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.
From information provided by founding member Andy Locsin: The Blue Rats is a Manila-based blues band founded in mid-1995 that serves up a menu of straight-up electric blues, old-school R&B, and rootsy, blues-based music. Based on the traditions of blues improvisation, the Rats mix up their sets, try not to play a song the same way twice, and churn out unique versions of songs they cover.
A quarter-century later…a 200+ song menu, an all-time roster of 45 regulars (some little known and others legendary), an amusingly large list of live jammers, an absolute commitment not to take themselves very seriously at all… the Rats patiently and diligently tend to the necessary tasks of their main occupations, and of keeping fellow Filipinos, the community, the vulnerable, and themselves safe during this challenging time of pandemic.
The current 15-member lineup in rotation consists of Melinda Torre (Baihana), Mai Mislang, and Jamie Wilson (Ang Huling El Bimbo) on vocals, Julius Lopez (Baihana), Dennis Mabanta (Overdrive), and John Flores (Working Stiff) on bass, Jong Cablitas, Gilbert Asuque (Brat Pack), and Karmi Santiago (Baihana) on drums, Tom Epperson on harmonica, Roxy Modesto (AMP Big Band) and Nicole Tejedor (AMP Big Band) on saxophones, and Joey Puyat (Kiss The Bride), Kedy Sanchez (Working Stiff), and Andy Locsin on guitars. The changing rotation on any given night has assured a fresh sound, provided a hint of danger, and moved the musical goalposts from one performance to the other.
In this special SoundStrip Live & in Quarantine pop-up edit of the band’s recent lockdown sessions, The Bue Rats perform a song with a history as venerable as the band’s genesis. Written by two of the band’s founders, Andy Locsin and Apa Ongpin, sometime in 1995—the first year the band began performing in public—”Lakas ng Tama” was initially recorded ithe following year at the urging of and assisted by Pinoy Rock Legend Mike Hanopol.
It was intended as a track for a Blue Rats album of 8 originals and 3 covers that was never officially released. A bootleg of the song—recorded by the very early Rats lineup that included Edmond “Bosyo” Fortuno of Juan dela Cruz and Anakbayan fame—occasionally got some airplay on FM and AM radio.
“Lakas ng Tama” has remained a staple on the band’s setlist for 25 years, has been performed by every “version” of the Rats, and endures to this day. Perhaps rather predictably, it took COVID-19 for the tune to be posted publicly… and characteristically, it was recorded on the fly remotely with mobile phones, no rehearsals, and messily stitched together by band members with freeware. This version features Mel, John, Jong, Tom, Roxy, Joey, Kedy, and Andy on the tracks.
The Blue Rats hope that everyone will join them in stepping into a changed world with clear eyes and humility— recognizing the mistakes and shortcomings of the past, realizing what’s truly and fundamentally important, and committing to the promise and potential of building back better, more intelligently, and with more heart than the world we see behind us.
For more of the Blue Rats’ lockdown performances including an equally riveting rendition of Sampaguita’s Pinoy Rock classic, “Kumadre” written by Gary Perez, check out the band’s own YouTube channel.
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