the dawn - in memory of the late teddy diaz (20th d.a.)

Twenty years in the music business is nothing short of astounding. The commercial lifespan of a band is expected to be around five years and constantly at the mercy of changing musical climates and listeners tastes, and in some cases may suffer from implosions. Maintaining a career that lasts four times as long can be attributed to many factors but the simplest and most important is the quality of the music itself. Only one band in Philippine rock history can lay claim to this longevity and consistency: The Dawn.

Formed in 1986 by guitarist and visionary Teddy Diaz and drummer/keyboardist JB Leonor, The Dawn was at the forefront of the local new wave scene. However, to pigeonhole the band as simply new wave even in those early years would be quite inaccurate. When they released their debut album in 1987 with vocalist Jett Pangan and bassist Carlos Balcells, the local rock scene was treated to an opus that combined elements of new wave, metal, jazz, and prog rock with uncanny ease (this cross-pollination of different genres remains the groups sonic raison detre). More importantly, it was the only album by a band that featured all original material; pop balladeers and cover bands were the norm in the Philippine music scene. The single Enveloped Ideas was a huge hit that almost immediately turned the local audience on its collective head. By the time 1988 rolled around, The Dawn was headlining arena gigs and was courted by the countrys major beer brand as its official endorser. Their sophomore album I Stand With You was in the charts, and it seemed the band was unstoppable.

Tragically, in August of that year, founding member Teddy Diaz was murdered. As the band and its fans mourned the shocking loss, it seemed obvious that it was the end of the road. After two months, the rest of the band decided to carry on; inspired by Diazs passion and dedication to music during his short life, the band became a living tribute to his pioneering spirit. By January 1989, Japanese-born Atsushi Matsuura became the bands guitarist. The album Beyond The Bend soon followed, and the single Salamat (co-written with Diaz) propelled the band to even greater success and even more arena gigs. To this day, it remains an anthem etched in the Filipino psyche.

However, the year brought about another change in the guitarist chair. The band was at odds with Matsuura personally and musically after a mere 9 months, and replaced him with Francis Reyes by November. The albums Hearts Thunder(1990), Abot Kamay (1992) and Punot Dulo (1994)were recorded and released by this line-up. The arena gigs, national tours, a three week stint in Guam, and hit singles that followed were testaments to the bands consistency and vitality, and produced yet another anthem Iisang Bangka Tayo. The songs accompanying video gained the attention of MTV Asia, and the band performed before an enthusiastic crowd in Hong Kong in late 1994.

By 1995, The Dawn decided to take a break from the scene to allow its members to pursue individual interests outside music. During this break, its record company released several compilation albums of the bands hits. A successful arena reunion concert in 1997 broke the bands absence but it wasnt until late 1999 that they decided to reconvene properly, with both Reyes and Matsuura sharing guitar duties. The Dawn released the electronica-tinged Prodigal Sun in 2000, and once again roared along the live circuit, including an 8 city US Tour in September 2001 (the band was in NYC on 9/11!). Longtime bassist Carlos Balcells left the next year to pursue a career in politics and was replaced by Mon Legaspi, formerly of local metal superstars Wolfgang. The band played in Vietnam and started working on its next album.

2004 saw the release of the stripped down Harapin and the departure of Matsuura who again was at odds with the rest of the band. The album produced more
hits and videos, notably Tulad Ng Dati and its Matrix-style stop-motion visuals. Legaspi amicably left the band in late 2005 to explore other career paths; the band replaced him with Buddy Zabala formerly of the Eraserheads. Zabala's membership has been enthusiastically received by music fans; the Eraserheads were, after all, one of the greatest local bands that ever existed.

The Dawn has starred in a semi-autobiographical movie by Mike Sandejas entitled "TULAD NG DATI" . A Cinemalaya 2006 entry which bagged the Best Sound, Best Editing and the Best Picture awards. The same movie is also one of the country's entry in the forthcoming Pusan International Film Festival and in the Hawaii International Film Festival.

The quartet's much awaited 20th year album is finally out in the market and very much available in your favorite music stores. A grand album launch cum advance commercial screening of their movie is slated sometime second week of November 2006.

Through twenty years of trends, triumphs, and tragedy, The Dawn remains, undoubtedly, the Philippines true premier rock band.

