COOL CARLA

Carla Abaya better known as "COOL CARLA" is one of the Legendary WXB102 DJs who fronted the Legendary PINOY Gothic Underground Band IDENTITY CRISIS. After two albums under DYNA RECORDS, IDENTITY CRISIS disbanded in 1991, but COOL CARLA still continued her musical experience in the PINOY ROCK ARENA by forming MARIYA'S MISTRESS in 1993. MARIYA'S MISTRESS only released one album entitled "UNANG PAG-AGOS" in 1995 this time under VICOR RECORDS and disbanded on 1999. Right now, this PINOY ROCK ICON is working as a CHEF and sometimes as DJ on XB INTERNET RADIO owned by MICHAEL SUTTON of SUTTON RECORDS. RIVERMAYA(Another PINOY ROCK ICON) made renditions of two Classic IDENTITY CRISIS songs namely "MY SANCTUARY" and "SUMIGAW UMAWIT KA" on the band's Tribute to PINOY NEW WAVE/PUNK CD entitled"Isang Ugat, Isang Dugo" in English " One Vein, One Blood". A true MUSICIAN!!! That's how Cool "COOL CARLA" is!!

Here are two archived classic articles that featured Cool Carla:

Here's a 1986 Comic Strip on how Cool "Cool Carla" is.


Here's an archive article of "The Best DJ" on "MOVIE FLASH Magazine"
published back in APRIL 9, 1987.



Here are the two Legendary Bands of COOL CARLA:

IDENTITY CRISIS



Check out my IDENTITY CRISIS blogpost by clicking their Logo:



MARIYA'S MISTRESS line-up


Carla Abaya - Lead Vocals
Leni Llapitan - Keyboards
Ian Monsod - Bass
Ronald Yumul - Guitars
JB Medrano - Drums




This is Cool!!
....Cool Carla!!
-DR. STIRRING RHOD

Do you have an IDENTITY CRISIS?

Last MARCH 15,2007 I was able to catch the MYX AWARDS NIGHT on STUDIO23 and there was a great performance of former IDENTITY CRISIS lead singer DJ COOL CARLA(Carla Abaya) and keyboardist LENI LLAPITAN together with one of the prime PINOY BANDS RIVERMAYA. It was an awesome set and definitely the medley of two classic IDENTITY CRISIS SONGS (MY SANCTUARY,and SUMIGAW UMAWIT KA) blown me away from my T.V. SET. RICO BLANCO(RIVERMAYA's lead singer) sported an 80s hairdo and COOL CARLA was also at her best. Wala parin kakupas-kupas ang galing ng boses!!


I first heard of IDENTITY CRISIS wayback 1987 when WXB102 played two DEMO versions of their songs "IMAGINING OKTOBER" and "MY SANCTUARY". The band was formed wayback 1986 and the same year THE DAWN was signed in by OCTO ARTS in 1987, IDENTITY CRISIS also had released their Debut album "TALE OF TWO" under DYNA RECORDS. The only time I saw this band performed LIVE was on their "OCTOBER STORM" concert on a HOLOWEEN NIGHT. It was a memorable experienced back then because this would be their first Major Performance after releasing "TALE OF TWO". The concert also topbilled THE DAWN who never missed any ULTRA STORM and OCTOBER STORM concert. By 1990 IDENTITY CRISIS released their second album "WATER CAME RUNNING" under DYNA RECORDS again and this PINOY Underground Gothic Band, usually compared to SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES,were on the go again to promote the album. This time NU107 was the one who introduced the album on air with the single "WILL I EVER KNOW". I still cherished the cassette tapes of both albums. Of course the "TALE OF TWO" Vinyl which is now hard-to-find here in MANILA. In 1991 the band parted ways leaving a LEGACY behind. During the PINOY ALTERNATIVE ROCK BOOM in the 90s COOL CARLA formed the band MARIYA'S MISTRESS together with LENI and released the classic single "AGOS". With the performance at the MYX AWARDS rumours spread of a band's reunion or a remastered CD release of both their albums, but COOL CARLA directly denies these rumours. I'm still hopeful that one of these days the band will resurface again and really remaster their work in CD FORMAT with great packaging..... who knows?



