“REVISITING THE FRIDAY CLEANERS”
(Erico Joseph T. Canete)
FRIDAY CLEANERS is a group of young music enthusiasts formed on April of 2022. The nomenclature is a catchy phrase referred to the devoted weekend classroom cleaners that, after a week of spending leisure of the mind, is now ready to take responsibility of maintaining classroom cleanliness and order.
What is its relevance to music then?
As I watched them play, my imagination wondered into their sub conscious mind leaving a mission of fathoming the enigma of the band’s name. Alas! I discovered that on top of their parents’ gentle love and concern, these young men wanted responsible use of their freedom from the allurements and restlessness brought by the external world. Music is their antidote to clean and purify their young souls. This answers the relevance.
The boys had performed at private parties, at Coclea Lounge Bar, Martin’s Resto Bar, several towns in Bohol, at Sandugo Festival, among others.
In a year’s time, they grabbed the championship award of the Saulog Music Festival – Battle of the Bands on April 28, 2023. It was a tough competition participated by seasoned musicians and adept instrumentalists. Despite the infancy stage of their band, their performance captured the hearts of the judges as they played an original composition, Pinoy sound, rock piece, and an original jingle for the sponsoring group.
The band has a passion for, but not limited to, Indie music. Indie refers to music which is independently released and not financially dependent on the four major labels (WMG, Sony BMG, EMI and Universal). Indie does not refer to a style of music but rather to the financial circumstances of its distribution. Classic oldies and contemporary tunes like the songs of the Beatles, Dirty Mac, and OPM songs are also played respectively.
The band members include:
Sev Daniel Q. Abonete, the energetic guy, alternately plays rhythm and lead guitar with another guitarist Zach.
Zachary ‘Zach’ Bricx B. Ferolino, the silent but deep fellow, is the lead guitarist who spices songs with a unique aesthetic sound.
Melchor Maverick A. Daniel, a guy with a charm, plays the drum and provides the precise rhythm and beat.
Ardee B. Bitancor, a gentleman with a pensive look, is the band’s bassist who uses Hofner bass guitar (the kind of bass guitar Paul Mc Cartney plays) in their performances.
John Benedict (JB) B. Cañete, a nurse by profession, is the keyboardist who unifies a song with chord structures and best chord progression to produce a fine sound interpretation.
Finally, we have Sam Josephus Mari J. Biliran. He is the band’s cerebrum, vocalist and trumpeter. He steers the band’s wheel, sings with euphony, blows the trumpet, and leaps in their performances.
Bonded by the same love for music, friendship and brotherhood, these guys are honing their skills, venturing into composition of original melody and poetry. Check out on Spotify their original compositions like Falling Down (Bitancor and Cañete), I Do Love You (Bitancor), and Nicotine Baby (Ferolino).
Soar high, Friday Cleaners! You are art in the making!