(HOMEGROWN) HYPERACTIVE MADNESS! : The ULTIMATE UBE Experience

(Here's another version) 

        Who would have thought that a waffle flavor could be this good it’ll go places? I’m talking about Bulacan-based slapstick band ULTIMATE UBE who’s now giving the underground scene a slice of their music.

            Formed in 2004, the band started with a different set of members. After a number of break-ups, the original members Arman Macarasic (vocals), Cyruss Malanga (lead guitar) and Aron Manzano (rhythm guitar) finally found the right chemistry with new members Gian Silva (bass) and Paolo Gojocco (drums). The band showcases different flavors in different performances they do that, as the band said, is uniquely ‘Ube”.

            “’Pag tinatanong kami kung anong tugtugan namin, ang sinasabi namin ‘Ube’, kasi lumalabas na Ube pa rin.” explains frontman Macarasig, “Yun na siguro trademark namin. Kasi kahit gaano ka-seryoso tugutgan namin, lumalabas nanakakatawa. Kaya anong genre? Ube.”

            ‘Fortunate’ is the word that defines these former skaters. Though the music scene in Bulacan is not tha as booming as in Manila, every time that there will be productions or benefit concerts, rest assured that Bulakenyos are expecting Ultimate Ube to be there. And now they have penetrated their music on Manila’s underground scene, thanks to a common friend who recommended them in an underground production (Creed Of Rock). They’ve been gigging along Timog, Freedom Bar, Mayrics, and recently Club Dredd. And fortunate indeed because they have already produced two singles fot their EP, Hyperactive Washing Machine and Ang Diary ni Larry, both can be searched on Purevolume, Imeem and their account no Friendster and Myspace. They also have home-made music videos on Youtube for Ang Diary ni Larry and their other unproduced single Ayoko na ng Gusto Ko.

            “Last year pa namin ginagawa yung EP. Kami na lang hinihintay, pero ‘di namin magawa. Kulang kami sa budget.” says Arman, referring to their transportation, which is really a bummer. Especially when you only have a small production (Disco Jesus Prod.) that’s producing gigs every summer or/and sembreak. But luck’s on their side, coz they have just announced that they’ll be producing a full-length album (with a pending title Nora Aunor Wet Dreams), expecting to be released before Christmas.

            However, limelight is still on its way for this small town band, “Dito sa Bulacan mas ok kasi mas masayang mag-perform dito, kasi kahit papano kilala ka. Tsaka  kabisado mo na kung anong gusto nila, dito ka nagsimula eh. Sa Manila ginagawa pa rin namin lahat.” says Cyruss. But who could resist their unique style of notes and words, like the stuck-on-your-head lines “Si Jollibee ang pumatay kay Mr. Ramirez!” from Ang Diary ni Larry, and politically conned lines “Gobyerno, Impyerno, Pangulo, Demonyo” from Tonyboy Experience.

            With numerous line-ups in and out of Manila, the Ube boys are hoping in receiving… uh, rewards. “Dati maraming nagtatanong kung magkano TF namin, ang sinasabi namin ok lang. Pero habang tumatagal ang hirap.” says Arman. Cyruss adds, “Gawain namin yun eh. Basta may pakain o painom ok na. Pero ngayon sobrang daming line-ups, parang sayang TF. Pandagdag-budget din yun.”

            So what can we expect more from Ultimate Ube”

            “Album namin, sana matapos na… tsaka focus pa (sa band). Nandyan na yan eh, ‘paglalaban na namin ‘to.”