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March 17, 2006 Friday
The Sky is Crying
It started out at Mag:net Café when I requested Ruben, Snakecharmer lead guitarist, to do Stevie Ray Vaugh's The Sky is Crying. They couldn't do it and that was that. Fast-forward another week to Rock's bday bash at Mag:net again. Ruben was there inviting me to watch the Snakecharmer's gig at Gweillo's, in Eastwood. I simply said, "You guys can't do The Sky is Crying" and that was that again. Fast-forward to today, I get a text from Ruben saying, "The Sky is Crying. See you tonight at Gweillo's." I was supposed to sleep early that night for an early skin-dive to Laiya, Batangas the following day, but I was forced-to-good....he-he, good for me too.
Gweillo's
Gweillo's was full of familiar faces that night. The ever-so-charming
Camille of Taffy Trip was there. The Brew was slated to perform as well. Child-star
Snooky Serna showed up to watch her Nino Mendoza (from BlueJean Junkies) on stage. Last time I saw Snooky on the silver screen, she was a toddler...now, she's woman-of-the-world...and a lovely one at that.
Snakecharmers
With the kind of blues they belted out, they can certainly charm a snake. Meet the bandmembers -
Ruben and
Zann on guitar, Mich on bass,
Jason on vocals,
Mon on drums and Neil on keyboards. These guys pack up a powerful punch. Did I mention Ruben and Jason are UP Mountaineers '96 applicants?
Nino Mendoza
I only met this guy that night but I'll remember him for a long time. This dude makes his mark. On stage, he reminds me of Mick Jagger's intensity and energy. He looks like a cross between Sid Vicious and David Bowie (during his Zigggy Stardust days). He was adept at the harp, so I requested Room to Move by John Mayall...but I guess it was way before his time. I certainly hope I get a text one day from him saying, "Room to Move...see you tonight at the gig".
Ending Thoughts
As open as I am to most genres of music, I keep coming back to the Blues...as in Mississippi Delta and Texas Blues. I'm a Blues guy. The last time I enjoyed myself at a Blues bar was at Dan Lynch - an unpretentious dive in a seedy section in New York's mid-town. It was smoked-filled, raw, gritty, with a heavy load of barflies...but it all came down to letting your hair down and partying the night away with complete strangers who knew how to have a good time. Since then, it has been my benchmark for the Blues (well...except for the smoke-filled part). It's not easy to come across a blues band here, let alone go to a blues bar. For now, this evening is as good as it gets...bring it on!
--- TheLoneRider
Comments? Email webmaster@thelonerider.com
Ruben
(Mar 21, 2006) Thanks for the mileage. But I think I should practise my smile a bit. More blues nights coming!
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