WOW Pinoy: Band

Seven Days: Pinoy band gaining popularity in China

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Tuesday, April 22, 2008

While Seven Days is yet to ring a bell in the local music industry, the group has been making waves in China, especially after having been the only Pinoy band invited to perform on Chinese national television for a Spring Festival program on February 7.

Seven Days, as its name suggests, is a band with seven members: vocalists, Ace Llorente, 27, Jennifer Rosal, 24, and Honey Alba, 19; guitarist Ariel Pambid, 29; bassist Allan Oliva, 27; drummer Moses Domingo, 29; and keyboardist Ronnie ‘Onnie’ Castillo, 30, also the band’s leader.While alluding to the Lord’s holy days of work (and rest), Onnie explained that the band’s name is really a reinforcement of one ofthe group’s core values.
Formed in 2001, under the name “Zinjy," Seven Days is an “any day band," prepared to perform onstage with its compelling fusion of rock and R&B.
“People say we were better than the original singers of the songs we cover," Onnie told in an interview.
And after performing in Yanji City’s Yanbian TV, it appears that Onnie’s boast has a ring of truth, at least in the Asian music scene where Pinoy talent has been unparalleled for years.

Pinoy support

The group never imagined it would land on Chinese television first than in the Philippines.“We’re glad our dream to perform for television viewers was fulfilled," said Honey, “But we would be happier if we performed on Philippine television."
Jennifer, who was plucked by Onnie after winning a local karaoke TV singing competition here (before Ethel Booba), is doubly glad with the overwhelming Pinoy support for Seven Days, especially since most Filipinos abroad are more discerning with homegrown talents.“Pinoys are harder to please. So an applause from them only confirms that you’re really good."

Last September, the group flew to China for a regular gig in one of the clubs there. After being noticed for its soulful and electrifying covers, the band was invited to perform for the Spring Festival (often dubbed the Chinese Christmas) special show on television.Since 2006, the band has been performing from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia to Jilin, China wowing crowds with covers from the Beatles and Elvis Presley classics to more contemporary songs from Usher and the Black Eyed Peas.The band’s repertoire depends on what the audience likes.As Jilin closely borders North Korea, they need to know a few Korean songs.

For its Yanbian TV performance, the band chose a popular Korean song to usher in the celebration of the Spring Festival.So far, Seven Days has been warmly received by the Chinese and Korean communities, not to mention its supportive Filipino fans.“As far as I know, there are only two kinds of Filipinos here [in Jilin City], those who work as entertainers, and the teachers," explained Onnie.

The band has also done much to spark interest among the otherwise oblivious Chinese in Jilin City about the Philippines that has been known for its excellent English teachers.

“We talked to a lot of people here who initially didn’t even have the slightest idea where the Philippines is. But when they saw us on TV, they went as far as searching for our country in the Internet, looking for pictures. They are now more interested in us."And what do they miss the most about the Philippines? “Eat Bulaga! We promise to watch our favorites, ‘Bossing’ (Vic Sotto) and Joey de Leon, in the studio when we come home," Onnie said

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Jumping Jacks : soothing music from a rock band

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Thursday, January 31, 2008

San Francisco - "Either go big or go home." declares San Francisco's lovable Fil-Am band, /the Jumping Jacks.

Aching from a shot of cupid's arrows and in turn, wounded from its heartches? The perfect remedy would be to put on your headphones, scroll that Ipod to the The Jumping Jacks and prepare yourself for the musical therapy of an aggresive-melodic-alternative-type music.

Although therapeutic in its sense, the usual soothing sounds of birds chirping, winds chiming, and waterfalls flowing are definitely not along the line of this band's method of pampering. This form of relaxation comes from a symphony of various compositions derived from finely tuned members of different backgrounds and different pasts.

Their inspirational influences vary from bands such as Third Eye Blind, Smashing Pumpkins, to Jay-Z, a sprinkle of spice from numerous jazz band, other prominent Filipino bands known as Eraserheads, Teeth, and Wolfgang, America's favorite rock band, Green Day, Rage Against the Machine and last but not the least, to their very own moms an dads. Here, musical appreciation derives from a kind of gratitude straight from the heart of happy home.

These young men have been able to flourish in their music due to their strong relationshiop with one another. Their different personalities are evident with theirbeats and lyrics. It has also helped them stay together for over eight years through the highs and lows of an amateur band.

