Why does Hale sing sad songs?

The reason is simple.

"We sing sad songs because of our sad experiences in life," said Champ Lui-Pio, lead vocals and guitarist of Hale, one of today’s hottest new bands which is touted as "the Pogi Band" (for an obvious reason). "Our music reflects realities in our lives."

The three other members nod in agreement. They are Roll Martinez (vocals and guitars), Sheldon Gellada (bass) and Omnie Saroca (drums).

There must be a lot of sad/lonely – and heartbroken? – young people out there because before long, in barely one year after the quartet signed up with EMI Philippines, everybody is singing Hale’s songs which they describe as "melodrama" (melodious drama).

There’s Broken Sonnet (so titled because Hale added two lines to the original 14), "a tragic love song" which was the carrier single of EMI’s Full Volume album, a collection of Pinoy rock music; The Day You Said Goodnight (used as theme song of the GMA Koreanovela Green Rose; listen to it and weep), first single off Hale’s debut self-titled album released last May and which turned "platinum" three months later; and Kung Wala Ka which is about letting go and finding out where one has gone wrong.

These three songs from the album, plus three others – Blue Sky (about "hope amidst all the troubles"), Here Tonight (about "a love with no anxieties by being with someone one wants to spend the rest of his/her life with") and Kahit Pa (about "a couple that redeems unrequited love against all odds) – were originally in the demo tape the four guys recorded (12 songs all in all) and peddled from one recording company to another. Only EMI Philippines took the "bait" – sans regrets, according to EMI big boss Chris Sy.

"The first time I heard the songs," said Chris, "I knew they would click."

That sums up the story of Champ, Roll, Sheldon and Omnie who were drawn to each other by music. Champ is from Alabang, Roll from Batangas but based in Las Piñas, Sheldon from Sucat and Omnie from Parañaque. Sheldon and Omnie have known each other from way back and then Sheldon met Roll at UST where they took up Music. Champ is a Human Resource Management graduate from La Salle St. Benilde and Omnie, an Architecture graduate from TUP.

At first, without any name, they played "underground" but not for long. Then, they borrowed money from Champ’s father and did the demo tape that became their launching pad to mainstream recording.

Why did they call themselves Hale (and not – why not? – Heaven or Holy)?

"I checked the dictionary," said Champ, "and hale means, among others, ‘sound in body’ and that’s it. We wanted a name that has meaning, not just ‘yung magandang pakinggan."

Asked how their sound (besides being "melodious dramatic") differs from those of other bands, Roll said, "Our lyrics are poetic and sincere so listeners can easily identify with our songs."

With their "angst" released, Hale hopes to sing happier songs from hereon.

Before then, let’s probe the Halers a little deeper.

• Omnie Saroca, 26, is one of two children. "Medyo abnormal ang taste ko sa babae. I prefer chubby chicks; iba sa gusto ng other guys." Fancy-free; describes himself as mysterious.

• Champ Lui-Pio, 20, one of four children. "No preference as far as girls are concerned. As long as there’s chemistry between us, it’s okay." Fancy-free; describes himself as "a guy who always does the right thing all the time."

• Rolando "Roll" Martinez, 21, only child in a family steeped in music (his grandfather was a saxophonist for the British Army while his father plays classical guitar). "I want a homebody girl, one who’s there when I go home." Fancy-free; describes himself as "subliminal."

• Sheldon Gellada, 20, one of two children in the family. The only one in the group who has a girlfriend. Describes himself as "domestic."

What’s up?

• Michael Bolton’s concert scheduled today at the Araneta Coliseum was postponed to March next year. According to Srezzatura Inc., the local producer, Bolton’s camp disclosed that Bolton is attending to personal matters in the US. Ticket holders are advised to wait for further announcement.

• You can chat with your favorite stars at the Globe and Gift Gate 3G Express at the Glorietta again this weekend, Using Globe’s 3G video calls, you can chat with stars like Geoff Eigenmann, Brad Turvey, Sandara Park and Joseph Bitangcol, and Star Circle Quest winners Erich Gonzales and Aaron Villaflor and at the same time see them on the phone.

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