After over 10 years I was able to play at mayrics again.
The last time I play at mayrics was in around 1997. I was with the band LVNA then. I was also playing for lastiko, lolita carbon, Ysagani Ybbara, and some other singers. Mayrics was the home of most budding musicians during those days. Only a few were able to come up with an album then since recording was too expensive and indie was not that popular yet. THese photos were taken in 1995 in front of mayrics. Notice my old punk look.
Last Aug 7, our band was called to play at mayrics. We will be opening the night with 4 songs. Our band was temporarily called Elm Street. We arrived on the venue at around 8:30 as we are supposed to take the stage at 9. But everything was delayed and so we sort of tambay outside the venue. When we arrived the place was full of UST students. I think mayrics serves dinner kaya puno ang venue. But almost all of them left when the band started as entrance will be charged if they stay on.
I noticed that the signboard outside was missing. Probably it was being repaired. But I noticed the whiteboard of scheduled bands looks totally worn out. I suspect this is still the same sign board used way back then.
This favourite spot is now gone. So most of the people now sit on the gutter.
Inside mayrics the place seems to be wider. The stage became bigger and the control of the house sound set up is now behind the bassist on the right side of the stage. Unlike before which was located under the stairs. The guitar amps are now all peavey. Even the drums. Looks like the mayrics got a sponsor for this. Gone are those twin reverb fenders which miyo, nitoy, pio and chikoy enjoys. Still the instruments are not feed thru the house. So its up to the players to adjust their volumes for a good mix. Pretty much the old way. As I hooked up my 5 string ibanez bass on the peavey bass amp, I totally forgot my emg pickups are loud. And so we did our first song with too much bass. Couldnt adjust the tone during the song as we did a fast first number. The succeeding songs became more mixed.
This picture was taken in 1994 at mayrics. That is jet our lead singer of LVNA. At the backdrop is a poster of LA105 and Musicians For Peace. All of these backdrops are gone now.
After our set, a couple of promising bands performed. Both young and energetic. Then after a barrage of “emo” “scremo” bands which I found intriguing especially how they mixed the emo-thing with punk rock complete with attitude and colorful get up plus the jumps and slams.
There are still bands who would goes onstage and plugs in their guitars and starts playing without minding how they sound like. They may not even know what the knobs are on the amps except for the volume. As long as they hear their instruments then they start playing. Really amateurs who need more experience. But the energy is there. Even one guitarist couldnt figure out how to turn off a feedback from his guitar which lasted almost two songs. Only surfaced on the last song when he realized he was sitting in a feedback position in front of the amp. Or maybe he didnt actually figured it out but was just surprised the feedback was gone when he stood up. LOL.
Mayrics really brought back memories. But the crowd was totally different now. Still see familiar faces especially from the crew. But the audience and their tastes of music is now totally different. Someone from the organized mass movement of the 80s-90s decade brought up an idea of having a reunion concert in mayrics bringing the old people (audience and bands) back to the place. I am excited about this.
