Last friday, a lot of people, fans and music lovers went to Excess Superclub in Quezon City to witness the grand event of Converse’s “Get Loud,” the song-writing competition and musical showdown of the five semi-pro bands representing the best in the independent rock scene. These are Even from North Luzon, Brisom from the National Capital Region, Kissbone from South Luzon, Bethany from Visayas and Jad Montenegro from Mindanao.
After selecting these bands through an exhaustive nationwide search, rallying their supporters through various online initiatives and organizing bar tours to get them revved up for the big day, we are down to the wire and eager to know who will be the chosen one,” says Eli Bonsol, Converse Philippines’ advertising and marketing manager. “It’s just really a matter of giving an explosive performance on stage and establishing that unique connection with the audience.”
Judges were some of my favorites including Ebe Dancel, Mark Lacay, Francis Reyes, John Hendrix and Dan Mindanao.
The third placers and second placers received P60,000 and P100,000 worth of cash and Converse products respectively, while the two other finalists got P40,000 cash and gifts from Converse. The grand champion walked away with P150,000 worth of cash and Converse products.
Fans voted for their favorite act at www.facebook.com/ConversePhilipines by clicking on the “Get Loud” tab, 20% of these votes comprised the band’s final score.
HERE ARE THE WINNERS!
4th place: Kissbone
3rd place: Brisom
2nd place: Jad Montenegro
1st place: Bethany
People’s Choice Award: Even
Champion: Even
ABOUT THE BANDS
Composed of Dyanne Licudine (vocals), Jam Bumanlag (guitars), Coco Saupan (bass) and Dan Allan Acosta (drums), Even from North Luzon is a Baguio-based band that describes their music as “dark and melancholic.” They take pride for their songs for their “well thought-out lyrics woven into heavy chugs and bass, unisoned into drumlines.” For “Get Loud,” Even will perform “Luminary.”
Brisom, from NCR, is composed of Brian Sombero (vocals and guitar), Jeffrey Castro (drums and beats), Jason Rondero (bass), Tim Abbott (synthesizer and keys) and Terence Teves (guitar). Most of Brisom’s songs are based on Brian’s “soul-changing travels and life-changing realizations,” capturing the sound of soulful indie rock with “straightforward clarity” and “lyrics from the heart.” They will perform “Waking Lives.”
Representing South Luzon, Kissbone is composed of Armin Joseph Pepito (guitar and vocals), Justine Sioson (guitar and vocals), Renz Jerome Villanueva (drums), Parker Cataquian (bass) and Allan Paulo Luching (rhythm guitar). Beginning with punk rock to emo-screamo genre during their days at Sienna College Taytay, Kissbone now regularly unleashes hardcore and rock metal music. The band will perform “Distance and Motion.”
From the Visayas, particularly Cebu, Bethany is composed of Luis Quibranza III (lead vocals and guitar), Angelo Quibranza (lead guitar and vocals), Paolo Miguel Quibranza (drums and vocals) and Kevin Borromeo (bass). The Quibranza siblings immersed themselves into songwriting in 2008 and began performing soon after Kevin’s addition. The band takes pride in their delivery of alternative rock music that has “a lot of curve balls, intense guitar work, smart lyrics and infectious melodies.” Bethany will perform “Keep Moving On.”
Jad Montenegro, from Mindanao, takes its name from its lead vocalist. Completing the band are Dave Ibao (guitar and backing vocals), Eric Luzada (lead guitar), Pjoe Sabanpan (bass) and Carlo Garcia (drums, backing vocals). After performing as a solo acoustic act in Davao, Jad felt the need to expand her musical horizons by forming a band with friends. For “Get Loud,” Jad Montenegro will perform “The Escapist.”
Congratulations to ALL THE WINNERS!!
MORE PHOTOS HERE DURING THE FINALS NIGHT!