On De Scene: Rock On T&T! Cabana del Latino Rock Night

>> Friday, June 12, 2009

So it's a usual night for me, I can't sleep. I could walk a little better now though *giggle* & I have a blog to do so...I decided to head out. Tonight, I went to La Cabana Del Latino in Curepe, a night spot managed by Top Latin (Salsa) dancer, Rico. Now doh leh de name fool yuh eh, all kinda styles does buss out dey, not just Latin as I'll now relate to you.

I got to the spot & plenty people about 95% of the patrons wearing black. I though to myself this was not a good night to wear orange *giggle*. It a was rock night at La Cabana. Now I know we all love we Soca eh, but permit me a little time to open yuh mind ah bit.


Three bands performed for approximately 20 minuets per set. First up was GYAZETTE & just like their name (remember the newspaper?) they brought the news by dealing with some social issues. Think T&T's very own Orange Sky meet 3 Canal. Their music reminded me of Orange Sky & their lyrics & style, 3 Canal. I loved that they included steelpan music to their entire set so even though each song was different, they had their own signature sound. Then there were the congas. I loved it all! The lead vocalist/guitarist was very entertaining, without being overtly showy. He sang in our local twang & that did it for me, I was hooked. So many times when Trinbagonians do other genres of music we tend to think we have to adopt the accent of the originating country. hmmmm...


GYAZETTE after their performance.

Next up was LYNCHPIN. They were everything I expected a hardcore rock band to be. Lead singer Sievan Siewsarran was aggressive & his performance was peppered in cuss! Some socially & politically concious lyrics from what I gathered, but I said it, CUSS! Lynchpin had a lot of support from the audience who were eating out of their hands. The thing that amazed me though was the transformation of the guys.

Lead singer of Lynchpin Sievan Siewsarran

Sievan came in as a cool guy out for an evening chill, next thing he was up on stage scaring me. LOL. & guess what? He is a teacher. I spoke with one of his students Justin Joseph after the set & he said "Sir was excellent, I wouldn't think about misbehaving with a teacher like that." Their drummer told me that the band was made up of people from all works of life & it was all about showmanship but when they leave the stage it was back to reality. All walks of life seemed the same with the audience caused I spotted a few lawyers, a doctor, 2 drummers from Soca bands & a lot of UWI students & graduates. Oh & of course some Latin dancers & a few Goth dressers. All races were also in attendance.

LYNCHPIN on stage.

VOX DEUS was the closing band. Now whole night I was checking out the hairstyle on a guy I saw outside the spot, he had a sort of Rihanna hairstyle going on-yuh know de one dat short on one side & non existent on de other. The guy was quiet, quiet to the point where I wondered what this little baby boy doing here, was it his first time out? Next thing I knew he was up on stage tearing it up! Transformation boy! (that word again) He did this thing with his voice that I used to think only a producer & his equipment could produce, a sort of wild animal-chant-cry, boy was I wrong, humans can produce that sound naturally. Vox Deus' sound started off pop rock-ish, then it gradually eased into the harder stuff, then mutated into soft rock. My friend Benga commented that "they were well balanced." The headbangers came out in full force. The "baby" LOL informed the audience that there is a site on the Internet (name called) where bands from all over the world go up against each other & get this, Vox Deus is rated # 8!

VOX DEUS on stage.

For those of us that think Rock music is noise, or for a "certain type", think again. Yes we as Trinbagonians love we Soca & we Chutney & we Rapso, & we Calypso & we Gospel etc, but this experience taught me that we must appreciate OUR music, ALL genres. After all, if music can unite us, & this is what we actively seek, REAL UNITY, why turn our back against what we don't understand? Why not try to understand & appreciate? Some of the messages (no disrespect just keeping it real) were more positive than I've heard in some of our Soca songs & everyone left feeling a little lighter as the energetic performances given, helped to release whatever stress we may have come with. I for one I'm gonna give Rock music a chance, now I'm not turning into a headbanger eh, LOL, however, I will try to be a little more open minded about music & most things. What about you? Yuh learn something new everyday eh...


Bye Socanites
Oceans may divide us, but MUSIC brings us together,
Knyxx...

9 x 2 cents (comment, nuh!):

footie June 14, 2009 at 2:06 AM  

wow.

the divide between soca and rock in this country tends to be a lot larger than time signature, style, rhythm, bpms etc. Being someone who goes to fetes and rock shows I've met lots of people on both sides who hate the other style and its people.

