Moonpools & Caterpillars reunion-cum-homecoming shows happening April in Manila and Cebu
MANILA, Philippines – We all know this by now: hit alterna-‘90s act Moonpools & Caterpillars are playing Manila on April 8 and 11 at Amber Ultra Lounge, The Fort, and Cebu on April 9 at The Outpost. Pinoytuner is bringing them over.
The band has recently regrouped, playing their first show in 15 years on July 27 of last year at Downtown Los Angeles.
“We never stopped playing music [and] being the best of friends. We stayed in touch with fans over the Internet. It was always a treat getting letters and e-mails, hearing their stories. Even though things didn’t go quite as planned, it’s perfect; life has been good for everyone,” singer Kimi Ward Encarnacion was quoted as telling Picksysticks days before 2013’s anticipated reunion.
Not long after, on January 4, they organized a benefit show for the victims of Typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) in the Philippines. It was held, quite symbolically, at the venue where they played their now-fabled last show in 1998: the legendary Whisky a Go Go, which kicked off the performing careers of The Byrds, The Doors, Buffalo Springfield, and Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention, among several others. Fans were floored, and the band was revitalized further.
The Glendale-based Filipino-American act made an indelible mark in the span of a mere three albums. The centrepiece of their short but fruitful experience was, naturally, their 1995 outing Lucky Dumpling (released on Elektra).Though comparisons to Belly, Veruca Salt, The Sundays, and Cranberries have been drawn on occasion, what sets M&C apart is their sprightly bravado, their sense of abandon that’s rooted in fantastic innocence rather than devilish recklessness.
In well-loved tunes such as “Soon,” “Hear,” and “Summertime,” one can sense in singer Kimi Ward Encarnacion not a performer’s unbridled confidence but a woman-child’s sass and spunk, punctuated to great effect by guitarist Jay Jay Encarnacion, bassist Tim de Pala, and drummer Gugut Salgado with their deceivingly simple yet earworm-inducing fretwork and rhythms.
Pinoytuner.com and INQUIRER.net recently shot the breeze with three of the band’s four members.
What do you remember about your last performance in Manila?
Kimi Ward Encarnacion: It was only my most favorite show of all time! We had no idea [about] the reception we’d have in the Philippines. We did this week-long promo campaign on radio and TV. Everyone treated us like kings. It was fun but exhausting. By the end of the week, I couldn’t fit into my pants because of all the merienda and I couldn’t go anywhere without someone knowing my name. Fat and famous in the span of five days! I remember going into Shoemart or somewhere and the salespeople were so starstruck they hid from us in rack of clothes. I couldn’t believe it! Even the guy working the peanut cart in Quiapo yelled my name from across the street and gave me a bag of peanuts. It was crazy! Unlike anything we’d ever experienced at home. By the time the show came around, we were pretty psyched! We walked into the Star Expo and the place was packed with the most energetic fans we’d ever seen. It was awesome! Kids jumped and sang to every song. I’m known for jumping out into the crowd after a show to meet fans. In the US, it’s not big deal, but in the Philippines I was instantly surrounded by so many people I felt like I couldn’t breathe. It was nuts! We loved every minute of it!
What have you been busy with since the band broke up?
Tim de Pala: After the band broke up in 1997, I pursued a career in the VFX industry. I worked as a production manager for a company that designed/created CGI animation and effects for feature films. I have since left that job and am currently a Project Manager for Levi’s, working in their eCommerce Division for levi dot come EU.
What do your kids think about Moonpools & Caterpillars? How do they feel about you guys reuniting?
Kimi: Me and Jay have two boys, both teenagers now. After the LA show in January, Byron, our youngest, said, “Mom, you are so fun to watch; your arms go crazy!” He sat up on stage and watched every minute of it. He loved how we just get up there and go for it. Rocky was out in the crowd dancing! I think they both love it! They think we should release our songs. Me, too.
Tim: [My son] Dash loves the band. Then again, he’s at that age where he loves pretty much anything his dad does. But it’s an amazing feeling to be able to look out at the audience when we’re performing and seeing him there, watching me. Actually, he watches Gugut a lot. He’s crazy about the drums. What four-year-old isn’t?
Along with guys like the Pixies’ Joey Santiago, you guys were probably the best-known alternative musicians of Filipino ancestry in the ‘90s. How much did this matter to you guys? What in your musical DNA would you say is Filipino?
Gugut Salgado: It’s humbling to put it that way. It’s a blessing to know that in some way we can inspire the younger generation of Filipino alternative musicians to just go for it and believe that they can succeed anywhere, anytime no matter where they’re from. Anyone has a shot at doing something incredible if they just get off the couch and take action. And now, it’s so much easier to get your music out there. There are so many avenues. As far as the DNA? Our love of a good melody or catchy guitar tag is one that comes to mind. Filipinos are very musical. Lots of good songs, lots of great singers and bands for sure, all that made possible by timeless melodies and catchy riffs.
With reports from Aldus Santos, Pinoytuner.com; Pam Pastor, Inquirer Lifestyle. Previously published material reprinted with permission. For info on all three shows, visit www.pinoytuner.com.
