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When I met up with Abandoned at Starbucks and got into conversation, I was immediately struck by their depth. We chatted for a while, and Gene expressed to me how for him music and happiness go hand in hand. He related similar experiences to my own – of playing music and singing on the beach with friends and just reveling in that happiness – and having someone come along and order them to stop. He, like me, had asked that question: What is it about seeing a community of happy people that makes some others here want to rob them of it? The message we get is – this is NOT our country, and we weren’t brought here to be happy.
This question occupied my mind throughout the entire interview and the more I learned about the Filipino attitude towards music, life and happiness – I had to wonder who would win. The minority in Kuwait who would try and crush musicians? Or Abandoned, an ego-free hardcore band that don’t let anything get in the way of their love for music – to the extent that they will play even Justin Bieber.
Abandoned are Reggie/Gie – bassist, Jay – Drummer, Gene – vocalist and Roy - guitarist. They were the overall winners in the Battle of the Bands 2013, held by Pinoy Talents Q8.
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I’m getting confused: Gie, Jay, Gene…
Roy (laughs): I’m the only name with a different sound!
So Gene how did Abandoned get together?
Gene: I founded Abandoned in 2011 and I invited Roy, Gie and Jay to join me in the Battle of the bands 2013. We’re actually from different bands but Roy is an original member. Jay is from Red Shadow, Gie is from Panic Room.
What sort of music do you play?
Gene: Most of it is Pinoy (Filipino) rock. It’s also called Tunog Kalye in Philippines. Tunog means sound and Kalye is street. You can hear it anywhere. We decided to use this type of song because we know that Filipinos here want to be entertained when they go out to an event. We don’t want them to just sit there – they need to sing with us, join with us.
Roy: Anywhere you go in the Philippines, you can hear it. It’s very popular.
Reggie: And the messages in the songs are positive – very positive. About youth, nature, for peace…
Really? We’re still talking about the heavy songs?
Gene: Yeah all positive – of course!
And you won the Battle of the Bands with this present lineup?
Roy: Yes. You know, it’s great to feel that we’ve come together as a band, when we have so many different influences. My influence is generally heavy metal music. Gene is influenced by rock, and rap rock. I’m not too sure about the drummer
Jay: I like Progressive Rock
Roy: … and our bassist, I’ve noticed he mostly likes Filipino alternative bands. But it’s good to feel that we share ideas and… well… we won! And we thank people that they trust us like that.
Gene (laughing): and now here we are in Kuwait Continental hotel.
(laughs from the band, ‘yeah right!’)
Haha yeah! Sipping expensive coffee!
Gene: This (pointing to a cup in Jay’s hand) is Starbucks. We brought it from outside. But THIS (lifting mug) is the expensive coffee from Kuwait Continental hotel.
Only high budgets with KM interviews! So do your influences effect how the song is interpreted?
Roy: Actually the songs we choose are not just from one member. If someone brings a song, we all agree beforehand whether it’s a good piece for us, whether we can relate, whether we can express our feelings on our instruments. We’re not playing it for the sake of one member – we play it for everyone. This is a band, not a solo act. There are four of us and we should enjoy it.
Gene tell us about your dancing. Do you dance like that at regular parties as well or just on stage?
Gene: First of all I’m not a dancer (laughs) … but when I hear a good background I cannot stop myself from dancing. I dunno, I’m not saying it looks good
No – I think it’s great. It really adds to the energy.
Gene: This is the groove of my body! When I’m on stage, I just wanna feel comfortable. When it’s good to dance, I will dance. But when it comes to slow songs, I need to be careful about that. Haha!
Gotcha! Roy, you’ve been in Kuwait for a year, Gene for four years and Jay for three years. Reggie you’ve been here how long?
Reggie: Almost four years.
Okay so, can you guys tell me a bit about Music in Philippines. I know there’s a world of difference.
Gene: Yeah that’s true. Music in the Philippines is everywhere. Even inside the toilet you’ll hear people singing. Inside transportation, along the streets, in the market, in the mall – everywhere. In taxis, motorcycles – even a single bicycle.
Roy: There are speakers!
Gene: Really that’s true, for bicycles – they will put speakers, they will put a battery, some memory. They will play a song and sing while riding on the streets. This is something different in our country. We don’t select a ‘place’ to sing. It’s crazy!
Roy: Gene mentioned Tunog Kalye before – sounds of the streets. You’ll be entertained anywhere you go. As long as you’re not in the mountains, you’ll see musicians, speakers, players in the streets with guitars. In terms of music there are so many influences and so many genres to choose. Even though Filipinos don’t understand Japanese or Korean, if those artists come, Filipinos will pay even more to see them.
You look deep in thought Reggie.
Reggie: Don’t mention the Philippines – I miss it a lot.
I know, I’ve never been and I’m feeling homesick for it right now.
Reggie: (a sad look comes over his face): I miss my band there. I mean they’re already disbanded. One guy went to Singapore, another one is working, family – and me here in Kuwait. I miss the guys and yeah I miss the music in the Philippines too.
