MANILA, Philippines - 27 bands. 3 decades. 1 night of epic proportions. The Tanduay Rhum Rockfest promises to be the biggest night in music, a night when today’s rock icons get to share the stage with rock gods, and rock fans get to spend hours on end swapping sweat and getting high on music. Of course, the concert would not be complete without the Tanduay Rhum First Five: Bamboo, Kamikazee, Sandwich, 6Cyclemind, and Chicosci. Tanduay Rhum is the first to attempt this kind of feat, successfully bringing together all the bands that have shaped – and continue to shape – Pinoy rock, and celebrating the songs that have ever meant something to someone. This kind of innovation is not new to Tanduay, which has for the past 156 years, created unique products to satisfy the market’s thirst for quality rhum. Tonight is the night. Are you ready?
Rock Speak
Miggy Chavez, CHICOSCI
Why does your band rock?
We rock because WE ARE CHICOSCI. ‘Nuff said!
What big plans do you have for the rockfest?
Of course it’s a surprise. But it’ll involve a rake, some ice cubes, and a dragon.
What band/s are you looking forward to seeing onstage and why?
Hilera always puts on an amazing show. I love those guys.
What do you think of Tanduay Rhum’s effort to create an event like this?
Tanduay has always had faith in the local rock scene. Not many companies nowadays are willing to put on a show like this (much less a whole tour), so it just goes to show you how cool these guys are.
Mark Escueta, RIVERMAYA
Why does your band rock?
I think it’s the “Call of Duty 4” before the gig.
What band/s are you looking forward to seeing onstage and why?
The Youth and Yano. Alam na natin kung bakit.
What do you think of Tanduay Rhum’s effort to create an event like this?
Panalo ang Tanduay kasi totoong may malasakit sa mga musikerong Pilipino at marunong mag-alaga. Kita niyo naman sa marketing palang, yung artist yung bida.
What makes a great, epic rockfest?
When the audience is one with the performer. Mutual gratification.
Raimund Marasigan and Diego Castillo, SANDWICH
Why does your band rock?
RAIMS: Because we destroy the evil forces and save the universe daily.
What big plans do you have for the rockfest?
RAIMS: We are bringing out big guns, big shoes, big guitars, big heads and a spaceship.
DIEGO: Well, hopefully we’ll get to play a bunch of new songs off our upcoming album which we just finished recording. It’s always an exciting thing to unveil new material to not only a huge audience, but a very diverse one too.
What band/s are you looking forward to seeing onstage and why?
DIEGO: I personally am excited to see all of the bands on the Rockfest bill. We’ve been very fortunate to be part of the First Five Tour for the past two years and I’ve personally loved watching the other four bands with us. But maybe I’m most excited to see The Youth and Yano. I used to watch The Youth all the time when I was starting out. They were one of those Dredd bands I followed as a kid. While Yano for me, put out some of the best local albums ever. Add to the fact that both bands haven’t played live in quite some time, makes them to the top of my list of bands I’m really looking forward to see.
What do you think of Tanduay Rhum’s effort to create an event like this?
RAIMS: It’s great that Tanduay brings together awesome bands for everyone to experience. It’s also a showcase of the best of filipino music.
DIEGO: I can’t say enough good things about how Tanduay has put together such a well-organized tour and show. Judging from my experience with the First Five Tour, every single detail will be planned out. To the stage-rigging, 1st rate equipment, and of course, security. They always make it a point that the kids get to enjoy the show safely, which to me and the band is very important in any event. It’s great to see an eclectic group of bands including a few like The Youth or Yano who haven’t really been playing live for quite some time. It’s cool that the younger kids get a a chance to see live. Especially since they’ve both influenced a lot of the younger bands on the Rockfest. So kudos to Tanduay for mounting the Rockfest.
What makes a great, epic rockfest?
RAIMS: Lazers!
TANYA MARKOVA
Why does your band rock?
