English pop-rock duo Gary Daly and Eddie Lundon—popularly known to music fans as China Crisis—are both delighted to be back in Manila to perform once again for their Filipino supporters.
China Crisis will be staging a two-night concert starting tomorrow, January 21, at the Eastwood Mall Open Park, Eastwood City in Quezon City, and on Saturday, January 22, at the Venice Piazza, McKinley Hill in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
"We'll be playing some of our favorite songs, which are in the albums with the singles, and some nice album tracks that we like to play, and also we'll be playing all the hit singles. So, a really good mix, actually—really good mix," announced guitarist Eddie in a press conference held earlier today, January 20, at the Eastwood Mall in Quezon City.
China Crisis gained fame in the '80s during the popularity of the so-called new wave music, a genre which is considered an offshoot of the hard-edged type of music known as punk.
New wave incorporates keyboards, synthesizers, and other electronic instruments, which makes it more palatable to the mainstream market as compared to punk's confrontational and stripped-down instrumentation approach.
Although not as commercially big as other new wave acts like Duran Duran or Spandau Ballet, China Crisis's music and legacy continues to develop a following in different countries around the globe.
The duo has managed to release six studio albums: Difficult Shapes & Passive Rhythms, Some People Think It's Fun To Entertain (1982), Working with Fire and Steel - Possible Pop Songs Volume Two (1983), Flaunt the Imperfection (1985), What Price Paradise (1986), Diary of a Hollow Horse (1989), and Warped by Success (1994).
Some of the singles popularized by Gary and Eddie include "Black Man Ray," "King in a Catholic Style," Tragedy and Mystery," "African and White," and their biggest hit, "Wishful Thinking."
PLAYING WITH PINOYS. Gary and Eddie welcome the opportunity to work alongside Filipino musicians for their scheduled weekend shows.
"The band that was put together for us, that will be performing with us, are Filipinos. So, we came in fresh and we didn't know anyone...
"We got a Filipino keyboard player, a Filipino drummer, a Filipino bass player. Yeah, it's good to work with them. They're good musicians. And the Filipinos are renowned for having great musicians," said Eddie.
Gary pitched in, "The band that was with us in 2002, they're a band called Rivermaya. Yeah, they're really excellent."
Since their arrival last Sunday, January 16, the two have been constantly going around to promote the upcoming shows.
They were able to visit picturesque Boracay during their first Philippine visit nine years ago.
There'll be no sightseeing this time around, unfortunately, for Gary and Eddie as they are scheduled to fly back to Europe immediately on Sunday.
NO PLAN TO SLOW DOWN. The Manila engagement might serve as a warm-up for the two seasoned musicians as they look forward to celebrating 30 years in the music business with more concerts in and outside Europe.
Gary told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that the joy they find in creating music and performing in front of many people has never diminished through the years.
"We listen to new music, that helps," said Gary. "There's an absolute wealth of music that we haven't heard. I mean, as you could imagine, it's just a huge amount. And you have to work it, it's like a job, you have to pursue and try to find some rewards from it, really."
Eddie is currently working as a teacher at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, which is co-owned by no less than ex-Beatle Paul McCartney.
Are they good friends? PEP asked Eddie.
"Well, I wouldn't go as far as that. But I met him a few times, yeah," he replied.
We reminded them about the ill-fated Beatles Manila visit in 1966, when the Fab Four received a rude sendoff from the public after they allegedly snubbed the Malacañang invitation of then First Lady Imelda Marcos.
"I know, I know..." acknowledged Eddie.
"I don't think it was very bad, was it?" inquired Gary with a grin. "Was it just a little bit of shoving? It wasn't like they were locked up and tortured. But yeah, they were The Beatles!"
After Manila, Gary and Eddie will be flying back to Liverpool in England, with the latter resuming his teaching duties to young aspiring musicians.
"We've got lot of gigs lined up again," added Eddie. "We've got [music] festivals in the U.K., we got to go to Spain, and hopefully we make it to Holland. So, very busy, busy year, really."