SLAPSHOCK 'We're great fans of Bisrock'

Unknown to many perhaps, rap-metal band Slapshock had spent substantial amounts of time in Cebu to record songs for two of their more recent albums, apart from the spate of invitations to perform.

"We've been here countless times, probably about 30 to 40 times already. Sometimes, we would record songs here at Backyard," vocalist Jamir Garcia tells The FREEMAN in a recent sit-down interview. Backyard Studio has been the choice recording venue of underground rock acts from Cebu and other parts of the south.

While working on their fifth album "Novena", Slapshock, whose other members include Jerry Basco (guitars), Lean Ansing (guitars), Chi Evora (drums) and Cebuano Lee Nadela, even rented a house in Mactan for a month. "We wanted more focus. Para di kami mapupuntahan ng kahit sino-sino ng taga-Manila," Jamir explains.

For their sixth album to date, they stayed in Cebu for three weeks. And though "Silence" maybe the title of their latest outing released by EMI Philippines - it could also make an apt metaphor to refer to the deliberate absence the group took from the touring and gig scene before the making of the album.

"We were touring the whole time during the 'Novena' (their fourth album) promotion. Whereas before, we could still write songs while touring, this time we got really tired, so we had to take a break. It was necessary. Ever since, we never did cover songs, we've always done originals. We've never also asked anyone else to write our songs," says Jamir. "We produced the songs in 'Silence,' nag-sound-engineer, nag-tracking, everything."

I'm just an occasional headbanger, but I've known enough long-standing Slapshock fans and even casual metalheads who proclaim that the rap-metal genre in the Philippine music scene wouldn't be same without them. In fact, a lot of kibitzers are saying, that rap-metal, after an explosion in the 90's, would have departed the music scene if not for the staying power of Slapshock and its rock-solid fanbase.

It's safe to say that the bond of Slapshock is a rarity as well. After all, it has seen no arrivals or departures of members since they formed in 1997 after Lean, Lee and Chi met as students at UP Diliman, while Jerry, then a music student at University of Sto. Tomas, invited his cousin Jamir, a balikbayan from the US, to join them.

Sure, they had their share along the way of some off-stage intrigues, particularly being on drugs. "But, it's just a stereotype because of how we look-tattoo and all-and how we are like onstage. We're obviously not shoegazers-yung nakatayo ka lang. I mean if you're smart enough to think and question na totoo kaya ito when they're still functional and disciplined? And how come they have stayed that long kung nag-da-drugs sila?" reacts Jamir.

Being still around is something that they obviously enjoy-or make that "cherish," in the words of Jamir, who also stresses that they try to make every performance turn out as if it's their last.

The band can't avoid being asked to ruminate on the demise if not furlough of past contemporaries as well (where thou art Cheese and Greyhoundz?). They who, during the rap metal boom, had in fact major recording labels slugging out to sign them. "Nawala kasi yung ganyang sound, at nag-emerge yung acoustic at pogi rock. Siguro nawala sila sa label at wala silang choice kundi mag-independent. Kami lang fortunately, nasa label pa kami. Kami, malaki talagang comfort pag-nasa label ka, especially our label."

Interestingly, the band has not resorted to some compromise even in the face of shifting musical tides and trends, but admits to having incorporated some fresh approaches to their latest album.

Guitarist Lean says, "If you really want to categorize us, we're okay if you want to still call us rap metal. But there are some new inputs into our album." He adds, "Actually, ito yung pinaka-heavy na album namin, but not necessarily maingay, but maybe emotionally. Here you'll find some Slapshock-style na ballads."

"Adios" is the third single released from the 13-track album. Bouncy, and hard-pounding, "Adios" is the carrier theme of Supreme Destiny, E-Games' newest online game, the recent launch of which was in Cebu and graced by Slapshock.

Their latest trip here reconnected them with some friends from the Cebuano rock scene. Jamir enthuses, "Sobrang fan kami ng Cebu rock music… pwera lang yung pogi rock."

For more news on Slapshock, visit the websites www.slapshock.com and www.emimusic.ph.