Unplugged the guitar jacks and microphone dropped as we walked out the stage. It was the year 2004 at an event in the University of the Philippines. Woooah Galing (great)!!! The last expression from the emcee. Audience saying more, more, more. The noise fades as we get far from all of it. This scene echoed in my memory until now.
The bassist got an invitation to a production gig this third week of June and relayed it to us. We all agreed to take part on it. We got a new drummer for now, for the former drummer could not make it when his wife found out that the vocalist is his ex. HAHAHA!!! let us leave it that way for now. We had several practices already and this brings nostalgia in all of us, much more like those carefree acoustic nights, Alberto’s Studio, Dredds and a lot of bar gigs. This recent jam sessions made me realize a lot of things.
It was hard before. All of us are not that well off. I even don’t own my own guitar during those times. I don’t even have my own guitar effects and I rely on the stage amps for the distortions, reverbs and gain during live plays. We have to carry our instruments from the house to the nearest jeepney route, get inside with squeeze your way up to the end of the seat with your instrument and a walk from the jeep drop to the rehearsal studios or gigs. When your late for the session you have no reason to relax and wipe your sweat first but plug your things and join. Every second counts those days. We could not afford much hours to pay for a studio and rehearse. When your hungry you have to rely on fish balls, ice water and monay (bread). Oh, RC Cola is shared sometimes (hahaha). Karinderia on the markets are a treat for us. Yes, there are times we could eat on fast food chains but when one member couldn’t afford it that time, you have to adjust so he will not be left out. Not all of us has computer and internet, or mobile phone for SMS. So, we rely on setting schedules and updates through landlines. If the line is not busy and get through, the other line would say, “oh he is out, please call again later or I will tell him to call you when he gets back.” Worst, and he could not be contacted, we have to get to their house and wait for him.
Now, you call or message the rehearsal studios thru SMS or online messengers and wait for a vacant time and date, confirm it to your bandmates and you are all set. All you have to do is get there on time or your slot will be wasted. It is a lot different before. They are usually set by a phone call if your lucky someone answers but if worst comes to worst, it will be a first come first serve basis. When you get there, your fortunate if no one is using the studio but there are times you have to wait in line with a long list of bands waiting to get their turn. The good thing with this is, you get to chat and know other bands. Share experiences and maybe asked to join their production and play somewhere. Those days, a simple gig with no talent fee is very much appreciated. It was all about the love for music and the love to play and nothing more.
We practice, on what we have. Acoustic sessions or play without an amplifier using an electric guitar. Worst play the drums with a stick and whatever is in front of you. We learn songs with ears and not by watching Youtube tutorials. We do not have walkmans, or cd players and we rely on cassette tapes over old stereos. We have to wait on radio stations for a song to be played and record it and when you play it back you will hear at the start of the song the words 97.1 or LA Rock 105. And eventually play those records minute by minute. Play and rewind, play and rewind over and over until you get those tones over your guitar. And let us not forget, we do not have digital tuners those times. So, a key on a keyboard or piano, or a tuning fork is important, Now, playing a song is effortless. You can access a lot of music tutorials through the internet, gadgets and instruments are more east to find and cheaper. If we could only have these during our times.
Yes, that is how we are before. RAW but we are having so much fun. Now, that we can afford anything we do not have before, could it have made a difference in how we play now. Definitely, it will have a great impact. You can practice more, learn more, and can make you sound great. It could have brought a lot of passion in our playing. Unfortunately, we are getting older and we have responsibilities to attend and we cannot afford just to play and have fun. So, we have to steer a lot to the right, make a different path. We do not regret our decisions for as we reunite for this gig, it still boils down to this: FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC AND THE LOVE TO PLAY AND NOTHING MORE.
Before I forgot. Here is one of the songs we will be playing during the gig: Man in the Box by Alice in Chains during the last studio rehearsal - https://youtu.be/UNDQZb3Oof4
Ahem ahem ahem! Could you sign my autograph?!