Twisted Halo Online

	TWISTED HALO: INDEPENDENT Many people in the independent rock scene probably know the band called Twisted Halo. But for the benefit of those who are hearing about them for the first time, the question has to be asked: Who – or what – is Twisted Halo? Twisted Halo is a band known for their principled, uncompromising approach to rock music. And it’s not just in the music, but also in how they deal with the peripherals of rock and roll: the business, the events, and the causes. They understand the business of rock music and at the same time they are uncompromising about the essentials of what they are. Twisted Halo’s music can be described as “controlled violence.” There is tightness, a synergy that is borne of discipline and at the same time the passion, the emotion that is inherent in the lyrics is also translated in a sonic manner. The music incorporates elements from the alternative, rock, punk and noise genres to generate a virtual wall of sound that in one moment can be spare and haunting, the next a crescendo of distortion and feedback. The lyrics aren’t the standard fare for most of rock music; the words that go with the music are reflections of what is happening in our local society. These songs talk about the darkness within the collective soul. There is, too, catharsis: by addressing that darkness, there is redemption – connection and communication. It is in this manner that Twisted Halo creates a rapport with the audience: they sing about the unsaid, and in that manner helps the listener confront and assimilate what is in their own minds. This is rock music for today’s youth. It is unpredictable, it is aggressive, but it is also perceptive and truthful. It is reinvented rock for interesting times. A MUSIC REVOLUTION Twisted Halo is devoted to bringing about a revolution in music; not through physical violence, but in understanding and perception of what rock music can and will do. Music has always been a mouthpiece for the audience that listens to it, and in this case, Twisted Halo is one of the most uncompromising, aware of the responsibility and doing their best to make sure that what should be heard, will be. -Words by Richie Ramos -Picture by Aldwin Aspillera :: back :: jason :: vin :: mon :: joey :: buddy ::
	JASON CABALLA After more than 10 years since first strumming a guitar, Jason still doesn’t consider himself a musician; he thinks of himself as a music fanatic who just happens to be in a band. He is the band’s resident punk rock geek, with an insatiable inclination for collecting CDs of bands that even his bandmates haven’t heard of. His approach to guitar playing is just as atypical as his musical tastes. Live, he attacks his instrument with such reckless abandon that observers may dismiss his playing as primitive and amateurish, but his riffs are astonishingly precise. And you could tell by the condition of his much-abused Stratocasters that he delights in the noise that he makes. Jason champions his musical heroes so much that others think he doesn’t listen to anything mainstream, and therefore shuns people with more “normal” tastes. Unfortunately, this has given others the false impression that he has an aura of pretentiousness and aloofness surrounding him. It also doesn’t help that he looks agitated most of the time, thanks to his caffeine addiction. Despite his seemingly detached character, Jason shows the greatest semblance of ease during interviews among all his bandmates, making him the band’s unofficial media representative. This is because he can relate to the writers who are just trying to do their jobs, having been one himself. That and the fact that he used to regularly appear on TV. Deep inside, he probably likes the attention, but wouldn’t dare admit it. With all his peculiarities, Jason plays his different roles in the band with ceaseless (i.e. caffeine-fueled) enthusiasm. He still may not regard himself as a musician, but he suits his bandmates just fine. -Words by Jason Caballa -Picture by Aldwin Aspillera :: back :: jason :: vin :: mon :: joey :: buddy ::
	VIN DANCEL To distill the very essence of Twisted Halo’s leader and visionary in such a brief write-up is quite a daunting task, but I’ll do my best anyway. I remember when I first met Vin Dancel. He was courting Kris at the time, and I went with her to his house. Upon hearing me play some old REM songs on his acoustic guitar, he approached me and sang along. I was surprised that he knew the songs at all, for they were really old, circa-1980s REM songs. But then again, I learned he was much older than I was (hehe). He told me about wanting to record an album. He gave me this tape of acoustic demos of songs he wrote, and I remember hating them. He sang in this faux-grunge baritone that annoyed the hell out of me. Then he asked me to join this band he was putting up. I declined at first, but then I figured I’d give it a try. Four years later, even after notoriously walking out of our first rehearsal, I’m glad and proud to be making music with him. I’ve seen Vin grow from the very nervous singer prior to our first gig at Mayrics, to the charismatic and ambitious bandleader that he is today. Despite nearing the age where most people lock away their guitars, he remains as idealistic as ever, looking forward to making more albums, playing more gigs, producing new bands, and even signing them under his own independent label, which he hopes to make a legitimate and self-sufficient business out of. Make no mistake; when he cries out “Independensya!” at virtually every gig, he means every single syllable. He may have lofty ambitions, and sometimes I take it upon myself to keep him grounded. And yes, we do argue a lot. But it is precisely his determination that drives us, and more importantly, keeps us enjoying what we do. That said, I’m proud to call Vin my bandmate, my kumpare, and my friend. -Words by Jason Caballa -Picture by Aldwin Aspillera :: back :: jason :: vin :: mon :: joey :: buddy ::
