A peek into the matrix of modern Guam art, culture and life.
Today is Friday, September 03rd, 2010
Kel Muna makes up half of the Muña Bros. duo. He is an independent producer, writer and director with over 12 years in the multimedia trenches and a feature film under his belt. Kel graduated as Valedictorian of his film class along with various honors and holds a degree in film from the super-crazy Full Sail School of Film.
Guamology had a chance to sit and meet with Jayton Okada, the man behind the Guam Musicians Initiative. He talks about giving back, breaking stereotypes and where he’d like to see the local underground music scene in the next five years. It’s a long one, so give it about a minute or so to load. This is Part 1 of 3. Length: 11:51
for us locals: pronounced 'you ya' not 'zyoo zya' from yona! 
is it possible to have any connection with ms shirley chu?any contact details.plsss 
WoooHoooo!!!! My son Harlee is gunna be so stoked you have island food here in town. We moved to ...
Congratulations Ed and Marie. Wish you lots of success. Hope to make it up there to try the ...
Yuya's got the best local music video! AND... shot in our vill! shame on us! hehe. 
Way to go Cuz, so proud to be related to such a talented family. Keep up the great work. ...
Comment by Jayton Okada on 10 December 2008:
Sheesh, 11:51 for part one?
:O
how long was our interview.
haha I know I can be locquacious… did I talk that much?
Comment by Kel Muna on 10 December 2008:
Don and I were actually talking yesterday about shortening the length of our interviews, since we want to feature them without any cuts. We might try to bring the future interviews to about 15 minutes tops, but we’ll see. Sometimes the knowledge flows during an interview and you don’t want to restrict the subject.
But even if the interviews tend to be a bit on the lengthy side, we agree that we still want to preserve an “unedited” look at our interviewed guests in order to for the viewer to feel the actual thought process of each featured person in real time.
Comment by Nooch on 10 December 2008:
Good job Jayton.
Comment by Daniel Soto on 10 December 2008:
This is cool
Comment by Fearless on 10 December 2008:
He makes a solid point on many different areas. Any teenager that’s grown up (or is currently growing up here) on Guam will tell you that the musicians of this island have come a long way. The only music you used to hear on Guam was the music people approved of- which coincidentally, was simply reggae and other island music, like Jayton points out.
Not only was a varied choice of local music available, it was frowned upon. A smack on the wrist for every rock song you’d listen to. Kids were and still are being influenced by their parents, friends, relatives and the media to have a passion for things that have always been around. We live on an island that is more then often dictated by pride, afraid of change. So kudos to anyone who’s supported the local musicians (of all genres, of course) of Guam.
Over the past couple of years, (I’d say about 2 or 3, from what I can tell) ample oppurtunities have been available for everyone with the salt to take a risk. And a few years ago, that was a scary thing to do- because you knew you’d be facing a crowd that may very well be against you and your music.
Anyways, Jayton here makes good, solid points covering the stereotypical (often hypocritical) behavior of many people on the island as well as the collaborative progress being made by the supportors of music.
But I wonder, how much more change can be made?
Comment by Jayton Okada on 10 December 2008:
Fearless,
There’s many more changes that can be made… so much more.
But in due time, things have snowballed in a sense, not for just music, but for art in all aspects of life.
Don and Kel themselves with Shiro’s Head and all their other projects.
Frequent commenter on guamology, Charissa Aguon, Julius Cena, and coincidentally my mother Sandra Okada of the UOG student film, Casting Our Net:Rediscovering Community in the 21st Century.
The Sinangan-ta Poetry Slam Collective,
Los Ladrones Art Show/Collective
Aleks Munoz and his projects, etc.
For music, so many strides have occurred the past few years, within this past year SO MANY.
Matala, one of the best rock/ska/surf band pushed out a full length album last year ($10 contact me for a copy [yea.. shameless plugs and namedropping once again!]). They opened for Hoobastank when they came to Guam, and we’ll be recording the 2nd album soon! I’m also their tech and co-manager and I’m trying to get them out to a pacific rock festival in Australia and to SXSW 2010!
