GO! GO!! GO!!!
SINCE DAY ONE, CAN’T RELATE TO ANYONE
TRIED TO FIT IN, BUT I JUST CAN’T
THEY SAY I’M STUPID BUT LOOK WHO’S TALKING
ATLEAST I’M THINKING
BAD KARMA BROUGHT BY INTOXICATION
CAN’T YOU SEE THE REACTION
I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT I WANT TO REVIVE THE
X ON MY SOUL!!!
CLEAN LIVING IS THE WAY TO GO
A POSITIVE LIFESTYLE X ON MY SOUL
CAN’T SEE THE X COZ THE X
THE X IS ON MY SOUL!!!

(X ON MY SOUL)

StraightEdge is not a new concept. In fact Krishna consciousness is our true consciousness. Having said that, SxE is only the beginning; the soul…our true self is naturally SxE and only pointed on the path of loving Radha-Krishna in Vrindavan Dham.



THERE COMES AN END TO ALL
WHEN THAT TIME COMES, WE BEFALL
DESPAIR LEADS TO ANGER, ANGER LEADS TO HATE
WE BLAME IT TO EVERYONE EXCEPT FOR OURSELVES
WHY ARE WE SO ATTACHED
TO SOMETHING THAT WOULDN’T LAST
PRESTIGE, WEALTH, EVEN HEALTH
NOTHING LAST FOREVER!!!
IN THIS WORLD WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT
A DAY DEVOTING OURSELVES TO GOD
OR YEARS EARNING XYZ’S AND PHD’S

(NOTHING LASTS FOREVER)

We should continuously give to others for us to realize that nothing truly belongs to us in this world even our present bodies. We shouldn’t be attached to family, friends, material possessions, achievements, etc. Krishna is very merciful to his sincere devotee that he takes away impediments for his advancement in spiritual life.

MILLIONS HAVE DIED
WON’T TURN A BLIND EYE
I CAN SEE WHAT YOU’RE DOING
I KNOW BETTER THAN YOU
WHY DO WE HAVE TO FOOLW YOU
YOU DON’T DEFINE WHAT IS RIGHT FOR US TO DO
STOP IT NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE
I WON’T GIVE IN…WE WON’T GIVE IN
STOP DYING START LIVING NOW!!!

(STOP DYING, START LIVING)

Our so called modern society imposes that smoking, drinking, drugs are natural norms to be followed when you grow up but we should know better than to follow people who are blinded and ignorant about how to find real happiness.

ACTING FOR MY SELF GRATIFICATION
FORGETFULNESS OF MY ETERNAL OBLIGATION
DUE TO THE INFLUENCE OF MATERIAL ENERGY
I NOW SEE IT AS PERMANENT, TRUTH IS ITS TEMPORARY
I ALWAYS FALL…PATH OF PERFECTION
ETERNAL OBLIGATION, SELF REALIZATION
GOAL OF HUMAN LIFE!!!

(PATH OF PERFECTION)

Sometimes we forget and doubt that we are on the right track and consider it to be the wrong one so we deviate from it. This path should be our focus in life and not material ambitions.

TRAPPED IN A BODY OF NINE GATES
I’VE BEEN ACTING FREELY FOR A THOUSAND YEARS
NOT KNOWING THE CHAINS THAT BOND MY SENSES
IGNORANT OF MY TRUE SELF, I FELL DOWN
TO THE DARKEST REGIONS OF HELL
CRYING OUT LOUD I CHANTED YOUR NAMES
INNUMERABLE, DIFFERENT BUT ONE AND THE SAME
MY ONCE UGLY WORLD BECAME A GLITTERING SIGHT
THERE’S CONTENTMENT WITHIN US
IF WE ONLY SEARCHED INSIDE
PLEASE NEVER FORGET ME AT THE TIME OF MY DEATH
THIS LOWEST OF THE LOW HOPES TO GAIN YOUR MERCY FOR SO LONG
I HOPE TO GET BACK HOME SOON!
BACK TO GODHEAD…BACK TO YOU!!!

(BACK TO YOU)

We have been wandering in the vast ocean of material birth and death for millions of years suffering and sometimes we seem to think we are enjoying. Out of Krishna’s mercy, pious activities and good karma, we get the association of a vaisnava so we can finally cross this ocean of misery easily.

STARTED WITH ENTHUSIASM
A SENSE OF SUBMISSION
BUT SOMEWHERE DOWN THE LINE
I FELL DOWN HARD
I THOUGHT I’D NEVER RISE AGAIN
BUT I KEEP TRIPPING ON THE SAME WIRE
FALLDOWN!  THAT’S WHAT I AM!
FALLDOWN! I HOPE TO REGAIN!
(FALLDOWN)

Sometimes people are very much fired up when they first start in Krishna consciousness but as time goes by, the flame seems to weaken. We should be careful to protect and keep the flame of devotion burning. However, we should always be humble and consider ourselves fallen because to be a devotee of the lord is not an ordinary thing, it is so high. We don’t have a single tinge of good qualities to be considered a devotee.

