CROSS RHYTHMS Dec 2009
ROCKSOUND Aug 2009
BIG CHEESE MAGAZINE July 2009
BIG CHEESE WEB July 2009
BEATS THAT BURN BRIGHT
MANILA INQUIRER November 2008
INSPIRATIONAL, semi-sophisticated, and anthemic.
This is Firefalldown.
Influenced by a slew of artists coming from different musical genres, the London-based three piece continues to be inflamed by a passion to reach people through music.
Jon Blaylock leads the band vocally and plays the guitar. He was instrumental in getting the band going, and has takenthe lead with the songwriting. Joel Sablayan is the bassist and does backing vocals. Andrew Hodgson is the drummer and also does backing vocals. He calls himself an “ex-metalhead,” and this sometimes shows through in his drum grooves. The band’s music is a fusion of punk, funk, and solid rock, with a hint of something heavier. No song sounds the same.
“Our plea is that you listen,” the guys post in their MySpace. “Our joy is made complete once a lyric, chord, or beat causes you to seek.”
Tell us about your brand of sound.
JON BLAYLOCK: Though the band is in many ways the culmination of our individual dreams, it’s a means to an end really. We want to touch lives more than anything else. And, considering our talents, skills, and personalities, music seems the most effective way to do this. As regards the brand of music: punking, funking rock interspersed with smooth, soulish vibes and a touch of tribal rhythms.
How did you all get together?
ANDREW HODGSON: Joel, who’s from the Philippines, and I, from South Africa, met in a church in London where we ended up playing together for a few years in the same church band.
Sometime during 2005, we decided to jam together, using my kitchen as a makeshift studio. In 2006 we met Jon, another Pinoy who ended up in the same church in London! We realized that, personally and musically, we sang from the same hymn sheet. And the flames started burning from there.
At that point, what were the struggles you faced?
JB: Mostly problems with schedules. Andrew and Joel had very hectic full-time jobs and families, and I was pretty busy with music school, then a master’s course in music business after that. It was also a bit tough deciding on certain things musically and creatively—mainly because the other two had yet to realize that I’m always right. (Laughs)
AH: As with 99 percent of bands out there, our beginnings are humble, and being unknown means very small audiences in equally small venues. The band has made a conscious effort to give each performance our all, making sure that even if there are only a handful of people, the songs are passionately delivered, making the most of each opportunity that we have.
Being unknown also means that practicing and gigs have to be done after hours, while day-jobs are needed to pay the bills. It’s always going to be tough to play into the early hours of the morning, and then be up and ready for work a few hours later.
What was your most memorable gig like?
JB: The Philippine tour is definitely up there somewhere. It was great getting the other two to meet all my old friends and bandmates, and getting them exposed to the scene I grew up in. I know they were both deeply moved by the experience.
AH: The tour we did in Manila in August. This included a live TV performance and also the filming of our first music video.
Being placed in the regional semi-finals of the 2008 surface unsigned competition (UK) was another high point, giving us the opportunity to play to more people, including the fans of the other bands in the competition.
What’s the one thing not a lot of people know about you three?
JB: We all owe Andrew money.
AH: The fact that we met in a church would be a fairly strange concept for some people. It’s probably not too commonplace for rock musicians to find each other in a church and decide to be in a band together. So it started with God really, He breathed the fire into us first. The music then followed.
Dreams for the band?
JB: That we might be remembered as a band that actually made a difference in society. I hope that people will remember us for positively impacting their lives in some way—for saying something that in some way brought them closer to living out their dreams, closer to living out their lives to the fullest.
AH: Whether live or recorded, we want to have our music heard by as many people as possible. We believe music is more than a tune or a song. It is also a way to speak out and express opinions. It is a powerful art form that has the ability to influence, create a mood, or deliver a message. If we can entertain loads of people, have our tunes in their heads, or have them singing along with us, then we’d be very happy!
Who do you dream of sharing the stage with?
JB: Would love to open for MXPX or Mutemath. 10 years ago it would have been NOFX, but I heard from friends who handled their tour in Manila that they weren’t the nicest of guys. So sad.
AH: That must be one of the hardest questions to answer because there are so many great bands. Choosing any one or two in particular would seem like we have ranked them. If that’s not impossible, then getting the three of us to agree on any one band would be. We are honored to share the stage with any band that is passionate about the music they’re making, and that works hard to perfect or fine-tune their sound.