Hymn for the Tortured, a now defunct Black/Death Metal band, recorded their 3rd EP with all original titles. While their fanbase on island is only a few hundred people, they’ve got thousand+ worldwide. Their album art was designed by a popular artist amongst metal bansd, Daniel McBride.
Mud has a few music videos and are doing great stateside. They also went to one of the largest music, art, film, communications festivals in the US… South by South West (SXSW). For this they were featured on the very popular Pandora Radio website.
Eve Swallowed migrated stateside a few years ago too, from what I hear, they’re doing well.
Rose Laguana and my cousin Lorelle stay in Chicago, they were in a few of the all-girl rock bands in the 90s. Rose is now touring with her band Dot Dot Dot, they were featured on Fox’s America’s Next Top Band.
Table for Five, one of the groups mentioned in the video, while they are a reggae band, the band is comprised of members who helped the small metal/hardcore scene on the island sustain life. Fred Bordallo is one of the best drummers on island, he drums with Steve Bednarzyk and the UOG Jazz/Concert bands. They provide the music for all the local plays and musicals, he was also the drummer for Hymn for the Tortured and he played with Matala for a few months. Their lead guitarist Peter was bassist for By Blood and guitarist for O.N. and Illegal Leopards. Table’s first bassist was the singer for Hymn for the Tortured, xAdherencex, and more!
“The only music you used to hear on Guam was the music people approved of- which coincidentally, was simply reggae and other island music”
Some of the performers that play reggae but have their roots in rock, metal, punk, or jazz, tell me how tired it is.. how unchallenging it may be.. but it’s the only thing that pays their bills as a professional and gigging musician. We love reggae, but yes it’s not our biggest passion when you can be shredding out hi-gain licks or playing funky fast bass beats.
Thanks for your feedback, but in time things will be even better! As I’ve said, we’ve got the most musicians of various genres per capita.
While most of what GMI is doing is just my direction, hopefully once we get things more organized things will me more beneficial for EVERYONE.
One day I hope we can offer scholarships to music majors.
We can have music clinics free to the public.
And one day get rid of the alcohol companies as the main sponsors (i.e. Ambros, Heineken, Mid-Pac)
Right now we’re doing community based events, we’re having a charity event for the Salvation Army on December 20th 12pm-5pm at GPO outside the foodcourt. It’s a Celebrity Bellringing event with live performances from Matala, Freedom Fries, Ellipsis, Big Bad Wolf, and the Hafa Adai Ukelele club will be performing.
I’m also planning out a Suicide Awareness concert to be held at either Ypao Beach Park, or at the Micronesian Mall.
Comment by Lani Okada on 10 December 2008:
Brother, as smart and talented that I know you are…..you talk and blog waaaaay too much!
haha.
I love you bubbs. What you are doing is commendable and I support you 100%. You have grown into a fine young man and I couldn’t be prouder of you.
Now, can you please clean your room? and your car. Thanks.
Pingback by Jayton Okada - Guam Musicians Initiative (pt.2) : Guamology on 10 December 2008:
[...] Watch Part 1 [...]
Comment by Bayton Bomada on 11 December 2008:
I don’t believe we have a variety of styles on Guam. You can’t call a couple of metal bands diverse. There is still no bands that play Post-Metal, Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal, and now Black Metal. There is also a shortage of actual good hip-hop artists. I’m still waiting for Guam to give me a good hip-hop artist. A lot of what goes on in Guam is still the same. We have talented musicians on Guam, don’t get e wrong, but we are far from diverse.
Comment by Jayton Okada on 11 December 2008:
Haha.
You’re either Dave or Travis.
Or one of the Ellipsis guys
Hip Hop and Sludge in the same post.
Gives it away easily.
Hurry up and get that project of urs going! I can’t wait!
But if you wanna hear some good hip-hop
check out Sideshow and the Butcher Brothers
they were supposed to record way back when but got burned by the studio guy.
He has one joint and its all about comics.
Moon Knight!
