In 2023, the kids are alright. Punk and hardcore have always been inclusive genres and another ism currently being eradicated in the scene is ageism. Perhaps Jack Black is to thank, with his School of Rock film showing mainstream society that elementary school kids can rock just as well as people 20 years older. The O’ Keefe Music Foundation, for instance, has brought kids playing heavy music into the YouTube generation with great success, with Slipknot and Korn covers done by kids getting the channel millions of views.
That’s great that they can play covers, but how about original songs? Bands like the Linda Lindas have shown that the youth have issues they want to touch upon, using punk as their vessel. In the Philippines, Youth Alteration join this current crop of bands. Formed in early 2021 by 14 year old Kaz and 11 year old Yeumi and joined by their father Bert on bass, the band have just released their first eight-song EP. I speak with the family about that disc, as well as the beginnings of the band and punk life in primary school.
What were the first bands your dad had you listen to (when did you first start getting into punk)?
Kaz: I would say the first band I knew of was my Dad’s band because I looked up to him a lot when I was a kid. But the band that he introduced to me was the Ramones. It’s simple, classic, and punk rock. Their song “Blitzkrieg Bop” was the first song I covered on guitar. At that time, I was 7 or 8 years old. Then I discovered more bands like MxPx, Dropkick Murphys, and Antiflag in my Dad’s CD collection. Then I searched more about punk rock stuff and discovered Rancid, Descendents, and some local bands, who were mostly my Dad’s friends’ bands, as I grew up.
When did you first start playing drums (Kazlaine) and guitar (Yeumi)?
Kaz: I started playing the drums when I was around five years old. Dad DIY-ed a small drum kit just for me. I had small toms from a regular-sized drum set and a splash cymbal that served as a crash. It wasn’t the best (as it’s missing hi-hats and everything), but it was the coolest and noisiest toy I could play with at that time.
Yeumi: I was around 7 or 8 years old when I got introduced to playing the guitar. I learned a lot of basic beginner chords. During those years, I learned a bunch of songs from The Beatles and some old guys singing just to learn (that’s what my Dad recommended).
Have either of you played at your school (talent shows or otherwise)?
Kaz: I played on stage when I was in elementary school. It was a United Nations event held by the school. I was picked to play for intermission. At that time, I was more interested in playing the guitar and my teacher asked me to play a certain song. I didn’t want to play the song, and I knew it wasn’t my style. I told them I wanted a different song, and they ambivalently let me pick a song. I chose the MxPx song “Quit Your Life” and it went alright.
Yeumi: No, our schools never had one of those talent shows whatsoever. But there was a time in second grade where everyone in the class needed to sing a song for point credits. There were two choices, sing a full song with everyone for a point or sing “Happy Birthday” to get a half point. I did not want to sing a full song, so I grabbed my guitar that night and started learning “Happy Birthday.” I brought my guitar to school the next day. When my turn came to perform, I went to the front, sat on the floor, and sang it while playing the guitar. It was short, now that I look back on it, though it was a great memory, and I got full points for it. My teacher recorded it. I don’t know where the video is now, but that was probably my first time performing in front of an audience.
Did you take music class at school, or were you self-taught?
Kaz: No, just self-taught. With the help of internet—It’s really a great factor. And dad was along the sidelines when we were learning and practicing. He would guide us whenever we couldn’t figure out what was wrong.
Yeumi: Self-taught, I’d rather learn more things by myself than be taught by someone else. There are a lot of things I haven’t learned yet and I’m willing to learn all of them later on.
Are your classmates fans of your music or punk or metal in general? Have any of them come to your shows?
Kaz: Of our music, yes. Some of my classmates said they like us and they support what I’m doing. Some of them have wished to come to our shows, but they said their parents wouldn’t/didn’t allow them to. They are into music but definitely not punk, hardcore, or metal. But they show their genuine support by telling their other friends about us and sharing our work on their social media feeds. Those people are close to my heart.
Yeumi: I have a lot of friends who love and support my band, and they deserve a big thanks from me. Though I’ve never met anyone my age who shares the same interests as me. I’d like to think there is, but I don’t really mind it. Like the song “Hold Your Ground” from Gorilla Biscuits; I freakin’ love that song.
You just put out an eight-song EP. What are some of these songs about?
