Razorback (band)
| Razorback | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Manila, Philippines |
| Genres | Heavy metal |
| Years active | 1990 – present |
| Labels |
Sony BMG Music Entertainment Epic Records Alpha Records |
| Associated acts |
Wolfgang Lokomotiv Kapatid P.O.T Pinikpikan |
| Members |
Kevin Roy Louie Talan Brian Velasco Tirso Ripoll Manuel Legarda |
| Past members |
Miguel Ortigas David Aguirre Jose Mari Cuervo |
Razorback is a Filipino hard rock band formed in 1990. Originally known for being regulars at the now-defunct Kalye, a club in Makati, the band has performed at full-scale concerts and opened for Silverchair, Rage Against the Machine and Metallica.
History
Razorback first began performing covers of legendary rockers such as Led Zeppelin and Juan De la Cruz Band, Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden. The group was put together by drummer Miguel Ortigas and guitarists Tirso Ripoll and David Aguirre. Members of Razorback and Wolfgang used to jam onstage billed as the Flaming Hemorrhoids.[1] Five years later, the band, original vocalist Jose Mari Cuervo was replaced by Kevin Roy on vocals, alongside Ripoll and Aguirre on guitars, Ortigas on drums and Louie Talan on bass, released their debut album entitled "Hebigat Sounds Volume One". (Hebigat is a portmanteau, created by fusing the words Hebi, a play on the English word heavy, and the Filipino word bigat, literally, heavy.) The album contained such tracks as "Giyang", "Tabi ng Bulkan (Beside the Volcano)" and "Pepe D' Hepe".
David Aguirre is now the lead guitarist for the Southern California-based band 3 Headed Dog. Manuel Legarda, also of Wolfgang, has taken over his guitar duties for Razorback.[2]
Beggar's Moon
Founding member Miguel Ortigas soon decided to leave the band in March 1996, prompting the band to take on Brian Velasco. In 1997, the band released their second album entitled "Beggar's Moon" under Epic Records. It produced hits like "Payaso (Clown)" and "Ikot Ng Mundo (Earth Revolution)", the latter garnering an NU 107 Rock Awards Song of The Year nomination that year. Ripoll won Best Guitarist of the Year; Talan won the Best Bassist the following year. "Beggar's Moon" eventually went platinum.
One track off the Beggar's Moon album is entitled Of Hobbits and Pipeweed; perhaps a homage to J. R. R. Tolkien and his books The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
Basti Artadi of Wolfgang shares credit for work done on the Beggar's Moon album art. According to Tirso Ripoll in his podcast with Basti Artadi, Tropical Banter, Beggar's Moon can be played over Blade Runner in synchronicity, similar to Dark Side of the Rainbow.
Star
The third Razorback album, "Star", was released in 1998. The album produced the award winning video hit "Voodoo, Who Do?", plus other favorites such as "Tikman ang Ulan (Taste the Rain)", "Pag-hihintay (The Waiting)", and "Sa Gitna Ng Lahat (In the Midst of it All)". "Voodoo, Who Do?" would later on become part of the soundtrack of "Stone", a comic book by Filipino artist Whilce Portacio - along with tracks by such artists as Korn, Our Lady Peace, Incubus, as well as Filipino artists Chill and Wolfgang.
Some time after Star was released (whose carrier single had Basti Artadi voicing the intro), David Aguirre went on hiatus, prompting some speculation that he was quitting the band for good. He returned in late 2000, to the delight of fans.
Present status
In 2002, the band embarked on an ambitious project - an eponymously-titled double CD album. Razorback dispelled rumours that this is their final album, much to the relief of fans who have been on the receiving end of this anxiety-inducing piece of false information. The album starts out with "Minsan Lang (Not Often)". Diversity is evident, with songs ranging from classic rock, ("Minsan Lang", "Wakasan (End It)", "Dagat ng Pag-asa (Sea of Hope)"), to Pink Floydesque tracks ("Puerto Jam", "Earthen Drum") and acoustic love songs ("Ditty", "Sixteen Days").
David Aguirre effectively left the band around 2003, after accepting an invitation by Wolf Gemora (formerly of Wolfgang) to play guitar for his new Southern California-based band, Lokomotiv.
On January 6 and January 12, 2007, various members of Razorback and Wolfgang got together for a reunion concert at the Music Museum. On hand were Basti Artadi, Tirso Ripoll, Louie Talan, Kevin Roy, Mon Legaspi, Brian Velasco, Miguel Ortigas and Manuel Legarda. Wolf Gemora and David Aguirre, however, were unable to join this gig, as their commitments for the moment lie with Lokomotiv.[3]
They released their first studio album in 6 years, entitled "Three Minutes of Glory". The songs "Daan-Daang Dahilan", "Ayon sa Kanya", and "Atin-Atin Lang" from this album are staples at their live performances. As of 2011, the band frequently tours the USA and Philippines along with Wolfgang and as part of Tanduay's events.
Discography
- Hebigat Sounds Vol.1 - 1995
- Beggar's Moon - 1997
- Star - 1998
- Soundcheck: The Live Recordings - 2000
- Razorback - 2002
- D' Greytest Hithits - 2004
- ALIVE 2007 - 2009
- Three Minutes of Glory - 2011
See also
- Pinoy rock
- Wolfgang (Filipino band)
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ "Rock N’ Roll Death Toll by Lokomotiv". FHM.com.ph. 2006. Retrieved 2006-01-24.
- ↑ Joelle Jacinto (January 2, 2007). "LOKOMOTIV COMES TO TOWN". Pulse.ph. Retrieved 2007-01-24.
- ↑ "THE WOLFGANG AND RAZORBACK REUNION CONCERT 2007". Pulse.ph. 2006. Retrieved 2007-01-24.