Getting ready for a Cueshe-Hale showdown

Sorry if this entry is nowhere near the seriousness of my previous posts. But I felt that my blog needs a bit of rest even for just one or two posts. Second, I did some entries about these bands, so this is just like continuing my previous entries about bands and music in general (For example, see this old post of mine where I dissed Orange and Lemons as an old plain copycat). I'll get back to the most pressing issues soon, I promise.

Here's an article from Manila Bulletin quoting Myke Sarthou, the manager of prominent pop-alternative band Cueshe, dissing another popular band, Hale (which by the way, was described by Wikipedia as a "pop band".

Haha. Let the war begin. Which pogi rock band stands after the dust has settled? Well, from the way I interpret it, it was Sarthou who drew the first blood. Unless there's a deeper story between Hale and Cueshe that we still don't know. Abangan.

Cueshe manager slams Hale
By Jojo P. Panaligan

"Members of Hale are two-faced and arrogant backbiters who think too highly of themselves and their music."

Thus, says Cueshe manager, Myke Sarthou, in lieu of Hale’s alleged ‘stab’ at the controversy the former band was embroiled in last year during the latter’s performance in the ABS-CBN show, "Magandang Umaga Pilipinas" last March 2. (The photo at left is the band Cueshe -- Bryanton Post)

Invited to "Magandang Umaga" to promote the repackaged version of their debut album, Hale performed their hit songs but intro-ed with a snippet of Silverchair’s "The Greatest View" which was publicly contended as one from which Cueshe derived the melody of their hit single, "Stay."

"Why did they perform ‘Greatest View’ if they have no intention of reminding people of that issue; one that already died down naturally for lack of basis? There’s no remake of ‘Greatest View’ in their album nor is that song part of their usual repertoire. It was covert attempt to taunt Cueshe. Pambabastos na pailalim," says Myke.

Cueshe apparently felt irked over the incident that, days later, they addressed the perceived affront in one of show segments in music channel, "MYX."

"Sabi ng Cueshe sa ‘MYX,’ ‘If you (referring to Hale) don’t like us, don’t say ‘Hi!’ to us when we see each other. Wag n’yo na kaming plastikin," recalls Myke.

According to Myke, Hale has not only been "backbiting" Cueshe even before, but has been "making the public believe that they’re really this important and sought-after band."

(Hale band, left photo -- Bryanton Post) "Paano silang magiging sought-after when according to their own website, they only have seven to eight gigs per month? At least ang Cueshe, araw-araw may show that pays well. Hale is managed by their record label and if one is going to use common sense, then they are probably mostly booked for shows that just sell the album. Then again, common sense is not so common," says Myke.

As for Hale acting precious about their music, Myke says that this is evidenced by the quartet’s perennial call to not be labeled as ‘pogi rock’ and for people to instead appreciate their music or musicality.

"Ano’ng musicality, eh, piyukin naman si Champ. And what’s to appreciate in music that usually just utilizes three chords? Feeling nila ang galing-galing nila. Ang Cueshe kahit isabak mo sa live, kaya nila kasi hasa sila being formerly a Top 40 band. Kaya lang maayos ang tunog ng Hale on record dahil sa recording studio, nareretoke ang music, " says Myke.

He adds: "Cueshe would never point out the merits of their songs because that’s something real artists don’t do unless they come across as self-serving. Only the public can bestow genuine compliments. Besides, what’s the point of crowing about the technical merits of music? Either people like you or they don’t for whatever reason."

When asked about Hale touted as the best selling new artist of 2005, Myke says that Hale has had the advantage of releasing their album months ahead of Cueshe’s.

"Sila, month of May nag-release ng album. Kami, July. Further, they were already promoting their album even before its release by serving ‘Broken Sonnet’ to both radio and music channels. What can I say about their Triple Platinum Award? Congratulations," says Myke.

Cueshe’s manager also says that Hale is so insecure of Cueshe that the former was said to have even contemplated "patterning" the concept of the video for their latest song "Tollgate" to that of Cueshe’s current, "Can’t Let You Go."

"The concept of the video for ‘Can’t Let You Go’ features footages from shows they’ve done all over. Naturally, the video has shots of their fans. When Hale saw it, they were said to have spoken to their label to produce another video for ‘Tollgate’ that will also show their fans."

What if that materialized?

"That would’ve been really amusing because it would once again show how desperate Hale truly is," ends Myke.

Cueshe’s Double Platinum debut album, "Half Full, Half Empty" has produced the hit songs "Stay," "Ulan," Sorry" and "Can’t Let You Go." The band will be doing a back-to-back show with Hale today at the Baseball Field Subic Bay, Olongapo City.

Hale and its record label EMI Music Philippines declined to release an official statement as of this writing.