Fresh new music from this 8 Track Cartridge

Ahhh, the wonderful world of 8 Track. What??? You've never heard or seen an actual 8 track cartridge?? I guess most passenger jeepneys nowadays have CD players instead of the old worn out 8 track players playing M.O.R. music and Classic Rock ballads, with all the cartridges stacked up like mini skyscrapers on the jeepney's dashboard with a little bit of space inbetween so the driver can see the road and the pedestrians crossing the street. Well, not to worry...this 8 track compilation came in an almost identical sized packaging...but it contains a great CD safely tucked inside.

8 Track, the cd, was released independently in mid 2005 and features 8 bands that have been playing regular gigs in and around Manila for the past several years. This compilation brings together the assorted musical genres of new music that's been spreading like wild fire in the different clubs and concert halls in Manila since the mid to late 90s. Use this link here to see where this limited album is available. Hopefully, each band will have their own individual 8 track cartridge soon.


Kicking off the CD is the alternative music of Dream Kitchen with a song called '16 Hours' which incidentally has an DIY video that's been nominated in MTV Pilipinas in the Favorite Indie Video category. Learn more from this site. Catch the tragic video below, starring Iman, lead singer of the band Prank Sinatra.

Next on the bill, is the infectious ska musings of Mobster Manila with a song called "Happy To Take You". Their music is heavily influenced by the two-tone bands like Madness, The English Beat, The Selecter, and The Specials. Get more info here.

The Sleepyheads are next on the tracks...playing their uber-cool lo-fi, raw, garage-punk sound with a song called "Excitement Calls" which matches your wild head bops and pogos...."Rock and Roll is Dead and we're still Alive"....They also just released their debut album...learn more here.

Next stop is a contribution from Cebu-based band, Sheila and The Insects, which just recently celebrated their 10th year anniversary in 2006. Their song "Lemerson" is a cross between post punk and alternative music. Check out more music from them here.


Food, Shelter & Clothing (I'm not too sure if they're Bacolod based) comes in with a synth-pop song reminiscent of 80s new wave bands like Heaven 17 or Blancmange. The band's music is actually a smorgasboard of genres which they play in their DIY albums. Their song "Okey" was actually written and recorded as early as 1992 but they revamped it for this album. Hear some heavier sounding music from them in this site.

Camote Chunks is next with a rockabilly-rock and roll tune called "Miniskirt". This band has been in the music scene since about 1995 and will be marking their 11th year as a band! Check out more songs from their site.

Second to the last song is a contribution by Mang Temi's Canteen. A great, melodic, 60s sounding, power pop tune called "Do You Know". I was trying to find any info or contact website for them, but no luck. Did I tell you yet that this is a great song? Yes it is! "I'm not Abnormal...I was born this Way". I'd love to hear more songs from this band!

Last one on the cartridge is Names Are For Tombstones which is a one person band for Nono (aka Noel Acosta). This is a actually a longer remixed version of his song "Watari's Machine". The short version/demo version was featured here a few weeks ago. Check out the Electronica Manila:One Free download album. Aside from being a longer version, Nono added different elements on the song...which sort of sounded like having some Depeche Mode instrumentation in the background. Like I said before, you can't go wrong in using this music in a long road trip, great, catchy music. Get more info about Names Are For Tombstones here.

watch the video for Dream Kitchen's 16 Hours....

check more mtv stuff here.



Various Artists - 8 Track
(CD/2005/Independently Released/PH)

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1. 16 Hours - Dream Kitchen (scroll up to see the video again!)
2. Happy To Take You - Mobster Manila
3. Excitement Calls - Sleepyheads
4. Lemerson - Sheila And The Insects
5. Okey - Food, Shelter And Clothing
6. Miniskirt - Camote Chunks
7. Do You Know - Mang Temi's Canteen
8. Watari's Machine - Names Are For Tombstone