Kamikazee

History

Kamikazee, a band composed of Jay Contreras on lead vocals, Jomal Linao on guitars and backup vocals, Led Tuyay on guitars, Jason “Puto” Astete on bass and Allan “Bords” Burdeos on drums. All of them are from the University of the Philippines Fine Arts Department. Kamikazee performed their first gig in 2000 as “boy band” band. Soon they changed their band name to “Kamikazee Cornflakes” which later on was shortened to Kamikazee. The band listens mostly to Parokya ni Edgar, Cheese, The eraserheads, Deftones, New Found Glory, Slipknot and Pantera. So basically Kamikazee plays alternative rock to Punk rock to Metal.

They got their first record deal in 2001, months after that they released their self titled album in 2002. Included in that album is their cover of Britney Spears’ “Lucky” which won as the best music video at MTV Pilipinas Awards 2003. Another cover they did was Ariel Rivera’s “Sana Kahit Minsan”. Also included in this album is “Ung Tagalog” which was recognized as Best Alternative Recording by the Awit Awards. Their song “Girlfriend” has an interesting music video that included an animation of superman kind of story. “Chinelas” was also in this album which included some foul language and growling.

Later in 2004 they released their second album entitled Maharot. Their first single is entitled “Narda” a song about a TV show entitled Darna but didn’t really became an Original Soundtrack for that show. Instead it became famous more than the show and before you know it everybody’s singing it that time and it also became number 1 in the Philippines for 3 weeks. Another song is “Chicksilog” which was included in the soundtrack of the online game, Ragnarok. Another was “Martyr Nyebera and their latest is Ambisosyo.

In early 2006 they did a song for the Rexona Commercial entitled "First Day High". It is like Parokya ni Edgar's "First Day Funk" in 2005 which they also did for rexona. They also have a single from the album “Kami nAPO muna” entitled “Doo Bidoo” which also became number 1 in the Philippines for 3 weeks. They also were included in Parokya ni Edgar’s album “Halina sa Parokya” in the song “Ordertaker” which was their cover of “Chop Suey” and “Toxicity” by System of a Down.

Must Hear Songs

-Ung Tagalog

-MMM Sarap

-Director's Cut

-Ikaw Parin Pala

-My Tender Bear

-Seksi Seksi

-Girlfriend


-Narda


-Lucky


-Martyr Nyebera


-Doo Bidoo

The Beatles

About

The Beatles were a rock band originating from Liverpool, England. They are the most critically acclaimed and most successful music band in history. The quartet is composed of John Lennon on rhythm guitar, Paul McCartney on bass, George Harrison on lead guitar and Ringo Starr on drums. They all sang vocals, but the bands composers were John, Paul and George only.


The Beatles, 1964

They have been considered as the number #1 selling music band of all time. They released more than 40 different singles, albums and Extended-Plays (EPs) that reached number 1. Rolling Stone Magazine ranks The Beatles as the #1 Greatest Artist of all time.

Origin

1957, John Lennon formed a folk music group called the Quarrymen. Lennon would eventually meet McCartney then a yound Harrison. Except for the 3, people keep coming in and out of the Quarrymen.

The Quarrymen went through a series of names "Johnny and the Moondogs", "Long John and the Beatles", "the Silver Beetles" then eventually "The Beatles". Lennon told many versions of how he came up with the name. In some magazine it even explained that the name "The Beatles" came from a vision of a man who appeared on a flaming pie and said onto them that "From this day on, you are now Beatles with an A". They also got Lennon's friend Stuart Sutcliffe playing bass.

The Beatles toured in the 1960 as the back-up band for Johnny Gentle. During the tour they had no permanent drummer. They were drummerless going to Hamburg, Germany where they are contracted to play in various clubs. But soon they would acquire Pete Best to become their drummer

The Start
In Hamburg, they played for bars 7 hours a day for 7 days a week. This continued until harrison was deported for lying about his age. McCartney and Pete Best got deported as well for starting a fire in their rooms, they were arrested and charged with arson as well. Lennon and Sutcliffe followed them to Liverpool eventually.

They would reunite and go back to Hamburg at April 1961. There they got recruited by Tony Sheridan to be his backing band for recordings on the German Polydor Records label. They would eventually get their own Polydor recording contract.

After several recordings with Tony Sheridan, it was time for them to go back to Liverpool. Sutcliffe, refused to go with them and stayed in Hamburg with his girlfriend. Paul McCartney took over bass after that.

After being rejected by several labels. They would soon find themselves directed at the direction of George Martin who headed Parlophone label at EMI. Martin was not impressed by the band's demos at first but liked them as people instantly. Martin claimed that their talents were still raw but what made the difference for him that day was their wit and humour in the studio.

