Tuesday’s Top Junk

Tuesday Vargas has been a part of the music industry for far longer than most people know. Playing a back-up singer in ‘Kaputol ng Isang Awit’ is just one of the many facets that people can discover when they get to know musical Tuesday. Text by Jason John S. Lim. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio and Jessa Ericka C. Bien. Yes, Tuesday Vargas did sing ‘Babae Po Ako’, one of the biggest novely hit songs around the turn of the millennium. And yes, she was also the one who replaced the lead singer of the 90’s ska band, Pu3Ska. But Tuesday’s musical career never really ended. In fact, it was just beginning then. The beat is moving Tuesday is a comedienne, an actress, and a singer--though very few people see the voice behind the laughter. That doesn’t stop Tuesday from continuing her love of music though. “Nasa underground kami ngayon.” Tuesday shares that her current band, Top Junk, is currently enjoying the anonymity of the underground music scene – a place where independent artists and bands thrive through word of mouth, and serious music enthusiasts. But does Top Junk mirror the ska and novelty music that Tuesday has been associated with? “Kalimutan na natin ‘yun!” Tuesday laughs. She says that the only reason she came out with a novelty album (the album ‘Babae Po Ako’) was because she wanted to try the genre. “Nung year na ‘yun, gusto ko mag-create ng album na novelty, tapos ayoko nang ulitin ‘yun. “Sinabi ko talaga. Kasi ang roots ko is hardcore talaga, hindi ‘yung aided midi.” And since then, Tuesday has been part of many varied bands before being a part of Top Junk. Dare to follow Tuesday Even with an active mainstream schedule for her acting projects and comedy shows, Tuesday maintains that time must still be spent with the band. “Every first Friday of the month [sa] Mag:net Katipunan, [and] every second Friday [sa] Mag:net High Street.” They also have shows every Wednesdays at the Freedom Bar, and at least once a month at 6UG (the reopened Six Underground) and Saguijo. “Mostly underground talaga, kasi ayaw namin mag-mainstream. “Bukod doon, marami akong ginagawa kaya hindi ko siya maha-handle.” Tuesday also reveals that most of her bandmates are part of the corporate world, and her husband is the bass player for Session Road, so there really isn’t time for a more out-and-loud presence for the band. Besides, Tuesday reveals, “ayokong mag-commit sa isang bagay. I don’t want to spread myself too thinly, [dahil] gusto ko magawa ko siya ng maayos.” But, she adds, they are planning on releasing a record soon. “If all goes well, release na ng June ‘yung album.” And add to that her regular stint every Wednesdays and Sundays on a couple of Zirkoh branches. Tuesday comments with a chuckle, “hanggang doon lang ‘yun. Siyempre nanay [rin] ako, ‘yun lang ang kaya ng pagkatao ko.” Catch Tuesday Vargas across the city through her live shows! Or, catch her every weekday afternoon on Kaputol ng Isang Awit, where the comedienne flexes her acting chops as Mimay. The story continues to unfold after the newly premiered Magdusa Ka.