Goodbye McFly

Ten years ago, a band quietly announced its existence online by creating a no frills thread called "MARTY MCFLY MP3s!!!!!" on PhilMusic.com. "We're a new band with some Weezer and rentals influences..... Please check out our songs at Mp3manila.com and tell us what you think...if you like it, we'll give our album (cd) free!" read the first post by leinilyu. The next post was also his, titled a rather pleading "it's worth it...promise." He said they recorded their songs via cakewalk, and plugged their occasional gigs at Mayric's along España, Manila. There were a total of two replies on that thread - and 10 years later, not much has been added online about the band. In real life is a different story, though. Marty McFly has a good, loyal fanbase, and what they lack in number - they more than compensate for with fervor. Their gigs have always been rather few and far between, and not hearing from them in a while is nothing to worry about. But every gig is pure fun, and their album (which they were giving away for free) was actually available at record stores for a while. But Marty McFly was never the type of band you'd see at large concerts - except for some rare instances, the band prefers to play at small events. "No, actually we're forgettable," says Leinil, adding that they had played a few larger venues, but maybe a couple of people in the audience would know them. "We like to play for our friends - the fans," he said, saying the two words as if they were one and the same. And perhaps they are. A Marty McFly gig feels like a normal night hanging out with your barkada - you feel at home, and the music makes you happy, and you can't help but sing along at the top of your lungs. This is what the band says they'll miss most - the friends, and hanging out. The Marty McFly boys (who are now men, really) are pleasing to meet, and a pleasure to hang out with. Marty McFly is guitarist Gogie Singson, vocalist Leinil Francis Yu, drummer Mon Calinawan, guitarist Rio Vargas and bassist Mark Morada. They are all pretty laidback, friendly folk, who constantly joke around.

Sadly for their fans, their gig last Thursday was their last as their drummer Mon is leaving in a few days. Despite the relatively short notice and the weeknight schedule, Route 196 started filling up as early as 9pm. Not having been able to prepare properly, the band was only able to get a slot in that night's production, Tubby Trousers. But they had a well-prepared fourteen-song set, neatly typed up and printed out. "Given the choice we would've made it a bigger venue, and on a Monday," Rio joked before adding that if they had it their way they would have their "superfriends" there. "Mga kasabay namin noon, Ciudad, Blast Ople. Unfortunately, they couldn't make it," said Rio. Asked if they did anything weird in preparation for the last gig, Leinil proudly says "Practice!" Rio supports the answer, saying that their practicing is a big thing. This sort of humor is expected from the guys with songs with titles like "Donita" and "Make Up," the latter being the trademark song that steals everyone's hearts like a Quiapo pickpocket. They played second that night, and you could feel the bittersweet nostalgia that everyone was trying to forget while having fun. "We want this to be our best gig ever. Gusto lang namin mag enjoy 'yung mga tao. Sana mag enjoy 'yung mga tao," they said a few minutes before setting up. They played without any breaks, and, as always, the audience sang along at the top of their lungs. After they played their last song (Make Up), it didn't feel like it was over. In fact, asked if it really is over, the answer was more "We'll see" than "Yes." "This isn't really goodbye, it's more like see you later, a send-off for Mon. Tonight we're looking forward to people having fun, hopefully people will know the songs we're gonna play. Sing along lang," the band said. And as if knowing this, the audience sang along like there was no tomorrow. Considering the gig was called Goodbye, McFly, there may be more tomorrow. But nothing is definite yet. "We only play like twice a month maximum, he's gonna come back once a year, we can play like two gigs a year, were only gonna be missing 1/10th of it," said Leinil. Asked which songs they would particularly miss playing, Gogie thinks for around three seconds before coming up with the expected answer. "Mmmm.. Make Up," he smiles. The others are also really excited to play the old songs, and Rio specifies 'Bordello,' which he says they rarely play. "Noong pina-practice namin recently, parang ang ganda pala nitong song na 'to, parang sayang. Nanghihinayang lang ako," said Rio. At this point, Paolo Cruz appears, right on cue. "There, that's the guy who inspired Bordello," the band tells me. "It's also appropriate for you," Leinil tells Rio, who agrees, "Yes yes, it's very much appropriate." Rio likes Paolo's opinion that "Bands that disband are like comic book deaths. Sooner or later they're bound to show up again." Rio shares that it isn't impossible for Marty McFly to reunite. Still, the fans didn't pass up the opportunity to bug the band for autographs (and free merchandise). Hanging around outside the bar in the wee hours, horsing around and posing for unavoidably blurry photographs whether due to unsteady hands or subjects that refuse to keep still - it was a classic Marty McFly gig. Way too much fun, slightly immature, and always, always memorable. - GMANews.TV