PAINSCALE

Band: PainScale
www.facebook.com/painscale

 

Vocals: Gil Ryan Alcantara
Guitar 1: Eymard Guerrero
Guitar 2: Jim Roy Villanueva
Guitar 3: Cyrus Cruz
Bass: Victor Inocentes
Drums: Klienne Ecos

Q: What genre of music do you consider your music to be? Who are your major influences in making music?
A: Most supporters would say Metalcore. Well we really can't deny that most of our songs has elements from Metalcore like breakdowns and melodic riffs but recently at the start of the year, we did try to incorporate some stuff from other genres of metal, but the main influence is still metalcore. You could say that we are starting to experiment a bit with our sound this year. Just watch out for the new songs!

About influences, we really are a mixed bunch. We have different preferences in metal and I guess it’s just about gathering everyone’s ideas and blending it into our own music.

Q: When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together? 
A: We were formed in 2008 when Gil and Eymard were the only ones left in their previous band Grave Marks The Hero. Grave Marks went on hiatus for 2 months wherein the two remaining members played with the thought of renaming the group. Klienne Eco stepped in the band in December 2008 to replace the former drummer and thus marked our first jam as a band carrying the name PainScale. After a few more weeks, 2 more members left and were replaced by Jim Villanueva and Victor Inocentes on guitar and bass duties respectively. The core line up was completed on February 2009. Sometime in 2010, the theory laden playing of Cyrus Cruz became part of the lineup.

In beginning it was really pure passion for the genre that inspired us to make music together, now the people who support us is a big inspiration for us to become better and to be always in our best form whenever we can.

Q: What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Why? 
A: Our most favourite venues would be Sazi’s Bar, Obsidian Bar and Guerilla Radio Bar. The people at Sazi’s are just so supportive of the band who is playing up in front. We also experienced people moshing to us at Obsidian Bar so it would always be memorable for us. Sadly, Guerilla Radio Bar is now closed but we always liked that bar because of the good sound we get whenever we play in that bar.

Least favourite, so far none… ;)

Q: What’s your take on the scene today? Your thoughts on bands walling themselves up in their “groups” with zero to minimal interaction with others?A: In our opinion, the scene is back with a vengeance. The people are always there at every bar gig, they support and enjoy or even mosh themselves to death. The scene is getting healthier and that makes us very happy.

On the bands walling themselves up, we think it’s unhealthy or even destructive for a band to be walled up having almost no interaction with others. But hey, to each their own, if they get their inspiration from their isolation from others then we are happy for them.

Q: What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time? 
A: Ever since Eymard and Gil thought of the name PainScale, Gil was only writing pieces about the pain that we experience in this life. The songs are kind of dark but there’s always a dash of “light” or “hope” to it. We like to give the listeners something to relate to and at the same time give them something to pull their spirits up. It's about everything so for now, there's really nothing to change.

Q: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music?A: We can say that it has evolved a bit. The song structure has changed and the style has also changed. It still is a learning process for us and I guess we learned from our frustrations in the older songs that we wrote.

Q: What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how? 
A: Well, we do fight verbally. Some members are really tactless lol. The worst fight led to one member to quit, but eventually all was good and thankfully, he came back to us. We are happy to say that we enjoy a stronger bond with everyone ever since that incident and we are proud to have come out of that in one piece. As with every band, there is the ever present challenge of conflicting schedules. Three members were students and the rest are working, I guess we are able to work it out even with that kind of setup.

Q: Colt 45 or Red Horse?

A: Red Horse. Ito ang Tama!

Q: What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?
 A: Well, as with everything, passion and dedication is always a must. It is what will fuel you to practice and work hard on your craft. You have to endure endless practice sessions, long commutes just to play gigs and sometimes you even have to pay just to play at gigs. In the end it just comes down to how passionate and dedicated you are to your music.

On a more practical note, try to invest in good instruments. You can never go wrong investing in one.

Q: Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge for supporting your band?
 A: First of all, we want to thank God. Thanks to our parents, families, special someones and friends for their warm support. Also, Thanks to all the artists who have been inspiring us to become like them and as well as our brother bands here in Indiemand and to our fellow musicians scattered everywhere. Thanks also to our supporters on facebook. Thanks to the moshpitmen who keep on giving us energy during our gigs, also to all the people who have been coming to our gigs from the beginning. Thank you also Indiemand, for giving us this opportunity to be featured on your magazine. More power and God Bless!

Q: Last thoughts?
A: We hope we'd really make it to this year's Pulp Summer Slam. Pray with us people! Again, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Love and Respect! Ciao!

 Painscale interview by Axel Vito Cruz

MARYZARK

MARYZARK -  On to the 11th year!!!

And it’s been THAT long.

