Alot of things have happened and good things are coming in the way and that’s how you should spend life. You only live once and make the most out of it.

One hint of what i did recently can be connected on the video posted below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Toe – Goodbye

And so with that, i’ll make another post promise in the next few days.

But for the meantime:

Currently in progress

This coming Saturday (January 14, 2012) Beat Bucket productions brings you “A Big Bang Theory” Happening at BSide, The collective in Malugay, Makati.

Lineup includes the following rockin’ bands

Encounters with A Yeti
http://www.facebook.com/encounterswithayeti

Yes Ma’am
http://www.facebook.com/OhYesMaam

AJKA
http://www.facebook.com/ajkatheband

Jensen Gomez
http://www.facebook.com/jensengomezofficial

Mushtards
http://www.facebook.com/mushtards

Batopik
http://www.facebook.com/batopik.band

Hello World
http://www.facebook.com/HelloWorld.Rock

One+Mile
http://www.facebook.com/pages/OneMile/193017844060485

Soultwister

Pencil Flavour
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pencil-Flavour/372842706365

Entrance is @ 150 and includes 1 free beer.

If you don’t have anything to do on a Saturday night and you want to listen to great music, please do come, chill out and enjoy.

It’s less than an hour as of this writing before we hit 2012 and say goodbye to 2011. To be honest, 2011 has been a challenging, blessed and fruitful year for me and this was the year in changes. Let’s take a look back on the accomplishments in 2011

• Got married to my college crush, love and my only one, Mrs. Charity Sanchez-Gonzales
• Now have our own home and living away from my parents
• Learned that me and my wife are soon to be parents in 2012
• Mushtards finally is born with a solid and kick-ass lineup
• Been to Saguijo again (yeah, it’s my dream as a musician)
• More projects that went gold
• Survived the almost-impossible deadlines in the office
• Got back at playing basketball at least once a week
• Back to composing again (yeah!)
• Gained new friends
• Living each and everyday to the fullest

So for next year, here’s my list

• Family first before anything
• Good Health
• fruitful year
• expect the unexpected
• Continue living life to the fullest
• More patience in everything i do
• More compositions (at least originals to the band)
• Play the guitar more often (reach at least promil pusher renz or O-Face Alwyn)
• Have my own set of Stompbox
• At least my own vehicle by the end of the year (wanpiptykey)

Again, Let’s remove all the negative energy, leave all the negative vibes of 2011 and move forward to 2012…..

I’ll upload the first mixtape which is the OPM music entitled “Twenty-oh-eleven OPM Mixtape” that contains the following tracks (not in particular order but hey, it’s all there)

• Feels Like by Sugarfree – Top on my list as i used this on the AVP of our wedding. Pretty cute tune indeed
• Tamalee by Hijo - Remnants of Bamboo the band, this is Nathan Azarcon’s new band. Raw, hard and melodic, this is Hijo
• Questions by Bamboo – On the other side, we have the former frontman going solo and retaining his bluesy style of singing
• Luha by Ebe Dancel - As Sugarfree brok up late last year and then totally disbanded this year, the former frontman went solo and released an album. Out of thracks in the album, this one has got to be the wrist slashing song…..
• Wala na tayo by BBS band Feat. Kean Cipriano – Another collaboration from the frontman of Callalily.
• Motor Girl by Gaijin - Take Shinji Tanaka on Drums, Raimund Marasigan on Bass and Jesse Grinte on Guitars and vocals, another raw sounding band which i personally like
• Diveler by Wilabaliw – Rock on! solid solid song from Ian Tayao and the rest of the band rocks hard. another personal choice from them
• Autopilot by Taken By Cars – The band is back and this time more technicality and diversity on their sound. Me gusta!
• Gusto ko lamang sa buhay by Itchyworms - Catchy tune, mushy lyrics and nice video, this has it all
• Pera Pera by Sandwich - The lyrics says it all…
• The beginning of a beautiful friendship by Modulogeek - For those of you who don’t know, i somewhat know this guy and personally, he deserves to be recognized in the local music industry. Soothing to the ear musical arrangement, one artist to look forward to. Download his full album for free
• Relentless by Stereodeal - After lineup changes and hearing at least more than 2 versions of this song, this latest one has got to be the best i’ve heard from them so far. Oh and by the way, yeah, i know 2 of this 3 piece band.