So for someone from a predominantly soca background to even care to come thru to a show like that is impressive and commendable. You could have just said you heard a set of ra-ra-ra growly noise and called it off there but you chose to highlight positives about the experience and that says a lot about YOU as a person as well.

I am sorry I didn't get to meet you on the night but if you ever come to another show I would at least like the opportunity to shake your hand and say 'thanks'.

btw I don't know if you stayed for the whole of Vox Deus, but the band actually has some local references and soca beats hidden in its songs..

anyway, great review and all the best.

G.F.

knyx June 17, 2009 at 8:12 PM  

Thank you Footie.
I encourage others to open their minds so I HAVE TO PRACTICE WHAT I PREACH. Hoping to hear more good MUSIC.
Be blessed,
Knyxx...

footie June 18, 2009 at 1:57 PM  

well you know where la cabana is now - every thursday for live rock.

there is also Tuesday nights at D Cave - just kicked off with the great band Jointpop

there is also a big BIG show - Lockdown - coming up on July 4th in Prive, featuring 10 bands and the return of one of the greatest - Incert Coin. This show will actually end at 12am and be followed by a Rave.

many Trinis who are into rock themselves don't even know about the local scene we have here and the many bands for many tastes we have. check out www.islandnoise.com or my fb group 'Trinidad & Tobago has Rock Music' - http://www.facebook.com/groups/edit.php?success=1&customize&gid=89186903818#/group.php?gid=2437716031&ref=ts

or

'Real Trini Rockers' - http://www.facebook.com/groups/edit.php?success=1&customize&gid=89186903818#/group.php?gid=46530914583


like I said - I wish more people could have your mentality. You are a diamond in a lot of rough :)

dedapper0 June 18, 2009 at 2:16 PM  

WOW!!!

On behalf of Revolutionary Entertainment, I would like to thank you for such a great review. I'm glad you came out and enjoyed the show.

I must say i'm speechless tho... I'm glad you enjoyed the show , and look out for more great ones, each and every thursday at La Cabana - Thursday Nights Live!!!

Niko June 18, 2009 at 2:49 PM  

This article has blown me away.

It's not everyday that we who are involved in the local rock scene meet up with predominantly soca fans that are willing to listen and attempt to appreciate what is being done.

Like footie said above, I am also a huge soca fan and I don't know why people figure that you can't like both of them simultaneously. Music is music. There is good music that can move your spirits, and then there is everything else.

On behalf of Vox Deus, thanks for keeping an open mind and spreading the word. If you're ever at another one of our shows then please introduce yourself. It would be nice to share some ideas

Unknown June 19, 2009 at 2:59 PM  

Wow!!!!
u pretty much said everything...
The funny thing is that i did see u but i wasan't sure if it was u.
small ting.. thanx for the review... wow. i really hope that this gets out and more people see this.
if u cud put that un the papers or something, that wud be great.
people need to know.

Aaron June 19, 2009 at 4:00 PM  

Good stuff Knycky! Thanks for the show of support.
The divide between the lovers of the different genres essentially lies with the people and their perceived stereotyping of all the sub-niches of the artform.

I've invited people to shows in the past, just to feed their appetites for different styles of music only to hear responses like "I doh headbang nuh" or "I cyar listen to screaming whole night nuh" among many other ignorant views (some even pertaining to spikes or black nail polish...geez)on the topic.

Granted people will love what they love and nobody's obligated to listen to you just because, it's refreshing to see someone step out of their comfort zone and embrace this genre for what it is and highlight the positives.

Dev and I would love to see u at Lockdown on July 4th at Prive.
Thank you for your support, there's lots more for you to see and hear in the local rock circuit.

Lilz0 June 20, 2009 at 9:21 AM  

This is an excellent review of the show, very unbiased and sure does give rock show goers like myself some tingly feelings on the inside. Lol. Many show promoters have aimed to expose the Trini rock scene to a wider audience, internationally and locally - to those completely unaware of the talented rock musicians we have in this beautiful island. For you, as a soca fan, to have come out, enjoy a show and most importantly discover and learn about Trinidad's local rock scene really gives hope that these show promoters are achieving their aim.

Hope to see you at more upcoming shows.

Sievan July 9, 2009 at 8:04 PM  

Aye... Sievan here of LynchPiN! The "growl and scream" one!! LOL!!
I wanted to thank you for such an open heart and mind towards all the different types of rock music there is.
I am hoping that as you come to another and another show... you bring along other friends to show them the difference of the Rock Community and its Beauty (even its darkness LOL!)

I hope to see you at a show sometime (don't worry i'll be normal- as normal can be). Keep it up! Rock on!

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