Music scene flashback: Mr. Big in Manila (May 10, 2011)

I always knew that Mr. Big would come to Manila but I never expected that to be courtesy of Pulp! This meant the tickets would be much more affordable! As with my experience with Arch Enemy, their VIP tickets were only PhP 2,000. I couldn’t believe that Patron tickets for the Mr. Big concert were only PhP 3,500! It could have been PhP 5,000 or more had it been by other production companies like Splintr or Ovation. But despite the production and ticket price, I’d still go to this supergroup’s concert no matter what.


Promotional poster by Pulp Live World



Mr. Big is one of the most amazingly talented bands for me, especially when you’d look at the members individually. It is common for vocalists or lead guitarists to stand out, but in Mr. Big’s case, even the bassist and drummer shine just as much. Before and even after Taylor Hanson, there was and is still the powerful voice of Eric Martin (forgive me for the poppy analogy). Behind the equally powerful shreds is the same shredder from Racer X, Paul Gilbert, whom I only dreamed of coming to Manila for a guitar clinic (after finally meeting Nuno, and aside from Steve Vai and Dweezil Zappa whom I’m still crossing fingers for). And I admit that the first bassist who ever impressed me and made me appreciate bassists in general was Billy Sheehan because he played the bass as if it was lead guitar! And as a person who could play the drums, I consider Pat Torpey to be one of whom are “academically professional” drummers with all his countless collaborations and clinics (including Manila). And together as a band, their complementing melody of their vocals in ALL their songs blend well together.

Personally above all, I was really thrilled to see Paul and Billy together again! I even wondered if Richie Kotzen could join them in the concert as a guest performer. It could have been grand.

The music of Mr. Big made a lot of big hits in the mainstream scene alongside other eighties and nineties pop hits, but I never got tired of them because their songs weren’t just written and put into easy-made melody and instrumentation. Their songs, despite being friendly to the mainstream world, are most likely difficult to be perfectly covered by pop showbands. That’s why it was very much worth it for the band to be reunited, and all the more why I never had second thoughts to see them live at Araneta Coliseum.

The opening act for that night was General Luna.


General Luna

It was also that same day when Justin Bieber had a concert at SM Mall of Asia Grounds. The band was aware of it so after performing their energizing opening single “Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy (The Electric Drill Song)”, Eric Martin greeted the enthusiastic audience and then joked, “The parents are here with us (Mr. Big) tonight, while the kids are with Justin Bieber!” We all burst out laughing.


Mr. Big on stage

I was thrilled to hear and sing along to the songs “Take Cover”, “Green-Tinted Sixties Mind”, “Alive and Kickin’”, “Just Take My Heart”, “Wild World”, “Addicted to that Rush”, “To Be With You”, as well as “Colorado Bulldog” and their power finale “Shy Boy”.  They also played songs from their then latest album, “What If…”. Some sweet favorites of mine that they didn’t get to play were “Ain’t Seen Love Like That”, “Goin’ Where the Wind Blows”, and “Nothing but Love”.


Billy Sheehan, Eric Martin and Paul Gilbert

Of course, we all awaited the breathtaking solo performances of the guys in between the songs in their lineup. I was amazed to finally see and hear Paul Gilbert lick and bite the guitar fretboard, and Billy Sheehan make the bass guitar cry! I didn’t fail to take videos of their solos. Their ‘double’ solo together afterwards was a total blast.


Showdown between Billy Sheehan and Paul Gilbert



Another surprise for all of us was before their finale song where the guys exchanged instruments twice during their “Smoke in the Water” cover. It was as if we were watching four one-man bands! This was a bonus performance and once again, they proved how multi-talented they all are.



The gear-shuffling band during the "Smoke on the Water" cover



We definitely got more than what we paid for! Thanks to Pulp and for that year (2010) when Mr. Big decided to reunite.