(Razorback XXV series Part 2, click here for Part 1)
By Aleck Pulido
OCTOBER 31, 2015. Every Halloween, Pinoy rockdom celebrates the “appointed” anniversary date of seminal Pinoy rock band RAZORBACK (like a majority of bands, no one can point out formal beginnings – all just fell into place one day). But this year is extra special – the Boars mark their Silver Anniversary. Concert cum parties for Razorback XXV are done and well-acclaimed in the 3 big islands – MINDANAO (Limketkai CDO, Oct 3), LUZON (Quantum Space Makati, Oct 17) and just recently, VISAYAS (Cafer Racer, Cebu, Oct. 24).
The Razorback history book is still adding chapters. But whenever I meet the “old school” fans, I always love to hear about the 90’s.
“I would like them to be remembered as the early, exciting good time years. That is how I remember them, anyway,” said Miguel “Migs” Ortigas, founding member and former drummer.
“Migs Ortigas and I were very unhappy with the state of Pinoy rock at the time and we decided to form a band to change this,” Tirso Ripoll, founding member and the only remaining member of the first nucleus, mused.
Former guitarist David Aguirre was only 10 years old when his step brother Migs and his brother’s friend Tirso started jamming in 1990. David, who happened to be taking Classical guitar lessons from legendary guitar mentor Benj Zialcita that time, started tagging along with them. With them is their first vocalist, Isabel Lozano (note: wait for my next article featuring her years with Razorback- author) and first bassist, Tirso’s brother, Junus Ripoll (Louie Talan came in not long after). The rest is history.
“The early years were the most exciting time any kid could hope for. There was no other agenda on the table except to keep making the best rock n’ roll we could. Fame, wealth, and what-have-you were the furthest ideas from our collective minds. Everything happened naturally and organically, and I’m so so grateful to have been involved in “laying down the groundwork” for what has become a powerhouse institution-one of the country’s most important rock bands.
There WAS a lot of blood sweat and tears (literally) but what couldn’t kill us only made us stronger. When you have 5 energized humans putting all of their hearts and souls into the same goal and vision, there’s just NO WAY it can fail. That sort of energy is just unstoppable.”
1991 LSGH REUNION
(credit: Miguel Ortigas You Tube page)
“We played “Born to be wild”, Mari reminisced. “Honestly never thought I’d be a vocalist back then. I always wanted to try drumming or the guitars but unfortunately they (the instruments) didn’t like me.”
“My time with the band was very brief. It was a time when the band was discovering its sound. We played covers of the many rock icons which I believe influenced the Razorback sound today,” recalled Mari.
“However brief my time with the band was, I have absolutely no regrets and I have Miguel, Tirso, Louie and David to thank for those awesome times. Once a Boar always a Boar!”
“I was a typical “preppy” guy that listens to jazz and pop. Then, I saw them at the De la Salle University Taft’s William Shaw Theatre. That day, everybody was rushing kasi may tugtog daw. I also rushed and was able to stand near the stage. Saw muna Karl Roy with Advent Call, reminded me of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Color It Red, knowing Cooky Chua was from school, too.
Then the Boars went to set up. All were wearing a black shirt with “RAZORBACK” on the chest. Mestizos with goaties and long hair. Kinilabutan ako when they played Juan de la Cruz songs. Sabi nila, mga mukhang Jesukristo na nagtatagalog! After the set, it made me daydream til I went home. Changed my clothes from preppy clothes to jeans, black shirts, tie dyes, chucks and boots; listened to classic rock and all.”
Then came their first regular gig – Saturdays at the fabled Kalye Bar. Initially, their audience were composed of friends, schoolmates and family. But eventually, word of mouth brought other fans. My age group admitted they were brought by their Titos (kudos!) and their “music re-education” began.
Long-time fan Max Mahinay acknowledged that, “Kalye is where I found deeper appreciation for Pinoy Rock, hearing “Laki sa Layaw”, “Beep Beep”, “Kagatan”, “Pagbabalik ng Kuwago”, “Project”, “Nadapa sa Arina”, “Palengke” and lots more. Hearing these songs live blew me away. At first I didn’t even believe my friend when he told me those songs were’nt Razorback originals, not until he lent me a cassette of Juan De La Cruz “Live” album and I heard the original versions for the first time.”
Max continues, “During the time when most teens were heavily into grunge or punk, Razorback and Kalye somehow steered me away from all that and literally made me look up bands like Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Jimi Hendrix, Foghat, Lenny Kravitz, AC/DC, Burning Tree, The Cult (Mari also recalled singing classics from the Rolling Stones, Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit and his favourite: Metallica’s
“Enter Sandman” – author). Kalye was where I heard these band’s songs live through Razorback and it’s what kept me coming back.”
