A rare triple blues bill is scheduled on Aug. 12 at Strumm’s in Makati, featuring two seasoned acts, Bluesviminda and Lampano Alley, and the young group Ian Lofamia Band.

 

This gig is special primarily because Lampano Alley’s dynamic bandleader, Binky Lampano, has been living in the United States and is just on vacation in Manila. A kinetic singer and highly literate songwriter, Lampano first made his mark as frontman of Deans December, one of the few local bands playing original material in the 1980s.

 

His undeniable talent spurred fellow musician Stephen Lu (of Runaway Boys and Rizal Underground) to manage Lampano as a solo artist and produce his debut album “I Read the News” in 1992. The critically acclaimed album could be considered one of the catalysts that led to a golden age of alternative Filipino music, an age that saw the Eraserheads and dozens of other bands achieving commercial success.

 

Though virtually unheard by the mainstream audience, Lampano pursued his passion by forming the bands Newly Industrialized Combo and Lampano Alley which explored the blues with a Pinoy sensibility.

 

Another reason to catch the gig is Bluesviminda, whose members include keyboard player Butch Saulog and Color It Red singer Cooky Chua— both of whom have collaborated with Lampano.

 

Add the impressive Ian Lofamia Band and you have no excuse to miss this show.

 

Strumm’s, 110 Jupiter St. Makati; tel. 8954636

 

Live at The Brewery

 

Likewise it’s not every night that the new bar The Brewery at The Palace in BGC hosts a live gig. For its grand opening on Aug. 12, the following Pinoy bands will perform: Up Dharma Down, Yolanda Moon and

Pulso.

 

The Brewery, whose owners include musician Rico Blanco, boasts four kinds of beer: the Pilsner, Indian Pale Ale, Stout and Wheat Beer, all brewed in-house. It also serves bar chow created by chef Carlo Miguel.

 

The Brewey at The Palace, 9th Ave. corner 36th St. Bonifacio Global City, Taguig; tel. 0917-6383339

 

 

Original members

 

Why should fans of British new wave music watch Spandau Ballet’s concert on Sept. 21 at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena? Because this will be the first time that the band—which broke up in 1990—is performing with all its original members.

 

Lead singer Tony Hadley has been to Manila for a couple of shows singing Spandau Ballet songs, but the absence of the rest of the band members made those gigs feel incomplete.

 

What made the reunion possible was the release of “Soul Boys of the Western World,” a documentary on Spandau Ballet that premiered at the Royal Albert Hall and which the band is now promoting through its current tour that includes the Manila date.

 

It would be great to see its chief songwriter and guitarist Gary Kemp, bassist Martin Kemp, saxophonist Steve Norman and drummer John Keeble play with Hadley and give “True,” “Gold,” “Only When You Leave, Highly Strung,” “Round and Round,” among other songs, their authentic versions.

 

SM Tickets, tel. 4702222; visit www.smtickets.com

 

 

September gigs

 

More gigs worth your time and money:

 

“Road To Ultra Philippines,” an EDM concert featuring Skrillex along with A-Trak, Fedde Le Grand, Mija, Vicetone, W&W and Zeds Dead, on Sept. 26 at the MOA open grounds.

 

SM Tickets 4702222; visit smtickets.com

 

Postmodern Jukebox, a group formed by Scott Bradlee with a rotating lineup of musicians playing pop hits with a unique twist, on Sept. 18 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

 

Ticketnet, 9115555; visit www.ticketnet.com.ph