GOOD FILM

Yesterday, Sunday to be precise was spent with the expected family day. Yeah, anybody who has one knows the drill knows what im talking about, Its good food, quality time and no showers, and of course the inevitable movie marathon. After watching an agonizing marathon of Dr Do little with my kid I got to see one guy I like. No, definitely not Eddie Murphy! Instead I saw Paul Giammatti which leads me to my little note today about one of my favourite movie AMERICAN SPLENDOR

If anyone of you don’t know and gives a shit, American Splendor is a 2003 biopic about the amazing and somewhat weird Harvey Pekar, an author of a comic book series American Splendor. Yes! The film an adaptation of the comics, which dramatize Pekar's day to day life. It was written and directed by documentarians Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, but still shares credit to Pekar and his wife, Joyce Brabner. As I said Paul Giamatti takes the role of Pekar. You might have seen him in a lot of big films and im a fan of his acting although he also takes a lot of stupid roles like the movie he did that lead me to this article. Anyway enough of that, this film even actually has appearances from Pekar and Brabner themselves (along with Toby Radloff, a border line autistic dude who became an “Mtv” vj . guess then need to market on nerds was at its peak that year)., who discuss their lives, the comic books, and how it feels to be depicted onscreen by actors.

“-Can't explain it but America seems to be fixated on watching other people's life. be it the MTV smash "Real World" or the video game "the Sims" and now comic books. Pretty soon someone will release a CD featuring the sounds they make as they move on with their everyday life.”

-Guy from the internet-

The story goes about Pekar who is an everyday anti social man whose life has been turned into a comic. he is a very careful man, works the same job day in day out, and is happy with any girl that he gets be it she's his type or not. He is not happy with his body and face and refers to it as a reliable disappointment. The movie kicks of with his 2nd wife leaving our man Pekar, he has lost his voice and has a very healthy obsession with jazz records. Can’t blame him. He meets a man at a yard sale who he later on convinces to publish his comic book. He agrees and the comic becomes a smash. He becomes an instant celebrity in his own right and meets his 3rd wife through that process. He appears on Dave Letterman and has merchandise from his comic. And gave him a hard time! You just got to see it. The movie is told with great visual style where sometimes we see the real Pekar next to Giamatti and sometimes we see it as a comic strip.



Anyway watch it and see for your self. I don’t know if you’re from other places, Pero chuy if you’re from Davao City you could rent it in some movie rental shops, preferably the old ones. And if it’s for sale then much better. Or you could even rent it and not return it if the place is closing anyway. it would just go to places were it aint worth shit. Just don’t tell them I told you that!! Enjoy!!!!



Goodshit playlist: Morning Again ‘As Tradition Runs Slowly’, V/A Its All In Our Hands (FEUD, HTB AND PLAY) , Sonic Youth ‘Murray Street’ ,

MIHARA

Good friends Mihara was kind enough to share us their music. Laguna’s premiere krsna core band giving us a whole dose of their sound, current line up

xBEDAx – VOCALS

BOOGIE – GUITARS

xJAYx – BASSx

RHOBLINx – DRUMS

MIHARA – BACK TO GODHEAD
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7H5AGGPR

download this shit and contact them

Contact us:
JAY - +639275232163
www.myspace.com/miharalaguna


thanks xjayx!!

THE STORY SO FAR

Hey Everyone, Again it’s been days since I updated these well things had been a little rough but it’s ok. Good news to those who are interested. Finally ASAWHOLE will be in the studio. We would be recording around 10 to 11 songs to release a cd. Hopefully things work out. It’s about time. Nothing much this past few days just a lot of writing Lyrics and stuffs, and I got an interview from Gran Peligro zine so watch out for it. Ive been trying to do zines and inties and I could say that KJ is doing a great job. Support it ayt? On July 4 there would be a show, but due to maybe the lack of interest of the prospected venue to our proposal , we would again try to find a place tomorrow or the next for the final venue. but surely this week the final place would be done don’t worry. For the mean time, try to check out the line up for the show with this teaser.
We got friends from OVC family that would be visiting us.Plus some bands From Malaybalay Bukidnon!!!

So here is the plan ayt? Mass feeding 4pm to 6pm sharp at Rizal Park!! Then 7 pm to 1 pm hardcore show!! So if you are in the area and not doing anything with your f*cking life then hope to see you there.. Volunteers for the food collection and cooking team try to contact me ayt? you know how to reach me. More people, more food, more fun!!


Speaking of One voice Asia Records, they had done it again and released a worldwide compilation. Check out this flyer for detail and kip in touch with them. Support! Don’t worry, Anis won’t bite!!



