Who's your Daddy? The Zombies live in Manila!!!
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| The Zombies: Jim, Colin, Rod, Steve and Tom (Philippine Concert Poster) |
What's your name?
Is he rich like me?
For almost 3 years, I thought
that the song “Time of the Season” was a song by The Byrds, as part of the
mixtape done by Travis Barker (Blink 182) and DJ AM (Crazy Town) in which was
in heavy rotation on my Ipod. And two months ago, I was just enlightened that
it was the English band The Zombies, who created that song! (The Byrds song is
Turn, Turn, Turn and I got it all mixed up.)
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| Colin Blunstone |
Last Oct 19, 2012, a piece of
music history unfolded in front of my eyes and fulfilled my ears with joy as I
witnessed The Zombies performed live here in the Philippines at the PICC Hall
in Pasay City!
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| Colin Blunstone |
The original members of the
Zombies: Colin Blunstone on vocals and Rod Argent on keyboards were accompanied
by this talented line up: Jim Rodford on bass (The Kinks founding member, also
played for the Animals), his son Steve Rodford on drums and Tom Toomey on
guitars.
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| Colin Blunstone |
They jump started the show
with one of their hits: “Sticks and Stones” and the crowd was pumped up. I was
surprised that they played “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” in which I was
accustomed with the Beatles version. I just learned that it was a Smokey
Robinson original.
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| Colin Blunstone |
Colin Blunstone said that they
first played in the Philippines last 1967. That was 3 years after their first
recorded hit “She’s Not There” and a year before they released their seminal
album “Odessey and Oracle” and then calling it quits. Colin said that the band
was originally formed in 1961 and they just celebrated their 50th
anniversary last year.
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| Rod Argent |
I was amazed that these 60s
bands, the Beatles and the Zombies, went in the Philippines at their prime and
how lucky were those able to watch their shows then.
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| Rod Argent |
It was also a night of music
history class and trivia. Rod said that their album “Odessey and Oracle” which
was recorded in 1967 and released a year later, didn’t sell well on its debut.
“Then 12 years later it gradually picked up speed, momentum and sense. It sells more every year now than it ever did
when it first came out. (F*ck), it was a
strange story,” Rod said. He also quoted
that Paul Weller’s (The Jam, Style Council) favourite album of all time is
“Odessey and Oracle,” Dave Grohl’s (Foo Fighters, Nirvana) favourite song was
the first tune from that album “Care of Cell 44.” He also mentioned that the Foo
Fighters recorded the song “This Will Be Our Year” on their last album. Rod mentioned
that he was happy for all the recognition the band was getting from new and
upcoming bands in the US and UK like the Vaccines, etc. Then after that music
lecture, they played the classic “Time of the Season.”
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| Rod Argent |
The Zombies also played a
ballad tune titled “Miles Away” which he said a crowd favourite and a hit in
the Philippines. The audience was very
elated while Colin sang it. I was moved by the song “Hold Your Head Up” with
its stomping rock arrangements and the keyboard/Mellotron wizardry of Rod
Argent.
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| Jim Rodford |
Jim said that it was his 2nd
time in Manila but it was already the 3rd time that the Zombies
performed in the Philippines. They just played at Cebu Waterfront last October
19.
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| Steve Rodford |
Rod also promoted their
website: thezombies.net . ”But make sure you put in thezombies.net. If you just
put in zombies dot net, I won’t be responsible for what you might see,” drawing
laughter from the audience.
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| Tom Toomey |
The Zombies ended their set
with the smash hit: “She’s Not There” but came back with an encore of two
songs: Summertime (My Dad’s favourite
Zombies song) and How We Were Before.
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| The Zombies!!! |
Kindly check the complete setlist here:
1) Sticks and Stones
2) I Love You
3) Can’t Nobody Love You
4) Breathe out, Breathe in
5) I Want You Back Again
6) Broken hearted
7) Out of My Head
8) She’s Coming Home
9) The Way I Feel Inside
10)
You Really Got A Hold On Me
11)
Show Me The Way
12)
Time of the Season
13)
Miles Away
14)
I Remember When I Loved Her
15)
Old and Wise
16)
Hold Your Head Up
17)
Whenever You’re Ready
18)
Tell Her No
19)
Indication
20)
She’s Not There
Encore
21)
Summertime
22)
How We Were Before
It was my first time to watch a
60’s era band and I was blown away! Colin still got his voice and still manages
to remember every lyrics compared to other 80s new wave bands whose vocalists
need some lyric sheets! I checked that there were no teleprompters in front of
the stage. Collin is a tall guy and looks classy on the stage. Rod was very energetic and magnificent on his
Mellotron playing skills (somewhat reminds me of the keyboardist Ray Manzarek
of the Doors or isn’t it Ray got his skills from Rod?). Based from what I saw, Rod is the musical
director of the band and the driving force behind the Zombies. And I cannot believe that I also saw ¼ of the
band The Kinks in the presence of Jim Rodford. It was indeed an awesome night!
What I also observed is that they extended their songs from the original 2 minute
song to a 5 minute jam. They did that by incorporating mellotron adlibs in the
middle of the song.
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| Signed Old School Concert Poster of the Zombies |
It was my second time inside
PICC and I was glad that the building still looks great inside out. The concert was well attended
and notable guests included former First Lady Imelda Marcos (whom got a special
mention from Colin), former chief Justice Renato Corona, and sports analysist Quinito Henson.
Watching the Zombies live was a
great nostalgic night for all music lovers, old and young. I was amazed that
there were teenagers or young yuppies attended the concert and reacted when
Dave Grohl’s name was mentioned by Rod. I hope they come back and play for the
4th time before the end of the world according to the Mayan calendar!
(For now, I need to watch the Walking Dead’s season 3 episodes for some zombie lovin' action!)
The Zombies concert was
brought to you by Red Stone Productions and Steve O’Neal Productions.
The Zombies:
Big Thanks to Steve O’ Neal
Productions and Red Stone Productions!
Pictures of The Zombies merchandise sold at the venue:
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