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Thursday, September 01, 2005
Where’s the crash?
Troy Ciar finds out why the new party favorite is not really a new kid on the block.
Meet one of Cebu’s premiere party bands that has always been the crowd’s favorite in the party circuit.
A no-nonsense, seven-piece band that has the talent to transform any social event into a party extravaganza, 17 Crash has already played for countless events, from private to public, including a big concert recently for a town fiesta in Ilijan, Tabogon.
They’re also known for their versatility- playing anything from classic, Motown, oldies and retro to rock and roll, standards, swing, eighties dance, plus all the infectious beats to date.
“Lately, we’ve been doing a lot of cover versions of reggaeton, the likes of Gasolina (Daddy Yankee), My Boo (Usher featuring Alicia Keys) and I Like That (Chingy). This kind of tempo is the latest craze among party people,” says bassist Harlow Ivan Rivera.
“We usually rehearse new songs because the music nowadays is different. They just come and go. Unlike the classic ones that get better with age,” added Ruel Temporada, who plays the keyboards.
Both Harlow and Ruel, however, are no strangers in this business, being two of the pioneering members of 17 Crash who helped bring what was Jerby’s Resto Bar along Fuente Osmena to fame in the late ‘90s. Harlow’s brother, vocalist Wilhelm Irvin, is also an original member who used to play drums before for the same group.
“We disbanded in 2002 because some of the members got married, some have gone abroad, while others simply had their own priorities. But since performing is already in our system, the three of us met and decided to regroup last year,” Ruel continued.
Incidentally, vocalists Junarine Olnano and Dennis Canata and drummer Jerry Valle were having a vacation at that time after a series of successful shows in Malaysia.
“Since we used to play back-to-back before with 17 Crash, and knowing how good they really are as musicians, we didn’t hesitate at all when Harlow asked for reinforcements,” says Canata, who was able to buy a new house and lot in Minglanilla for his family out of his earnings abroad.
The group is also beefed-up with the presence of guitarist Renen Salmero, who also just came from a colorful stint in Korea.
But why 17 Crash?
“Actually, it used to be 17 Crush with a letter U. And 17, because most of us started playing at the age of 17 and that’s when we got our first crush. But when we took Junarine, Dennis and Jerry last year, we changed it to 17 Crash with an A which signifies two bands colliding into one,” explained Harlow, who also stands the group’s bandleader.
Amid the guffaws and banters of their peers, Jerry and Junarine eventually confirmed the buzz that they’re sweethearts in real life, although both assured everyone that this won’t affect their work and their performances on stage.
(September 1, 2005 issue)
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