Months away from their 11th year anniversary, Maryzark is still alive and kicking. They released their five-tracked EP (Return to Sender) at Café Saguijo October of last year and has garnered respectable reviews from their peers in the industry and, more importantly, their loyal following.  The band, four years removed from visibility in the scene, is making a strong comeback with their single “Andromeda”, currently maintaining its spot on UR 105.9’s Pinoy Countdown.
So what happened to the Maryzark? Personally, I’d say “Life” happened—as is what will happen to everyone else. There were many speculations that came out regarding the band’s status after laying low for a few years—the silliest being that the band disbanded, but I’m telling you that if they have any plans of calling it quits soon, they would at least leave with a bang, that I promise you.
The band is currently busy creating new songs for their upcoming album to be released this year, and has making rounds in the scene playing for different productions. They are also one of the main core bands of INDIEMANDEVENTS.com.

To contact Maryzark, you could coordinate with their manager, Pongie, at: 09162197157.
Add their Facebook page also at: www.facebook.com/Maryzarkmusic.
And since I’m writing this while listening to Maryzark’s FIRST EVER EP (recorded 9 years ago!),
I’m feeling charitable today so I’m letting you download it FOR FREE only here at Indiemandevents.com!

SLHIT

Band: SLhit
Link: www.facebook.com/slhit
 
Instrument/Role: 

Flhip Tabal - Vocals
Joseph Leano - Guitar
Rowe Macalinao - Bass
Jeffrey Sabado - Drums 





Q: What's the name of your band and the story behind the name?
A: SLhit is the name of our band. The story with the band name was that when we were starting out, our first practice was in a studio around Project 6. We called up the studio and asked if we could reserve some studio time for practice. We reserved it under the name "Flhip" which is the name of our vocalist. When we got to the studio, it turns out they wrote "Slhit" insted of Flhip. We thought it sounded pretty cool so we pretty much went along with it. haha


Q: What genre of music do you consider your music to be? Who are your major influences in making music?
A: Some people refer to us as "BOXER METAL" due to the style of our performances but we pretty much play Hardcore / Metal. We dont really know how we would categorize our sound into a sub-genre but we just know that what we play is heavy. For us, making music is mostly random. I guess we also write about how we feel during the day. But yes, mostly random.


Q: When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?
A: We formed the band around February 2010. We really just got together because we felt that we had some sort of bond and we all had a common goal of making music for other people to enjoy.


Q: What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Why?
A: Hahahaha well, I guess for me (seph), I would say I have a draw for my favorite. It comes between Sazis Bar and Obsidian Bar. Sazis is really where I got into the Manila Underground Music Scene. On the other hand, Obsidian Bar is where SLhit started off playing and where we had most of our gigs. So I would pretty much say it's a draw. As for least favorite, id rather not say (dont wanna burn any bridges haha)


Q: What’s your take on the scene today? Your thoughts on bands walling themselves up in their “groups” with zero to minimal interaction with others?
A: We would say that the scene is pretty much the same as how it was wen we started getting into it. Other bands should really go out and interact with other musicians. I would say that music is something that you share with others. And ofcourse, it wouldn't hurt making more friends.

Q: What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?
A: Mostly our songs would be pretty dark. We write about what our outlook on current event really are weather it be about politics, religion, or whatever comes to mind.

Q: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music?
A: We wouldn't really say that our music "evolved" at all for now since we have only been together for around a year so far. But for us individually, I guess we could say that we have all really evolved as musicians / songwriters over the time we have been playing.

Q: What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
A: Biggest challenge? Well, we never really had one of those. We are more of the kind of band that just goes with the flow of things. We really just enjoy what we do and have fun with what we have so even if we had some kind of challenge, we wouldn't really notice it.

Q: Colt 45 or Red Horse?
A: RED motha fu*kn' HORSE!

Q: What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?
A: Best advice we could give them is just enjoy what you do. Be sure to know your bandmates well and treat eachother with respect, like a brother or sister. Also, dont be afraid to say what you want. Your music should be an expression of your own self so there shouldn't be anyone out there to try to shut you up.

Q: Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge for supporting your band?
A: we would like to thank our families (Leano family, Tabal Family, Sabado Family, and Macalinao Family) because they are really supportive of what we do. Also to our girlfriends for their support and love. We would also like to thank everyone that has supported us ever since we were starting out. Sir Ridz and everyone from Rakista.com (including staff, clans, and all the moshers!). We would also like to personally thank Karl Vito cruz, Axel Vito Cruz, and the ENTIRE INDIEMAND FAMILY for accepting us and having faith in us. You guys ROCK! Thank you to ALL the PRODUCTIONS we have played in for letting us play in your events and appreciating our music. We would also like to thank ALL OUR BROTHER BANDS out there and all the people who actually go out to watch us play and to show support for us! (you know who you are)

Q: Last thoughts?
A: Dont do drugs (unless completely necessary) hahaha OH and please continue to support SLhit and the rest of the Indiemand Family in future events. ROCK ON! 

Interview by Axel Vito Cruz