Tell us what’s next for the band.
JB: Our focus is gonna be on touring. We plan on playing as much as we possibly can around the whole of the UK over the next year. There are plans to visit the Philippines again in 2009. Now we will have the time to write, practice, and tour our butts off. We’re nowhere near our peak in terms of the explosiveness and tightness of the shows we put on, but I doubt it will take very long for us to get there. Watch this space.
Everything that you’re doing—the music, the performing—what do they all mean to you?
JB: Right now, pretty much everything. It’s what I believe I was created to do and the most effective way I feel I can touch people’s lives. To quote Eric Lidell, “When I play, I feel God’s pleasure.”
AH: Music is in our bones. I don’t think any of us could think of a more constructive way to spend our lives, but to create and perform music. Knowing that people are entertained by what you have created is a very fulfilling feeling. I hope we can continue with Firefalldown for many years to come!
Any last words?
JB: Yeah, people need to know that the music coming from the South East Asia is mind-numbingly amazing. The best artists from over here will give the best of the best from the UK a run for their money. I’m so looking forward to being a part of the generation that gets the sound of the South East heard across the globe.
PUNKING FUNKING FIREFALLDOWN BLAZES HIGHER
PRESS RELEASE October 2008
Alternative rock band Firefalldown recently returned to UK after a successful Philippine tour last August. The three-man band took their unique music to the bars of Manila, rapidly building a following among the youth and the alternative music scene. The group, barely a year old, took the initiative to do a tour in the Philippines to pay homage to the Filipino heritage of two of its members. “We were overwhelmed by the warmth of the Filipino audience. Their support was all-out.” Says Jon Blaylock, the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist, referring to full house events and clamor for encore performances. The group was also pleasantly surprised to learn that the top three national broadsheets (The Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippine Star, and the Manila Bulletin) had followed their story and featured them even before their arrival. “The songs aren’t that easy to classify. Andrew is a double-kick, snare-thrashing death-metal drummer… Joel has been in few R&B/ Funk outfits… and I fronted a punkrock band, though I do love my funk and my motown. I guess you could say we play punking, funking rock with a lot of heart.” Jon reiterates unapologetically about their unique blend of music. Classifiable or not, their music is definitely a hit – placing their EP Commissioned on the number one slot on HYPERLINK “http://www.odysseylive. net” www.odysseylive.net for over five weeks. The group is now very excited about once again playing for their UK audience and will be releasing their Commissioned EP come first quarter of 2009.
HEATING THINGS UP
MANILA TIMES August 2008
British Pinoy band Firefalldown razes Club Dredd
By Paul John Caña, Lifestyle/ The Manila Times 8/19/08
There was a huge downpour Saturday night. But inside Club Dredd in Eastwood City, Libis, equally heavy “fire” was raining down on the beer-guzzling audience.
And everyone was clearly loving it. London-based band Firefalldown were showing off their punk ‘n funk style meanderings that recalled seminal groups like P.O.T., The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Incubus, and for an unheralded three-piece from out of town that barely anyone in these parts have heard about, the applause and hoots of approval from an audience that included staples from Manila’s own rock scene was encouraging. Guitarist and vocalist Jon Blaylock, drummer Andrew Hodgson and bassist Joel Sablayan are in town for a whirlwind two-week tour that have seen them play at all the usual rock hotspots around town, and I was lucky enough to have caught up with them a couple of days earlier.
The Manila Times: So who’s going tell the story of how you guys got together?
Andrew Hodgson: Our story began with Joel and I. We met in church, where we played music in the same church service back in London. That’s how hard rocking we are. We met Jon after and we realized we loved the same type of music and we started jamming. This was around 2006.
TMT: For those who have no idea what you guys sound like, how would you describe your music? Who are your influences?
Jon Blaylock: It’s rock, and there’s a bit of punk in there. A bit of soul and some funk. Influences? There’s Red Hot Chili Peppers, P.O.T., Blink 182, NoFX and Incubus.
TMT: So what brought you guys all the way here in Manila from London?
JB: The reason that we initially wanted to come back was to shoot a music video for one of our songs. One of my friends has a video production studio and we were band mates for a very long time here in Manila. So we wanted to come back to shoot the video here because obviously it’s more expensive to do it in London. But then, since we were coming back anyway, a friend said, “why don’t you do a couple of gigs?” That eventually turned into an all-out tour.
