Bandcheck: Weedd

(By the way, feel free to add the missing infos)

In the northern of the Metro Manila school system, there lies a band. If the Eraserheads was from UP and Parokya ni Edgar was from Ateneo, then Weedd is Claret’s contribution to Pinoy Rock.

They named themselves from the word "weed", which is basically a pet name for marijuana. 

In an effort to own the name and make it look cool, they added another "D" on the word. 

Hmmm... 

When I was a kid, Long Hair was the anthem for every kid whose hair was damaged, dismantled, and disfigured by the school’s guidance counsellor. Back when the world was young in our eyes, having the proper haircut meant discipline and those who are against this rule are enemies of the state (state meaning the school’s principal and his/her wards).

The song had an awesome run and while it didn’t stop the teachers in dismantling the luscious locks of boys (they will exalt revenge on these teachers by growing their hair in college... or jail).

However Weedd disappeared from the scene and was basically dubbed as a one-hit wonder.

Yes, they are indeed a one-hit wonder but there is a reason why. Have you heard their music? I think record producers thought they would try to make their rocking style commercial. That’s absurd. Try hearing their singles for crying out loud and you’ll find that even though they came from Claret, these “innocent” little high schoolers heed and obey death metal noises! These kids lived through Wolfgang, Razorback, Backdraft, and a lot of rock bands playing Club Dredd!

It’s just wrong for them to even consider switching to what was mainstream during those periods without sacrificing their integrity!

Of course, Weedd unable to adapt was reasons enough for them to seize.

Perhaps the death of progressive rock FM station LA 105 also played a major role in the band’s demise.

Up to this day, Long Hair continues to be a familiar tune. If Weedd existed in the late 90’s and the early 2000’s they would have garnered significant success. According to my officemate and Claret alum BJ, Weedd had two albums.

Two albums?

What exactly happened to the other album???

After they released their second album, these high school jammers turned to education as most of them did their time in UST’s Conservatory of Music.

One of the founding members of Lourd de Veyra’s Radioactive Sago Project (possibly Junji Lerma) was once part of the group.

Currently bassist Philippe Arriola is part of Sinosikat and Kapatid.

SYDRIFIED SELECTIONS: WEEDD’S TOP FIVE

DISCLAIMER: I could do a better list if I gain access on both albums.

1 LONG HAIR / What else really? This could have been the first and only song Weedd can stream in the airwaves. Aside from the fact that it was relevant, it also had a good beat. Aside from Tropical Depression, the reggae beat hasn’t really been exploited.

2 BOBO JOE / I was actually shocked to hear this. I remember listening to the sound but I didn’t know Weedd was responsible for this pleasant noise! Actually I didn’t know if I heard this on the radio or in some house party. The song is catchy, upbeat, relatable, and can ignite a superb head-banging spree! Shit, I actually know two Weedd songs! FTW!!!

3 THE SONG / The Song is a somewhat mellow song that kind of resembles those glam rock bands and American folk singers a la Eric Clapton and Bruce Springsteen from the late 70’s and 80’s. I think this way of singing suits Weedd rather than what they did in Aging Hands.

4 AGING HANDS / It seems as if they are channelling Wolfgang, Backdraft, Razorback, Battery, and those other indie rock tunes. While I enjoyed listening to the song, I feel that it would have worked better if their vocalist had a stronger and more growling voice a la Basti Artadi.

5 AURATUS / When they released this single to the airwaves, it simply stated they are no possibilities that Weedd would be the Justin Bieber of their generation. The song has subliminal statements about buying drugs. They were brave and all but they failed to score mainstream audiences. It may be a poor follow-up single to Long Hair, it is still a cool tune to listen.

Songs like Istoryang Walang Ending, Sa Ngabas, Talo-Talo, Di Ako Tanga, and Paglaki Ko could amuse you but just be wary of the repetitive arrangements and the tunog lata drums.

They were a bunch of kids that had influences and it’s just a shame that their claim to fame is a mere song about defying the maestros with scissors.

At least their one hit was very, very popular up to this day.

Yes that sucks... but until they re-form their band...

What can they do?  

Game over.