A Starr Arrives

Martin had a problem with Pete Best for not keeping time. At the same time the other 3 members had growing grudge against Best. This lead to eventually kicking Best out of the band and replacing him with the Ringo Starr. Their first minor-hit was "Love Me Do" which ranked 17 in the UK chart. ("Love Me Do" reached the top of the U.S. singles chart over 18 months later in May 1964.) November 26, they would release their 2nd single and first number one hit.

Beatlemania

The Beatles growing fanbase were composed of mostly teenage women which led to a phenomena known as Beatlemania.

In America, Vee-Jay Records, a small Chicago label, issued the singles as part of a deal for the rights to another performer's masters. Art Roberts, music director of Chicago powerhouse radio station WLS, placed "Please Please Me" into radio rotation in late February 1963 making it the first time a Beatles record was heard on American radio.

Several New York radio stations began playing "I Want to Hold Your Hand" on its release. The Beatlemania that had started in Washington spread throughout the whole country. The record sold one million copies in just ten days.

1964, four thousand fans waved The Beatles goodbye for their first trip cross-Atlantic to America. As they prepared to land the pilot radioed ahead and told the boys that there is a huge crowd waiting for them.

Their first live television appearance in America was on the The Ed Sullivan Show on 9 February 1964.

Mid 1964, they toured outside of America and Europe. Going to New Zealand and Australia.

Trouble in the Philippines

The Beatles came here in 1966. They were invited to a breakfast reception in Malacanang by then first lady Imelda Marcos. Their manager Brian Epstein respectfully declined the offer on behalf of the group. The Marcos regime was unaccustomed for taking "no" for an answer. Thus The Beatles and its entourage was left without security and support from the gov't they had to go to the airport without escort.

Studio Years

Their last concert was performed in Candlestick park in San Francisco on August 29, 1966.

They released Revolver in 1966. After that they returned to Abbey Road Studios to begin the 129-day recording sessions for their eighth album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, released on 1 June 1967.

Mid-1968 saw the band busy recording the double album The Beatles, popularly known as The White Album because of its plain white cover. These sessions saw deep divisions opening within the band, even going as far as Ringo Starr walking out. The band proceeded with McCartney recording the drums on the songs "Martha My Dear", "Wild Honey Pie", "Dear Prudence" and "Back in the USSR".

The Breakup
1969, The Beatles recorded their final album, Abbey Road. The completion of the song "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" was the last time all four Beatles were together in the same studio.

John Lennon announced his departure to the rest of the group on 20 September 1969 but was talked out of saying anything about it publicly.

Post-Breakup
All four Beatles released solo albums, including Lennon's John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, McCartney's McCartney, Starr's Sentimental Journey, and Harrison's All Things Must Pass.

Lennon was shot to death by Mark David Chapman in 1980. And just 6 years ago in 2001 George Harrison would die from cancer.

Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney are still active in the music industry.

Must-Hear Songs

Hey Jude


Get Back


Come Together
Black Bird
Two of Us
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
She Loves You
Here Comes The Sun

Parokya ni Edgar

History

Parokya ni Edgar is also one of the bands I listen to when I was still in elementary and is one of my favorite ever since. Before this band was formed, they call themselves Comic Relief with Chito Miranda(lead vocals), Vinci Montaner(vocals), Gabriel Chee-Kee(guitars) and Miko and Jerick. In 1993 they got invited to be the opening band for an Eraserheads concert which where they decided to add Dindin Moreno(drums) and Buhawi Meneses(bass). They also decided to change their name to Parokya ni Edgar that time for the concert. After the concert Miko and Jerick decided to go their own ways, thus making room for guitarist Darius Semaña. Up to the present they are still the current members of Parokya ni Edgar band.

They got their band name from an old classroom joke that involves the main character in Noli Me Tangere.

Parokya soon started playing in Club Dredd, where they were offered to sign up a contract for Universal Records. Soon in 1996 they released their first album entitled Khangkhungkernitz that became a triple platinum hit with the songs Buloy, Trip, Maniwala ka sana, Lutong bahay and Tatlong araw. Buruguduystunstugudunstuy was their second album which was later released in 1998 which has the songs Sayang, Don’t touch my birdie, Batangas Coffee, Sampip, Silvertoes, and Harana. Their third album is Jingle balls Silent night Holy cow that was released in 1999 with the songs Simbang gabi and Gising na. Their fourth album is Gulong itlog gulong which was released in 2000 with their hit single Halaga and Picha Pie, which is a spoof song of I will survive by Gloria Gaynor. Also included in this album is Wag mo na sana, Gising na, Inuman na!, San man patungo and Barkada. Their fifth album entitled edgar edgar musikahan has their single This guy’s in love with you pare and Sorry na. While in their sixth album entitled Bigotilyo included the some kind of hiphop/rnb song entitled The yes yes show. This goes to show that Parokya is flexible as a band and can produce quality songs of different genre. Other song that are included in this album are Alumni Homecoming, Parang ayaw ko na yata, and Mr. Suave. Their seventh album is a compilation of their songs that they sang during their “inuman” session which is also the title of the album. Their eighth and latest album as of now is entitled Halina sa parokya. Their songs like Para sayo, Gitara, Mang Jose, Bagsakan, The Ordertaker, and First day funk are included in this album.

