HedgeZero at Headstock Bar

(I accidentally posted this at a different blog...so I re-posted)

A few days ago,we were invited by Sir Ferdie to play at a place called Headstock Bar. He used to get us for Club Dread before, but I heard he moved on to manage band events for this particular place.

Although its the first time I came to know about this place, I heard they've been around for quite some time.

What I like about this bar is the spaciousness. The stage is spacious. The band can really move around, with enough space for a 7-piece band. The round shaped stage is so placed that the intersection of Araneta Ave. and Quezon Ave. is set as the background. Aside for the billiard table the entrance, there are two spaces for the patrons. There's the main hall, in front of the stage, and a balcony facing the road. Its the same area setup as Mag:net at Global City, but Headstock has greater accessibility to these areas since there are sliding glass partitions to the balcony...which can also convert the setting to an open air event.

I love their sound equipment...amps, monitors and all. Its here that I was able to recreate the bass sound that I really wanted without buying an active bass. Mad props also to Sir Ferdie's mixing. The stage lighting would need a little work though. I was blinded by the LED spotlight the whole gig.

With reasonably priced beer and pica picas, I like hanging around that place even after our slot, its a shame we arrived late because of our work. The first band was nice enough to stay around for our set.

If you get the change to drop by, you got to try the Mojos. Its thinly sliced with a nice salty breading and a hint of spiciness (I ended up buying 2 plates which I consumed by myself). It goes well with the beer that they serve ice cold.

I hope to go there again sometime.

HedgeZero at 6Underground Radio on NU107

Last night was a fun night of talk and music as HedgeZero guests in 6UGRadio of NU107. Even before the program started, we were so caught up in our chatting that the music suddenly stopped...Bel grabbed the headphones and with his usual cheerful, bubbly voice, he saved the opening... mired only by the tons of laughter being heard in the background.

We wished would have interacted more, but we didn't want to de-rail the flow of the program. Plus, the next guest was already waiting.

Maybe next time, Sir Bel will ask us again.

Thanks again, Sir Bel,  for the chance. And we hope to drop in again soon.

HedgeZero in Pulp Magazine

Last month, the Rubber Duckie Family was featured at last month's PULP magazine (one of the Philippine's premiere music mag) with regards to the 'Ultimate Abduction' bar tour which concluded last May at Puerto Galera.

We were very happy about the picture of our band, HedgeZero, being included in the article...although I was the only one not included in the picture. 

(sour bannana!!! sour banana!!)

The write-up is not about the bands but the event in general, mostly about the first leg at Will's Attic. Nevertheless, we we're still happy.

HedgeZero's "Far Beyond" Video in 6UG

I got an email yesterday that our latest song 'Far Beyond' has a video on 6 Underground's YouTube site. 

In leiu with their goal to help promote and support various indie and underground bands, 6 Underground produces video recordings of the artists that performs at their bar at Pearl Drive in Pasig City. I think this video was shot during the 2nd anniversary gig of I-Ray last June 12.

This is the first clear recording made of that song, which is a hit among our fans (by 'fans' I meant our close friends and relatives who attends our gigs :-)).

The song was first performed at 6UG during our EP launch and was finished just in time for that event.

'Far Beyond' is primarily a tribute to all the people who passed away that year who were close to us. Especially to a former officemate of mine who, despite the hardships imposed by his illness, never fails to lighten up, care, and offer friendship to those around him.

As one song by Pennywise goes,"...Jayson, my brother, this one's for you..."

Tales from the Old Photo Bin: Jan and the HedgeZeros

I found this old pic from 2008. It was one of earlier gigs with Rubber Duckie Music at Al's Bar in Paranaque.

Our vocalist, AJ, was sick that week and Jan, one of the senior partners of Rubber Duckie, volunteered to temporarily accept the vocal responsibilities.

After a single practice session the day before, Jan nervously took the mic and began to perform.

Because he didn't had enough time to familiarize himself with our original songs, we stuck to playing our 'Live' covers.

