Continued from Part One.  

As of the present times, there are a couple of CDO bands that just came out with an album under respectable recording companies (Record companies that could bring their music outside of CDO). One is Tabularaza, who is signed under Cebu's Daybreak Records. Tabularaza is a power alterna-pop band that has catchy songs at par with other well recognized bands. They just recently released their official third album called Shewowah bannered by their single of the same name “Shewowah”. They also recently concluded a nationwide tour in promoting their album which gave them rave reviews from those who were able to come across their music.

Tabularaza’s album has many potential sleeper hits that are just awaiting decent radio play in order for it to be appreciated more. While not entirely a new band (they have produced Independent albums in the past and even made it to NU's In the Raw show) it is just now that they are getting the good breaks. Tabularaza even became the first band from CDO to entirely shoot a music video here in the city and have it released in major music video channels nationwide. The band has also been getting media mileage from various national magazines such as Pulp and Fudge. Tabularaza is well recognized as the leader of the pack of fresher new generation of CDO bands who are trying to invade the nation’s consciousness.

Another one is Thoughts And Notions, a female fronted band, which released their debut album In Awe of His Amazing Love through Praise Music. The band is CDO's 1st ever-Christian Contemporary Music Pop-Rock band. The band is highly influenced by Jars of Clay and Sixpence None the Richer, both giants in their country's CCM scene. The band's carrier single “My Love Song” is being played by NU's Against the Flow show as well as other radio stations in Manila, Cebu, and Davao (Like The Edge Radio).

Basically, Thoughts And Notions’ songs are best described as songs that aim to help uplift wounded souls, where most of their debut album’s songs talk about their faith, Christian Faith to be exact. While there are common stereotypes about Christian bands and Christian Music, Thoughts And Notions has surprisingly blew their audiences away with their refreshing take of their self written Christian themed songs. Their music is best described as a cross between Pop Rock, Alternative Rock, and Acoustic Music. Fish Magazine (a Christian magazine published by Bo Sanchez) has even began comparing them to other well recognized female fronted bands such as Moonstar88 and the Craeons and is saying that the band shows a lot of promise. The band is currently busy preparing for future gigs and Mall tours that would put them on the consciousness of Kagayanons before jumping on to other places.

Still, another CDO band that made waves in the nation’s music scene is the Pop Rock band named Drizzle (formerly called Coffee and Cream). They began their storied career after releasing an indie album that contained 10 tracks of brilliant Pop-rock tunes which topped the charts in local music stations here in CDO before flying to Manila to gain more exposure. The band members are grizzled veterans in CDO’s local gigging circle which would conveniently give them the much valued experience in surviving Metro Manila’s fast life.

The band has recently released their album under Galaxy Records entitled Love without Logic. They are best recognized for their songs “Number 3” and their recently released second single “Ikaw Lang”. Drizzle is currently recognized as the biggest band that CDO has ever produced as they were able to crossover to mainstream media with their various appearances on National TV. They also have an excellent music video out for the song Number 3 in top music video channels across the country. Drizzle’s music offers a fresh take on the marriage of Pop Music and Alternative music as evidenced by their lead guitarist which formerly was from the legendary CDO rock alternative band called Oblivion. Drizzle is on its way to creating a storm as they currently moves around Manila doing mall tours in promoting their album.

CDO also has their own Jason Mraz/John Mayer sound alike by the name of Fayeed Tan. Fayeed Tan is credited to be the man responsible in birthing CDO’s newest catchy nationalistic anthem called “Chuy” which is currently being used as the theme song of a locally produced entertainment show from ABS-CBN. Fayeed Tan has recently released his debut album called Di Na Magiisa under his own indie label Mindatone records. Several of his songs in this album topped the local radio charts here in CDO and are still being played massively to date. His live set is also one of those fun to watch because his energy is infectious. And just like Tabularaza, he was also able to release a music video that was shot entirely here in CDO with no less than former Miss Teen Philippines title holder Stephanie Sol (who also hails from CDO) playing the female lead to Fayeed. Fayeed’s musical skills are also one to hear for because of his uncanny knack for creating beautiful sounding arrangements to his songs that are rare nowadays.