Latest News

Like other successful bands, Parokya ni Edgar is doing tours outside the Philippines. In fact they’re currently doing a tour with Bamboo in the US entitled rock.. shock.. and awe..

Must Hear Songs

- Buloy
- Maniwala ka sana
- Silvertoes
- Inuman na
- Halaga
- Gitara
- Mang Jose
- The Ordertaker

UVERworld

Rock plus a bit rap, beat-boxing and electronic combined, UVERworld used this formula to take the Japanese music by storm.

Beginnings
Formerly known as Sangoku Road, UVERworld started with six members namely: TAKUYA (vocals and programming), Katsuya (gutars), Akira (guitar), Nobuto (guitar), Shintarou (drums) and Seika (saxophone). The band was able to sell 3,000 copies of their demo album in 2003. Seika the left the group shortly after they started and the band then renamed itself.

In 2005 they signed under gr8! records (under Sony Music) and debuted their first single D-tecnolife. The single was used as the 2nd opening song popular anime BLEACH and three months later, CHANCE!, UVERworld's second single, was used as the opening theme for the PSP game BLEACH ~Heat the Soul 2~. D-tecnolife sold 108,000 copies and was able to reach #4 in the Oricon Top 200 Weekly while CHANCE was able to reach the 5th spot.

Continuing
UVERworld then released their third single just Melody and later released their first album Timeless, which got the #5 spot in the Oricon charts and sold 60,000 copies. The months later they released their fourth single Colors of the Heart which was used as the third opening song for the anime BLOOD+. The single made it to #3 and sold 77000 copies. They then released their 5th single SHAMROCK in August 2006 which surprisingly sold 97,000 copies despite the fact that the song only reached #6 in the charts.

Latest
UVERworld released their 6th single Kimi no Suki na Uta in November 2006 and made it to #2, the highest thus far of the band, and sold 70,000 copies. Last February 21, 2007 the band released their second album BUGRIGHT. The album included their singles after Timeless plus their song for Death Note~ The Last Name soundtrack. The album made it to #1 in the charts 2 days after it was released.

Recommended
CHANCE - 2nd single, opening song for PSP game BLEACH ~Heat the Soul 2~
D-tecnolife - 1st single, 2nd opening song for the anime BLEACH



CHANCE! Promotional Video


D-tecnolife LIVE 2005

Led Zeppelin

Origin


Led Zeppelin, an English rock band formed in 1968 and composed of guitarist Jimmy Page, vocalist Robert Plant, drummer John Bonham, and bass guitarist and keyboardist John Paul Jones. Considered as the most successful musical rock group in rock history. Also given the honor of "#1 Greatest Artist of Hard Rock" by VH1, The Who landed at #8 whereas Lynyrd Skynyrd were only at #71.

Page started off with "The Yardbirds" and eventually naming a new band Led Zeppelin in reference to The Who's Entwistle's statement about Page's proposed superband involving Entwistle, Jimmy Page, Keith Moon and Jeff Beck. Entwistle said that the superband would go down like a Lead Zeppelin, a term he used to describe gigs gone bad.

The 'A' of Led Zeppelin was taken out to avoid mispronunciation by some American, who might pronounce it as /Leed/ instead of /Led/.

I, II, III, IV

1969, Led Zeppelin's first album which was named after the band's kicked off the band's rise to success. The album was headlined by the single, "Dazed and Confused" which had a musical solo using a violin bow on an electric guitar.

The same year, they followed up the their first album with "Led Zeppelin II" another success featuring the song "Whole Lotta Love"

15 days short of a year later, they released "Led Zeppelin III" which was headlined by "The Immigrant Song" a song showing the aggressive and violent melody the band was capable of. It also featured "Since I've been Loving You" and the drum-based "Out on the Tiles"

1971, The band released its fourth album. It was unnamed and on the LP in had 4 symbols written on it. The symbols represented the harmonious combination of the four members. "Rock and Roll", "When the Levee Breaks", "Black Dog" and "Stairway to Heaven", which have come to be known as four of the band's most famous songs all came from this album. "Stairway to Heaven" is the top contender of the honor of "greatest rock song ever".

The 4 symbols that appeared on the 4th album, which was commonly known as "Led Zeppelin IV"

All 4 starting albums were chart toppers, the first made it to #6, while the rest were all #1.

The #1 streak

The band would keep its #1 albums streak with "Houses of the Holy" and "Physical Graffiti" which was released in 1973 and 1975 respectively.

