RUPTURED

I was invited to judge in the annual battle of the bands sponsored by the Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity/sorority last Friday night at juan’s resto bar in iloilo city. First they had to undergo a live audition w/c took place last May 12 for them to be qualified for the final round. Supposedly I was one of the judges for the elimination round but due to typhoon caloy the said event was moved to May 20, a date I was not able to accommodate due to my hectic schedule (as if), so a friend of mine took my place...

There were 18 competing bands and only 12 were able to qualify for the final round. Before the event started some of the contestants whom I know approached me and tried to bribe me with “RED HORSE” after the show… good thing I had a dentist appointment the following day so I was able to ignore the offer (sayang). Each band is expected to play three songs, either cover or original composition.

One of the criteria was voice quality (25%) and all I can hear were the shouting and growling of the vocalists. I only heard the first three bands yet I was ready to pack up and go home. The entire time, I was texting my friend cursing him for the bands he chose to qualify for the finals (what lousy choices)… some bands brought their own dancers but sadly audience impact was not part of the criteria. My interest was revived when one of the bands played war pigs by black Sabbath w/c was followed by another band who played sweet child of mine and welcome to the jungle by guns n’ roses. But I was not able to hold back in joining the crowd in singing and head banging when a band played Sad but true, Sanitarium and One by Metallica. Finally I felt relieved to realize that old school metal is not lost…

During those times when we were the ones facing the judges we were more concerned on the technical aspect of the music rather than choosing songs that were more popular but less challenging… some kids now a days think that playing some chords qualifies them to be tagged as musicians and compete on stage without any regards on the talents that they may or may not have, rather they focus on short term fame or the certain “COOLNESS” that comes with being a musician…

This does not only happen in iloilo city since some of our “FAMOUS” local bands depend on their overnight fame and face value and not on the “TALENT” that a true blue musician must have.