IDENTITY CRISIS band line-up:
Cool Carla - Vocals, Percussions
Buddy Arceo - Vocals
Leni Llapitan - Keyboads
Resty Cornejo - Guitars
Bogs Ambrosio - Bass
Marvin Mendiola - Drums

Tulad Ng Dati(THE DAWN 20th anniversary CD)

THE DAWN's 20th ANNIVERSARY CD entitled "TULAD NG DATI" in English "JUST LIKE BEFORE" is a double disc package released last OCTOBER 2006 which includes their best hits of the two decades with BONUS VIDEOS and TRACKS and the LEGENDARY GUITAR SOLO EXCERPT(VIDEO) of their LEGENDARY GUITARIST TEDDY DIAZ who was stabbed to death in 1988. I bought the CD few days it was commercially released and it's a great compilation. DISC B also includes acoustic versions of "SALAMAT" and "ABOT KAMAY". GREAT ALBUM highly recommended especially to the classic PINOY NEW WAVERS who grew up listening to THE DAWN. It's nice to see the picture of TEDDY DIAZ on the ALBUM COVER. All songs here were remade from the original versions which means it's FRANCIS REYES on guitars and BUDDY ZABALA on bass, their new line-up. Filipina Diva BITUIN ESCALANTE sang the INTRO of ENVELOPED IDEAS this time instead of the original haunting voice of KLAUS NAOMI.

Lahat ay TULAD NG DATI!!
-DR. STIRRING RHOD

IISANG BANGKA TAYO

What would happen if the TOP PHILIPPINE BEER and the TOP PINOY BAND would unite? A great single entitled "IISANG BANGKA TAYO (We Are In One Boat)". San Miguel Beer and The Dawn joined hand in hand for the release of this single in 1991. "IISANG BANGKA TAYO" was actually released as a single and became also the TITLE of the first GREATEST HITS compilation album of THE DAWN which includes hits of the band in all their 80s albums. I bought this cassette tape when the single hit the airwaves. This compilation was only released in cassette tape format with no CD or VINYL RECORD version. This is the second time that THE DAWN collaborated with San Miguel Beer, the first one was when the band's song tribute to TEDDY DIAZ entitled "SALAMAT (Thank You)" was used as a commercial jingle. "IISANG BANGKA TAYO" was also the first song with an official MTV of The Dawn. As the song goes "Basta't kasama mo ako, iisang bangka tayo. Anuman ang mithiin ay makakamtan natin."






Other BEST OF THE DAWN albums:






THE DAWN's ALBUMS after reforming in 1999:

IISANG BANGKA TAYO!!
-DR. STIRRING RHOD

The Story Of THE DAWN

I first heard of THE DAWN wayback 1986 when WXB102 played the DEMO VERSION of "ENVELOPED IDEAS". THE DAWN was the prime FILIPINO NEW WAVE ACT in the 80s and "ENVELOPED IDEAS "was their first smashing hit and became a FILIPINO NEW WAVE anthem back then. In 1987, ORLY ILACAD of OCTO ARTS finally gave them the necessary breakthrough by releasing their SINGLE and 12" EP of "ENVELOPED IDEAS". The moment the 12" Vinyl Single was released I remember everyone at school back in 1987 went to buy their own copies on ODYSSEY RECORDS of course that includes me. The 12" EP and Single were first released and their DEBUT album followed next. It was definitely a good feeling that finally a FILIPINO NEW WAVE BAND was acknowledged. I still considered the FIRST THREE STUDIO ALBUM RECORDS which they recorded in the 80s as their best works on their entire musical career . It's just sad that TEDDY DIAZ said goodbye very early on the band's career when he was murdered back in 1988.


"THE STORY OF THE DAWN" CD is a greatest hits compilation I bought wayback 2001 which was released by VIRGIN EMI that featured the band's hits from 1987-1994. OPM means "ORIGINAL PILIPINO MUSIC". They actually disbanded in 1995 then reformed in 1999 which was followed by a U.S. TOUR in 2000. During the hiatus JETT PANGAN had a SOLO career in 1996 and released one album. In 1997 he formed a band called" THE JETT PANGAN GROUP" which made a cover version hit of a JOHN DENVER SONG "Leaving On A Jet Plane" which made waves in the charts. THE DAWN is still active these days rockin' the current upsurge of PINOY ROCK in the PHILIPPINES. A lot of band line-up changes through the decades and still they make good music and gives great LIVE performances.


Tracklisting "THE STORY OF THE DAWN"

Enveloped Ideas
Salamat
Love Will Set Us Free
Iisang Bangka Tayo
Talaga Naman
Let Me Dream
Give Me the Night
Alam Ko, Alam N'yo
Dreams
Runaway
Abot Kamay
Beyond the Bend
Little Paradise
Salimpusa
I Stand with You
Sali-salita
Magtanim ay 'Di Biro'
Enveloped Ideas [Long Version]

1987 LINE-UP:
JETT PANGAN- Vocals
TEDDY DIAZ- Guitars
CARLOS "Caloy" BALCELLS- Bass
JUNBOY LEONOR- Drums



2007 LINE-UP:
JETT PANGAN- Vocals
JUNBOY LEONOR- Drums
FRANCIS REYES- Guitars
BUDDY ZABALA- Bass (Former member of the phenomenal Filipino alternative rock act of the 90s THE ERASERHEADS which was another PINOY ROCK ICON).