He did his vox duties well as we later found out he was trained in Ryan Cayabyab's music school (surprise, surprise... I wonder why he didn't pursue singing).

For the final 2 songs of the set, AJ got enough strength to close the act.

Thanks Jan, we owe you one.

HedgeZero Interview at UR105.9

Me, AJ and Pau at the session booth

Underground Radio DJ Black Sarah was kind enough to invite us for an interview last June 17 eventhough we played badly at the Club Dredd gig where, we think, she first saw us perform. Before the interview, while waiting for AJ downstairs, I was so nervous I threw up. Nothing beats the release of tension like regurgitating that morning's breakfast.

After loosening up a bit few minutes into the interview, we had a few laughs while discussing the band's history, the meaning of our songs, and some inside information about HedgeZero. Some of our friends were texting us that we were too serious, straying our attention away from the interviewer.

The "Main Girl" UR DJ Black Sarah

In the modest studio of UR, Black Sarah was able to make the interview smooth with her wit, candidness and spunk. Thats why I listen to most of her morning shows.

There were a lot of things we thought of doing at the interview that we didn't get to do or say. That's why I set up a few pointers on how to go through your first radio interview with flying colors.

BRING A CHEAT SHEET. Make a checklist of things you'd want to promote (like upcoming songs, events or gigs), list of people to thank and/ or greet (we left out a lot of people and organizations) and other promotional materials (like band sites, online profiles and the like). This is to make sure nothing is left out during this once in a lifetime opportunity.

GET THE MEANS TO CONTACT THE STATION. Today's radio stations are armed with tools to interact with its listeners through the internet. You should get any or all means for your friends to contact the station if you've invited them to listen in. We were distracted throughout the interview because people are inquiring and greeting us through our cellphones. These matters should be directed to the interviewing DJ so the show would be enhanced with listener participation.

USE A LANGUAGE YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH. I tried to stay with the English format of the program but I kept messing up because I was a bit tense, despite sounding mellow in the interview. I ended up with a lot of grammatical blunders that would enrage my college English professor. If its a casual discourse, you could use a mix of Tagalog and English...unless its a debate, in that case keep it professional.

These pointers should help you breeze through your radio interview without any regrets since its a good opportunity for the people to get to know you and your music.

HedgeZero's 'Distant Voices' Video: Behind the Scenes

It was a hot and sunny afternoon, that particular Saturday, last May 16. Although the heat was enough to suck out one's strength, everyone in the HedgeZero's crew was full of energy. Excitement is in the air as everyone anticipates the video shoot of their single 'Distant Voices'.



Although coming straight from an earlier shoot that morning, the guys from Flippish.com still have it in them to dish it out for the shoot. They were easy to get along with. And Direk Roman had a lot of good ideas to visualize the theme of the song.

The crew from Flippish.com

Dolling us up at the backstage of Paco Catholic's auditorium is Kim of beautyaddict.com.

We also like to aknowledge Pinky and Belen for helping with the model's styling needs. And Van for making AJ silky smooth.

Keeping AJ 'silky smooth' is hard work

Practicing to keep up with the speed-up music track

HedgeZero Angels Van, Pinky and Belen, with model Francis Mae and AJ...that's me in the background

Taking the dramatic opening scene

The hallway scene...its a bit creepy

It was at least 2 weeks wait...so, here it is.

Hedgezeros makeover day

It was a day of makeovers last saturday as Hedgezero wrapped up its first video courtesy of the guys behind flippish.com. At the helm of the makeover team is fellow e-blogger, Kim, who is the brains behind 'thebeautyaddict.com'.

At first we thought, she gonna doll us up like how those gay makeup artists apply this stuff to girls. Like a true professional, she discussed that she will not go for any look but will try to make our face neutral in front of the burning lights of the camera.











Kim also said that the male face requires a different approach when it comes to makeup, to our relief. To attain the neutral look, she has to darken our skin tones a bit tad in order to make us look not too pale in the video. She also applied a 'corrector' so our facial imperfections, like pimples, bumps and scars, will not appear (ouch!!!...).

