Muziklaban band contest back after a 4-year hiatus

For a time, drinking Red Horse Beer was a no-no for me due to its alcohol content, which is higher than that of good old Pale Pilsen.

Also, I’ve seen friends losing their poise when they’ve had too much of it. Some of them said they don’t remember what they did before they crashed into bed.

But it seems women — or at least a certain demographic — prefer it. Not sure why, but maybe because they don’t have to drink too much of it to get a good buzz.

But as a journalist covering the music beat, there came a time when I couldn’t avoid it any longer. The event was “Muziklaban” — the amateur band competition which the brand launched and sponsored every year.

In one edition decades ago, there were free Red Horse in cans being given away. I took a swig and found its taste quite pleasant. But I kept in mind not to get carried away and finished just one can in a deliberately slow pace.

The show unfolding onstage was the thing that made “Muziklaban” an anticipated event among the Pinoy hard rock crowd. Aside from the contestants, the guest bands made it truly exciting.

The annual event was gone for four years, but now it’s back.

The “Pambansang Muziklaban” Grand Finals will be held on March 15 at the grounds of Paseo de Sta. Rosa in Laguna.

The competition has been split into two categories: Lakas for hard rock, and Aklas for alternative rock.

Competing in Lakas are Signals and Sirens from San Jose del Monte, Bulacan; Luminus, Caloocan City; Nobody’s Burden, Tanay, Rizal; Grab7, Agusan del Norte; Daks Not Dead, Cavite; and Eidolon, Bacolod, Negros Occidental.

The Aklas finalists are Summer Blossom from Umingan, Pangasinan; Alab, Pasig City; Rosier, Quezon City; OIC, Cagayan de Oro City; FT. Pidiong, Carmona, Cavite; and Interstate, Visayas.

Guest performers are Wilabaliw, Chicosci, Greyhoundz, Razorback, Dilaw, and previous “Muziklaban” champions Happy Three Friends and Mayonnaise.

Tickets are available at www.ticket2me.net, JB Music Outlets (Edsa, Megamall, and Robinsons Manila), and other partner establishments in Paseo de Sta. Rosa, including Comida De Lola, TBS Blue Corner, Little Don Juan, and the Paseo Outlet Admin.

For P100, you can watch the event with one free beer and the privilege of casting one vote for the aspirants. P300 gets you two beers, one festival shirt, and one vote.