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Carol Evangelista, Franz's aunt. Photo by Michael Lesley. Click here to see more photos from Michael Lesley NEW YORK– It was a night of hopes that went as high as where the decibels soared. It was an event representative of the great spirit of a young man, whose love for life is louder than any rock music can provide. It was a time when Fil-Am music served a higher purpose and as a result forged new friendships and fostered unity in the community. It was Franz Pantaleon’s night. 10 Filipino-American bands provided the music for a benefit concert organized to help Franz Pantaleon, the 18-year old young man from Manila who is currently undergoing treatment to cure a rare-form of cancer that struck him last year. The show was held at Fontana’s Bar in New York City last Saturday, May 30, and was attended by a huge crowd made up of Fil-Am music supporters as well as family and friends of Franz Pantaleon.
NJ of Apriori Maryland-based metal band Gates of Era opened the night with their brand of music that jolted the early birds in the venue. They were followed by Wallows, a local New York pop rock band that played a song especially written for Franz called One Reason.
New Jersey band Sodapop Suicide kept the happening going with their alternative rock originals and they were succeeded by a rare solo acoustic performance by Gerry Avila, the lead singer of one of the best Fil-Am bands from Washington, DC– P.I.
After the acoustic set, Carol Evangelista, Franz’s aunt, went on stage and updated the crowd with Franz’ current medical status and continued to ask for more prayers. She also thanked the organizers, the artists and the people that supported the benefit show for her nephew.
Another very special performance followed as the audience were treated to the first-ever gig of Run Robot, the new incarnation of New Jersey power pop group Then Again. Run Robot still has their front line intact, but they now have a new drummer in Sherwyn Del Mundo, who was last seen playing drums for Trickbag.
The show was halfway done, when The Happy Analogues took the stage and played their new songs from their new concept double disc School Tales. The mod group from Jersey came up in complete school boy outfits and quickly commanded the attention of the audience with their catchy school-oriented numbers.
The Analogues were then followed by one of the legendary bands in the scene, The Kuwagos. The rock trio headed by Gatchie Ignacio played new materials from their upcoming release and managed to enthrall the crowd with their show stopper, Lagi sa Kama.
The night reached fever-pitch as Queens-based hard rock favorites Qwadra took center stage. The quartet pumped more adrenaline to an already seratonin-overdosed crowd with their songs that are now staples in the New York/New Jersey scene. “Qwadra is so tight, they rip with so much power,” said one member of the delighted audience.
The second to the last band, Apriori, came up all the way from Washington DC to participate in the event. Their cool acoustic-guitar/hard rock blend of music was a refreshing addition to an octane-drenched night. Apriori also paid tribute to the late great Filipino rapper, Francis Magalona by playing their version of Kaleidoscope World.
The night for Franz Pantaleon was special enough to be closed by one of the best bands in the scene: Blue Mellon Pop. The quartet from Queens breezed though a set of well-crafted original songs and ended the night with an Eraserheads number, Easy Ka Lang.
By the time Blue Mellon Pop got off the stage, it was 11:00 PM and everyone was one in music and in Franz. “This is an amazing and moving night,” said another member of the audience. “I want more from these Fil-Am bands.”
At the end of the show, the manager of Fontana’s handed the gate receipts to the grateful family of Franz Pantaleon. In total, the show earned $900 from gate receipts and an additional $300 came from Franz Pantaleon merchandize that were sold by his family inside the venue.
For everybody involved in the show, it was a rewarding experience knowing that the efforts exerted went to a great cause.
Such is the power of a united Filipino-American music scene. It can always come together and generate something that can make a difference in people’s lives, in this case, Franz’s life.
Though the night was complete in itself, many of the artists and supporters expressed a singular wish: To be able to meet Franz soon when he comes and visits New York in the future. More photos of the event here
Tags: Franz Pantaleon Fil-Am bands Fil-Am music Filipino-American music Filipino-American bands Fontana's NYC Michael Violago Ted Reyes Gates of Era Wallows Sodapop Suicide PI Apriori Run Robot The Happy Analogues The Kuwagos Qwadra Blue Mellon Pop Poptimes Magazine |