TMT: But what made you fly to London in the first place?
AH: We all have different stories.
Joel Sablayan: I came to London as a nurse. But before that I was playing in a show band back here in Manila. I’m still a nurse, but we’re still working on that. Eventually, I hope to give that up and focus on our music. But right now, I can’t quit my day job yet.
AH: I came from Cape Town in South Africa. I went to London after finishing my studies. I wanted to get a job so I figured I might as well go abroad and try it out. I checked out the music scene, and started playing with a band. I’ve played in about three or four other bands before I met these guys.
TMT: I bet you didn’t expect to come all the way over here.
AH: No, definitely not. But that’s the great thing about London. It’s a melting pot of different cultures. Everyone’s there.
TMT: And you, Jon?
JB: I wanted to finish school. I went to an international school here in Manila. And you can’t finish the degree here; you had to go to an affiliate school abroad. And so I chose London. I was into music already. But I wanted to learn more about music. I was taking up a business and marketing degree. After that I took a guitar performance course in London. I’m just about to finish. And I took a post-graduate music business course.
JS: So this is basically just a school project. (Laughter)
TMT: How’d you come up with the name Firefalldown?
AH: It took a while before we settled on a name.
JB: There was one name that some people really, really wanted called Blades Death Poetry.
AH: But it didn’t exactly roll off the tongue.
JS: I originally wanted to be called Vatican Assassins.
TMT: That would’ve really caught people’s attention.
AH: Yeah, it would’ve.
JB: Firefalldown, to me kasi it really conveys…inspiring people and motivating them to reach out, to let them know that they’re alive and convince them that there’s more to life. To me it conveys passion. And that’s what we’re about.
JS: We want to start a revolution.
AH: The fire is like a purging fire, like a soul fire.
TMT: You guys have an album out?
JB: We have a four-track EP with a bonus track.
JS: But the thing is, we’re realizing that the music industry is changing. And we’re exploring other avenues in terms of distributing our music. An album is probably the logical step forward, but it might not be the most practical way of doing it.
AH: We’ll see what happens
JB: But the one thing that we’re decided on is that we want to do as much as we can on our own.
TMT: That means you’re not going be signed to a label?
JB: Not in the near future. I don’t think it’s a smart move—for now.
TMT: So why do you think should people come out to see you?
JB: I think we put on a pretty good show.
JS: And people should see Jon’s biceps. (Laughter)
JB: One good thing about our show is that we try to balance catchiness and sophistication. So there’s something for both musician and your average listener.
AH: Our originals, you wouldn’t say that we sound like this or that band, that we sound like Incubus or RHCP. We sound like Firefalldown.
JS: And they should see us because it’s boring to play when there’s like only three of you in the club. So bring your friends!
LONDON PUNK ROCKERS COME HOME
August 2008
By YUGEL LOSORATA
A punk rock trio from England called Firefalldown is in the country for a series of gigs.
But here’s the catch: two of the band’s members consider their tour here as homecoming of sort.
Lead vocalist Jon Blaylock and bassist Joel Sablayan left the country in 2001 for greener pastures in London . Last year they ended up as bandmates which, along with drummer Andrew Hodgson, became known as Firefalldown. They’re promoting their EP "Commissioned" and are scheduled to finish an eight-venue Philippine tour that includes Al’s Bar in Parañaque and Mag:Net in Bonifacio High Street.
"Firefalldown is a three-piece rock band with pretty diverse influences," said singer Jon who previously fronted for another punk rock group. He added, "Andrew is a double-kick, snare-thrashing death metal drummer. Joel has been in few R&B and funk outfits, and I do love my funk and Motown."
The band’s major influences include Incubus, Tower of Power , The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and P.O.T. Some of their songs are said to be containing Filipino lines somewhere in the choruses and bridges.
This Thursday, they will perform at Al’s Bar with local sensations Urbandub, Mayonnaise, Menaya, Salamin, Pitik and Blue Jean Junkies. The following night at Mag:Net, they are bound to rock the night away with Angulo, Subscapular, Faspitch, Nyctinasty, and the ever-popular Chicocsi.