Jay: Music in the Philippines and here – there’s a big difference. Cus there you can play freely. You can make a gig… and here? You have to get a permit, you have to rent a venue. You’ll get scared, cus someone might check, catch you and shut down the venue. But in our country – it’s totally free.
And I don’t know if you know, they’ve shut down events WITH permits before.
Anyways, Gie is short for Reggie right?
Reggie: Yes.
You’ve played for Red Shadow, Panic Room. You played some Roxette as well – one of my favourite bands from the 90s. I’m sorry (turning to Roy) I don’t want to disappoint you Heavy Metal fans!
Roy (laughing): No problem, Pare.
Reggie, you’ve played with different bands. Is there a genre you hate or won’t play
Reggie: It’s not a problem for me. I’ve been playing here in Kuwait for almost 3 years with other bands as well. People want different things. I’m not choosing songs for myself and I find it easy to cope with others, without a fuss. I may be alternative but I’m not forcing my own style or saying ‘I don’t want to play this sort of music’.
But Hate? I need to think about that… hmmm. RnB. Sorry, haha! But I’ll still play it. One time I played Craig David with another band. But I made a face when I played.
How about the rest of you guys?
Roy: If I say I’m a metalhead, you will know the answer. But actually, generally I don’t like Reggae music.
Gene (mimicking a reggae bass and guitar): Bm, trakh, Bm, trakh. Me, I don’t hate any kind of song. The only consideration is whether I can sing it well … although sometimes I fail at that. But I love music and try to accept anything. A-NY–THING!
Roy: That’s a character we really like in Gene. As long as he can sing it, he doesn’t care.
Jay: He even sang Justine Bieber!
Reggie (excitedly): Yeah yeah, one time he sang Justine Bieber! He’s the Justin Bieber of the Philippines.
everyone laughs
Gene: There was an invitation for a birthday of people from here. The kids requested new songs from Justin Bieber although we didn’t practice anything like that. My band mates from that time were really open. They opened YouTube, they copied the chords and lyrics, I wrote it down quick, and we sang it for the kids. That was my first time singing Justin Bieber songs. But – Music is my profession. If this is what I like, I need to stand for it. As long as I can sing, and I can get people to dance or sing with me – that is what’s most important.
And was the Justin Bieber song successfully played?
Gene (laughing): I’m not going to say anything!
Roy: That’s all folks!
(Laughing). Alright, it’s classified information. Well, what’s the hardest thing about being a musician in Kuwait?
Gene: Timings. You need to organize things from your job, family responsibilities, other things and then the band as well. Preparing for gigs is very, very hard. You need to practice, see each other, spend money to practice somewhere, spend money when you want to meet – and for most of the events you get nothing. This is very hard. You have duty in the morning and in the evening you play music. And the next day, you have to deal with more stuff. This is all hard – but we’re happy.
How about you guys?
Jay: Same opinion.
Reggie: Same as them. But I also have another one. The attitude of some members. Some were Prima Donnas. In the past – not here. Abandoned is united and that’s the good thing about this band. But we’ve had problems before with others.
Roy: Honestly my problem when I first joined Abandoned was my pride. I wondered what my friends would tell me when they saw my genre changed in Kuwait. They see me on Facebook, see videos of me playing. Metal and Alternative are different. In terms of level, metal is higher – as you know. But lately I’ve been appreciating all the music that Gene suggests, and my fellow bandmates. With Abandoned, it’s the first time I’ve played like this and… I enjoy it. So no problem if others tell me ‘why are you playing this or that?’
Reggie: Tomorrow we’re gonna play Lady Gaga okay?
Everyone laughs
Roy: No problem – even Justin Bieber. But hardcore version.
Gene: I’m going to do a Lady Gaga cover now. Raa raaa raaa raaa raaa.. this time for Africa!
Reggie (laughing): That’s Waka Waka!
Haha. Okay guys, last question. If you could say anything to struggling musicians in Kuwait, what would it be?
Gene: Love music. It’s not easy to play and organize events but we do it to entertain people… aside from our own happiness. We want others to feel how much we love music and that we want them to join us. I know we have differences in beliefs when it comes to music – The types, the moods of people. But it’s not so important. That’s what I want people to understand
Jay: What can I say? Advice? Just keep going – play! If you’re a musician – you can go anywhere, any place and flow and flow and flow. Just keep on playing!
Reggie: Have faith and try everything, especially in music. Cus we love it – and they should love it. Embrace it. So – Peace love and harmony!
(nods and cheers of agreement from all angles)
Roy: I don’t have much to say but - play it with their hearts. Just play, with your hearts.
Thank you Abandoned for your overwhelmingly positive message and attitude. I want to thank you guys for your time and hopefully we will be seeing much more of Abandoned, with whichever lineup, at the next gig. Until then. Goodbye!
The post Abandoned: The Philippines, Ego-Free Music and Happiness! appeared first on Kuwait Music.