Kaz: Most of the songs in our eight-song EP are about motivations for the youth, encouraging them to get up and do something for a change while they’re still young. And more importantly, encouraging them to do the right thing. That’s why we wrote a song about animal cruelty, titled “Headlights” and we’re going to make more songs like that. We’re trying to tell the kids that sometimes we have to car—about each other, about the things around us, and about the world. If they care, the world will be in a good place.
What have been your favorite shows to play so far?
Kaz: All of them have been great shows. Some were unforgettable. What makes a show great is when we’re surrounded by the crowd who appreciates the songs and dances to the music. But if you want me to pick, my favorite show we’ve played was the Kalawakan Spacetime show under Pojax Kult x Flowergrave Collective production last January 2023. That night was we played together with Dyslocated, another teenage punk rock band here in the Philippines. From the beginning till the end, it was fun and unforgettable.
Yeumi: My favorite show we played so far is Fete de la Musique—Punk stage, Philippines on June 17, 2023. The bands were amazing. The crowd was energetic, and I loved every single part of it. That gig was memorable, and I won’t ever forget it.
Who are your current favorite bands/who would you want to play with if you had the chance?
Kaz: The ones I really wish to play with are Descendents, Rancid, NOFX, Gorilla Biscuits, Kid Dynamite, The Bouncing Souls, Ill Repute, The Interrupters and The Linda Lindas. My current favorite band is Fast Times, a New Jersey-based hardcore band. If possible, I wish to play with them too.
Yeumi: My favorite bands are Kid Dynamite, The Muffs, and Face to Face. I’m not really expecting a collaboration with a band, but if you’d ask me, I would LOVE to play with The Linda Lindas; I love their songs. There are some who compare us to them, and I don’t get it at all. Punk isn’t a competition. But if we ever get a chance to play with them, I’d love that!
What other hobbies do you have?
Kaz: Mine would be reading books, skateboarding, painting, drawing, making button pins, writing poems and journals sometimes, making DIY crafts, and trying to learn some DIY accessories like patches and shirt designs.
Yeumi: Besides playing guitar and singing, I have a bunch of other hobbies that aren’t really related to music such as reading, drawing, and playing chess. Around January I won third place at a High School Junior chess competition. I was kinda surprised how I got third place since my opponents were, like, two grade levels higher. But anyways, I hate to admit that I spend lesser time on these hobbies now.
Bert, What bands did you perform in before Youth Alteration?
Bert: I have been in some punk rock bands since my teenage years like Lost & Confused, 3yr Old Mc, and Bad AmmuNation. My band mates were my brothers and some close friends who were into the underground punk scene here in the Philippines.
When did you decide to start a band with Kazlaine and Yeumi?
Bert: I got the idea to start Youth Alteration last 2018 when I saw Kaz drumming some random punk rock songs. I had a complete set of band equipment in our house that I was using for my home studio and for years I have not seen anyone of them (Kaz and Yeumi) seriously interested on using any of it. I was a little surprised and excited that Kaz had the guts to play the drums. I asked Kaz if she could drum one song, and I convinced her that the song will be uploaded to social media (just to motivate her). I guided her to finish the song. She did a couple more songs. I was amazed since she got the hang of it pretty quickly with some guidance.
Later that month, I saw Yeumi playing the crappy small acoustic guitar I bought for them a few years ago. I can’t remember what she was playing; I think it was “Blitzkrieg Bop.” She asked me what song she should learn. I said just do some chords, learn some Beatles songs or Green Day songs.
After a few days, she showed me “Here Comes The Sun.” I said “Oh God, I said learn a song that has an easy strumming pattern and not the technical stuff with math.”
I was too busy during weekdays working so I seldom saw my kids if they were playing those instruments. And then one day in early 2020, I came home and saw them playing “Blitzkrieg Bop” together with their mother on bass guitar. I suggested that they can get a bassist their age and form a band. We did not find one near our place, so I opted to be the temporary bassist for them until now.
There is a band where I live called Bat Scratch, who have a 7-year-old singer.Yeumi also mentioned the Linda Lindas. I feel like it’s becoming more accepted to have young people in bands. What are your thoughts?
Bert: I love seeing young people in bands. especially in punk/hardcore bands. I just hope they are happy doing it and have passion. I hope they are not been forced to do it for the sake of social media and for “Barbie” images. I just want to see more kids/young people getting to the punk community because I think we know better than those who are outside the community.
How would you like to see the band progress as the girls get older?
Bert: I don’t know, man. Time will tell. I will be here as I can to guide them and won’t rule out anything.
Photo courtesy of Youth Alternation