Tanya rocks because OPM rocks! Tanya is proudly Philippine-made.
What big plans do you have for the rockfest?
This would be our first time to play in the Rockfest and we are looking forward in meeting all the performers!
What band/s are you looking forward to seeing onstage and why?
The Youth. We’ve grown with their music and we haven’t watched them for a long time
What do you think of Tanduay Rhum’s effort to create an event like this?
Rockfest is a gathering of all bands. This is a great opportunity for all the bands to revive OPM.
What makes a great, epic rockfest?
Watching an all-Filipino concert is an epic itself and just proves that in Filipino music, there is still hope for peace. Unity in Diversity.
HILERA
Why does your band rock?
Uhm...
What big plans do you have for the rockfest?
Turning the volume up to 11.
What band/s are you looking forward to seeing onstage and why?
The Youth, Color it Red, etc.
What do you think of Tanduay Rhum’s effort to create an event like this?
Thank you for supporting local bands!
What makes a great, epic rockfest?
THE CROWD!
Tutti Caringal, 6CYCLEMIND
Why does your band rock?
TUTTI: Because we drink Tanduay Rhum on the “Rock”
What big plans do you have for the rockfest?
Malalaman nyo kapag nanood kayo. Lezgo! Lezgo!
What band/s are you looking forward to seeing onstage and why?
TUTTI: RAZORBACK!
What do you think of Tanduay Rhum’s effort to create an event like this?
TUTTI: I think Tanduay has done a major major great job in promoting local talents with events such as this. We’ve been with Tanduay for almost four years and we’re so thankful that Tanduay has given super all out support to the local band scene. We’ve never seen and experienced this kind of support that’s why taos puso kaming nagpapasalamat sa Tanduay.
What makes a great, epic rockfest?
TUTTI: LOTS OF TANDUAY RHUM!!! Drink moderately.
THE DAWN
Why does your band rock?
Because after almost 25 years, we’re still rockin’.
What big plans do you have for the rockfest?
A lot of feel-good rock ‘n roll!
What band/s are you looking forward to seeing onstage and why?
All of them because they all rock!
What do you think of Tanduay Rhum’s effort to create an event like this?
They help keep OPM band music alive!
WOLFGANG
Why does your band rock?
MANUEL LEGARDA, Wolfgang guitar: Because we are still fueled by the same passion that made us get together all those years ago.
MON LEGASPI, Wolfgang bass: The chemistry we have playing together and, as Manuel said, the passion each of us has for this particular type of music.
FRANCIS AQUINO, Wolfgang drums: Because of the heavy music we play, it’s not called ‘rock’ for nothing.
What big plans do you have for the rockfest?
MANUEL LEGARDA : Just to do what we do best.
MON LEGASPI : Mainly to give a great show to the audience, specially to the people looking forward to seeing us play.
BASTI ARTADI : Just to go out and give it 100% just like at every show.
What band/s are you looking forward to seeing onstage and why?
MANUEL LEGARDA : I don’t go out much anymore so I’m not sure about what the new bands are doing now. Having said that, I’d like to check out the new bands and see what they’re doing in the scene.
MON LEGASPI : All of them, actually.
FRANCIS AQUINO : Razorback
What do you think of Tanduay Rhum’s effort to create an event like this?
MANUEL LEGARDA : Events like this are what the local music scene needs. It gives the bands and the fans a chance to get a sample of what’s going on in local music that they may have otherwise missed. I’ve been under the radar for some time now and this is a perfect opportunity for me to see what’s out there and to maybe turn some people on to our music at the same time.
MON LEGASPI : It’s great that Tanduay is doing this. The local music scene really needs a lot of support for it to endure. Hopefully, in the future, we can take our acts abroad to showcase the country’s talents just as the foreign acts coming over here.
FRANCIS AQUINO : I think this is a cool way to have drinks with your friends while listening to your favorite bands.
What makes a great, epic rockfest?
MON LEGASPI : Great bands, great sound, great audience.