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 NEW YORK - In a recent survey conducted by the staff of Poptimes Magazine, we asked a good number of people what Philippine-based bands they want to see live here in the States. Among a list that included some of the top names in Pinoy music, one band stood out: Sandwich.
The Philippine-based alternative rock quartet of Raimund Marasigan, Myrene Academia, Diego Castillo, Mong Alcaraz, and Mike Dizon have created such deep impact among Fil Am music fans that they are demanding to see the band live in the flesh.
Perhaps, Fil Am fans have wondered long enough why such a prominent band in the Philippines is yet to play an American venue. In fact, the demand for Sandwich to do a US tour have reached the ears of some show producers. Hence it is just a matter of time for the thirst for Sandwich to be quenched. Due to the clamor for a Sandwich show here in New York, in particular, we managed to contact the band and they agreed to have an interview with us, through two of their members: Raimund Marasigan and Myrene Academia. * This section of the interview was conducted with front man Raimund Marasigan
Ted Reyes: Could you tell the Fil Am music fans how Sandwich
was formed?
Raimund Marasigan: Sandwich was formed in 1999. I was hanging out with Diego when he used to work for BMG records. he played for a band called the Aga Mulach Experience with Myrene and Mike. their singer Mario is a Fil Am who comes here every few years and they play a couple of gigs around town. we decided to get mike dizon(drums) and myrene academia(bass) and found Marc Abaya at a party. since then weve released 4 albums and a few songs for soundtracks, commercials and whatnot. Marc left the group 2 years ago to concentrate on being an MTV VJ. I took over singing duties and we got Mong Alcaraz to play guitar and synths.
TR: How did you deal with the departure of your original singer, Mark Abaya?
RM: Well we just made little adjustments on the song arrangements like who gets to play Marc's guitar parts. I had to learn all his singing parts and the rest of the band stepped up and learned how to sing backups, Which was my old job.
TR: Being the new front man of Sandwich, in what musical direction are you taking the band?
RM: We were writing songs for the new album and so far the music that seems to be coming out has a lot of synth and percussion parts. the rhythms dancier and the guitar parts are minimal. TR: What's your approach on song-writing with Sandwich?
RM: Songwriting with sandwich is like playing with Lego. We usually jam a few music ideas and record it on the computer. Then we come back another day to write lyrics. We have a nice dinner then we agree on a topic. Everyone just writes anything they can think of in relation to the subject then its my job to put everything together. Sometimes we send each other unfinished songs. like i would send mong a chorus and he will write verses for it. We rarely sit and write songs from start to finish. but we have a whole library of beats, chord progressions, lyrical ideas that we all like to mix and match to make Sandwich songs.
TR: You are currently in several bands: Cambio, Pedicab and Sandwich. Would a reunited Eraserheads be included in that
list of bands that you play in?
RM: No
TR: How did you take the breakup of the Eraserheads?
RM: It was inevitable. there was already a lot of personal tension within the band/crew/management. So i think it was best for all of us to breakup.
TR: I heard that Sandwich does some Eraserheads materials. Do you sing Ely's songs, or just the songs you wrote?
RM: I dont just sing songs that I wrote haha. theyre just songs. We also play some songs from Teeth. (Mike's old
band).
TR: Does being a father somehow change your view on being a full-time working musician?
RM: Yes definitely. I have goals now haha. I actually have a purpose other than just rocking out.
TR: Have you thought of living a domesticated existence with a simple 9-5 job?
RM: I tried a 9-5 job. The pay was really good and my boss and officemates were great but i really want to play music. My music. So i set out to do everything in my power to keep playing music.
TR: Have your priorities changed? RM: Yes. everything that I do is for my little kid.
* This section of the interview was with the band's bassist, Myrene Academia. Ted Reyes: Your first 2 albums were under a major label, BMG Pilipinas, and your third record was released independently. Now you are back with a major label with your new release. Having been in both sides of the fence - would you consider your indie release as a setback of sorts?
Myrene Academia: Nope, we consider that one of the highlights of sandwich's career. We learned to do everything by ourselves. We divided the labor - production, marketing, promotion amongst the members. everything down to delivering the cds to the warehouse for distribution, we learned. because of that we're savy, we're also closer as a band, and now we're not afraid of anything because we know we can always go back to releasing music on our own.
TR: All Fil Am bands are independent, and the experience of being an indie band here in the States, I suppose, is different with the experience of being one in the home country. Since you've been indie once, how would you describe being an indie band in the Philippines?
MA: I think the difference between being indie here and in say, the US would be more economic, than musical. Music is music wherever you go, the genres here are as varied now so there's a lot of different kinds of music coming out. As for the business and marketing side, maybe the costs are cheaper here. But the market is really smaller - so if you're in a kind of a niche, that means your audience might be really small. Whereas if I had some kind of cult following in the States, I would probably be able to survive long term on that. I hope that makes sense ha ha. but the scene and the support here is really great right now. Thanks to technology you can record your album at home on your computer now, spend some money making cds, then use the internet as well to promote yourself. And there's always a number of small clubs that host independent bands where everyone can come together and experience the music live. Kids have also begun using videos as a tool for more expression, and of course to promote themselves. The local music channels are pretty open to playing everyone.
TR: How open are the Filipino audience to the surge of rock music today?
MA: Its great. There are more venues to play and TV, radio and the internet is playing a lot of original Pinoy rock music.Theres an album out almost every week. Indie or major label.
TR: What's your take on 'novelty music' popularized by Willie Revillame and Lito Camo?
MA: Thats their choice and obviously they have a big audience. I've met them and they seem to really enjoy what theyre doing. Thats what counts.
TR: Some rock artists who were big in the Philippines migrated here in the States. People like Basti Artadi, Wolf Gemora, David Aguirre, Glenn Jacinto, Paco Arespacochaga, Jonathan Buencamino, Annette Ortiz, Melody Del Mudno and Perf De Castro are all
here and continue to perform. Have you ever thought of migrating here and start a group, perhaps?
MA: Unless it gets pretty bad (politically,economically)here for my kid. Were pretty good here.
TR: Would Sandwich like to tour here and play for the Fil Am music fans?
MA: Definitely.
TR: Have you heard of some of the Fil Am bands and artists here? What do you think of their music?
MA: My favorite Fil Am band is Black Sonny. The singer is Diego's brother Mika.
TR: If you have, would you suggest that they try their luck in the
Philippines?
MA: Not to earn money. But to play gigs itll be a trip.
TR: Do you have any messages for the FIl Am music artists and fans?
MA: Maybe a more active exchange between here and
abroad would be interesting and fun!
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