hbeggz
by: Jed
Cold, uptown city of Baguio has always been a healthy breathing ground for artist in any kind, musicians alike. Ushering the likes of well-known indie filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik, talented singer Grace Nono and the band Session Road to name a few. These musicians somehow found its way to Manila and hit it big time in reach and popularity. A route that this new band from up north is seem quite taking, with members composed of: Rohan Rimando,23, lead vocalist/ guitarist, Rodel Hufana,22, guitarist, Emil Villanueva,22, bassist and the recruited drummer Sep Navalta,28, formerly from 7Ply band collectively known as Hardboiledeggz. Hbeggz is this years Red Horse Muziklaban grand winner held last September 9, 2006 at the CCP Complex. Emerged triumphant out of hundreds of hopeful rockers hailing from different corner of the archipelago, that was trimmed down to ten finalists.
These guys music had traces of grunge and progressive rock influences like Pearl Jam, Silverchair, STP, Soundgarden, Coheed and Cambria, 311, APC, Megadeath, Avenge Sevenfold, Dream Theater with local tastes of Eraserheads, Urbandub, The Ambassadors, Faspitch, Sheila and the Insects and the long list goes on.
Its name Hardboiledeggz wasn’t intended to have deep and profound meaning that is common to its band members. After coming up with names like Intertropical Convergence Zone, Panic Algae Attack, Mentos and so forth, the term Hardboiledeggz hooked the bands attention and stuck with it ever since because of its ambiguity and fun-ness in nature. A gastronomic treat ready to serve to anyone’s hungry for its freshness. As Rohan’s own words “ masaya kasi yung pangalan, pwede ka-magimbento ng ibig sabihin. Iba-iba para sa bawat isa. Tsaka versatile ang pinakakuluang itlog, pwede pang sandwich, pwede ring pang palabok.” Generally they described themselves as four normal guys trying to make music with every ounce of energy they can. Exists to give us a moment of insanity, nostalgia, anger or vindication.
Band’s frontman describes their music as progressive rock while tackling issues on relationship that is quite emo far from their old sound back in the early 2000’s that is closer to funk and blues. A chorus from their song Grace “ so if you decided to change your mind, I’ll be waiting here for you without exception. Don’t it bother you at all? You’ve been acting like a wall. And I’ve been crashing into you with good intention…A little more than just good friends, that’s all I wanted us to be, so tell me now then why were here. Confused and drunk on a few beers. Never fear a million years may pass and I would still be….” Mushy lyrics coated with forceful voice and a heavy sound, just like a soft egg inside hidden by a sturdy shell.
The road to success was never easy and Hardboiledeggz wasn’t spared. The lead vocalist remembers it “ most of the time, alas dos na ng umaga kami nakakatugtog or more often una, walang tao pero andun pa rin mga kaibigan namin. Pati yung Muziklaban andun sila.. nauulanan…” Now they feel blessed in their achievement because they never though in a million years that they’ll win but luckily they did. After winning, they’ve gained more friends and followers, received more bookings sporadically and even seen guesting on Myx Bandarito on Studio23 a week after the contest. In effect, the band treats it as an opportunity to reach other places and share their music not only in Manila but soon to the rest of the country. Proving themselves worthy of their family, friends and hometown accolades back in Baguio. 
I’ve read it over their friendster site and found it interesting and damn sweet. Here’s the HBeggz message to all struggling bands, “ The climb is steep from here, but if we get there, we’ll throw you guys a rope…” with tears rolling over, nah the latter part is just my overt appreciation to this emotive line. I’m moved!
As I’ve gazed to the lighter side of things, these guys doesn’t seem to run out of punchlines. Just when I asked them a non-sensical question, which comes first chicken or egg? And why? With amusement the vocalist answered, “ hehe..uhuh…yung manok…sabi nung kaibigan namin kasi, sino daw ang uupo sa itlog? Pero mas nauna pa rin yung dinosaurs! I mean of course! This band can be serious at one time and in one second can be really amusing. 
Finally, maybe if there is one thing I’m certain about these bunch of eggs, I mean guys is how they prefer their eggs just like they create their music but hard boiled and no other way possible. Well done… guys!
<For violent reactions and raving comments, send it to strangechiq@yahoo.com>
( hope this article will be publish….in this case you guys are the frist one to read it in advance..)