Its music described as dynamic and intriguing, Firefalldown has already played in other key gig spots in Metro Manila like Saguijo in Makati and Club Dredd at Eastwood.
Firefalldown started jamming in 2006 and by January 2007, they had enough originals to play for curious audiences. Chris Sheldon of Radiohead and Foo Fighters fame came on board to mix their EP "Commissioned."
Their Philippine tour itinerary also includes a music video shoot to be directed by local talent Pancho Esguerra.
ENGLISH-FILIPINO BAND MAKES
UK TOP 80
July 2008
London, England – English-Filipino Band FireFallDown emerged among the regional semi-finalists of the Surface Unsigned Festival. The sole live music event that brings unsigned bands to the attention of the UK music industry, the Surface Unsigned Festival attracts more than 4000 bands from southern England alone.
Band lead vocalist and guitar Jon Blaylock couldn’t hold his excitement about the coming semi finals; “We are in the top 80 in the south of England, and top 210 overall. The gig on July 15th is the semi finals, from then on, only one out of every seven bands will move forward to the finals.”
The other members that complete the three-man band are long time musician Andrew Hodgson on drums and fellow Pinoy Joel Sablayan on bass.
Formed in UK about a year ago, the band offers a unique brand of their music with influences from P.O.T., Jimmy eats World, Incubus and Red Hot Chili Peppers among others. Their lyrics revolve around passion and real-life struggles facing their generation. “Our songs usually have a line or two in Filipino,” says Jon who writes all the songs for the group
.
Hopeful for the coming Surface Unsigned Festival semi finals, FireFallDown has their eyes set on another goal. The band will be releasing a single this month to pave the way for their Metro Manila tour. “We will be shooting a Music Video with Pancho Esguerra (director of numerous videos for Bamboo such as Far Away and Probinsiya), and we’ll be playing at numerous shows from the 14th to the 25th of August.
The band is thrilled to serve up Filipinos with their music that is “not all too familiar to the average listener… something fresh and poignant which, on some tracks, trickles down one's throat as smooth as a soul ballad, and on others, pummels through the chest as intensely as a hardcore anthem."
WE ALL FALL DOWN
July 2008
BY SAM L. MARCELO
CD REVIEW
FIREFALLDOWN, an unsigned three-man band out of the UK formed about a year ago, relies on the good old combination of drums, guitar and bass for a rockin’ sound akin to power-punk bands like Blink 182. And their three-track demo CD clearly demonstrates the influences several acts have had on their music.
The intro and bass line of "Eternally," for example, has a funky vibe reminiscent of now-defunct P.O.T. — the same P.O.T. fronted by Karl Roy, the multi-tatted Pinoy rocker who is now recovering from a stroke. Lead vocalist and guitarist Jon Blaylock blends traditional singing with rapping and a dash of improvisation, a style associated with Roy and Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Lyrically, sweet sentiments like "Dear Mom and Dad I want to give back, these songs are here because of you" ("Dear Mom and Dad") — I’m not sure how spot on I am since there’s no lyric sheet — provide an interesting contrast to Blaylock’s heavy guitars and Andrew Hodgson’s pounding drums. Aside from the nod to P.O.T. as influence, Blaylock also surprises with an occasional Filipino phrase sandwiched inside a verse. A visit to their MySpace page (www.myspace.com/firefalldownmusic) will also reveal connections to local acts like Urbandub and Up Dharma Down.
Turns out Firefalldown bassist Joel Sablayan is Filipino and Blaylock used to play in Manila-based band Dry as Dre before he had to head back to England to finish his studies.
"Mr. Rockstar," a track you can play on their MySpace page, would have been a welcome addition to their demo CD since it could be the catchiest tune in their repertoire. The hooky guitar part and Blaylock’s improvising (a combination of pa-ra-ra-ra’s, ah-ah’s and na-nee-na’s) are quite fun to listen to repeatedly.
Firefalldown will be releasing a single soon and the band is heading to Manila for a number shows between Aug. 14 and 25. They are also slated to shoot a music video with Pancho Esguerra, who directed several Bamboo videos. The band recently emerged among the regional semifinalists of the Surface Unsigned Festival, an ongoing live music event that brings unsigned bands to the attention of the UK music industry. As of the submission of this review, results from the festival are unavailable. To track the band’s progress, go to http://www.surfaceunsigned.co.uk.
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