While his album might not have been massively distributed nationwide as of this writing, I am sure that before the year ends, it will eventually get picked up by an interested label to give it a fighting chance to be distributed nationwide. So as of the moment, the only way to hear this musical gem is to watch his music video on your favorite music channels or visit his friendster accounts.

There’s also this versatile rock band that has an assortment of repertoire which includes Classic, Pop, Alternative, Screamo, named Southrace. They were able to release their Independent debut album locally called Freshwound with the help of a local Radio Station. Although their album is so “Do It Yourself”, the band has a lot of potential. They even have several Bisayan songs that can surely give Cebuano BizRock (Bisaya Rock) bands a run for their money.

What makes this band impressive is that they could shift one particular rock genre to the other with relative ease. They also remain proud to their Mindanaoan roots that they intentionally named their band Southrace as an ode to their hometown. The screamo song “Day You Fade Away” stood out among the rest of the songs on the album with its well thought off arrangements.

2007 will also going to be a big year for CDO bands. With the upcoming release of perhaps the most anticipated album of the year. CDO Industrial Rock band Switch is set to release their debut album within the year under Lighter Records. Switch is currently the most talked about band from Cagayan de Oro as evidenced by their full packed gigs and S.R.O crowds in Metro Manila’s gig spots. Switch has effectively pierced the nations ears with their synth induced music and an electronic setup. The band is one of its’ kind as it consists of only two members, both local legends in their hometown (One of them is also that guy from Oblivion and Drizzle).

Pulp Magazine has been raving about their music and has even surprisingly featured the band in their Magazine with a Six-page spread, by far, the largest exposure ever for a CDO band in a national magazine. And they were given that warm exposure despite not having released an album just yet. People will best remember them for their song “Reconnect” from the World Battle of the Bands Pulp CD giveaway that came free upon purchasing a copy of Pulp Magazine months back. Switch has also been lined up to play in this year’s edition of Pulp Summer Slam, making them the second CDO band to play in such a huge event (the other being Nuncyspungen).

And what even makes Switch more respectable for CDO bands is that they recorded their album entirely at a newly opened recording studio here in Cagayan de Oro City, which is slowly making the city become the music capital of Industrial Rock as some pundits are beginning to say. Switch is definitely the band to watch for this year.

And of course the band highly touted and considered to be CDO's hottest band of the moment, Gasulina, a dance rock, alternative funk outfit that is set to fill the airwaves with their songs that are local hits like Fueled and the Pill, who is just waiting across the bend to be discovered by a major recording company. (They were recently featured on Fudge Magazine).

They just recently concluded their Manila tour of duty wherein they were able to amazingly hold their own against more popular bands. And how could they not? When the band members came from different veteran CDO bands themselves? Notably with the two of them being ex-members of that CDO band that started it all for CDO bands, Nuncyspungen. Think of it as the coming together of local legends to form a superband (Traces of Velver Revolver and Audioslave anyone?) They are definitely CDO’s next big thing. Record execs should give these guys their ears before other get to them first.

And more from the local front, there are a host of a dozen bands all waiting for their turn to have their music recorded, produced, and be heard. Some of them have even independently produced and is selling their own albums like Peachfuzz. There's also a tight group of SKA/Punk/Emo bands that meets and plays regularly such as the Superflirts, and Kaapin which is heavily supported by the underground Corridor Music Group. There’s the recently re-energized Swerve, which is now being fronted by a female vocalist who was a classmate of mine way back in high school. The Nirvana sounding grunge rock band called Twin Chickens, which is incidentally managed by a good friend of mine. Screamo act K9 which sounds so great. Folk Pop Tribal outfit Grupong Laya, which is giving tribal music new life here in CDO.

All in all, the CDO music scene is quite alive and well. I guess it only takes a matter of time before we could duplicate the success of Cebu's local music scene. All we need is more unity from the bands and more love from our fellow Kagayanon brethrens as well as more genuine support from the Radio stations and DJs (no favoritisms please) and a well-managed Band organization (I have some ideas on these). But that is for another story.

