THE RETURN OF - THE WOLFGANG

Fans and followers alike, Wolfgang's return will blow your mind. With their hard-won musical achievements since 1996, who would dare not reminiscence these guys' vocal supremacy clashing like cymbals over fans' auditory faculties.

Like any other bands, Wolfgang has their own musical cup-of-tea shared to each and every one who likes to bet with their music. Their rock styles and renditions are uncompromising, their sincerity to their music is endearing and their camaraderie passes and passed through time's vexation.

It's just a matter of doing their own thing on the record and on the platform. It's about doing the songs they believed, and believing on the songs they do.

Wolfgang's laurels are objective evidences of their endeavor to share their musicality here and abroad. They've been heralded as Artist of the Year, circa 1996 and 1998, and Album of the Year 1999. With considerable cached popularity, they've been awarded with the Listeners Choice Award consecutively, 1996, 1998 and 1999. Add to that fact the bands pilot, Sebastian Artadi who holds four almost consecutively that they're active, Vocalist of the Year from 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000. Manuel Legarda on guitars has his own hits as Guitarist of the Year (1995 and 2001). Ramon Legaspi honored Basist of the Year during 1996.

Meanwhile, their new digitally packaged album called Villains is hot on the world wide web downloadable via respective sites. The album has been recorded on three cities: Manila, Hong Kong and San Francisco. Distance never thwarted their passion for some more to offer – and here it is at your fingertips!


How has the band grown?
MANUEL: I think each one of us has had time to listen or expose ourselves to some new music which -- in one way or another -- has influenced our playing and ultimately, the band dynamics. That and the inclusion of Francis on drums. Having said that, I think 'evolved' would be a better term.

How did your recording process work this time? Are there any differences compared to your previous albums?
MANUEL : Every album we did was a learning experience -- and “Villains” is the result of all those experiences. Also, by doing this on our own, we eliminated deadlines which allowed us time to fine-tune the song arrangements and mixes.

Now that you guys are back, does that increase the pressure and expectations for the band?
MANUEL : I try not to think about that but I guess it’s inevitable. I think that the pressure and expectations will really be more apparent for the next album.


Is there someone who influenced you to go back?
MANUEL : I think it was more a series of events rather than one person.

What are the factors did you consider to be in the scene again?
MANUEL : The only thing we thought about was whether we liked what we were writing. We never thought about the scene or what we would have to do to fit in again. It’s always been about putting out songs that we believe in.

Who are your all time favorite metal band?
MANUEL : For metal, it would be Ozzy (Randy era) and Megadeth. I listen to a whole bunch of others but these were very influential to me when I was starting out.

You guys continued to evolve as you moved into the recording of Villains. What were some of the influences in the creation of this record?
MANUEL : I was just going with my gut feeling – and, honestly, I can’t think of a particular name. I just know that from everything I've ever liked there is a collective thing in my head that I can draw from and expand upon. I can't speak for the other guys but I suspect it’s the same for them.

How did your time in Wolfgang impact the rest of your life?
RAMON: Personally, it really helped ease my mom's worries --that I was gonna end up with nothing to show for my years of trying to be a bass player. That made things easier for me to continue, knowing that it was cool with her. Thanks, mom!!

What are your feelings about the legacy of the group today?
MON : Never really thought about that -- but I'm very proud of what we've done, the songs we've written, the gigs we've played, how we've stuck to our style and not been swayed by the fads….everything!!!!... Maybe, except that time we were playing 2 different songs at once.....

You guys haven't been active here in the Philippines for several years. What brought about the rebirth of Wolfgang at this point in time?
MON: 7-year itch in the crotch?I think the '07 reunion gig really pushed it along, seeing that people didn't forget us and still wanted to listen to the songs, was a big inspiration for us to continue writing and playing our music for them. Thanks, guys!!!

What do each of you do for a living, beside music?
MON: I play for a cover band in Hong Kong, so it's more music for me. Basti, I think, works for a clothing company in the States. Manoy, hmmm... don’t really know what he's up to these days -- but he used to work for a recording facility. Francis runs the family business, not sure though.

