Handuraw's Artist of the Month: The rise of aggressive audio

After having been catapulted to being one of most in demand bands in terms of airplay requests over at 93.1 Smash FM - Cebu's Rock Fortress, Aggressive Audio has recently been hailed "Artist of the Month" at Handuraw Events Café in Mabolo based on votes from a mass of followers who can already mouth and shout the lyrics of "Senior Citizen" aka "Ang Tiguwang"; and other tracks like "Lingin" and "Kugmo" lifted from their debut album "Pwerteng Lingina."

"Pwerteng Lingina" is about how things and/or stuff around us come in circles to mirror our very own life that's moving in a circular motion.

Aside from seeing for myself how Bisdak rock has come of age with the musicality of local independent rock artists and of the admiring crowd last March 4 during the Bisrockers night at Handuraw, I also witnessed how Aggressive Audio, so labeled experimental/blues/jam band, has arrested the attention of fans audio-wise.

Eugene Corpin (vocals), Randolf Silvano (lead guitars), Sidney Alburo (rhythm), Joel Ablanque (drums) and Vincent Ngalis (bass) never imagined that from their humble beginnings as Teenage Chaos they would be this "kind of aggressive with their music able to gather a following."

It indeed was a struggle for Aggressive Audio to veer away from the lightness of Bisdak songs that is typical of the novelty genre. But the group members are naturally comic, and this lightness as a cotton makes their songs easy to absorb, "dali masakyan because the tracks are audio-friendly."

You wouldn't imagine, for example, that a simple countdown as if lifting a space laboratory with Saturn V rockets to space would be rib tickling-and would send one gasping for breath-as in the song "Medya Galon," dedicated to the people of the "tuba-an".

"Ang baynte nahimong baynchingko," and you start counting in a decreasing manner, ending up with "dos, uno, y medya" and then drop the last word with a force for the much-need impact of "galon!" Imagine if you have to start from "ang baynchingko nahimong singkwenta," would you want to rock and/or bang your heads to roll back the figures to "dos, uno y medya galon"? My heart jogged when I did that! And you too could find a rollicking beat in your head, if you're a rocker yourself.

"Lingin," "Tangkong," "Hanggang Kailan," and "Feeling Lang" are just a few of the collaborations of Eugene and Sidney who shared that they never fight over lyrics (why would they?), but only exchange punches over girls (hee hee!).

To recall, it was in a band showdown where MC Rey of local rap-hiphop group Brownian Method couldn't quite pronounce well the word "chaos" of Teenage Chaos, so that when he called the group he christened it Aggressive Audio. The group didn't stand up for they thought that was another band, but as soon as MC Rey signaled it was their turn, the name had stuck on then.

Eugene and then guitarist Archie Uy started out as altar boys at the Mabolo Parish Church and as neighbors Mabolo where they would normally jam to praise music.

"Kanang 'Senior Citizen' play-up jud na siya sa usa ka charismatic song kay nindot man gud ug tuno nya okey ra pud dali siya masakyan," explained Eugene on how he was able to come up with a local chartbuster, "Senior Citizen," now having the moniker "Ang Tigulang."

"Ang Tigulang bisan bako, maningkamot, mobarog, motindog, aron molabyog," growled a crowd at Handuraw who had grown wild and gaga over Aggressive Audio.

Aggressive Audio never imagined they would come this far as with the reach and breadth of their music, describing such as "pakatok ra lagi wa dyud mi motoo nga mo-click ni." Nevertheless, they are one in saying it could not have happened had it not been for their then guitarist Archie whose spirit is always with them even though he is physically out of the country for greener pastures.

"Naka-promise mi ni Archie nga di mabungkag ang band," Sidney said, "so that wherever the road may take us, we vowed to be intact, as Archie also promised to join us as soon as he comes home. Kay mao ra gyud ni iyang gusto nga tibook lang gihapon ang iyang nasugdan."

But before Archie left, he was able to mentor the group in the recording of four songs at Backyard Studio Project, of which they are thankful to a certain Micmic Demetrio, this was learned from their manager Ysai Perez. These four songs were to become part of Aggressive Audio's second album, which is still untitled.

And the group would also want to thank deejays Ram and Bré over at 93.1 Smash FM for playing requests from Bisrocker fans. Randolf said he would like to thank those in barangay Taytay, Badian town for the support, while Joel thanks all his friends and neighbors at Guadalupe for also believing in Aggressive Audio's music. Sidney, Eugene and Vincent would like to thank their fans in Cabantan, and also to their manager Ysai Perez for doing all the "dirty work."

Aggressive Audio has had performances at Casbah at the FGU in Ayala and everywhere you see them perform, you would have so much love for the native tongue however we use this to praise, flatter, blaspheme, curse, or lick our own bruised egos.

Aggressive Audio is indeed honed to aggressively promote the audio life of the great south.

Aggressive Audio will be performing as guest band at the USC Boys High gym on March 18 for the El Musikahan Extreme fund-raising concert sponsored by the student council of USC Boys High. Tickets are at P20. On March 24, they will be at Kahayag Café.

For those who have been texting me on where to get their CDs, you can grab copies at JB Music or at Kahayag Café (a sister establishment of Handuraw Events Café) at P150. More information is made available at www.myspace.com/aggressiveaudio. Website is still under construction.

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For reactions, comments, suggestions, contributions, and indie band requests, crank up my email addy: [email protected] or text me at 0921-5323616. Visit www.pinaymangatkatay.blogspot.com. Feature coming up: INDEPHUMS, By Request.