MARK your calendars. On October 14, 2007, at midnight, one of the most prominent Filipino-American bands on the East coast, Bleud, will be giving away their latest single on their website, http://www.bleud.net.

Two years and change since the release of their debut album, ‘Musings of a Caffeine Addict’, the Jersey City based Fil-Am rock band, Bleud, consisting of Ted Reyes, Jerwin Glorioso, Arnold Derama, Jason Estrada and Brian Joseph Miguel, return to the ever growing Fil-Am music scene with the release of their latest single, ‘Ordinary.’

“We’re happy and excited about the single release” says Ted, Bleud’s guitarist. “It’s our way of saying thanks to all our friends and supporters who have stuck with us all these years. We’re intending to release two more free singles before the album launch.”

‘Ordinary’ will be Bleud’s latest release since December 2006 when they took part in the Soulworks Records ‘Rocky Yuletide 2’ holiday compilation album with the single, ‘This Christmas.’

“Yeah, it’s been a while hasn’t it? But it’s not to say that we haven’t been doing anything", adds Ted. "There have been a lot of changes with the band from switching the instruments around, to bringing Jason on board and also with the sound of the band."
 

 The release also marks only the second single with the newest member, Jason Estrada, on drums.

“Being new to the recording process and to the band, in general, at the time of ‘Rocky Yuletide’ was a little overwhelming” says Jay. “Now with ‘Ordinary,’ I knew what to expect and I guess that put more pressure to get it down right",

The new lineup has given the band a heavier sound and has also made their performances more dynamic and exciting.

“Yeah, it’s great” says Bleud front man Brian Joseph, “I get to feel the music more, if that makes any sense. I think it gives us even more stage presence.”

“The song (Ordinary) is definitely different from what you’ve known us to be. It is the first song that Ted and I wrote together and developed along with Jerwin and Arnold. It is the heaviest we’ve done so far. The first album was an entire learning process for all of us. Not only were we starting to learn about the type of music that each of us liked, we were also still getting to know each other personally,  and the first album is definitely a reflection of that.  ‘Musings’ is a collection of songs that Ted and I wrote individually; songs that meant one thing to the writer, but something different to the rest of the band”, Brian added.

However, with Bleud’s new sound and heavier approach, all signs point to them permanently moving away from the pop-rock songs found on the first album. Tracks such as Anime Girl, Babolgam Music and Bye Bye Na seem like songs of a distant past. Or are they?

“Oh definitely not” says Ted. We still enjoy playing songs from our debut album because it helped us get to where we are today. Most of our supporters really enjoy those songs whenever we play. We may give the old songs a whirl and re-arrange them a bit, but still, those are Bleud songs and they aren’t going anywhere.”

Rumors are spreading that Bleud stopped writing Tagalog songs in an attempt to please local NY/NJ clubs and labels.

“Again, definitely not” says Ted. “We know how important Tagalog songs are, not only to our followers but to us as well. In fact, we will be releasing three Tagalog songs before the album is launched. ‘Tayo Na Sa Ulan,’ ‘Hatinggabi,’ and a new version of ‘Turon.’

It is important for bands like Bleud to release new songs and albums to continue to inject more life into the blossoming Fil-Am music scene. And with the New Year fast approaching, the scene is expecting more music from Fil-Am artists that would help catapult the scene to even more unprecedented heights.

‘Ordinary’ will be available for free download at midnight on October 14th, exclusively on their website, http://www.bleud.net. It will be released under Soulworks Records.