Two of the country's most-promising ska bands—The Spaceflower Show and
Coffeebreak Island—launched their debut albums last December 18 at Xaymaca Bar,
Timog, Quezon City.
Formed in Baguio City in early 2000, The Spaceflower Show is an offspring of an experiment with a different sound genre: fusing classic jazz, soul, bossanova, mento and calypso (Jamaican style), rocksteady beat, two tone, blues, traditional reggae, bluebeat otherwise known as ska.
From the members' hometown Baguio where they currently reign as the most recognized ska band, the band started conquering Manila when they contributed their song "Boogieman" (carrier single) to Jam88.3 and Galaxy Records' Doobie Nights album in September 2006.
The band has since been performing regularly in bars such as Xaymaca (Timog Avenue, Quezon City), Gweilos Makati, and SM Mall of Asia, Tropezz (Greenbelt 3); as well as in schools, out of town concerts (such as CloseUp's North Luzon Tour and Pepsi event in Club Paraw Boracay), and corporate events.
The Spaceflower Show recently contributed its own version of APO Hiking Society's "Salawikain"(with Mcoy Fundales, formerly of Orange & Lemons) for Universal Records' Kami Napo Muna Ulit album released in August 2007.
Produced by No Seat Affair! and released by Galaxy Records, The Spaceflower Show's debut album consists of 13 all-original tracks which include the songs "Boogieman," "You're All Mine" and the single "Hastened Time."
Meanwhile, Coffeebreak Island is one of the more well-known bands emerging from the Manila ska scene, having been formed in Quezon City in 2001. The band's sound is a mix of ska, reggae, soul, punk, and rock n' roll flavors. This powerhouse quartet delivers their music and keeps it real with a pulsing rhythm section and soulful voices.
The band is inspired by The Specials, Selecter, English Beat, Hepcat, Toots & The Maytals, Bob Marley, The Police, Sublime, and more. Coffeebreak Island has created a niche of its own, pushing boundaries and defying expectations with their music. The proof—original compositions using sound experimentation.
Coffeebreak Island has performed at local bars and haunts: Altered Native, Tribal Hut, Balsa, Bloo Gum, Big Sky Mind, Millenia, Freedom Bar, Conspiracy Café, Tomato Kick, Crateri, Kolumn Bar, Moomba, Kaffe Carabana, Inihaw Republic, Magnet, Que Rico, Motorsports Alley, 6Underground, Capones, Peligro, Absinthe, Coco Cabana, Café Saguijo, and Tavern on The Square, as well as SM Mall sale festivals, WOW Philippines (PTA & DOT sponsored) events, among others.
Coffeebreak Island brought its music overseas with a brief two-month stint in Xiamen, China in 2005, playing for audiences ranging from expatriates to local Chinese guests.
Produced by No Seat Affair!, the self-titled debut album of Coffeebreak Island features 14 tracks including the songs "Sweet Lovin," "Party Song" and "Pakikinggan."