3D: Danao, Dancel, and Dumas in Big Anniversary Show

Collaborations in the music business don’t always work. It’s interesting in theory, but there are artists with completely different musical styles and sensibilities that get together and you wonder what they were thinking. Were they bored out of their minds? Did somebody pay them to work with each other? Where’s the mute button?

Sometimes though, you see and hear artists playing together and it just makes sense. That’s the deal with Johnoy Danao, Bullet Dumas, and Ebe Dancel.

Separately, the three acoustic guitar acts have been staples in the gig circuit for years. It was only recently, though, that the three put their heads together, so to speak, and actually shared a stage and became a three-person act called, appropriately enough, 3D.

“October 2014 at Route 196 in Katipunan was our introduction to the gig scene [as 3D],” says Johnoy. Once the vocalist and frontman of the now-defunct band called Bridge, Danao has since become the modern archetype of the singer-songwriter. He’s a regular at the old Quezon City music haunts (70s Bistro, Conspiracy), placed second at the Philpop songwriting competition in 2013, and has independently released a couple of albums of mostly original songs.

“I’ve known Ebe since the days of mIRC,” he says with a laugh. “I'll let you figure out how long ago that was. (Kids, ask your older brother/sister or your parents what mIRC was). I've known Bullet personally around 4 years.”

Ebe is, of course, best known during his years with Sugarfree, one of the best Pinoy bands of the early 2000s. The band broke up in 2011 after a spectacular run that included five studio albums and countless sold-out shows. He has since pursued a solo career not just as a troubadour but as a composer for film and television shows.

Bullet, meanwhile, is part of a newer generation of singer-songwriters. He participated in the Elements National Music Camp in 2010, where he gained valuable insights on writing music and song lyrics. It was also an opportunity to boost his self-confidence as a performer. Like Johnoy, Bullet now also plays regularly in local gig spots, with his own set of devoted fans and followers.

“Bullet and I started Danao/Dumas, with the help of Isi Laureano (Bullet's former agent),” Johnoy says. “After two gigs, Ebe approached us and asked if he could join us. We said yes right away!”

Johnoy says he liked the sound of 3D, and adopted it as the name of their little collective. It’s not a formal entity, as the three guys get together for live shows only when their schedules line-up. Their gigs have become much sought-after by fans, whose acoustic music fix is multiplied by three. Think of James Taylor, Jackson Browne, and Van Morrison sharing a stage. Or, a bit closer to home, younger versions of Dong Abay, Rey Valera, and Joey Ayala.

On February 19, the 3D boys are getting a larger-than-life treatment with Dama, their first major concert at the Music Museum. It’s also their anniversary show, albeit a bit belated. Besides the bigger venue, what’s different about this gig from all the others that they’ve done?

“We will be performing our songs alongside the Manila String Machine (quartet) and a piano player,” Johnoy says. “It's a different sonic experience for us and for the people supporting our tour.”

Johnoy says he likes playing with both Ebe and Bullet not just because they have similar musical styles, but because of who they are as people. “On a personal level, I like that Ebe wears his heart on his sleeve, while Bullet hides his behind his smile. Musically, I both admire and respect their work.”

“On a scale of one to ten, I rate 3D a ten!” he adds. “Same songs, same artists, different feel and vibe.”

Besides being excellent guitar players and vocalists, another unique aspect about this trio is that they are also gifted songwriters who play their own material. These days especially, there aren’t a whole lot of artists who take the time to craft original music. Rarer still is to have songs that are actually heartfelt and pleasing to the ears. If you’re looking for genuine Pinoy artistry, watching 3D is a good place to start.

After the show, what’s next for Danao, Dancel and Dumas?

“We don't plan,” Johnoy says. “Expect the unexpected.” — AT, GMA News

Dama: 3D The Anniversary Concert will happen on February 19, 2016 at the Music Museum. Tickets at P2500, P1500, P800. For tickets visit ticketworld.com or call 891-9999

Paul John Caña is a magazine writer and live music geek. He is also co-founder of libreto.org, an online collective of writers and artists. Email him at pjcana@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter and Instagram @pauljohncana