Days gone by - Slaughter 1992

Let me start my music blog with this song from Slaughter's "Days gone by" from 1992.

I love to listen to this song because it brings back lots of memories to me, especially on my high school days. Try to browse the lyrics of this song and I'm sure you'll remember something in the past.

Here it is.

Lyrics | Days Gone By lyrics

Band History

Slaughter is a hard rock band formed in Las Vegas, Nevada by lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Mark Slaughter and bassist Dana Strum. The band reached stardom in 1990 with their first album, Stick It to Ya which spawned several hit singles including "Up All Night", "Spend My Life", "Mad About You", and the power ballad "Fly to the Angels". The album reached double platinum status in the United States. [1]

Despite diminishing success in the United States, the band has remained a steady act in national tours, mainly in the Rock Never Stops Tour which features several bands of the same era.


Band History

Slaughter first formed in Las Vegas, Nevada at the height of glam metal's dominance over MTV and rock radio. Achieving popularity at the tail end of the movement, Slaughter's day in the spotlight proved to be bright but fickle and brief. They have, however, continued to record and tour.

The band formed in 1988 out of the ashes of lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Mark Slaughter and bassist Dana Strum's previous group, Vinnie Vincent Invasion, which had featured the titular lead guitarist. Slaughter and Strum completed the lineup by recruiting lead & rhythm guitarist Tim Kelly and drummer Blas Elias. Their debut album Stick It to Ya saw 3 songs hit the Billboard Hot 100: "Fly to the Angels" (#19), "Up All Night" (#27), and "Spend My Life" (#39).

During this time, they were signed by Orion Pictures to record a song for the film Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey. The song, titled "Shout It Out", was accompanied by a music video and received heavy airplay.

Unlike many of the bands from the era who were suddenly phased out in the wake of the alternative movement, Slaughter remained intact and continued to produce new records. In 1992, they released their second album, titled The Wild Life. It had the Billboard Hot 100 hit "Real Love" (#69), and was certified gold.

The band planned to dedicate themselves to their next album shooting for an early 1994 release date. However, in 1993 guitarist Tim Kelly was arrested for charges of drug trafficking, while bassist Dana Strum had a motorcycle accident that injured his playing hand. The delayed album was finally completed in February of 1994 and a video for the proposed first single "Searchin'" was financed by Chrysalis. Due to the changing musical climate and Chrysalis' absorption by EMI Records, Slaughter was dropped from the label in a massive cleaning house that included dismissals of other previously popular acts such as Billy Idol and Huey Lewis and the News.

At this time, they negotiated to be released from their label and signed with CMC Records, a new label that was working to keep hard-rock bands on the scene. In 1995, they finally released Fear No Evil. Despite little success in the US, the album did well in Japan. Guitarist Dave Marshall (ex-Vince Neil band) had to fill in for Kelly at times, due to his legal problems.

Some time later, Kelly's legal troubles ended and the band committed to their next album. In 1997, they followed it with Revolution. This album featured a more eclectic and psychedelic sound, but again it was mostly ignored by the media.

In February 5, 1998, tragedy struck when guitarist Tim Kelly was killed in an auto accident in the Arizona desert. This deeply affected the band, but they were committed to continue with the band. Again, guitarist Dave Marshall (ex-Vince Neil Band) briefly performed as a touring guitarist for Slaughter in Japan. In 1998, they hired Jeff Blando as Kelly's replacement and began working on their next album. A live album titled Eternal Live was released featuring some of the band's last performances with Kelly.

In 1999, they resurged with Back to Reality, featuring Blando as the new guitarist. Blando was previously in Left For Dead and Saigon Kick. Since then, Slaughter continues to play many rock package tours with other acts that saw prominence during the glam era of the late 1980s and very early 1990s.

During the summer of 1999, while on its own (self-named) "Rock Never Stops Tour" (which included Ted Nugent and Night Ranger) Slaughter enjoyed a brief commercial resurgence, and had the "#1 Track" on the "VH-1" CD "Power Ballads" with "Fly To The Angels" and "Up All Night" became the "#1 Track" on Rhino Records "Hard Hitters," and also took part in the Summer 2000 "Poison, Cinderella, Dokken and Slaughter" tour.

In 2001 Slaughter was a part of the "Voices of Metal" tour featuring Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe, Ratt, and Vixen.