Pingback by Jayton Okada - Guam Musician’s Initiative (pt.3) : Guamology on 12 December 2008:
[...] – Guam Musician’s Initiative (pt.3) December 12th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under Jayton Okada – Guam Musicians Initiative4 Things That Guam Can Learn from Italy Filed Under: Musicians • Spotlight • Video [...]
Comment by Vermin on 30 December 2008:
I’m gonna have to go agree with fearless…I don’t think much can change at all.
After playing a show here in Singapore with a jam packed and intensley enthusiastic crowd (headbangin/moshin/crowd-surfing/flying around, all that fun stuff!) and 11 amazing diverse (real) metal bands with all orginal material and only one or two covers a set…I really doubt anything can change on Guam (and someone from Guam asked me if there’s even bands or shows in Singapore…). It’s pretty much always a boring crowd that will only mosh to trendy breakdown metalcore/scremo and sit down most of the time; cover bands; and repetative reggae to make mad ca$h. Mostly cover bands. I do hope in about 10 years or so Guam catches up with the rest of the world…but I’m not coutining on it. I’d be happy to be proved wrong though
Maybe I’m just getting to cynical and “old” because I too thought shitakke would be bangin’ by now.
Bands should keep doing what their doing and stay true whether or not the scene is supportive or not. I’d still be doing things regardless if staying on Guam…but I think it’s time I go try playing in other scenes where the passion is more intense.
“we’ve got the most musicians of various genres per capita.” – I really doubt that, and if it’s true it doesn’t mean anything since Guam is so small anyway. And various genres?…no way.
I’m alright with smashing the sponsor/bar system though!
Unless your gonna replace it with stuff like Sorsen or whatever…ew. DIY all the way.
Comment by Jayton Okada on 30 December 2008:
True, Vermin (Andrew).
Glad to know Singapore is going well, can’t wait til your back brother.
But yeah the sponsor/bar system is shitty
And while Singapore has 4Mil
and Guam only has a few hundred thousand residents, getting Guam to become similar to a stateside area or Singapore will possibly never happen, and not within 10 years.
Everyone caters only to trends, and the real original music groups die out easily.
Comment by Vermin on 31 December 2008:
Yeah…but I’ve seen shows here and there with the same amount of people…Guam just has this thing about not being enthusastic and sitting down and being content with not pushing for orginality and intensity. Like I said…I’m not trying to insult…I’d like to be proved wrong
“Everyone caters only to trends, and the real original music groups die out easily.”
Hell…that’s just universal, correct.
and don’t give my identity away. wtf. it’s the internets man.
Comment by Freddy on 7 January 2009:
Something about the Music Scene here on Guam.
Latin/Salsa:If you are looking For Latin/Salsa music you can look Foward to CALIENTE. They have a Great Sound, mostly covers. Most of the music arranged by Members of Caliente themselves like Doctor Johnson and Pat Palomo.
Reggae: This would have to be one of the biggest genre to hit Guam because we are an island after all. When i was a kid my dad did’nt make me listen to Metallica. He was in a Variety/island/Reggae band himself. I just got lost in high school and found Metal. No regrets though. If you wanna hear Roots Reggae you would listen to ZION BOUND, alot of spirtual influnce. If you wanna Hear Roots Reggae with a combo of Variety you can catch my Band TABLE FOR FIVE. If you wanna hear Rock Reggae you can listen to NATURAL RHYTHM. Another band you can listen to hear on Guam would be Cali variety rock band PAR 4. Other Island Reggae band you could see aorund would be Popular names like REBEL LION, KINGS CON,D.U.B,SOUL VIBRATIONS,COMPADRES,and DANNAJ. All the reggae bands hear on Guam do have the spice of Originals but when we cover song we add alot of our flavor too which brings Beauty and color to the music we play.
Variety: Aside from all the Reggae Variety bands, you can listen to the sounds of Steele Dan, The Police, Earth Wind and Fire ect. ect. ect. you are looking for band SERVICE ENTRANCE/RENAISSANCE. Another band at that great musical caliber would be RUMBLE FISH.
