Rock Attack!

In 2007, when the organizer of Pagdiriwang's Fil-Am Jam had to leave the country for an important business trip, losing Fil-Am Jam as an event during Pagdiriwang became a very real possibility. It was, to put it mildly, a disaster in the making because Fil-Am Jam was a large attraction, a substantial event during Pagdiriwang. This was where the leadership of Chito Refuerzo came to be tapped to salvage the event when, given just two weeks to muster the dozen bands needed to perform in two days, he was able to finalize Fil-Am Jam's lineup with one week to spare.

The organizers of Pagdiriwang realized that this was par for the course for Chito. He was always low key but he made his work speak for him. His deep knowledge of the band business, as it were, plus his extensive contacts among different Filipino and mainstream bands showed that his wide circle of friends could be tapped in the service of Pagdiriwang. Indeed, Chito's brand of service came to be relied upon like clockwork for important events.

In the Philippines, Chito was the lead guitarist and band leader for several retro 60s rock bands notably the Bad Habits, where he became part of its second generation in the mid 1980s playing at the popular Bistro RJ before leaving for the United States. In the United States meanwhile, his passion for the band scene surfaced as he became lead guitarist for various Seattle bands such as two very popular bands, the No Limit and the Heart Light bands, and organizer, band leader and lead guitarist for hard rock/metal band Chemistrange, which he organized in 1999.

Chito also exhibited his leadership as one of the organizers of the annual Ihaw-Ihaw Jam held in conjunction with the Pista sa Nayon at the Seward Park, during Seattle's SeaFair activities. Like the foundation of a house, Chito has quietly lent his service and provides the steady support that makes an event successful with his reliable presence and prompt action.

Chito is the proud father of two beautiful girls and husband to Aurea who continues to support Chito's passion for the band scene. Chito is a member of the Greater Washington Alpha Phi Omega (GWAPO) having served as its Founding President in 2003.

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Mixed Seeds

Mixed Seeds is a collaboration of two bands that got together for the purpose of doing cover music of famous rock & roll groups. We are all area musicians and most of us have been in the music business for quite some time. We’ve only been together since December of 2010 and Cindy has joined us just recently, in March of 2011 to be exact. This maybe a young group but our playing style definitely shows a much more matured band. The members of the band are: Richard Arriola - Lead Guitar Player and Vocalist, Brad Prather - Drummer, Percussionist and Vocalist, Jun de Guzman - Bass Guitar Player and Vocalist, Kyle Prather - Vocalist and Rhythm Guitar Player, Cindy Fisher - Lead Vocalist, and Tony Aganon - Lead Guitar Player, Keyboardist and Vocalist.

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Payday Daddy

The Payday Daddy band has been voted the # 1 Band in West Sound for the years 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000. At the Kitsap Music Awards held on April 13th 2002, Payday Daddy won the first place award for “Best Rock Band”. Richard Arriola took first place as “Best Lead Guitarist”, Michael Craig got second place for “Percussions” and Lesa Taylor – McCabe won third place in both “Best Female Vocalist” and “Best Bass Player”. Kent and Lesa McCabe got third place as “Best Songwriters”. The album “Gumby Got Drunk” won second place for “Album of the Year”. The band performs in casinos, fairs, festivals and concerts in the area including: The Kitsap County Fair, Silverdale Whaling Days, Blackberry Festival, Concerts on the Boardwalk, and Maritime Gigfest. On October 9th 1999, the band was the opening act in two shows of the world-famous “Paul Revere and the Raiders” at the "1999 KitsaParty”. Payday Daddy is composed of Richard Arriola on lead guitar, Michael Craig on drums and percussion, Kent McCabe on rhythm guitar and Lesa Taylor – McCabe on bass. After years of gigging 50 weekends a year, the band retired in June 2003 for a much needed break. Payday Daddy has reunited and is looking forward to playing once again.

www.paydaydaddyband.com

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Brown'Dout

Brown'dout is a Seattle-based Filipino-American Alternative Rock band consisting of five talented musicians with different influences. They are inspired by their passion of playing music and their dream of sharing their talent in the music world.

The band performs in different genres from Pop, Rock, Alternative, Funk, Jazz, Blues to Metal. The band is managed by Francis Halili (R2 Productions) and composed of: Nante Amador on vocals and rhythm guitar, Ana Maria Ebio on 2nd vocals, Edward Deang on lead guitar, Kris Capiendo on bass guitar and Ian Sulit on drums.

Brown'dout or "brownout" is a common term from the Philippines which means power outage that causes lights to dim. Whenever people are in the dark, they search for light. As a band, Brown'Dout is driven to guide and enlighten listeners through their music.

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Soul Candy

Soul Candy is a Seattle-based band consisting of 5 talented musicians who bonded through their love of music and anime. They banded together in July 2008 to perform for a local Filipino festival called Pista sa Nayon. After a positive reception from the audience, they were approached by Aki Con, a local convention to perform as guests for their debut year. Since then, other performances followed at the SakuraCon in Seattle, Anime Evolution at the new Convention Centre in Vancouver, Canada and Kumoricon in Portland, Oregon. This year is a sign of great things to come as they release their self-entitled debut EP 'Soul Candy' which consists of 5 original tracks that features a variety of sounds from fast rock, danceable beats, catchy vocals and an epic ballad. As the band call their music “otaku rock,” the EP will appeal to many fans of Japanese animation. Their new songs are influenced by anime, but Soul Candy’s sound goes beyond that. With influences from music of the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and Asian pop, the diverse variety of sounds of rock, riffs and vocals will attract the attention of folks looking for a different kind of CD. In 2010, Soul Candy had a successful show at the famed Sakura Con in Seattle, performed at a charity show, and in "Band Wars." Other shows they performed in 2010 include: Anime Oasis at the Qwest Arena in May, Fil-Am Jam at the Seattle Center in June, Seafood City in July, Pista Sa Nayon in July, Kumori Con during the 2010 Labor Day Weekend and at the Aki Con in November.

The Fil-am JAM bands rock the stage at the Mural Amphitheatre from 12 noon to 4:20 pm on June 4th, and from 12 noon to 4:30 pm on June 5th.