weird random playlist led me to realize something.. pt2.
it's weird that my ipod gave me a playlist full of ateneo bands which reached certain fame in the early half of the decade (2000-2005). but then i realize i miss the ateneo rock scene at that time!
since 4th year high school i would look forward to watch gigs of BMF (broken middle finger) and AMP (atneo musician's ppool) composed of bands like rampqueen, dicta license, happy meals, boy elroy, narda, sponge cola, plane divides the sky and 13 needles. btw, i was a huge sponge cola fan back then when they were the only ones covering finch and smashing pumpkins.
these bands created a certain rock flavor - very raw and wild, which is also evident to most of their EPs. i also had a theory where chicosci was the pioneer of this ateneo rock scene. a lot of the emerging bands were following their steps. some bands then followed how they record their songs, how they play their songs, how they construct their songs, or even how they title their songs -> solid example is plane divides the sky (check the titles of their songs and chicosci's songs in method of breathing and in icarus).
i remember that was the time emo almost never existed yet here in the philippines. the closest genre there was to emo was post-hardcore or post-punk. plane divides the sky and 13 needles were both post-hardcore bands. spelt backwards and boy elroy were punk/post-punk.
the ateneo rock scene was exclusive though. it did not attract a lot of viewers and listeners. the masses thought that the music was very eccentric, and that rich kids will only appreciate such music. fame didn't matter though. from what i know, all these bands just want to rock out every gig playing what they want, and they did it with full passion.
back then KAFE was always alive every friday and saturday night, sparked by the energetic performance of these bands. now KAFE is gone, replaced by a computer shop filled with koreans..
back then emo was the music that makes you lose control on stage. now, emo has become a lifestyle, used as a silly excuse for a person's shortcomings..
back then recording was raw and wild, analog 4/8 track style. now, recording has been tamed by sonic tech and record producers..