I have to give mad props to Kim's stamina as she did the make up of the whole band, the model and do her make up assignment, in 4 and a half hours straight... without any rest.

As the raw video goes into post-production, we look forward to the final cut. Hope you guys watch out for it.

The Ultimate Abduction, Puerto Galera

Rubber Duckie Music recently concluded its Ultimate Abduction Tour last April 2 with a beach concert at White Beach, Puerto Galera. Along with up and coming and established indie acts, the event was top billed by the breakthrough band Urban Dub. There were also prizes given away like shirts, visors, CD's and I-Pod Shuffles courtesy of the sponsors Philips, Oddesseylive.net, Oddessey Music and E-wave.

The Blue Jean Junkies came up first playing some of their older originals along with songs from their upcoming album. Their blues rock vibe charged the audience as the event comes to a rockin' start.

Next came the Alternative-reggae band Placid. Their grooves was complemented by the sunset beach atmosphere everyone there enjoys.

Established indie act Mayonnaise played next exciting the crowd even more. Their set included their recent single, and my fave Mayo track, 'Sinungaling'.

Next up was my band, HedgeZero. By then, it was night time already and the people are ready for some hard rock.We played some of our EP singles and our newest song 'Far Beyond'.

The crowd was very responsive beside the fact that we are a fairly unknown indie band.

Grunge rockers from the south (I meant Southern Metro Manila) Ursa Minor also rocked the event with their set.

Supercharging the crowd even more is the alternative rock act Angulo. Their songs has the vibance of Emo and the technicality of Alternative rock which enticed the audience.

Revving the crowd up, as usual, are our brothers from Free Fish. Their brand of Alterna-funk and stage antics never fails to liven everyone up. Watching them is always a treat. They also performed their NU107 'Stand out Track' "Lampa".

Next was the punk rockers The Ambassadors, rallying up the Bisayas in the crowd, playing songs of hope, unity and helping out each other to save the world.

Our brothers from I-ray (one of them is literally my brother) rocked the venue with their reggae rock inspired set.

They dished out their NU107 'Stand out Track' "8 Rayed Sun", their UR105.9 No.1 hit "Across the Rubicon" and my personal fave "Safe", to name a few from their set.

Then came the band everyone was waiting for. As Urban Dub was introduced, people packed the front and the side of the stage with great anticipation.

To my delight, they played my fave Urban Dub song 'Alert the Armory' first. The police stationed at the front of the stage prevented the people around me to slam dance, to our dismay.

Their set was composed mostly by tracks from their album 'Under the Southern Lights' which include 'The Fight is Over' and their set closer 'Guillotine'.

True to its goal, Rubber Duckie brought out the indie bands to the masses to show them what they got.

me with the members of UrbanDub (from top clockwise Gabby, Jan Jan, John and Lalay)

The night ended with an after concert drinking binge along with the members of Free Fish, Iray, Mayonnaise, Ursa Minor, The Ambassadors and Urban Dub. A bit of fun in the sand, horsing around while totally buzzed out of our minds.

With I-Ray and FreeFish at  the Back, The Liwanagan brothers and Ryan

represent represent: Mike of  HedgeZero, Kish of  Free Fish and Jamil of I-ray

Along with Jan, Balcs and Dean are Ced and Yam of Ursa Minor

The Abduction Tour: Magnet Cafe High Street

We waited to play his place for a long time and but everytime we get to play, nothing good happens. This place seems to give us a bad mojo. We didn't play that great but that didn't stop us from having a good time with our friends from Rubber Duckie Music.

This is the third leg of the Ultimate Abduction Bar tour and until now, I still to win anything from the raffles...

The ever energetic Free Fish

Pitik

Mayonnaise

feel the power of I-RAY

Anggulo

oh yeah...and us...

(special thanks to Onat and Erika for the photos)