Bamboo returns for his second album, releases a mash-up music video.

Perhaps the long wait is over for Bamboo fans. After four long years, Bamboo is back with a new album. The Album, titled as "Bless this Mess" is Bamboo's attempt to go back to his roots. In the first Album, "No Water, No Moon" it was more of Bamboo's attempt at Jazz rock and his way of showing his mellower side. Maybe to distinguish himself from his past works that featured more prominently his hard hitting rock side. But old habits do die hard. And as the first/dual single from the album "Bless this Mess" suggests, Bamboo is indeed back to his hard hitting rock side. Consciously done to fuse two songs together to come up with a powerful new single, the songs Nothing Like You and Firepower reintroduces us to the Bamboo that we all love. And that's the Bamboo that punches us in the face as he hits those notes in his songs. Check out the music video below

Bless this Mess is out now in record bars nationwide (though I have yet to get a copy). Album Review will follow as soon as I get my hands on them.

Bamboo is Jag Jeans' new Brand Ambassador

If Rico Blanco is with Giordano, Bamboo is with Jag Jeans. In a 30 seconder raging sexy rock video, Bamboo showcases Jag Black Jeans partnered with a foreign looking model. Bamboo also recently has been tapped to be Jollibee's new fast food menu, the Garlic Pepper Beef. Check out the commercial below.

   

Rico Blanco and Bamboo, both open for a Rivermaya reunion gig?

I was surfing through the net for some Rivermaya news when I came across two articles which states that the possibility of a Rivermaya reunion would no longer be far fetched. Well honestly it got me excited at first. And then I had mixed feelings. Rivermaya as they are now and the respective careers of the once Rivermaya band members are currently still rocking it out in the OPM music industry. Though I guess in their own ways, they never achieved the kind of success that they reached as a collective group, but still the fact that they are still making great music with different musical directions to explore means that they are here to stay, with or without the support of the "Old Rivermaya" fans. In recent years, Rico Blanco and Bamboo Manalac had always consistently said no to the thought of a Rivermaya Reunion....... until now. Albeit with differing views.

On Bamboo's willingness to reunite with his former Rivermaya Bandmates, this is what he had to say as per entertainment portal PEP:

"How about a reunion album? Now we do something different, na gumawa kayo ng new material tapos gawin yung concert, because we all have evolved, we have changed in time, you know what I mean? Because I've been singing that for the past how many years? We have evolved and changed. So, sa akin, get us in the studio, that's gonna excite me more. Pushing forward."

He further intimated that doing a live reunion show singing the past hits just for the sake of earning big bucks does not motivate him.

Rico Blanco for his part took the question with a different approach. As reported on the entertainment news portal PUSH, Blanco had this to say:

“I think, it has always been a question for us eh, where as at the start of my solo music career I always said no because I wanted to focus on new work, gusto ko umandar, gumawa ng bago but now I am a little more relaxed, a little more open to the idea of Rivermaya. I don’t think it will affect my career as a solo artist because my fans have been so kind enough to embrace my new music and every time I come up of something they always appreciate it so yung fear ko na hindi maappreciate yun, I have gotten over that so yeah, I am open to a Rivermaya reunion.”

Blanco also further added that over time his views on the subject matter changed, because he now accepts  that there's just a certain segment of Rivermaya fans who are in for the nostalgia above all else: 

“It’s just the fact na I think I realized it’s a different market. People asking for a reunion is a different market and it’s not going to affect my audience, my core audience nowadays who wanted new music for me. I think having a reunion concert with Rivermaya has always been a step backwards parang I am moving forward and it’s a step backward, no. Nowadays I realized it’s just a different market who want to be nostalgic. I guess we can give them a night or two to relive the glory days but that should not stop me to enjoy doing what I am doing which is creating new music and giving fans what they like, new material and I have shows, I play my old songs but its really the new songs they want.”
 

