The magnitude of JARC

The name has nothing to do with what most of us would call a bunch of rascals, though the sound could - ermm - be mistaken for such. This JARC stuff sure produces sound but one that's bound to achieve a jolting effect on an already recognized Bisrock community.

The band's name rings a bell, yeah! How would we ever forget the lessons of physics? The rate of change of acceleration is technically known as jerk and that it is a vector, but may also be used loosely as a scalar quantity because there is not a separate term for the magnitude of jerk analogous to speed for magnitude of velocity, etc. etc. And that it is equally acceptable for one to call the jerk a jolt.

Of course that jerk is just pun. What I'm trying to arrive at is for the community to take notice of James Art Getuaban on bass, Rhenorby "Reno" Cabido on drums, Sylvester Celso Oraño on lead guitar, and his cousin Jeffrey Oraño on vocals as JARC.

Jarc is an offshoot of the other not-so-successful bands they played music with before. To rewind, it was not that easy to experiment with music because back then only a few recording studios, radio stations and music outlets believe in the bankability of the compositions of local indie artists. And that most bands preferred to do covers because the industry was moving into that direction.

For a time, Jeffrey set aside the idea of underground music because there was Creatures, with him as vocalist, and his friend from Fervent as guitarist and the promise to be with a string of show bands here.

Later on, the trend gave up its frills and fancies and opened the corridors for local indie music to make it to the mainstream, a trend welcomed by the artists themselves despite the oxymoron.

The four created JARC from the initials of their names and came up with two songs - "Pahulay sa Dayon" which is a street _expression for saying "you better cut out on things you can't excel in" and "Saging ug Iced Water" - a cute and, of course, "thrifty way" of starting a romantic relationship - now played over Smash FM. Inspired by previous achievements in band competitions, as in placing second in the Datag Band Showdown of barangay Datag in Mactan Maribago among 14 other contenders, the group moved on to record their songs with the help of Vann Recording Studio.

Earlier, Jeffrey and his Creatures pack got a chance to go around North and South Cebu for the MuzikLaban Tour and this had gained for him confidence they would be able to bring Jarc to also move up and about in a bloating circle of Bisdak rockistas who like them look up to the works of Incubus, POD, 311, Bamboo, Kamikazee, POT, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Dream Theater, Joe Satriani, and Steve Vai as influences.

"Para nako naa ang Jarc para mapalanog pag maayo ang mga Bisaya nga tukar! Dili man sad para namo ni para man sad ni sa uban. Abi lang nya wa mi talent sa pag-compose og Binisaya nga kanta. Taga Manila ra ba diay kamao mopalanog sa ilang mga tukar? Dili ta palupig," says bassist James.

Jeffrey hopes the success of other Bisdak rockers would be shared by everyone. He recounted that moment their first composition was given airplay in July, the feeling was euphoric. That achievement, he said, has definitely led to another. The four recalled they were invited to a performance at the Bliss Housing in Maghaway, Talisay for the Youth Night that little did the audience know it was their debut gig as JARC. This was followed by an event with Yield, Medias, Fervent, Makadawa, Birth Control and Tingkagul at The Rooftop in Tabunok. And then in Casili Hills in Mandaue City.

Eventually, all roads lead to Handuraw Café so that on October 31, Jarc will also have their turn to bask under the spotlight for the Orig All Star event. But before that gig, Jarc has to gain the momentum during the Friendship Week at UC Main Campus organized by the Commerce Department on October 14 at around 4 to 10 pm. Tickets are pegged at P40. Jarc will be performing with Agipo and some show bands. Afterwards, we sure would be yanking priorities to watch the magnitude of Jarc give us a good jolt, audio-wise.

Contact James Art 09102390713, Sylvester Celso Oraño 09216941444, Rheno 09205107316, and Jeffrey 09278805365. Or email [email protected], [email protected]. Add them at Friendster: [email protected].

Shoutouts: Thanks much Yield, Fervent, KDB, Castle Freak, 7 Spirits, Kapabis in Inayagan, Naga; Absolute Failure, What's The Frequency and Phylum and most of all to God for the gift of music.

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(E-mail: pinaymangatkatay.multiply.com, or www.bisdakzoundz.blogspot.com)