Sponge Cola Blogger’s Night

Ted, Gosh, Yael and Armo of Sponge Cola

After the tremendous success of their Tambay EP which reached the very elusive Diamond Record status through Coca-Cola’s summer promo and only the second band to do so after the Eraserheads, vocalist Yael Yuzon, lead guitarist Erwin Armovit, bassist Gosh Dilay and new permanent drummer Tedmark Cruz collectively known as Sponge Cola releases its fourth length album entitled Araw Oras Tagpuan under Universal Records.

I admit that I wasn’t crazy about the band when I first heard their cover of Madonna’s Crazy For You. But when I heard more of their original material via their previous releases Palabas, Transit and Sponge Cola, my initial impression was shattered and it was replaced with amusement and fondness for the band instead.

Currently enjoying the success of their latest single and video Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay, Sponge Cola held a Blogger’s Night at the Universal Records office in cooperation with Pinoy Magazine, BANDS Magazine and official online partner Orange Magazine TV.

Even before the proceedings started, Yael joined the early bloggers as they had their dinner. And right then and there, he socialized in a funny, accommodating and enthusiastic manner without any airs. I thought to myself that this is one rocker who doesn’t beat classical music geeks like me  which is what I like to say whenever I become intimidated by rockers.

And his jovial nature continued on during the actual Q & A portion of the event wherein he was joined in by the rest of the band. The loquacious Yael continuously tapped his fingers while spouting crazy ideas like wanting the band to be known as “the Nicholas Sparks of OPM” and yet confusing which novels were actually his. And while he also yearned to experiment more with the band like collaborating with Lea Salonga and aiming for a Broadway showtune sound, he went further out of the box when he also suggested his desire to play while frying an egg on stage.

Of course, the band talked a lot about the album Araw Oras Tagpuan and although while it sounds trite, the band said that the album was inspired by life. With the exception of She Weeps, a song that Yael wrote when he was still a teenager, the rest of the tracks were written based on how they are doing right now, picking up what they’ve been seeing as they go on with their lives. And it seems that they’ve been having the time with their lives with fun tracks like Tambay, Ok Dito and Warning which is a throwback to the Manila Sound with its distinct vibrato which some kids may find very amusing. And I won’t be talking about the hidden track since it is best heard or else I spoil the element of surprise which I think I already did.

As an added treat for everybody present, the band performed a short set which included the songs Regal, Tambay, Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay and Jeepney preceded by some measures of Kapag Tumibok ang Puso. Yael noted that it’s been a while since they performed in such an intimate setup (two guitars and the occasional tambourine) that he didn’t require a microphone to amplify his voice. And true to his nature, he said that he felt that it was a relaxed atmosphere and that he felt like lounging to the point that he almost put one of his legs on the table.

Araw Oras Tagpuan

Tracks:

1. Tambay

2. Stargazer

3. Regal

4. Ok Dito

5. She Weeps

6. Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay

7. She Wants You To

8. Walang Wakas

9. New Steel

10. Warning:

11. Scenic View

12. Araw Oras Tagpuan