Shamrock’s lucky streak

It takes more than foresight, guts and sheer tenacity for a band to stick to its guns and refuse to ride on the current trend, even if it means having to wait in the wings and sacrifice a few gigs in the process.

For Shamrock, the payoff was worth the long wait.

After having taken a brief hiatus from the live circuit, the alternative rock outfit channeled its energies into forging its distinct identity via its self-titled debut album which was released last month.

Comprised of veteran rockers from diverse backgrounds, Shamrock was the brainchild of lead singer Marc Tupaz. "We’ve known each other for about four years now," spills the tall and dashing frontman. "But we were all with other groups then."

Even then, it was the members’ sheer love for the rock idiom that tugged at their instincts and eventually paved the way for the group’s formation.

Shamrock is made up of Sam Santos on bass, Henry Abesamis on keyboards, Nico Capistrano on guitar, Mike Magalong on drums and Marc on vocals.

If luck seems to be their birthright, it’s probably because of the group’s name and its inherent affinity for serendipity and all things Irish. According to ancient Irish lore, the shamrock was a sacred plant to the Druids of Ireland because its leaves formed a triad — which was a mystical number in the Celtic religion.

Even today, the shamrock, commonly portrayed as a three-leaf clover, is the most recognized symbol of the Irish, specially on St. Patrick’s Day.

Despite its mystical allusions, the band’s anointment was not borne of any grand design. "We were just sitting around one day, leafing through some magazines," narrates Marc, "when my sister came across the word, and we all thought it sounded good. So, we kept it."

It was in 2002 when the group had its baptism of fire at Padi’s Point. At a time when alternative/new wave outfits were a dying breed, Shamrock found itself lucky to have found a regular venue for its mixed bag of tricks. Eventually, the boys honed their chops in such places as BG’s, Bedrock, Arkdia, Boysie’s and Kalipay — one of the top bars in the now-popular Baywalk area.

Asked to describe Shamrock’s sound, bassist Sam Santos explains, "It’s alternative, with a touch of pop. I cut my teeth on hardcore and rap/metal like Rage Against The Machine, Pantera and Sepultura. Henry and Nico have glam rock roots. Marc grew up on ’60s music."

Like most gigging rock groups, Shamrock had its share of having to dish out covers. "We used to do Matchbox 20, Blink 182, Incubus, and a lot of ’80s groups like REM," Sam adds. "But we also do Dishwalla and Tears for Fears."

It was only when Marc came back home from a two-month vacation from the US when the group laid out its plans for a debut album. With their new manager Tracy Garcia holding the reins and the support of Andrew Holland, the album’s executive producer, the boys wasted no time in churning out their own original compositions.

The album boasts of eight tracks, two of which are Tagalog ditties: Kanta To and Alipin. The other cuts are Today, Miss Serious, Loser, Fine, In My Head, and Radio Girl, a composition given to them by former Skin drummer Paco Arespacochaga.

Unlike other pop groups who jump in on the bandwagon just to earn their daily keep, Shamrock’s members pride themselves in their loyalty to the genre. "It’s a greater task to make your own trend," Marc emphasizes. "There’s a greater fulfillment in enjoying the fruits of your labor that way."

True enough, the rewards have slowly been trickling in. Thanks to their frequent gigs at BG’s, a favorite hangout of Makati’s musically well-to-do, Shamrock soon caught the ear of Jam 88.3’s top honchos — who eventually turned out to be one of their most rabid fans, and who continue to book them in most of the radio station’s live concert sorties. Aside from that, the band also enjoys the full support of Puma, the popular sports apparel brand.

In hindsight, Shamrock’s story is a lesson well worth emulating in today’s trend-driven music circuit. In the end, flash and showmanship take a backseat to individuality and non-conformity. Because without those essentials, not even a four-leaf clover can give anyone that lucky streak.