Bittersweet journey sweetens success of Orange & Lemons

Following an independent release some years back, Orange and Lemons joins the crush of emerging bands with a major label-and comes out more tantalizing to musical taste buds.

"We're the fruity bunch," the group quipped-and couldn't have said it better.

During my first-ever encounter with the band, the probinsyanos from Bulacan (their words, not mine)-Clem Castro (electric guitars/vocals), Mcoy Fundales (acoustic guitars/vocals) and brothers Ace (drums) and JM Del Mundo (bass)-were bubbling over the amount of attention they were getting in Manila. Several music critics had it penned down that they've hit the right notes for offering sparkling freshness in sound amidst the upsurge of rock and quasi-rock acts. Finding out firsthand that they were gaining ground elsewhere in the country-Cebu in particular-served the extra-sweet surprise. In fact, they loved the reception so much that OnL management is currently discussing with organizers and booking agents for a possible gig come Sinulog Festival in January.

Today, like fruits in season, they're white-hot. But, of course, not everything simmers for the right reasons. I had the opportunity to sit down with the four lads with the unforgettable mop-tops right before the highly publicized upheaval of quarters casting doubt on the originality of their composition Pinoy Ako, the seemingly omnipresent anthem of ABS-CBN's reality TV show "Pinoy Big Brother." I've heard not of the purported real thing by a UK band, so I can't personally compare. Media statements have been issued, however, belying any copyright infringement. Yet, truth or not, there's no denying they have stolen the thunder from other upstarts.

Fortunately for me, I had a glimpse of the band's optimism, depth of passion and prankish humor, which set the tone of one of the most enjoyable interviews I've had, that I wouldn't wonder if the group makes room for laughter in the face of adversity. Mcoy, in an answer to The FREEMAN's follow up questions sent via e-mail, said that the attention given to them-be it positive or otherwise-continues to humble them. He acknowledges the fact that they're a young band willing to learn and determined to keep their feet on the ground.

The group is first to admit that challenge is nothing new to them from the day they threw themselves to work on their music seven years ago. If anything, the bittersweet journey makes OnL ready for the hitches and their ilk. "Matagal na rin kami, pero ngayon lang kami nag sign up with a major label. We even went on a hiatus because there was no label interested in us," Clem recalled. They were the last to be signed on by the late Ms. Bella Tan of Universal Records, who, according to the group, afforded them "all the freedom, from packaging to recording."

"We really started out from scratch. Ang nagpapalakas lang talaga sa amin ay ang songs na nagawa na namin," added Mcoy.

Their name, which is inspired by a British rhyme, them being self-confessed overzealous fans of Brit sound (isn't it obvious?), could even be taken in another context. Clem, who usually takes care of the melodies, waxed philosophical: "One orange for a lot of lemons parang one lucky break for many missed opportunities."

"Maganda ang story ng banda namin," main lyricist Mcoy stressed. "Number one trivia: when Ace joined us, hindi talaga siya drummer but a guitarist, but since drummer ang talagang kulang sa amin, kaya siya in three months time, natuto. Ako naman I don't play the guitar before, I just sing. Si Clem naman doesn't sing before, but since I told him I can't sing in all of the gigs, he started singing."

The band, for the past years, has also churned out a storehouse of compositions that can last several albums. Looks like those were fruitful seven years, indeed.

Still, if you're thinking the persistent controversy will overshadow their music, figures are stating otherwise. In an update from Mcoy, their album "Strike Whilst The Iron Is Hot" has reached gold status (15,000 units have been sold, in other words) since the album was launched in May. A repackaged edition is now available in record stores nationwide, which includes the controversial smash hit, Pinoy Ako, movie and commercial themes as well as stripped versions and music videos of OnL favorites, Hanggang Kailan (Umuwi Ka Na Baby) and Heaven Knows (This Angel Has Flown), a strikingly personal song which was made after the death of Mcoy's father and Clem got out from a failed relationship.

Though Clem said that they still had to spend three to four hours traveling to and from a gig on public transport since they can hardly afford living in Manila, the mid to late 20s members are starting to experience the fringe benefits of a career heading skyward.

Mcoy agreed. "I'm really proud of the band who started from being nobodies, to independent to now being signed. And now we've come to Cebu, samantalang dati, nag-iinoman lang kami dati sa bahay, 'Pare, makakarating na rin tayo.'"

"Now the girls are now coming in, noon puro lalaki lang," he added in jest. "'Pag may tumitili nga, pati kami nagugulat napapatili din."

Here's more of our conversation with the group:

How would you classify your music?

Clem: Pop para safe, though marami na rin nag-sasabi na yung music naming ay indie-pop, bordering on new wave. But [it's really a] combination of Manila sound-that would be Hotdogs, Apo Hiking Society, et cetera-and British pop-from the Beatles, to the Smiths, to the Cure.

Yung first album namin independent siya, available in other countries like in Japan. They, including one of the guitarists of Lotus Eaters, mistook our music as that of a British band.

Why the mop-tops?

Clem: Dahil sa Beatles

Mcoy: "Mop-tops para matago yung shiny top (laughs)."

Some writers are taking note of the poetry in your music. Has this anything to do with being Bulakeños?

Clem: Yeah, makata tulad ni Balagtas (laughs). Pero lumaki talaga kami with the Beatles, if you're going to make a song, dapat may catch. You ask yourself, where's that melody that will give the song away?

What are your musical backgrounds?

Clem: We didn't have any formal musical training. We play it by ear. My dad though teaches rondalla, drum and lyre at a public school.

Ace: Yung tatay ko frustrated musician, hindi talaga natuto. Napasa yata sa amin yung frustration niya.

Mcoy: None whatsoever. I don't know any family member who's into music. I used to sing for a church choir.

Tell us about your album.

Clem: Our concept for the album is timetime cycles. So you have a love story, about past love, about chatting, an idea of someone dying using someone

Mcoy: We wrote the songs to talk about our story. We've been searching for this opportunity for like seven years already.

And when the break came, eto na yun, 'Strike Whilst The Iron Is Hot'.

Clem: We thought it was fittingly titled for the album what with the attention we were getting. Masyado kaming fascinated with British pop, and the way they make music. Kasi pag Americans, parang pa-macho lang complete with the howling growl. Brit kasi may artistic touch.

What is your music goal?

Clem: We were very patient to wait for our turn so masaya na kami if our music gets airplay and attention.