This is
THE STORY OF THE DAWN
-DR. STIRRING RHOD

PROZAK FOR LOVERS

PROZAC with a "C" is an Antidepressant, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor which is a treatment for major depression. PROZAK FOR LOVERS CD is itself a good, relaxing compilation of Classic Rock, Alternative, and New Wave music done in a BOSSA NOVA way. I was in a record bar when the shop was playing the album which caught my attention because the songs that were played were JOY DIVISION's "LOVE WILL TEARS APART", RAMONES's "I WANNA BE SEDATED", SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES's "CITIES IN DUST" in a clear and relaxing versions. I immediately bought the CD!! By looking at the CD COVER I guess this excellent Antidepressant CD is very much related with the drug and the CAPSULE on the WINE GLASS would be a symbol for the entire content of the album. BOSSA NOVA right now here in MANILA is very much in. Agot Isidro started the so-called Bossa Nova Divas wherein a lot would follow like SITTI, SOFIA, etc. PROZAK FOR LOVERS definitely would sooth your mood especially after being stress from work. Covers from NIRVANA, THE CLASH, DAVID BOWIE, BLONDIE are also included in this great compilation!!

Take your PROZAK now!!
-DR. STIRRING RHOD

THE POLICE reunion (30 years)

After 21 years in hybernation, THE POLICE are back!!! The Police opened the 49th Annual Grammy Awards last February 2007 in L.A., California, stating, “We are The Police and we are back” before singing “Roxanne.” I consider it an intense comback for this incredible trio that are considered ICONS. UNIVERSAL RECORDS and MUSIC ONE PHILIPPINES pays tribute to the 30th year anniversary of THE POLICE compose of STING "Gordon Matthew Sumner", Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland(the founder of the band in 1977). The band split up wayback 1986 and I even remembered watching the 1983 Grammy Awards on T.V. when the song "EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE" took the "Song Of The Year" category beating Michael Jackson's "BILLIE JEAN". YUP! Michael Jackson "THRILLER" album almost took home all the awards back then, but missed out with this important category. THE POLICE reunion was followed by a massive World Tour. I hope they would perform here in MANILA. I have watched STING LIVE IN MANILA before at the ULTRA and it was a great concert. He sang songs from THE POLICE and of course his solo works. I can't forget when STING sang "FIELDS OF GOLD"( a personal favorite!) when everyone was raising their Cigarette Lighters up in the air while singing the lyrics. The front act was Pinoy Band THE AMO BAND who also gave a great performance that evening especially with their "BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY" version (Ang Galing!!!). That was only the STING concert that gave me great memories.....what more if we have the original trio here in MANILA. In our dreams! The Double CD Package released by THE POLICE is actually their first Double disc GREATEST HITS format. I still cherish up to now my Vinyl Record of their 1986 "THE SINGLES" compilation.
THE POLICE..........a great band!!!

THE GREATEST ALBUM COVERS OF ALL TIME

Late last year I bought this huge book entitled "THE GREATEST ALBUM COVERS OF ALL TIME". As a music enthusiast and an avid collector of Vinyl Records I'm very much curious about this book and the author's view of what the greatest covers are. I must agree on some choices and disagree also to the other choices. Well, my favorite entry would be NEW ORDER's LOW LIFE album cover. What an excellent choice since I'm an avid fan of this band fronted by Bernard Sumner. NIRVANA's smashing "NEVERMIND" album cover definitely made it also to the book and the SEX PISTOLS "NEVER MIND THE BULLOCKS". Very interesting book!!

BAGETS

In the EIGHTIES neon colors or what we called NEW WAVE COLORS were very much into the fashion. BAGETS was a phenomenal Filipino movie directed by Maryo J. De los Reyes in 1983 and 1984 about young teenagers (bagets means teens) life and it's ups and downs. This movie catapulted the movie careers of Aga Muhlach, William Martinez, Herbert Bautista, Francis Magalona and the rest of the young teenie boppers casts. I consider the scene taken at ODYSSEY RECORDS, The RUBIKS CUBE, MUSIC from JO BOXERS as very enigmatic of the EIGHTIES era here in MANILA. And of course, who would forget the fashion statement that these youngsters brought in.