Oh yeah... the rumours are true, T4 crew is coming over and will be invading Visayas and Mindanao. No fixed places and stuff yet but the targeted plan is BYSTORM, HALF THE BATTLE and STAID would be coming over around august but better watch out for more details. And im doing and interview with Raymond, front man of Staid plus a link were we could download their demo. So watch out for it on the next days.3 great bands coming over at our side of the planet, so fucking cool... don’t worry you’ll hear more about this. Check out there my space pages!!


FUN FRIENDS HARDCORE!!! DIY TILL WE ALL FUCKING DIE!!!

"everything must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration, we are the ones weve been waiting for"

june 2006 - at least not yet

Why the fuck do I love d.i.y? Coz I could do things I want. I could be in a band even thou I don’t really know how to sing a note. When I was little I remembered liking books so much and dreamed of being a writer, as I grew up I recognize that I can’t be 1, why? Coz they said you need a degree to write, and aside from being lazy I was broke and can’t afford to go to college. Yep boohoo, if you’re thinking middle class suburban HC kid who could buy anything they want, I am not one of them!! I’m one of them dudes whose lucky to have a good meal for the day and at least buy a tape in a month. So I was always kinda frustrated till I met hardcore and punk and find out I could do what I want and who gives a flying f*ck. I remember the feeling of listening to first punk rock records but I could never forget the feeling I got the when I read my first fanzine. It was like a push button opened my brain to a whole new world of expression, freedom, and reality and of course hardcore!

But enough about music, as I always say I love music so much more than anything. I have my soundtrack of every scene in the story of my life. But writing about it is not really my talent. I respect music so much that I don’t want to, by any chance ruin it from time to time. Just the occasional “love this record listen to it” but it doesn’t go further than that. Anyway back to what I was talking about, I always dreamed of being able to write and talk about things a like, which is pretty much what im doing right now. But my biggest dream was a Centre where we could do great things and do things we wished other people would do to us. Which are a centre maybe for free basic education like writing, reading and art, and a space for people who wants to read books and literature that is not from the didactic eyes of school and society.

I had spark to move it with the inspiration given to me by my better half. So we move from one city to another, I remember collecting books, reading materials from friends and other donations. And even stealing some from bookstores, which we got away obviously, this dates June something when we got back to Davao and literally started to make our library!! As we all know im from a shitty hardcore band called ASAWHOLE , same people in the band are the once working with me so we decided to call it the same name, giving it a unity and ONE vibe. So we had book activities and Saturday classes and twice a month feeding projects. I remember doing a lot of things which surely heart was warming. Unfortunately our dreams of utopian love(haha) was put to rest due to some tragic experiences which lead to the downfall of the shop with regards to sustainability. Anyway enough of this crap. I don’t want you guys to remember it in a bad way.

Now Cot Crew is getting stronger than ever and I am so proud of this family! Saydees kitchen is getting better and the bands and shows are obvious progress. Our next COT library is at work and would be starting again in no time. But as of now lets support Cot activities coz we’ve got a lot coming this months so move up!!!

Working together haven’t been better!!

Imagine our number now compared before, that gives us more possibilities

Possi up!!!!

Goodshit playlist: Trial ‘ Through the Darkest Days’ Verse ‘Aggression’ Feud ‘Battling Bastards of Freedom’ Immortal Technique ‘Revolutionary Volume 1 and 2
Morcheeba ‘Charanggo

A YEAR OLD PILEDRIVER INTERVIEW

If you guys don’t know, I was doing Down And Out as a zine. I released an issue of it with 40 pages. The issue contained interviews with the now defunct Feud, Mihara and Queen City Crew and some articles. Not I have a hard time conituneing it because maybe of luck of time and money. But still when the time is right ill release another issue of it. A year ago I was given a chance to interview one of the best bands representing the Laguna hardcore scene. I’m talking about PILEDRIVER mother f”kcer!!! It’s a shame that I couldn’t release this so I decided to put this here.

This was before they Treb left the band, and for those who still doesnt know they are now ripping it with their new front man Carlo Boy from old Legendary Cebu bands Mea Culpa and Maximum Tolerance.now they ar in the studio finishing their new record SouthSide Kings under Railroad and One Voice Records. Enjoy!!!

1. First and foremost, how’s life treating you guys? What have you been up to these past few days?

Howell – being alive is such a sweet thing. Its all great and well with us here. Thanx for asking bro. We are busy preparing for the HONGKONG’S HARDEST SHOW. This will be a blast!

