (regrouping under the name taken from the word “Bulakenyo”), Baluyot feels the plight of struggling acts.
He explained, "I understand the need of organizers to provide audiences with the most popular acts they can offer. It is just my hope that less famous artists with good credentials and growing fan base will be given more attention and exposure spots they deserve. Okay din siguro kung may mga upcoming bands sa list of performers para we can give our audiences a peek into the future of the music scene."
Baluyot, who also manages jazz singer Tricia Garcia, spoke to Yahoo! OMG during the live preview Friday night of the second Ginuman Fest, a 15-leg live concert tour featuring Itchyworms, Callalily, Rocksteddy and Kenyo. It was held in a bar in Morato in Quezon City.
This is the second year of the Ginebra San Miguel-sponosred Ginuman Fest. Last year, the tour was said to have attracted more than 100,000 fans.
Showbiz from within and without
The 2013 edition is set for Davao (February 1); San Fernando, La Union (Feb. 16); San Pedro, Laguna (Feb. 23); Cebu (March 1); Antipolo (March 9); Pampanga (Mar. 16); Tuguegarao, Cagayan (Mar. 22); Kalibo, Aklan (April 12); Dasmarinas, Cavite (Apr. 19); Lipa, Batangas (Apr. 26); Nueva Vizcaya (May 17); Lucena, Quezon (May 24); Naga, Camarines Sur (May 31) and Metro Manila (June 8).
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Showbiz personalities like Anne Curtis, Maja Salvador, Solenn Heusaff, Jhong Hilario and 2013 Ginebra Calendar Girl Georgina Wilson are expected to make a guest appearance in a few stops.
Interestingly, the frontmen of the touring bands are themselves showbiz figures. Teddy Corpuz of Rocksteddy and Jugs Jugueta of Itchyworms are hosts of ABS-CBN's "Showtime," Kean Cipriano of Callalily has acted on the small and big screens, and MCoy Fundales of Kenyo is an ex-Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition participant who is also the voice behind the anthemic ONL hit, "Pinoy Ako."