"Houses of the Holy" featured the song "The Song Remains The Same", which would be the title for a future film and "No Quarter"

"Physical Graffiti", ironically featured the song "Houses of the Holy" and "Night Flight"

in 1976, they released a "Concert Film" entitled "The Song remains the same" the first ever released recording of their concerts which was well received by the fans.

The same year, they released Presence which was still a #1 album. It featured "Achilles Last Stand", a song that some fans would consider "better than stairway", the majority of course, begs to differ.

After a 2 year hiatus, the band started recording again and in 1979 the released "In Through the Out Door" which was again #1 in the charts. It featured a more keyboard-based songs such as "Carouselambra" and "Fool in the Rain". Unfortunately this would be the band's final album.

All good things must come to an end

September 25, 1980 after a heavy drinking day, in which he started off by downing 4 quadruple shots of vodka for "breakfast" and ended up with taking in a total amount of 40 shots that day. John Bonham, was found dead in a bed where he was placed when he slept from the drinking session. He choked on his own vomit during his sleep and it ultimately killed him. His alcoholism haunted him since the start of his career and would eventually lead to be the cause of his untimely death.

About two months later, the band would announce its disbanding. "We wish it to be known that the loss of our dear friend and the deep sense of undivided harmony felt by ourselves and our manager, have led us to decide that we could not continue as we were."

Must Hear Songs

Achilles Last Stand


Stairway To Heaven

Asian Kung-fu Generation

A group of college students who met and started small, Asian Kung-fu Generation right now is making it to the Japanese Music industry, and just recently, made it to the top.

Origins
The band started off with Kensuke Kita (Lead Guitar and Background Vocalist), Takahiro Yamada (Basist and Vocalist), and Masafumi Gotou (Vocalist and Guitars) as founding members of Asian Kung-fu Generation, all of which are members of Kanto Gakuin University's music circle. Kiyoshi Ijichi (Drummer) was then recruited shortly after. They have been performing in small events for quite sometime until the year 2000 marked the creation of their first extended play, which contained six English cover songs. A popular radio DJ picked their first single Kona Yuki and was played heavily because of listener demands. Later in 2001 they released another indie CD which contained songs in Japanese lyrics. Houkai Amplifier, their first mini-album, was then released in 2003 which surprisingly reached 35 in the Oricon charts.

Fame
Asian Kung-fu Generation's two released singles, Mirai no Kakera and Kimi to Iu Hana, boomed them to fame in 2003. The band then released their first full album, Kimi Tsunagi Five M, which landed number 5 on the Oricon charts in the first week of release. The album also sold 25,000 copies, a surprising amount for a starting band. Because of their increasing fame, fans had been calling then Ajikan, a shortened version of their name.

The following year the band was awarded Best New Artist and Best Music Video (for their video Kimi to Iu Hana) in 2004. At the same year, the band released four singles, including Rewrite which was used as the fourth opening song of the popular anime Full Metal Alchemist, and their second album Sol-fa and reached number one in the Oricon charts for two weeks and sold 600,000 copies.

Continuing
Asian Kung-fu Generation released a DVD of their songs which was on the Oricon DVD charts for a month. The band also played multiple sold out concerts, including the Re:Re: tour and Nano-Mugen Festival 2005. They released a new single, Blue Train, on the same year.

Currently
In 2006 the band released two albums, Fanclub and their B-side compilation Feedback Files which again made it to the charts. They performed in the Nano-Mugen Festival sequel and released three new singles Blue Train, World Apart and Aru Machi no Gunjo. World Apart made it as their first number one single.

Trivia
Rewrite and N.G.S. are at the songs list of Konami's popular arcade game GuitarFreaks and Drummania.

Recommended
Haruka Kanata - single, second opening song for Naruto
Rewrite - single, fourth opening song for Full Metal Alchemist

Videos


Haruka Kanata LIVE at Five Nano Seconds 2004


Rewrite LIVE at Nippon Budoukan

Rivermaya

History

Rivermaya is one of the many successful pinoy bands that is rocking the Philippines today. In 1993 the original line up of Rivermaya was Rico Blanco(rhythm guitarist/keyboard player/vocalist), Nathan Azarcon(bass), Kenneth Ilagan(guitar) and Rome Velayo(drums). But it wasn’t too long before they changed their line up again adding Jessie Gonzales as the vocals, and Velayo was replaced by “Bazurak” drummer Marc Escueta. Later on, guitarist Kenneth Ilagan and vocalist Jessie Gonzales was replaced by Perfecto de Castro and Bamboo Mañalac, respectively. There were many instances that the band’s members leaves and is replaced by other musicians, maybe this is their secret to their successful career in the music industry until now.

