A reunion gig where no one was too old to rock
New Wave music bounced back to life Friday night at the NBC Tent in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, courtesy of “Rebel Yell,” an event starring Pinoy band Identity Crisis, whose members played again for the first time since breaking up in the mid-1990s.
The reunion gig—which also featured retro covers band Kudos Love ’80s and DJs spinning songs from “mobile disco” days—goaded some fans to show up in vintage punk and gothic attire.
No one looked too old to rock to the music, whether in a mohawk, trench coat or all-black outfit, notwithstanding the excess poundage.
Kudos Loves ’80s put everyone in the proper mood with a repertoire that included The Cure, Big Country, Boomtown Rats, Lotus Eaters, China Crisis, ABC, Duran Duran, The Smiths and New Order.
First cousins
Earlier, a DJ played a remixed version of The Clash’s “Career Opportunities,” a pleasant reminder to the misinformed that punk and New Wave music were like first cousins.
The blast from the past escalated when Identity Crisis mounted the stage and opened with “Imagining Oktober” from its 1988 debut album, “Tale of Two.” It prompted us to momentarily recall what made this band matter.
While it did not really achieve fame, as in widespread public recognition and financial rewards, Identity Crisis deserves credit for daring to form as a band in 1986—a time when the local music scene was in dire need of something new to discover.
Along with The Dawn and the punk bands under the wing of Tommy Tanchanco’s Twisted Red Cross indie record label, Identity Crisis unwittingly defined the new Pinoy rock—later collectively named as Filipino alternative music whose stalwarts included the likes of Joey Ayala and Gary Granada.
Identity Crisis’ music had an interesting sound, crafted with layers of keyboards by Leni Llapitan and distinctive guitars by Resty Cornejo. It fitted perfectly with its self-absorbed lyrics that spoke of youthful alienation. Completing the package was the gothic look—band members sporting black outfits and ghoulish makeup. This band oozed with style.
At the concert, vocalists Buddy Arceo and “Cool Carla” Abaya took turns in working up the crowd, the latter strapping on an electric and acoustic guitar in some numbers. They sang like their pipes never got rusty with the passage of time.
Cornejo likewise sounded as fine as he was during the band’s prime; his guitar solos burned with an intensity that bore traces of metal and prog rock.
Marvin Mendiola’s drumming was as solid as ever, matched by the timekeeping thumps of bassist Tabs Tabuñar, who subbed for original member Bogs Ambrosio (who passed away in Singapore early this year).
The band’s set list combined originals and covers that drove many in the audience to flail their arms and skip on their toes.
A cover of U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name” generated extra power with guest vocalist Jett Pangan.
The band proved that striving to write its own songs was its own reward. “Where Wild Things Grow,” “Blank Pages,” “Whispering Castles,” “Will I Ever Know” and “My Sanctuary” were not big hits of their time, but they soothed many a troubled kid’s nerves back in the day.
