Innervoices

 Ode to original Pinoy music

By Nico Erle Ciriaco 

Original Pilipino Music (OPM) had a field day when pop-rock band Innervoices made their debut performance at the Noctos Bar in Quezon City. From classic hits of the 80s and 90s, including the toothpaste commercial theme song "Closer You & I" by Gino Padilla and "Di Bale Na Lang" by Gary Valenciano, the band's encore of hits from Eraserheads ("Magasin" and "Huling El Bimbo") and Rivermaya ("Kisapmata" and "214"); together with a midway performance of their new song "Sayaw sa Ilalim ng Buwan" and "Sa Ilalim ng mga Tala," harkened to the golden days of the Pinoy sound - which could also be a portent for its resurgence.

New acts like SB19, Bini, Ben&Ben, Zack Tabudlo and the rising crop of Pinoy talents hint at the high patronage of local music now, like that experienced in the 70s and 80s. Plus, campaigns from art/culture and music circles simply enliven the OPM spirit.

As a pop rock band, Innervoices also regaled the spectators from the bar with their covers of 90s new wave hits of foreign acts like Tears for Fears ("Everybody Wants to Rule the World"), the Police ("Every Breathe You Take"), and a well-received Queen medley that had Journey frontman Arnel Pineda jamming with the band's lead vocalist Pat Marcelino.

R & B and rock anthems from Billboard hits were also part of their repertoire like REM ("The One I Love"), Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder ("Together in Electric Dreams"), Aha ("Take on Me"), Jo & The Boxers ("Just Got Lucky"), Van Halen ("Jump"), Santana ("Corazon Espinado" and "Smooth"), Skylark ("Wildflower"), Jack Wagner ("All I Need"), and a Bryan Adams cover of "Heaven" as performed by Arnel Pineda.

With their their new album "Handa Na" fast taking shape, Innervoices, like OPM music, is enjoying a resurgence in their 34-year presence in the Filipino music industry.

Aside from the Noctos Bar, the Innervoices also performs at the 19 East Bar (Alabang, Muntinlupa) and the Hard Rock Café (Makati) once a month; as well as two gigs monthly at the Aromata Bar in Quezon City.