When the same generic pop tunes start to lose their luster, leave it to the local music scene to whip out world-class talents, who rock out in their own garages and Rockeoke nights or make waves in events like Fete de la Musique.

Cog

Drawing their energies from modern metal acts such as Dillinger, Mastodon, to—curiously enough—definitive ‘80s names like Depeche Mode and The Smiths, Cog has come up with a sound too complex to be plain metal but too heavy to be anything else.

The six-man band consisting of Alan Po (drums), Richie Ramos (bass), Garon Honasan (sax), Eric Perlas and Joel Patricio (guitars), and Yagi Olaguera (vocals) churns out what can only be described as the generally harsh, heavy, and not-recommended-for-the-elderly sound of any band based in Quezon City—the purported metal capital of Manila. Cog’s sound, however, has a much more refined approach than the run-off-the-mill headbanging pack of goons.

Formed back in 2002 during college, while the band members’ down time were spent with other bands, heavy metal band Cog is now far from its starting point, having churned out their debut album Conflagration two years ago and played in Fete dela Musique in 2005, 2007, and 2009.

“The music scene’s much larger than it was when we first played Fete,” says Yagi. “We [used to] play with some of these guys and it’s cool to see the same people playing in front of thousands.”

Mike’s apartment

Put together a titillating bass and guitar funk duo, chilled out drums, ambient keyboard melodies, and velvet soul vocals, and out swaggers Mike’s Apartment. Their name should not to be mistaken as reference to the lead singer’s abode, for it is actually a poke at a website that’s anything but female-friendly.

The band has racked up more than 100 gigs and shows, won NU 107.5 Rock Award’s coveted best song award with their airy soft but pained ballad “Nagdedeliryo,” and their independently-released debut album Lovers/Quarrel, and several singles. But members JJ Amante (keys), Kennard King (guitars), Yuna Reguerra (bass), Jobit Arguelles (drums), and Mike are still sentimental about their many firsts, including a first performance for Fete de la Musique.

“We consider it our first gig as a legit band with the permanent lineup we have now,” says Mike. “We’ll never forget how nervous we were when we hit the stage at Mall of Asia four years ago.”

Even though their sensual blend of soul, slow rock, and funk tunes sometimes leads them to playing at the oddest stages in events like Fete—“We’re usually placed in either the pop or alternative [stages]”—Mike says, “we don’t mind—as long as we get to play every year.”

Arigato, Hato!

A singing cat, a bear for a bassist, a guitar hero anteater, a keyboardist panda, and a koala supplying the beats. Before you can say Disney movie, meet Arigato, Hato!, the five-piece band from your bedtime lullabies winning the Manila scene over with “heart songs” that appeal to “homo sapiens and their animal spirits.”

Arigato, Hato!’s songs are deceptive. Sing-songy melodies are backed by what sounds like the toy instruments you accidentally left during that one play date in your neighbor’s house; but with the emotional punch of your first break-up. They are the lullabies from your childhood, with an edge.

Honesty is an important part of the Arigato, Hato! formula. “I like retaining innocence [and letting it grow] organically,” says Cat Cortes, the singing Gato.

Most songs start with Cat writing on her Craiglist-acquired piano and, sometimes, on Garage Band. From there, the rest of the menagerie—Ayon Sanchez (Koala), Mikey Abola (Beebear), Martin Tensuan (Panda), Joe Fontanilla (Anteater)—work on the songs, adding layers of instrumentation.

“It’s really just expression,” says Cat. “[None of it] is preconceived.”

From Saguijo to Route 196, this organic musicality has built a following for the cat and her friends. Now with an album on the horizon, this is definitely not child’s play.

Us-2, Evil-0

What do you get when members from bands like Twisted Halo, Pupil, Narda, Blas Ople, and Death By Tampon unite against the forces of evil? A landslide victory.

Us-2, Evil-0 is a band born out of, what vocalist Mitch Dulce calls, “usapang lasing (drunk promises)” during one fateful night of Rockeoke.

And it is this camaraderie that makes the band such a dynamic stage act, and difficult interview. On this particular night in the streets of Saguijo, for example, they are grilling guitarist and keyboardist Wincy Ong about his love life and burgeoning acting career.

“Artistahin,” bassist Nix Puno and drummer Ricardo “Pete Wentz” Jugo tease.

Just one hour ago, Mitch and fellow vocalist Quark Henares were bringing down the house with their boy-girl, call-and-response act. Now, they are caught in a tight bear hug, exposing the act as, well, not an act.

Perhaps this is why Us-2, Evil-0’s music is so difficult to categorize. This is music born out of fun and friendship. Or “posercore,” as the band suggests.

After years of being on the band scene, with all the frustrations that it entails, they are finally home, evil effectively banished.