MANILA, Philippines–For the past several years, the classic pop-rock Filipino trio Planet9 has been performing to an intimate crowd in select bars in the city. Its main draw is am all-hits repertoire from the 1970s, ’80s, and a few from the ’90s.

 

Composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Mon Espia (of the band Labuyo and Gary Valenciano’s backup band Powerplay), bassist Dave Delfin (Franco), and percussionist/drummer Tony Fernando, Planet9 has also been inviting other musicians to play at its gigs. In past shows, it has performed with Bleu Rascals frontman and guitarist Paul Marney Leobrera.

 

For its coming gig on Jan. 30 at The Smoking Joint (TSJ), the band will play with Pido (formerly with Side A who now fronts the Steely Dan-inspired band Black Cows, aside from doing his solo shows with an acoustic backup).

 

“So, puwede kaming mag-Steely Dan,” says Fernando, who, incidentally, co-owns TSJ.

 

The Smoking Joint, Green Sun Hotel, 2285 Chino Roces Ave. Makati; tel. (02) 8423 5514