Signed with BMG Pilipinas Their first self-titled album, Rivermaya was released in 1994 with their hit single “Ulan” together with “214” and “Awit ng kabataan”. With most songs in the album composed by Rico Blanco, people knew that he has talent in writing songs. Their self-titled album became quadruple-platinum in 1995. Shortly after the release of their first album, guitarist Perfecto de Castro left to form his own band and is replaced by Rico Blanco. Because of this Rico’s talent was again observed by the people because of his skills in guitar/keyboard playing and of course composing songs. Their second album, also a quadruple-platinum album, Trip was released in 1996 was sort of a documentary of songs made by Rico Blanco’s learning to play the guitar which included “Himala” and “Kisapmata”. Their third album, Atomic Bomb was released in 1997 the same year they became band of the year. Songs in this album namely, “Hinahanap-hanap kita”, “Elesi”, “Kung ayaw mo, huwag mo “and “If” all became number one in hit charts and became a popular hit that year.

Like other successful pinoy rock bands, they also performed and toured outside the country specifically in the US. After that tour vocalist Bamboo decided to stay together with his family there, leaving Rico Blanco to be the lead singer of the band. They returned to the Philippines and recruited another member, Jay John Valencia for the guitars, since Rico already became the lead vocalist.

In 1999 the released their fourth full-length album, entitled Its not easy being green but it only reached double-platinum status, but it produced three number one hits namely “Nerbyoso”, Shattered Like and Rodeo. In 2000 they independently released their fifth album, Free through the internet because of some problems with BMG Pilipinas. Nonetheless it still became the album of the year during the NU Rock Awards.

In 2001 bassist Nathan Azarcon was replaced Japs Sergio from DayDream Cycle. They also added two guitarists Kakoi Legaspi and Mike Elgar from the band Mr. Crayon and 7 Foot Junior respectively. In the same year when they released their sixth album for the movie Buhay Kamao. Also in the same year, they released their seventh album with their newly signed contract with Viva Records, entitled Tuloy ang ligaya with the carrier single “Umaaraw, umuulan”. Their ninth album, Live and Acoustic was their second album for Viva Records. After the release of Live and Acoustic guitarist Kakoi left the band to join in Barbie’s Cradle. In 2003 they released their tenth album Between the stars and Waves. In 2004 their eleventh album, Liwanag sa Dilim came out with the carrier single Liwanag sa Dilim.

Latest News

In 2005 the album You’ll be safe here was released to be their twelfth album with their hit single You’ll be safe here which was also the theme song for the tagalong TV show called SPIRITS that aired in ABS-CBN that year. Makaaasa ka, an album they released in 2005. Another album was released in the same year entitled Posible which became the theme song for the 2005 Southeast Asian Games. Their latest album was released in 2006 entitled, Isang Ugat, Isang dugo featuring the song “Isang bandila”.

Still going strong, Rivermaya is still united with its current line up, Rico Blanco as the lead vocals/the band’s song writer and he still sometimes plays the guitar or keyboard, Mark Escueta in drums, Mike Elgar in guitars and Japs Sergio in bass.

Must Hear Songs

-Ulan

-Kisapmata

-Himala

-Hinahanap-Hanap kita

-Elesi

-Umaaraw Umuulan

-You’ll be safe here

-Liwanag sa dilim

The Who

Origin


The Who, an English Rock band formed in the 1960's. The Legendary Band were composed of guitarist Pete Townshend, singer Roger Daltrey, drummer Keith Moon and bassist John Entwistle. The Who started in the 60's and grew up to be one of the most influential and one of if not the greatest rock band in history.

They(without Keith Moon) initially started playing as The Detours. But in 1964 they dropped the name and began playing as The Who, that year also marked the arrival of Keith Moon to the Band, forming the famous quartet.

Best Band Ever
Their first hit came a year after they formed when they sang "I Can't Explain" which was followed by "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere". Later that year, they released their very first Album "My Generation"

The year later, they had more hits with "I'm A Boy" and "Happy Jack". 1967 was the year they sang another hit entitled "Pictures of Lily". These songs showed Townshend's growing use of stories about teenage angst and sexual tension. After these more hits followed, like "I Can See For Miles" and "Magic Bus"

Even though they had much success, Townshend became ambitious and wanted to release albums with unified work's rather than just a compilation of singles. This ambition was fulfilled when they released "A Quick One" and "The Who Sell Out" which they called "Rock Operas". In 1969, they made a Rock-Opera album entitled "Tommy" which was later adapted to an award-winning film.

The 1970's had The Who releasing "Live at Leeds" which is considered the best Live Rock Album of all time. After this they released "Who's Next" which was the band's most successful album according to fans and critics. In this album was the single, "Won't Get Fooled Again" and "Baba O' Riley" two of the best Rock songs in history (Included as one of the Top 100 Rock songs by many critics)In 1975 they released "The Who by Numbers" which was considered by some Rock critics as Townshend's "suicide note".