Click on the link and enjoy ze music.

i’ll post the foreign mixtape in a day or two.

We have this tradition of gift giving  to each and everyone and just for one day, we are one as a family. Then come the not-so-good part…. watching MMFF movies… hehehe!

But this year, things will be a little different. Me and my wife will be spending Christmas eve in Fairview, then we will be back to Cavite tomorrow and probably catch a movie or 2 from the entries in the MMFF. At least there is one interesting movie that caught my eye on the entries (no, not those friggin horror flicks i mean, why watch a horror flick on Christmas day?)

One movie is Asiong Salonga with the accompanying video below:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Gloc 9 Feat. Denise – Hari ng Tondo

So with that, Me, My wife and Future Daughter would like to greet each and everyone a Happy Christmas and don’t forget that the spirit of Christmas may always be on our our hearts. Have a rockin’ christmas!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Fuuu Fighters – All i want for christmas is you

Next up, i’ll be doing my year-end mixtapes and a look back on the year 2011.

About a year ago, the first part of the Love album by Angels and Airwaves was released to the public as a free download. This was only the first installment of the album. Love Part 2 was recently released (though not free this time) I would have to say that this is AVA’s best work yet. This is far from the sound of their debut album “We don’t need to whisper” and it’s a fulfilling end to the Love album.

This is supposed to be a 2 part album meaning even though it was released on different dates and year, it still counts as one so expect to hear some surprises as well.

Let’s get a rundown on the tracks shall we?

Saturday Love - Typical angels and airwaves track complete with the delay effects that we all know from them.

Surrender - One of my favorite tracks in the album. It has this simulation of a marching army sound as well as a strong message in the song. No i will not surrender….. Definitely a must listen. Also, Try singing the verses of Some Origins of Fire from the first love album and you will find

Anxiety - The carrier single of the album. Reminds of “Hallucinations” from the first album installment.

Crawl (Heroine) - Starts off slow then builds up in the middle…. the break part kinda sounds like the previous track…. well, it could only be me.

Moon as my witness - On to this part of the album, the music slows down. Starts of with synthesizers then proceeds with Tom’s singing. A Little creepy if you ask me

Dry your eyes - One of their fast songs in the album. Kinda reminds me of Everything’s Magic from the second album I-Empire. Good track to listen as well.

The Revelator - In my opinion, this is a weak track. I don’t know, it just that i don’t feel this one. No offense to fellow Angles and Airwaves fans out there

One Last Thing - Good song. Something safe from the boys

Inertia - Another safe song. Still has to grow on me.

Behold a pale horse - Not a bad song. My only complain is just it’s sounds repetitive. Well, that’s just only me

All that we are - Now for the kill and probably the best song for me in the album. I’m torn between the first 3 tracks and in the end, i think this has got to be the best track in the album, followed by Surrender and Anxiety. Starts of slow then at the middle, that’s were the beauty of the track comes in. Distorted guitar effects still brings music to the ears.

Overall, the year’s wait is worth it. Tom is simply amazing and have grown not only as a musician but as a lyricist as well. Go get the album and you will not be disappointed.

I recommend the package of the album that contains both Love parts 1 and 2 as well as the movie.

Lalalalala……

Ok so around 2008, i was in a band named Stereolalas (we conceptualized the name after a band practice at Starbucks Megamall) and from there we made our debut at Death Cab For Cutie Night 2. We covered songs from DCFC and below is our cover of Blacking out the friction

Click here to view the embedded video.

Stereolalas – Blacking out the Friction (cover)

Afterwards, we had a few series of short-lived gigs from Route 196 to Saguijo to the now-defunct Mag:net High Street. We were there playing and covering songs and if im not mistaken, we had an original song back then. Too bad i  don’t have a copy of it on my archives.

Moving on to new directions

Like other bands, there’s a story on each rise and fall. This was the same case as with the Stereolalas. After a few months of gigs and practices, Stereolalas went on hiatus and up to now, the reason behind it is well, yeah just for us. I’m still hoping though if we can still have a one-night only gig for the last time.

So there, moving on, past is past, we all went our separate ways. But for the record, we were all in good terms. I’m even happy for them as well.

