Peryodiko

Long-time music fans may zero in on the fact that Peryodiko, in its fairly short existence, has already gone through at least three sets of personnel. The odd thing about this, however, is it somehow rationalizes the Phoenician qualities of the group: while its members, past and present, are far from dispensable, it is the spitting potency of Peryodiko’s songs which reigns supreme. Chief tunesmith and guitarist Vin Dancel, who first broke into the scene in a big way via the now-defunct Twisted Halo, has certainly found his place in the sun. In songs as wistful as “Kumapit Ka Tuwing Lunes,” as invigorating as “Bakasyon,” as dramatic as “Agawan Base,” as painfully sweet as “Ispeling,” as monstrously demonstrative as “Ayoko na ng Drama,” Dancel and company always find the right words and the apt melodies for every life concern: desire, heartbreak, resignation. Though practically still in their creative infancy, only clocking in two releases thus far—a self-titled full-length and the EP Balik sa Simula—Peryodiko’s songs already ring out like modern classics, familiar because they mined only the best for inspiration, memorable because they fortified time-tested elements even further. With such a stellar past CV peppered with greats both low-key and emerging—guitarists Kakoy Legaspi and Josh Villena; bassists Simon Tan and Ian Tan; drummers Abe Billano and Pat Sarabia; not to mention record producer Robin Rivera of Eraserheads fame—Peryodiko is now soldiering on with new cohorts in creation: guitarist Kris Dancel, drummer Ristalle Bautista, and bassist Mond Merle. The new quartet has already performed a handful of shows, and already, those same songs, familiar, memorable, are already bequeathed new lives.

— Aldus Santos (author, Repeat While Fading: Pinoy Rock Biographs; Editor in Chief, Pinoytuner.com)