Solo acts may have absolute control of what they do to a song or during live performances, but there is something priceless in a band set up. It’s like enjoying the company of other people as opposed to being by your lonesome. Add to it the wonder of having a bunch of heads able to mix up creative powers to produce something likely given more thought or discussed thoroughly.
If you notice when you listen to songs like “Smooth” and “Moves Like Jagger,” there’s that extra bite that presents the music of both Carlos Santana and Maroon 5 in a favorably different dimension, respectively. There is pure action and added finesse when we hear the vocals of Rob Thomas intersect with the licks of a guitar god, or once Christina Aguilera comes in out of nowhere to sexily say something while Adam Levine takes some breather.
Recently I witnessed a live performance by Fil-Am band Monster Turned Machine at Gerry’s Grill in Artesia, a city southeast of Los Angeles. Obviously, the group had to play covers for the crowd and they duly delivered with sets loaded with tuneful 80s hits and a string of Rivermaya classics. It was ingeniously a Rivermaya night. Rico Blanco and Bamboo Mañalac, or the remaining members, would have enjoyed it if they had been there.
But then the night reached its highlight when they called in someone from the crowd who is a rock royalty himself: Glenn Jacinto. They backed the lead singer of Teeth who sang a couple of his band’s hits.
Turned out that Glenn had actually collaborated with them on a fine record called “Please Lang,” dropped on digital stores early last month. The trio of Michael Frias (vocals), Joma Mandocdoc (bassist), and Tim de Ramos (multi-instrumentalist) knew how to maximize Glenn’s strength as that familiar voice behind “Laklak” and “Prinsesa.” They chose a song penned by Tim where Glenn would fit in rightly. That’s a proper mindset for letting a popular guest vocalist appear on a track. Let him in because the song needs his voice, not necessarily his name.
Given enough mainstream exposure, “Please Lang” could well be on its way to becoming the band’s breakthrough hit.
Collaborating with a famous dude is cool. Actually joining a group that had long been established is a different challenge.
My good friend Mondo Castro, best known in the underground scene for fronting The Pin-Up Girls, may have surprised many when he decided to join a band he is practically a fan of Violent Playground. How he clearly expressed himself should make people in the gig scene admire his move.
A consummate professional who coaches and inspires people both in the corporate world and the artist community, Mondo said in his post, “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I’d have the incredible opportunity to join the very band that sparked my musical journey. I’m filled with an immense sense of gratitude for this chance to contribute to the legacy of Violent Playground.”
Among the respected acts that rose from the 90s underground, Violent Playground earned their spot with the “Primordial Soup” album that has aged well. Thanks to a collection of songs best appreciated by listeners who’d prefer good songs not that known by the public at large. Their return to live gigging has surely satisfied their “starvation army.”
Mondo’s excitement comes with a promise, he shared, “As I embark on this new chapter, I’m fully aware of the responsibility that comes with it. I’ll be working tirelessly to bring fresh energy and creativity to the band while staying true to the essence of what makes Violent Playground so special.”
When you collaborate with a band, you essentially join them. And when you officially join a group, you collaborate with musicians. You can jumble these terms however you want as long as you’re enjoying the music.