Kiko Machine – Kiko Machine (2004)

Not only do they idolize macho and mustachioed ex-VST, they also want to be surrounded by groupies and be on the cover of Pulp Magazine. And if all else fail, they’ll settle for the best worst job in the world: to star in adult movies (“Boldstar”). Of course, they’ll do everything for love, even when faced with plain rejection, which never sounded so diverting and heartening as the one about winning in Takeshi’s Castle. Should’ve gotten into them back when their DVD (which isn’t really a DVD) was still available in the nearest record store, back when this “action movie” was still on display in the store’s movie section. Not a big loss, but a loss nonetheless; that fake action movie DVD cover alone is an all-timer. What else did I miss to have on compact disc? Not the lame-ass TV show themes they commissioned for Studio 23 (one for a “youth-oriented” talk show, the other for a “youth-oriented” animated shorts), which should have been placed as bonus tracks after “Gabi,” the last song on this CD. Mainly because they take you out of the album’s central concept. That said, the song about “Royal Rumble” makes you nostalgic for the days when you’re still not sure WWF was scripted or not. Their tribute to “Val Sotto” is also an all-timer, prolly beats PNE’s “Mr. Suave” by a pube or two. I’m not sure they already made it to the cover of Pulp but this I’m sure: their funky number about McGyver is a hoot (“Suka at toyo, kayang gawing bomba / Lumang tubo, kayang gawing bazooka / Lumang bumbilya nagagawang granada / Wala pa ring tatalo kay McGyver / Ultimate problem-solver”). B+ 

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Second-hand serenades

Kiko Machine – Kiko Machine (2004)

The lads of Kiko Machine, indie/comedy/rock band composed of Fine Arts students from UP, aren’t very fine, to say the least. Not only do they idolize a second-rate moustachioed matinee, they also dream to be on the cover of Pulp magazine, and if all else fail, they’ll do everything to become boldstars. Musically, I’ll put them somewhere behind PNE, together with, though not as popular as Kamikazee. They’re funnier than Giniling Festival and definitely better than Rocksteddy. Their music maybe just as derivative as anyone mentioned above, but their gimmicks and ticks are definitely their own – from wearing costumes (their bassist dons a Spider-man costume), to rousing live performances (see their Youtube videos), to the wildly imaginative album cover and songs full of wry college humor and TV nostalgia. And underneath all the gimmickry and raucous live performances, are remarkably well-written songs. Songs that primarily evokes adolescent and post-adolescent memories spent in front of the boob tube – raving about and imitating those TV shows – be it an afternoon soap, Sunday morning cartoons or late night series. Theirs is a generation that grew-up watching Batibot, Aguila, McGyver, Takeshi’s Castle and WWF and they’re proud of it. No wonder that their best songs, aside from “Gabi”, are inspired by these TV shows. And that song about McGyver is definitely one funny gem (Suka at toyo, kayang gawing bomba / Lumang tubo, kayang gawing bazooka / Lumang bumbilya nagagawang granada).

Image taken from this blog.