By Erwin Oliva
INQUIRER.net
“…WALA pa yung MTV… wala pa yung Internet.. wala pa yung iPod or MP3. Wala pa yung cable. Wala pa yung cell phone, wala pa yung CD or DVD. Meron lang Betamax!”
With those words, Raimund Marasigan of Filipino rock band Sandwich set the tone for what was going to be the night’s anthem. It was a new song Marasigan and his band had composed (it is not yet recorded) for this special night when a younger crowd witnessed the debut of Club Dredd in Eastwood in Libis, Quezon City.
For upcoming Filipino rock bands, Club Dredd was the place to launch a music career or something close to that. The names are now all too familiar: Eraserheads, Razorback, Rivermaya, Teeth, Wolfgang, among others.
“Sa Jingle magazine, natuto ka mag-gitara…”
Patrick Reidenbach, owner of Club Dredd, said it was nine years since this joint closed its doors. It was June 12, 1998, he recalls, adding that he was forced to shut down the place to take care of a family business.
“I had to concentrate on my dad’s business,” he said, as he took a puff of his cigarette in the Playroom, another new joint just above Club Dredd.
Reidenbach said he finally decided to partner with the Gweilos Group who agreed to take care of the F&D (food and drinks), while he took care of the “entertainment,” which meant lining up mostly original Pinoy bands that have already earned a name in the local rock music pantheon.
The new Club Dredd, however, is still sticking to its original philosophy of discovering new bands in the country.
“‘Di pwede cover bands dito (We don’t want cover bands),” he says, adding that he also does not want the new Club Dredd to end up as a “nostalgia club.”
But Marasigan and Sandwich were probably feeling nostalgic when they played “Sembreak” composed by none other than Marasigan’s old band the Eraserheads.
Reidenbach says that he official set up Club Dredd on June 1. It is located on the second floor of Gweilos Eastwood, which he says is a much-improved gig house compared to the old Club Dredd in Timog and later in Cubao. Club Dredd’s website explains:
What’s great about the place? Well we have improved the sound system, with the help of Stephen Lu of Loudhouse. Also, no more worries about the aircon and banyo that plagued the old venues. We have an excellent, high quality kitchen and bar provided by the Gweilos Group, which is headed by old Dredd habitues Raul De Castro and Marlo Benitez, plus 24-hr security and parking.
We have yet to put up the signage and dress up the place, but since we took over, already many of our favorite acts new and old have played there, and many, many more are scheduled to perform in the coming weeks and months.
The “oldtimers” of Club Dredd like Papa Dom, Jing Garcia and Marasigan all agreed that the new Club Dredd was way, way better looking than its predecessors.
“We were so excited when Patrick called us. There was no joint in the Quezon City Area. In Makati, you had Saguijo, and in España Mayric’s,” Marasigan said.
“It is quite nostalgic but this is a chance to do it better this time. Dati kasi parang naging Divisoria ng banda yung dati sa Edsa. Wala ng quality control,” Marasigan added with a laugh.
“As long as the bands are playing what they like, Club Dredd will always be different,” said technology journalist and former Jingle magazine writer Garcia, who started out as a sound technician when the joint was still in Timog.
Reidenbach said some people have said that Club Dredd has become sosyal. He stressed, however, that wherever you put this joint, it will always be Club Dredd.
He said the official launch of the joint might happen sometime in September. But he said he and his partners are still discussing this.
He plans to revive the old Club Dredd Jazz nights and poetry reading, dubbed Dredd Poets Society.
Other bands who performed at Club Dredd that night include Duster (a new all-female band), Manibela, and Pedicab. Here’s a photo of Duster.
37 Feedbacks on "Club Dredd is back"
RASor
The concept with the old Club Dredd seems the same, from my reading the article.
Better and improved? Well, I would have to take a first hand look and feel.
A fun place with surprises, new up coming bands taking the stage, then, I hope it is still the same now (or better).
The entertainment (not to forget body slamming at the floor) hub, a place to let the traffic go by (along EDSA) while with friends.
I should like to ask:
Is Robee Sunico still connected with Club Dredd?
Thanks for response.
From: A friend of Robee & patron of the old Club Dredd
WHENG
WOW GALING NAMAN!!!!!!!
….THIS PLACE IN EDSA I REALLY MISSED MOST OF MY LIFE……THE GIGS AND EVERYTHING……
….HOPE I CAN DROP BY……
…..SANA UNG ‘BEERMAG’ DIN BUMALIK….
WHENG
WOW GALING NAMAN!!!!!!!
DUN SA MGA TROPA SA PUP STA MESA, MANILA…RIA,NHOR, FANNY,SHIELA,MYRNA, AT UNG MGA BOYS…CRIS, ETC…HOPE 1 DAY WE CAN MEET HERE AT THE SAME TIME AND PLACE…..
delski
Wow! That’s good news! I hope the new Club Dredd would live up (and even improve) to its image as the “place” for Pinoy bands. Ayos!
Rob
RASor:
I’m around whenever I can get my butt off the rocking chair. I’ll be there as Fatal Posporos will be reuniting for a one night stand, heh-heh…
Dredd though is Patricks’ gig. Any and all complaints, comments, suggestions-ludicrous or otherwise,hate mail, soliciatations should be addressed to him.
Rob Robee Robbie Robby
Nikki
This is very very good news.
I am just thinking, with its new “sosy” venue at Libis, would this appeal as well to the “masa” rock fans, who (to MY thinking) contributed a lot to the fame of bands like eraserheads, teeth, yano, rizal underground, color it redd, even wolfgang and razorback?