	MONMON LOPEZ Monmon was awarded the drummer’s seat for Twisted Halo purely by chance – he was the only one who showed up at the auditions. Despite the physical mass he adds to the band, Monmon’s humor and easygoing approach to life in general seems to have taken a huge weight off the once-very-problematic band’s shoulders. Never one to take things too seriously, he can instantaneously lighten up a dismal situation with a single wisecrack. It also helps that he looks like a balding comedian. Behind the kit however, he means business. His facial expressions while pounding away have gained notoriety among his friends in the scene, becoming a joke in itself. The entire experience of hearing and watching Monmon play drums is so imposing that friends doing impersonations of him are a common occurrence outside clubs. Other than keeping time, Monmon’s other primary role is keeping the band’s finances. He ensures that the band maintains sufficient funds, to the point that he sometimes forgets to pay each member’s monthly salary. Despite having two of the heaviest roles in Twisted Halo, Monmon always keeps things light in almost every situation, whether he likes it or not. His friends can’t help but grin whenever he arrives. He has this rare gift of making one forget one’s problems, and in the context of the band, he brings on the “fun factor” during rehearsals, gigs, and recording sessions. Or maybe he just really looks funny. -Words by Jason Caballa -Picture by Aldwin Aspillera :: back :: jason :: vin :: mon :: joey :: buddy ::
	JOEY ODULIO Joey Odulio, guitarist for Twisted Halo, is a study in contradictions. For someone who listens to the Cure (and other similar-sounding gloomy new wave and goth bands), as well as a lot of metal, Joey is surprisingly good-natured, and well, pretty normal. Rarely do you see him get pissed; even when his car window was recently broken in all he mustered was a loud expletive. With all his inherent amiability, people sometimes overlook how good a guitar player he is. Of the five original members of the band, Joey was the last to join, having been invited by the other members after merely tagging along with them during an early rehearsal. Of the band’s three guitarists, he has been playing guitar for the longest time, and is the only one who actually knows how to play lead. When nobody’s looking, he shreds like all those hair-metal guitarists he loved in high school. He could easily look the part too, if all the hair on his body moved to his head. Seriously, Joey’s dedication to the band is unwavering, offering to help in any way he possibly can in all of the band’s efforts, musical or otherwise. He will not hesitate to drive a bandmate home after a faraway gig, or assist in any concern that involves computers (he is the most computer-literate of the band). His low-key demeanor notwithstanding, Joey’s many contributions to the band have been instrumental to Twisted Halo’s current standing. Yet he is humble enough not to take credit for anything. But all in all, Joey’s friendliness and outgoing personality remains his most endearing trait (no, it’s not just the hair). Although he was added to the band almost as an afterthought, Twisted Halo is better with him around, and other bands could definitely use someone like him, too -Words by Jason Caballa -Picture by Aldwin Aspillera :: back :: jason :: vin :: mon :: joey :: buddy ::
	BUDDY ZABALA So what hasn't been written about Buddy Zabala? Well for one thing, he has a tasty sausage. Just ask his wife, or ask anyone who's tasted his patented chorizos de Zamboanga . His family produces the best chorizos in Zamboanga City , if not the entire country. Whenever he returns from his hometown, the sausages he brings back sell out in a matter of days. Yes, they're that tasty. Buddy's musical achievements in the past decade cannot be understated, yet he never lets his credentials go to his head when contributing to the band. His kind offer to produce the then-fledgling band's debut EP, and eventually joining as their permanent bass player simply demonstrates his unassuming nature and belief in the band's potential. Buddy's musical experience and professionalism is evident on the Bolo Brigade album, on which he provided actual bridges for most of the songs, and played more guitar than all of the band's three guitarists combined. Whenever he listens to a song, he hears all these nonexistent riffs, licks, and melody lines almost instinctively, then attempts to recreate all these sounds in his head when arranging and recording. This quality makes him the band's resident Phil Spector, our mad scientist/producer, but without the homicidal tendencies. Live, he plays his bass unrelentingly, with equal parts skill and drive. He is the epitome of the bass player, perhaps the ideal musician as well; precise, never too flashy, and spontaneous when needed. But you already know that. You should try his sausages, though. -Words by Jason Caballa -Picture by Aldwin Aspillera :: back :: jason :: vin :: mon :: joey :: buddy ::