The Dorques

Infobox musical artist
Name=The Dorques


Img_capt=
Years_active=2005 – present
Origin=Manila, Philippines
Associated_acts=Niniskirt, Narda, Skies of Ember, The Vince Noir Project, Blue Jean Junkies,
Genre=Indie
Label=Kindassault Records
URL= [http://www.thedorques.com www.thedorques.com]

The Dorques

The Dorques is a Manila-based independent rock band. They take elements from American indie rock, Britpop, punk, French Pop, and Hip Hop and incorporate them into their songs. They are known for their catchy pop tunes and lively performances. They've enjoyed a lot of media exposure in TV, radio and print even though they haven't released an album yet.

History

In the summer of 2005 after his first band Yojimbo went their separate ways, Joffy Cruz decided to form another band. He recruited cousin Aimee Marcos and bassist Albert Largoza, who was a regular at Gweilo's where he used to DJ once a week. A few months later Aless Tinio and Nino Mendoza joined the group after meeting Joffy during a night out. They played their first few gigs at a Japanese restaurant in Glorietta mall. They were already playing crowd pleasers "Le Metronome, Waltzing Away, Sun, and Murasaki Blue" at this time.

2006 saw the departure of Mendoza shortly after he got engaged to local screen actress Snooky Serna. Largoza left for New York and was subsequently replaced by Pimee Ayala. However, he was able to help the band record several tracks at Kerplunk Studios before leaving. Those tracks would eventually be sold at their gigs in the form of homemade CD-Rs. Before the year ended Ayala left for university in Australia and passed on bass duties to Arnel Fabiania of goth band Skies of Ember.

After constant tension and a record deal gone bad, Tinio was asked to leave the band. Nina Beltran was then recruited to take on secondary vocals and keyboard duties. Later that year, in December, Tani Santos of Narda and The Vince Noir Project joined The Dorques.

Live Performances

The Dorques are known for their fun and lively gigs and have played at most bars in the local music circuit. They've played at bars and venues around Manila such as Saguijo, Route 196, Club Dredd, Magnet Cafe, 19East, as well as the local Fête de la Musique.

Aside from playing in their hometown, the group have played in Saigon, Vietnam and Hong Kong and plan to play in other countries in the region like Singapore, Thailand, Japan and China.

Members

Current Lineup

*Joffy Cruz - vocals,guitar
*Arnel Fabiania - bass,vocals
*Nina Beltran - keys,vocals
*Tani Santos - guitar,keys

Past members

*Albert Largoza - bass
*Nino Mendoza - guitar
*Pimee Ayala - bass
*Aless Tinio - vocals
*Aimee Marcos - drums

Lyrics

The Dorques have always made it a point not to write serious lyrics for their songs. They tend to be sarcastic, ironic and silly. Songs Sun and Murasaki Blue are parodies of rock love songs not unlike Blur's Song 2." Le Metronome's" lyrics were taken entirely from the sex and romance section of a Lonely Planet French phrasebook.

Discography

Demo EP

The Dorques have sold homemade demo CD-R EPs with various covers during shows to make a bit of extra money. It featured the songs Murasaki Blue, Sun, Waltzing Away, and Le Metronome. Later versions included tracks Supercool and Fuck on the Floor.

ingles

Murasaki Blue (2008) Kindassault

Albums

Tracklist
1.Fuck on the Floor
2.Instrumental A
3.Jadariko 44488
4.Le Metronome
5.Lovin' N' Pumpin'
6.Murasaki Blue
7.Sparkie
8.Sun
9.Supercool
10.Waltzing Away

Compilations

*"Kindassault Compilation Vol. 1" (2008) Kindassault

Trivia

*The song Jadariko 44488 is named after a Japanese potato snack. 44488 refers to the structure of the song
*Family Banned, The Flying Foxes, Expensive Winos, and Cuntwagon were suggested by various members as potential names for the group
*Le Metronome and Murasaki Blue were written with the help of a French phrase book and a native Japanese respectively. None of the band members are actually fluent in French or Japanese

External links

* [http://www.thedorques.com Official Site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/thedorques.com Official Myspace Site]
* [http://www.thedorques.multiply.com Official Multiply Site]

Articles
* [http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/you/elife/view/20080201-116236/Welcome-to-The-Dorques-side "Welcome to the Dorques Side"] "Philippine Daily Inquirer", February 1, 2008
* [http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=74142 "Tempted By the Dorques Side"] "Sunday Inquirer Magazine", July 1, 2007
* [http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/01/06/I2006010653257.html "Raw Like Sushi"] "Manila Bulletin"