Johner - life has been great to us. We have our own respective things go in on that actually fuel the drive that we need to do the shows and be able to finance the band. Its been awesome to play a lot of shows and the most glorious thing would be that we overcame some of the major roadblocks the prevented us from going to tour and record our stuff.

Reggie - WORK...PREPARING FOR THE HONGKONG'S HARDEST GIG...FAMILY...

2. Could you tell us little something on how PILEDRIVER was born?

Reggie - PD IS JUST A SIDE BAND...BLAH BLAH BLAH...

Howell – Yeah, PD was just a sideband before from the guys of Children of the damned and Homecide who loved to play Madball covers. It all started over there.. a very tragic incident happened in 1999 while we are skating we became a victim of a drive-by shooting and Gerrymar Yap (Children of the damned / Piledriver guitarist) was hit badly and he didn’t make it. That was the saddest day in my life, loosing a friend in a very non-sense way was so hard to accept. 2 bands was left by Gerrymar Yap, around year 2000 Treb gave me a call he wanted to continue Piledriver full time and he asked me if I’m cool with the idea, I said “let’s give it a try” and the rest was history..

Johner - as you all know the band is a living tribute to former guitarist, Gerrymar yap who was stolen to us by a senseless violent killing spree. On my part, I joined the crew on 2003 and the crew was already an established outfit by that time. they just needed a little nudge coming from a dedicated guitar player ... ahem* ahem* ahem* but seriously, those days were more of the carefree days of the group to a point they managed to not really delve in to making the unit into a fervored hardcore band. I got in and made it much more "steadier"

3. I know that you may have a lot of influences musically but could you tell us some?

Howell – Biofeedback and Tame The Tikbalang was the bands that really get me into hardcore. From the first time I saw them live I said to myself this is where I want to be and be involved with. Then I start listen to Sick of it all, Madball, Agnostic Front, IGNITE, H20, and tons of other New York Hardcore bands.

Johner - on a nostalgic standpoint, I listened to a lot of the alternative rock stuff and grunge in HighSkool until I came across 90's crossover stuff like cromags, leeway, SOD and the like which gradually introduced me to both sides of the opposite spectrum of crossover's roots, namely hardcore and metal. I actually admit to have the same fundamental metal roots spewed by bands like Death, Carcass, At the Gates and the melodic metal fold and the like. However, the common ground for us is we all love listening to the tunes of Agnostic Front, SOIA and Madball, which is the main vein that was struck.

Reggie - NEW YORK HARDCORE MOSTLY...

4. The STA ROSA CD was a success bro; I mean lot of people I know had really put it in their daily play list. How was it? Would you consider it a successful one?

Howell – yeah bro! I can’t explain the feeling when kids know all the words of our songs and they get crazy with our set in every city we tour, giving back the energy we need in every shows. Bro that is enough for me, and plus seeing you guys singalong with us in Cebu I can really say that the Santa Rosa City CD reached far as expected..

Johner - yup, I consider it a success cuz we where able to finally put out our own cd through our own efforts, the main deal with it being a success is that most people (even those outside the scene) know the words to the songs in the album. that is success right off the bat for me. it such a flattering thing to have your material wanted, despite the locality of the area be it as far north or down south.

Reggie - I THINK SO...MANY OF OUR LOCAL KIDS...KNOWS THE LYRIKS...AND WE THANK THEM FOR THE SUPPORT.

5. Lots of your songs are about reality and what in actual fact happens around, what do you think is the reason behind it? And should we be expecting the same type of topics on the next PILEDRIVER offering?

Howell – Since day one PD is all about everyday street life reality. It really reflects in our lyrics, straight to the point no bullshit kind of delivery. Yes, expect the same thing but we will give some twist to it lyrically and musically in the next PD CD.

Reggie - PILEDRIVER IS ALL ABOUT REALITY..HOW WE SEE IT...AND EVERYDAY LIFE

Johner - because we are not a sugar coating band that will be cryptic ... we never have been a band that will beat the cr@p out the bush before making our point. we attack the point directly to convey that message. yup, as far as I know, treb's gonna do a more straight forward lyrical style with the next album

6. You guys had been around for quite sometime, and I know you notice that HARDCORE is getting bigger. How do you feel about it?

Johner - we are proud that the scene is becoming bigger and we appreciate all our friends who also helped us and kept the scene alive despite its short period of being stagnant at a point. we are just scratching the surface of possibilities for us and we are no longer just local, we are now at reach with our ASEAN brothers in the scene to make HARDCORE a global threat! so if you are a hardcore kid, its time to raise our fists and shout that OUR TIME IS NOW!

