IF THERE?S a dismal lack of major local concerts these days, as Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit president Ogie Alcasid has pointed out, at least there are small gigs around town that show life goes on for Pinoy musicians.

Thursday night at Ten 02 on Sct. Ybardolaza, QC, a new band called Jablunk unloaded an electrifying set of classic rock covers and originals that reflected fine taste and unyielding passion.

Fronted by Rannie Raymundo, who used to be known as a pop singer, Jablunk?named after its inclination to jazz, blues and funk?fired up its audience with blazing versions of Jeff Beck?s ?Freeway Jam,? Atlanta Rhythm Section?s ?Spooky,? Jimi Hendrix?s ?Little Wing,? Raymundo?s own song ?Bomalabs,? among others.

The band?s strength lies on its twin-guitar attack courtesy of veterans Fidel Garcia (formerly of Gapo mainstay Split Ends) and Nitoy Adriano (on loan from The Jerks). Completing the lineup are drummer Howe Villareal, bassist Jun Lazo and jazz singer Laura Austria sitting in on percussion.

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Later that night, we dropped in at Merk?s in Greenbelt 3 Makati to see the new additions to The Electromaniacs? ever-expanding lineup. Two young talents from the classical music field, Dondi Ong and Jeanne Vicar, have joined as vocalists.

If that sounded disconcerting, since the band plays retro pop-rock, our worry turned to gladness when Ong sang ?I Just Don?t Want To Be Lonely? and Vicar followed with ?Touch Me in the Morning.?

But surely there were operatic jams in between?Ong and guest Jonathan Badon duetting on ?The Prayer.?

The most unexpected jam came after midnight, when Gretchen Barretto, who was there to watch partner and Electromaniacs rhythm guitarist Tonyboy Cojuangco, sang ?Last Night of the World? and ?Sun and Moon? from ?Miss Saigon? with Badon.

Barretto?s vocals had a pleasing, textured quality. She should seriously pursue a singing career.

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The annual Elvis Presley tribute show, which the Elvis Presley Friendship Club Philippines International mounts to commemorate the King of Rock & Roll?s death anniversary, unfolded Aug. 16 at Blue Wave on Macapagal Ave., Pasay.

This year?s celebration, dubbed ?Elvis 75? (he would have been that age today), attracted an interesting mix of avid fans?22 of whom dressed up as The Pelvis to join the sing- and look-alike contest.

One of those who stood out for not wearing Elvis? oft-imitated Las Vegas-days white jumpsuit was 14-year-old Christian Angping. Adapting the top-to-bottom black leather outfit Elvis wore at his 1968 comeback TV special, Angping looked real rebellious as he sang ?Blue Suede Shoes??although he could?ve been more effective with more practice and confidence.