Also, if you wanna hear great music you can catch PAT PALOMO AND THE LATE NIGHT BAND/ FRIED BANANAS. Similar to these you can listen to the sounds of MIKO AND STEVE. All of these variety band revolve around great Musicians on guam like Pat Palomo, Mike Hartentrop, The Santino, Dave Santos, Mark Eclavea, Miko and Steve.
I’d like to mention a great Family contributing to Variety music on guam would be the Eclavea Brothers Ron, Mark, and Sarge.
Rock: The main band i would love to mention is my former bandmates, MATALA. Matala is a Variety Surf Rock band. The Most original band i know. Lots of Ska influnce with and equal amount of Funk and Jazz. Although this ain’t no Swing band. The Jazzy fills come from the Lead Guitarist Ryan Shook. The Rhythm section RJ and Rob bring the Funky Heart beat to Rock band. Last but not least, Jordan Hardy gives Matala the Progressive and Dirty Fill to every song. Ryan and Jordan are the vocals for the band with different style that give them the rightful variety title. Another Band that Rocks Guam is KOUFU! Koufu is lead by Prodigy Trey Cunningham. Koufu blends Rock/Funk/Hip-jazz and the list goes on and on. Other bands in the Game include great bands FLINCHED and THE FALL who are aprt of the Mac and Marti’s family.
That is all for now i have to get ready for a gig. I have an idea of Rock/Metal and Ska bands on Guam. Peace. CHeck out the VEnue on Wednesdays and 7 D’s on Saturdays
Comment by Jayton Okada on 8 January 2009:
Thanks for commenting Fred.
Don and Kel, I wanted to propose to you a video and interview with Fred’s band Table for Five.
They’re one of the best bands on Guam right now and all their members, while only entering their 20s, have an illustrious history and will continue too have a strong and impacting influence on the Guam music scene.
Not to mention that Michael Lujan Bevacqua’s lil bro is their trombone player.
Comment by Decrepit on 8 January 2009:
Mike Frazier from Ellipsis here
Im inclined to agree with Ferris on the topic of the music scene here on lil’ old Guam. It’s hard to find a variety of genres to listen to in part from the “younger crowd” (the older, much more professional crowd, well of course there’s a hell of a lot of variety there). Damn, does Guam have a very limited sense of creativity that we have to keep hearing a lot of the same repetitive styles played over and over? I’m a supporter of original (re: “original”) music here on Guam, and always will be. I mean, not to be pretentious (favorite word alert!) or arrogant or anything, but I’m proud to be part of a band that’s trying something new, that has a sound that reportedly no one else here has tried, whose influences are of the obscure and supposedly “underground”, and is continually trying to adjust the eclecticism of the local younger music scene. But why should we adjust to people’s tastes? After all, it’s always good to try new things.
I guess it’s just patience, patience to see what talent there is on Guam to create something new, something never done before. I also guess it just takes open minds to open doors, pertaining to the bludgeoning scene on Guam. I said it once and I’ll say it again, eclecticism in musical taste is key to finding a new sound. I know there is a hell of a lot of talent here on this small island, it just needs to be put to a more creative use. Hardcore and metalcore bands? Hardly aggresive, in my humble opinion. At least generic ones.
My $.02
If I made myself look like a pompous ***hole, then my job is done.
I’ll be waiting for someone to disagree with me.
Comment by Freddy on 9 January 2009:
No problem Jayton, thanks for the support.
Don? was that you drumming on my set at 7 D’s hahaha. I heard from Peter. Everyone is welcome at the 7′Dos where friends meet friends.
I Forgot to mention some very special band that influenced me in Reggae music. FANAI TAFARI!!!
Check them out at Mac and Marty’s every TUESDAY! I wanna mention 2 Great figures for helping out my band Table for Five. Big ups to Art Chan and the JAH REGGAE SHOP down in Fujita Road. Don’t forget to check out RASTA AND COMPANY near inn on the bay in Agat!
