After all this time, my ears are still itchin’ for Itchyworms

 

It was in the early part of the turn of the millennium when I first heard an Itchyworms song. I even thought that this Pinoy rock band’s “Antipara” was an Eraserhead’s tune. Honestly, I became an instant fan because they sounded like Ely, Marcus, Buddy and Raimund's band.

But as years go by, I realized that Itchyworms is not just a one-hit wonder after scoring one hit and another.  “Akin Ka Na Lang” was even my anthem when I was still luring my wife; “Beer” as my motivation to get drowned with alcohol during a stressful day; and “Penge Naman Ako Niyan” every time I beg the high heavens for anything from sheer luck to a glass of tasteful halo-halo.

Fast forward to present time, I am still hooked with the band. And it was such a super uber privilege to be able to meet them in person during the launching of their latest album After All This Time recently.  Itchyworms is composed of Jazz Nicolas (drums, lead vocals);  Jugs Jugueta (rhythm guitars, co-lead vocals); Kelvin Yu (bass guitar, backing vocals); and Chino Singson (lead guitars, backing vocals). The gang rocked Centris Activity Center in a night of great performance of songs their latest offering.

Fan mode on with Jugs

The album was actually released through the support of a local telecom company last year containing containing 10 soothing and sarap pampa-good vibes pero may sipa songs.

1. “Countdown”

2. “After All This Time”

3. “Ayokong Tumanda”

4. “Gliding in an Azure Reverie”

5. “Panahon”

6. “Life Sequence”

7. “Huwag na Sana ‘kong Gumising Mag-Isa”

8. “My Jolly Old Buddy”

9. “Rainy Day”

10. “Lost in Space with Rey Langit”

In the deluxe version which they launched, they added six new tracks including their take on the Heads’s Maling Akala. Other additions are Higher and Higher; Ayokong Tumanda (Tower Sessions and Acoustic); Huwag Na Sana ‘Kong Gumising Mag-isa (Ang Nawawalang Version); and After All this Time (Under the Weather Version).

I easily picked some songs that I can play over and over again and not get tired of it. The title track is a hands down sure choice for fans of the band but I love the pampa-in love sound of Ayokong Tumanda and Huwag na Sana ‘Kong Gumising Mag-isa. (Ang lakas lang maka-high school. The same magic one will feel while listening to Smokey Mountain’s Kailan). I had a laugh trip listening to Lost in Space. I was never bored the whole ten minutes of the track.

This album is one compilation that every fan of OPM songs should have, even if you’re not a fan of Itchyworms (which is highly unlikely if you’re reading this post).   

Red Hot Chili Peppers is with us again!

 

Whenever we have visitors at home, I would base the music that I'll play in the living room on my first impression on how our guests look.

If we got some 50 something folks, like say my father-in-law type, I'll grab my Beatles CDs and let it do the whole entertaining thing for the duration of their stay.

When my wife brings her office mates in our house, I would enter our bedroom and switch whatever I'm watching on TV (no matter how much I'm into it) to Channel V or MTV so I won't do a thing for them until they leave (unless my wife gives me "the look," I'll say and offer some drink).

When former classmates intrude our abode, the foolproof thing to do to make them enjoy the stay is to turn on our PC and ignite the non-stop playlist of mp3s of either Eraserheads or Red Hot Chili Peppers hits.

Among the artists I mentioned above, RHCP has the latest to offer.  After five long years, the band has finally released their tenth studio album "I'm With You" which sounds perfect for their fans who have waited for their new materials.

For those who never heard of RHCP (which is only likely is you're deaf since birth), they're just one of the most successful acts in rock history who have sold more than 60 million albums, including five multi-platinum LPs, and won six Grammy Awards, including “Best Rock Album” for Stadium Arcadium, “Best Rock Performance By a Duo or Group” for “Dani California, “Best Rock Song” for “Scar Tissue,” and “Best Hard Rock Performance With Vocal” for “Give It Away.” The band holds the record for the most No. 1 singles of all time at Alternative radio, a total of 11, and a combined 81 weeks at No. 1.

The band is composed of singer Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Chad Smith and their new guy, guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. 

Now, so much for RHCP 101.  Here's some info about their album which I learned from the great guys of Warner Music Philippines who invited bloggers in a by invitation only viewing of the band's most recent exclusive interview during their trip in Hong Kong:

I’m With You is the band’s first new album since the two-set Stadium Arcadium, which debuted at Number One in 28 countries around the world, including the U.S. - their first Number One album on the Los Angeles quartet’s home turf. The album spawned three Number One Modern Rock hits: “Dani California” (which spent 14 weeks at No. 1 and is one of three songs in the history of Billboard’s Alternative Chart to debut at No. 1), “Tell Me Baby,” and “Snow (Hey Oh).”

The first single from the album is entitled The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie and it just kicked me on the jaw and told me to dance.  I am no dancer but my head knows how to bang and swing a little especially if the track is just irresistible.

This multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning rock band will definitely have a new hit with this album that features 14 songs describe by one music fanatic as "hard-pop spin on classic Chili Peppers funk, with a creeping bass line and a marching-disco rhythm in the chorus reminiscent of the late-Seventies Rolling Stones."

I can't find a perfect ending for this post since I can't stop listening to the album. Oh well, I can just mention the title of this article as an adlib.

Red Hot Chili Peppers is with us again!