If you had to pick 3 of the most memorable things over the course of your stay in the industry, they would be...?
MON: The “Jesus Christ Superstar” musical – it was very challenging to be in a totally different playing situation. We really gained tons of experience and discipline doing that gig. Playing in Japan and the U.S., of course, was very exciting. Meeting new people and getting a glimpse of their cultures really broadens your mind. The (first) time that we were awarded “Artist of the Year” -- I think it showed that people were taking notice of the band and that those years of practicing and writing stuff were starting to payoff.

Looking back (and not including the new album), what song do you think most defines the sound of Wolfgang and why?
MON: Personally, “Semenelin” would be my choice. I think it's the way the lyrics and the music work together, like one can envision scenes from a movie while listening to the words and the music enhances that story, like a soundtrack. We have a lot of stuff like that like “New Mother Nature” and “Bassarrab's Walk”, but “Semenelin” was the first and the other songs branched out from there.

Tell us your favorite song from the new album and why?
MON: “John of the Cross”, the cowboy thing happening with the intro and lyrics is just too cool. A different song concept… It was great the way Bas and Manoy put it together. Maybe we could get Clint Eastwood in the video doing a piano solo in the saloon...

Every movie seems to have that killer punchline that everyone associates with it. What would Wolfgang's punchline be?
BASTI : "Listen to them. Children of the night. What music they make."

'Villains' is your 6th studio album right? Most bands (rarely) don't reach five records, what's your secret?
BASTI : An important thing is that we all still love the music that we’re making.It’s a very exciting moment when you sit back and listen to the full effect of an album you've spent the past 3 or 4 months listening to in bits and pieces -- and if you still get a thrill in that moment, it’s a beautiful thing.

Do you feel that having such amazing musicians in your band contributes to your success?
BASTI: YES!!!

All these years later, what do you think the appeal of Wolfgang is?
BASTI: Definitely, the songs. In the end, that’s what people are here for. For them – and that’s exactly what we feel, too -- it’s all about the songs.

Are there any bands around today that you think need to be put in their place? What about them do you find so reprehensible?
BASTI: No, I think everyone has a right to play whatever music they like as long as they enjoy playing it. Who am I to say anything different?

Random question: What bands made you want to be in a band?
BASTI: Rock was what made me love music.I will listen to rock until the day I die. What made me want to be in a band was when I went up for the first time and played in front of a crowd and I got that rush from them singing the songs with me. I haven’t looked back since.

What are your feelings on piracy, Internet or otherwise?
BASTI: Live with it -- because there ain’t nothing you can do to stop it…and just hope your fans have the sense and the decency to pay for what you worked very hard to create.

Random question: Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
FRANCIS: Jim Morrison. I'd serve him adobo and happy brownies. Hehehe.

Is there a line that keeps running through your head. Like a personal creed or motto?
FRANCIS : Stick to the fight when you're hardest hit. It’s when things seem worst, that you must not quit. =)

Any records besides Wolfgang records that really matter to you?
FRANCIS: Of course. And there are a lot.

Random question: If you could have played on any of your songs before your time which would they be?
FRANCIS: ‘Roadworthy Man’ would be the song.

Something you want to do, but haven't done yet.
FRANCIS : Greet Hugh Laurie and ask him if I'm sick.

What is there left to do? What's the dream?
FRANCIS: One of the remaining dreams is to be able to sky dive.


Some additional background:

WOLFGANG has consistently reaped critical praise, named “Artist of the Year” (1998, 1996), “Album of the Year” (1999), and individual awards for excellence at the influential NU 107 Rock Awards each time they have released an album: with lead vocals Sebastian Artadi holding the record for four “Vocalist of the Year” awards (2000, 1999, 1998, 1996), unsurpassed to this date. Manuel Legarda has been recognized as “Guitarist of the Year” twice (2001 and 1995) and Ramon Legaspi has been named “Bassist of the Year” (1996). Wolfgang has also received popular acclaim with “Listeners Choice” awards (1999, 1998, and 1996.)

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Special Thanks to: Pinoy Song Magazine