At times I do feel like I am also chronicling events and changes that the local music industry goes through.
I just hope that the bands are here to stay.
I do believe there are those of us who do our very best to help out and contribute to ensure the longer survival of Pinoy Rock whether we are directly involved or not in the industry.
I do not think there are any limitations when it comes to contributing to a positive cause if you have a good heart. We can all pitch in, in our own little way and do something to uplift the current state of Pinoy Rock.
I firmly believe that as long as you love Pinoy Rock, then it will always survive because you guys are also the ones who attend the bands’ gigs, listen to and buy their music, and purchase their merchandise.
In essence, we all form the life blood that fuels Pinoy Rock to go on. Because without the fans and supporters how can it survive? I hope the days of seeing a quality band perform to merely a handful of
people in a venue have come to an end. I have seen one too many of those over the years and it is a sad sight. These bands deserve better if only more people knew about them.
It is one thing to keep commenting and saying something about this. But for me to do nothing and watch idly by when Pinoy Rock takes a dip as the public’s attention is momentarily riveted to other directions, is something I will never do.
I do what I believe is right whether some people agree with me or not. What is important is that the local artists and bands I have written about and featured are all behind me.
Which is why I listen to them and not the naysayers and detractors. Unless, of course, you intentionally yet deceitfully commit plagiarism, then you deserve all the criticism and backlash in the world.
For me, and I have always believed this, plagiarism is tantamount to committing “murder” if you are part of the local music industry. Again, plagiarism damages OPM. And Pinoy Rock is a huge part of OPM.
Repeated acts of plagiarism committed by a few local bands over the years have contributed to the weakening of the credibility and integrity of Pinoy Rock.
Last year, I was able to discover, by pure chance, a local band guilty as hell of plagiarizing the song called “Youth Without Youth” by a Canadian indie-rock band named METRIC which was released way back in 2012. This local band put out their plagiarized version of it last year in 2016. It is clear that they went for below-the-radar foreign bands that put out awesome songs they could plagiarize hoping that no one would find out about it. Additionally, the timeline of four years is too telling of their deceitful intentions. Ask any lawyer. What I am saying is correct. You do not have to be a full-fledged musician to know that METRIC’s song “Youth Without Youth” was obviously ripped-off by this local band.
Well, too bad for them I am around. The wicked protect the wrong, the righteous protect the innocent. Which side do you belong to?
And rightfully so, I had to expose it out of principle. I am a true “soldier” of OPM, Pinoy Rock and the local scene. Hence, I am not one of the “blind and deaf followers” of a local band that shamelessly and remorselessly plagiarizes.
Now, back to the topic at hand. When the next cycle comes around again for Pinoy Rock to fall again… at least, I know deep down in my heart I did my part just like all of you, too, out there who genuinely care and do what they can to support Pinoy Rock.
Long live Pinoy Rock, I say!