And oh yeah, before I forget, I invested on recording equipments and currently setting up a studio (with my lifetime savings) that hopefully would be able to help the local music scene's voices be heard! This is where Switch will be recording their album.

All views and talking points of the writer are as of his research. Any wrong information or other errors, feel free to contact me and correct me. Thanks!

Comments (22)

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totsandnotions said:

At Last! thanks for this sir jim! new article coming up very2x soon!

July 19, 2007

totsandnotions said:

To hear song samples, visit these sites: Tabularaza: http://www.purevolume.com/tabularaza Thoughts And Notions: http://www.purevolume.com/thoughtsandnotions Drizzle: http://www.purevolume.com/drizzlelovewithoutlogic Fayeed Tan: http://www.myspace.com/fayeedtan Southrace: http://www.purevolume.com/southrace Switch: http://www.myspace.com/switchisiq Gasulina: http://www.myspace.com/gasulina Peachfuzz: http://www.myspace.com/p3achfuzz Superflirts: http://www.myspace.com/thesuperflirts Check them out and other CDO bands live every Wednesday, 9pm, at Volume 120db, SM CARPARK Building, SM City Cagayan de Oro.

July 19, 2007

cowboi_way said:

moba? ok...

July 21, 2007

artnanay said:

very well researched! i'm impressed. good reading.

July 26, 2007

totsandnotions said:

Being part of the scene, and having the capabilities to write is a good help. I'm thinking of building a music site dedicated to Original CDO Music!

July 27, 2007

artnanay said:

good idea kaau na bai

July 28, 2007

artnanay said:

himo ta'g artzine! kaw sa music ako sa visual arts!hehe

July 28, 2007

totsandnotions said:

artnanay! kinsa ka? I'm jasper, manager sa Thoughts And Notions. Ganahan kaayo ko maghimo ug artzine bah!

July 28, 2007

squid10 said:

haha! basin preha ra na sa bukong.com wala nay support. nagkawala na ^___^

July 28, 2007

artnanay said:

i thought bukong was still going strong! kasayang bah. sige lang. i have a plan. haha. kelly ramos-palaganas po, humble servant to the arts, hehe

July 31, 2007

squid10 said:

artnanay naa ka sample sa imo works? post kuno imo mga designs kung asa na site

August 01, 2007

artnanay said:

http://artnanay.multiply.com/

August 02, 2007

artnanay said:

not much into design, wala man ko nag advertising major . but if i have to i probably can

August 02, 2007

squid10 said:

artnanay are a he or a she? makalibog kung asa ka didto dghan man gud tawo

August 02, 2007

squid10 said:

are you a he or she diay hehe

August 02, 2007

totsandnotions said:

Obviously a she, nanay gani ang ngalan nah. ayaw ng libog nga word. kay bad words na sa tagalog part! hehehe

August 02, 2007

pen_for_rocket said:

My thoughts on CDO music scene: Been following the scene since the 1990 band breakout. From Wakajam (Vox is now Switch vox) to Oblivion to Black Widow to Nancysungen to Red Whiskey. This is what I can say. We lack originality. We have the good musicians but lack visionaries. Fareed Tan- copycat Jason Mraz Thoughts and notions- I bought their album, unfortunately at P250, it leaves you dissatisfied. If I have to fork P250 at least give me good sound quality. Make it at least engaging, like what urbandub did to my hard-earned money. But nevertheless with experience comes mastery. More polish. Peachfuzz- seen them live. heard the songs. need to find identity. gasulina- admirable indie debut. potential is there. nancyspungen- the band with the most potential. If there is one band I admire it would be Red Whiskey, at least they know how to have a good time and exactly know they are there for good time. At first glance, you'll know what you get. No sugar. Hehehe.

