Redefining local rock music

By Nickie Wang

Call it loud, call it noisy, or call it whatever you like, because no matter how you label it, rock music is here to stay. It’s no longer necessary to check the pop charts if there are any songs from rock bands landed on the list, the thing is, it’s not the only way to determine whether rock music is thriving and if it is in perfect shape.

Muziklaban plays new kind of rock ‘n roll

By Nickie Wang/ Manila Standard Today

The venue of the Red Horse Beer Muziklaban’s press launch last week at the San Miguel Training Center in Tagaytay was an apt location to experience rock music, extreme sports, tattoo and independent film making and all the eventualities in between.

This year, Red Horse Muziklaban, the biggest and longest amateur rock band search organized and sponsored by the country’s iconic malt drink Red Horse Beer, takes the competition beyond music and extends the search by including the Art of Tattoo, Popular Extreme Sports and Independent Film Making in the roster of activities.

“Red Horse Beer has always been supportive of the Pinoy talent. While the brand will continue to discover amateur rock bands, it will also open doors to hopefuls from the world of creative arts and extreme sports,” Red Horse Beer brand manager Ray Encomienda explained.

“Iba na ang laban,” was the overused expression while members of the media were challenged to perform extreme tasks that included tight-rope crossing while on a harness and twenty feet off the ground, wall climbing, bunny hopping with a BMX bike that had to be assembled first by the participants, indie film making, and real tattoo art making using swine skin. The challenges tested the participants’ agility, mind focus, and team work.

Having a solid game plan really mattered and we agreed that the media challenge was a fitting way to introduce the 11th year of Muziklaban and its undying effort to discover new artists who would soon dominate the local rock music scene and other creative fields.

While performing all those tasks, we happened to meet the new endorsers of Red Horse Beer. We had no idea that the people who facilitated the challenges were the people we would soon meet for a short interview.

Called legends in their own respective fields, the three new brand endorsers join rock legend Pepe Smith in representing Red Horse Beer’s “Bago na ang Labanan” battlecry for 2009.

“Our new endorsers characterize the distinct Red Horse Beer appeal with their sense of adventure, strength of character and passion for their craft. We believe that their presence in all Muziklaban activities for the year will allow both rockers and non-rockers to relate to the brand,” Encomienda related.

Ricky Sta. Ana, the country’s top tattoo artist, represented the art of tattooing. Biker Armand Mariano, who has done the country proud for his international accolades, represented the Extreme Sports. RA Rivera, one of the country’s frontrunners in music video and independent film directing, represented independent film making.

“Iba talaga ang natutulong ng Red Horse, isa pa nga,” Sta. Ana quipped while answering the questions from the press. He said that Muziklaban is a perfect avenue to introduce Filipino artistry through skin art. “We have are own designs, very Filipino designs that reflect our own culture.”

“When I think about beer or Red Horse, it’s not intoxication that is on my mind. When someone mentions Red Horse, rock music ang naiisip ko. Most of my works in the span of five years ay puro music videos ng mga rock artists. That’s how I relate Red Horse Beer and my craft,” director and filmmaker RA Rivera explained.

On May 15, Red Horse Beer Muziklaban will kick off simultaneously in different locations: Super 8 Parking Lot, Rosario, Pasig; Service Road, Balibago, Angeles; Robinsons Lipa, Batangas and Rizal Park in Dumaguete.

For the Tattoo Challenge, activities will be held on May 22 (White Beach, Puerto Galera), June 12 (Generator Bar, Panay Ave.), and on July 17 (Philippine Trading Center, Roxas Boulevard).

Meanwhile, Extreme Sports fanatics may take the challenge on May 30 (Starmall Parking, Las Piñas); SM San Fernando, Pampanga (July 25); and Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall Parking, Cainta (Sept. 26).

For the Indie Film Challenge, see the Red Horse Beer team on July 31 (Mogwai, Cubao); Aug. 14 (Saguijo, Makati); Sept. 18 (Club Dredd, Eastwood, Libis); Oct. 2 (6 Underground, Pearl Drive, Ortigas); and on Oct. 23 (Mag:Net, Bonifacio High Street, Taguig).

A bigger Red Horse Beer Muziklaban also means more exciting prizes for the winning participants in the various competitions. Winners will have the opportunity to become Red Horse Beer Muziklaban endorsers. Just like the previous years, the winning band for the amateur band competition will take home P1 million cash prize and a guaranteed recording contract.