2-member Japandroids set to gut Manila club with rousing punk set
This August 19 at the Hard Rock Café in Makati, Canadian rock duo Japandroids will prove that half a band can be twice as great as a full four-member lineup. With only two members sharing vocal duties—Brian King on guitar and David Prowse on drums—the band has gained notoriety through their energetic live performances.
Japandroids was formed in Vancouver in 2006 and struggled to break into the Vancouver music scene. While recording “Post-Nothing” in 2008, they saw that the band was going nowhere and decided to release the album in 2009 without any promotion.
Yet this surrender turned their fortunes around as music website Pitchfork had awarded the song “Young Hearts Spark Fire” with Best New Track and consequently the entire album with Best New Music which enabled the band’s music to reach a global audience.
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Punk rock chant
“Post-Nothing” then became a whole lot of many things. The attitude that led Japandroids to release their music willy-nilly translated to a recklessly noble attitude onstage, which audiences loved. They’ve performed triumphantly in more than 200 shows in more than 20 countries.
The powerful howls enveloped in ripping guitar riffs backed up by bold drum beats music make for a tough sound. They prove that two members are simply better than more, enabling tighter and more unified performances.
In 2012, Japandroids released their second album called “Celebration Rock” with the single, “The House that Heaven Built.” The song’s anthemic chorus has become the new punk rock chant as the band now tours the world to promote their new material.
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An experience to see them live
I ran several kilometers hoping to catch Japandroids on another stage at the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan last year. Sadly, I missed them then. Luckily, I got another chance when they played earlier this year at the 2013 Laneway Festival in Singapore.
Seeing them live, it's hard to think of the band not ever existing. Even more mind-blowing, who would have imagined they’d be in Manila playing their own show at a relatively intimate venue like Hard Rock Café in Makati.
Japandroids are an experience. We in Manila got lucky.
Japandroids live in Manila will be held at the Hard Rock Cafe in Glorietta 3, Makati on August 19, 2013. Ticket prices are at P1,200 for presale and P1,500 at the door. Visit www.kindassault.com for more details.