As for me, i have to move on to that phase. New job, new environment, new life. It’s more of a”past is past thing and look forward to tomorrow” so i went on to do some solo stuff at home. Armed with a guitar and microphone, i decided to make my own compositions (just like before) and i even composed a song for my girlfriend back then now my wife. Once music runs in your blood and you have the passion to make one, ideas will never run out.

Mushy Bastards

After toying the idea to form a band. One of my officemates suggested me to be in a band. Original plan was to do a band to relieve stress from work. Up until initially Mushtards was formed(why mushtards? ask Renz)

Originally a 3 pieceband composed of Renz (on drums… promil kid) Marci on bass and Me on Vox and guitars, we had our debut at Beat Bucket night 2 (the production that one of our officemates started) and yeah it was just ok. After the gig, we noticed that we had to fill in more members thus we recruited the magic hands of Alwyn Cruz to add up on guitars and Albert for the banging drums. As for Renz, well, he went back to handle the guitars. And thus the Mushtards were born.

We cover songs from Sugarfree to The Killers and even Taylor Swift! Well, the last one was just a request. Heheh!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Mushtards – Mr Brightside’s Love Story

Looking ahead

After a couple of gigs and practices, i can see a bright future ahead of Mushtards. I’m not calling this one my band because a band needs talented and awesome members in order to make great music. We are all evolving and changing but it’s for the good of the band. an i must say this band effin rocks! This is our band, Ze Mushtards!

Looking back….

Early Days

I was in this band called “Intersections” mainly because, the members of these band came from different sections from the campus. The primary instrument that i played was the drums  and switching to guitars if needed. Jeffry was the original drummer back then. That one was more of a “wow astig may banda kami” thingy. We were just a bunch of high school students who can’t dance (remember the hip-hop versus metal period? well yeah, that was way back) but can rock.

Oh before i forget, i was also in a band with my friends back our subdivision (can’t remember the name of the band sorry guys)

First Step:

So after high school, college came in and i was in this another band called “Lounge”. This was the band formed when i joined the Letran Youth for Christ.

(Fact: This is the same organization where i met my wife… but that’s another story to tell)

Actually i was part of the second transition of the said band but nevertheless, i’m proud of it. We were pretty good back then and yeah, from that period, i was introduced to more and different genres of music. Technically, we were kind of a showband. Which is weird because Donna, Erroll Francis and Arvin, the vocalists and of the band were into R&B while Chip the guitarist, me and Wax is into alternative.

We covered songs from Santana to Incubus, Freestyle and from the classics as well. We played during organization get together, General Assemblies, and we even once was a front act for the band Teeth (Glen Jacinto was a college student from Letran) and up to this date, i still can’t imagine how a showband act was placed as front act for a rock band that time hehehe!

Moving on (literally, i moved from one campus to another) and yeah, i have to leave my drumming duties for lounge. But due to the itch to play again in a band, i started auditioning to bands in DLSU-D. This is where “Projekt Mayhem” was formed with Xtian (inspired by the movie Fight Club)

It had a short stint and later on, the name changed to LFS. What does it mean? it’s for you to find out.

After graduating college, i again stopped playing on bands to focus on work. That was not until 2007 as i was asked by Luna, our Project Manager back then if we can form a band with my officemates. and from there,  BBBKB was formed (out from a running joke from  Squared’s calling every breaktime of BaBaBa Ka Ba?) hehehe!

Second Step:

After that, i was asked to sit in for drumming duties on the band WKAFTL (We Kick Ass For The Lord) and from that point, I was playing alongside Adrian (Who is from the up and coming band Stereodeal) Luna and Owel (One of the the vocalists from the band Ang Bandang Shirley) Honestly, i have to step up my drumming skills as from this day forth, it’a a different level.

A few months after, Stereolalas was formed and we got Dax (of band Wickermoss) to play for bass. We had a few gigs back then and lot’s of firsts (first time to play in Saguijo, Route 196 and now the defunct Mag:net High Street, first time to play through alot of people watching, got to meet alot of band personalities that i idolize, and of course to be together with now my wife but then again that’s another story)

This concludes part one. I will be posting the other part soon (Second part literally rocks as it features ze Mushtards yay!!)

Mushtards on full force - Yup! Our band is in full gear and after quite sometime and lineup changes, this is the band’s lineup.

