The beat returns to Club V with Streetbeat

Streetbeat, arguably the most popular band ever to perform at Saipan Grand Hotel’s Club V, is back on the island for a return engagement, and is now gearing up for its first performance on Friday during the back-to-back concert with 7th Side.

Topbilled by Saipan veterans Derf Cabael, Mike Elbambo, and Jel Aquino, and members Choy Leonardo (lead guitar), Jonathan Borja (keyboards), and John Sablawon (bass guitar), Streetbeat welcomes two new members to the group: vocalist Elaine Ang and drummer Edison Pasumbal.

Still suffering from the after-effects of the long flight time from Manila to Saipan via a nine-hour layover in Nagoya, the band members sat down with the Saipan Tribune yesterday for a welcome-to-the-island interview.

Derf said they are all excited to be back on Saipan and are looking forward to performing again at Club V. “Of course, we’re also under more pressure due to higher expectations from our audience,” he added.

Elaine, who’s new to Saipan, said she is more nervous than excited and hopes that Club V patrons will embrace the band again the same way they were embraced the first time they were here.

“We’re very excited to meet our audience and fans on the 17th. See you all at Club V, guys,” she said.

When asked how the band feels about its popularity on Saipan, Derf said they feel flattered and thankful. “And blessed,” added Jel.

It’s been a year since their last performance on the island. What has Streetbeat been doing since that time?

“We’ve been to different places in Korea and Indonesia,” said Derf.

In South Korea, Streetbeat won the Best Country Performer Award during the Travel Mart competition held in November 2007.

Sablawon said they competed with bands from different countries such as China, Singapore, South Korea, and Malaysia, and they were sent by the Philippine Department of Tourism to represent the country at the competition. In all, there were about 15 bands that joined the contest.

The Streetbeat is the fifth band to perform at Club V since it started featuring live band performances. The last time they were here was also in October last year.

Tan Holdings executive Ivan Quichocho said they decided to bring back Streetbeat to Club V because it has been ranked No. 1 in popularity among all the bands that Club V has ever featured.

“The diversity of their music is very wide and they are experts in different genres. Also, they are very experienced, have awesome showmanship, and fantastic interaction with our customers,” he said.

Club V was so intent on getting Streetbeat back that they sought them out in Indonesia, where they were performing, Quichocho said.

“Come on out and feel the beat again because the Streetbeat is back in force with all-new stuff for everyone’s enjoyment,” he urged.

Quichocho expressed gratitude to all of Club V’s loyal patrons for “helping us keep the high quality of entertainment coming to the islands.”

Saipan will have the chance to catch Streetbeat’s first performance this Friday, Oct. 17, during a back-to-back show with outgoing band 7th Side at the Club V.

This time, the night will begin with a dinner buffet from 6pm to 8pm, with open bar, for just $20, according to Saipan Grand Hotel events and outlets manager Oscar Yema.

The dinner buffet will feature appetizers, a main course, and desserts, Yema said. The open bar will feature Pacific Trading Co. products such as Miller family of beers, and well drinks.

From 8pm onward, Club V will be open to the rest of the public for $5 entrance and one free drink.

Sponsors for Friday night’s back-to-back performance are SaipanCell, Titan, Pacific Trading Co., and Stress-Free.[B][I] (Saipan Tribune)[/I][/B]