At first impression, The Jumping Jacks rub off as a bunch of brothers fooling around and enjoying themselves. As you are engulfed with their unique beats, you are some times drawn away from the meaning behind their music. When you think of alternative or rock music, you usually do not associate it with thought-provoking topics. The stereotype usually for alternative or rock is a smashing of sounds and gloommy themes througout their songs. Contrary to the "typical" alternative music, The Jumping Jack find a creative method of planting their feelings into their music. They are also able to include the progressive and emo genre into their alternative sound.

The emo genre come into play with their personal experiences. Like any other ordinary person, one experiences trial and tribulations. The Jumping Jacks are expressing their feelings of heartache and obstacle through their music. Because love is universal language, everyone can call The Jumping Jacks a "best friend" when it comes to jamming to their lyrics as a form of a love-telling story.

The Jumping Jacks are like any other inspiring musicians eager to pick up an instrument for a good old jamming session. What usually starts out as a hobby usually stays a hobby. For this group, their hobby turned into a profession. From what started off as a group of guys jamming in the Bay Area. eventually turned into tours in Los Angeles and even in Philippines. They have also collaborated with Pedro Hill from the band Rubberband.

"Were trying to be one of the many Filipino bands that is trying to be out there and actually be someone or something that other bands can look upon," says one of the vocalists named Boks.

Not only are these a group of Filipino Americans just trying to put together music, but also on an overall level, attempting to bring dreams into realities for kids as motivated, as perservering and as determined. Day in, day out of music studios and performing at their local hit-up spots for pure entertainment cravings are second nature to them.

The Jumping Jacks are more than just a group of guys fulfulling their Rock Band dream. They stand tall as a proud Filipino Americans with the intense desire to charm the world with their musical talent.

With upcoming tours in thePhilippines this April, The Jumping Jacks are jumping from one musical stage to the next with a full zest of power. Watch out world : Here they come.

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Arnel Pineda

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Saturday, January 26, 2008

Birth name Arnel Pineda
Born September 5, 1967 (1967-09-05) (age 40)Manila, Philippines
Genre(s) Rock, Hard rock, Soft rock, Pop
Occupation(s) Singer-Songwriter
Instrument(s) Singing, Guitar
Years active 1982-Present
Label(s) Warner Bros. / MCA Universal
Associated
acts Ijos Band, Amo, New Age, Most W@nted, The Zoo, Journey

Arnel Pineda (singer-songwriter) is the newest member and lead singer of the popular American rock band Journey . Pineda has enjoyed a successful musical career in Asia for the last 25 years. His singing style has been influenced by Steve Perry (Journey), John Farnham (Little River Band), Freddie Mercury (Queen), Sting (The Police), Survivor, Heart, The Beatles, Van Halen, Aerosmith, U2, Warrant, Deep Purple, and other bands from that genre.

BIOGRAPHY
Pineda began singing at age 5. His parents, who were both tailors, encouraged him to enter amateur singing contests. His mother died from a lengthy illness when he was 12, leaving his family in serious debt. Pineda and his three siblings were left to fend for themselves. The family was homeless, resulting in Pineda sleeping in Luneta Park or the houses of friends. Pineda collected scrap metal at the pier to earn money and according to one report, he dreamed of becoming an engineer.

Singing career
In 1982, when Pineda was 15 years old, he became the lead singer of the Filipino musical group called Ijos Band (later renamed "Hijos".) In 1987 and 1988, he won the Best Vocalist award at the World Band Explosion, with the finals held in Budokan Hall, Tokyo.

Pineda then joined a pop/rock Filipino band called Amo as their lead singer. Amo played in clubs in Quezon City, Olongapo and Makati, which are located on the biggest island of the Philippines. Amo was very popular in the renowned Chinese owned Cal Jam club in Olongapo City, which was frequented by United States Military personnel. During his tenure in Amo, Pineda made regular TV appearances in the Philippines, and toured the country performing before audiences of 10,000-15,000.

In late 1990, five of Amo's original members split from the band leader, Ulysis Ablang (Uly) and formed another band behind Pineda, "New Age". This occurred prior to the release of Amo's one-and-only album released in 1990 titled "Ang Tunay na Amo" ("The Real Master") on BMG records which spawned one popular radio hit called "Running Away". (The song was popularized again in 2006 by another Filipino artist Erik Santos, who won an American Idol type Filipino TV show, Star In A Million.) The remaining members of Amo went on to become "The Boss Band", while Pineda's band, New Age played regularly at Fire and Rain in Makati, a city on the outskirts of Manila.

