From rage to courage

MANILA, Philippines - Rock ’n roll has long been known to echo the angry man’s primal scream. Laced with rebellious and defiant prose, it sounds best when sung proud and cranked up loud.

But are all rock stars borne of angst and rage?

“Definitely not,” says Marissa Buñag, Rage Band lead vocalist. The only remaining original member of one of Manila’s hottest and most popular rock bands during the ’80s, she has perpetuated the band’s legacy through its various incarnations since it disbanded in 1988.

During its heyday, the Rage Band was the epitome of the well-oiled rock ’n roll machine, replete with massive amps, flamboyant outfits and outrageously wild stage theatrics. Such clockwork precision, discipline and professionalism were the offshoot of the vigilant tutelage of the band’s founder, Atek Jacinto.

It’s with that same gung-ho attitude that the group mounted its memorable concerts such as Rage Rocks Rizal, Martin’s Rage and its final Hollywood or Bust gig before it flew to the US to pursue its rock star dreams.

Today, sporting a streamlined line-up  comprised of Ryan de Lara on guitar, Q-Nie Alcantara on drums, Jay dela Cruz on bass, Nel Pilar and Gino Cruz on keyboards, and Ray Olaer on second vocals, the band seeks to transcend its glam rock trappings in search of a more genuine sense of artistic fulfillment.

Despite having been known as a cover band over the past 25 years, the Rage Band is ready to transcend its loud and colorful legacy as it unleashes its catalogue of original compositions via a special concert called Courageous tonight at the Musica Bar, Greenhills.

Aside from the new songs, the band will also be performing its classic hits, including Shy Eyes, Whiplash, Believe Me and Nice Girls Do.

In retrospect, the concert title represents a coming full circle of sorts for the group, and on a more personal level, a cathartic experience for Marissa. “Just like most artists, we come to a point where we question our identity and real purpose in life,” she says. “And it takes a lot of courage to stand up and face the world without the masks or security blankets. In effect, this is us saying, ‘This is what we want to do, not what you want us to do.’”

“I think when I wrote that song for my son in 2010, it opened the floodgates,” Marissa recalls. “From sadness, I just became angry at so many things and people who pre-judged me at that point. I kinda went into this co-dependency mode because I wanted to be whole and loved. I overextended myself... and last year, I told myself, ‘Stop!’ So I did a mental hibernation, and decided to refocus on God’s purpose for my life. And to be able to be in music, entertaining, creating or teaching... it has really become my form of worship and giving back to what has saved me in my deepest, darkest days. Last New Year’s Eve, the first thing I did after we finished our gig by the beach was jump into the water and swim. It was kind of a psychological, symbolic gesture of cleansing. I know my son thought I was weird to do that... but then again he thinks I’m weird anyway.”

“These songs, that I’ve kept hidden away... this year, I want to share. It’s a cathartic experience. It’s like sharing a part of me because this year, I’ve decided I’m ready to let go. And I’m still going through that phase of letting go. It’s like a metaphysical garage sale. And then after the cleanse, start again, rebuild ...and write again.”

Inspiring words of courage and wisdom indeed, from the Rage Band’s last woman standing.