...Lampano Alley's the best Blues band I've seen in the Philippines," said Oca. "They served as an inspiration. Whenever I watch them, I pick-up a lot of things which helps me improve my skills both as a guitarist and musician in general..."

Watching Lampano Alley perform live is a must for any music aficionado. Just seeing them perform once would be enough for one to say, "I have seen what the Blues is all about."

By Clare Lapuz
photos by gerry kaimo and jim ayson

Editor's Note: Word got around to us that Binky Lampano, gravel-voiced vocalist and leader of Manila-based blues group Lampano Alley would be leaving for the US to attend to some urgent family business - a matter so involved that he would have to be away from the country for six to seven months at least. Which meant that Lampano Alley would have to take a hiatus from the scene as well. A message went out over the band's mailing list that a series of "farewell gigs" would commence at the band's regular haunts at the Hobbit House on A.Mabini in Malate. Clare Lapuz, a blues singer herself (of the band Mother Bjorn), checked out the last gig last September 30 and contributes this report.

Binky Lampano surveys the blues scene

Binky Lampano raises his beer bottle while he does his trademark foot-stomping and face-twitching moves - a mannerism he takes on when he gets straight into a blues groove. That night, Lampano Alley gave the best performance I had ever seen. To mark the night as extra special, they've invited guitar virtuoso Joey Puyat, late of the Mexicali Blues Band, to jam with them. The crowd goes wild as Lampano powerfully sings the last few words of his final song. He waves to the audience as his instrumentalists hit the last note of their finale. The lights dim, the audience's wild applause echoes throughout the Hobbit House - Lampano Alley's homebase - and the band, in a somewhat solemn fashion, walks off the stage.

Lampano Alley at a recent Hard Rock Cafe gig

It was quite moving to watch one of the best blues bands in the Philippines perform what would turn out to be it's last gig in a long time. As a regular patron of Hobbit House's Saturday night blues gigs, I would come and repeatedly watch Binky's every move without tiring of it, knowing that come next Saturday, I would be able to treat myself to another great performance. However, the 30th of September was unlike any other Saturdays. It was the night of Binky's last performance there, marking Lampano Alley's long break from the Philippine blues scene.

I have to admit, I was saddened by the news. I wasn't the only one to share the same sentiments. JR Oca, guitarist of the funk-blues ensemble Third World Project, and an avid Lampano Alley follower, stated his own disappointment. "It's quite sad because Lampano Alley's the best Blues band I've seen in the Philippines," said Oca. "They served as an inspiration. Whenever I watch them, I pick-up a lot of things which helps me improve my skills both as a guitarist and musician in general. I hope they reunite soon."

Even Mike Bewer, lead guitarist/vocalist of Piranha and session bassist for Mother Bjorn, couldn't help but feel sentimental about the break, "Being a musician myself, I can't help but feel really sad about the loss of a blues institution, like Lampano Alley. They will definitely be missed while they're gone."

From punk to the blues

Tomcat Colvin wails on his blues harp

Lampano Alley has indeed come a long way. Their lead bluesman, Binky Lampano, started out in the punk era as vocalist for the legendary 80's band Dean's December, but later grew his blues roots when he met harpist extraordinaire, Tom "Tomcat" Colvin, circa 1992, who was then an executive with the Asian Development Bank in Manila. Tom and Binky eventually formed the N.I.C. or the "Newly Industrialized Combo" which, according to Lampano played what he characterizes as "Industrial-strength Blues." The band was eventually put on hold when Lampano went off to the US for a couple of years.

However, nothing could stop Lampano and his music. As soon as he returned to the Philippines, he immediately contacted Colvin and soon enough, Lampano Alley was born.

"The band represented a dream," Colvin explains, "I had a chance to join a band when I was 20 years old, but I had to choose between working and performing, I had to choose work. For what seemed like a number of years, I have always dreamt of being able to perform with a talented band, and I was able to fulfill that dream when I met Binky."

Brothers in Blues

Simon Tan on bass

Lampano Alley is a fusion of very talented musicians. Aside from Lampano and Colvin, the band consists of Edwin Vergara (guitar), Simon Tan (bass), Rancis de Leon (sax) and Paolo Manuel (drums). Edwin and Simon are both original members of the band; they both knew Lampano since the early 80s. Rancis and Paolo however are both rookies in the band, having joined only during this year. (Editor's Note: Paolo entered the blues scene as drummer for the college-age blues band Mr. Crayon) When asked about their relationship as band mates, there was one prominent answer, "Very professional!" As Paolo put it, "All of them were very patient and understanding despite my inexperience."

Paolo Manuel on drums

The news of the long break ahead, however, brought different reactions from the members. Guitarist Edwin Vergara announced that he had no intention of playing for another band. According to him, he would be much happier waiting patiently for Lampano's return.

Bassist Simon Tan feels its okay for them to have the break, since he feels that the band will be back together in no time. Sax player Rancis de Leon chose to remain neutral. "I play for other bands," he discloses. "I'm really not committed to Lampano Alley. Kaya lang ever since I played for them, I considered it as my priority."

The baby of the group, Paolo Manuel (drums) had a lot on his mind regarding the break, "Sayang, kung kelan ako nag-eenjoy at dumidikit sa banda atsaka nag-break," he shares without trying to cover-up the disappointment on his face. "Pero you see, there's a mutual feeling between the band members that Lampano Alley will be back. I'll probably spend my spare time trying to work on my drum skills more, para pagbalik ni Binky super-galing na ako!"

Today Hobbit House, Tomorrow the World

Rancis de Leon on sax

Colvin's answer was the most optimistic among all the answers given by the members. " I really don't feel sad about the break, because I feel there's divine providence working for us here. I don't believe this would be the end since we're still working on our album, and that album's only the stepping stone for our domination over the 'world stage'."

"You see, Binky's slated to take over the world. He might be leaving now, but I know that when he comes back here in the Philippines he will bring back a lot of pride." Colvin informs me. "Binky received a lot of praise from Blues Access, a top worldwide blues magazine. How often would you find a Filipino artist, or to make things seem more in perspective, the Philippine blues scene, featured in a top international magazine? Binky has probably been invited to the 'St. Louis Blues Festival' again, and that festival has been known to guest only really talented musicians," Colvin explains further.

After hearing all this, I couldn't help but feel more disappointed about their "temporary break", knowing that I wouldn't have the honor of listening to a blues icon for such a long time. Watching Lampano Alley perform live is a must for any music aficionado. Just seeing them perform once would be enough for one to say, "I have seen what the Blues is all about." As Colvin sincerely puts it, "This is the best experience I've ever had in my entire life, and I've lead almost a full lifetime."

THE WORD FROM BINKY

As I was thanking Tom Colvin for sharing his "Lampano experience", someone taps me on the shoulder. As I turn to look at who it was, I was quite flabbergasted to find Binky Lampano himself.

"I have been working with four great guys for the past four years," he says. "And I'm willing to work with them for another 50 years. That's all I could tell you." With those last words, Binky picks up his bag, hands each member their share of the take, and walks nonchalantly towards the exit while humming a blues tune. Upon seeing that, I immediately felt an air of relief. There's no need to be sad, Lampano Alley - and the blues music they play so well - will be back, and Binky's humming was more than enough proof.