Maiden Voyage To ROCKEOKE
In a box under my bed lies a pair of year-and-a-half old shoes. Not just any shoes, mind you, but Vans Classic Iron Maiden Slip-On shoes. With "Iron Maiden" running down the sidewall, in classic Iron Maiden font, and a Union-Jack Bearing, red-coated Eddie the Head on front, this is the first and only pair of shoes that I wanted the moment I saw them and bought within days of the encounter. I couldn't love a pair of shoes more, or any piece of clothing for that matter considering the scarcity of quality Iron Maiden apparel in the Philippines.
In the year and a half that I've owned them, the number of times they'd been worn can be counted on one hand; three times, if you must know. I won't wear for just anything, or anyone for that matter. I only wear them for very special events with very special people. And given that, there are still elements that factor in when I decide whether to wear them or not. The event must take place in a indoors, without the slightest chance of the shoes getting soiled naturally (read "while walking"). Events on dirt or soil are an immediate no. Rain is okay as long as I don't have to walk in it and I don't have to walk through any muddy fields. Crowded events are fine, but if anyone steps on my babies, I will have to forcibly soil them by burying them (repeatedly) in that person's asshole.
Bottom line, I love those shoes.
Last Monday night, after more than a year of hiding, my Eddies once again saw the light of day.
The event: ROCKEOKE!
The people: Team GA!
Monday was the day when both of my remaining requirements were due (transcripts for Ma'am Lota's class). I crammed them both over the weekend and only finished Monday morning. As soon as I dropped both transcripts on Ma'am Lota's desk, relief and excitement overcame me. On one hand, I wanted to go home and just sleep the rest of the day. On the other hand, I was too excited for what lay ahead that I couldn't wait to meet up with the rest of us and just go. Luckily, there was enough work to be done that Monday to keep me active and awake all morning and early afternoon. As soon as my GA shift was over (and the work let up), I rushed home to freshen up. Didn't want to reek of work while rocking out. A quick shower later, I found myself dusting of Eddie's box and slipping on my beloved babies.
I met up with Mondy, Pam, and Chinky at around 5.30. Chinky brandished a pair of kick-ass, high-fashion boots and Pam totally beautified herself with a mildly flattering top, yet subtly elegant. XD Mondy stuck with classic Mondy fashion: t-shirt and jeans. :| It felt so good leaving the Psych Dept together on a weeknight and not be on our way to a class. Scratch that. It felt awesome. We were officially on sem break. Our collective aura was so thick Ma'am Lota picked it up on our way out. That feeling of relief transformed into relaxation. In my relaxed state, it was hard to keep the excitement hidden. We met up with Chester, our last party member, before heading out for dinner. At that point, we were expecting two more: Teddi and Apags. Over dinner (at Flaming Wings), we persuaded Chester to join us for ROCKEOKE. Surely after everything he did in high school he'd be game for singing in front of strangers (right Chester? XD)
For those of you who don't know, ROCKEOKE is an event at Mag:Net High Street every Monday night. Basically, you pick a song and, when called, get up onstage in front of everyone and, with a live band, perform like a fuckin' rock star! The rule is to perform, not just sing. They'd much rather have shit singers who perform like Angus frickin' Young (look him up peasants, he's rock royalty) than masterclass singers who perform like Norah Jones (because she sucks).
We got to Mag:Net at around 8.00. The place was still half-empty, but tables had already been reserved. We didn't have a reservation. :( Luckily, we had Pam and Chinky. XD The waiter immediately set us up with an empty table right next to the stage, adding chairs for those who were to follow. It pays to have cleave on your side, right Pam? GAHAHAHAHA! We got seated and looked through the song list.
