Gypsy Grind
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Gypsy Grind a Pinoy rock band formed in 1994. Their songs were mostly anti-political and anti the norm.
Basing from their released album, their music could be described as Alternative, Pop, Soft Punk, Ska and Rock. The Music genre likened the styles of most 4AD bands such as the Breeders, Kerstin Hersh, and even the Cocteau Twins. Others that were inspiration for them were Moonpools and Caterpillars, Eddie Brickel and the new Bohemians, The Cranberries and Ani Difranco.
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[edit] Members
- Tina Ehrhard - vocals, Harmonica, Piano and Percussion
- Amiel Rivas - Bass ( Later replaced by Boboy Panerio)
- Christian Delos Reyes - Guitars (later replaced by Jon (Jesus) Santos)
- Mike dela Cruz - Rhythm
- Don Enriquez - Drums.
[edit] 1994
They started out as a garage playing band in Baler Makati. Later performing in this small bar called St. Michael's along Pasay Road.
[edit] 1995
A major decision was made when members wanted to take the band further. They pulled their guts together and auditioned at Club Dredd. Club Dredd Club Dredd used to be "THE PLACE" to play and for the "masses" and it used to be the "Not" place to dare to go. It never was never for the ones that wore pink and listen to main stream radio. It was only for the "real" underground music lovers who appreciate unique and non-mainstream art, artists and performances.
Many Filipino local bands that eventually enjoyed successful careers started at Club Dredd. Grey Houndz, Cheese, Eraserheads, Barbie's Cradle (formerly known as Greem Tea, Hungry Young Poets), Moonstar 88, Itchi Worms, Put3ka, NTOTN, Wolfgang, River Maya, Color it Red just to name a few.
They started out being a regular line-up under Sonic 58s production. Normally 10 to 15 Bands play that night back to back, Among them were Birds In The Chamber Hall B.I.T.C.H., Snow Blind, Sonic 58 and more. Gypsy Grind also played with Gene Santiago’s all Female Band Production along with Snow Blind, Hungry Young Poets, [Fatal Posporos] , [Orphan Lily] and others.
[edit] The First break
It was Gene Santiago's production that gave them a chance to audition for the all female band compilation for Tone Def entitled "eve-olution". Upon finalizing the Compilation where they included their songs titled "Kabanda" and "Ermitanio", they were played continuously on DWLA FM Bright Star Network LA 105.9 Top Rock Song List for 20 weeks. They made it to Number One lasting for more than 3 weeks for the song "Ermitanio" and 2 weeks on Number 1 for the song "Kabanda". It was Ramon Zialicita, the Doctor, as he was called who hosted the LA countdown.
Gypsy Grind was the only band that was played both in LA 105.9 and NU 107.5. Both FM stations. Those two Rock Stations used to have friction with one another and the sparks just kept flying. It was amazing that Gypsy Grind was the ONLY band that was able to be "babied" by both stations. Gypsy Grind remained neutral and had their songs "Pambansang Bayan", "Little Witch" and "Only in your Heart" played religiously by NU 107.5.
Mayric’s was also another place where the band were regular performers. Sazi Cosino (maric's Manager) had a high regard for them and gave them slots when there were last minute retreats of bands . That showed that they of the band were reliable and knew how to keep time. They were later on known as the "Jump-ins", earning themselves numerous performances and followers.
[edit] 1995 - 1997
was a busy year for the band where they were given another opportunity to record a Compilation called the "Pinipinoy" album. Kabayan Central Here famous English Songs were translated info Tagalog, the National Language in the Philippines, and they did their own rendition of "I’ve got a crush on you" by Astrid Gilberto. They are together on that album along with them are Majesty, Snow Blind and Mariya's Mistress, Panic City. Kabayan Central
It was Cool Carla, LA 105.9s Disk Jockey, lead vocalist from Identity Crisis,a 1980s local New Wave band as well as [Mariya's Mistress] vocalist, that sound engineered and was their vocal coach for their compilation albums. She also sang back up in their Song "Only in your Heart".
It did not take long that soon after, Gypsy Grind was offered a contract under Ivory Records for a Debut Album. This they entitled "Tattle Tales", Connoting the national habit of local peoples desire to gosdsip.
Their Album contains with songs entitled "Only in your heart", "Little Witch", "Sing", "Money", Pambansang Bayan", "Taong Bato", Rock a-bye", "Hikki" , "Tattle Tale" and "Garlic". Garlic is one of the songs that truly describes the band’s preferred music style. "Garlic" is the bands attempt to write and perform a loud rock song without having to include loud, ludicrous curse words as how most Roch songs go.
Sadly, right after that, Amiel the bands bass player left the group because of personal reasons and Christian, the lead guitarist left for the US, having only completed the fist five songs in the album. Jon (Jesus) Santos took over after a painful experience for auditions. Jon completed the songs Only in your heart, Taong Bato, Rock a-bye and Garlic. Boboy panerio, good pal of Drummer don, took the place of Amiel as the Bassist.
They had numerous Radio and TV performances nationwide.
[edit] 1998
They were the front act of Eraserheads "Sticker Happy Tour" together wih Fatal Posporos. The whole tour was produced and conceptualized by Leni Llapitan (Identity Crisis).
Gypsy Grind was nominated as NU Rock Awards Best New Artist.
[1] (click "List of Rock Awards nominations" at the bottom)
And was nominated by the Philippines more prestigious awards for OPM (Original Filipino Music) "Best Rock Song" at the AWIT AWARDS.
For such a young band to be nominated at such a short time is an achievement by itself.
Those were the days... Gypsy Grind came to get to know a lot of artists that jammed with them. Names such as JB Medrano and Tabbs (Cynthia Alexander’s musicians). Carla Abaya (Cool Carla, Identity Crisis, Mariya’s Mistress). Teddy Corpus, Ronald Yumol, Leni Llapitan, Maite Villegas.
The band was able to contribute their talents with other artists. Tina Ehrhard played percussions in "Blusero Band". She later on started teaming up to form the old "Sugar Hiccup" with Zandro Pollack Sugar Hiccup and Raymond (Dominion) Dominion , however this did not materialize due to various reasons. One being that she has left the Philippines and is in the U.S. Tina Ehrhard and the band have always been a supporter of the Feminine Force. Article Feminin Force Pictures Feminin Force
Jon (Jesus) Santos for a time around 1999 became the rhythm guitarist of Dream Kitchen, and then he eventually joined as drummer Poetic Sparks, who in 2006 was nominated as "Best New Artist" in the annual NU 107 Rock Awards.