Mark Slaughter and Dana Strum's former Vinnie Vincent Invasion bandmate Bobby Rock has played as a touring drummer for Slaughter, filling in for Blas Elias on some shows of the Rock Never Stops Tour.

In April of 2004, Slaughter released a DVD-A entitled Then and Now that features 12 songs and 50 rare photos of the band over the years. Slaughter will also have a DVD that features all of the music videos and behind the scenes footage during the 2004 season.

On July 13, 2007, Slaughter performed at glam metal festival "Rocklahoma." However, Strum and Blando were not present during the band's performance, though they did perform with Vince Neil the following night.

At the end of January 2008 Slaughter performed a show on the Carnival Imagination cruise ship with Vince Neil's Mötley Cruise w/Vince Neil, Skid Row and Ratt.

Studio Albums

* Stick It To Ya (January 27, 1990; Certified: - Platinum (2x))
* The Wild Life (April 25, 1992; Certified: - Gold)
* Fear No Evil (1995)
* Revolution (1997)
* Back To Reality (June 29, 1999)

Live Albums

* Stick It Live (1990; Certified: - Gold)
* Eternal Live (1998)

Compilations

* Mass Slaughter: The Best of Slaughter (1995)

External links

* Official website
* Interview with Mark Slaughter
* Interview with Drummer Bias Elias

Savoy Brown

Savoy Brown is a British blues band formed in the 1960s.

Career

Originally known as the Savoy Brown Blues Band, their 1969 single "Train to Nowhere" (with singer Chris Youlden), was viewed by many as the last gasp of the blues scene in Great Britain. Although Savoy Brown never reached much acclaim in their home nation, they developed a loyal core following in the United States, due to songs such as "I'm Tired" (from their album, A Step Further), a driving, melodic song. They were one of the bands that UK Decca (US London/Parrot) stuck with through the lean times until they started selling records (it took 4 or 5 albums until they started to sell in the US). In the late 1960s and 1970s, the band managed to penetrate the Billboard Hot 100. Superstardom perpetually evaded them, perhaps in part because of their frequent lineup changes, but despite that, Hellbound Train was a big album for them in the US.



While the band is still active today, only Kim Simmonds has stayed since the beginning. Guitarist "Lonesome" Dave Peverett, bassist Tone Stevens, and drummer Roger Earl went on to form Foghat. Original member and harmonica player, John O'Leary, is still active on the British blues circuit with The John O'Leary Band. Savoy Brown's first album, Shake Down, featured lead vocalist Bryce Portius. Portius was one of the first black blues musicians to be a part of a British rock band. Another singer, Dave Walker, would later join Fleetwood Mac and Black Sabbath. Their bassists included Andy Pyle, later with The Kinks.

Savoy Brown also provided an outlet for the keyboardist and guitarist, Paul Raymond, who later went on to join UFO. Other notable members include Jeff Howell, who went on to play with Foghat and the Outlaws before returning to central New York, where he is considered the best carpet installer in Ithaca.[citation needed]

Savoy Brown contributed the song "A Man Alone" for the soundtrack to the movie Kickboxer 2. "Train To Nowhere" was used in and figured as a clue in the TV series CSI: NY in Season 4, Episode 10 - “The Thing About Heroes”.

Albums

* Shake Down – 1967
* Getting to the Point – 1968
* Blue Matter – 1969
* A Step Further – 1969
* Raw Sienna – 1969
* Looking In – 1970
* Street Corner Talking – 1971
* Hellbound Train – 1972
* Lion's Share – 1973
* Jack The Toad – 1973
* Boogie Brothers – 1974
* Wire Fire – 1975
* Skin 'n' Bone – 1976
* Savage Return – 1978
* Rock 'n' Roll Warriors – 1981
* Greatest Hits - Live In Concert – 1981
* Just Live – 1981
* Live In Central Park – 1985 (Relix Records RRLP 2014)
* Slow Train – 1986 - (Relix Records RRLP 2023)
* Make Me Sweat – 1988
* Kings Of Boogie – 1989
* Live And Kickin' – 1990
* Let It Ride – 1992
* Bring It Home – 1994
* Live At The Record Plant (recorded 1975) – 1998
* The Bottom Line Encore Collection (live) – 1999
* The Blues Keep Me Holding On – 1999
* Looking From The Outside - Live '69 & '70 – 2000
* Jack The Toad - Live 70/72 – 2000
* Strange Dreams – 2003
* You Should Have Been There – 2005
* Steel - 2007

Daniel Razon Receives Awit Awards Best New Male Artist Nom

Razon Receives Awit Awards Best New Male Artist Nom

Kuya Daniel Razon's uniquely dulcet voice and wistful interpretations of some of the best love songs of the past impressed the Awit Awards and received nomination for his 2007 hit album.

