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Astrojuan

Astrowho?

Jeff Tuason, Mikel Garcia, Randy Echaus and Iking Uy weren’t popular in college. That was about three years ago, way before they started appearing in Manila’s music scene. Now they have an established routine. Before each gig, the boys pump up with some energy drinks. Then Jeff, the band’s vocalist, takes his place behind the mic. Mikel and Randy tune their guitars. Iking sits behind the drums, praying that he doesn’t mess up. Then they launch into a brand of sixties and seventies rock meshed with nineties grunge. Think U2, Audioslave and Sound Garden all rolled into one danceable sound. With much ease, Astrojuan produces notes and riffs that make it seem like starting a band might just be a piece of cake.

But we all know that’s not true. And these guys will very much attest to their share of rocky beginnings. Band dropouts, overflowing schedules, penniless pockets…they ran the gamut of birthing pains. So what did these guys do right? What is it that makes people talk about them? How did they manage to prove that they could very well be the next big thing to hit the OPM scene?

For starters, they’re staying true to their band name. For the rock quartet, ‘Juan’ represents the everyday Filipino; ‘Astro’ stands for the aspiration to create stellar sounds. Together, the name sums up the ambition to create great Filipino music. “Astrojuan is about sticking to our roots,” says Jeff, and it’s exploring new ways of making people love, dance and feel the message of the music we make.” Astrojuan was a name coined to represent each member’s individual influences while building a unique personality for the band. The band’s originality however, goes further than their name. When asked what sets them apart from other bands, the answer was a combination of playful guitar riffs, off-beat drum patterns, cool and steady bass, plus a voice that the lead vocalist hopes to be remembered for.

And remembered they will be, as long as they keep their drop-all-other-gimmicks kind of dedication to the band. To pursue dreams of recognition, Astrojuan sacrifices weeknights and weekends for the band’s success. Any free time goes to band practice, gigs or solo practice. Money earned from day jobs goes to the band’s recording fees. It’s a hard knock life indeed but it doesn’t come without its rewards. Or its lucky breaks. Just recently, Nokia Music Guru Twinky Lagdameo chanced upon Astrojuan’s demo tape. Gig number one came. Then two, then three. Soon after, gigs started coming along more easily. Networking became a little easier. And plans for a 7-song EP started to materialize. The band’s reaction to it all?  As drummer Iking put it, “go lang ng go!”

Astrojuan takes the pressures of success in stride. At times, they still can’t believe it when they go gigging alongside their music idols. Or when they receive compliments from fellow musicians. When Astrojuan started out in college, they were listening to the likes of Urbandub and secretly hoping to play like them one day. It’s no wonder then that they still feel giddy when they happen to be in the same lineup as Urbandub. To Jeff, Urbandub has achieved the extraordinary quality of combining heavy, smooth and catchy tones in one song. “Their music is something that people can rock with or relax to.” If Astrojuan can achieve a similar response from their chosen audience, then no doubt, their name will prove to be more than just a name.