The same year a movie version of their Rock-opera, Tommy was released. The film had a star-studded cast, including Daltrey playing the Title role, other stars included Elton John, Eric Clapton, Jack Nicholson, Tina Turner as well as the rest of the band were there. It had also earned a golden globe for Ann-Margret's lead female performance as well as an academy award nomination for Townshend's Musical Score.

1978 saw the release of "Who Are You" pulling away from the rock-opera feel and created a radio-friendly sound.

One falls, the others follow
The release of the Album was overshadowed by the death of Keith Moon, considered as the best Rock Drummer of all time. Keith Moon died of overdose. The autopsy showed that Moon popped about 32 of his pills (medication to wean off alcohol) and some of these pills were undissolved.

Kenney Jones became the replacement for Keith Moon. With him they released two albums, "Face Dances" and "It's Hard" before Townshend officially ended The Who in 1983.

Proof of Greatness
In 1990, the band was inducted into the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame. The Who's display in the Rock N' Roll Hall of fame read From mod rockers to rock operas to hard rock, The Who reigned triumphant as prime contenders, in the minds of many, for the title of World's Greatest Rock Band.

"prime contenders for the title of World's Greatest Rock Band", Only the Beatles and the Rolling Stones receive a similar honor.

Reunion, Death, Rebirth
Since the disbanding, they (the original trio only, without Kenney Jones) occasionally reunited to perform. They had a US tour in 2000 and had a UK tour too later that year. The tour ended with a charity show for The Teenage Cancer Trust.

They were also present in "The Concert for New York City" in 2001, a concert for the firefighters and police officers and their families who helped in the 9/11 disaster. That year also marked The Who winning the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

During this time, the band already discussed releasing new material. This was dogged by Entwistle's death in 2002.

Nevertheless they released "Endless Wire" in October 2006 their first full-studio album since the 1982 release "It's Hard".

The support of fans encouraged them to go on another tour. And so they embarked on their 2006-2007 "The Who Tour".

Little Trivia
The Who gained more popularity recently as their songs were used as official theme songs for the CSI series of TV Shows

CSI Las Vegas has "Who are You" for its theme song. CSI Miami has "Won't Get Fooled Again" for its theme song and CSI New York has "Baba O' Riley" (Teenage Wasteland).

Must Hear Songs:
Won't Get Fooled Again

This is where Townshend did his famous "Powerslide" move.

Baba O' Riley

Teenage Wastleland is a common misconception of this song's title.

---

Side Note: I have updated the Lynyrd Skynyrd Post with Videos as well

L'Arc~en~Ciel

This time, we'll have a J-Rock band that is really well-known in Japan.

Probably one of the rock icons of Japan, L'Arc~en~Ciel has been in the J-Rock industry for 16 years-- and counting.

L'Arc~en~Ciel, name inspired from a French movie of the same title, started on 1991 by bassist tetsu (Testuto Ogawa) with recruits hyde (vocalist), hiro (guitarist) and pero (drummer). After a year hiro left the band, followed by pero. tetsu then recruited architectural design student ken (Ken Kitamura) to be their new guitarist, and on the same year, sakura (Yasunori Sakurazawa) as their drummer.

Fame
Their success rose when they released their debut album DUNE on April 1, 1993 under an indie record label Danger Cure. The following year, they signed a contract under Sony Music Japan and produced their second album Tierra, followed by heavenly in 1995 and True, which sold millions, in 1996.

Downfall
The band reached the lowest point of their career when drummer sakura was arrested for drug possession in early 1997. Their popularity fell big time, their albums were taken out from the record bars, and their upcoming single, The Fouth Avenue Cafe, was withdrawn as the ending theme of the anime Rurouni Kenshin. sakura eventually left the band on October 4, 1997.

Comeback
It was a very uncertain if L'Arc~en~Ciel will be able to recover, however, they still continued appearing in some magazines and then formed a cover band "The Zombies". They were able to perform at Reincarnation 97 Live in Tokyo Dome which had 56,000 people watching. Also, at the same event, they found yukihiro, their new drummer. They released Niji, their new single after sakura left, in 1997.

Career
In July 1, 1999 they were able to release two albums, ark and rey, not just in Japan but also in different Asian countries. These album made it to the top Oricon charts, and both albums sold two million copies each. In 2000 they released another album, REAL, and the single Spirits Dream Inside, ending theme to the CG animation film Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.

Hiatus
The band went on hiatus after Spirits Dreams Inside and worked on their personal projects from 2001 to 2002.

Second comeback
L'Arc~en~Ciel performed a series of seven concerts which was called Shibuya Seven Days that surprised their fans. In February 2004, they released READY STEADY GO, their new single after Spirits Dream Inside. The song was used as the opening theme for the popular anime series Full Metal Alchemist and topped the Oricon charts. On March 2004 they released yet another chart topper single, Hitomi no Juunin, and released their most awaited new album SMILE. On June of the same year they introduced P'UNK~EN~CIEL, a gag of their band wherein they swapped places.