Though the list didn't really have much to offer, at least based on personal preference, I did find a few songs I'd like to perform. Say It Ain't So and Sex On Fire were the most appealing. Soon, Chinky started getting our individual song requests. For the most part, songs aren't allowed to repeat, so we got our requests in early to ensure we'd get the song we wanted. I decided to go for Say It Ain't So since it rocked hard felt heavy. While everyone else was stocking up on liquid courage, I chose not to drink just yet. Perhaps after making a complete fool of myself will I drown my embarrassment in inebriation.
Soon after, when the songs were chosen and the piece of paper was no longer in our hands, the once relaxed excitement turned into anxious trepidation. Chester, Pam, and Chinky downed beer after beer and went out "to get some air" more and more frequently as we waited for ROCKEOKE to officially start. The wait was excruciating. I got restless and kept looking at the song list to reassure myself that I really wanted to sing that song.
At this point, Teddi texted saying she wouldn't be able to make it. Boo! FOFO na tayo Teddi. FOFO! XD
Also attending the event was AA (Fifi). It was nice seeing him again, though his presence made me a little nervous. He's all professional and shit now.
Nearing 10.00, the hosts took to the stage to prepare the audience for the show. Recognizable was Gabe Mercado. I didn't know the other two. My heart skipped a beat. I saw everyone at our table suddenly tense up. Even as one of the hosts came over to confirm our song choices, Pam, Chinky, and Chester were on their way out to "get some air" yet again. Tense moments leading up to a show. I know them well. One never really gets used to them. At least I don't. Strangely enough, I was quite enjoying the feeling. It felt like I was welcoming an old friend from a distant yesterday, awkward in the first moments, but familiar. I guess I haven't really let go of performing just yet.
Finally, the show began. The band, The Johnnys (?) took to the stage and got things going with The Beatles. Decent three-man band. Great sound. Just as the show started, Chester, Pam, and Chinky were just finishing "getting air." When the hosts took to the stage to formally start the show, a silence fell upon the audience. It was as if everyone held their breath in anticipation for who would be called first. I felt my heart pounding against my chest as the hosts described ROCKEOKE and what it expected from its participants. We were told that stage presence is more important than singing ability. Also, it is the most basic of courtesies to applaud and scream for the performer as if he or she were truly a rock star. It takes guts to go up there in front of strangers and belt out familiar rock songs. If for nothing else, applaud them for their huge set of grapefruits.
That was the setup.
"It's not easy to come up here and perform, especially when you're performing first! So, please give a warm round of applause for our first performer of the night...
...singing Say It Ain't So..."
~HO
LY
FUCKER!~
...
Surprisingly, nervous as I was, I didn't have that big of a problem going first. Sure, the initial shock was there and I would've preferred a later, but being faced with the reality, it didn't frighten me as much as I thought it would. I was more surprised by the relative speed it took me to hit the stage as soon as I was called. It's not everyday you get to get the ROCKEOKE ball rollin', and that night, the honor was mine. The thought made me smile a little, like a drug to overcome the anxiety. Besides, going first means that there hasn't been any bars or standards set yet. Setting them would be my job. Faced with strangers, it's a job I gladly welcome. So, with a little more confidence than reluctance, I took the short walk from my seat to the stage. Again, it's not everyday you get to get to be the opener for ROCKEOKE! XD
When finally I faced the audience, it all came back. The feeling of being onstage, lights allowing all eyes to fix themselves onto you. Suddenly, you're the center of attention, the reason for the moment. I saw Chester, Pam, and Chinky make their way back to our table and Fifi pass by. I was at the point of no return. All that was left was the opening chords of the song.
The band obliged.
"Shit, too low," I immediately thought to myself. As I sang the opening lines, I knew it was definitely gonna be rough all the way through. I'd be singing at an uncomfortable key, which means singing well would be out of the question. That in mind, I decided to just let everything go. It's all about the performance, after all.
~Somebody's Heine' is crowdin' my icebox
Somebody's cold one is givin' me chills
Guess I'll just close my eyes...~
I wrapped my hands around the microphone, took a wide power stance, closed my eyes and let myself go.