“Each and every one of those KALYE bar gigs in the beginning were nothing short of EPIC!!! That’s where we got our feet wet (among other things), cut our teeth, and learned what and what not to do onstage,” David recollects.
“The Kalye days….most memorable times with the band. After watching Coco Jam and doing some front acts, Razorback had its own Saturday night at Kalye. We had the place packed each and every time. The booze flowed and the funny smokes burned as we rocked 3 SETS into the early morning. Each and every time I went home with my voice gone! “ reminisced Mari.
Always had my ginger juice (salabat) to try and keep whatever voice I had left. I will never forget one Saturday I had absolutely No Voice and we had no choice but continue the gig. The crowd knew each and every song so the gig went on with guest vocalists and the crowd singing along….nothing but really great times at Kalye.”
During Mari’s time, they made an attempt to write and record. “I was never a song writer so the guys had to get together to put some lyrics and music. The song was called ‘Victims of Circumstance’ and I remember going to the studio of Stephen Lu in BF Homes to record it. The song never made the cut. There were no more attempts to make another original song until Kevin came in.” Mari revealed.
Aside from the Kalye, the Boars appeared on TV shows Music Bureau and RSVP. (Video credits: Miguel Ortigas You Tube Page)
BURNING TREE RSVP
They open-heartedly agreed to play for gigs for a cause (and they still do today). But those days were also the days where they were still seeking respect from the Pinoy rock community as they were a complete departure from the typical “Pinoy rock band” prototype. They proved them wrong… always. That’s why they are still rockin’ after 25 years!
“There is one gig that comes to mind. It was a free concert organized against the Nuclear Power Plant in Bataan. The venue was at the Quezon memorial circle and the crowd was roudy and loud. We came on after Francis M and I remember stepping on stage and the crowd was shouting all kinds of obscenities at this ‘Mestizo’ band. I turned back to MIguel it was decided to do Mike Hanopols ‘Jeproks’…the crowd went crazy in the mosh pit. I guess they didn’t think this ‘Azkal’ could sing Tagalog!”, enthused Mari.
Then Mari went separate ways with the band. Kevin Roy passed the frontman audition in 1992 ushered another Razorback age: The Hebigats Sounds period, which also started at Kalye Bar. We shall tackle that in the next chapter.
Though I didn’t get to witness these early years, I am blessed to have witnessed the Razorback reunion gigs in the new millennia. I was thrilled to be given a kind of “second chance”. When asked about the reunion jamming, these 3 agreed on one word… “FUN!” (video credit: Aleck Pulido’s You Tube page)
REUNION GIG 2009
“Absolutely awesome feeling. Brings back so many memories and just for that moment feels like just yesterday. Everything kicks-in and you just let the energy go. Enjoyed it each and every time,” enthused Mari.
“Every time I hop onstage with the Razor boyz, I feel like we’re just picking up from where we left off… without missing a single beat. It’s like coming home to your folks for the holidays… it’s comfortable insanity,” added David.
“Always the best jams. Those guys are so much fun to play with,” said Miguel
ONCE A BOAR, FOREVER A BOAR. And let me end this piece with the Razorback alumni’s best wishes for RAZORBACK on their Silver Anniversary
“Congratulations, guys! Whatta ride! I am so proud of you on reaching 25 years as a band. I still love the music! Keep it coming, please. Rock on, brothers!”
– Miguel Ortigas
“I can’t express enough how truly proud I am of them boyz. For a band to stick together for a quarter of a century through thick and thin, highs and lows, and in sickness and health, is no simple feat… not to mention keep on making awesome honest rock’n'roll. Razorback is a prime example of what separates the men from the boys. No artistic compromise was ever made… Everything done Razorback’s way, and the solid quality of the band’s loyal following is a testament to that. Thanks for continuing to inspire. Love you guys!”
– David Aguirre
“ROCK ON BOARS! \m/ You guys have influenced so many to pick-up and follow for 25 years….25 years is huge! The respect you have from so many people in the industry is immeasurable. The fans that have followed and continue to follow you guys just shows how much you have been a part of their lives. Continue the craft and ROCK ON! Congratulations on the Silver, on to the Gold! Cheers!”
– Jose Mari Cuervo
Videos: Miguel Ortigas (youtube)
Photos: Jose Mari Cuervo and Razorback official facebook page
Aleck Pulido is a practicing pharmacist by day and music geek and fangirl by night. She is part of the social entrepreneurial online shop Jeepneyrockstop whose goal is to support Pinoy artists by helping promote and sell official licensed merchandise and serve as a bridge between fans and their music heroes thru photos, videos and articles.
source: radiorepublic.ph
