TORCH!

Band: TORCH!
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Name/Instrument/Role
-IPE RODRIGUEZ /BASS/
-JON ARAMBULO /GUITAR/
-JOEY LEE /SKINS/
-DIAN TRAMPE /VOX/

Q: What's the name of your band and the story behind the name?
IPE: parang youth on fire yung tema nung name ng "torch"
JOEY: Passion/Love for the music we play, and for God who gave us the gift of music.
DIAN: I like the idea that TORCH is both a noun and a verb...source of warmth and light...but could also burn the hell outta u...if contained and sealed, it will die..so far, I think, these are the concepts that we'd like to incorporate in our songs... And yeah...Wife pala ni Kuya Jon ang nakaisip ng TORCH...we all just agreed....besides, fire has always been my favorite element.
JON: a Torch symbolizes light in the middle of darkness. it serves as a guide to the path of enlightenment. this band was formed primarily to use music as a avenue to charter the lost and the weak through the dark valleys experienced in our youth. We are making music to serve as mirrors to help us realize what struggles we go through and help those who are able to listen find themselves in the stories encrypted in our noise.

Q: What genre of music do you consider your music to be? Who are your major influences in making music?
JOEY: Unifying influences are Blues,Classic Rock,Funk, POT, Razorback, Wolfgang, and GOD.
IPE: rock and roll, ACDC, etc
DIAN: Our genre is...nothing extraordinary...just simple rock...influenced by any band that I was listening to before we jammed.........and of course GOD.

Q: When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?
JON: GOD
JOEY: Jon posted "wanted band members" mid 2008 in Philmusic.com, many replied but the three were chosen to fill the Spiritually motivated project.
DIAN: JUNE 5TH YEAR 2008. Together?...we (TORCH members) were total strangers...we individually got inspired on our own..as for me...i just knew that I MUST do something related to words and notes. And of course.......GOD.

Q: What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Why?
IPE: mga venue na sira ang monitor
DIAN: anywhere...coz at the end of the gig kahit pa ganong kabulok or kaganda ung venue...basta buo kami..ok na..(MUSHY!)
JOEY: We love playing anywhere, as long as the audience can hear our music.

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?
JOEY: I hope more and more bands develop respect, open mindedness, and camaraderie for each other.
DIAN: I think the scene today is more diverse. Ang daming bagong genre and sub-genres..and the best part is, you could actually combine all these bands under one roof without riot...(or maybe it also depends on the event...)
About the “groups”..Let them be. Maybe they're just shy or maybe too full of themselves...but whatever their reasons are...well..what a waste! Walls are constraints.

Q: What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?
JON & JOEY: day to day experiences and struggles.
DIAN: about dreams...passion..frustrations..angst..doubts..disappointments...hope...faith...and yes..I think it will change...

Q: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music?
JON & JOEY: it became more natural.
DIAN: More natural...but a bit structured. Before...we had 2 verses, then chorus..then 1 line..then adlib...then chorus...then free jam..then chorus...& we don't usually know how to end a song......but now..we TRY to have a song structure. The structure is a “bookmark” of where we left off on our previous natural jam.

Q: What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
JON: time.
JOEY: time time time.
DIAN: SCHEDULE! I think it's every band's challenge.....How to overcome it? Just take one gig at a time.....have a clear communication with bandmates and prods..when u commit to a gig, be there..

Q: Colt 45 or Red Horse?
IPE: red horse for the win
JON: none. - San Miguel Beer or Super dry only.
JOEY: Haven't drank colt for a long time.
DIAN: ...............too tough for me to answer.....but I guess RH has ALWAYS been around...so....

Q: What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?
JOEY: Stay true to your music/expression, try your best to be creative w/o sacrificing being natural, practice your craft, and be open to constructive criticisms.
DIAN: it's a teamwork...if u wanna outshine others...then you're doomed...go solo instead....

Q: Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge for supporting your band?
JON: our perseverance.
JOEY: Our friends in Indiemand.
DIAN: God (S/He has always been around), then Calyn of RAHAB (coz she gave me balls when I was about to chicken out finding bandmates...), family and of course.....do I have to say it???...INDIEMAND!..and all the prods out there who religiously support pinoy music scene...they're definitely heroes of our time...If I gave u a bottle of beer...that means, “thank you!”

Q: Last thoughts?
JOEY: Pinoy Rock rules.
JON: keep rocking!

Interview by: Axel Vito Cruz