‘It’s like we’re a garage band again’ – Kjwan
Video courtesy of Radio Republic.
The last time rock group Kjwan released a record was back in 2012. Labeled “Kjwan IV: Volume 1,” it was supposed to be the first in a series of EPs to be released, partly as a response to new listener habits, and also to mark the band's rebirth with their then-new lineup.
Two years later, and the Marc Abaya-fronted outfit has finally released the second installment, aptly-dubbed “Kjwan IV: Volume 2”...except that it's actually a full-length album this time around.
“Our bassist Kelley (Mangahas) had the idea of us releasing three volumes, with the fourth one being a boxed set. Not that any record company can afford that,” Marc explained candidly. “We were supposed to [just] make another EP. But with Eo on the drums, we just kept on wanting to write more.”
Classic rock
He was referring to their drummer Eo Marcos, who joined the band a little more than two years ago. Eo played drums for the sludge metal band Salamin, and Kjwan apparently waited for the right time to invite the power drummer to their fold.
Kelley explains that with two years in, the skinsman is still the gamechanger as far as their sound is concerned. “From the moment Eo joined the band, we wanted to make songs that would fit all of our tastes. We went back to basics, worked on our chemistry, and just started to get everyone more involved.”
Listening to their new tracks like “Aking Pangako,” one does notice a classic rock vibe reminiscent of Juan dela Cruz.
Formative music of their youth
Abaya does not deny the influence. With the addition of a much-younger member, the rest of the band has gone back to the formative music of their youth.
“Pangako” has that revivalist streak of Razorback, while “My Axis” hearkens back to the punchy grooves of 90s band Helmet.
“It's like we're a garage band again,” adds the charismatic frontman.
The mad scientist
On the other end of the age spectrum however, is Inky de Dios on keyboards. Inky is a veteran of many bands such as Indio I and Out of Body Special, whom Marc refers to as the mad scientist of among them: “He has a lot of things to say, and he's brilliant.”
“I'd like to think I added more variety to the Kjwan sound,” Inky explains. “I'm definitely not a rock musician, but most of my influences are easily applied and adjusted to their sound. In any case, blues and funk are always good.” With the band's predilection for trying out new styles, he admits to having a tendency for “wild ideas,” which necessitates the need for the band to pull him back once in a while.
“Inky knows theory, genres I've never even heard of,” Marc adds. “The closest we could get to him was through [the approach] of The Doors. The 'less is more' ideology. We let him loose and he will take us to things we're not capable of doing. He's that much of a mad genius.”
Play harder
With all the relatively new elements of the band around, one thing they've noticed is that their fans still ask them to play more of their old material.
“It's not something I'm comfortable with,” Marc admits. “But instead of bitching about it, it's all on us to make the music come across through our gigs. The album just came out, so we just have to play harder.”
With Volume 2 out, plans are currently being made for Volume 3. “We're planning on releasing a special DVD,” reveals Kelley. “We recorded footage of our 10th anniversary show (taken late last year)."
"Kjwan IV: Volume 2" is available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and Deezer.
