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By Beverly Navarra, Special to The Manila
Times
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Slapshock
wows the crowds |
Slapshock, the thrash metal group that has
earned raves locally with seven top-selling albums, is winning over
the world as well. And they are doing it their way and on their own
terms.
They performed at the Dubai Desert Rock Festival
on March 7 and 8 together with internationally acclaimed bands like
Korn, Machine Head, Velvet Revolver, Muse and Marky Ramone (of the
seminal punk band The Ramones) and many others.
Desert Rock has become one of the largest rock
events of its kind and the only one in the Middle East since 2004,
doubling its attendances yearly and bringing in the largest names to
the desert.
“It was very fulfilling; we saw the
bands that we idolize. We were inspired to write new materials. We
became a band because of them,” exclaims vocalist Jamir Garcia.
Though they sang a Tagalog song, overwhelming
audience acceptance of their music was very visible. “The audience
was mostly whites; it’s another inspiration that we can let
foreigners jam with us. It’s a manifestation that music really
transcends,” bassist Lee Nadela attested.
Slapshock has been invited not only to perform
but also to record their first-ever international album. They see
this as another challenge since they will be bringing new sound of
Filipinos to foreign airwaves.
First timers
The band was formed during the University of the
Philippines Fair on the 14th of February in 1997, which marked their
first ever gig. The band’s name came from funky guitar plucking
and chord slapping technique that characterized much of the nu metal
sound. Rap-funk-punk-metal fusion band Red Chili Hot Peppers are a
major influence.
Guitarist Jerry Basco looks back at their debut
album, 4th Degree Burn: “Our music that time were raw, we have
little experience and knowledge about the equipments.”
Nonetheless, it was good enough for the fans. The album’s sales
reached platinum status.
“We started at a young age and now
we’ve matured. We evolved on our own. We don’t confine ourselves
to what is the mode today,” Garcia proudly claims. But though
Slapshock continues to evolve, they remain true to their metal
roots.
On recent wave of emo (emotive punk) bands,
Nadela says, “We don’t see it as a competition; we have our own
kind of music. We are more particular to rockers. It’s in the
commitment. We stay long because we honor our commitment to the
band. Other bands switch and change members maybe because their
commitment is questionable.” Ever since their formation, the
members have so far refused to take any side project and absolutely
have no plans of leaving the group.
On the spotlight
Silence, the title of their latest and last
album under EMI Records, is the very opposite of their furious
music. The group produced the album themselves, perfecting
musicality and peculiar arrangements.
If previous albums are any indication, things
bode well for their latest effort. They received nominations such as
Best Artist by MTV Asia and was awarded by the NU107 as Band of the
Year 2001, 2002 and 2003 and Best in Album Packaging for Novena in
2002.
Social issues
Amid social struggles, Slapshock is very vocal
and profound with their stands on issues battling Filipinos. Rampant
piracy in the country is one problem most artists are concerned of.
“We get affected because we pay taxes to the government, Then they
can’t even protect us,” Garcia conveys admirably.
Slapshock is also proud of Filipino talents
making waves abroad like Charisse Pempengco and Arnel Decena. For
their part, Slapshock is getting the world to rock and jam, even in
Tagalog amid the desert sands.
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