~Oh yeah
Alright
Feels good
Inside...~
There, onstage, as I bathed in artificial light and drowned in rock music, my hair came alive! A simple head-bang wasn't enough. With each pre-chorus power chord, I pounded a full-on body bang, following the sound of the strum.
~Say it ain't so!
Your drug is a heart-breaker!~
I wasn't even thinking anymore. I just planted my feet moved the way the music told me, that is, all over the damn place! The heavy metal in me was breaking out in a geek-rock song. We take what we can get, really, my Eddies and me.
~Say it ain't so!
My love is a life-taker!~
It felt so fuckin' good...
As the music faded and my time ran down, I absorbed as much of the moment as I could. Who knows when I'll ever get the chance to perform like that again? The lights, the sounds, the thrill - I drank it up. *sluuuuuuurp* When I got back to our table, I washed it down with a Tequila Sunrise.
I was met with praises for my performance from Pam and Chinky even though I didn't really deserve them. "Way to set the bar so high," Mondy sarcastically spilled. Chester nervously kept saying, "You're lucky, you got to sing the song you wanted," obviously anxious for his turn in the spotlight. Truth be told, I was just having fun to make up for botched singing. But I acted like a rock star the way ROCKEOKE asks, that's all. XD
Man, did I love every bit of it. My Eddies were happy, too. I could feel them trembling with joy. :3
The rest of the first set went pretty smoothly. Since I went first, I didn't have to feel any anxiety when the next performer was being called to the stage. I just enjoyed the performances, singing along and cheering for them as if they were rock stars. The first set ended with Chinky and Pam still waiting to be called. Lots of fun performances, but none worth talking about. It was the start of the second set that made the night most memorable.
The second set started with a special guest: the lead singer of London-based band Raygun, Ray Gun. In the words of Chinky, it was like he was the long lost son of Steven Tyler or Mick Jagger. Singing Satisfaction and Born To Be Wild, he really lit the place up. Truly the showman, he was all over the place, showing off moves taken from Jagger himself, standing and jumping off the drum set, and walking and dancing on the tables. He got everyone singing, everyone cheering, everyone just enjoying. It was awesome, and that's not even the truly memorable part!
Right after Ray performed, to officially start the second set of would-be rock stars, Pam and Chinky were called to the fore! Wonderwall was the pick. Earlier in the night, Pam made me promise I'd shout and cheer for them. I told her I'd shout "WE WANT CLEAVE!" and start a "MAKE OUT!" chant. BAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Neither happened coz as soon as they started singing, the big group from HSBC started pounding on the tables, urging Chinky to get on. Excited to actually see Chinky do it, Chester, Mondy, and I joined in. Chinky didn't know what to do. She stood onstage, surprised and hesitant. Finally, Gabe Mercado started to pull her while pounding on the table himself. Chinky refused at first, but was eventually on over by the urging of her fans.
Gabe Mercado helped her up and, immediately, Chinky became the rock star of the night. With her kick-ass boots and squishy stature, she was an instant hit. "Ray who!?" I thought to myself. HAHAHAHAHA! I was so proud! I was truly more excited for Chinky than I was for my own performance earlier. All of us were so happy to see Chinky so happy, especially now. :3 I guess Chinky had enough liquid courage! GAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
That made my night. To hell with Ray. Chinky stole everyone's hearts!
We didn't stay for very long after that. Frankly, I don't think we needed to. We made quite a lot of happy memories in one night. Enough to last me for the entirety of the sem break. It was definitely a welcome end to an absolutely stressful semester. Add last Wednesday's Makati Med Mishap and Friday's Game Night at Pam's place (more on these next time) and it might have been the best last week of classes ever, stress and all!
