Hold Steady: Typecast keeps it together

2007 started out on a good note for Typecast. After the release of their debut album The Infatuation Is Always There, the four-piece Pinoy band released their sophomore album Every Moss And Cobweb at the end of 2006 and found themselves a new guitarist (Pakoy Fletchero) to complete the new lineup.

They were also slowly gaining popularity in the region for their music. Their song ‘Bright Eyes’ made it to the top of Channel V’s Amp charts and they were selected to be one of the two Filipino bands to perform at annual alternative music festival Baybeats 2007 in Singapore.

But as Murphy’s Law states, “Whatever can go wrong will go wrong, and at the worst possible time, in the worst possible way”. A week before their Baybeats performance, vocalist and guitarist Steve Badiola’s house caught fire and Typecast was forced to cancel all their shows, including what was supposed to be their first overseas performance. On top of that, the band also had a problem with their management and almost disbanded because of it. “It was a really bad year for us,” says drummer Melvin Macatiag.

More than a year has passed since those unfortunate incidences–which pushed them into an unexpected hiatus–and the boys were given another opportunity to perform at this year’s Baybeats.

Typecast have come a long way since their beginnings. Formed in late 1999 as an underground cover band, the band eventually started writing their own music and producing a distinct sound of their own–a sound many define as post-hardcore in nature. “We used to play a lot of late 90s punk rock like MXPX, No Use For A Name and Alkaline Trio, and then we started listening to metal, even pop and hip hop, and we fused all those influences together to produce our sound,” reveals Steve.

Typecast went on to release an EP titled Last Time, which caught the attention of Raymund Marasigan, of legendary Pinoy band The Eraserheads. His interest in Typecast’s music led to a great collaboration and the band eventually released their second effort The Infatuation Is Always There under EMI Philippines. But it wasn’t until Every Moss And Cobweb was released that the band got the attention they rightfully deserved. The band went on to win Song Of The Year at radio station Nu 107’s Nu Rock Awards. They were also nominated in eight other categories including Artist Of The Year and Album Of The Year.

This success eventually led to the opportunity to open for US-based, post-hardcore band Thursday during the band’s tour in the Philippines this year. It’s clear how significant the experience has been for Typecast. “We were very lucky to open for Thursday because we heard Japanese band Envy had the opportunity to work with them, and we thought we’d never be able get such an opportunity,” exclaims Melvin enthusiastically. Bassist Chi Ressureccion adds, “The Thursday guys were really down to earth and we really got along with them; they were just like one of the guys.”

It’s amusing to see all band members’ eyes light up as they relay stories about their experiences. It’s also evident what a tight-knit group they are, which explains why they held to their guns and didn’t disband early on in their careers. “We stuck to each other because we knew that we needed each other’s support,” says Chi. “Being in a band is actually like being in a relationship, you have to keep adjusting yourself and make compromises. You also have to have a lot of patience and understanding.” Drummer Melvin can only agree, “We’ve been together for almost ten years now. We used to fight a lot before, but we get along really well now.”

With such talent and dedication to their craft, and each other, what’s in the cards for Typecast’s future? “We hope to play as many shows as possible and our biggest aim is to tour Asia hopefully next year, and if possible, the US as well,” says Melvin. Plans are also underway to make a new record in early 2009. “And babies,” quips Steve, as he cheekily points to Melvin. Ambitions to expand their families aside, with all that Typecast has had to go through so far, the good times are just beginning.

Words Faye Angelica Photo Typecast

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*Taken from JUNK's November 2008 issue