Uhm, I don’t think it’s gonna happen. I mean in the sense na there’s still Rivermaya. “They still have an album, they’re still touring, still doing their thing, ‘di ba? So, it’s just weird to say a reunion na buo pa sila, right? "Ako, I said, it doesn’t excite me in that sense to do a reunion show." Pero okay sa kanya ang isang ideya: "How about a reunion album?" “Now we do something different na gumawa kayo ng new material 'tapos gawin yung concert, because we all have evolved, we have changed in time, you know what I mean? “It doesn’t excite me na we’re gonna sing 'Ulan' again na kami lang, you know what I mean? “Because I’ve been singing that for the past how many years? We have evolved and changed. So, sa akin, get us in the studio, that’s gonna excite me more. Pushing forward!” Mas gusto ba niya ng mga bagong kanta? “No, I mean, that would be my idea, that would be exciting. But just to do a reunion show, for me, it’s just making a buck and it doesn’t motivate me,” dagdag pa niya.

Read more at: http://www.pep.ph/news/43479/bamboo-nixes-possibility-of-rivermaya-reunion-show-suggests-how-about-a-reunion-album/1/1#focus
Follow Us: @PEPalerts on Twitter and Instagram | PEP.ph on Facebook

Two very contrasting views indeed. Bamboo's take is akin to what the Eraserheads did recently for Esquire Magazine, where they recorded a two track album that came as a free item in an Esquire Magazine that featured the Eraserheads as the cover story. That story featured an in-depth account of the Eraserheads reunion show at London. Blanco's take on the other hand is more of engaging the nostalgic side of things just to give the die hard Rivermaya (original line up that is) fans a trip down memory lane.

Rico, Nathan, Mark, and Bamboo

Being a long time supporter of Rivermaya and all its members, my stand on that matter is that yes why not a Reunion concert? But let's tweak it a bit. Instead of all the original members doing a 15 to 20 song set list, why not bring in all the current bands (Rico Blanco as a solo act, Bamboo as a solo act, Nathan Azarcon's Hijo, and Mark Escueta's Rivermaya, as well as Perf de Castro) that the original band members are playing for nowadays and make them actually be a part of the show. We can start of with the original members doing a 5 song opening number, then one by one let the current bands that they are in play a song or two respectively, and then for the finale, reunite all of the original members for a swan song. By doing this, at least they would be accomplishing the task of introducing their new sound to the old Rivermaya die hards. I'll be the first in line if a show such as that would finally be produced for Rivermaya. Bamboo's new material suggestion is also nice, and who wouldn't want that? How about the show's tickets would also come with a digital download of that new track that Bamboo is proposing. We'll be getting the best of both worlds if that happens.

But at this point I think it's going to be a tall order because it would be unfair for Mark, Norby, Mike, and Ryan (the current incarnation of Rivermaya) to shoulder the weight of the popularity of that one night show. I'm all for a reunion concert/project. But maybe now is not yet the right time.

What is more important for me however is reading this statement (with regards to if his past band mates had learned of his change of views about the reunion concert) from Rico Blanco:

“I don’t know and everything’s good. I am open with the boys and it’s a matter of someone… you know producers have been approaching me for years na about a reunion concert but no one has really been serious, you know. May black and white, may details.”

One of these days a Reunion concert will happen. But that is in the future to look forward too. What's important is let us support what Rivermaya and its past band members are doing now. For Rico, Bamboo, Nathan, Perf, and Mark.

“Because I’ve been singing that for the past how many years? We have evolved and changed. So, sa akin, get us in the studio, that’s gonna excite me more. Pushing forward!”

Read more at: http://www.pep.ph/news/43479/bamboo-nixes-possibility-of-rivermaya-reunion-show-suggests-how-about-a-reunion-album/1/1#focus
Follow Us: @PEPalerts on Twitter and Instagram | PEP.ph on Facebook

Uhm, I don’t think it’s gonna happen. I mean in the sense na there’s still Rivermaya. “They still have an album, they’re still touring, still doing their thing, ‘di ba? So, it’s just weird to say a reunion na buo pa sila, right? "Ako, I said, it doesn’t excite me in that sense to do a reunion show." Pero okay sa kanya ang isang ideya: "How about a reunion album?" “Now we do something different na gumawa kayo ng new material 'tapos gawin yung concert, because we all have evolved, we have changed in time, you know what I mean? “It doesn’t excite me na we’re gonna sing 'Ulan' again na kami lang, you know what I mean? “Because I’ve been singing that for the past how many years? We have evolved and changed. So, sa akin, get us in the studio, that’s gonna excite me more. Pushing forward!” Mas gusto ba niya ng mga bagong kanta? “No, I mean, that would be my idea, that would be exciting. But just to do a reunion show, for me, it’s just making a buck and it doesn’t motivate me,” dagdag pa niya.

