Cheese all that

Perhaps the perfect term to describe the sound of modern rock’s rough sound would be "guttural." Think eardrum-smashing screams and wails. In the Philippine music scene, the emergence of this genre has paved the way for such acts like Cheese, a band that is hell-bent on unnerving everyone with its ravenous lyrics and pounding rhythms. In an attempt to demystify Cheese’s angst, I managed to corner them for an interview. But could I keep the band, considered one of the wildest acts in the scene, in one place for an hour? Well, at least I tried.

I anxiously waited for my interview with Cheese at the lobby of Warner Philippines’ Malate office. Later, Anne Poblador of the record label arrived and pretty much prepared me for what to expect. Honestly, I was worried. A writer already had a less than savory experience with the band. As Anne put it, anything is bound to happen when you’re with Cheese. Nevertheless, I marched to the room and made myself comfortable. One by one, the band members walked in and sat in front of me. I turned the recorder on and things started rolling.

After a successful self-titled debut in 1999 which spawned hits like Fine and 10x Karma, the band released its second album titled "Pilipinas" after a three-year hiatus. Why did it took so long? Cheese bassist 2ts (or Tuts) Calinawan gives a brief background: "Actually pagkatapos pa lang ng isang taon kinukulit na nila (Warner) kami kasi nag-release na yung ibang artist ng second. Kailangan daw sumabay. Iniisip namin, bakit? Lalong tumagal dahil sa pressure." Guitarist 8 Toleran adds, "Hindi namin pinilit na gawin ng mabilis. Nag-relax lang kami ng sobra. Hindi namin iniisip kasi na kailangan na."

Cheese didn’t mind the pressure and the threat of the so-called sophomore jinx — second albums that flop after a successful first recording. 2ts reveals the band’s thoughts on "Pilipinas: "Pakiramdam namin first album siya. Parang mas nandito yung identity. Mas nagawa namin yung gusto naming gawin. Kung hindi nila magustuhan, hindi nila trip, e di sorry. Pero kami yun yung trip namin so yun ang importante.""

In fact, in "Pilipinas," Cheese’s musical evolution is evident, as exemplified by the album’s first track, Mottaka. This was because the band members had enough room to do what they wanted. "Parang mas naging masaya lang at parang mas kawala. At least nagawa namin yung gusto namin ngayon. Mas nagkasundo kami talaga. Parang nalabas namin lahat ng dapat naming ilabas. Yung hindi namin malabas nung una," 2ts adds.

The album was out in record bars as early as February but it was formally launched only last April 10 at the Andres Bonifacio Shrine near Manila City Hall. The album has 10 cuts and so far, two singles have been getting a lot of airplay: Mottaka and the band’s new single, Parusa.

A lot has happened to the band during its three-year break from the scene. Unknown to many — and perhaps this is the first time this will come out — the band had already broken up because of many seemingly unresolvable issues, among them their relationship with Warner Music.

"Nag-break up na. Madami talagang nangyari. Lahat na ng pwede naming awayin inaway na namin," 2ts shares. "Naging mas malaking part pa nga sila (Warner) noon kung bakit kami nag-away. Kasi makulit na sila non. May natanggal pa nga, e."

Nevertheless, the band decided to regroup. 2ts recalls: "Alam naming may kailangang kaming gawin. Nandoon yung fact na inumpisahan na natin ito so parang dapat nating tapusin. Kanya-kanya kaming point of view ba’t ganito, ba’t ganyan, ba’t ayoko ng ganito. Ginawa lang namin yung kailangan naming gawin. Nag-decide kami na pag nalampasan natin ito, kaya na namin. Kaya yan ang lumabas. Nag-away na kami, nag-usap na kami lahat. Sinabi na namin ang gusto namin. Mas kilala na namin ang isa’t-isa."

Cheese bounced back stronger and better with "Pilipinas," proving that the band’s success isn’t a fluke. For Mottaka, the band took a different approach. The song was inspired by an out-of-town trip during CJ Olaguera’s birthday bash. But rather than fusing the lyrics with Cheese’s trademark rushing riffs and pounding bass and drum, the band decided to tone down a bit — at least for the most of the song. Ian Tayao shares the band’s mindset at that time: "Mellow kami noon. Yung panahon na yon, masayang-masaya kami. Nag-iinuman kami and yun yung nangyari."

Parusa, on the other hand, was recently featured in MTV Fresh and it showcased Cheese’s previous gigs. The band actually didn’t know that there was a new video until friends told them about it. Everyone was laughing when DJ RT Deano recalled how it was all Warner’s idea. "Nalaman na lang namin kasi sinabi sa akin. Puro mga live na mga clips, mga dating gig. Okay rin, makulit. Humahataw na slow-mo. Galit na galit pero slow mo pa rin."

Now, after finding success in the music industry, how exactly have their lives changed? They were quick to acknowledge family support throughout their music career. 2ts good-naturedly shares, "Noong una hindi. Papagalitan ka talaga. Tipong ‘Wala ka namang mapapala diyan, may pasok ka pa bukas.’" 8 Toleran adds, "Ganoon naman talaga. Papagalitan ka pero ibibigay pa rin nila yung gusto mo. Pero ngayon okay na."

CJ Olaguera, Cheese’s percussionist, is the only member of the band who’s still studying. So how does he balance his schedule? CJ admits, "Basta pag may tugtog, tugtog na lang. Minsan nakaka-pressure syempre. Bagong gising ka sa umaga tapos practice."

Being one of the wildest acts in the local music scene today, what was the craziest thing they’ve done as a band? 2ts recalls a recent prank that got drummer Paolo Rosal into trouble. After a flight from one of their out-of-town gigs, they took out six of the plane’s life vests from their compartments and put one in Paolo’s bag. When airport personnel found the vest in his bag, the band was kept from leaving the airport. Fortunately, the cop who arrested and questioned them was also from the neighborhood where Paolo resides. They were let off the hook. 2ts says with much amusement: "Pero nung una pinapagalitan talaga kami. ‘Anong gagawin nyo diyan? Gagamitin nyo sa CR ninyo? Gagawin nyong salbabida sa bath tub?’"

At the end of the interview, I wondered what just happened. I came in expecting a riot and left, thankfully alive, with a handful of info to come up with this article. They were hanging out and having fun like an ordinary barkada, talking about their passion for music. Cheese might be loose cannons on and off the stage, but honestly, I’m not complaining.