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ALTERNATIVE CAROLINGCAROLS FOR OUR TROUBLED COUNTRYThere are only so many ways to sing a Christmas carol, particualarly if it is alternative bands Imago and Gypsy Grind who will render their own versions in hailing the arrival of the messiah. Such a novelty occured one Thursday night in December, when the two independent lable bands performed in tandem of the Java Hut along Nakpil Street in Malate, sponsored by the neo-feminist group Feminine Force. Members of the audience were encouraged to donate a toy for indigent children. I first caught sight of Imago, which has been around the scene for the past couple of years, at a tribute to the late drummer Edmund Foruno at Hobbit House earlier this year. We arrived at the tailend of their set, and the stage almost went up in smoke with their punk-haired female lead singer, and a lady violinist whose looks and playing resembled that of the gypsy Scarlet Rivera, who once played in Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue Band in the mid '70s. Hearing Imago was like hearing Dylan's Desire all over again, or maybe it was deja vu. But on a Thursday night in Java Hut, there was no sign of Scarlet, which in no small meausure some-what reduced the visual impact of the band. In her place was a fellow who nevertheless wielded a meaner violin, which in Imago takes the role of lead guitar. The following exchange of transpired about Scarlet's absence, which some said may have occurred soon after members of the feminine force distributed handwash lotion to media: A: Half the reason I went there was gone. The sight of a woman playing violin in a rock band can never be underestimated. B: That's unfair to her replacement, not to mention sexist. It would make a difference only if she played her instrument tucked beneath her breast instead of her chin. Imago, bless their young soul, held up well, led by the irrepressible Aia de Leon, with a metal stud implanted just above her chin. There was a number in particular where she was angrily prancing about the cramped stage, giving the finger to anyone who cared to listen, and chanting "fuck you, fuck you" repeatedly -- I must admit, never has the F-word sounded so sexy. And if her punkista inclinations can intimidate the uninitiated, De Leon has a voice in the league of rock sirens such as Annie Lennox, Nathalie Merchant, even Eydie Brickell. Aia's guitar had a "resign" sticker on it, giving political color to the concert. Maybe her f-word ranting was dedicated to Mr. E: its one thing to get a lot of p****, and quite another to use government resources to house those p******. There was another Imago number wistfully sang by De Leon that night, having to do if Christ were a woman. It was not an altogether far-fetched possibility, even if the orthodox might view it as bordering on blasphemy. Just once did Aia give up the mike, on the song Little Drummer Boy which handled by the band's drummer. But there were instances that De Leon seemed to be getting impatient with the all-too lethargic vocals of the drummer, as not even her flashing beautiful eyes could get him to add more life to the carol. The finale, as finales go, was loud and wrenching, the violin parlaying a unique ringing in the ears not unlike that left by an electric guitar. Imago is presently recording its first album, to be produced by Bob Aves and Grace Nono, herself a fury in her own right. Aside from IMAGO, the band Gypsy Grind also rocked the show. They played as the crowd rocked with them. December 24, 2000 -- Philippine Star Entertainment Section -- Juaniyo Arcellana |