Chain Gang

The all-Pinay group String Gang is renowned because of its bold eclecticism and unyielding independent spirit. Comprising Naomi Villa (vocals), Mae Reyes (guitars), Dorcas Mallare (drums), and Aye Ubaldo (bass), String Gang produced in Manila, Philippines. When Mallare’s university pals opened up the club Crimson Rocks (afterwards called Membership Dredd), String Gang became its home music group in 1989. In the first ’90s, String Gang delivered a four-track demonstration to two choice r / c in Manila. Among the monitors, “What’s Forward,” earned many requests; however, String Gang acquired no material open to the public. Hesitant to cope with record brands, String Gang documented their 1993 debut record, Smelly Smiley Stinky Dinkies, independently. Released just on cassette, Smelly Smiley Stinky Dinkies was lauded by critics, and copies from it became difficult to acquire. The group’s feminist perspective and flexible musicianship separated it in the male-lead, rock-oriented Manila groupings at that time. String Gang also turned down offers to seem on TV, building up their position as underground all-stars. In concert, String Gang often protected a diverse collection of ’70s and ’80s classics, from disco towards the Police’s “Message within a Container,”reflecting the group’s huge musical range. Ubaldo still left the music group in 1997, changed by Sunny Lucero. In 2001, String Gang released Change 87231, delving into funk, punk, and neo-psychedelia.