Advertisement

Is this a ChicoSci record or not?

Sure it is.

And fans (or foes) are advised not to read anything too deep into the title of the band’s sixth studio album, “This Is Not a ChicoSci Record.”

Vocalist Miggy Chavez argues, “We just like people to dispose of any preconceived notions about the band. If they like the songs, we want them to like them not because they’re fans of ChicoSci, or because their friends like the band. People should like or hate the album for what it’s worth as a simple collection of songs.”

A look to the future

ChicoSci has been an operating unit since 2002 and the songs on the new album, which comes three years after their last, remind of the old melodic sound of the band even as a few tracks look forward to the future.

ALSO READ: Kamikazee-Queso-Greyhoundz gig is the craziest

“This Is Not A ChicoSci Record” opens with a beat-driven instrumental and closes with a series of raps over a simple funky beat. Sandwiched in between are hook-laden rockers and a curious lounge number entitled “Alexandra.”

The sixth studio album by ChicoSci (Photo courtesy of MCA Music)
The sixth studio album by ChicoSci (Photo courtesy of MCA Music)

Guitarist Mong Alcaraz, the busiest member who is also Sandwich’s second guitar man, says most of the songs on the new album grew out of informal jams while they were just hanging around.

‘Same old, same old’

“We are inspired by little things we see or the remarks by a band member,” he says. “We are also motivated to write new songs when preparing for a gig. While rehearsing, Miggy would groan, ‘Same old, same old’ and it would trigger fresh ideas on how to present old songs in another light. New riffs or melodies would sometimes come out of the session.”

VIEW PHOTOS: 30,000 fans jam Muziklaban finals

Bassist Calde Calderon chimes in, “We also apply strict quality control. Right there and then, we decide whether an idea is worth pursuing or not. We’re quick to say, “No, pare, it’s panget talaga.”

Not a huge departure

Chavez points out that despite its title, the new album isn’t a huge departure from the ChicoSci of old.

He describes the band’s creative m. o. thus: “With every new album, we make it a point to become more concise in our songwriting process. We take out songs that we feel sound dated or those that try to be hip to the current fad.”

READ: Up close and personal with guitar god Jun Lopito

He adds, “It’s also our second album with second guitarist Ariel (Lumanlan) and drummer Macoy (Estacio) on the line up so the new album should reflect on how much we’ve gelled in writing materials and working together in the studio.”

Emo or glam rock?

The kind of melodic invention the band puts in songs like “Where The Light Shines Brightest” “Stealing Kisses” and “Sleep Away” bring up their brief association with emo even if to some degree, they hark back to late 80s glam rock.

Chavez says, “Ey, man, that’s how they came out. We can’t help it. Some people find it convenient to put a label on the music a band plays. To us, whatever gets you ticking, buddy."

YOU MIGHT LIKE: The girl at the rock show

Alcaraz adds, “We started playing circa 2002 and emo exploded sometime 2007. The label is actually retroactive. We’d be happy if that’s just their way of slotting our music in their extensive CD collection. We have no problem with that.”

‘Wilder’ audience in PH

A latest source of inspiration has been the warm reception to their performances in places they visited as part of the First Five National tour. ChicoSci once played in the rain-soaked grounds of an elementary school and the slippery grass and intermittent rains did not dampen the spirits of a rural crowd to happily mosh and sing-along with the band.

Alcaraz muses, “Our audiences are ‘wilder” than those in other countries like Malaysia. Here, once they hear the drums rolling, the kids start jumping all over the place. That’s partly because there’s a music scene here in the country almost every night. In other places, live gigs happen only once a month due to cultural limitations.”

The band has toured Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia. A highlight was their participation at the Baybeats Festival in Singapore in 2010.

As for the newish bands today, Alcaraz thinks Wilderness, Misc, and Arcadia are making music that’s a cut above the rest.

And for "old hands" like ChicoSci, another decade of making music appears set.