THE song Itaas Ang Kamao (Raise Your Fist) gained popularity during the 2016 national elections. Call it great timing or a lucky break, it had become the theme song of the campaign of incumbent Philippine strongman Rodrigo Duterte as it aptly described his trademark: the ubiquitous, clenched right hand.
Filipino punk-rock band The Republicats happens to be the “brains” behind the popular song. But more than just a ditty, it is catchy, raw, but with a strong message.
“That is what punk rock is all about. We have a message to tell our audience,” Renmin Nadela—the band’s songwriter, record producer and drummer—told SoundStrip.
Before The Republicats, Nadela cofounded Yano and established Agaw Agimat back in the early 90s. He is the owner of record labels Guerrilla Music and 40c.
Vocalist Wendy Villanueva, who was also present during the exclusive interview, has been an active member of the local punk movement since the mid-80s. She formed different bands that included Dogtown in 1987 and Emptycups in 1989.
SoundStrip: So how on earth did The Republicats form?
Villanueva: We had Isla de Lata in 2004 and Republika de Lata in 2006. In 2012, we decided for a new group that retained the sound of our name, so we—Nadela, who was the show’s producer and I—cofounded this ska punk band that we eventually called ‘The Republicats.”
Your band has cool logo (head of a feline).
Villanueva: That’s because we love cats. We just learned later on that we both save stray [ones].
What makes The Republicats’ sound different from other writers?
Nadela: Aside from the ska punk sound, we give utmost importance to the message of our songs. We have a responsibility as musicians. We intend to make use of our position: that while we are performing on stage, we want to send our message across to our listeners, such as positive change for society, hope, unity, and probable solutions to our problems as a country, [among others].
Thus, the band has songs which are self-explanatory such as Unite, Hold On, Don’t Quit and Desaparacidos. The latter is intended for those who were abducted during the dark days of Martial Law, while Don’t Quit is dedicated to our family members who were afflicted with cancer. Wendy’s father was a survivor. She (Wendy) wrote this for people to fight challenges: sickness, finances and others.
In short, our album is three years in the making because we didn’t have a guitarist for two years. Good thing our friends from different bands provided guitar accompaniment for our songs. Then we had to record again because we decided to include the guitar accompaniment of our new guitarist, Jomal Linao (Kamikazee). (Linao, they relayed, came to their rescue a year ago, then bassist Xyroz Peñaranda joined shortly after, thus completing their “cat crew.” Villanueva and Nadela have high regard for Linao, who they describe as “kwela” and “kenkoy” adding much life to the group.)
What is it like working with Linao?
Nadela: Serious kasi kami. With [Linao] around, naging masaya kami. He considers our band his second family. We like his attitude and commitment to our group.
During his first rehearsal with us, he really studied our style. On second rehearsal, ska na talaga ang dating niya, as if he has been playing it for a long time. Hindi kasi madali mag-gitara yung ska; may mga muting yun at may mga technicalities.
Plans to widen your listening public?
Nadela: We intend to widen our market reach, apart from the underground scene that we used to cater to.
Sayang naman kasi yung mensahe namin, for the music lovers and the people in general. So we intend to stay long in the business, maybe older than Pepe Smith… Why not?
As people listen to your new album, what do you want them to feel?
Nadela: Sana ma-enhance yung senses; yung sensibilities ng mga tao, magising naman. Yung feeling, yung hindi parang robot na lang. Yung may maramdaman naman sila: natutuwa, nagagalit, o excitement. Na hindi parang manhid na sila. At sana, mawala yung kung anuman ang nagpapamanhid sa kanila.
The Republicats will also have their album launch on April 7 on JAM 88.3’s “The Punk Connection” from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Their aforementioned songs, plus eight more, will soon be available to the ska punk fanatics and the growing fans of The Republicats as the group is scheduled to launch their first album in a one-of-a-kind, three-leg launch starting April 21 at the Cabin 420 Bar & Bistro in Makati City with fellow ska punk bands as guests such as The Go Signals, Deceased, Dead Sperm, Luna, OiNell & The Smugglers and Isidro Project.
The second leg on May 12 at 70’s Bistro with band friends: The Chongkeys, Jah Dela Cruz, Talata, Bonifacio Republic, The Riot Act, Give Chance To Run and Mobster Manila.
The third leg in June, to be held in Cavite, will coincide with the video release for Hold On. With their Numinous family: Typecast, Valley of Chrome, Skychurch and Chocolate Factory. Opening bands are Deepsleep and Southern Lads.
Find them on Facebook: TheRepublicats to follow their gig schedules and announcements. CDs will be available for P300 during the album launch.
Image credits: Jason Pineda