CHANT AND FIGHT! THERE IS NO ANOTHER WAY
NO ONE CAN SAVE YOU
NOTHING WILL HELP YOU EXCEPT YOURSELF
PRAY FOR HIS MERCY
OUR ONLY WEAPON AGAINST THE ILLUSION
WE’RE SO ATTACHED INTO
(CHANT AND FIGHT)

Srila Prabhupada said that we all should chant and fight the material illusory energy that may seem to entice us all the time.
In times of uncertainty and prosperity, chant Hare Krishna and be happy! This is the essence of all religion.

KRISHNA…KRISHNA…KRISHNATARIAN!
ALL LIFE SACRED
CONTROLLED BY KARMIC REACTIONS
OFFER TO THE REAL OWNER
OR ELSE YOU’LL BE THE ONE DEVOURED
MISLED BY MEANINGS OF MORALITY
YOU ONLY CHOOSE BUT WHAT IS IT EXACTLY?
IS THERE SUCH A THING AS CRUELTY FREE?
VEGETABLES ALSO HAS LIFE SO DON’T DISAGREE
DELICIOUS TO HEART, MIND, BODY AND SOUL
KRSNA PRASADAM KIJAI!
(KRISHNATARIAN)

Although vegetarianism may already be good, we should take it one step further by making it spiritualized food so that we won’t suffer karmic reactions from killing vegetables. Srila Prabhupada said that one who doesn’t do this is merely eating sin. But the ultimate reason for offering food to Radha-Krishna is to serve and develop love for them.

WHY DO WE HAVE TO FIGHT
ABOUT WHAT IS WRONG WHO IS RIGHT
WE ARE ALL SONS AND DAUGHTERS
OF THE ONE UP ABOVE
DON’T USE IT AS AN EXCUSE
FOR YOUR OWN PREJUDICE YOU CAN ABUSE
TO SERVE AND NOT DEFY
ONE GOD, ONE PLANET,
DIFFERENT NAMES

(SPIRITUAL BREAKDOWN)

Different religions in the world clash for some reason. There is no need for this and is useless in spiritual life. Instead, we all should keep our hands together and just chant God’s names whatever it may be for a particular group.

I STILL HAD DOUBTS AS I SAW THE TRUTH
MILLIONS OF SPECIES OF LIFE WALKED BEFORE ME AS I STOOD
CAN’T CROSS THE FIGURES, WHICH WILL I CHOOSE?
I’M FORCED TO GET ONE SOON
LIVING LIKE THIS EVERYDAY IS LIKE CHEWING THE CHEWED
WILL THERE BE A TIME THAT THIS WOULD END?
COZ I CAN’T BEAR ANYMORE TORTURES LIKE THIS
BUT SINCE YOU CUT ME OPEN WITH YOUR SWORD
I MATERIALLY DIED BUT SPIRITUALLY BORN ALIVE
PLEASE TAKE AWAY MY LUST, FALSE EGO AND PRIDE
SO I CAN SURRENDER TO YOU IN FULL STRIDE!!!
(SELF REALIZATION)

Self realization is a science. It is step by step. Only by rendering devotional service to the Guru, devotees, and scriptures can it be revealed to you. It is also important to approach them in a humble and submissive way.

SURRENDER!!!
THEY SAY NO SURRENDER TO AUTHORITY
BUT YOU GIVE SERVICE TO YOUR COUNTRY INDIRECTLY
NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO, YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A CONSUMER
CAPITALISM WILL TAKE OVER…
THE ONLY WAY OUT OF THIS MISERY IS TO SURRENDER
TO AUTHORITY…BONAFIDE AUTHORITY
ONE THAT CAN REALLY SAVE ME…

(SURRENDER)

In order for us to give up our bad ways, we must first surrender to a bonafide spiritual master like Narayan Maharaj. We cannot do it alone and indeed we cannot make any advancement in spiritual life without his mercy. The qualities of a guru are such that even a moment of association with him can award one success in spiritual life.

BIOGRAPHY

FriendshipxSeva from the Philippines, the two piece ultrafast SxE Krsna crustcore outfit, known for their no compromise less than a minute songs and energetic performances was one of the first bands in the underground to preach Krishna consciousness. They started at the later part of the end of the 20th Century. Brothers Alexander G. Garingo, still in highschool and Philip Andrew G. Garingo who was in college felt they needed to start a band that was going to play their own songs although they have already done it in the past, their thoughts weren’t fully expressed. Both of them had played in a lot of different bands before ranging from, punk, new wave, and metal bands. They decided to go back to basics. Since their first band was a trio punk outfit, they decided to play punk with tinges of hardcore.

Their initial name was Friendshipx7, derived from a spacecraft that went to the moon. Due to busy schedules and no time for practice, they decided not to include a bassist but they invite someone from other bands to play during live performances but most of the time, its just the two of them. After some time of composing their songs, they played in different gigs in the city. In the middle of 2000, they released their first effort which was entitled “Glow” which contained 14 songs about politics, the scene, environment, war, and other topics. They recorded at Cinematix studio, renowned for their thin raw production and where most of the local punks recorded during the 90s. The musical style varied from hardcore, old skool punk, metal, ska, and even some reggae. At that time Philip was getting into Krishna Consciousness so some of the songs were about self realization such as “Who am I?”. He had bought and read some booklets of Sidhaswarupananda Paramahamsa and had started to chant and become vegetarian. Alex was skeptic at first but was later convinced of the philosophy. He went vegetarian instantly. Alex also released the first issue of his zine Why Sit Down?