That night, my Eddies got a whole year's worth of joy and excitement and went back into their box under my bed with a smile on their heavy metal faces. Surely, they anticipate the next time they get to spend a special event with an extraordinary bunch of people. I can feel their excitement already! :D
Thanks Team GA! I don't know how much more insane I'd be without you guys. You're the bestest bunch of friends a Grad Student could ask for. The Eddies agree! Without you guys, they wouldn't have been able to experience ROCKEOKE! GAHAHAHAHAHAHA! XD
In the year and a half that I've owned them, the number of times they'd been worn can be counted on one hand; three times, if you must know. I won't wear for just anything, or anyone for that matter. I only wear them for very special events with very special people. And given that, there are still elements that factor in when I decide whether to wear them or not. The event must take place in a indoors, without the slightest chance of the shoes getting soiled naturally (read "while walking"). Events on dirt or soil are an immediate no. Rain is okay as long as I don't have to walk in it and I don't have to walk through any muddy fields. Crowded events are fine, but if anyone steps on my babies, I will have to forcibly soil them by burying them (repeatedly) in that person's asshole.
Bottom line, I love those shoes.
Last Monday night, after more than a year of hiding, my Eddies once again saw the light of day.
The event: ROCKEOKE!
The people: Team GA!
Monday was the day when both of my remaining requirements were due (transcripts for Ma'am Lota's class). I crammed them both over the weekend and only finished Monday morning. As soon as I dropped both transcripts on Ma'am Lota's desk, relief and excitement overcame me. On one hand, I wanted to go home and just sleep the rest of the day. On the other hand, I was too excited for what lay ahead that I couldn't wait to meet up with the rest of us and just go. Luckily, there was enough work to be done that Monday to keep me active and awake all morning and early afternoon. As soon as my GA shift was over (and the work let up), I rushed home to freshen up. Didn't want to reek of work while rocking out. A quick shower later, I found myself dusting of Eddie's box and slipping on my beloved babies.
I met up with Mondy, Pam, and Chinky at around 5.30. Chinky brandished a pair of kick-ass, high-fashion boots and Pam totally beautified herself with a mildly flattering top, yet subtly elegant. XD Mondy stuck with classic Mondy fashion: t-shirt and jeans. :| It felt so good leaving the Psych Dept together on a weeknight and not be on our way to a class. Scratch that. It felt awesome. We were officially on sem break. Our collective aura was so thick Ma'am Lota picked it up on our way out. That feeling of relief transformed into relaxation. In my relaxed state, it was hard to keep the excitement hidden. We met up with Chester, our last party member, before heading out for dinner. At that point, we were expecting two more: Teddi and Apags. Over dinner (at Flaming Wings), we persuaded Chester to join us for ROCKEOKE. Surely after everything he did in high school he'd be game for singing in front of strangers (right Chester? XD)
For those of you who don't know, ROCKEOKE is an event at Mag:Net High Street every Monday night. Basically, you pick a song and, when called, get up onstage in front of everyone and, with a live band, perform like a fuckin' rock star! The rule is to perform, not just sing. They'd much rather have shit singers who perform like Angus frickin' Young (look him up peasants, he's rock royalty) than masterclass singers who perform like Norah Jones (because she sucks).
We got to Mag:Net at around 8.00. The place was still half-empty, but tables had already been reserved. We didn't have a reservation. :( Luckily, we had Pam and Chinky. XD The waiter immediately set us up with an empty table right next to the stage, adding chairs for those who were to follow. It pays to have cleave on your side, right Pam? GAHAHAHAHA! We got seated and looked through the song list.
Though the list didn't really have much to offer, at least based on personal preference, I did find a few songs I'd like to perform. Say It Ain't So and Sex On Fire were the most appealing. Soon, Chinky started getting our individual song requests. For the most part, songs aren't allowed to repeat, so we got our requests in early to ensure we'd get the song we wanted. I decided to go for Say It Ain't So since it rocked hard felt heavy. While everyone else was stocking up on liquid courage, I chose not to drink just yet. Perhaps after making a complete fool of myself will I drown my embarrassment in inebriation.
