The Bicol Region is not only known for spicy foods or the majestic Mt. Mayon. This region also provides a haven for promising musicians who not only sing along the hypnotic tune of Sarung Banggi but also move along the rhythmic flow of contemporary music.
Of all the genres of contemporary music being played in the airwaves now, it is an undeniable fact that reggae has already solicited much enthusiasm among the young minds in the region. Regardless of it being in the mainstream already, reggae has already gained a vast number of followers. But out of sole doting for the said genre, a reggae band was formed right at the cradle of Mt. Mayon…
Mudflow was formed during the year 2002. The band is comprised of members who are related by blood, but nevertheless share the passion for music. The band was named as such because of an incident which is nonetheless typical to happen in the region. On the said year, the Mayon Volcano was on its due time to display its fury and create havoc and destruction. But Bicolanos never consider this as a hindrance to celebrate life and have fun. The band was then scheduled to perform at Legazpi City. On their way to the said place, however, the road was impassable because of the mudflow brought about by the volcano’s eruption. On the roadside was a sign that read, “Warning, mudflow ahead!” Consequently, they weren’t able to perform. Ironically though, the band was inspired by this incident to name their band Mudflow. From then on, the band rocked the region’s music scene carrying the name as a tribute to the land which gave birth to their name.
Mudflow was given its first taste of prominence on winning the Grand Title in Magayon Festival Band Competition 2002. Since then, the band has been well-known in the constituency, especially as a band that caters to reggae music. They had performed for Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, during the inauguration of Misibis Beach Resort- May, 2002. They also front-acted for several national artists, some of which are Orange and Lemons, Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Itchy Worms, MYMP, Kitchie Nadal, Barbie, Slapshock, Bamboo, Rocksteddy, Moonstar88, Coffeebreak Island, Tropical Depression, Coolie Dread and the Microphone Commander and hosted an event with no less than Peacepipe on featured performance- July 5, 2008.
Peacepipe’s Sir Jeck, Love of Coffeebreak Island, and Papadom of Tropical Depression paved the way for Mudflow to perform in some of Manila’s hottest reggae bars and venues - Xaymaca, Timog Ave., One Love Bar, Sucat, Paranaque, Fuente Circle, Eastwood City, Libis, Doobie Nights Live at Tiendesitas, Ortigas, and at Chakkiks, Ortigas respectively.
Their self-titled album was released last October, 2005 which includes their five original compositions and their own rendition of the folksong, Sarung Banggi. Mudflow’s Sarung Banggi reggae version is also included in Doobie Nights’ compilation album released thru
Galaxy Records and Jam 88.3.
Band members are:
Vocals - Abz
Lead - F3
Bass - F2
Drums - RG
Keyboard - Jasam
Showing posts with label Mudflow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mudflow. Show all posts
Reggae and ‘kundiman’
SANTO DOMINGO, Albay, Philippines -- While rock and bubblegum music are still the rage, a young band in this town chose to experiment with an old Bicolano song that kids would be hard put to remember.
Fusing reggae and kundiman, the band Mudflow overhauled the folk classic “Sarung Banggi” (“One Evening”) and turned it into an unlikely pop hit.
“Sarung Banggi” was written by Potenciano Gregorio Sr. (1880-1939), a native of Lib-og town, now known as Sto. Domingo -- the place where the band was formed.
Created awareness
The attempt to update a traditional Bicolano folk song through the infectious beat of reggae was Mudflow’s way of encouraging its peers to rediscover their own cultural heritage.
The modernized “Sarung Banggi” succeeded in creating an awareness when it was included by Manila FM radio station Jam 88.3 in its music compilation album, “Doobie Nights” (Galaxy Records), released in 2006.
The song tells of a man who was roused from sleep one night by what he thought was a songbird. Realizing it was not a dream, the man rose and soon discovered it was his lover’s voice that had awakened him.
“We picked that song because it’s our town’s heritage song. As Bicolanos, we wanted to promote our own culture through music,” said Mudflow vocalist and main songwriter Abraham Defeo, 23.
Bridged gap
Defeo added that the remake has bridged a generation gap, with young and old equally appreciating it during the band’s gigs.
The other members of the five-man group are drummer Ray Gerard Marquez, 23; bassist Fidel Balin Jr., 25; lead guitarist Fidel Balin III, 22; and guitarist Mark Andrew Ortiz, 20.
Mudflow got its name while the guys were on their way to Legazpi City, from a road sign alerting travelers to overflowing water from the gullies of Mayon Volcano. The sign read: “Warning: Mudflow ahead.”
In 2002, Mudflow won in the regional Battle of the Bands held annually at the Magayon Festival. The band released its first independent, self-titled album the following year. It had eight songs, four of which were originals.
