As part of BusinessMirror’s campaign to promote everyone’s safety and well-being during the global health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have invited established and independent artists to perform at least one song in their own homes while urging everyone to stay indoors.
Self-styled schmick and vintage lover Rod Mijares is an acclaimed guitarist that specializes in rockabillly, swing bop, blues, and surf music and counts the likes of rock and roll pioneers Gene Vincent, Dick Dale, The Ventures, Eddie Cochran Buddy Holly and of course, The King himself, Elvis Presley as among his influences.
Rod’s love and passion for that classic era is not just reflected in the way he dresses up and combs his hair pompadour style but also in the two albums he has released to date: See You In my Twang from 2014 and Rockabilly Bill from 2015 for Beat The Robot Records. Rod has also released music under his own Rod Mijares Combo and as a member of The Bembol Rockers, a rockabilly and swing band that many people will remember as the house band of Jojo Alejar’s late night shows.
Both the Rod Mijares Combo and Bembol Rockers were the only Filipino bands that was featured in the Asian rockabilly compilation album, Dirty Boogie Rockabilly Vol.1 released in 2016 across Asia by the Hong Kong-based Toei Production Ltd. Throughout his career, Rod has also been associated with other bands and collaborated with other rock artists.
For SoundStrip Live & in Quarantine, Rod is rolling back the time with an acoustic but still feel-stomping rendition of “Rollback,” an original track from his Rockabilly Bill album. “Rollback” is typical of the jukebox vibe that the rest of Rod’s music exudes. You just have to keep playing them.