apl.de.ap to fly Slapshock to US to record 6-song EP
By the third week of October, apl.de.ap is flying Slapshock to the US to record a 6-song EP for apl’s new Jeepney label.
“Slapshock is the first band to be signed to my label. I’m a big fan of their music. I’ve never heard anything like them coming from the Philippines,” apl exclusively told Yahoo OMG! during a recent Slapshock rehearsal.
“I think it’s possible to market them worldwide. I’d like to give them the chance to record in the US.”
Crack team
apl will sit as producer in the US recording sessions.
The band will be booked at the Paramount Studios in Hollywood whose former clients include Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin Aerosmith, and Bob Dylan as well as Fall Out Boy and Linkin Park.
Damien Lewis, who earned a Grammy nomination for Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” will be the studio engineer.
Collabs with big names in rock
In addition, there are planned collaborations to have Slapshock share vocals with some of the biggest names in American rock.
apl also promises to disturb the peace of his illustrious friends and haul them to the studio to jam with the boys.
While the opportunity holds tremendous promise, the rap-metal band’s vocalist Jamir Garcia knows there are adjustments to be made.
Band promises elements ‘fans haven’t heard before’
“We’ve been known in the local scene for our heaviness. The challenge this time is to record our sound at par or nearly at par with those of foreign releases,” Jamir said.
“We’re not exactly going full-on heavy metal on the new songs but we think we’d come out with the heaviest music of our career. We also intend to incorporate elements our fans haven’t heard before from us. That should be a welcome surprise,” he promised.
Jamir admits that while apl does not come from a hard rock background, it’s his connection with the global music industry that will spell the difference for his band.
apl’s mission: bring Pinoy musicians to world stage
“It’s Apl’s mission to take Pinoy musicians to the international stage,” bassist Lee Nadela argues.
“I think we have proven ourselves to local audiences. It’s high time for us to produce music that meets international standards even though the record will still be marketed first here Philippines and the rest of Asia before release in the US.”
Lead guitarist Lean Yansing agrees. “It’s really our big break. It’s the dream of every Pinoy band to make music of international quality. For us, it’s not for selfish reasons but to help uplift the standards for locally made music.”
Building the bond
It took some time for the bond to build up between Apl and the band.
They first got introduced when Slapshock opened for the Black Eyed Peas’ first Manila concert in 2011.
Subsequently, in his regular trips back to the Philippines, apl would chose Slapshock to be his back-up band in his solo performances.
Impediments to signing with apl
There was also the band’s contractual obligations with Polyeast which prevented a recording deal with apl. After a performance in their last US tour, apl told Jamir he’d sign up the band as soon as they’re freed from their current contract.
The opportunity came up in July this year during apl’s extended stay in the country as one of the judges of “The Voice of the Philippines.”
Now, Slapshock and apl have formally joined forces to take a stab at conquering the world with heavy Pinoy rock.
Balik banda
Slapshock have a another reason to feel like the biggest winners among the local loud pack.
After fulfilling personal obligations to his US-based family and completing a tour of duty with the US Navy, rhythm guitarist Jerry Basco is back in harness.
Lee Nadela says, “Of course, it’s always good when all five of us are onstage. It’s back to the early years when our sound was full and heavy like we envisioned it to be when we were just starting out.”
Expect the fivesome to bring back the roaring metal years when they return from their trip.
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