US Debut
L'Arc~en~Ciel made their US debut by performing in the anime convention Otakon in Baltimore, Maryland on July 31, 2004, wherein approximately 12,000 people attended. A DVD release of the concert was out on May 31, 2005 which was titled Live in USA.

Continuing
In 2005 L'Arc~en~Ciel released various singles, and then worked on the new album AWAKE. Included in the album is LOST HEAVEN, closing theme for the movie Full Metal Alchemist the movie: Conqueror of Shambala. They then performed the AWAKE tour, which highlighted their song Neo Universe. The also did an Asian tour titled ASIA LIVE 2005. In 2006, the band went back to their solo projects. hyde composed the music for Mika Nakashima as Nana in the much-awaited movie NANA. On November 2006 the band celebrated their 15th anniversary by performing in two shows in the Tokyo Dome. The band will be releasing a new album, SHINE, on spring 2007.

Recommended
Lost Heaven - ending song for the movie Full Metal Alchemist: Conqueror of Shambala
Spirits Dream Inside - ending song for the movie Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
Blurry Eyes - theme for the anime Initial D
Dive to Blue


Dive to Blue


Ready Steady Go LIVE in Maryland

Eraserheads

hello!

Since Red already introduced me, here's my post on OPM Rock, our very own Eraserheads. They've been my idol since i was in elementary, and here are some facts i know about them

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History

Eraserheads was the band that most of other pinoy bands today look up to and idolize. Eraserheads came to life in 1989, from the band Sunday School comes Ely Buendia(rhythm guitar/lead vocals), Raimund Marasigan(Drums), and from Curfew Marcus Adoro(lead guitar), and Buddy Zabala(bass). They got the name Eraserheads from the movie Eraserhead.

From there they started gigs around their campus in UP Diliman and around Manila. After some time the band decided to write their own songs because they’re not good in covering other band’s songs. Not long in 1991 their songs was heard by BMG records Philippines and after a year they released their first album entitled “Ultraelecrtomagneticpop!”, with the hit single “Pare ko” which went to the top of the charts. After that came their second album “Circus” with “Alapaap” and “With a smile” Their third album, “Cutterpillow” with the song “Ang huling el bimbo” and “overdrive” the album turned gold even before it hit the stores in early 1996. Then the Christmas of the same year they released their fourth album entitled “Fruitcake”. After that comes the album other popular albums they made.

They were so successful that they also did gigs not only in the Philippines but also in Singapore and in the U.S. They won so many awards not only in MTV Asia but also in MU 107 Rock Awards and other radio station and Music Awards for their albums and Singles that reached the top of the charts. This is one of the reasons why many aspiring bands idolize them.

Latest News

All of you may already know that Eraserheads has already disbanded in 2002 where they went on their separate ways forming their own bands. Ely formed a band named The Mongols but it wasn’t successful as the Eraserheads so they formed a new line up and named their band Pupil. While Raimund and Buddy continued and formed Cambio after Marcus left Eraserheads. After Cambio, Raimund formed another band named “Sandwich” where he is sole vocalist and lead guitarist. While Buddy still plays bass for The Dawn, Twisted Halo, and the Sun Valley Crew.

Three years later in 2005, the bands namely 6 Cycle minds, Imago, Sugarfree, Radioactive sago project, Brownman revival , MYMP, Sponge cola, Barbie Almalbis, Kitchie Nadal, South Border, Paolo Santos, Orange and lemons, Rico J. Puno, Various Artists and Cueshe all contributed in reviving songs and making a tribute album for the Eraserheads entitled “Ultraelectromagneticjam”. This is just the proof why The Eraserheads and their songs are still popular now because people still listen to it even though they're not whole as a band anymore.

Must Hear Songs

-Pare ko

-Ang huling el bimbo

-Overdrive

-Alapaap

-Ligaya

-Magasin

-Poorman’s grave

Olivia Lufkin

Irrashai!

As what Red Ollero a.k.a. 'Plasticbagman' posted, I'll be handling Japanese Rock, or J-Rock. I've been a fan of Japanese music ever since I got myself addicted to Japanese Animation (or anime). So for my debut post, I'll be featuring an emerging J-Rock artist that got her debut from an anime (which I also watch).

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Olivia Lufkin

Daughter of an American father and a Japanese mother, Olivia Lufkin, or simply OLIVIA, is a female solo J-Rock artist.


Discovery of a talent
OLIVIA was discovered by top Japanese music label Avex Trax and was teamed up with two other female artists, forming D&D in the late '90s which had a Eurobeat sound.

However, OLIVIA seemed to have huge potential as a solo artist and so she was dropped from D&D in late 1998 and went on a solo career, still under Avex Trax. She released nine singles, all of which are alternative rock, from 1999 to 2000 and later was compiled in her first album synchronicity which was released late 2000. Two singles followed in 2002 and 2003.

