There was a time, when I was younger, I fantasized/daydreamed that I am a drummer. In fact, during live performances of a concert that I was lucky to witness, my attention would deviate to the position of the drummer. Just in awe with all the energy, the liveliness of it all.

Since my fantasy as a drummer will remain a fantasy (I have also fantasized/daydreamed that I am a good singer, a talent that I do not have, but that’s another story) and I have accepted that I will never be a drummer since I could not afford the drums and I am busy with work, I just admire people who play drums. One of them is Mark Escueta of Rivermaya.

So when I saw BANDA, a songhits slash magazine, back in 2008, and Mark Escueta was on the cover, together with the drummers from different local bands, I knew right then and there that I had to buy it. And the first time I held the songhits mag in my hands, I specifically just read some of the answers of Mark Escueta which was an unforgettable moment for me. His answers just struck a chord. Especially that part when he said that in creating content, why not talk about those stuff that you love than talk about those stuff that annoy you or that you hate. Build reputation rather than destroy reputation, not the exact words but the heart of his message I remember. His point is for us to be responsible enough in creating posts online. This had become my mantra ever since when creating content in my blog. To post about what I like. After that, I kept the songhits mag in my book shelf, not to be read for years. But it was just there, can be accessed anytime.

Just recently, when I read the whole article, this is the exact words of Mark Escueta. He was answering the question about his view on local music.

“Very, very positive and very, very promising. Too bad the market is still too small to support everyone. Sana magtulong-tulong pa rin lahat para hindi masayang ang umaapaw na talent galing sa mga bagong artists, lalo na sa indie scene. Sana tubuan naman ng puso ang mga pirata, at sana manahimik na lang ang mga “Youlogs.” Ang ‘Youlogs” ay Jologs sa Youtube na walang ginawa kundi man-diss ng mga banda. Okay lang naman kung ‘di mo trip ‘yung banda pero sana imbes na magpa-cool sa Internet eh gamitin na lang nila ‘yung oras at utak nila para suportahan ‘yung mga bandang trip nila. Maging responsible music lovers tayong lahat. Siguradong music capital of Asia tayo in way less than 10 years.”

I consider BANDA, the songhits mag, a collector’s item. Because at present, I do not know of many bands. What I know are those that came out back in the 90s, or the bands of the former members of the disbanded great bands that I followed. A few that I know at present are independently producing their own albums.

There was a time I kept this songhits magazine in my bag so that in my daily commute, or wherever I go, and in case I’d be stuck in a terrible traffic I have something to read, which explains the wrinkled edges of the songhits magazine. Still have not read it well enough. But it was just there in my bag. Later on I decided to just return it in the book shelf, so it could still survive the passing of time and I just know that one of these days I’d be able to read it.

BANDA, the songhits magazine, that featured Mark Escueta of Rivermaya, Wendell Garcia of Pupil/Archipelago, J-Hoon Balbuena of Kjwan, Tutti Caringal of 6Cyclemind, and Mike Dizon of Sandwich/Pedicab is a reminder of what I love from past to present: the local bands that we have. I still am fascinated with local bands.

Needless to say, I finally found time to read the whole featured article about drummers, twelve years after buying Banda with Mark Escueta, together with other drummers, on the cover. Just satisfied. The reason for this post.

Excerpts:

BANDA: What’s the difference between a good gig and a bad gig?

MARK: ‘Pag half-hearted ‘yung tugtog ko, kahit nag-enjoy pa yung mga tao, bad gig sa akin ‘yon. ‘Pag binuhos mo lahat at mukhang hindi nag-enjoy mga tao, good gig pa rin ‘yon. Kapag binuhos mo lahat at napangiti ninyo din ‘yung mga tao, sobrang good gig na ‘yon.

WENDELL: For me a good gig is always a good gig. There is no such thing as a bad gig for me. Dapat everytime you play think of it as it’s gonna be your last kasi hindi mo alam kung hihinga ka pa mamaya. Kahit sa recording in the studio hindi mo alam kung bukas makakapalo ka pa so make the most of it. Ang bad gig sa akin is when they don’t feed you. Alam mo ‘yun kahit laptop lang ang ibigay sa ‘yo (‘yung nakalagay sa styro, laptop kasi ang tawag ko dun eh) okay lang ‘yun as long as asikaso ka. Ang bad gig ‘yung pagkadating ko sa gig hindi ka asikaso kahit hindi ka kinakausap nu’ng producer pero asikaso ka nu’ng staff okay lang pero ‘yung and’yan ka lang kinuha lang namin kayo para tumugtog lang ayaw ko noon.

MIKE: Ang good gig ay ‘yung may chemistry ang buong banda kahit isa o dalawa lang nanonood. A bad gig would be, kung ‘di masaya o wala sa focus ‘yung kabanda mo. Tipong gusto na umuwi tumutugtog pa kayo. Yown.

TUTTI: Well on the technical side, the sound system will spell the difference between a good gig and a bad gig. Minsan naman mood at audience. Kung okay lahat ‘yun eh ‘di good gig. If not eh ‘di bad.

J-HOON: Good gig is when you feel the love from the crowd. Bad gig is when it’s raining and storming and it’s open air.

BANDA: Do you have a mentor?

