And the Converse Get Loud Band Competition Winner Is...

We have seen them first in action as they were gathered here in Manila from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Now the 5 finalist bands are donw with their tours, recording, and preperation to the most awaited finale to know who will be the first winner of the Converse Get Loud Band Competition for the Philippines. 

But before we reveal the winner, let us first get to know what they have done during the one month preparation here in Manila.

All roads lead to the “loudest” music competition of the year

On November 9, all roads lead to Excess Superclub in Quezon City for Converse’s “Get Loud,” the song-writing competition and musical showdown that will crown its first-ever winner among the five semi-pro bands representing the best in the independent rock scene.

Gunning for the prestige of being the country’s first-ever “Get Loud” champ are Even from North Luzon, Brisom from the National Capital Region, Kissbone from South Luzon, Bethany from Visayas and Jad Montenegro from Mindanao.

“After selecting these bands through an exhaustive nationwide search, rallying their supporters through various online initiatives and organizing bar tours to get them revved up for the big day, we are down to the wire and eager to know who will be the chosen one,” says Eli Bonsol, Converse Philippines’ advertising and marketing manager. “It’s just really a matter of giving an explosive performance on stage and establishing that unique connection with the audience.”

All the five bands will perform original songs composed exclusively for the competition. The strength of their music will take the bulk of percentage points (composition with 30 percent and musicality with 25 percent) but they will also be judged on their live performance (25 percent). The remaining 20 percent will be based on online votes; the band that has garnered the most votes will walk away with the People’s Choice Award.

Aside from the honor of being the country’s first “Get Loud” champ, the grand prize winner will take home P150,000 of cash and Converse products. The first and second runner-ups and the two finalists will be awarded with P100,000, P60,000 and P40,000 of cash and Converse products respectively.

“Even, Brisom, Kissbone, Bethany and Jad Montenegro are on the verge of making music history,” says Bonsol. “While we see the culmination of this year’s edition of  ‘Get Loud,’ the winning band will start on an exciting journey that will offer them a multitude of possibilities.”

Let's take a look again at the profile of the five contenders:

Brisom

Brisom, from NCR, is composed of Brian Sombero (vocals and guitar), Jeffrey Castro (drums and beats), Jason Rondero (bass), Tim Abbott (synthesizer and keys) and Terence Teves (guitar).  Most of Brisom’s songs are based on Brian’s “soul-changing travels and life-changing realizations,” capturing the sound of soulful indie rock with “straightforward clarity” and “lyrics from the heart.” They will perform “Waking Lives.”

Jad Montenegro

Jad Montenegro, from Mindanao, takes its name from its lead vocalist. Completing the band are Dave Ibao (guitar and  backing vocals), Eric Luzada (lead guitar), Pjoe Sabanpan (bass) and Carlo Garcia (drums, backing vocals). After performing as a solo acoustic act in Davao, Jad felt the need to expand her musical horizons by forming a band with friends. Their song entry for the competition is “The Escapist.”

Kissbone

Representing South Luzon, Kissbone is composed of Armin Joseph Pepito (guitar and vocals), Justine Sioson (guitar and vocals), Renz Jerome Villanueva (drums), Parker Cataquian (bass) and Allan Paulo Luching (rhythm guitar). Beginning with punk rock to emo-screamo genre during their days at Sienna College Taytay, Kissbone now regularly unleashes hardcore and rock metal music. The band will perform “Distance and Motion.”

Bethany

From the Visayas, particularly Cebu, Bethany is composed of Luis Quibranza III (lead vocals and guitar), Angelo Quibranza (lead guitar and vocals), Paolo Miguel Quibranza (drums and vocals) and Kevin Borromeo (bass). The Quibranza siblings immersed themselves into songwriting in 2008 and began performing soon after Kevin’s addition. The band takes pride in their delivery of alternative rock music that has “a lot of curve balls, intense guitar work, smart lyrics and infectious melodies.” Bethany will perform “Keep Moving On.”

Even

Composed of Dyanne Licudine (vocals), Jam Bumanlag (guitars), Coco Saupan (bass) and Dan Allan Acosta (drums), Even from North Luzon is a Baguio-based band that describes their music as “dark and melancholic.” They take pride for their songs for their “well thought-out lyrics woven into heavy chugs and bass, unisoned into drumlines.” Even will perform their original song “Luminary.”

Now for the winners!

The people choice award goes to EVEN of North Luzon!

And for the final rankings:
Kissbone -5th place
Jad Montenegro -4th Place
Brisom -3rd Place
Bethany- 2nd Place
Even - Champion

With a back to back win for both makes the band indeed a band loved by many and also recognized for their musicality. For the other bands, they are also now open to the opportunities here in the Metro as they are given exposure and a possible music contract from labels. 


This culminates the first Converse Get Loud Band Competition which bands can now look forward to next year as the serach for the best emerging bands compete and get discovered. For more updates, stay connected via www.facebook.com/ConversePhilippines.