Razorback’s XXII Anniversary Party

Razorback performs at their XXII Anniversary Party

I’ve always liked to say that I am afraid of rock musicians who beat up classical music geeks like me. This has been what I’ve always used to express my apprehension in attending rock concerts and my discomfort being around rock musicians of any sort. But I am not getting any younger and I knew that there would come a time when I need to face this fear and try to overcome it.

Razorback at Radio Republic’s Live @ 2299

Basti Artadi interviews Razorback

Radio Republic, the online video streaming station (and one of the happiest places on earth) was instrumental in helping me overcome this fear. For one, it’s unavoidable since rock musicians also consider it as one of the happiest places on earth as well. Sandwich frontman Raimund Marasigan’s occasional visits to the station often cast a dark cloud of fear whenever I happen to be there as well. People say that he’s a nice guy (and I do believe them) but I just couldn’t help but feel this way whenever he’s around.

During Wednesdays, Radio Republic broadcasts a show called Rock Bato hosted by Wolfgang’s Basti Artadi. This program is devoted solely to rock music which explains why I’ve never been to the station on a Wednesday. But I gathered up my courage and uncharacteristically dropped by when the band Razorback was the featured guest. For almost a year now, the band’s manager Patrick Pulumbarit of Redbird Rockstar Mgt has been urging me to take the plunge and step into the rock world. And what better way to take that first step than through Radio Republic?

Unfortunately, Patrick had a health scare and wasn’t able to accompany Razorback when they appeared on Rock Bato. But it didn’t matter since I’ve had a great time listening to the very insightful interview conducted by Basti which really surprised me. I’ve had this notion that rock stars only talk about getting drunk and high. But Basti really delved into interesting territory like the band’s gig history and how they manage to send each other signals to give each other cues while performing full blast. And the band also performed a handful of songs as well.

Tirso Ripoll, Kevin Roy, RAd and Brian Velasco

After the show, I’ve had the privilege to hang out and share a few drinks with Basti and Razorback although only vocalist Kevin Roy, guitarist Tirso Ripoll and drummer Brian Velasco remained. Bassist Louie Talan and guitarist Manuel Legarda had to leave late into the program as they had to head to other gigs later that night.

Overall, it was a giant first step for me to be able to survive this experience. It was just too bad that Patrick wasn’t there to witness it. But I knew right from the start that this was just my way of preparing for something much bigger and more rocking experience that happened less than a couple of weeks later.

Razorback’s XXII Anniversary Party

Last year, Razorback released their album Three Minutes of Glory at the Music Museum that I unfortunately missed due to illness. That was supposed to be my initiation towards the rock world but I guess that it wasn’t meant to be at that time. Thankfully, the band has fallen into the routine of having a major gig sometime at the end of October to commemorate their anniversary. And for this year, their 22^nd as a band, they held their anniversary concert/party over at Googel Bar and Grill.

Remarkably, things fell into place with nary a hitch when it came to this event. First came the Rock Bato appearance at Radio Republic which I considered as a dry run for the Googel Bar and Grill anniversary concert which was truly the main event. For this one, I knew that I would be outside my comfort zone and in the midst of people who live, breath, eat, drink, and sleep rock music. And a very impressive crowd did turn out at the venue prompting the owners of Googel Bar to place more tables and chairs to accommodate the patrons who kept on arriving before the concert started.

Once the show started, I initially watched from a distance at the table specially reserved by Patrick for his guests and guests of the band. But around half an hour into the show, I had the urge to join the other revelers right in front of the stage. Once I got there, I somehow felt like an infiltrator who could be caught and be exposed at any moment by the long time fans of Razorback in there. And there I was, the newbie who don't know much about the band's discography among the hardcore fans who practically knew every line of each song that was played. Soon enough, I found myself nodding my head to the beat of the music and feeling elated with the bass thumping through my veins. One of the songs that really caught my attention that night was Ikot ng Mundo which was made possible through its very interesting drum line.

Louie Talan, RAd, Manuel Legarda and Brian Velasco

After the two hour long concert, I told the band that I’ve drunk a lot more back in Radio Republic but I felt more high during this night instead. After the concert, I found myself at the band’s dressing room/holding area and managed to drink way more than I did back in Radio Republic. For someone who has never been to a rock gig before, spending the time after the concert drinking with the band was really something. I admit that this didn’t turn me into a hardcore rock fan. Of course, I do listen to Razorback, especially their Three Minutes of Glory album. But for me to suddenly adapt a rock lifestyle is something that’s totally out of my character. It was still a mission accomplished for me since not only did I gain this memorable experience, I also learned to appreciate more this genre of music. And most important of all, I finally overcame my fear of rock musicians. So seeing me in another rock gig should no longer surprise people.

This experience won’t be possible without the generosity, understanding and patience of Patrick of Redbird Rockstar Mgt and also to the awesomeness of people of Radio Republic. I will always be grateful for all the opportunities you’ve given a classical music geek like me.

Three Minutes of Glory

Tracks

1. Daan-daang Dahilan

2. Ayon sa Kanya

3. Amused

4. Atin-atin Lang

5. Three Minutes of Glory

6. 29

7. Wonderful Life

8. Mea Culpa

9. Earthbound

10. You and Your Sins

11. Necromantic

12. Father’s Day