FRANCIS AQUINO

Hi, I'm the new guy.

Thought I'd share one of my newest experiences, too -- playing in Singapore's Mosaic Music Festival this March. It was also my first time playing outside the Philippines -- and with one of the biggest bands in the country... I guess you can imagine the pressure... knowing that I had cramps on my left arm, just two nights before -- and in the middle of the Manila "Two Sides Live" set.

To top it all off, the Esplanade in Singapore is a pretty hi-tech place. We were issued special electronic passes that had to be swiped every time you went in and out. It was the first time in my drumming life that an artist could actually be denied access to the backstage without an official i.d....and, of course, the inevitable happened and the day before the show I had no idea where I had stashed my pass. More pressure! (Thank god, our manager found it on the floor of the hotel lobby in the nick of time!)

Oh, did I mention that the beater of the kick pedal flew off in the middle of that set?
But don't get me wrong -- the whole Singapore experience was great. People made us feel like we were home even though we were miles away. (Yuck,drama.) The gig was incredible (aside from the pressure). The venue had an intimate feel plus the equipment was great! I loved the fuckin' drums! hahaha. We played acoustic but the power and intensity was all there. It's an experience I hope will happen again... and again... and again... hahahaha.

P.S.
Since i am not really into talking about myself,  I'll take this opportunity to advertise as well.... Just this January 8, my Siberian husky produced 4 puppies. all of them, as of this day that I am writing this, are available. If you love dogs (like I do), please check out our website http://maligayaatriumkennel.multiply.com. Thanks.

MON LEGASPI

The Splinter Shoot:   Yeah, that was shot on the worst day ever... not for me or the band but for friggin' "Golden Boy" who got the crap beat outta him by "PacMan". Didn't think I'd get to watch it but luckily they had a TV there.The shoot was pretty straightforward, plug in, play and outta there, nice and quick -- good food, too.. I guess playing heavy music and watching "Golden Boy" turn in to bagoong really made us hungry.. Thanks Guys!!

MANUEL LEGARDA

I have GAS... That's short for 'Gear Acquisition Syndrome.'  I think a large majority of guitarists around the world suffer from this condition.

For me, it started over twenty years ago when I bought my first distortion pedal.  It was a Boss super feedbacker and distorion pedal that I bought from JBMusic (I think it was beside Araneta Coliseum.)

At the time, I was in high school so I wasn't really earning so I had to save Christmas, birthday and allowance money to get it.  For the next few years, I managed to scrape up enough to get a phaser, a turbo rat and a cheap no name delay.

Later on, with the success of Wolfgang, I was able to buy more gear.  In addition to pedals, I started to get guitars, amps and racks as well.

Seeing and reading about these things in guitar magazines and later on the internet just made it impossible for me to stop.  There was always something new that promised to be better than the last one. 

I'm not sure about the numbers now but I've gone through twenty six pedals, a few racks, twelve guitars and ten guitar amplifiers.

I no longer have that first pedal that I bought from JBMusic and over the years, I have lost, sold and destroyed some of the other stuff as well in the hopes of justifying the next purchase.

My latest acquisitions are a carbon fiber acoustic guitar by Composite Acoustics and a Vox tonelable. 

- Manuel

BASTI ARTADI

The song 'Beast' came about during the writing process for 'Semenelin' -- which was basically a shitload of time spent waiting in McDonald's in between classes haha.  I had this Jekyll and Hyde concept and was thinking about how everyone has these two sides that are always at odds with each other, caught in constant battle.  There's the one we want everyone to see and the one we keep hidden and in the shadows  -- and how we would really love to get rid of that other self, much like the doomed doctor, because of what a monster it is... But, in truth, you can't do it, because you need it as much as you need your regular self.  The beast is the side that helps you survive.  At the end of the song, the two sides are introduced to each other, in the hope that the good, the bad, the right, the wrong -- whatever they are --  can come together and work as one -- because in the end, without the beast, there is no man.

GOOD GUYS DON'T ALWAYS WEAR WHITE

"It’s been six years since the mighty roar of Philippine heavy metal legends WOLFGANG has been heard, and they’re ready to bring back the thunder and lightning to the local music scene. And audiences are roaring back in approval, especially with the band’s latest masterpiece VILLAINS. They’ve still got it-- the know-how to scare the bejesus out of audiences with their devilishly fun-brand of heavy metal… and their ability to get their legions of fans to bang their heads…”

PULP MAGAZINE
FEBRUARY 2009



“When it comes to playing loud, hard and fast, few bands have been able to match the sheer ferocity and onstage charisma of WOLFGANG...”

Eric Caruncho, Philippine Daily Inquirer

"Almost technically flawless, with intense, compelling songs, that alternate between doom and delicacy, WOLFGANG brings an aural onslaught -- combining inventive riffs with melodic complexities.. but firmly rooted in the blues and original fire of classic rock…."

"We cannot overstate the importance of WOLFGANG to Filipino heavy metal music. In a scene that has musicians trying to to toe the line, balancing technical artistry, creative originality, stage chops and charisma, WOLFGANG has it all."

FUDGE MAGAZINE (DEC 2008)