Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Hail to Hale
LIKE a snowball effect that grew into a musical avalanche that swept radio listeners off their feet, HALE becomes that snowball.
Their impact is felt everywhere you hear their first single "Brolen Sonnet"--the song that has sent young hearts pumping into overdrive--and Hale now comes with their ever self-titled album.
July 2004, when this four-piece rock outfit collected themselves at the core of one goal to reach out the listening crowd and make them understand the value of the band's musical sincerity. And sincerity is where hale excels.
Hale, the band that promises to highlight their musical versatility and excellent vocalism in alternative rock genre and yet emanates a very sad undertone that they describe as "melo-drama" (melodious drama).
The band showed up at SM City here in Cagayan de Oro for album signings and a limited performance to the delight of the local audience.
All from the southern part of the metro (Las Piñas, Alabang ad Parañaque), Hale is composed of Champ Lui-Pio's (lead vocals and guitars) heart-on-sleeve vocals and the group's songwriting exude feelings and melody, much to the delight of the melancholic youth in search of a like-minded voice. Roll Martinez (guitars and vocals) with his lyrical powers, believes that there's so much to spell in words through songs where exudes a very ironic yet compelling poetic piece, "Broken Sonnet"--the band's first single with EMI Music.
In synch with Sheldon Gellada's expertise on bass, he also contributed heartfelt and experience-based songs infectious to his personal musical influences who excels in their instrumental virtuosity to grandiose electronic rock.
And with then-sessionist Omnie Saroca on drums, an artist whose music used to steep in cool mainstream reggae now switched to melodic rock.
The band signed in November 2004 with EMI Philippines and at the first quarter of 2005, their first single "broken sonnet" was launched in EMI's Full Volume, a collection of Pinoy rock music--where the pioneers meet protégé...Hale graced the album with local rock titans like Bamboo, Sugarfree, Urbandab, Stonefree etc. And for the record, "Broken Sonnet" now massively dominating the local charts and wowed a crowd largely comprising college kids even before the release of their first album. Their self-titled album under EMI Music Philippines is set to see how this young acts help precipitate a musical revolution.
"Hale tries to be the not-your-typical "drama core band," says Omnie Saroca as they have created lyrical content of songs that are sincerely insightful, sad, angry and earnest; producing music with heart and that and that explores the full range of human emotions. To name some songs that will surely redraw the borders of the band's genre are: Broken Sonnet, The Day You said Goodnight, Kahit Pa, Blue Sky, Kung Wala Ka, Runaway, Bent Down, Here Tonight, Take No, Wishing, Life Support, Underneath the Waves.
Their musical influences include a diverse eclectic group of musicians ranging from Sean Malone, Gordian Knot, 311, Dirk Lance, Jaco Pastorius, Dream Theater, Victor Wooten, Aston Barret, John Mayer, Dave Matthews, Kurt Cobain, Muse, Dave Grohl, Soundgarden, James Iha, Damien Rice, Switchfoot, Nina Gordon, Shades Apart, Feeder, Travis, Nine Days, Chris Carraba and The Corrs.
With his youth-driven and fickle-minded industry, it's not easy to run the gamut of clever music. But with Hale, they have just discovered the simple beauty of an infectious melody and a few honest words. And sincerity is where Hale excels.
Up and coming bands break into rock music business in many different ways. Find out how Hale conquered a twist of fate. Buy their self-titled album now available at your leading record bars and supermalls. Released by EMI Music Philippines.
(August 2, 2005 issue)
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