Reggie - HAPPY...BUT SOME KIDS DOESNT REALLY KNOW WHAT HARDCORE IS ALL ABOUT...

Howell – Its great to see the Hardcore scene here in the Philippines growing steadily. But you know in every progress you make there will always be a sort of problems that you will encounter. But I guess its already given, I think all we need to do is help and respect each other well. This is our TIME!

7. I know that you had toured already a lot. Where do you think is the best? Any funny stories?

Johner - Cebu would be forever be on top our list cuz it’s our second home. there is no "best" scene nor venues nor places, it would be always the BEST OF FRIENDS and Blood Brothas that will account if your playing a sh!tty gig or the grandest event ever. funny story? I think this would count, I always get my money's worth by crapping my pants off to get even with the terminal fee and travel taxes at airports. ha* ha* ha*

Reggie - EVERY TRIP IS SPECIAL FOR THE BAND...AND EVERYTIME...FUNNY THINGS HAPPEN

Howell –Every place we go is best for me but Cebu is the best place ever! Cause every time we play there is like playing a local show here in Santa Rosa. I can feel home there bro, I know you know what i mean.. Pure Hardcore! We all can’t wait to tour Mindanao bro, we want to experience your scene over there first hand.

8. Could you tell us about the song WHAT WE STAND FOR?

Howell – It represent the Laguna Hardcore scene.

Reggie - 3 MUTHAFU**ING WORDS...HAHAHAHAHAHA

Johner - its not about the music its all about three words which are RESPECT, UNITY & BROTHERHOOD ...

9. Could you tell us what you guys do aside from the band?

Reggie - HOWELL AND I HAVE A SMALL AUTODECALS BUSINESS JOHNER AND TREB WORKS AT A CALL CENTER OFFICE

Johner - I'm a program support email response administrator, proud dad of three kids and a trying to-do good husband.

Howell - Running a small decal business with Reggie. Hanging out, working with Railroad Records.

10. Lets get more personal, Music currently on your playlist?

Johner - like right now? Icepick, No Innocent Victim, FigureFour and Terror

Reggie - THROWDOWN....TERROR..

Howell – H2O “Nothing to prove” and TERROR “The damned, The shamed”,

11. Aside from hardcore what other stuffs do you listen to?

Howell – punk rock, Grunge, hip-hop, anything that is nice to my ears.

Johner - Jazz men! Jazz! from Pat Metheny to Glenn Miller to Miles Davies and everything in between. I also listen to HipHop, classic, prog, alternative rock and of course metal.

Reggie - I LIKE CYPRESSHILL...PUNKROCK...HOMEGROWN MUSIC R&B

12. I think now is also the time to tell us some of your projects man. Anything you want to promote?

Reggie - 2009 SOUTHSIDEKINGS!

Johner - watch out for our second full length SOUTHSIDE KINGS!

Howell – Yeah, hopefully we can release our 2nd CD “Southside kings” this year. It will be out on ONE VOICE RECORDS.

13. What did hardcore gave to you that you wish you could also broaden to the next generation that is coming.

Johner - being real and not living a doomsday filled fantasy hahahahahaha .... what I mean to say is that HARDCORE made me realize that Life is indeed tough ... but it is how you live that live that will make your legacy something you can be proud of ...

Reggie - RESPECT! UNITY, BROTHERHOOD

Howell – Being true to yourself and R.U.B.

14. When do you think PILEDRIVER will break up? Ha ha ha]

Reggie - DEPENDS IF WE ALL DIE AT THE SAME TIME...

Johner - when Howell becomes an Israeli ,,, cant say for sure and till when the main point is that we still love what were doing and we don’t have any plans to quit any time soon .

Howell – After we tour Mindanao? Hahahhaa!

15. Thanks for doing this interview. Appreciate it! Much respect from your friends here in Durian City! Any last words before we end this?

Howell – Thank you so much Peter for this interview, thanx for the interest and time. We all can’t wait to be in Mindanao and meet you all there. Cya all really soon! Keep it HARDCORE all the time!

Johner - We Are planning to do a CRAZY Philippine-ASEAN wide tour and Davao is one of the Cities we really like to play with! See you then! Keep the flame burning and the faith alive!

Reggie - KEEP IT REAL...STAY TRUE...HARDCORE

good shit playlist: Worlds Collide ' Pain is Temporary, Gardo 'DEMO Roundhead 'Demo DRI 'Definition

SOME GOOD READS

Hello.. I haven’t updated this blog for some days, I had problem with my connection but luckily I got it back the other day and now im back on track, Too busy with a lot of things. Heres some books that I like that had helped me past time. Some good reads maybe you’re interested. If not well sorry its my zine anyway. Kidding!!