September 07, 2007

pen_for_rocket said:

pahabol: tabularaza: i dont know what to make of them. some songs sound they have potential. but in some, the guy's voice takes over and becomes a little overbearing. maybe a sign of lyric-famine. you know where a song's melody is established yet the songwriter seemed to run out of idea for the lyrics so he just does the easy way out and just sing/mumbles to "yeeeaaaahooohhh" to cover for that lack of words. but nevertheless, the sound is there. they are tight as a band. but one piece of unsolicited advice: if a band needs to establish credibility, the last thing it should do is name a carrier single "she-wowa" or to that effect. what does it mean anyway? catchy song undermined by the comedic title and chorus. sayang.

September 09, 2007

totsandnotions said:

pen_for_rocket thank you for your comments. but i'm kinda surprised you were criticizing about originality but you seem to like Red Whiskey best. Among them all. FYI they are a cover band, and they are the best cover band in CDO, the best! as for your comments about our band, yeah we were amateurs then. in fact we didn't thought someone would distribute it nationwide. It was just for a fund raising project. we admit theres something missing. But we've been honing our chops for the last few years. You're the first one who pointed out aout sound quality. what's with the sound quality? care to share? so that we could learn from your criticism? so far you're the only one who commented about our sound quality. We didn't hear the others complain. by the way, where are you from? CDO? Cebu? Thank you for buying our album. More than anything, it's the message and the songs that we would want to share first and foremost. Other technical matters will be addressed as our careers progress hehe. Of course! We would love to be heard like Urbandub!

September 26, 2007

totsandnotions said:

A heartfelt message from TABULARAZA: Dearest pen_for_rocket Well for a little clarification: cdo bands have lots of potential yet, lacks the tools. 1. cdo does not yet have a worthy studio where bands can record their materials. Some bands simply do home recording with fruity-loops drum tracks which is sad, and some really travel to cebu yet record with a very tight budget which leaves them with a very limited mastery and recording time. But the point is, the urge to make music is there. Eventually, bands will learn. it is really true that with experience, comes mastery and originality. Finding one’s own sound takes time and even some bands never really find them. CDO bands on the other hand, does not lack originality, but opportunity. The chance to know one’s self, as a band takes about a gazillion, rehearsals, exposures and recording experience. In time quality and originality will grow as long as the support of cagayanons will continue. As of the moment there are only 2 studios in cdo that’s capable of recording at least a demo quality and only one mainstream bar that supports rock. The rest are all in the struggling underground stream. But in spite all these, still bands continue to believe in something better and continuously struggle to play and make their music heard. Comparing a new born cdo band from unbandub? That is incomparable… I still remember the early days when gabbi (from urbandub) and Philipp ( from nuncyspungen) had a chat of making a collaboration, but then it did not push through since nuncy disbanded. If I’m not mistaken, that was around 7 years ago. My point is, if nuncyspungen is with the most potential band in cdo (which is true), and nuncyspungen is the little brother of urbandub, how can you expect a new band to sound like them? It’s like comparing wolfgang to sitti….. And lastly, cdo band from the 90’s till today, like, wakajam, oblivion, black widow, ang pedro to tish, orange, peachfuzz, tabularaza, nuncyspungen, nuestra familia, pipeload, ganja sunrise to strong republic, superflirts, thoughts and notions, They all have one thing in common. it may not totally be originality but all of these bands generated great effort to make and record their own material, composed from scratch to riffs, lyrics, melody and licks some may sound like the band’s influences but never the less, they did something. Razorback didn’t became razorback in just one sleep! Oh, and one more thig, I may be mistaken but as far as I know, the only band who existed since the last days of nuncyspungen yet until now still haven’t generated any original material is red whisky. The last time I heard them play at the university, they we’re still playing “beer” by itchyworms and some song from sponge cola which I don’t even remember the title. Hmmm… but then again they can really play. No questions about that.

September 26, 2007

Mahineman said:

oist, pag tarung raw mo diha. edit your english sentences before you post kay ulaw kaayo maalaan mo'g taga bukid diri

September 28, 2007

totsandnotions said:

tsk tsk... mao na dili ta gakaasenso dri kay ga iya2x ug dinaotay...

September 29, 2007