Coca-Cola turns up the volume on OPM music with Coke Studio

The sounds of Pinoy music will get a refreshing taste as Coke Studio opens in the country, bringing a fresh experience for the local music industry.

The first of its kind in the country, Coke Studio is a music TV show that encourages collaborations among Filipino artists – bringing together different musical genres, the young and seasoned artists, and the mainstream with the indie. Coke Studio is a celebration of the rich diversity in OPM and the central unifying role of music among Filipinos.

“Coke has always been about encouraging personal expression among the younger generation of teens, and what better way to unite them but through a universal language, which is music. This is what Coke Studio is all about. We are making music our tool of choice to connect with teens,” said Stephan Czypionka, Coca-Cola Philippines Vice President for Marketing.

Sandwich "Debris" Mall Tour

After the band’s most catchy, foot-tapping songs that kept the moshpit bouncing and seven remarkable studio releases, Sandwich returns with a brand new album entitled "Debris" released under PolyEast Records. CD mall tour will be:

June 7 (Sunday, 5Pm) – SM Baliwag, Bulacan

June 12 (Friday, 5pm) – FisherMall Quezon Avenue

June 20 (Saturday, 5pm) - SM Calamba, Laguna

June 21 (Sunday, 5pm) – SM Sta. Rosa, Laguna

MUSIC LYF: Sandwich Rocking for Fifteen Years and Beyond

Bands come and go, and it would take a great bond and a common love of music that keeps the band together between thick and thin, and that is what the members of Sandwich have that is no secret to their fans and friends. Now they found themselves 15 jamming together and have performed countless times in a lot of locations.

Their works have been hits of the modern Pinoy, with music video that goes beyond the box like "DVDX" "Sugod" and "Lakad" made their mark in the industry. Being fans of music and watching bands keeps them rooted to what they love to hear and what they love to do. So basically, everything boils down to music as their foundation.

MUSIC LYF: Sandwich Cooks New Album "Fat Salt & Flame"

It quite some time of waiting for a new album from the fun-loving band Sandwich, but after three years since Contra Tiempo was released, they are now back again and is now serving their new "dish" with the latest album "Fat Salt & Flame".

With the new album out, what can expect from the fun loving band which made waves with hits like "Sugod", "Betamax", "DVDX" and many more. And what does the the title mean since it talks about food similar to the band name? Will they be chefs? Will they have a cook book? Are recipes inside? Well will unlock that with our interview video with the band on their album launch.  

SANDWICH is coming BACK FOR MORE, 15th anniversary album Fat, Salt and Flame now out in stores released by PolyEast Records

Much like the album ‘Grip. Stand. Throw.’ -- the first album released in 1999– following Sandwich in 2013 still feels like epic and familiar.  Formed in 1998, SANDWICH has now existed for more than a decade and remains being influential in shaping the direction of OPM rock.

After the band’s most anthemic songs that kept the moshpit bouncing and seven award-winning studio releases, Sandwich returns with a new album Fat, Salt & Flame via PolyEast Records and was recently launched at Centris Walk, Eton Centris in Quezon City last April 12.

Frontman Raymund Marasigan said “Fat, Salt & Flame represents primal elements that are the building blocks for a mind-blowing good time. Myrene (Academia, bass) came up with the phrase (Fat, Salt and Flame). We were probably talking about a good steak at the time.”

As the band returns for more after the release of 2010’s “Contra Tiempo”, the new album kicks off with the single “Back For More”-- weaving together the distinctive tones and melodies that have always been the heart of Sandwich.

With repeatedly screams of “…I’m coming back for more”, the single’s music video is now on MYX Channel and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYsv0fTOyj0) as directed by musician/director RA Rivera.

“Back for more started as a chord progression by Mong (Alcaraz, drums). We jammed as he came up with the melody without lyrics. Like all of the songs we recorded, the demo by playing it live in our practice studio using a Zoom digital recorder.”

Fat, Salt and Flame sounds like the work of a band caught between old habits and new adventures as Marasigan shared “In this album we rehearsed, wrote and tried out the songs live for almost a year and quite longer time compared to our previous albums. We took the songs out on the road for almost a year then we recorded it live in the studio. Then in fifteen days we recorded live at Sound Creation Studios and Tower of Doom. “

Collecting ten tracks in the production booth for a year with tricks that are familiar – Marasigan’s gigantic choruses, mixed old and new formulas but in the end offers a spark of hope to the cynical. You can look for #sandwichrecording on Twitter and Instagram as the band documented how the album came about.

Even seven albums into their career, Sandwich managed to sound both confident and unsettled, always pushing into new territory but galvanized by what they could do together. Marasigan adds, “We wanted an album that we we'd be excited to play live. Onstage is where Sandwich is most at home. That's why we recorded it live as well.”

Fifteen years ago, however, Sandwich cultivated an air of mystery that extended from their music from obscure music videos to packaging that always worked best representing each Sandwich album.

Marasigan continues, “We only write songs we want to play live. Our personal satisfaction is the main concern. When we enjoy ourselves and our songs, we put on a good show. And hopefully our audience will get blown away as well.”

The band’s success had paved the way for a new generation of rock acts, as Sandwich continues to lead the charge.

Sandwich are Raymund Marasigan (Vocals, Guitar), Myrene Academia (Bass, Backing Vocals), Diego Castillo (Guitar, Backing Vocals), Mong Alcaraz (Guitar, Backing Vocals) and Mike Dizon (Drums).

Sandwich’s new album Fat, Salt and Flame is now available for downloads on mymusicstore.com.ph and iTunes Philippines. CD is now available nationwide exclusively at AstroPlus/Astrovision released by PolyEast Records.

Special thanks to Smart Bro, Café Puro and House of Lasagna (Centris Branch).

Track List:

1. Fat, Salt and Flame

2. Back For More

3. Sleepwalker

4. Pray For Today

5. The Week After

6. Mayday

7. Kidlat

8. New Romancer

9. Manhid

Summer is Not Yet Over at Fontana Independence Day Music Festival

Schools in but summer is not officially over as it also independence day at Fontana Leisure Park in Clark, Pampanga. The party kick in on June 11, 2011 with a jam-packed array of singers and bands of different genres that everybody will enjoy. Fontana, known for its world class facilities that draws tourists to central Luzon,  boast this event to be similar to Spring Break parties in the United States. The main stage will be at the Olympic size pool and stretches to the wide area of the vicinity.

 At the presscon, it is revealed that the artists that will perform on June 11 consists of D-Coy (Beatmatics), Wika Artists, Artstrong Clarion, DJ Joker, Nyko Maca, DJ Arbie, and MIzz Snaper plus famous bands like Slapshock, Sandwich, Peace Pipe, Tropical Depression, Pop Shuvit and Kalayo with sexy acts like the Mocha Girls. Hosted by the alluring Paloma and MC Dash.

 Aside from the music one can also get into fun games and surprizes that will surely keep you entertained all day. And with Brazilian models who will also grace the event, its definitely a party to go to! Fontana also offers a free shuttle ride from Manila to Clark for those who wants to  escape the city for this independence day weekend. For tickets you can go to http://www.ticketnet.com.ph/ or visit the Fontana Leisure Park Facebook page and website.