The endless cycles of the rise and fall of Pinoy Rock (Part 1 of 2)

There is never going to be a time that local bands would completely disappear or cease to exist. Were that to happen, it would leave a huge gaping void in the music industry.

I can’t fathom that from ever taking place.

For me, something as horrendous as that ever taking place would make us all feel as though we were living in the “Twilight Zone.” I had to make that reference… because I am writing this article Halloween night.

While in all likelihood that taking place would never ever happen… the barren years of bands based here in the Philippines going through trying times of not getting enough exposure–by way of radio airplay, mainstream media attention, venues to play in–do happen. And, in fact, it did happen again a few years ago after the third Pinoy Rock Boom ended in the late 2000’s.

It has always been an endless cycle when it comes to the rise and fall of Pinoy Rock. As soon as those great years of its reign come to pass, you would get the depressing feeling as if Pinoy Rock is going through a “hibernation period” once again wherein things just become too quiet. There is not much activity seen or heard; key bands who were once leading the charge either disband or call it quits for personal or financial reasons.

This cycle that occurs in the local music industry no longer shocks me because it inevitably happens and will recur no matter what we do to prevent it.

One of the valuable lessons I feel more people have learned from those dry spells is that there is now a greater appreciation for the current local bands we have because we never know how long they will continue to be around. So enjoy their original music
to the max and the bands’ presence amidst us.

That is why on my part I have always done what I can to make sure I do my “homework” when it comes to knowing the bands on the rise, the ones that are rising faster than the rest, and especially the ones who I feel are going to be around a long time so that I can feature them and interview them in my column MusicMatters which is exclusive to Inquirer.net.

(End of part 1)