INQUIRER.net Blogs » SMFund.com scam, Club Dredd, GO senators and French Maids
[...] Dredd is back! Erwin Oliva blogs about it for Soundtrip. Check out his blog entry to see the video of Sandwich’s new song [...]
Erwin Oliva
RASor,
They were joking about the presence of aircon, a comfort room, and parking as the changes that are evident when you go there.
But the kind of music played in such joints dictate how this re-opened tambayan ng mga rakista would become…
Basta it was nice to see Raimund and Sandwich again! Galing mo, idol!
aL m
Club Dredd fulfills its objective as an entertainment venue to host unprecendented rock and roll music and bands into the mass.
Congratulations!
rabies
i was there! all three dredd
luigi
took a while for club dredd to be back. but now that it’s here, more chances for upcoming pinoy bands to showcase their music! ayos!
Nina
Where is the new Club Dredd particularly?
POGS
AT LONG LAST NABUHAY DIN ANG CLUB DREDD, WE USED TO PLAY THERE DURING 95-96 CIRCA SA EDSA KAHIT HINDI NAKITA,EXPOSURE ANG MAHALAGA DON,NAKAKAMISS NA TALGA MAG PERFORM SA DREDD…
MGA DATI KONG BAND MATES,ARVIN,RAINER,CARLO,ALGRO..MAG RE-UNITE ULI TAYO KAHIT ONE NIGHT LANG SA DREDD…PAG UWI KO FROM SAUDI!!”DECAYING CORPSE” & “LYCANTHROPE” BAND
DEATHMETAL,RAP METAL..ANYTHING GOES SA DREDD!! SANA MAGTULOY-TULOY NA SILA!!
jewel
wow. is this for real?! i remember following my favorite band at that time - annointed cherub! i admit i was a groupie! thanks patrick for bringing club dredd back!
flyMomma
alrayts! excited is an understatement .. this means celebrating the good ‘ol days, see ‘ol faces (Babe Breath, where are you?) .. and Titan, you must come back to Pinas when Dredd’s rebirth is fulfilled … one more night of Julien’s music, not bad db?
Erwin Oliva
Nina,
it’s at the second floor of Gweilos in Eastwood, Libis. Just go up and locate where “loud music” is coming from
Erwin Oliva
rabies,
I know! haha
INQUIRER.net Blogs » Science, post-Zubiri blues, interest rates and tech media awards
[...] Soundtrip: Club Dredd is back [...]
hector diaz,jnr.
wow…champion yan….see you again mga pinsan ko….peter,beng2,pia,nerida at maramingmarami pa…………
Clark Koga
How can I contribute to this blog?
Emanon
Sana lang walang “pogi rock” hehe Peace
Violet
This is great news! By sticking to its original philosophy of discovering new bands in the country, Club Dredd can contribute to the progress of the Filipino music industry.
dang
bakit sa libis?!
RJAY
It’s about time that Club Dredd re-emerge! Brings back the old memories of good old pinoy rock scene. A lot of bands had been displaced when this rock institution closed down. It’s been home to a lot of aspiring bands…including us! A place where their own music is showcased without shame or fear of ridicule…only true rock music lovers would appreciate!
Kudos to Patrick for giving this new generation a chance to rock anew and re-live the glory days of pinoy rock. Hopefully, Club Dredd will stay for good para tuloy pa rin ang rakenrol!
paetechie
congratulations, patrick!
I never knew you owned Dredd
kutsara
I don’t think this Club Dredd will be the same one that I went to when I and it was still in Sct. Santiago. Libis? - this will be full of socialites and wannabees. Naahhh…..Yuppies with their Tagalized and accented English and metrosexuals wanting to be cool. We used to be able to smoke weed there because we wanted to - not because it looked cool. Next bunch in there will be those who want to be associated and look cool.
Ed Germino
Astig!!!
Sana ibalik din ang DREDD POETS SOCIETY!
Wag nyo namang patugtugin yung mga bulok na banda, like what happened in EDSA.
Mabuhay ka Patrick!!!
Luis Taruc
it’s great to hear that club dredd is back again…as the saying goes…RAKRAKAN NA!
tom
ayos yan! mabuti naman. masabi nga sa barkada . buhay na naman ang tinatambayan namin dati pag katapos ng school ngayon pagkatapos ng work. club dredd pa rin. sana pale pilsen pa rin. . .
rubysoho
yehey! rakenrol na ulit!
Patrick
kutsara said: “…this will be full of socialites and wannabees. Naahhh…..Yuppies with their Tagalized and accented English and metrosexuals wanting to be cool.”
I don’t think the yuppies will enjoy Deceased and COG too much, despite the location. They’ll probably just hang out next door.
“… We used to be able to smoke weed there because we wanted to -”
We didn’t allow drugs then, and we won’t allow it now. Nothing against weed. Just don’t do it here. Sex and rocknroll na lang! We serve booze and good music.
Alo
I was there! Thanks, Erwin.
Alo
I was there! Thanks, Erwin. =)
Snake
Club Dredd = Dredd Metal!
Underground Death Metal Scene is gearing up again!!!
Remembering “Sa Kabilang Anyo ng Buhay” Death Metal Compilation Album Launching at Dredd…
Sana may 2nd version, since Dredd is up again!
bels
i’m just glad that Club Dredd is back.
do you have any idea how the band i’m “pimping” can perform at Dredd? the name is traumaligno. they fit the concept of Club Dredd.
i’m also glad that the Gweilos Group is in charge of F&D. they serve good food. =)
MARK
hi magkano kaya magpaproduction sa dredd?
CameraShake
POGs.
this is Carlo your former lead guitarist (Decaying Corpse), I am now residing here in Australia. Email mo lang ako pare.
Please Leave a Comment!