A giant step forward

MANILA, Philippines - I Am Giant has made a giant step forward in its career by finally coming up with its debut record The Horrifying Truth under Sony Music, and the rock band is spreading the word via a loaded Asian and Australian tour this month.

The UK-based quartet, made up of New Zealanders Shelton Woolright (drummer), Paul Matthews (bassist) and Aja Timu (guitarist) plus English chap Ed Martin (vocalist), is swinging by Manila come July 9 at the Hard Rock Café in Makati.   

Okay, the band’s name might not roll off the tongue like a familiar expression in this part of the world yet. But apart from scoring gold status already in native NZ (with four singles lighting up the charts at No. 1) with its debut offering, I Am Giant has been steadily increasing in momentum in Australia and other parts of Asia.

The STAR recently had a phone interview with bassist Paul, who was calling in from his base in London.

Both Paul and Shelton, who were previously part of other bands (with Shelton coming from the multi-platinum selling Blindspott) decided to start fresh by moving to London five years ago to form their own group.

Paul said that it took them a while to discover a singer, but they did after an arduous search that had them screening 160 other guys before it yielded them a great find in Ed.

The making of the record then commenced in 2009. “It took us two years to write the songs and about

The UK-based band releases its debut album The Horrifying Truth

four months to record the album,” he said.

The Horrifying Truth, recorded with acclaimed Australian alternative rock producer Forrester Savell, is the follow-up to I Am Giant’s 2010 City Limits EP, three hits of which, namely City Limits, Neon Sunrise and Living The Crash, are included in the full-length record. (The three songs have a combined sales in excess of 15,000 and are featured in videos of some of the world’s best extreme athletes.)

From the 11-track The Horrifying Truth, And We’ll Defy is the first single out, which Paul described as “a song about the human need to believe in and belong to something that can define and guide us and about how vulnerable and easily led we can become as a consequence.”

The rest of the album, according to critics, are a mix of “lofty rock anthems, surefire radio hits and dreamy heavy rock balladry.”

Paul explained, “I guess for anybody who likes rock, it’s a good, melodic rock album. And since we spent a lot of time writing the lyrics, they really are a reflection of our thoughts and feelings.”

What makes I Am Giant stand out, Paul, who cited Rage Against The Machine, Pink Floyd and Radiohead as among musical influences, said, “I think we just have our own unique flavor,” owing to the fact that they come from a different part of the world, with different backgrounds and experiences to bring to the table.  

He added, “And Ed sings differently. It’s not your classic rock voice. He’s an amazing singer with an amazing voice.” 

After the band’s Australian and Asian concert dates, it will embark on an extensive European road tour.