The Maine is a phenomenon in the Philippines. The band did a whirlwind mall tour with some other bands in February last year. The single Don’t Give Up On Us (from the group’s album Pioneer, locally released by Pulp Live Records), is No. 2 on the RX Monster Radio 93.1.
The quintet hails from the dry warm climes of Arizona but their music has electrified the Filipino. When the band’s concert on March 31 at Skydome (SM North EDSA) was announced months ago by PULP magazine, Maine trended on Philippine Twitter for 48 hours. In less than a week, the entire platinum section of the venue was sold out with the most rabid fans snapping all the Pulp Royalty passes available (a limited meet and greet pass).
Funfare did an exclusive e-mail interview with The Maine the other day with founding member and bassist Garrett Nickelsen who started the band with drummer Pat Kirch in 2006. Since then The Maine has released three albums: Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop; Black & White; and Pioneer.
Your band certainly is no stranger to the Philippine music scene. But if you were to introduce yourself/selves to someone who isn’t familiar with The Maine, how would you do it?
Garrett: I would just say we are a rock and roll band.
You’ve been a band for five years now. How did the band start?
“Most of us were in local bands around Tempe, Arizona. After a few years of being in different bands, we ended up working out together. Now we are one big happy family.”
Who are your musical influences?
“I have tons of different musical influences but some things I’ve been listening to lately are The Rolling Stones, Talking Heads and The Cure.”
How was it like working with a major label after Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop?
“It was for sure different. Major labels like to have a big part of making your records. They like to pick everything from the songs to what you wear. It can have its ups and downs. It can work for some bands but it can definitely not work for some bands, too.”
You have experienced being signed to a minor label and a major label, and you have recently taken a shot at independent release with Pioneer. Which do you prefer? Would you consider sticking with self-support?
“Like I said, it has its ups and downs on both sides. But I couldn’t be happier with what we did and proved it with the release of Pioneer. I’m not really sure what the next record holds for us. I guess we will just see with time.”
If you were to “pioneer” something, what would it be?
“Outer space.”
What is your opinion regarding co-writes? Do you think Pioneer would have sounded better or worse with outside input?
“I really dislike co-writes. If you’re a band just write the songs you want. If we did ‘co-write’ in Pioneer there was no way it would feel the way it did. We just wrote songs that sounded good to us. We didn’t need some guy who wrote a Katy Perry song to tell us what a good song is.”
Can you tell us more about “The Pioneer Guy” Jason? Why this concept for the cover?
“The photo was taken by Dirk Mai and Jason was just one of his good friends. It’s supposed to represent the freedom every person has to try something new. If you are the manliest man and want to wear lipstick you shouldn’t be afraid to do so. It just felt like the cover right when John came up with the idea.”
The Pioneer World Tour will start in a few days and you’ll be touring in the Philippines, Australia, South and North America. What do you like most about touring overseas?
“I just love seeing how similar and different all the places around the world can be. It can really make you love where you are from.”
What did you miss most about the Philippines considering the fact that your last show here was more than a year ago already? Any message to your Filipino fans?
“The kids in the Philippines were so amazing that I really can’t wait to see all of them again. The shows last time were really great and I’m sure it will be just as awesome this time. Hope to see all you wonderful people in about a week!”
(Tickets for The Maine Live in Manila are available at all SM Ticket outlets located in all SM Cinemas nationwide. Platinum section is sold out but there are still tickets available for the Gold and Bronze sections. The concert will be held on Saturday, March 31, at the SM Sky Dome located at SM City North EDSA. The band’s new album, recently launched at Astroplus, will be available at the concert. For ticket inquiries, call 470-2222.)
More pick-up lines
Here are more pick-up lines, left over from this corner’s story several issues ago and inspired both by the Bubble Gang guys that popularized them, spinning off a Regal flick called Boy Pick-Up The Movie with Ogie Alcasid as Boy Pick-Up, Dennis Trillo, Solenn Heussaff and others:
• Ogie Alcasid: Oh, what is your name? Can I call you mine?
• Michael V: Kape ka ba? Bakit? Kasi ang itim mo!
• Arnold Clavio: (1) Boy Pikpik: Paki-check naman ng bag mo pag-uwi mo. Girl: Bakit? Boy Pikpik: Kasi nawawala ang puso ko baka nadala mo…(2) Boy Pikpik: Puede ka bang maghubad? Girl: Bakit? Boy Pikpik: Kasi gusto ko malaman kung paano mo tinatago ang pakpak mo.
• Enzo Pineda: (1) Para kang trapik sa EDSA? Bakit? Kasi hindi ka maka-move on…(2) Ini-small ka ba? Bakit? Kasi inii-big kita.
• Edward Mendez (Flawless endorser): Hi, I’m sorry, what’s your name again? I believe we have met before because you look so stunningly familiar.
• Christian Bautista: Impeachment ka ba? Bakit? Ang tagal mo kasi mawala sa puso ko. (Note: Very much like Boy Pikpik in Bubble Gang…incomprehensible!)
• Paolo Contis: Sana parang hindi ka MOON, kasi baka iwan mo ako pagdating ng ARAW.
• Gary David: (1) Shabu ka ba? Bakit? Kasi nakaka-addict ka, eh…(2) Sana ako ang kanang kamay mo. Bakit? Para kapag kumakanta ka ng Lupang Hinirang ako ang nasa dibdib mo.
• Joseph Yeo Petron: Hindi ko alam kung saan nagtatapos ang universe. Ang alam ko lang nagsisimula ito sa U-N-I.
• Mark Salazar: (1) Alam mo, ang dami-dami nang pick-up lines ngayon, ‘no? Wala na nga ako maisip kundi IKAW!...(2) Alam mo, hindi ako lalaban ng boksing sa’yo, kasi tinititigan pa lang kita, knock-out na ako!...(3) Alam mo, para tayong Pilipinas at Spratly Island, kasi kahit malapit ka hindi ko masabing akin ka.
(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit http://www.philstar.com/funfareor follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)