Soon after, when the songs were chosen and the piece of paper was no longer in our hands, the once relaxed excitement turned into anxious trepidation. Chester, Pam, and Chinky downed beer after beer and went out "to get some air" more and more frequently as we waited for ROCKEOKE to officially start. The wait was excruciating. I got restless and kept looking at the song list to reassure myself that I really wanted to sing that song.
At this point, Teddi texted saying she wouldn't be able to make it. Boo! FOFO na tayo Teddi. FOFO! XD
Also attending the event was AA (Fifi). It was nice seeing him again, though his presence made me a little nervous. He's all professional and shit now.
Nearing 10.00, the hosts took to the stage to prepare the audience for the show. Recognizable was Gabe Mercado. I didn't know the other two. My heart skipped a beat. I saw everyone at our table suddenly tense up. Even as one of the hosts came over to confirm our song choices, Pam, Chinky, and Chester were on their way out to "get some air" yet again. Tense moments leading up to a show. I know them well. One never really gets used to them. At least I don't. Strangely enough, I was quite enjoying the feeling. It felt like I was welcoming an old friend from a distant yesterday, awkward in the first moments, but familiar. I guess I haven't really let go of performing just yet.
Finally, the show began. The band, The Johnnys (?) took to the stage and got things going with The Beatles. Decent three-man band. Great sound. Just as the show started, Chester, Pam, and Chinky were just finishing "getting air." When the hosts took to the stage to formally start the show, a silence fell upon the audience. It was as if everyone held their breath in anticipation for who would be called first. I felt my heart pounding against my chest as the hosts described ROCKEOKE and what it expected from its participants. We were told that stage presence is more important than singing ability. Also, it is the most basic of courtesies to applaud and scream for the performer as if he or she were truly a rock star. It takes guts to go up there in front of strangers and belt out familiar rock songs. If for nothing else, applaud them for their huge set of grapefruits.
That was the setup.
"It's not easy to come up here and perform, especially when you're performing first! So, please give a warm round of applause for our first performer of the night...
...singing Say It Ain't So..."
~HO
LY
FUCKER!~
...
Surprisingly, nervous as I was, I didn't have that big of a problem going first. Sure, the initial shock was there and I would've preferred a later, but being faced with the reality, it didn't frighten me as much as I thought it would. I was more surprised by the relative speed it took me to hit the stage as soon as I was called. It's not everyday you get to get the ROCKEOKE ball rollin', and that night, the honor was mine. The thought made me smile a little, like a drug to overcome the anxiety. Besides, going first means that there hasn't been any bars or standards set yet. Setting them would be my job. Faced with strangers, it's a job I gladly welcome. So, with a little more confidence than reluctance, I took the short walk from my seat to the stage. Again, it's not everyday you get to get to be the opener for ROCKEOKE! XD
When finally I faced the audience, it all came back. The feeling of being onstage, lights allowing all eyes to fix themselves onto you. Suddenly, you're the center of attention, the reason for the moment. I saw Chester, Pam, and Chinky make their way back to our table and Fifi pass by. I was at the point of no return. All that was left was the opening chords of the song.
The band obliged.
"Shit, too low," I immediately thought to myself. As I sang the opening lines, I knew it was definitely gonna be rough all the way through. I'd be singing at an uncomfortable key, which means singing well would be out of the question. That in mind, I decided to just let everything go. It's all about the performance, after all.
~Somebody's Heine' is crowdin' my icebox
Somebody's cold one is givin' me chills
Guess I'll just close my eyes...~
I wrapped my hands around the microphone, took a wide power stance, closed my eyes and let myself go.
~Oh yeah
Alright
Feels good
Inside...~
There, onstage, as I bathed in artificial light and drowned in rock music, my hair came alive! A simple head-bang wasn't enough. With each pre-chorus power chord, I pounded a full-on body bang, following the sound of the strum.
~Say it ain't so!