Read more at: http://www.pep.ph/news/43479/bamboo-nixes-possibility-of-rivermaya-reunion-show-suggests-how-about-a-reunion-album/1/1#focus
Follow Us: @PEPalerts on Twitter and Instagram | PEP.ph on Face

Bamboo speaks out against the OPM Music Bill

Bamboo Manalac

Bamboo Manalac has reservations about the proposed OPM bill filed by Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr. In the said bill will require foreign artists to pay a so-called Reciprocal Equity Fee before being allowed to stage shows in the country. Bamboo is currently trying to find time to record a follow up album to the well received debut solo album Bamboo: No Water, No Moon. 

Read the rest of the story here: 

http://bamboomusiclive.com/bamboo-says-opm-bill-needs-further-review/

Welcome to Rivermaya Kahapon at Ngayon

   (A Photo of Rico and Me, circa 2004, discussing some music stuffs)

First, I would like to make a disclaimer about what this blog is all about. I would like to state that this blog is in no way encouraging or spearheading any Rivermaya reunion concert. I actually like the current situation of the band and its former members as it is (and I would like to note that I’m a huge Rico Blanco fan). I’ve been a big fan of the band since their first album. I know that during that time, the majority were bigger fans of the Eraserheads than Rivermaya. I have my reasons why I chose to become a bigger fan of the latter than the former. It cannot be denied that The Eraserheads rose to popularity because of their song’s Filipino flavors. With majority of their songs easily relatable to Pinoys, it’s no wonder that they became our country’s biggest rock band during the 90’s band explosion era. I was at that time indifferent to Pinoy bands. That is until I discovered the music of Rivermaya. I have love the song 214 so much every time I heard it on the radio. But I couldn’t come to grasp the artist/band responsible for coming up with that hit song. It was one of those routine Sunday road trip with my cousin that I finally discovered the artist/band responsible for coming up with the song 214. And I was surprised when I found out that this song was written and sang by Filipinos. Rivermaya began to change my perception of OPM music. And to this day, I’ve changed to become a staunch supporter of OPM music.

My Rivermaya CDs

This blog will be all about where the current and former Rivermaya members are now. Of course we all know that Rivermaya as a band is still existing behind the leadership of Mark Escueta (The loyal Drummer extraordinaire) and Mike Elgar (The 2nd lead guitarist). We also know that Rico Blanco (The Hit Maker) has gone solo and has released two solo albums so far. Bamboo Manalac (The Voice) has also followed Rico’s path as a solo artist after being a part of Bamboo the Band (along with former Rivermaya bassist Nathan Azarcon), one of the pioneers in the 2000’s band re-explosion period. Nathan Azarcon (The Attitude) meanwhile has picked up the pieces of Bamboo the Band and transformed it into a new band called Hijo. While I’m not too updated with what Perf de Castro (the original lead guitarist) is up to now, Japs Sergio (The 2nd bassist) is making good music as a solo indie artist and with his new band Peso Movement. I will try to have updates on their current careers in music making as much as I can (and hopefully get to have in touch with them from time to time).  There will also be blog entries that would feature retro album reviews along with my thoughts on the album.

In ending, my goal for this blog is not only to serve as a source of “updates in one roof” on the current careers of the Past and Present Rivermaya members. My goal for this blog is also to unify the fragmented fan base of Rivermaya. There is no point for the debates as to who is better. That is a pointless point of discussion. There is also no room for the clamor of a reunion concert. They may sound different but Rivermaya is not dead. Whether you are a Bamboo, Rico, Mark, or Nathan fan, we must never forget that whatever they may have reached so far in their career now, they were once a part of a band called Rivermaya. Hopefully we would come to realize that the sound of Rivermaya as a group continues to exist thru them in their individual endeavors.

As Rico Blanco himself sang “Ang Nakaraan Pasalamatan, Pero Ngayon ang Panahon.”

To all Rivermaya fans, magkita kita tayo dito.