Things Are Getting Complicated in 1986 - The Arrival of Dean's December's Debut Album, "Chemical Wedding"

In late 1985, Deans December was formed by members, Binky Lampano (Vocals), Richard Cabahuatan (Guitars), Jun Lazo (Bass), Mike Cerrada (Drums), Edsel La Rosa (Keyboards) and Gregson Castillo (Guitars) to join an audition for the Brave New Bands at Katrina's. By September of 1986 they would independently release one of the best New Wave / Alternative album from Manila's mid to late 80's local underground music scene. This cassette album was produced by Nitto Palacios (Integrated Circuit) and Engineered by Jim Sarthou (Urban Bandits). By 1987-1988, two of the original (recording) members would have left the group...giving the remaining 4 piece a chance to have a different and harder, edgier sound shifting more on guitars unlike in the album where it was a mixture of a lot of synth/keyboards woven intricately with the guitars/rhythm/bass and drums and Binky's words that were full of social message being preached in an entertaining medium.

Ofcourse this album also contains the classic track "It Doesn't Snow In Manila" which was described in a concert review by Cymbush in The Score (a mid 80s New Wave/Alternative magazine) as "a famous anti-"pa-sosyal-sosyal na social climbers song"...with lyrics like this...

"You who dine with silver spoons
Do you see us cry?"

"If you can only see the face
behind the smile
It only snows in America not in Manila"

"There's sorrow overflowing
It doesn't snow in Manila
Where are you going?
The Children Are Dying
Where are you going when sorrow's overflowing"

...it made this song a favourite among the band's fans especially when it's played live in their gigs. A few years ago, radio station NU 107 had a live broadcast of a Dean's December gig in Mayrics...sad to say that the DJs were all yapping on the air even while the band was already playing the songs...and when they played "It Doesn't Snow in Manila" the Dj had to cut it or splice it into a shorter song...totally making it the worst sounding live version of this classic track that was caught on tape or aired on the radio. Ahhh, I wish they can rebroadcast that show without any cuts.
It was always a great treat to watch the band perform live, especially when you see and hear Binky Lampano's antics and adlibs and his rants and messages for the audience...I even saw them perform one time with him literally kicking off his Military boots and sent it flying into the audience..."Sa inyo na lang boots ko...." exclaimed Binky, I just hoped he didn't have to walk that far to get to his ride!

Maybe one day in the future we can finally see a remastered version of this album, together with extra tracks but for now enjoy their music because it might take another decade or so for that re-issue to materialize...now if someone has a copy of Deans December or Binky Lampano performing live...whether a bootleg, a soundboard quality recording or a video, I hope it re-surfaces to the public, somewhere, somehow...now that would be a treat for any music fan so more people can appreciate the band's contribution and won't forget the music!!

Deans December - Chemical Wedding (CS/Counter Culture/Self released/1986/PH)

***********************************

Tracks:

1. Things Are Getting Complicated

2. A Meeting Place

3. First Light

4. Through The Eyes

5. It Doesn't Snow In Manila

6. Manimals

7. If I