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Full Frontal Impact -- NU107 Rock Awards: High Definition

30 October 2009

Paraphrasing the words of Ramon Bautista, the NU107 Rock Awards: High Definition could be summed up in one sentence: “Gusto ko ng full frontal... full frontal impact!”

As the beat of the music reverberated throughout the World Trade Center on October 30, the rhythm started to sync with the heartbeat of each person in the audience until one by one we fell under the thrall of Filipino rock music once again.

One of the best performances of the night was by Franco. It was the first time I had heard Franco live. While my head was turned, my ears picked up strains of Urban Dub with a strange new twist. A quick glance back to the stage confirmed it. It wasn’t Urban Dub, but frontman Gabby Alipe was singing (albeit not as lead vocal) and on guitars.

Franco has been hailed as a super band, and I think that is rightly so. Not only do you have Gabby Alipe, but you also have Franco Reyes on lead vocals (from Inyo), Jan Jan Mendoza on drums (from Urbandub), Buwi Meneses on bass (from Parokya ni Edgar) and 8 Toleran on guitars (from Queso).

Another old favorite was delivered by Sugarfree care of their heartbreak anthem “Mariposa”. As they started playing the familiar opening chords, in front of me a boy started singing the first few lines into the ear of the girl who stood beside him. His arm comfortably slung over her shoulders, his sweet gesture seemed to lock them into their own world for a few fleeting moments.

On the other hand, one of the biggest surprises of the night was Juan Pablo Dream’s performance. It started out innocently enough, with the band’s familiar mod-themed songs. However, towards the latter half of the performance, two sexy dancers in golden cages started dancing on either side of the stage. For those with a preference for the risqué, it was quite enjoyable to watch.

On my part, it just reinforced my belief that children who can’t walk on their own shouldn’t be brought to rock shows just yet (even if I did see a cool little boy with a pretty awesome Mohawk ‘do sitting on his father’s shoulders).

The NU Rock Awards made me realize once again why I used to go to gigs so often back when I was in college. It was to feel one with the musicians and one with the crowd, for that brief moment in time. It was for the shared experiences with lovers, family, friends, or fellow music aficionados which turn into bittersweet memories over time.

I’m reminded of something I first heard in Almost Famous, care of William Miller, the teenage boy thrust into the heart of rock n’ roll at the ripe old age of 15.

Do you have to be depressed to write a sad song? Do you have to be in love to write a love song? Is a song better when it really happened to you?

I guess we’ll keep listening to find out.

--

The List of Winners

Artist of the Year: Up Dharma Down

Album of the Year: Bipolar by Up Dharma Down

Song of the Year: “Antukin” by Rico Blanco

Vocalist of the Year: Ebe Dancel of Sugarfree and Armi Miller of Up Dharma Down

Guitarist of the Year: Kakoy Legaspi of Peryodiko

Bassist of the Year: Ivan Garcia of Hilera

Drummer of the Year: Allan “Bords” Bordeus of Kamikazee

Producer of the Year: Robin Rivera of Peryodiko

Hall of Fame: Francis M

Best New Artist: Peryodiko

Best Live Act: Hilera

Best Album Packaging: “Mornings and Airports” of Sugarfree by Inksurge

Best Music Video: “Last Day on a Cruise Ship” of Bamboo, directed by Pacheco Esguerra

Listeners Choice Award: Chicosi

In the Raw Award: Dimmerswitch

Photos by Mike Antigua