Fuseboxx

Infobox musical artist
Name = Fuseboxx


Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Years_active = 2001 - present
Genre = Progressive rock
Progressive metal
Origin = Philippines
Label = Independent (Philippines)
Current_members = Abby Clutario
Mico Ong
Eric Tubon
Rodney Vidanes
Lester Banzuelo
Past_members = Paolo Cabalquinto
Robert Lachica
Herson Fremista
Jessy Trinidad
Albert Montinola
Sid Pablo
URL = [http://www.fuseboxxcolony.com www.fuseboxxcolony.com]

Fuseboxx is a 5-piece Filipino / Pinoy Progressive rock band (composed of 1 female member and 4 male members). They caught attention of music listeners with their unusual utilization of their instruments, odd time signatures that are in contrast with the nation's blend of music, commonly alternative and pop. Although they were the grand champion of the 2003 Red Horse Muziklaban, they however enjoy underground recognition. Currently, the band is leading a small group of prog musicians, enthusiasts and fans alike named Pinoy Progressive Community which advocacy is to promote progressive and technical music in the Philippines. The community has launched a one-night prog music event entitled "In Progression" three times last December 3, 2005 (Part I: The First Movement), April 18, 2008 (Part 2) and September 26, 2008 (Part III: Odd Times).

History

Early Days

Fuseboxx started in 2001 by synth/keyboardist Eric Tubon, guitarist Paolo Cabalquinto and drummer Herson Fremista as a three piece experimental band, after few months they decided to complete the line up adding Rodney Vidanes on bass and Abby Clutario on vocals/keyboards (prior to Clutario, Fuseboxx tried MJ Dacosta on vocals, but that arrangement lasted for only 2 weeks). Realizing that they could play for a living, they tried doing alternative and new wave covers. They also tried auditioning in bars, but most felt they were too heavy for their crowd. After several twists and turns which included Cabalquinto leaving to pursue a career in Nursing, the band decided to stop doing covers and started creating original music. Cabalquinto was soon replaced by Robert Lachica (now guitarist of Neruda). Lachica then left and was replaced by guitarist Albert Montinola. The band continued developing their skills and adopted a progressive rock style, honing their edge on their own originals. It was with this line-up that the band release an EP entitled "Listen" released 2003 which was circulated among the Filipino "underground" indie rock community. After further lineup changes, the band eventually settled on their current line-up with drummer Lester Banzuelo, bassist Rodney Vidanes, vocals/keys Abby Clutario, synth/keys Eric Tubon and now on guitars Mico Ong.

Twist of Fate

Prior to joining the 2003 "Red Horse Beer Muziklaban", Fuseboxx were a little known progressive rock band with a small following. At the time of joining, the band was almost on the verge of breakup due to the band members busy schedules with their day jobs. Joining and eventually winning the contest (where they were unanimously voted by the judges as the winner) brought in a sudden surge of exposure for the band helping them breakthrough to the mainstream. The win itself was an emotional moment for the band with former guitarist Paolo Cabalquinto (their PA at that time) breaking out into tears when they won. However, despite public demand for them to release an album as soon as possible, the band took their time to work on the album, releasing it almost two years after they had won under a distibution contract with Universal Records Philippines.

Fuseboxx

Fuseboxx released their self titled debut album under Universal Records after an almost two year wait. The album is notable for the bands four part opus, "Outlet", an over 25 minute long progressive epic spanning four songs: "Outlet I", "Outlet II", "Outlet III Requiem", "Outlet IV" (with an "Interlude" in between "Outlet III" and "IV"). Also included were radio edits for "Outlet II" and "Outlet III" that received airplay over the famous Filipino rock radio station NU 107. Other notable songs from the album include "Ulanarao", a song in Filipino (the title itself is a portmanteau of the words "ulan" and "araw" - the Filipino words for "rain" and "sun" respectively) that proved quite popular with the fans and was also played on NU107; "Switch", an instrumental piece featuring recorded conversation samples (often unintelligible), locomotive celerity and choir girl voices and "Breathe", which features middle eastern, staccato motifs that showcase Clutario and Tubon's keyboards and Montinola's guitars in blazing conjunction.

econd Album

Fuseboxx are currently hard at work on their second studio album under Ballyhoo Records, with their current line-up this will sure be a heavier sounding album. In their recent performances, they have been playing a new song entitled "Pagbalik", which is most likely the first single from the new album.

Musical Style & Influences

Fuseboxx' members draw from a myriad of influences, from progressive rock, to traditional Metal, to fusion, to New Age. Their songs feature heavy keyboard work and portions of some of their songs are clearly influenced by synth/piano driven acts. Meanwhile, Abby's melodic vocal style shows influences of female new age/alternative singers. These, combined with Eric's new wave/fusion influenced synth technique and Rodney's free form bass lines ripping away the heavy pounding beats of Lester's playing, and now Mico's unorthodox and incomparable style, gives Fuseboxx a distinct sound that can be both soothing and heavy at the same time giving them their own identity as both a progressive rock and Filipino band.

Members

*Abby Clutario - Lead vocals / keyboards
*Eric Tubon - synthesizers
*Rodney Vidanes - Bass
*Lester Banzuelo - drums
*Mico Ong - Guitarist

Discography

EPs

*"Listen" (2003)

Albums

*"Fuseboxx" (2005)
*as of yet untitled 2nd album (2007)

ingles

*Outlet II
*Ulanarao

Equipment

Abby - Shure Beta58, Nord Lead 2x, M-Audio 88sx, Korg Leagcy, Pianoteq and Miroslav Philharmonic: IK Multimedia soft synths.

Mico - B52 and Peavey amps, Carvin, Elegee and Gibson guitars, Line 6, Monster Cables, Jazz III picks.

Eric - Nord Modular G2, Korg Prophecy, Yamaha AN1x, Korg Wavestation SR, Kurzweil Expression Mate

References

* De Mesa, Karl R., [http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/07/08/I2006070868729.html Manila Bulletin: MAJESTIC MUSIC for the PATIENT LISTENER] (retrieved July-November, 2006)
* PhilMusic.com - The #1 Philippine Music Website Odd Times: Local Progressive Community Gets It Together [http://www.philmusic.com/main/content/view/191/7 www.philmusic.com/main/content/view/191/7]

External links

* [http://www.fuseboxxcolony.com Official Site]
* [http://www.pinoyprogressivecommunity.co.cc Pinoy Progressive Community Forums]