Bembol Rockers to play at Asia Music Festival Sarawak

If you were a huge fan of Elvis, the Rat Pack, Louis Armstrong, Thelonious Monk and Plas Johnson, or want to try something new, check out the Bembol Rockers at Asia Music Festival (AMF) held on 4th and 5th October at Miri, Sarawak.

This band from the Philippines formed in the Summer of 2006, consisting of Marc Liwanag on guitar and vocals, Lakshmi Kirtan das Ramirez on upright bass and vocals, Archimedes Archie Lacorte on tenor and alto sax, and Steven Hamilton Vasquez Mora on the drums.

The music that they create is what makes them so special. Many other bands tried to do jazz or rockabilly, but no one tried to combine these two types of music, which is exactly what Bambol Rockers do.

A lot of music that they are playing are originals. They use the superiority of sound of their kundiman-rockabilly mish-mash and adds an element of Filipino pride.

But their main goal is to go back to the classics they all love and recover a new appreciation for it in light of today’s world. They intend to influence the younger generation to look at the past and see where their music comes from, to create a renewed interest in the Golden Fifties.

Not just for the music, but the lifestyle, the dancing and the vintage attire, as well. They also want to mark the Original Pilipino Music scene and help raise its level of artistry. They want to be remembered for music that is positive and fun.

Other bands that have been confirmed for this first-year event are VSTAR featuring Kamal Musallam (Korea), Anthony Dassan Yen Party Band (South India), Orkes Soesah Tideor (Indonesia), Foxy Girls (Indonesia), Boy Thai Band (Thailand), Tritha (North India) and Fakhrul Razi (Brunei).

There will also be bands and singers from Malaysia. Among them are Melissa Francis, Starlet Band, The Mountain Wind Band, Hevance Band and Sarawak very own Bob from the famous Malaysian TV program, Akademi Fantasia.

Conclusion

Entry tickets are priced at RM30 for adults and RM15 for children/students aged 3-18 (ID required during entry). Tickets available from all STB’s office and Visitors Information Centre located at Old Court House, Kuching (+6 082-423600), Jalan Melayu, Miri (+6 085-434180) and Jalan Tukang Besi, Sibu (+6 084-340980).

Bembol Rockers to play at Asia Music Festival Sarawak and for any enquiries, contact Sarawak Tourism Board at leisure@sarawaktourism.com or +6 082-239171 or log on to www.asiamusicfestival.net and www.facebook.com/SarawakTravel for more updates.