Your drug is a heart-breaker!~
I wasn't even thinking anymore. I just planted my feet moved the way the music told me, that is, all over the damn place! The heavy metal in me was breaking out in a geek-rock song. We take what we can get, really, my Eddies and me.
~Say it ain't so!
My love is a life-taker!~
It felt so fuckin' good...
As the music faded and my time ran down, I absorbed as much of the moment as I could. Who knows when I'll ever get the chance to perform like that again? The lights, the sounds, the thrill - I drank it up. *sluuuuuuurp* When I got back to our table, I washed it down with a Tequila Sunrise.
I was met with praises for my performance from Pam and Chinky even though I didn't really deserve them. "Way to set the bar so high," Mondy sarcastically spilled. Chester nervously kept saying, "You're lucky, you got to sing the song you wanted," obviously anxious for his turn in the spotlight. Truth be told, I was just having fun to make up for botched singing. But I acted like a rock star the way ROCKEOKE asks, that's all. XD
Man, did I love every bit of it. My Eddies were happy, too. I could feel them trembling with joy. :3
The rest of the first set went pretty smoothly. Since I went first, I didn't have to feel any anxiety when the next performer was being called to the stage. I just enjoyed the performances, singing along and cheering for them as if they were rock stars. The first set ended with Chinky and Pam still waiting to be called. Lots of fun performances, but none worth talking about. It was the start of the second set that made the night most memorable.
The second set started with a special guest: the lead singer of London-based band Raygun, Ray Gun. In the words of Chinky, it was like he was the long lost son of Steven Tyler or Mick Jagger. Singing Satisfaction and Born To Be Wild, he really lit the place up. Truly the showman, he was all over the place, showing off moves taken from Jagger himself, standing and jumping off the drum set, and walking and dancing on the tables. He got everyone singing, everyone cheering, everyone just enjoying. It was awesome, and that's not even the truly memorable part!
Right after Ray performed, to officially start the second set of would-be rock stars, Pam and Chinky were called to the fore! Wonderwall was the pick. Earlier in the night, Pam made me promise I'd shout and cheer for them. I told her I'd shout "WE WANT CLEAVE!" and start a "MAKE OUT!" chant. BAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Neither happened coz as soon as they started singing, the big group from HSBC started pounding on the tables, urging Chinky to get on. Excited to actually see Chinky do it, Chester, Mondy, and I joined in. Chinky didn't know what to do. She stood onstage, surprised and hesitant. Finally, Gabe Mercado started to pull her while pounding on the table himself. Chinky refused at first, but was eventually on over by the urging of her fans.
Gabe Mercado helped her up and, immediately, Chinky became the rock star of the night. With her kick-ass boots and squishy stature, she was an instant hit. "Ray who!?" I thought to myself. HAHAHAHAHA! I was so proud! I was truly more excited for Chinky than I was for my own performance earlier. All of us were so happy to see Chinky so happy, especially now. :3 I guess Chinky had enough liquid courage! GAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
That made my night. To hell with Ray. Chinky stole everyone's hearts!
We didn't stay for very long after that. Frankly, I don't think we needed to. We made quite a lot of happy memories in one night. Enough to last me for the entirety of the sem break. It was definitely a welcome end to an absolutely stressful semester. Add last Wednesday's Makati Med Mishap and Friday's Game Night at Pam's place (more on these next time) and it might have been the best last week of classes ever, stress and all!
That night, my Eddies got a whole year's worth of joy and excitement and went back into their box under my bed with a smile on their heavy metal faces. Surely, they anticipate the next time they get to spend a special event with an extraordinary bunch of people. I can feel their excitement already! :D
Thanks Team GA! I don't know how much more insane I'd be without you guys. You're the bestest bunch of friends a Grad Student could ask for. The Eddies agree! Without you guys, they wouldn't have been able to experience ROCKEOKE! GAHAHAHAHAHAHA! XD