Razon is among the five nominees in the best new male recording artist award, which is one of the 30 major categories to be awarded by the country's prestigious and long-running music award giving group.

In his album, All My Life, Razon won the hearts of people when this album's carrier single, All My Life, first hit the radio scene in late quarter of 2007. Not long, his song surged to the top slates of several music charts with record-breaking sales for the first two months of its release.

All My Life offers seven songs of love and two original compositions. The Promise, an original composition that served as UNTV network's 2006 theme, and with its nationalistic feel, perfectly matched Razon's disposition as a public servant. Upbeat, yet easy listening new song, In My Eyes, showcased the multi-faceted artist's vocal flexibility.

Other outstanding nominees for Best New Male Recording Artist are Richard Poon for the song I'll Take Care of You, Brian Josef for Crazy But Incredible, Gabriel Valenciano for Shake Yo Thang and Miguel Aguila for Someone in the Dark. Last year, Gian Magdangal was awarded the Best New Male Recording Artist for the song Himala.

The nominee piece All My Life, which was recorded and produced by Breakthrough and Milestones Productions Inc., and EMI Records, is notable for its pretty ballad version that some reviewers raved as "more appealing than the original itself."

In My Eyes, the second carrier single, and currently playing in the airwaves, draws old and new sets of fans who will be mesmerized by Razon's calming voice. The song was composed by Krist Melecio. Other wistfully, passionate songs included in the album are What Matters Most, Just the Way You Are, Out Here On My Own, Lean On Me and She's Out of My Life.

The prestigious 21st Awit Awards gives recognition to local musical talents and boasts one of the most credible screening systems. Criteria for judging are based on vocal quality, interpretation, and musicality.

Heartbreak Station

Songs that will add pain in your heart. I don't want to be alone so come and join me here.
outch! heartbreaker . . .

My 80's music collection

Here are some of my favorite songs from the 80's. Remember those blond hairs, the make-ups, glamorous attires and more. We know we can't turn back the hands of time but we can definitely reminisces that era through this songs.

And hey, if you have some songs in mind which we can add to this playlist just let me know. Thanks and happy listening everyone.

80's music


(ps. pardon my grammar)

Mr. Big

How i wish their still together, seeing them perform once more just like the good old days...
Mr.Big

Mr. Big (band)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Background information
Origin: USA
Genre(s): Hard rock
Years active: 1988–2002
Label(s): Atlantic
Associated acts: Racer X, Poison, Steve Vai, G3, David Lee Roth, Tak Matsumoto Group
Website: www.mrbigsite.com
Former members:
Eric Martin
Pat Torpey
Billy Sheehan
Paul Gilbert
Richie Kotzen

Mr. Big was an American hard rock band. They were formed in 1988 and are best known for their 1992 acoustic hit, "To Be With You".

History

Mr. Big combined two popular musical trends of the rock scene in the 1980s: a particular brand of hard rock, focused on melodies and listener-friendly choruses, and impressive technical proficiency, then called shredding. The seeds for the group were sown when bass player Billy Sheehan (bass guitarist for guitarist Steve Vai) left David Lee Roth's solo band (also with Vai) in 1988. Almost immediately after his exit, Sheehan began piecing together a new outfit, with the help of Mike Varney from Shrapnel Records, a label specialized in the shredding genre. However, what Sheehan did not know was that he was about to form one of the most revered "supergroups" to come out of America.

The band, now managed by former Journey and Santana manager Herbie Herbert composed of Shrapnel artist and former Racer X guitarist Paul Gilbert, Pat Torpey on drums, and singer Eric Martin, who had a number of album releases throughout the 1980s with his Eric Martin Band. By 1989, the newly formed quartet had already inked a recording contract with Atlantic, resulting in the release of a self-titled debut the same year. Despite causing a buzz amongst musicians, the album failed to crossover to a mainstream rock audience stateside; however, Mr. Big was an immediate smash success overseas in Japan.

