The country’s first-ever guitar nationwide contest, the Colt 45 “Shred to Slam” pumps metal tonight at the much awaited grand finals at Capone’s Makati Avenue.
the Philippin’s top shredder romps off with not just P20,000 in cash, the chance to see and be seen by the country’s guitar greats, but also to trade licks at the upcoming Pulp Summer Slam 2011.
All it took was slash & burn guitar chops and just 11 Colt 45 crowns to enter this search that has taken the country – and the rock music world – by storm.
Five smokin’ hot axe-men from all over the country gathered at Capone’s Makati Avenue infromt of a panel of judges, including Wally Gonzales of Juan de la Cruz, Francis Reyes of The Dawn, Manuel Legarda of Wolfgang, Tirso Ripoll of Razorback, Niel Gregorio, A&R or Warner Music Philippines and Joey Dizon of Pulp Magazine. Hosting the event are Caren Mangaran of General Luna along side Tutti Caringal of 6 Cyclemind.
Ready to strafe the Shred to Slam grand finals with their guitar-power are Jan Clyde Polintan, 20 , of Cainta, Rizal, representing Greater Manila; Emman Saumillan of Olongapo, representing North Luzon; Patrick Cruz, representing South Luzon; Erwin Espares of La Carlota City, Cebu, representing Visayas; and Andre Alay of Cagayan de Oro, representing Mindanao. The finalists represent the rich cross-section of guitar virtuously across the archipelago. Finalists were flown into Manila for this momentous occasion courtesy of Colt 45 and Airphil Express. Also joining in this unique musical challenge are Pulp maganize, JB Music, Odessy Record Bars and Manila Broadcasting.
Six bands from the Colt 45 limited edition “Lords of Loud” CD, including Arcadia, Switch, Skychurch, Pildriver, Valley of Chrome, and Alex in Wonderland, are also on the grand finals program.
What is shredding? Guitar pundit, Francis Reyes, defines it thus: “To ‘shred’ means to play the guitar at speeds generally credited to the equivalent of a hummingbird’s wings, or more to the point, the sound that a shredding machine makes. You get the picture? As a guitarist myself with roots in hard rock to metal, to shred means to play at the limits of your technical abilities. Any ‘serious’ guitar player who claims to be ‘metal’ makes it a goal to be a shredder; I was no exception. Technical knowledge is a must: you have to know your scales and modes. To play them, to shred, you must employ guitar techniques such as sweep picking and rapid alternate picking.”
Louie Talan, judge at the Colt 45 Shred to Slam says it all: “The Colt 45 shred-off are a salute, a well deserved hand-salute direced at all the participants wailing away on the stage. Some of them traveled from really far off places, skipped a meal, spent the week practicing or even ditched work on the day itself for the chance to participate – a chance to have quite literally, a few minutes of shredding metal glory!”
The Colt 45 Shred to Slam nation wide contest is just one of the many music adventures on the road to the Pulp Summer Slam 2011. Also on the playlists are discounts on Slam tickets as well as commemorative Summer Slam Colt 45 bottle and souvenir “Lords of Loud” CD.
I left early that night and was not able to catch the announcement of the winner. It was past midnight when we left and I was thinking of how to get rid of pimples overnight on the way home. I usually get them If I sleep was past bedtime. I will make another post as soon as I get the information on who won.
Update: Check out the winners here
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