You might see some familiar faces as they are also members of other bands. Renz is from Batopik and Redlights while Alwyn is from Lathala and lately Reasons, Karylle’s band. Albert also plays from 5th of November, Making only me and Marci having one band which is Mushtards. Can’t wait to play to you guys again. Stay tuned for future gigs as well with other bands from Beat Bucket Productions. By the way, Direk Nani, Mariposa will be present in the next Beat Bucket gathering.

Released games for the Freebox - If you guys happen to be on France, Chances are you may have run into the Freebox, a local cable/console type of box that’s only available over there. Gameloft recently released games on the said console  which was Dungeon Hunter 2 and Shrek Karts HD. I am also aware that Modern Combat 2, which was also done here in Manila was already released as well on the said console. We still have more to come but i can’t mention it. I’ll announce it as well here on my blog what are those titles as soon as they are done.

Finally got to see Ebe Dancel after Sugarfree – Went to the album launch, he played a few songs, won some prizes (shades and some CD sampler stuff from Warner) but the best part of it, i got have an album signed by Ebe as well as a signed guitar pick which i won’t be using (it has value you know) and got to take a picture with him.

I managed to find a picture of him and me almost 8 years ago (or might be earlier) and you’ll see the changes:

Other Stuff - Currently composing a song that the band can finally play and a new material as well while preparing for the next gig. Still editing videos from time to time so that my skills will not be put into bad shape. Speaking of bad shape, i’ve managed to find a way to play basketball for at least 2 hours weekly. Not that much effort but hey, i’m a busy man at work, im also a family man now and squeezing the schedules is not that easy as before.

Either way, 2011 has been good so far for me. I’ve been blessed with a wonderful, sweet and loving wife, great bandmates and friends that i can count on an just experiencing each and everyday as a challenge and living my life to the fullest. I guess that’s the purpose of life, live you life with no worries and love the people around you that loves you as well.

Now after almost half a year, Ebe Dancel is back. His new venture as a solo artist also marks the release of his latest album entitled “Dalawang mukha ng pag-ibig” Originally , it was supposed to be released around July but it was pushed back to the first day of August, 2011.

Ebe Dancel's Latest solo offering

I got my hands on a copy of his album which is a double disc by the way (disc one has the full band arrangement while disc 2 contains the same order of songs with an acoustic twist) and so far, i have already listened to the album a numerous times and i have to say that Ebe still hasn’t lost his touch on songwriting.

Disc one (white) contains the following tracks:

Muli – The carrier single of the album. It has that old sugarfree style of singing that only Ebe delivers. Personally, i liked the “woooo-hoooo” part of the song. Perfect for the carrier single.

Isang probinsyano sa maynila – This song talks about how fast life goes on in the city on a “probinsyano’s” point of view. This talks about the city, tall buildings and beautiful girls.

Wag kang mag-alala - One of the ballad songs in the album. It starts slow and as the song progresses, it builds up and there’s even a blues-y solo on the middle part of the song.

Luha - Love the bass work on this song. groovy and catchy while matching Ebe’s high-pitch voice parts. String arrangement is also great. Ithas the potential to be the next single for the album.

Maligalig - Another hit in the making, this one also has the potential to be a single for the album.

Paalam kahapon - As i read the lyrics of this song, this reflects someone’s past and how someone moves on to the present. It has the same theme like one of his songs while he was still in Sugarfree (Kwarto)

Hanggang sa dulo - This was the first song that i heard from him after the band parted ways. It was used in a telenovela on TV 5 entitled “8 Kingdom” It’s starts heavy and you can hear the oriental sound variation in it. me likey!

Lapit - Something new to the ears. Synthesizers were used and a slow song. Something different from him as we are used to hear him sing either with an acoustic guitar or with a band. But with synthesizers and drum machine is a refreshing change to the ears.

Ikaw ang aking tahanan - Now to the blues part. Yeah! groovy!

Wag na tayong mag-away - Starts off with a piano and harmonica to the tune of Muli. A perfect song to end the album. Actually as you hear the song, it has the fade out part… then it comes back again, emphasizing for an encore. And that is what the fans would like to hear.

The other disc (black) contains the same track list but with an acoustic arrangement.

Personally, this is one of the must buy albums for this year.

Heck, it may be my album of the year for 2011.

Overall, for the price of 350 pesos, the album is all worth it.

I’ll give it a 5 out of 5