The band's breakthrough came with their second album, Lean Into It, in 1991. It featured two ballads that established the band as a commercial success: "To Be With You" and "Just Take My Heart", as well as rock songs that remained as staples of their live set for years to come, such as "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind". Other releases followed, Bump Ahead in 1993 and Hey Man in 1996, but the band never replicated its earlier success in the US market. The song, "Take Cover," was included on the "Official MegaMan Soundtrack," released in 1995. In Japan, on the other hand, they continued to sell out tours, resulting in a number of live releases for the Japanese market throughout their career (from Raw Like Sushi in 1990 to Mr. Big In Japan in 2002).

Paul Gilbert left the band in 1997 to pursue a solo career and eventually reform Racer X. Richie Kotzen, another Shrapnel artist and former guitarist for Poison, was brought in to take on guitar duties, also contributing occasional vocals. Two studio albums were released by this lineup: Get Over It in 2000 and Actual Size in 2001, which featured the single "Shine", used as the ending theme in the animation series of Hellsing.

Tensions in the band led to their demise -- contractual obligations for yet another Japanese tour were fulfilled in the form of a "farewell tour". The multi-million record-selling band broke up in 2002, many years since their last US hit, but while still enjoying great popularity in Japan. All of the former members have gone on to other projects in the music industry.

The band also contributed the soundtrack to the 1993 Sega Mega CD release of The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin.

On May 7, 2008, a MR. BIG "almost-reunion" took place at guitarist Paul Gilbert's solo show at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, California. Paul invited his former MR. BIG bandmates Billy Sheehan and Pat Torpey, along with fellow ex-MR. BIG guitarist Richie Kotzen (he joined the band as Paul's replacement) to his stage and they played two songs: "30 Days in the Hole" (Humble Pie/with Kotzen on vocals), and "Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy" (with Gilbert and Mike Szuter from Paul's band on vocals).

Members:

* Eric Martin - lead vocals (1988-2002)
* Pat Torpey - drums, percussion (1988-2002)
* Billy Sheehan - bass guitar (1988-2002)
* Paul Gilbert - guitar (1988-1997)
* Richie Kotzen - guitar (1999-2002)

Studio albums

* Mr. Big (1989) (The Billboard 200 #46)
* Lean Into It (1991) (The Billboard 200 #15, US - Platinum)
* Bump Ahead (1993) (The Billboard 200 #82)
* Hey Man (1996)
* Get Over It (2000)
* Actual Size (2001)

Live albums

* Raw Like Sushi (1990)
* Mr. Big Live (Live in San Francisco) (1992)
* Raw Like Sushi II (1992)
* Japandemonium: Raw Like Sushi 3 (1994)
* Channel V at the Hard Rock Live (1996)
* Live at Budokan (1997)
* In Japan (2002)

Singles

* Addicted to That Rush (1989) (Mainstream Rock Tracks #39)
* Green-Tinted Sixties Mind (1991) (Mainstream Rock Tracks #33)
* To Be With You (1992) (The Billboard Hot 100 #1 (3 weeks), Mainstream Rock Tracks #19, Adult Contemporary #11)
* Just Take My Heart (1992) (The Billboard Hot 100 #16, Mainstream Rock Tracks #18)
* Wild World (1993) (The Billboard Hot 100 #27, Mainstream Rock Tracks #33, Top 40 Mainstream #12)
* Ain't Seen Love Like That (1994) (The Billboard Hot 100 #83)
* Take Cover (1996)
* Not One Night (1997)
* Superfantastic (2000)
* Static (2000)
* Where Are They Now (2000)
* Shine (2001)
* Arrow (2001)

Compilations

* Big Bigger Biggest: Greatest Hits (1996)
* Deep Cuts (2000)
* Greatest Hits (2004)

External links

* Official Mr. Big site - Maintained by the webmasters of billysheehan.com.
* Official Paul Gilbert site
* Official Billy Sheehan site
* Official Eric Martin site
* Official Richie Kotzen site
* Fan site with videos

* Eric Martin interview - Eric's take on the band's breakup.