Downfall of success
Unfortunately, OLIVIA's highest Oricon (top entertainment chart in Japan) record was #29 with her second and third album. Though with not much success, she continued to produce her own songs and decided not to go mainstream. Avex Trax then decided to transfer her to their 'indie' sublabel cutting edge and produced four English-only mini-albums. She then released her second album, The Lost Lolli, which was English-only but only made it to #111 in the Oricon charts. She then had an unofficial hiatus and worked as a model and fashion designer.

Comeback
Although The Lost Lolli was not a big hit in Japan, Avex Trax released an overseas version of the album, reflecting OLIVIA's good foreign career (since only top-selling artists had international releases). Her long absence was broken when it was announced that she will be recording the ending song for the anime NANA (adapted from the manga of the same title) under the name OLIVIA inspi' REIRA(TRAPNEST) (Reira Serizawa being the character in the anime that she is portraying). The pilot episode aired April 5, 2006 and the single, titled a little pain, was released on June 28 of the same year which debuted in the Oricon Top 10 Daily Charts.

What new with OLIVIA?
OLIVIA released the album titled The Cloudy Dreamer on January 17, 2007 which reached #15 in the Oricon Weekly Charts. Songs included in the album are the new opening and ending songs for the anime NANA and the ending song for the live action drama Jigoku Shoujo. She recently performed in the Pacific Media Expo (PMX), an event that covers Japanese entertainment in general, in Los Angeles.

Must-hear songs

• a little pain - single; first ending song, NANA; included in the album The Cloudy Dreamer.
  
• Wish - single; second opening song, NANA; included in the album Untitled (as OLIVIA inspi' REIRA(TRAPNEST)).
  
• Starless Night - single; second ending song, NANA; included in the album Untitled (as OLIVIA inspi' REIRA(TRAPNEST)).
• Dream Catcher - ending song, Jigoku Shoujo Live Action; included in the album The Cloudy Dreamer.
  

References:
Olivia Lufkin at Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivia_Lufkin
Olivia Lufkin Online
http://www.olivialufkinonline.com/
Olivia Lufkin's Official Website
http://www.avexnet.or.jp/olivia/

Lynyrd Skynyrd

Hello! Welcome to out blog! If you didn't know yet. ANAKARKAR! is a Rock n' Roll blog. Each post features a band. We will give some info about them and maybe recommend some songs in the end. I will be handling Foreign Rock, Vinno handles OPM Rock and Tori handles J-Rock.

Lets get it started! (HA!)

and what better way to get started than kicking it off with LYNYRD SKYNYRD!

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Origin
Lynyrd Skynyrd is one of the most critically acclaimed US Southern rock bands. The band originates from Jacksonville Florida, its founding members were Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Allen Collins (guitar), Gary Rossington (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass) and Bob Burns (drums).

Before Lynyrd Skynyrd they were known as several other names such as My Backyard, One Percent and The Noble Five. It wasn't til the 1970's where the Band was named after the Band's strict Gym teacher Leonard Skinner. Leonard Skinner would enforce their school's dress code so much that he got people suspended because of it. He even went as far as telling the boys: "You boys ain't never gonna amount to nothin'."

Leonard Skinner was wrong. Not only did Lynyrd Skynyrd make multiple-platinum albums but just recently, they were inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame.

The Legend of Lynyrd Skynyrd
In 1973, The band recorded their first album featuring the legendary song, "Free Bird". "Free Bird" reached #19 in the Billboard Hot 100 charts. The song also became a Rock n' Roll staple in radios and concerts.

A year later, they released their next album, "Second Helping" featuring another classic title, "Sweet Home Alabama". With this the band's popularity continued to rise and it would continue to rise with the release of albums "Nuthin Fancy" in '75, "Gimme Back My Bullets" and "One More from the Road" in '76 and "Street Survivors" in '77. It seemed nothing could stop them.

The Crash
Unfortunately, all of this was halted by a career-changing event. On the 20th of October 1977. The airplane carrying the band between shows from Greenville, South Carolina to LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana crashed near a forest in McComb, Mississippi. The incident killed singer/songwriter Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist/vocalist Steve Gaines, vocalist Cassie Gaines, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary and co-pilot William Gray. The crash left none uninjured. This was the end of Lynyrd Skynyrd

Post-crash and resurrection
After the crash, several band members went on and formed their own bands.

In 1987, The band would reunite, consisting of the crash survivors plus the original vocalist's brother Johnny Van Zant. This would continue on until today.

Right now, the Band is set to be on tour this year together with Country legend Hank Williams Jr.

Must-Hear Songs:
Free Bird

This concert was 3 months before the infamous Plane Crash.

Sweet Home Alabama

Although the band seemingly attacked Neil Young in this song, They really have no bad blood with each other. Ronnie Van Zant even wore a Neil Young T-shirt in the Freebird video.