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Sunday, September 25, 2005
A taste of Sponge Cola
By Dennis E. Dungao
IT WAS a Sunday afternoon and needless to say, at least I get to claim that I was punctual this time. After going through all the labyrinth of SM City’s mega structure that leads to the backdoor parking lot, I met my subjects.
We all walked together going to the Entertainment Plaza, and it was during that short stint that we passed by the “open area” that I heard those loud giggling and wolf whistles. I patted myself for being “that popular” — until I woke from my illusions and realized Sponge Cola was with me.
I didn’t need to rush to avoid being mobbed, for I knew the throng wasn’t after me. But I did anyway, and proceeded with my work of having a little chit-chat with this phenomenal band backstage.
Sponge Cola’s members are Yael Yuzon (lead vocals and guitar), Chris Cantada (vocals and drums), “Armo” (guitar) and “Gosh” (bass). These four active and good-looking boys all studying at the Ateneo de Manila University — at the same time juggling around their school schedule and their thick gig list. Yael claims Pampanga as “home” for his grandparents hail from here, while the rest of the band find Pampanga as “very hospitable and friendly”.
In the last quarter of 2003, Sponge Cola came up with the ubiquitous orange self-titled “EP”, containing five original songs: “Lunes,” “A Tear,” “Saturn,” “Cigarette” and “Jeepney”. The two songs penned in the vernacular were what made the band catch the public’s ear.
“Lunes,” written by Gosh, begins with a catchy bossa nova-esque beat that suddenly shifts to a heavy rock riff, a nuance in arrangement, which surprisingly served the song splendidly. The second single “Jeepney” is a reminiscent piece on young love during simpler, happier times (when the world was not disconcerted by petty nuisance events such as typhoons, People Power, elections and coup d’ etats). These songs showcase Yael’s vocal range — even his uncanny ability to shift from mellow to scream was all too evident. But it was KLSP (Kulang Lang Sa Pansin) that has proven to be the cult favorite, displaying the band’s true image as the “sad-bastard-testosterone-based pop-rock group” for which it was accepted.
It was during their performance at the stage that I got to note that SM City was figuratively drowned in Sponge Cola. It was a delightful deluge of sorts. Yael’s melodic prowess, accompanied by Armo’s eccentric and pedal-happy guitar playing, and Gosh’s hypnotized bass lines and Chris’ intense drum rhythms gave life even to the most extraordinary remake of Madonna’s old hit “I’m Crazy for You”.
The hyped crowd is composed mostly of hysterical young girls and boys full of energy. When “Gemini” played, it literally brought the house down. “Gemini” is No. 1 in almost all hit countdowns in the country today. Yael has claimed earlier that this song is a little bit thematic, for it was supposed to be a happy song used in a very sad plot (The Metropolitan Theater Guild used it as theme song of their production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet). “Gemini” is a masterpiece about sensuality too, so he says.
Since their beginning in 2002, Sponge Cola has played in numerous school fairs, proms, music festivals such as Alliance Francaise’s Fete de la Musique, concerts, television, and even the opening for this year’s MTV Pilipinas awards night, establishing them as one of the modish bands of this generation. They have not only garnered the awe of fans but also the respect and recognition of critics and contemporaries. Already acclaimed as “The Next Big Thing in the band scene”, Sponge Cola is something to keep an eye on — and an ear out for — in the years to come. They will continue to make music as inspiration dictates. They will never come up with any album just for the heck of it. They are young, still finding their range and has plenty of time.
Sponge Cola’s debut album, “Palabas”, was released on Oct. 18, 2004 and is distributed by Sony Music Philippines. Tracks to watch out for are “Stone’s Throw,” written by rock veteran Ely Buendia, and “Jillian,” which is a heartfelt ballad written and earnestly rendered by drummer Chris about loving someone from afar.
As for SM City Pampanga, it will continue to bring in fresh and real talents to satisfy the Kapampangan’s zest for good music.
(Mail the author supremo_babaylan@yahoo.com.)
(September 25, 2005 issue)
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