Your VOICES.

From the many Cagayan de Oro City acts that attempted to break through the Manila music scene, Nuncyspungen came out as one of the most successful ones for a time. Named after Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious’ infamous girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, the band was one of the few groups that paved the way for other musicians to follow. Primarily composed of Philipp Coufal (vocals), Chuck Bollozos (bass), Ludwig Sombajon (guitar), Lourd Magto (guitar) and Abe Billano (drums), they set out to make themselves known in the Vis-Min scene before venturing into the cutthroat Metro Manila music world.

Best known for their eclectic performance on stage, Nuncyspungen spent years before they finally released their self-titled album in 2002, which had rerecorded tracks of their first release such as the hit song Goa. Clearly a huge influence to those who were fans of independent music, they have been invited to countless shows in and outside of the city, reaching as far as Cebu, where there they met the former independent outfit Urbandub. Later on, they were featured in Manila’s NU107’s In the Raw show and caught the ears of some listeners. Gradually gaining exposure in the north, PULP magazine highlighted them on its homegrown segment and they even got the chance to perform at the PULP Summer Slam, the biggest rock show in the country that happens every year. Moreover, they did an interview as well as a live performance at MTV Philippines’ Siesta and MYX Live.

After touring, they finally came to a halt and came back to Cagayan de Oro. Personal priorities and responsibilities started to arise. They eventually went on an indefinite hiatus until such time that a new lineup of members – drummer Jedi dela Cruz (Red Whiskey), bassist Jonah Booc (Ruska) and guitarist Jan Geroy (Swerve) – came up with a set of songs recorded in Coufal’s home studio. The effort proved a success as they named the 6-track extended play EXIT MUSIC, which spoke about loss, betrayal, courage, anger and all other sentiments that reflect the departure and the circumstances the members went through.

Fast forward to 2010, the band reunited for a show in celebration of the New Year in Cagayan de Oro. Both original and new members shared the stage, performing Exit songs and the all-time favorite Goa. Music mates like Ruska, K9 and Switch also performed at the gig.

Ian Quirante

On April 24th 2009, a rising industrial rock band called Switch had their first album launch at Saguijo, Makati City, Philippines. The 15-track LP is called Visceral. It has received acclaim from various local and international music magazines. Currently under Sonic Shape Records, the band performed at the event alongside acts like Cebu’s The Ambassadors and Faspitch and Manila’s Intolerant and Nyctinasty.

Formerly based in Cagayan de Oro City, Switch started out as a solo and experimental project by musician and professional artist Ian “IQ” Quirante in 1998. The band played a few local gigs here and there, inviting fellow musicians to play as sessionists. He then recorded his heavily electronic-influenced tracks at local and home studios. A song called “For You Only,” which was rerecorded and included in Visceral, is still being played over the radio.

When IQ decided to move to Manila to study Fine Arts at UP Diliman, he continued his music ventures there as well. By saving up money from paintings he sold, he was gradually raising a band of keyboard synthesizers and other electronic gadgets that proved to be very significant, as Switch became one of the most unique, and probably the loudest, electronic act in the Metro music scene.

Following some disagreements with the band’s guitarist, Sidney Acurantes, IQ replaced the latter with a fellow Kagay-anon, guitarist and lyricist Wilbert Tan, who is currently playing guitar for the Ram Chaves band. Due to a physical condition, Neil Pagulayan, who plays the synthesizers and adds samples to their live performances, was temporarily replaced by Yna Amparo.

Since then, Switch has reintroduced the Pinoy music scene with the industrial genre, equipped with an electronic setup (Macbooks and keyboard synths included) and openly political/religious/social issues-influenced lyrics.

At present, the band is aiming to have a full live setup, taking a shot at recruiting a drummer and bass player, as Quirante did a test drive of the effort in his hometown last January 2, 2010 at a small show at Mandex bar. Because of the absence of Tan, he invited emo-ambient group K9’s Bam Roa to play guitar, together with drummer Jedi Dela Cruz, and this writer as the bassist.

-by Rose Ann Quirante