MANILA, Philippines—At the 2008 NU Rock Awards Thursday night, former Eraserheads made auspicious marks with their current affiliations.
E-Head guitarist Marcus Adoro let loose electric power chords fronting his new band Markus Highway in one fiery Pinoy rock number. Adoro and former E-Head bassist and presently The Dawn’s rhythm ace, Buddy Zabala, introduced Ely Buendia’s band Pupil— which bagged Artist of the Year and Album of the Year honors.
E-Head drummer Raimund Marasigan came up with another scintillating performance with his 10-year old band Sandwich, which won Song of the Year and Best Live Act plums.
Beyond the E-Heads connection, other surprises rocked even jaded awards attendees. San Miguel Corporation was given the Hall of Fame citation, whose previous inductees included Joey “Pepe” Smith, Sampaguita, The Jerks, Mayric’s, Jingle magazine and dzRJ’s deejays. Apparently, the honor came with SMC’s decade-long sponsorship of “Muziklaban,” an annual battle of unsigned bands.
Radioactive Sago Project, with additional members on various instruments and a choir, walked onstage decked in all-white regalia. Their pristine appearances contrasted well with the escalating mayhem of its take on “Alak, Sugal, Kape, Babae, Kabaong.” By mid-song, the cacophony of sax, heavy rock drums and frontman Lourd de Veyra’s caveman rants appeared on the edge of chaotic breakdown. Then a serene coda turned the entire performance into a study in punk-driven gospel music.
Pinoy metal rock gods Razorback held the crowd of 4,000 in thrall with a loud and booming number. Vocalist Kevin Roy provided the macho shout-out while a guest lady singer softened the blow with her trilling counterpoints.
The Dawn debuted a new composition highlighted by JB Leonor’s explosive workout on drums and Francis Reyes’s spiraling guitar fills.
The “In The Raw” citation for the best among the tracks aired at NU 107’s Sunday show for aspiring musicians went to The Bembol Rockers. This group plays rockabilly-tinged rock ‘n’ roll seldom heard after the Stray Cats went out of favor. Rico Blanco bagged his first Vocalist of the Year award.
In this year’s event, some new bosses seemed to be the same old bosses. That’s how the rock rolls. Today’s Best New Artist could be tomorrow’s Album of the Year honoree.
Winners’ Circle
Best New Artist: The Out of Body Special Vocalist of the Year: Rico Blanco Guitarist of the Year: LC de Leon of Reklamo Bassist of the Year: Niño Avenido of The Out of Body Special Drummer of the Year: Wendell Garcia of Pupil Best Live Act: Sandwich In the Raw Award: The Bembol Rockers Song of the Year: “Betamax” by Sandwich Album of the Year: “Wildlife” by Pupil Artist of the Year: Pupil Best Music Video: “Monobloc” by Pupil Best Album Packaging: Inksurge.com for “Marks the Spot” by Sandwich Producer of the Year: Pupil and Jerome Velasco for “Wildlife” Listener’s Choice Award: Urbandub Hall of Fame: San Miguel Corporation Smart/U Rock College Band of the Year: Twin Lobster of St. Scholastica’s College Nokia IAC Award: Faspitch
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