Catching-up with Chikoy Pura and Julia Clarette at My Bro's Mustache

Location : My Bro's Mustache at Hive Hotel, Sct. Tuason cor Sct. Madrinan (near Timog), Quezon City, Metro-Manila, Philippines

Chikoy Pura
Aside from the Blues, vocalist and guitarist, Chikoy Pura is a main staple whenever I'm in Manila. He's as weathered as it gets given his mileage performing in bars, concert halls, social rallys, school grounds, etc. Whether he's performing alone or with his longtime band, the resilient The Jerks, I make time to catch his gig. He's has been around the block from 1979, going through the phase of rock, punk and other genre that have come and gone. He has refined his grit over the years covering a lot of the classics but he also writes his own music usually protest songs themed on compelling social issues. At the moment, he is involved in the plight of the lumads mostly in Mindanao who are brutally savaged by mining interests.

happy moments with Julia and Chikoy

Repertoire
Chikoy has a powerful voice and an imposing stage presence. He started out with Neil Young tunes, one my fav - Southern Man. He sang mostly classics but when he performed David Bowie's Space Oddity, it sent chills up my spine, given Bowie's recent passing on. That song allowed me to grieve for Bowie. On request, he also played my favorite Chikoy song (what I call his signature song), Rage. Well done Chikoy.

Julia Clarette
It's been a few years since I saw Julia and my repeated attempts to see her when I'm in Manila proved futile. I do my due-diligence to friends, but when it's not happening, I don't lose sleep over it. Things happen when the time is right. When I invited her to join me for Chikoy's gig this time, she was free. It was wonderful to see her again. We didn't really get to hang-out much in the ensuing years, but that didn't take away from our connection. We updated each other in snippets in the quiet moments of Chikoy's gig. She's done well over the years surviving the trench warfare of showbiz. She's always been a survivor.

Julia Clarete Blogs

Julia Clarete Blogs

Kuala
Lumpur
6/26/16

Julia Clarette
12 Monkeys
1/26/16

Chikoy Pura
Julia Clarette
1/03/16

Crashing
1 Nite
1/06/09

Rock's
B-Day
3/13/06

Last
Day
8/03/02

10 Years
After
8/02/02

City
Jam
7/10/02

Sound Stage
The sound volume at the venue was set to emulate a concert hall with over-the-top head-banging saturation. My Bro's Mustache is a small venue for intimate gigs. That intimacy was nowhere to be found. I believe Chikoy's music would have been better served UNPLUGGED. There was no need for amplification - the place was small and Chikoy's voice carried through in a powerful way. Julia agreed. My 2 cents.

Ending Thoughts
This is indeed a special night - a double header with Chikoy's music and Julia's company. Some moments are just more special than others.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

ps - If you are a musician or band (or a music bar) and want me to objectively cover your next gig/scene for this website, email me.

Chikoy Pura
Facebook Official Page

My Bro's Mustache
68 Sct. Tuason, QC
0917-404-5896 / 09328477048

Chikoy Pura in Blogs of TheLoneRider

• Catching-up with Chikoy Pura and Julia Clarette at My Bro's Mustache Jan 21, 2016
• 16 Days in Quezon City Sep 1-16, 2014

Music Blogs:

• Blues with Hoochie Coochie Mikkie at Catch 272 Boho Jan 30, 2016
• Julia Clarette's Farewell Performance at 12 Monkeys Jan 26, 2016
• Catching-up with Chikoy Pura and Julia Clarette at My Bro's Mustache Jan 21, 2016
• Dong Abay Rocks 70s Bistro Jan 19, 2016
• Blues is Alive and Kickin' in Manila Jan 6, 2016
• Manila Blues Scene Sep 10, 2014
• Kitchie Nadal Rocks Cebu City Mar 20-21, 2014
• America: The Manila Concert July 31, 2009
• Kitchie Nadal's Sagada Birthday Bash September 16, 2008
• Johnoy and Kakoy at 70s Bistro September 6, 2007
• Heber Bartolome at Conspiracy Garden Café August 28, 2007
• Hank Palenzuela's Birthday Bash at Big Sky Mind August 25, 2007
• Elvis goes to Everest December 5, 2006
• Blue Rats December 8, 2006
• Jamming in Sagada September 17, 2006
• The Sky is Crying March 17, 2006
• Mag:net - Rock Drillon's Bday Bash March 13, 2006
• Mag:net, I Love You Store and The Government February 13, 2006
• Elvis Recharged! December 9, 2005
• Cynthia Alexander at Mag:net Café November 25, 2005
• Lee's Night at Mag:net Café November 22, 2005
• Romeo Lee Must Rock August 23, 2005
• Gary Granada at Conspiracy June 6, 2005
• The Boyz' at Kuh Ledesma's Concert May 28, 2005
• Himaya at Metro-Walk April 16, 2005
• Kitchie Nadal at Metro April 12, 2005
• Kitchie Nadal at Saguijo April 6, 2005

Next story:
We Don't Care

Next Chilling Out / Peoplescape:

Julia Clarette's Farewell Performance at 12 Monkeys

(Jan 26, 2016) In a conversation at a QC pub, I told Julia that I have yet to have a signature song from her...like I have 'Forever Young' with Noli Aurelio and 'Rage' by Chikoy Pura. She invited me to be her guest at her farewell gig at 12 Monkeys for me to make my choice....more »»

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