This Questionaire is from BANDA Songhits magazine:
✔ How was the experience being part of “Kami nAPO muna ulit” CD? It felt very good for sure.
Yes, of course. We are very big APO fans! It’s great to have another opportunity to cover one of their great songs.
✔ Heard that CD is certified Gold already after one week it was released. Congrats! Got any expectations on the newly-released CD? Or message for everyone about the album, at least? :-)
Thanks! Personally, I don’t have any expectations from the album, but it’s really great that people still dig the APO songs. I think that this album is a little more “artsy” than Kami nAPO Muna. The 1st one was an all-hits album. This one features some of the lesser known hits of the APO. All of their songs are very good, so even the non-singles should be heard be a newer audience.
✔ You covered the song “Princesa”. How was it? (And) Personally, what's your feel about the song?
I really like it. It’s a song about dancing, so we gave it a disco-ish groove. It’s also nice that we used the kazoo again, after using it first in Happy Birthday.
✔ Aside from “Princesa”, what other APO songs are your favorites?
A lot!!! When I Met You is probably my favorite APO song. Awit Ng Barkada, Batang Bata Ka Pa, Pumapatak Ang Ulan, Kabilugan Ng Buwan, Anna, Yakap Sa Dilim, and Kumot At Unan are some of the favorites I can think of right now.
✔ What do you think of today's music scene? Personally, do you think that bands are on its way out?
As long as there are kids who like rock n roll, there will always be bands. 2006 gave us a lot of very good bands. As compared to the 90’s band explosion, there are a lot more good bands these days.
✔ What are your favorite records of the last 10 years? And how about your own stuff? Which song are you most proud of? Why?
I usually like the classics more, but there are a lot of newer stuff that I like. Razorlight, Muse, Alicia Keys, Arctic Monkeys, Chris Cornell, Sugar Free, Ciudad, Belle & Sebastian, Bloc Party, Blur, Chillitees, Sound, Coldplay, Cynthia Alexander, The Darkness, Deathcab For Cutie, Dicta License, Urbandub, Kjwan, Sandwich, Pupil, Dong Abay, Ephemera, Flaming Lips, Weezer, Hilera, P.O.T., Popsicle, U2, etc etc….
I’m sorry I didn’t answer the question, but I really like a lot of stuff.
I’m proud of all of our songs! I’m proud of Noon Time Show J
✔ What do people misunderstand about you?
I tell it as it is, I usually don’t sugar-coat.
✔ In what way has the business of being a rock band changed most for you?
I became a guitar addict. I started collecting guitars a couple of years ago. I now have around 30 guitars.
✔ Well, how famous did (do) you expect to be?
I wished to be famous enough to not work in a corporate job. Apparently, I got my wish.
✔ Some people say you've had an ideal career. Do you agree and do you think that's true? Why and why not?!
I agree. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I would like to think that you can’t put a good band with good songs down. We are very lucky to have achieved this.
✔ What do you do when not performing or recording?
Well, I still visit my business with Kelvin, SoftSpot. We manufacture toys, bags, pillows and other corporate giveaways. You can visit our website at www.softspotinc.com
✔ How would you like to be remembered?
As a good person who tried to make a lot of people happy J
✔ What are your biggest career regrets?
I don’t believe in regrets. Everything happens for a reason.
✔ What's been your biggest thrill?
Touring around the Philippines with my friends, and meeting a whole lot of people along the way.
✔ Outside of your career, are you really happy? You seem a very happy-go-lucky individual.:-)
Yes. I am more than content with my life right now. The key is to not expect anything!
✔ Where do you think you'll be in 10 years' time? (And) What do you think you'll be doing by then (2017)?
Still making music with my friends. If not professionally, at least for our own amusement!
✔ Finally, is there a new Itchyworms album in the works now?
Yes! We’re working on our new materials. We don’t want to rush it. We want to make it really good. J
*ITCHYWORMS BY THE NUMBERS
COUNTING DOWN THE BAND'S OFFICIAL LISTERS, AWARDS CLAIM, CDs OWN, AND MORE
Year when ITCHYWORMS hit their FIRST GIG: Summer 1996
Year the band released its FIRST ALBUM: 2001
Year when ITCHYWORMS attained their FIRST AWARD/CITATION: 1996 NU Bandmania
Number of AWARDS WON: Probably around 10
Number of YEARS that the band members have known each other: 11 or more (Kelvin and i went to the same Grade School and High School)
Number of SONGS written by the main songwriter: I’ve lost track! I’ve even forgotten some of the songs i’ve written!
Number of CONCERTS the band has attended: 200,000,000 (or something that feels like that!)
Number of BOOKS read by JUGS: Thousands! I read a lot of books and graphic novels!
Number of CDs owned by KELVIN: Thousands! He likes to buy CDs that are on sale!
Number of SHOES currently owned by CHINO: ??? He’s more of a techie guy. Kelvin and i are the ones who like to buy shoes.
YEAR that JUGS first “got into" singing professionally: I sang my first song in front of an audience during our batch's 1st communion; i was grade 2!
YEAR that JAZZ first played the DRUMS: Probably during the 80s. His dad is also a professional musician!
Number of OFFICIAL LISTERS in ITCHYWORMS's mailing list: Over a thousand, i think!
Number of ITCHYWORMS's FRIENDS in MYSPACE.COM: No idea!!! L
*WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST PRESENT (GIFT) YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED FROM A FAN? AND WHY?
A fan made a painting ala-friutcake featuring some of our songs. It’s cute! J
