6underground

6UNDERGROUND, a music venue in the Philippines established in 2004, was the brainchild of young urban professionals from various fields of music, photography, and acting. Having had the privilege of visiting various rock venues around the world, they gathered their individual resources and put up a hub despite not having any previous bar operation experiences among them. They accomplished this by employing a place where a prior rock bar once flourished in the 1990s called Kalye. 6UG, as it is fondly called, gives an avenue for new bands to cultivate their original Filipino music as well as for established acts to nurture their fan base at the bar level where artists and followers blend seamlessly together. Among the founders, Bel Sayson came in last but is mostly attributed in spearheading its programs.

In 2006, Glass Tower, the building where the old 6Underground was housed, was purchased by a corporation whose plans were to used the property as a new thrift bank. 6UG had no recourse but to transfer to a new place in Ortigas Center and renamed the venue 6Underground Live & Raw.

The bar

6underground catered to Filipino rock in many ways, from music to other related alternative lifestyles. From the unassuming exterior, many first-timers were lost on how they can locate the place. The small signage wasn't visible from the outside street and the venue itself was actually located "underground". Upon finding the facade, the entrance was a mere passageway leading to the main gig area. The floor was blood-colored while the walls were matte black. Haunted-like chandeliers hang scarcely on the ceiling; old style narra tables and chairs replaced the modern look of most watering holes in the city; and Jason Moss suicide paintings were suspended on hand-written walls. Partly inspired by the movie "Blade", 6underground looked, felt, and smelled like teen spirit, catering to college students, young urban professionals, and alternative music enthusiasts.

The new 6UG is in the heart of Metro Manila, along Pearl Drive in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Inasmuch as it is no longer physically located "underground", the bar took on a new look with the spacious stage placed right in the middle of the venue, having the crowd encircling the performing artists, ala "unplugged" television settings. Likewise, the old narra tables and chairs were replaced by Japanese-style tablets and pillows, giving a cozier bar atmosphere.

The events

6UG was where Rivermaya, the Philippines' most awarded rock band, made their live television special, "Live @ 6Underground", one of the uncommon times that the old quartet with Rico Blanco enjoyed their set in a relatively "small" venue compared to their other bigger shows. Ironically, it was also one of the very limited rock bars where Bamboo (band), a rival of Rivermaya, performed; a far cry from their usual heavily sponsored shows in and out of the Philippines. Not to be outdone, when foreign acts Love Me Butch and Interlace came to Manila, their very first stops were at 6underground. Conclusively, the critically-acclaimed film of The Dawn (band), "Tulad Ng Dati" as well as their video "Ang Iyong Paalam", were shot at the bar.

During her time, 6UG was also the rock party place of choice for Pulp magazine, NU 107, 99.5 RT, Monster Radio RX 93.1 radio stations, MTV Philippines, a bunch of get-togethers from schools Ateneo De Manila, DLSU, Assumption College (Philippines), University of the Philippines, and many other groups. Even the first Philippine Idol TV series celebration was held there, among others.

Not only music but 6UG played host to several fights, whether sanctioned or those unplanned. Local mixed martial arts club, URCC, did one of the very first organized fights there. Taken out of the movie "Fight Club", the bout had no ring, just people acting as rings with mats all over the place and complete with sexy round girls. It also witnessed other surprising and unpublished fist fights involving famous and infamous band members, groupies, goons, starlets, among other personalities. Quite naturally, 6underground was also the site for many photo shoots involving models, singers, actresses and the likes.

The albums

It is the only music venue in the Philippines that released, not only one but two, compilation albums. The Gathering album was released in 2006 produced by Bel Sayson under 6Underground Records and Ballyhoo. It was an independently produced collection of bands that regularly played at the bar. They were The Amandas, Fuseboxx, Kiko Machine, Pinas, Lahi, Southern Grass, Sugarhiccup, Shoulder State, Dream Kitchen, Prank Sinatra, and many more.

The second album entitled Live & Raw was released in 2007. It is a collection of live and unedited performances captured at 6UG. The artists included therein are considered as some of the who's who of Pinoy rock: legend Pepe Smith, The Dawn (band), Rivermaya, Kjwan, Kapatid (band), Skychurch,project mayhem, among others. This was likewise produced by Bel Sayson under 6Underground Records and distributed nationwide by Warner Music Philippines.

The bands

Nearly 600 artists graced the underground stage. Among them were 6 Cycle Mind, 18th Issue, Badburn, Callalily, Chicosci, Cynthia Alexander, Champagne, Daydream Cycle, Death by Stereo, Dicta License, Erektus, Faspitch, Francis M, Greyhoundz, Hale, Imago (band), Itchyworms, Join d Club, Juana, Julianne, Jun Lopito, Kala, Kapatid (band), Kiko Machine, Kjwan, Lokomotiv, Mayonnaise, Menaya, Narda, Paramita, Parokya Ni Edgar, Pedicab, Pepe Smith, Pupil (band), Queso, Radioactive Sago Project, Razorback (band), Rocksteddy, Sandwich, Session Road, Sinosikat?, Slapshock, Sponge Cola, Stonefree, Sugarhiccup, Tropical Depression, Tuesday Vargas, Typecast (band), Up Dharma Down,project mayhem, Urbandub, Wickermoss, and many others.

Media

6underground was featured in various Philippine print media like Pulp, Burn, Fudge, Mabuhay, FHM, Uno, Anthem, Loud, Circuit, Philippine Star, and Manila Bulletin. Its events were covered various times by both MTV Philippines and the Myx channels. In 2008, 6UG launched the "Live & Raw" television show on Studio 23 every Sundays at 10:45PM. It is a collection of live performances as recorded at 6Underground. This is the first time that a legitimate rock venue took center stage and has gone national TV. Simultaneously, 6UG also partnered with the Home of NU Rock, NU 107, for a similar-format FM radio show every Tuesdays at 10:00PM with hosts Pulp's Joey Dizon and Bel Sayson. To complete the media, they also feature other band performances and live video streaming through their website, www.underground.ph, making 6Underground a multimedia community that you can watch, listen, read, and catch live.

Website

Their official website is at [www.underground.ph] . It is the first Philippine portal that offers legal music downloads of Filipino independent artists through a prepaid card by Thumb Interactiv. The website also features news on underground events not only limited to the bar but to other news worthy music events as well.