Playback Jukebox and CMLA take over South Bay by storm

IN THE MIX BY MIC DIAZ: Playback Jukebox and CMLA take over South Bay

Playback Jukebox, one of the most sought-after rock bands in California, and Club Manila Los Angeles (CMLA), a group of DJs and promoters of the largest and most attended dance parties in Southern California, converged and brought together some of the most popular New Wave hits from the ‘80s to The View Music Bar, a packed hotspot in Torrance last Friday, July 19.

Purveyors of the ‘80s New Wave scene, Playback Jukebox and CMLA have been at the helm of bringing some of the most infectious songs from the ‘80s to concert attendees and dance enthusiasts in Southern California and beyond since their inception.

Playback Jukebox, now in its second year of existence, is composed of lead singer Benjie Collantes, keyboardist JJ Buencamino and drummer Paco Arespacochaga. Together, they take their audience on a breathtaking musical adventure. The trio has performed in the U.S.—all over California, in other states such as Nevada, Washington—and in Canada. They are slated to perform in other countries later this year.

Never losing their passion for music and DJing, CMLA has never been distracted by the monetary aspects of organizing dance parties since it started 26 years ago. Marking its 29th year of bringing the dance club scene of Manila to Los Angeles, CMLA with Jake Martin’s leadership and its guest DJs—Jerome Sto. Domingo, Lemuel Pia and Dean Andrew Pantilo—once again takes its arsenal of chart-topping dance tracks to the dance floor of the Torrance nightspot.

Brimming to its seams, the jam-packed nightclub saw an unprecedented combination of rock music connoiseurs and dance music enthusiasts that the Filipino community in Los Angeles has never seen.

Several members of rock bands and staples of the local rock band scene such as P&P leader singer Pia Alvarez; Thieves Like Us lead singer Dennis Diaz; Monarc frontman Monty Rili and drummer Michael Abad; Paco Arespacochaga’s wife Jaja Arespacochaga; Benjie Collantes’s wife Joyce Punzalan Collantes; longtime friends of Playback Jukebox Bryan and Kristine Elazegui; Viva recording artist Avon Rosales; business leaders Fastfix Jewelry and Repair owner Javier Suarez and Rubilou Productions owner Ruby Villaverde were present.

DJs Darryl Silva, Ricky Fabre, and Toktok Reyes; steadfast dance party supporters from the Party Party People Facebook group such as its founder Michelle Sto. Domingo and its members Mona Sto. Domingo Santos, Phil Santos, Jing Sto. Domingo, Karla Rodriguez Alba, Liza Lopez, Carlo Lopez, Lem Pia, Rachel Gatchalian Pia, Regi Libre, Charisse De Leon, Karla Rodriguez-Alba, Mackie and Ela Catt, Bel Domingo, Mayee Salgado-Futterman, Mic Diaz and Celeste Lingad; Co-founder of the Filipino-American Press Club of California Andy Edralin; former Vicor dancer Katrina Llanes; Movessential owner Abigail Castillo, Sammy Estrella, Lizette Villafranca, Majoy Resurreccion, Romichelle Ligot-Del, Rosario, Tin Cabrera-Fontanilla, Melany Gan Del Rosario and Francesca Borromeo-Lewis were in attendance. 

Generous sponsors such as CBR Entertainment, Deepz Investments Inc. and Paco’s Place made this event possible. Charina Vergara, owner of Titos Pizza Bar and Grill provided food for everyone to enjoy.

This unprecedented event brought followers of the local rock band scene and champions of dance parties under one roof, led new audiences to Playback Jukebox and CMLA alike, and took their music to unparalleled heights. 

Playback Jukebox drummer Paco Arespacochaga affirms, “This journey has been nothing short of remarkable, and I am filled with gratitude for the support we have received along the way.”

Jake Martin of CMLA invites everyone to the grand opening of It’s an Eighties Kinda Night, a monthly shindig featuring ‘80s music, on Saturday, August 10 at The View Music Bar in Torrance.

Photos by Paul Pablo of PhotoOpStudio and Jason Bascon.