CASTING: BAGETS 1

Aga Muhlach

Arsenio Bautista

Eula Valdez

Herbert Bautista

Irma Alegre

J.C. Bonnin

Jobelle Salvador

Raymond Lauchengco

William Martinez

Yayo Aguila

CASTING: BAGETS 2

Cheska Iñigo

Francis Magalona

Herbert Bautista

J.C. Bonnin

Jobelle Salvador

Jon Hernandez

Ramon Christopher

Raymond Lauchengco

William Martinez

Yayo Aguila

My JAMES BOND 007 collection

I'm a great fan of Ian Fleming's secret agent JAMES BOND 007. Two years ago I bought this VCD(Video Compact Disc) collection in the now defunt TOWER RECORDS. VCD is a very common video format here in the Philippines aside from the DVD. My favorite actor would be Sean Connery and my favorite theme songs from the original soundtrack would be none other than A VIEW TO A KILL by DURAN DURAN and THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS by A-HA.

JAMES BOND MOVIES LIST

1. Dr. No (1962)
2. From Russia With Love (1963)
3. Goldfinger(1964)
4. Thunderball (1965)
5. You Only Live Twice(1967)
6. On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
7. Diamonds Are Forever(1971)
8. Live and Let Die(1973)
9. The Man with the Golden Gun(1974)
10. The Spy Who Loved Me(1977)
11. Moonraker(1979)
12. For Your Eyes Only (1981)
13. Octopussy (1983)
14. A View to a Kill (1985)
15. The Living Daylights (1987)
16. Licence to Kill (1989)
17. GoldenEye(1995)
18. Tomorrow Never Dies(1997)
19. The World is Not Enough (1999)
20. Die Another Day(2002)
21. Casino Royale (2006)

Never Say Never Again (1983) doesn't count as an official JAMES BOND movie because it wasn't released by UNITED ARTIST. This movie which starred SEAN CONNERY was released by WARNER BROTHERS. Plans of making another BOND FILM next year 2008 is on the works and expect another addition on my collection.

Here's a great book about JAMES BOND that has the history and inputs on the origins of the film and it's success.

"My Name is BOND.... JAMES BOND!!"

Returning From The Journey POWER105

With the massive success of NU107's test broadcast , DZBM POWER105 then decided to bring back their NEW WAVE format on DECEMBER 1987. Now, another NEW WAVE RADIO WAR has just began that would stretch up to the early part of the 1990. It was also a healthy competition like the previous XB vs. BM and the PINOY NEW WAVERS definitely benefitted again. The EIGHTIES!!! What a great decade in music!!!

The Rise Of NU107

1987 was a memorable year for NEW WAVE here in MANILA. On JUNE 9,1987 WXB102 officially bid farewell to all their avid fans and listeners. DZBM POWER 105 new wave format that time was already non-existent. Then came the month of NOVEMBER when NU 107 officially went on test broadcast playing NEW WAVE HITS that was both mainstays on XB and BM but with a lot of additional songs and bands on it's playlist. It was UNDAS time in MANILA when Filipinos visit the cemeteries to pay respect to their dead love ones. I was lucky to be able to hear their first broadcast while on my way to LOYOLA CEMETERY. Actually a lot of people thought that XB has just resurrected from the dead.....they were all wrong because it was a totally different radio station headed by ATOM HENARES and MIKE PEDERO. As the NU DJs would say "THIS IS THE HOME OF NEW ROCK NU107 is DWNU FM in MAKATI" . NU107 was born.

..first NU107 logo photo was taken from my old NU107 sticker on my vaults.

This is "The Home of NU Rock NU107"!!

-DR. STIRRING RHOD

WXB102 & DZBM POWER105

NEW WAVE music was the in-thing during the 80's in MANILA. Of course, PINOYS were very much into this kind of musical genre that rocked the entire nation. There were two influencial radio stations which brought NEW WAVE music at it's peak. Although during 1980-1984 this genre have invaded Manila's FM stations, these two radio stations:WXB102 "The station that dares to be different" and POWER 105 DZBM FM "THE POWER STATION" were the ones who really dug deep into the music. In 1985, both stations started the so-called NEW WAVE RADIO WAR. XB going on the FM frequency dial 102.7 and BM on 105.1. I've tuned in to both radio stations and because of them I really got into collecting NEW WAVE/PUNK stuffs from the original Vinyl Records,Casette Tapes,CDs, VCDs, DVDs. A great experience indeed! THANK YOU VERY MUCH XB and BM.

Big New Beginning!

Hello Everyone!!! Welcome to my humble blog!! Let's talk about Music, Movies and anything under the sun. Hopefully you'll enjoy and have fun. -Dr. Stirring Rhod

THIS IS MY HOME! :-)