Pedicab talks ’80s

They’re fun! They’re danceable! They wear matching outfits! And they don’t have a bass player! They’re Pedicab – perhaps one of the most imaginative music acts to come from the Filipino music scene. Comprised of vocalist Diego Mapa, guitarist Jason Caballa, keyboardist Raimund Marasigan, drummer Mike Dizon, and (say that again?) video projectionist RA Rivera, the band recently launched "Tugish Takish," their debut album under Vicor Music. Their brand of music, a sound the band lovingly refers to as disco punk, is an infectious mix of garage, kraut-rock, and of course, impeccably ‘80s music.

Add to the mix their music videos Dizzy Boy and A Stormy Night (helmed by Rivera) which have these analog-futuristic, Tron-like textures to them, and what you’ve got is an act truly inspired by the ‘80s.

With Gwen Stefani’s Debbie Harry-like career phase and the return of neon exuberance in the catwalks of Milan and New York, ‘80s nostalgia seems to be making its comeback. So what better band to discuss the blatant resurgence of that kitschy decade than the aforementioned, right? So mousse up your hair and make like an androgen as Young STAR waxes nostalgic with Pedicab…

Is the ‘80s definitely back?

Mapa: I think the ‘80s has always been there. There will always be people who cannot brush off the ‘80s from themselves, people who are unaware they are still stuck in the ‘80s and people who try hard to be ‘80s but they really can’t. (laughs)

But during the last decade, the ‘90s, bands with synthesizers, big hair or cheesy ballads were frowned upon. The ‘80s was laughable during the last decade.

Dizon: I agree. Definitely the ‘80s is back nowadays. Just look at the fashion now: people’s hairdos are all coming back to bagets. Even the sounds (on the radio). It’s definitely back.

Caballa: Siguro, it just doesn’t end there. People are collecting action figures again.

Marasigan: That’s true. I guess it’s part of the 20-year cycle of pop culture. There has to be a 10-year period before a fad is revived. Like, tingin ko, grunge will need another five years to be cool again.

Is it because people who have power in the media, or those with disposable income, were kids who grew up in the ‘80s?

Caballa: Possible. Actually. Music producers… directors… They didn’t have that much allowance then, so now that they’re earning money, they’re probably indulging in themselves now.

So would you describe your sound as ‘80s?

Marasigan: Hindi. Wala naman kaming conscious effort na magtunog ‘80s. It depends on who’s listening. Old people say, "Wow! Juan de la Cruz Band!" People in their late 20s or 30s say naman, "Wow! ‘80s! Gang of Four!" The teenagers, "Wow! Franz Ferdinand!" It was never a conscious effort on our part to be an ‘80s band.

About your matching oufits when you perform…is that idea directly inspired by some bands from the ‘80s like Devo?

Marasigan: No, not at all. We wear similar clothes not really because of fashion, but it’s a conscious effort on our part to differentiate ourselves from our other bands like Twisted Halo and Monsterbot. As you know I share Cambio with Diego, and Sandwich with Mike, and that can be quite confusing during gigs. We’ve actually had a lot of themes already: polos, shorts, Hawaiian shirts, pajamas, construction worker (outfits), MMDA uniforms…

What were you doing during the ‘80s?

Caballa: Collecting toys… G.I. Joe and Transformers…

Rivera: I was in elementary, playing Games of the General.

Mapa: Ang baduy nito, pare (laughs)!

Marasigan: Breakdancing! Totoo ‘yun…I was breakdancing.

Mapa: I was watching cartoons at home. Inhumanoids…Visionaries...

What ‘80s event do you still remember?

Marasigan: Ako, Ultrastorm! The first major concert I watched. It had The Dawn.

Mapa: The New Kids On the Block concert in ’88, Rizal Stadium (laughs).

Marasigan: Duran Duran, pare! ’89, Araneta Coliseum.

Dizon: Siguro, the ‘86 Revolution. I was there.

Caballa: The death of Optimus Prime, when I watched Transformers: The Movie.

Eighties gimmick places?

Mapa: Bahay lang ako. In Antipolo. I was a kid.

Marasigan: Pare, wala pa masyadong malls noon. I lived in the province but when I went to Manila, I went to Greenhills most of the time. Greenhills was so ‘80s.

Dizon: Makati Cinema Square. Twin Cinema. And of course, Landmark, Ali Mall and Farmer’s (Plaza).

Marasigan: Skate Town, pare! Fiesta Carnival!

Rivera: The late ‘80s: SM City siguro, when it was still new. It opened in ’86, I think.

Mapa: Philcite! And, oh yeah, Imperial Bowling Lanes Antipolo (laughs).

Caballa: Goldcrest in Makati. Anywhere where they had a Nova Fontana [a hobby and toy shop].

Eighties TV show?

Dizon: There were only five channels back then.

Mapa: Computer Man…That show with Eric Quizon. And, siyempre, Going Bananas.

Dizon: Eh, Kasi Babae. It was on Channel 2, I remember.

Caballa: Penthouse Live…with Martin and Pops. Music to watch.

Mapa: Video Hit Parade (laughs). The only show then where you watched ‘80s music videos.

Dizon: Big Ike’s Happening, pare. That show hosted by Ike Lozada.

Rivera: I was a member of Uncle Bob’s Lucky Seven Club. I was seen on TV twice. But I didn’t win that contest where you get to choose a toy from their toy shelf. Since I didn’t memorize the secret code, I brought home a balloon lang.

What were you wearing during the ‘80s?

Marasigan: Ako, basta, baston jeans. Baston is the new fashion…

Mapa: Tuck-in shorts. Kaypee shoes. Grosby (laughs).

Dizon: A lot of shoes. I collected a lot of shoes. Bla bla. Chaser. Topsiders. Penny Loafers.

Marasigan: Nakarating ako ng Espadrilles… and World Balance.

Rivera: Mighty Kid.

Eighties food?

Caballa: Ako sa Kimchi. It was in every food court of every mall.

Rivera: Tropical Hut.

Caballa: ‘Yung spaghetti sa Makati Supermarket.

Marasigan: I remember loving the shawarma in Rustan’s Makati.

Dizon: Ako, Coney Island. Before it was bought by Pure Foods, ang sarap ng Coney Island!

Marasigan: I know what flavor you ordered! Bubblegum!

Dizon: Bubblegum (laughs)!

Mapa: Chickadees, that snack with the free toy inside it. (laughs)

Dizon: Did anyone here try Oz Burger?

Eighties movies?

Rivera: Bagets. Ninja Kids. Oh, definitely, the Tito, Vic and Joey movies… Ma’am, May We Go Out?... Ready, Aim, Fire!... Those movies really had a big influence on my filmmaking.

Dizon: Why is it that Pinoy comedies were so popular during the ‘80s?

Marasigan: Ako, I was more into Lito Lapid films. My fave movie of his? Leon Guerrero!

Rivera: Oh man! That was so cool! Lito Lapid had these knives with ropes… The knives return to him when he throws them at opponents…

Marasigan: He was the original baston, pare!