Buhay banda - Part 7 (Battle of the Bands)

Continuing this story.

Brad Amet returned the next summer and we went full-force with our band aspirations.

Bro hooked us up in a band competition in San Pablo and we prepared 3 songs for the gig - our rendition of Asin's "Cotabato", my own environmental rock "Di Ko Matanaw", and Vinny's love song "Sa Iyo".

Our line-up was:

• Lead Guitar - me
• Rhythm Guitar - Vince
• Bass Guitar - Bro
• Drums - Toby
• Keyboards - Israel
• Vocals - Amet

We queued up for a few hours to get inside the the Lycvem of San Pablo City where it's held, and waited even longer for our turn on the stage. We were 6th on the list, and I remember being nervous as hell in anticipation.

There were easily thousands of people there. Most of them with long hairs wearing black shirts and jeans. Everyone looked dirty and smelly. Even the ladies. It was a definitely rock concert atmosphere. We, in contrast, were wearing clean white shirts neatly tucked in our blue jeans. We looked like boys among men.

Finally, our number was called and we went on stage. After a quick sound check, we went on with our first band performance.

Surprisingly, we sounded great. It was our first time to use decent equipment - as in real 100-watt amps mic-ed into full-blown P.A. systems, and I've never even played on anything more than a 25-watt amp. So, it was a surreal experience for me. Being up on the stage, spotlights and all, with a full stadium (or basketball gym) of audience banging their heads along with our beat.

Our music was clean and balanced. The bagsakans were well-executed. Brad Amet's voice was tender but wild, and Toby (on drums) was having the time of his life. None of us made any mistakes and we all enjoyed the performance. We finished our songs feeling that we actually have a chance to win.

Well we didn't. But we went home happy and satisfied. Much excited with what is to come.

Coming next: The Band