MARK: Yup! My first mentor was Norby David. He was supposed to be the drummer of our band in high school, but since I received a Fernando drumkit from my parents as a Christmas present, ako na ‘yung naging drummer. Norby is now the bassist/vocalist of the band ‘Overtone.’ In 1990, I took my first lessons under Sol Esguerra, Paul Benitez (Deans December/Southborder), and Aji Adriano (The Wuds). When I was in college, I started attending workshops under Mar Dizon. Later on, I took lessons under Sir Jun Regalado for around two years and I am currently studying under Michael Alba.

WENDELL: Marami like ‘yung Pakana, ‘yung mga senior na musicians; Tots Tolentino, Tating Katindig, of course, one of my good mentors. Hindi lang music spiritually mga ganyan and philosophy. Si Mar Dizon, one of the Philippines’ top drummers. More on k’wentuhan kasi kami eh hindi ‘yung ganito ang gagawin mo. Si Miong Pakana, sina Ban Samson, Cesar Aguas, Roy Mercado– ‘yung mga matagal ng drummer. Si Joey Quirino, so more on the jazz scene talaga.

MIKE: Wala yata. 🙂

TUTTI: I studied at Yamaha school of music during my high school days under Nestor de Grano then I took up advanced courses with sir Jun Regalado Sr., Mar Dizon, and a couple of sessions with Benjie Mendez.

J-HOON: My dad and my mom. One is a jazz bassist at heart and the other a conservative Chinese lady. Lots of jazz records I grew up with, served as my mentor, too.

BANDA: What do you think is the most important musical concept for a drummer to learn, and why?

MARK: Learning how to develop a solid groove at all tempos. Kahit simple man o komplikado ‘yung ginagawa natin, ‘pag hindi masarap ‘yung pakiramdam, damay ‘yung buong banda. Metronome/click training is a must. I learned this from a video podcast “value perfection over speed, ’cause with perfection comes speed.” Common sa beginners ang pabilisan, natural tendency ‘yan na kailangang labanan. Practice slow for long periods of time at mapapansin ninyo na lang madali na ‘yung mabilis at mas malinis pa.

WENDELL: The most important musical concept for a drummer to learn is the groove kahit wala kang ginagawa na technique, wala kang ginagawang spectacular but as long as nag-groove ka at nakita mo ang taong umuuga na kasama mo that’s one fulfillment. ‘Yun kasi ang nakakalimutan ng lahat ng musicians ngayon– groove pa rin eh. ‘Yung basic pa rin talaga. You should be listening while playing sa mga live shows may it be a big crowd or a small crowd. Basta live kayo always listen to your bandmates, to your guitar player, to your bass player. Be a team player. Hindi mo show ‘yun show n’yo ‘yon lahat. So it’s not like Kobe Bryant of LA Lakers it must be a team effort so hindi p’wedeng magtunog kayo ng maganda kung ikaw lang ang narinig ng tao. Hindi mo dinadala ‘yung kanta that’s the first thing kailangang dinadala n’yo talagang lahat ‘yung kanta.

MIKE: Para sa akin you have to learn to serve a song. Ilagay mo kung ano lang ang hinihingi walang sobra, walang kulang.

TUTTI: Less is more. Sometimes, drummers tend to overplay a bit especially ‘pag alam nila may nanonood na “senior” o kap’wa drummer o musikero or just for the simple fact na gusto nila “maglagay.” Kung ano kailangan ng kanta, ‘yun ang ibigay mo hindi fill in ka ng fill in left and right. In the first place ano ba ‘yung intention mo, magpa-impress ba o magpasaya ng tao?

J-HOON: SINGING. That’s what playing in a band is all about. It’s really singing with different members in different sounds and frequencies. It’s hard to make music if you are not really singin’ while you are at it. And I think it’s important to learn what other musicians think too, so you know what sort of foundation to lay down for harmony of the song.

BANDA: Is having a career in music anything like you imagined it would be?

MARK: Hindi. Haha. Kala ko noong una ‘pag nagka-album ka na set ka na for life, ‘yung tipong pa-easy-easy ka na lang. Hindi pala. But I can’t complain about the fulfillment side of things. As a musician, I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams. Nu’ng nahawakan ko pa lang cassette ng 1st album namin noong 1994 sinabi ko na sa sarili ko na “p’wede na akong mamatay.” Since then ang dami nang pangyayaring ganu’n ang pakiramdam at mas malupit pa. Baliw na lang siguro ang hindi mako-kontento sa mga narating ng Rivermaya. 🙂

WENDELL: Hindi talaga. When I played the drums and entered the music scene I’m not after the fame, fortune or whatever they call it basta sa akin music is music lang. Tinanong ako dati ng daddy ko nu’ng bata pa ako: “What do you wanna be when you grow up?” Sabi ko, “I wanna be a musician.” Sabi niya walang pera diyan sabi ko okay lang. Magugutom ka diyan sabi ko okay lang. My dad is my number one critic kung paano ako tumugtog. Isa rin siya sa mga reasons kung bakit ako nag-mature.

MIKE: Sa ngayon, it’s more than I ever imagined. Kase I’ve been playing for almost 20 years na so kumbaga ang dami ko ng napulot na extra life. I’m very happy na music pa rin ang ginagawa ko up to now.

TUTTI: Nope! Akala ko before ‘di ka p’wede mabuhay sa musika lalo na dito. P’wede pala. 🙂

J-HOON: No. I always thought a career in music means sessioning. I guess not.