ABOUT THE BAND:
The group is first and foremost good friends more than they are bandmates. They used to hang out at CJ1's house to jam and sing their hearts out ALL NIGHT long (calm down girlfriends, it's all in the past now). Playing everything from songs they know, to songs they think they know and slowly showing off their own compositions (of course, John won hands down... sorry guys I know this is supposed to be your page but... hard habits to break... besides if I won't say it, then who else will?)until they ventured into composing & collaborating. The first collaborative effort entitled 'Rachel' was written for Denden's long-time girlfriend. From jamming as often as they can, they jammed twice a week then once a week until it slowly lessened because it already got in the way of their personal & professional lives (they're working in the same company at that time; there would even be times when they would all be absent!)Their love lives even got affected until the group rarely jammed (hooray!!! --the girlfriends), though the group would still meet regularly (with the girlfriends, of course **hooray again, we won!**) to 'nourish' their night lives.
ABOUT THE SONG, THE RECORDING, ETC.
Believe it or not, the song was recorded with only 3 half-days of practice. I knew it has great potentials when I first heard it but I felt that it would take hours and hours of serious practices (and that's definitely not their specialty) before they would be ready for recording. From the time we first heard the Bong's demo, it took weeks--months even--before the the first actual practice came around and an even longer time before the follow-up practice was made, by that time I was conditioned that the song may never be recorded. But thanks to Bong who is so interested in seeing this project come to life that he would regularly call and update John for lyric alterations or inputs for the musical arrangement. When the next practice came, the song came to life but deep down I knew it would still take time before we could really record it. Shortly after the second practice, the next was immediately schedule because we were already running out of time, that particular practice went so well John felt they were really for recording. It frightened more than it surprised me when John asked me to schedule their recording. I was preparing myself to a very 'amateurish', garage-sounding song then since none of them really played professionally.
During the session as each instrument was being recorded, I was in awe and slowly getting confident since it was a far cry from my expectation. When the whole thing was completed it sure did surprise me! I loved the song and I was so proud of them : ) They did a wonderful job. Although it was no longer as planned it was still very satisfying. I think even the BOYS* themselves were not really expecting it to sound that well and we all are proud of the finished product. Kudos to the group!
Though we are raving in our reviews please bear in mind that we are in awe because this is the bands 'first'! Please still give them the leeway you give to newcomers.
BONG
Why he really did this song? No one knows. It could be because he loves us this much, it could also be that he wants his composition to be included in our CD, or it could simply be because John twisted his arms and forced him to make one. But regardless of whatever reason, he sure did a wonderful song. Bong, is what you call a master of all trade. He plays the guitar (bass & lead) and drums really well, he can compose, he can pretend he composed a soon to be released Eraserhead song and get away with it, he steals ball and hearts inside the basketball court and the list is endless. Click on his picture to send him an e-mail. But be warned!!! Bong is married to Myra (and she checks the e-mails.. hahaha) they have a beautiful baby daughter (who has a very beautiful godmother...ahem!) we call 'Enem'.
CJ1
This guy loves music so much it's no surprise he is thickly connected in the sound reinforcement (simply 'mobile' to us!) industry. It was during the 2nd practice when John asked CJ1 to make a tune as an intro giving the song a distinct character. And what a sound he did! It gave the song a hook and mark that will centainly be its own. I think you will all like what Cris did and maybe it would be one of the main things you would remember after hearing the song. It's really such a pity that the band wasn't able to practice as much or he would have played a more extensive role in the development of the song. Ok...to intrested girls out there, CJ1 is semi-taken because the girl is not yet taking him; if you know what I mean : ) You are all still welcome and try to e-mail and lure him to his old(?!) playboy lifestyle. (shh...John knows the password to his e-mail account, so your letter may fall in the wrong hands...)
DENDEN
During the recording we were all surprised and impressed with how Denden sounded over the mike. His voice is so rich (Amboy ang dating!) that it's a pity he didn't sing more in the song, if only we were able to practice longer than maybe Den could have played the drums. Well who knows, maybe on the next recording?!! Den has a diverse taste in music. From Rico J. Puno's "Lupa" to the Spice Girls' "Too Much" (heck! he even knows the choreography of their song "Stop"), and everything else in between. Sorry girls, Den is also taken... he has a girlfriend and they have been together for 9 years now (wow! Daig kami!). Rachel is a good friend of mine and would also be a part of our bridal court. Incidentally, Denden's younger sister, Izza, did the female vocal on our wedding song. Facinated with his dimples? E-mail him (that's if he still remembers that he's got one; if he does, take notice of the e-mail name then proceed with caution....).
JOHN
John's creative input in this song has greatly helped make it more personal and his training with the chorale, having knowledge in second voices and back-ups and voicing gave the song a further boost. If you would read the lyrics, you would see how thankful we both are to these guys and to all our friends for all they had given us to help us become who we are now. As we thank the BOYS* for this song we are in a way, also thanking all our friends who came and crossed our path. John is the 'vocal man', meaning you can't put him anywhere else in the band because that's the only thing he knows. Among the four of them, he's the only one who can't play any musical instrument (tsk...tsk...'wawa naman.) I won't mind so just e-mail him IF YOU DARE ('nuff said.).
Bong Sare (bass/rhythm guitars, vocal, composer); & CJ1 Lagman (lead/rhythm guitars, vocal, composer).
the BOYS*