You rock my world

The Knitting Factory NY, August 27, 2005 at 7 p.m.


The night started with Astro Apollo Z, who sounded unintelligible. They reminded me of the Crash Test Dummies, because the lead has a deep manly voice (think Arnold Schwarzenegger). They sounded okay but I couldn't understand what the lead was saying singing. Or maybe he was just mumbling to himself because that's what it definitely sounded like. All I could make out were the last words of every line like "...you" and "...ooh..."

I didn't really like the way the drummer looked when he played the drums because every time his drumstick hit the cymbals, he looked like he was in pain. Apparently, my sister thought otherwise.


Next up was Merkabah whose lead reminded me of Barney, my former officemate who happened to be my sister Hanna's classmate in 5th grade. Small world.

They had the throat-scratching howls typical of wannabe rock bands. I was surprised to find out that I actually liked their music. At least, they got the crowd moving.


Blue Melon Pop performed next. If I were to judge a book by its cover, I'd say that they were trashy and dirty. But I did like one of their original compositions, Hindi Ako Sila. It sounded Parokya ni Edgar-ish.


The fourth front act was called Inu. I don't know what it means. Probably inu-tang, inu-lan, inu-tutan.

When they came on stage, I was thinking, "Syet, ang tatanda na nito ah." The lead even had his hair done like Moe of the Three Stooges.

Nakakatuwa yung songs nila. A mix of novelty, pop and rock. And they were funny. They made me forget that I was turning into the bitch because:

1. Ang tagal ng Bamboo.
2. I was standing for 4 hours na, and
3. The place was turning into a mosh pit filled with jologs.

They had an acoustic song called Maynila. As the guy was singing, someone shouted, "Nakaka antok!"

He took it in stride by laughing and saying, "Pakinggan nyo kasi yung message."

I like that band. Astig.

The fifth and the last band (thank you concert gods!) was Rubberband. They did nothing but plug their album after every song.

As it happens, the so-called album ($7 lang may kasama pang t-shirt) looks low budgeted. Parang pirated bootleg. Some people were actually chanting, "Bamboo! Bamboo!"

The dirty-trashy lead of Blue Melon Pop and his groupies (fans or relatives, I couldn't tell) decided that it would be fun to stage-dive...not once, but twice! (think Susan Roces)

Kala ko makikinig ang Rubberband sa public demand but no, they were determined to bore us to death for 45 minutes. I would have walked out of the place if not for my prime spot (front and center).

I have no pictures of the last two acts as the battery on my camera was almost drained. I was saving it for Bamboo.

After much boredom and feet pain, it was time.

In came Nathan, Ira and Vic. I wasn't able to get a decent photo of Vic as he was barely visible behind the drums.


Bamboo held my hand four times (more than three seconds each time and pinunasan pa nga nya muna yung kamay nya bago hawakan yung kamay ko) and sang 14 songs:

1. Mr. Clay*
2. F.U.*
3. Kung Ayaw Mo Wag Mo*
4. Ulan*
5. Kisapmata*
6. These Days*
7. English*
8. Hudas*
9. Elesi*
10. Hallelujah*
11. Masaya*
12. Noypi*
13. Much Has Been Said*
14. Alpha Beta Omega*

*Make like a banshee and scream your bloody lungs out.

I have short-term memory loss so, no, I didn't memorize the playlist so I can put it in my blog. I got the exact playlist that Bamboo was looking at so I can put it in my blog.

Besides, I was too busy admiring Bamboo's toes (which were way cleaner than mine)


and staring and screaming (yes, that's what you call multi-tasking) at him.


After the concert, we hung outside The Knitting Factory to have our Bamboo CD autographed.

We were only able to get three signatures because I cannot recognize the drummer even if my life depended on it (okay, that's an exaggeration).


Syempre pwede bang autograph lang?


Bamboo, astig ka talaga! Thanks for last night.

Beb, mas astig ka! Thanks for rocking my world.