The album was recorded and reproduced using a desktop computer.
For P5,000 Mudflow churned out 100 copies burned on compact discs. The guys sold the CD for P120 each.
Several tracks, including the now-famous “Sarung Banggi” remake, have gained regular airplay on local radio stations in the Bicol region.
More than music
The band members insist reggae is more than music.
“It is idealism conveyed through music,” Defeo said. “It is performed for a cause.”
One of Mudlow’s original compositions, “Paraisong Panaginip,” discusses environmental degradation.
Another song, “Ay Naku Po,” is about young people dealing with pressure.
Mudflow lamented insufficient support or recognition extended to fledgling bands in the provinces.
“We have a lot of serious and talented musicians here but their potentials do not fully develop due to lack of equipment,” said bassist Fidel Balin Jr.
Missed opportunity
Defeo recounted that Mudflow once had to decline a Manila-based director’s offer to make a video for “Sarung Banggi” because equipment rental alone would have cost them P50,000.
He noted that it’s hard for a full-time musician to provide for a family, and so many have left the country to pursue careers abroad.
Mudflow does not buy the idea of working as well-paid musicians overseas.
Balin explained: “Even if we try, we won’t be able to play together for sure, since it is the practice of recruitment agencies to screen musicians and form new bands from among the ones that they like.”
Mudflow clings to the hope of entering the mainstream Filipino music industry and still popularize music that reflects the unique culture they represent.
(inquirer)
Fusing reggae and kundiman, the band Mudflow overhauled the folk classic “Sarung Banggi” (“One Evening”) and turned it into an unlikely pop hit.
“Sarung Banggi” was written by Potenciano Gregorio Sr. (1880-1939), a native of Lib-og town, now known as Sto. Domingo -- the place where the band was formed.
Created awareness
The attempt to update a traditional Bicolano folk song through the infectious beat of reggae was Mudflow’s way of encouraging its peers to rediscover their own cultural heritage.
The modernized “Sarung Banggi” succeeded in creating an awareness when it was included by Manila FM radio station Jam 88.3 in its music compilation album, “Doobie Nights” (Galaxy Records), released in 2006.
The song tells of a man who was roused from sleep one night by what he thought was a songbird. Realizing it was not a dream, the man rose and soon discovered it was his lover’s voice that had awakened him.
“We picked that song because it’s our town’s heritage song. As Bicolanos, we wanted to promote our own culture through music,” said Mudflow vocalist and main songwriter Abraham Defeo, 23.
Bridged gap
Defeo added that the remake has bridged a generation gap, with young and old equally appreciating it during the band’s gigs.
The other members of the five-man group are drummer Ray Gerard Marquez, 23; bassist Fidel Balin Jr., 25; lead guitarist Fidel Balin III, 22; and guitarist Mark Andrew Ortiz, 20.
Mudflow got its name while the guys were on their way to Legazpi City, from a road sign alerting travelers to overflowing water from the gullies of Mayon Volcano. The sign read: “Warning: Mudflow ahead.”
In 2002, Mudflow won in the regional Battle of the Bands held annually at the Magayon Festival. The band released its first independent, self-titled album the following year. It had eight songs, four of which were originals.
The album was recorded and reproduced using a desktop computer.
For P5,000 Mudflow churned out 100 copies burned on compact discs. The guys sold the CD for P120 each.
Several tracks, including the now-famous “Sarung Banggi” remake, have gained regular airplay on local radio stations in the Bicol region.
More than music
The band members insist reggae is more than music.
“It is idealism conveyed through music,” Defeo said. “It is performed for a cause.”
One of Mudlow’s original compositions, “Paraisong Panaginip,” discusses environmental degradation.
Another song, “Ay Naku Po,” is about young people dealing with pressure.
Mudflow lamented insufficient support or recognition extended to fledgling bands in the provinces.
“We have a lot of serious and talented musicians here but their potentials do not fully develop due to lack of equipment,” said bassist Fidel Balin Jr.
Missed opportunity
Defeo recounted that Mudflow once had to decline a Manila-based director’s offer to make a video for “Sarung Banggi” because equipment rental alone would have cost them P50,000.
He noted that it’s hard for a full-time musician to provide for a family, and so many have left the country to pursue careers abroad.
Mudflow does not buy the idea of working as well-paid musicians overseas.
Balin explained: “Even if we try, we won’t be able to play together for sure, since it is the practice of recruitment agencies to screen musicians and form new bands from among the ones that they like.”
Mudflow clings to the hope of entering the mainstream Filipino music industry and still popularize music that reflects the unique culture they represent.
(inquirer)
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