Shamrock celebrates music and friendship with “Legacy”
LIKE the rare four-leaf clover that is believed to bring luck to whoever finds it, the band Shamrock has proven to be one of the most exceptional discoveries in the local music scene. Their melodious sound and emotional lyrics has become the soundtrack of many popular television series, and is equally (if not more) memorable than the show itself.
Who could forget the song Alipin and how it complemented the love story of “Jewel in the Palace;” even Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez did a cover version and used it in her movie Till I Met You.
Captain Barbell may have been remade a few times, but it is the song Nandito Lang Ako that fans will always associate with the Pinoy superhero. There are others such as Naalala Ka (My Sassy Girl); “Hold On” and “Haplos” (Jumong); and “Pagkakataon” (Playful Kiss).
Luck and professionalism
Lead vocalist Marc Tupaz grew up in Los Angeles. He started lessons at Vocal Power in Los Angeles, California and continued under the tutelage of Vina Gonzales of the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music. His biggest influences are vintage rock n’ roll songs, dating back to the Beatles. His voice is a fresh mix of the old and new combining standard vocal skills with the new sound of modern alternative rock.
Drummer Harald Huyssen is as brilliant as he is passionate about music. He graduated summa cum laude from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, USA and can play anything from rock to Latin to jazz. He is also a professor at the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of music and works with the band “Gloryfall” a group under World Missions for Jesus that helps church music teams.
Bassist and songwriter Sam Santos always dreamed of being a rock star; so he learned to play the bass at a very early age. This member has refined his guitar skills and has matured to be a dynamic performer.
Guitarist Nico Capistrano possesses a solid new wave background and has helped the band perfect their repertoire. Capistrano’s contribution, however, extends to the alternative genre as well. His superb guitar solos accents Shamrock’s music with that unique flavor.
The name Shamrock, the band recalled was originally suggested by Tupaz’s sister when she came upon the word in the dictionary. “Shamrock is a lore believed to bring good luck, and those were the times when bands were all the rage and we felt we needed all the luck we can get.”
With a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck, Shamrock eventually became one of the most consistent and sought after bands in the concert circuit, not only for their music but for their professionalism as well.
The band’s longtime manager James Garcia (who took over sister Tracy Garcia of GMA) notes one of the reasons why he stuck with the band was because of the attitude of the members. “They may be rock stars but they don’t have the attitude or the hard headedness usually associated with popular bands—they are very professional when it comes to work and are always ready to listen.”
“Loveternative” Music
When asked to describe their music, Shamrock says they disagree to being labeled as an “alternative rock band.”
“When we write and arrange songs, we are very careful with the idea of paying attention to what the song needs and what it’s intended for rather than immediately assigning a genre to create a song. But if I had to give a name to describe our music, I would probably create the genre “Loveternative” music to describe some but not all of the work we had created,” Tupaz explained.
“That’s who we are and were really not trying to sound like anyone. All bands sound different and in my opinion, the people that helped us in our journey are the people that have had an influence on Shamrock. For me as a singer, guidance from Wency Cornejo and Paco Arespacochaga was an influence, but a big part of me as a singer is a credit to my band mates. I have listened to them for 11 years now and who I am is a singer is a product of working with them.”
Legacy, the new album
Being one of their biggest influences and mentor, the band decided to come out with a tribute album for former Afterimage lead singer Wency Cornejo.
“We wanted to look back at our humble beginnings and pay tribute to a friend, states Huyssen. “This album is only proper for a man who has helped Shamrock from the very beginning—a fitting tribute done by friends for a man who has given so much to music.”
As one of the best yet underrated singersongwriters of his generation, Tupaz says a Wency Cornejo tribute is inevitable, “I just know this is special for him because it is a tribute done with heart and friendship.”
Tupaz admitted that it was his idea to come up with the album, “The Wency-Shamrock connection started even before Shamrock was born. I met Wency through Paco [Arespacochaga] and we have been friends ever since. Wency was there to lend his support and criticism when the band was starting out and when we finally got the chance to produce the song Alipin, he was the only one willing to help by mixing and “comping” the first version of the song free of charge.”
Capistrano said that they originally had 82 songs to choose from and picked out 10 of the most popular and interesting compositions of Cornejo such as; Mangarap ka; Tag-araw; Magpakailanman; Walang Hanggan; Habang may Buhay; Tag-ulan; Finding it hard to Breathe; Bai; Musikero; and the “anthemic” Next in Line.
Apart from Cornejo himself, the album also features several guest artists who are also close friends of Cornejo, including Cookie Chua, Jet Pangan, Luke Mijares, and Moymoy Palaboy.
Legacy, the album launch will be held at The Centerstage of Metrowalk in Ortigas, on December 1, 2012.