During the following years, they played at various gigs both in Manila as well as the southern and northern provinces. They were very fond of hitching rides in trucks, buses, jeeps, private cars, etc. because fares in public transportation were very expensive. In 2002, they recorded 16 songs for their second release entitled “Many Happy returns of the Day.” It reflected their influence on crust and powerviolence, so the music was much heavier and faster. The songs were about the same topics usually tackled in HC/punk. Both of them were getting tired of these boring and superfluous topics. They wanted to sing about something deeper and higher.  Outside Cinematix studio before recording, they met this skater named RJ who was a devotee from Chaitanya mission and who also shouted for Hate Released, an Earth Crisis sounding group. He spoke highly about the basics of Krishna consciousness enforcing the brother’s determination towards spiritual life. Last news they heard about RJ was that he already became a full time brahmacari.

Eventually, they met Dhruva Das from ISKCON during a gig and they went to the temple regularly. Alex, being part of the growing skate scene then also brought his skate buddies to the temple. After some time, they became part of various compilations in and outside the country. Alex went to nursing school and became busy with his studies while Philip was in between jobs when he finished his criminology course. They went into some kind of hiatus during the following years but still played gigs now and then. Eventually, Philip joined the Police force which proved to be very difficult for him especially during the training because he only ate tofu and some leaves for months. After some time, Philip got in touch with devotees from Gaudiya Math, particularly Krsnacandra Das Prabhuji. Having read the books of Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayan Maharaja as well as learning the relationship between Srila Gurudeva and Srila Prabhupada, he knew that he is the Guru that he was aspiring for.

In 2007, Philip finally got initiated by Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayan Maharaj. Srila Gurudeva gave him the name Pitambara Das. During that same year, Pitambara Das got shot in the  knee during a violent criminal pursuit. Because of that, he decided to take a leave to go to Kartik month in Brindaban Dham. Fortunately, his superiors allowed him to go. He went together with some other Filipino devotees. There, he received his diksa initiation. When he came back, he asked Alex to record the songs that was sitting for some time now. But Alex was now working at a hospital as a nurse and was so absorbed with his work. Nevertheless, he had still time to write songs now mainly about Krishna consciousness and do his zine which he later released another issue which featured an interview with krishnacore.com’s website administrator, Vijaya Gauranga Das prabhu. He was also becoming more and more attracted to Srila Gurudeva thru his books, reading about  the sweet nectar of Radha and Krishna’s pastimes and also the works of great Vaisnava acaryas.

After some time in 2008, he decided to resign to pursue his licensure in the US. After taking the test, he went to Hong Kong for the Bhaktiyoga festival there and was mercifully given Harinama initiation by Srila Gurudeva who gave him the name Acyuta Krsna Das. Now with a renewed spirit of devotion, they finally got the inspiration they needed to record their third release. They recorded at Studio 108, ran by their friends from ISKCON. A devotee friend,  Mukunda Das prabhu played kartals and also sang during the said recording. With the help of Vijaya Gauranga Das prabhu for the inlay and cover, they released their third and latest effort which was called “Saranagati” which means devotional surrender.

The name was also modified to FriendshipxSeva meaning in the service of friendship based on what is written on the scriptures that if you meet a devotee who is new or don’t know about Krsna consciousness, you should be merciful and befriend him, if you meet a devotee who is on equal level, you should offer him respects, but if you meet a devotee who is higher than you, you should give him your entire life and serve him. The album contained 20 songs of brutal SxE crustcore violent musick but almost all the songs are about Krishna consciousness with titles such as “Transcendental High” and “Gopinath.” In addition to that, they included 16 songs of Vaisnava Bhajans, different devotional songs of great Vaisnava acaryas using mrdanga, kartals, and harmonium.

They believe that different groups in Krishna Consciousness should unite and not quarrel with each other, because it is useless in the path of Bhakti and is really detrimental; making us only commit Vaisnava aparadha. Srila Gurudeva has stated that we shouldn’t criticize because if we do then eventually we will acquire the bad things that we are saying against the person we are criticizing and that we can associate with other devotees from different branches as long as we honor each other. Currently, they are busy spreading the love of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu by doing preaching and harinam sankirtan in various places in Manila and neighboring provinces. Jaya Gurudeva! Jaya Prabhupada! Jaya Vaisnava Thakura! Jaya Panca Tattva! Jaya Radhavinodebihariji!Hare Krishna Haribol!

CONTACT:
ALEXANDER G. GARINGO (ACYUTA KRISHNA DAS)
#7 FLORES ST.
BRGY. ESPELETA II
BAHAYANG PAG-ASA SUBD.
IMUS, CAVITE
4103 PHILIPPINES

Email: agaringo@yahoo.com or punkpolicetryharddevotee@yahoo.com

Mobile: (06) 09108336131 or (06) 09208010627