DO YOU WANT TO SEE THE WHOLE OF VIETNAM ON A SHOE STRING BUDGET?

Ever wondered what it feels like to be Ewan Mcgregor in his motorcycle adventures for a week? Now here is your chance to be like him except this time onboard a stylish Italian scooter and minus that Stereophonics song. My friend Da Nguyen of The Scooterist Blog is offering a journey not like any other a wild, pure, unrestricted and best of all a very affordable travel starting next year Thursday, 26th of January.

Join him along with some of the finest Vietnamese Vespa enthusiast and seasoned long distance riders to a journey across Vietnam and discover the local's best kept secrets, savor the sights, tastes, smells and sounds as they take you off the beaten path and away from the tourist traps. You can't say you have seen a country unless you have seen it with someone who's in love with it and nobody else can help you get up close and personal with that than them. Live the country with the eyes of a local.

The itineraries includes The city of eternal spring Da Lat, The friendly small town vibe of Nha Trang, The port city of Da Nang, The attractive city with a badlands feel of Dong Hoi, The mountainous regions of Thanh Hoa, The grand old dame Hanoi and The incredibly picturesque village of Sa pa.

In case you are wondering how you can be a part of this one of a kind experience, Da Nguyen is offering a scooter rental for only 30 dollars a day! Along with a convoy of able mechanics specializing only on Vespas In unlikely event that you experience a problem with your scooter.

Words of advice for the uninitiated: this journey is very hardcore, this is not a run of the mill over priced standardized tour package with tight schedules were you hop on a bus with a tour guide complete with food and accommodation. This is pure D.I.Y. folks! Just you, your scooter and the freedom of the open road. And if you're the kind of tourist who is scared shitless of exploring new and uncharted territories and you favored being pampered then this is not your thing, but if you are a traveler and want to experience the real deal then this is tailor made just for you.

For more information and inquiries on how you can be a part of this awesome mind expanding adventure and how to get a hold of your own classic Vespa scooter during the week long exploration kindly email Da Nguyen at tigernguyen1512@yahoo.com or go visit his blog at http://thescooterist.blogspot.com/

T.S.A. UP THE ANTE

Singapore based all Filipino hardcore band T.S.A. is always one step ahead of the game this time they had outdone themselves again. The last time they wreaked havoc in Denmark waving the Philippine flag proudly slaughtering the Danes in its path. And this time around the Yanks took notice.

New York street punk band The Casualties had chosen T.S.A. as support act for their Singapore leg of their Asian tour. From the multitude of local hardcore acts scattered all around Lion City, T.S.A. had stood out from the rest and that goes to show that they are nonpareil. The best hardcore band there is in Singapore turned out to be Filipinos. This band packed a heavy punch much like Pacquiao beat up those Mexicans to a bloody pulp.

These mighty Bulakenyos will go on head to head with The Casualties in conjunction with their 8th studio album - We All We Have under SideOneDummy Records. The event will be held on the 17th of November at White Studio Fort Canning Park, Singapore.

If you happen to be in Singapore on that said date do drop by and experience their very own take on what true hardcore should be. See and hear T.S.A.'s brand of hardcore, a no holds barred - take no prisoner approach - brutally short, angry and furiously fast, leaving you a casualty once their music hits you. This is the way hardcore should sound like.

This event is brought to you by Bone Crusher Productions.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR SEPTEMBER 16, 9:00 P.M.

THE GOSIGNALS ALBUM LAUNCH UPDATE

Good news for the weekend offenders, the date had been move to Friday! September 16 plus a slight change of line up to support The GoSignals album launching. Bands included will be The Steady Movin' Beat, The Flippin' Soul Stompers and Pink Cow. Time for you ladies and gents to spend your hard earned cash on their debut album and a truck load of booze.

Support local independently released album.

READY, SET, GO!

Dress sharp and rev up your scoot, it's time for all you mischievous gents to spend your hard earned money and haul your ass off to Quezon City to watch one of the bands that supported Bisikleta Productions. Experience their exceptional brand of equal parts power pop & punk rock with a dose of soul and aggro.

The GoSignals will lunch their long awaited debut album entitled Secrets & Lies this coming September 15, Thursday at Skarlet's Jazz Kitchen (formerly Ten 02 Bar).

With support acts Coffee Break Island, Flippin' Soul Stompers and Pink Cow. Entrance is P150 album included.



Note: This is not a Bisikleta Productions event, keep your eyes peeled and your ears open for the reboot. It's going to be a jamboree!

THEY ARE GOING TO A NICE PLACE.......AND THEY WANT YOU TO COME ALONG...

Join the groove merchants of soul for their last performance happening on the 9th of April at B Side, Makati. Its time for them to say good bye. Keep on keepin' on!

LAST LEG OF PINKCOW'S BAR TOUR & BACK TO HO CHI MINH CITY

Tomorrow will be the end of PINKCOW'S bar tour and this one will be a heck of a show. On stage supporting the lads will be THE GOSIGNALS, (heard their rough recorded stuff and it was fucking great! keep your eyes peeled and your ears open for the debut album coming out real soon) THE SNEEKERS, THE STEADY MOVIN' BEAT, THE EXSENADORS, CROOKED BEAT, THE STRAYGUNS, UMBLE UNO, THE NEW TREND and MASSIVE FOR ACTION plus supplying the soundsystem will be the Angono rude boys, on the wheels of steel SOUNDBLASTERS and yours truly A BOY NAMED HIL playing all strictly 45s from punk, ska and northern soul.

And on the 23rd of this month i bid you all adieu as i am off to Vietnam for an indefinite stay. Do not worry for the peddling of good music and great vibes will continue even though i am away . The events will be handled by our mainstay bands. See you all tomorrow at HADES BAR.