A SHORT HISTORY OF NEARLY EVERYTHING

For the first time, my aunt gave me a book that I actually liked! This is a science book, but don’t worry, its not textbook boring. Its in fact a fun book coz the author actually has humour. Bill Bryson describes graphically and in simple terms the size of the universe, and that of atoms and subatomic particles. He then explores the history of geology and biology, and traces life from its first appearance to today's modern humans, placing emphasis on the development of the modern Homo sapiens. Furthermore, he discusses the possibility of the Earth being struck by a meteor! Yeah its kinda nerdy but believe me its good! Borrow my copy and read it! A fun way of knowing about the evolution of human, the real one!

NICO SONGS THEY DONT PLAY ON THE RADIO

Technically this is not really my book, It’s my wife’s. I wasn’t really a big fan of Velvet Underground but I could admit that this band in the long run caught my ears and could sing along from some song to the others. This is a biography of the woman who fronted Velvet Underground and considered to be one of the most influential minimalist artist of their time NICO, Or maybe until now. She’s first and foremost a junkie, As soon as she gets a video player, she watches endless cut-ups of open heart surgery and Apocalypse Now. She knows no jokes. While reading this you would immediately recognize James Young’s (the author) fondness of her. He was travleing with her so he has this day to day familiarity. Besides the highly noticeable lyrical disaster, this book is often hilarious. I love the idea of reading a book or account about a infamous and almost unheard band and their unheard tours. Drug tragedies, song and tour disasters and a lot of mishaps, which results to this funny and great piece of literature. It’s not as positive as it is more cynical this is a great little anti-tribute to a fascinating and compared to the Barbie doll inspired women of today, a more human icon of doom!! Two thumbs up!!!

URBAN RECORDINGS

Got this from friends from Zurich, this book is done by Ingo Giezendanner alias GRRRR. Its as simple as this, he illustrates all the urban spaces he goes to and doesn’t write about it . Instead he draws it by simply using a pen and a paper. All illustrations of places from Zurich via Nairobi, New York and Karachi to Cairo and New Orleans an even Manila, a unique approach to visualise the vision and feel of the artist/author, It contains drawings from the years 1998 to 2006 which provide insight into Giezendanner's entire work and places. Awarded Most Beautiful Swiss Books 2006, amazing!!!

STICK THIS IN YOUR MEMORY HOLE

A friend from Australia gave this to me and took some time before having the chance to read it. I was a bit worried because it concentrates on Australian politics which I don’t have any clue about. But I was proved wrong. It’s a book of critic and the best part is I love the authors foul mouthed approach on everything this guy dislikes. Which relates not only to the aussies but through out the world that’s surrounded by issues of politics, environment, social and cultural issues and the very fabric of our society. I love it if books are made simple in terms of words and add up the criticisms and the curses, makes it more honest and more human. I hate books that are made only for the reading capabilities of people with eye glasses.hehe good work by the author Tristan Clark.
Brings out indignation and laughter!!

EVASION

Well who’s a punk rocker who doesn’t have this book. It’s a must have!!! (punk rock 101) kidding. I read that this was from a zine to a book published by CrimethInc workers collective. Is referred to elsewhere as "Mac", "the Evasion Kid", or "Mac Evasion." He later wrote a column in the zine heartattaCk and has been identified as "Nigel Davis" in one bibliography.
Evasion catalogs the travels and exploits of a straight-edge vegan young man who decided to not get a job or go to school after high school, despite his parents' wishes. Deciding that his life, freedom, and time were too valuable to be wasted working in a job he would despise, to build profits for a company, he stepped outside of the confines of a traditional role in society.

Hitching rides, hopping trains, dumpster diving, squatting, shoplifting, contriving receipt scams, the narrator defines for himself what life should be about,in his quest to never ever work again. How I wish this is possible in my country where you have to work just to have the money to buy the rice that you need.. boohoo. You could criticize me all you want if you’re the anarcho punk of the year.,Just saying my opinion, peace. But over all one of my favourite books.

… then life began, and since then we remember each dumpster, abandoned house, and foot-chase by retail security. At night, after running around, plotting and scheming, our checklist items all crossed out, we paused to think — 'What to do tomorrow?' and the answer was always, 'As we please … (author)

Goodshit playlist: Sonic Youth ‘Sonic Nurse’ , Carry On ‘A Life Less Plagued’, Betrayed ‘Substance , Isis ‘Oceanic’ , Mxpx ‘All’