During those performances, a talent agent spotted Pineda and asked him to move to Hong Kong to perform at a very popular entertainment restaurant called Igor’s (now defunct). With New Age, Pineda performed six nights a week, Tuesday through Sunday, at Igor’s for nine years thereafter. New Age also performed at Grammy’s in Hong Kong.

In 1999, Pineda caught the attention of Warner Bros. record label and flew back to the Philippines on his days off to record a solo album, the self-titled “Arnel Pineda” which he wrote and arranged. Most of the album’s ten original songs are slow ballads, with only two upbeat numbers, one of which carries a Latin style. One of the songs, “Iiyak Ka Rin” became very popular and is now a karaoke favorite in Asia, while another song "Sayang" became a radio favorite. Pineda continued to perform with New Age while making his album and for several years thereafter.

In 2001, Pineda sang one song with Filipino band, South Border’s album “The Way We Do”. The song is called “Looking Glass”.

In 2002, Pineda's band changed their name to 9MM and played at “The Edge” in Lai Kwai Fong, in Hongkong.

In 2004, three members of the New Age band reformed with a female singer sharing lead vocals with Pineda and called themselves “Most W@nted”. This band played 3-4 hour sets Monday through Saturday at The Cavern Club in Hong Kong. On their only day off, Sundays, the band often performed at Filipino community events.

During this time, Pineda recorded the theme song of the short-lived Filipino radio show, “Dayo."

After separating from his live-in partner, Pineda suffered from health problems, which almost destroyed his voice. After six months of recuperation, he was able to sing again.

The Zoo
In 2006, encouraged by legendary Filipino talent manager and TV director, Bert de Leon, Pineda moved back to the Philippines with Monet Cajipe, the guitarist who has been in all Pineda’s bands during the last 24 years. They formed the The Zoo. They signed on with de Leon's company, Sundance Entertainment. The Zoo Band performed several nights a week at clubs in Manila and Olongapo during 2006 and 2007. Shows regularly spanned 3-5 hours. The Zoo’s first album “Zoology” was released by MCA Universal in September 2007 featuring 13 original tracks, several of which were penned by Pineda.

Journey
Videos of The Zoo performing cover songs by Journey, Survivor, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Air Supply, The Eagles, Kenny Loggins and other popular acts from the 70s, 80s and 90s, began appearing on YouTube.com in February 2007 and now number more than 200 in total. In August 2007, Neal Schon of Journey contacted the YouTube member who uploaded many of these videos asking for contact information for Pineda. Pineda, along with his manager, Bert de Leon, flew to San Francisco to audition for Journey later in August, 2007.

On December 5, 2007, Pineda was announced as the lead singer of Journey. CNN Headline News ran the story as part of their "News to Me" segment.

Upcoming Tour and Album
While an official 2008 tour schedule has not yet been released to the public, "El Mercurio Online" notes that Journey will perform at the Festival de Viña del Mar at Quinta Vergara Arena in Chile on February 21, 2008. Journey will also perform on February 23 at Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo in Santiago, at Grand Hotel and Casino of Viña del Mar on February 24, both in Chile. They return to the US for a private Remax Convention event at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on March 6, 2008. Another event in Las Vegas is scheduled shortly thereafter and will be recorded and released to the public on DVD. Journey will tour Europe from May 24 (starting in Sweden) through June 15, 2008. The official US tour begins on July 4 and continues through the end of September, 2008. In the closing months of 2008, Journey plans to tour Japan, Australia, and the Philippines.

Journey and renowned producer Kevin Shirley are currently in the studio creating a new album which is slated for release in July, 2008, to coincide with the beginning of the US tour. In his online diary, Shirley described the recording sessions as "wonderful, successful, stupidly creative" and said that "Sometimes you just know when there's history in the making." In a statement on December 5, 2007, Shirley said "I was stunned at Arnel, who is a monster vocalist. He is the real deal. Just phenomenal." When speaking about the upcoming album in a later entry in his diary, he said: "Just got back from Vegas last night, after mixing seven new Journey songs. They are outstanding... For the record, I think Arnel is 'the business!' - the guy can really sing! He handles the ballads with SO much heart, and belts the rockers as hard, and melodically, as anyone I have heard. The songs are sensational - wonderfully crafted and deep, and so focused, you may wonder where they all came from. And I'm being serious...."