Fuseboxx

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Fuseboxx
Background information
Origin Philippines
Genre(s) Progressive rock
Progressive metal
Years active 2001 - present
Label(s) Ballyhoo Records (Philippines)
Website www.fuseboxx.com
Members
Abby Clutario
Albert Montinola
Eric Tubon
Jessy Trinidad
Lester Banzuelo
Former members
Paolo Cabalquinto
Robert Lachica
Rodney Vidañez
Herson Fremista

Fuseboxx is a 5-piece OPM progressive rock/metal band (composed of 1 female member and 4 male members) based in Metro Manila, Philippines. They easily caught the attention of the whole country with their technical proficiency with their instruments and the capability to meld and incorporate different musical elements from a vast array of genres (such as classical, fusion, alternative etc.) into their progressive rock style of music. Although they were the grand champion of the 2003 Red Horse Muziklaban, they're still considered underground and under rated; this is due to the relatively low acceptance of the technicality and musicality of progressive rock and metal among the Filipino masses.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Early Days

Fuseboxx started in 2001 by synth/keyboardist Eric Tubon, guitarist Paolo Cabalquinto and drummer Herson Fremista as a three piece experimental band, after few months they decided to complete the line up adding Rodney Vidañez on bass and Abby Clutario on vocals/keyboards (prior to Clutario, Fuseboxx tried MJ Dacosta on vocals, but that arrangement lasted for only 2 weeks). Realizing that they could play for a living, they tried doing alternative and new wave covers. They also tried auditioning in bars, but most felt they were too heavy for their crowd. After several twists and turns which included Cabalquinto leaving to pursue a career in Nursing, the band decided to stop doing covers and started creating original music. Cabalquinto was soon replaced by Robert Lachica (now guitarist of Neruda). Lachica then left and was replaced by current guitarist Albert Montinola. The band continued developing their skills and adopted a progressive rock style, honing their edge on their own originals. It was with this line-up that the band release an EP entitled Listen released 2003 which was circulated among the Filipino "underground" indie rock community. After further lineup changes, the band eventually settled on their current lineup with bassist Jessy Trinidad, drummer Lester Banzuelo, guitarist Albert Montinola and vocals/keys Abby Clutario joining Tubon (by then, the only remaining founder).

[edit] Muziklaban success

Prior to joining the 2003 Red Horse Beer Muziklaban, Fuseboxx were a little known progressive rock band with a small following. At the time of joining, the band was almost on the verge of breakup due to the band members busy schedules with their day jobs. Joining and eventually winning the contest (where they were unanimously voted by the judges as the winner) brought in a sudden surge of exposure for the band helping them breakthrough to the mainstream. The win itself was an emotional moment for the band with former guitarist Paolo Cabalquinto (their PA at that time) breaking out into tears when they won. However, despite public demand for them to release an album as soon as possible, the band took their time to work on the album, releasing it almost two years after they had won under a distibution contract with Universal Records Philippines.

[edit] Fuseboxx

Fuseboxx released their self titled debut album under Universal Records after an almost two year wait. The album is notable for the bands four part opus, Outlet, an over 25 minute long progressive epic spanning four songs: Outlet I, Outlet II, Outlet III Requiem, Outlet IV (with an Interlude in between Outlet III and IV). Also included were radio edits for Outlet II and Outlet III that received airplay over the famous Filipino rock radio station NU 107. Other notable songs from the album include Ulanarao, a song in Filipino (the title itself is a portmanteau of the words ulan and araw - the Filipino words for "rain" and "sun" respectively) that proved quite popular with the fans and was also played on NU107; Switch, an instrumental piece featuring recorded conversation samples (often unintelligible), locomotive celerity and choir girl voices and Breathe, which features middle eastern, staccato motifs that showcase Clutario and Tubon's keyboards and Montinola's guitars in blazing conjunction.

[edit] Second Album

Fuseboxx are currently hard at work on their second studio album under Ballyhoo Records, with their current line-up this will sure be a heavier sounding album. In their recent performances, they have been playing a new song entitled Pagbalik, which is most likely the first single from the new album.

[edit] Musical Style & Influences

Fuseboxx' members draw from a myriad of influences, from traditional new wave, progressive rock, to fusion, to piano rock. Their songs feature heavy keyboard work and portions of some of their songs are clearly influenced by synth/piano driven acts. Meanwhile, Abby's melodic vocal style shows influences of female new age/alternative singers such as Sarah Mclachlan, Alanis Morisette and Tori Amos. These, combined with Eric's Crystal clear new wave influence synth sound and Albert Montinola's guitar work (influenced by guitarists like John Petrucci and Neil Zaza), gives Fuseboxx a distinct sound that can be both soothing and heavy at the same time giving them their own identity as both a progressive rock and Filipino band.

[edit] Members

[edit] Discography

[edit] EPs

  • Listen (2003)

[edit] Albums

  • Fuseboxx (2005)
  • as of yet untitled 2nd album (2007)

[edit] Singles

  • Outlet II
  • Outlet III
  • Ulanarao

[edit] Equipment

Fuseboxx uses a wide range of equipment for their performances. Lead singer and keyboardist Abby Clutario uses a Kurzweil K2000 synthesizer keyboard when performing on stage. Guitarist Albert Montinola uses an Ibanez RG320 ltd., in the studio, he also uses an ESP traditional and an RJ 7-string ACM Custom, these are connected Peavy Bandit 112 Guitar Amp. Both use Cakewalk Sonar software in recording.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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