Comment by Don Muna on 9 January 2009:
hafa adai freddy… you know you’re not the first to ask about that… i heard that it was ron munoz from asan… we kinda look the same and i can see how people can get us mixed up.
Comment by Jayton Okada on 9 January 2009:
Frazier, thanks for commenting. Major props to Ellipsis and your solo projects. I’d like to ask everyone to give a listen to Ellipsis and Sub.Con.Science(Frazier’s solo project).
Sub.Con.Science’s album is free for download on his myspace page. just google “Sub.Con.Science”
Ellipsis is an award winning band who performs what is considered the genre of post-rock. THey’re all instrumental and the band consists of Mike on Guitar, Jon Glaser on bass (his bass playing can become the lead riff rather than Mike on guitar, Jon is a GREAT basssist), Rico on Drums, and Justin on the epic sounding keyboards.
Check them out as they defend their winning of last years Micronesian Business Association’s New Years Clash Battle of the Bands.
Next Saturday, Jan. 17 – $2 cover charge.
For more information check Shimbros Music in Maite.
Also…TONIGHT
Come check out Matala tonight at Dededo Skate Park at 7PM
Free giveaways from DV8/DNA Evolution/and Sk8 Guam.
Phew I’m tired, just went with Ryan Shook on a hike down to Sella Bay in Umatac.
What a work out
I really wanted to take some pictures of the trail and the spanish bridge and put a article up here..
another time perhaps.
Comment by Decrepit on 10 January 2009:
Yeah thanks for the shameless plugs jay, lolz. Btw the battle’s on the 16th, not the 17th.
In all seriousness though, I’m more outspoken on the younger scene because I’ve seen the same bands play the same style of music over and over. It’s sad to say that there have actually been very few “true” metal bands. I’ve never heard anyone play Cryptopsy or Decrepit Birth. *sigh*
I’m just sayting, people on Guam gotta try harder to find their own original sound. I listen to bands like Hymn For The Tortured, Matala and Nzeexruos and can identify some of their influences greatly, and it’s safe to say they’ve mixed in their influences with their creativity to create their own identifiable sound, and not sound like complete rip offs of others. In Ellipsis, one people can point out the influences of bands like Russian Circles, Bossk, Explosions in the Sky, etc..
Enough of the tooting of my own horn. I respect and admire the musicians on Guam who play their instruments with the utmost compassion. There’s talent out there, I know it. It’d be nice to see a show soon with bands of different genres playing together and actually getting along, like a mix of metal, folk, indie, electronica, hell even hip hop bands perform together. Something that would appeal to everyone. It’s one of the main reasons shows don’t really interest me anymore, not much variety.
again, those are just my $.02.
Comment by mehlanie plante on 25 February 2009:
Hi guys.. dont know if u still remember me ? But i am so thrilled to hear about all the work you guys have done .. i think it’s awesome! keep up the good work ..
just an old friend
Comment by bayly n. hiller on 22 May 2009:
the reason “up and coming” bands can’t get gigs is probably because they suck… i’ve been working in local music since 2004 and i’ve seen plenty of “good” rock bands get good steady work… don’t hate on reggae just cause they make money… you don’t need to change the world to get your message out… hard work… that’s all it takes
Comment by Jayton Okada on 24 May 2009:
It was more in reference to youth bands.
That what GMI is, a group of the youth (high school and college bands), they can’t get bar gigs.And outside gigs are non-existent other than the ones we run.
Comment by Jayton Okada on 24 May 2009:
YouthRock didn’t happen this year. Shimbro’s didnt have a battle since the ExpoHall. And, the Rock isn’t the rock, it’s the Kat. But GMI will be working with SMG on the next youthrock!
Comment by gion slater on 27 October 2009:
I want to be a rap artist and I’m 16 years old what do I do
Comment by Don Muna on 3 November 2009:
Hey Gion, try to get in contact with Jayton from Guam Musician’s Initiative on Myspace. I’m sure he’ll be able to point you in the right direction. I would love to hear some of your lyrics.