China Crisis with drummer Marie Monaghan

MANILA, Philippines -- Two famed British bands, China Crisis and X Simple Minds are arriving Tuesday  to perform at the SMX Convention Center on Sept. 9. Steve O’Neal Productions is mounting the concert with Kenyo as front act.

China Crisis, with 23-year old Marie Monaghan as drummer, and X Simple Minds will be bringing over their full bands. China Crisis is led by Gary Daly and Eddie Lundon, while X Simple Minds is headed by Derek Forbes and Brian McGee.

China Crisis began recording in 1981. Their debut single “African And White” was followed by “Scream Down at Me” after which they signed up with Virgin Records. Their succeeding singles and albums became hits in UK. Their single “Wishful Thinking” culled from their second album “Working with Fire and Steel” became the group’s biggest hit.

In 1990, China Crisis came out with their first compilation album “Collection, the Very Best of China Crisis.”

X Simple Minds is said to be Scotland’s biggest band. Originally called “Johnny & the Self Abusers,” the group was formed in 1977 by Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill along with drummer Brian McGee. They later changed the name of their band into Simple Minds and in 1978 Derek Forbes joined the group.

The band produced the albums “Life in a Day,” “Reel to Real Cacophony,” “Empires and Dance,” “Celebration,” “Sons and Fascination” and “Sister Feelings Call.”

After going on world tours, McGee left the group in 1981 to join another band called End Games, only to rejoin Simple Minds a few years later.

“China Crisis X Simple Minds” is presented by Steve O’Neal Productions, Manila Bulletin, and MS for Male Tablet. Sponsors are Diamond Hotel, the official residence, Business Mirror, Hard Rock Café, RJ 100 FM, Etc., 2nd Ave., Diva, Universal, Mossimo, Gerry’s Grill, Yoshinoya, RX 93, Midas Hotel, Mellow, MYX, Café 80s, Mall of Asia, BDO Rewards, Lazer Music, Istanbul Cymbals, Taye Drums, and Ming’s Pei Pa Koa Candy.

Top Korean violinist in town

In town is a Korean violin genius, Ms. Eun Joo Park (a.k.a. EJ Park), who is also an actress, model, product endorser and music teacher in her country. But she has fallen in love with the Philippines that she would like to stay and even finish her doctorate in music here.

We first saw EJ Park perform Aug. 18 at the lobby of Midas Hotel (formerly the Hyatt Regency Hotel) and she really won us over with her engaging showmanship.

EJ performed several well-loved numbers capped by two Filipino songs. The first was “Ikaw” which she learned only the night before her mini-presscon, according to Ms. Bella E. Dimayuga, her local manager, and the internationally famous Freddie Aguilar song “Anak,” which EJ rendered in a uniquely beautiful arrangement.

The actress-musician will be back at Midas Hotel on Sept. 21. Her forthcoming shows are at Heritage Hotel on Sept. 8, SM Tarlac, Sept. 10, Concert at the Park, Sept. 11, Midas Hotel, Sept. 14, Heritage Hotel, Sept. 15, German Moreno’s “Walang Tulugan” on GMA 7; SM Iloilo, Sept. 18; Midas Hotel (Korean Night), Sept. 21; Heritage Hotel, Sept. 22; SM Baguio, Sept. 23; SM Sta. Rosa, Sept. 25; Heritage Hotel, Sept. 29, and SM Southmall-Las Piñas, Sept. 30.

EJ is not actually a stranger to the Philippines. Early this year, she performed in “Willing-Willie,” “Walang Tulugan” and “Party Plipinas.”

Love Radio No. 1 – Nielsen

Nielsen Media recently released the survey ratings for the first and second quarters of 2011, showing 90.7 Love Radio with a commanding audience share of 28.6 percent in Mega Manila – a position it has kept for the past nine years. Sister station 101.1 Yes-FM has not been far behind in the tightly contested race for supremacy on the FM band, with 96.3 Easy Rock likewise keeping its position.

Love Radio has consistently beaten all other AM and FM stations on the Monday-Sunday, 12 midnight-12 midnight. Surveys show that the station has in effect created three prime time slots for radio broadcasting, with listenership peaking at the 6-11 a.m. programs of Chris Tsuper and Nicole Hyala, rising again in the 3-6 p.m. slot of Rico Panyero, and definitely leaving competing stations behind during the 9 p.m. to 12 m.n. slot of Papa Jack.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Tuesday, Sept. 6, go to awarded director Jeffrey Jeturian, awarded actress Mylene Dizon, UP Prof. Letty H. Tizon, Joane de Asis Benitez, Prof. Rene Durian, Annie Salonga, Sylvia Lina, Rosie Romey, Ma. Cristina Herella, Cecile Tiangco, Gerard K. Gozon, Ditas Hilario, Ricky Barbiero, Anna Cecila “AC” S. Javier, Sonia Nunez, columnist Ed de Leon, Liwayway C. Bartolome of Bakersfield, CA; my cousin, Califoria-based Rodrigo V. Palma, Joyce So and John Manalo of Star Magic, and MB’s Kaye Villagomez... Happy priesthood anniversary to Fr. Cornelio L. Matanguihan... Belated b-day greetings to Mark Lawrence R. Malabanan (Sept. 3)…