Birth Control: 'New breed of CIT-based rockers'

It came appropriate to have adopted a name relative to reproductive health when Birth Control unexpectedly had for a debut gig an activity relative to the upholding of reproductive health awareness-an event spearheaded by members of the student press behind the production of "Technologians", the official student publication of the Cebu Institute of Technology.

The concert in line with the call to know more about reproductive health at the Ayala Center Cebu with Bisrock band Jimicycle came as a fitting gig for a band sporting on a name that not only offered awareness on health in reproduction, but also both a solution and an option to people with clashing opinions on how to deal with population explosion.

According to Birth Control guitarist Dindo Miranda who is into business management studies major in banking and finance management, it was the first "invitational performance of Birth Control which in a way matched the significance of raising an issue as sensitive as reproductive health and reproductive health rights."

"Actually, ang 'Birth' is lifted from the first album of Urbandub which is one of a few bands I admire," said Frederick "Derick" Macaraya, drummer who is also into BSBA with a major in General Business Management.

"Nya ang 'Control' is from a song by California rock band Puddle of Mudd who came up with a debut album in 2001 entitled 'Come Clean'. Because they are excellent artists, this had an eventual follow-up through 'Life on Display' Enhanced CD. Though I do drums, I admire the collaborative heavy guitar work of Paul Philips and singer Wesley Scantlin, so mao na siya nga Birth Control. Gi-fuse nako," Derick added.

"Wala gyud ta na'y relationship with issues raised by the commission on population or whatsoever entity lifting up concerns on the impact to society of a ballooning population. It so happened lang nga gi-invite mi to play for an activity nga mora'g natuyo nga birth control maoy solusyon sa isyu," Derick and the rest of the band members shared with a laugh.

So when asked on how should Birth Control be viewed as another aspiring band on a wagon of Bisrockers, Derick answered they would like to be known as a "new breed of CIT-based rockers" instead of propagators of birth control, as they would want to emphasize not a literal birth, like that of human beings, but of music.

"Kana bang birth of notes, birth of sounds, mao na siya among gusto nga ma-take notice sa mga listeners. We want our songs to be heard by those who have learned to worship sounds played in the Sugbuano tongue," this was the collective stand of the group.

"Dili sad mi mokanta og Binisaya permi kay we also have written songs in English, but we do hope that support would also flow for original Cebuano compositions rendered in English kay Bisaya ra man sad gihapon ang nikanta. Bale kamao man sad mi mosuwat og English songs nya nakasugod na pud mi ani, so amo lang i-sustain," said Eduardo "Audie" Bontia, the band's bassist, and an Information Technology student at CIT.

Audie showed me a copy of their Extended Play album, which was produced to test if they would appeal to fellow students of CIT. The album is dubbed "Fallen Faster" which is the first track of the EP.

Ryan Bernales on vocals, an Electronics and Communications Engineering student, and new member Lydell "Itchoy" Lusañez on guitars complete Birth Control who already demonstrated how good they are as performers when they bagged second place among 12 competing bands in the CIT band competition during the Intramurals celebration of 2004.

This was surpassed when they were adjudged champion in the Battle of the Bands event in Punta Princesa dubbed "Next to Shine" with five competing bands including fellow rock-ing Smashers Stonestomp and Republika.

After Birth Control was formed in November of 2003, "Fallen Faster" saw birth in 2004 with two other English songs "I Won't Let You Go" and "Stay" which are both love songs penned by Audie. The EP mixed by Hans of Backyard Project Studio and engineered by Poldo of Zzubu Music Studio sells for P60 and already comes with a video of "Fallen Faster" that was recorded during one of their performances, and also of "Nailad", a song about being duped.

"Sa imong kaanyag/nagdali ko'g dagan/aron makit-an ka/naglakaw sa dalan/pwerteng gwapaha/mora'g artista/nagsuot og saya/pwerteng mubo-a/halos makita na/sa akong kadanghag/ako nailad sa imong kaanyag/knockout akong pitaka/adtong hitabo-a, haskang malasa/wa nako damha/nga magkita pa gyud tang duha/nagkuyog pata nag CR/didto sa Ayala/bayot diay ka..."

"Nailad" made its way over the air lanes at 93.1 Smash FM and became the very reason why Birth Control was noticed on the airwaves.

The pack completed their EP using for inspiration the sounds of Hatebreed (hardcore), Pantera (heavy metal), Deftones (grind core), Chevell (new metal) and Cebu-based bands Urbandub, Faspitch, Missing Filemon, Aggressive Audio, Pointblank and Makadawa who also have similar influences in music styles-grunge, metal and alternative.

Later on, they will serve as front act for other CIT-based bands for the Colors Day celebration at the CIT Quadrangle. On the 25th, Birth Control is main band to play for the Commerce Day event at the CIT gymnasium and on the 26th at the Handuraw Events Café for the Battle of the Bands V.

Orders, inquiries and bookings email birthcontrol_rock [email protected]. Visit www.myspace.com/birthcontrol_rocks. Friendster account is birthcontrol_rockband@ yahoo.com.ph.

Shout-outs: Birth Control would like to extend thanks to Maricel Benigay, Cherry, CIT president Mr. Gregorio Escario, CIT SSG president Mr. Jovelon Oracoy, Deo, Angie, Cathy, Teray, Hans of Backyard Project Studio and Poldo of Zzubu Recording Studio, DJ Ram and Bré Ambungan for the unwavering support.