(By the way, feel free to add
the missing infos)
In the
northern of the Metro Manila school system, there lies a band. If the Eraserheads was from UP and Parokya ni Edgar was from Ateneo,
then Weedd is Claret’s contribution to Pinoy Rock.
They named themselves from the word "weed", which is basically a pet name for marijuana.
In an effort to own the name and make it look cool, they added another "D" on the word.
Hmmm...
When I was a kid, Long Hair was the anthem for every kid whose hair was damaged, dismantled, and disfigured by the school’s guidance counsellor. Back when the world was young in our eyes, having the proper haircut meant discipline and those who are against this rule are enemies of the state (state meaning the school’s principal and his/her wards).
In an effort to own the name and make it look cool, they added another "D" on the word.
Hmmm...
When I was a kid, Long Hair was the anthem for every kid whose hair was damaged, dismantled, and disfigured by the school’s guidance counsellor. Back when the world was young in our eyes, having the proper haircut meant discipline and those who are against this rule are enemies of the state (state meaning the school’s principal and his/her wards).
The
song had an awesome run and while it didn’t stop the teachers in dismantling
the luscious locks of boys (they will exalt revenge on these teachers by
growing their hair in college... or jail).
However
Weedd disappeared from the scene and was basically dubbed as a one-hit wonder.
Yes,
they are indeed a one-hit wonder but there is a reason why. Have you heard
their music? I think record producers thought they would try to make their
rocking style commercial. That’s absurd. Try hearing their singles for crying
out loud and you’ll find that even though they came from Claret, these
“innocent” little high schoolers heed and obey death metal noises! These kids
lived through Wolfgang, Razorback,
Backdraft, and a lot of rock bands playing Club Dredd!
It’s
just wrong for them to even consider switching to what was mainstream during
those periods without sacrificing their integrity!
Of
course, Weedd unable to adapt was reasons enough for them to seize.
Perhaps
the death of progressive rock FM station LA
105 also played a major role in the band’s demise.
Up to
this day, Long Hair continues to be a familiar tune. If Weedd existed in the
late 90’s and the early 2000’s they would have garnered significant success.
According to my officemate and Claret alum BJ, Weedd had two albums.
Two
albums?
What
exactly happened to the other album???
After
they released their second album, these high school jammers turned to education
as most of them did their time in UST’s
Conservatory of Music.
One of
the founding members of Lourd de Veyra’s
Radioactive Sago Project (possibly Junji Lerma) was once part of the group.
Currently
bassist Philippe Arriola is part of Sinosikat and Kapatid.
SYDRIFIED
SELECTIONS: WEEDD’S TOP FIVE
DISCLAIMER:
I could do a better list if I gain access on both albums.
1 LONG HAIR / What else really? This could
have been the first and only song Weedd can stream in the airwaves. Aside from
the fact that it was relevant, it also had a good beat. Aside from Tropical
Depression, the reggae beat hasn’t really been exploited.
2 BOBO JOE / I was actually shocked to hear
this. I remember listening to the sound but I didn’t know Weedd was responsible
for this pleasant noise! Actually I didn’t know if I heard this on the radio or
in some house party. The song is catchy, upbeat, relatable, and can ignite a
superb head-banging spree! Shit, I actually know two Weedd songs! FTW!!!
3 THE SONG / The Song is a somewhat mellow
song that kind of resembles those glam rock bands and American folk singers a
la Eric Clapton and Bruce Springsteen from the late 70’s and 80’s. I think this
way of singing suits Weedd rather than what they did in Aging Hands.
4 AGING HANDS
/ It seems as
if they are channelling Wolfgang, Backdraft, Razorback, Battery, and those
other indie rock tunes. While I enjoyed listening to the song, I feel that it would
have worked better if their vocalist had a stronger and more growling voice a
la Basti Artadi.
5 AURATUS / When they released this single
to the airwaves, it simply stated they are no possibilities that Weedd would be
the Justin Bieber of their generation. The song has subliminal statements about
buying drugs. They were brave and all but they failed to score mainstream
audiences. It may be a poor follow-up single to Long Hair, it is still a cool
tune to listen.
Songs
like Istoryang Walang Ending, Sa Ngabas,
Talo-Talo, Di Ako Tanga, and Paglaki
Ko could amuse you but just be wary of the repetitive arrangements and the
tunog lata drums.
They
were a bunch of kids that had influences and it’s just a shame that their claim
to fame is a mere song about defying the maestros with scissors.
At
least their one hit was very, very popular up to this day.
Yes
that sucks... but until they re-form their band...
What
can they do?
Game
over.
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