Crowdfunded album by Color It Red launches for band's 25th anniversary
We all know Color It Red by their classic hit, “Paglisan” a ballad about a lost love sung heart-wrenchingly by Cooky Chua. That song became the anthem of a generation of lovelorn rock fanatics.
It came from the band’s first album “Hand Painted Sky” and succeeded in putting the Color It Red on the map as one of the few female-fronted bands of the time.
“Hand Painted Sky” shot CIR to pop-rock fame and was named best new album in the 1995 Awit Awards, which was six years after Color It Red was formed in 1989.
The 5th album in a 25-year career
Throughout the years, the band has maintained its following by being ever-present in the club and bar circuit starting with the legendary Club Dredd.
It’s mind-boggling to realize that the band is now celebrating its 25th year as a unit.
And as befits the occasion, Color It Red is marking the milestone by launching its fifth album “Silver” at Tiendesitas in Pasig City on Friday, May 16.
3 years to raise funds
The album was made possible through crowdfunding, the public solicitation of funds to bring projects to fruition. Color It Red did theirs through Artiste Connect, taking nearly 3 years to come close to the amount they budgeted for the album.
“Nagulat ako na almost P300,000 nagbigay, madami dun strangers,” she said and thanked all who pledged anywhere from P500 and up. According to Artist Connecte, the band raised P270,000.
Other artists who helped with the creation of the album were Gary Perez, Gloc-9, Ria Osorio and Buddy Zabala. 57 Studios’ Jofre Nachor and Co. also did the band’s album cover design.
It’s about friendship and music
Although the band’s line-up has changed through the years, the band never faded.
“Color It Red has always been about friendship and music,” said Cooky, whose vocals play a big part in defining the sound of the group.
“When we were young, medyo personalan pag may umaalis and sobrang heartache,” she confessed.
Always a part of Color It Red
“Pero as we grew older, na-realize namin na it worked for our benefit,” she added.
“Nagbabago yung sound sa nako-contribute ng new members. Kahit yung nawalang members ay part pa rin namin; we still ask them to jam or sub pag may absent. Ako lang ata yung nahihirapan humanap ng sub, haha!”
Aside from Cooky, the band is currently comprised of Barbi Paraguya on rhythm guitar, Bopip Paraguya on bass, Ariel Policarpio on lead guitar, Kwachi Vergara on rhythm and lead guitar and Jayvee Torres on drums.
Side gigs
It is amazing for any band to still be performing after 25 years and as a musician Cooky Chua keeps herself inspired by constantly performing with other groups.
“Para may mauwi sa Color it Red,” she explained, her other music gigs serving to add to Color It Red’s creative dynamic.
She regularly performs with Bluesviminda, jams with Tots Tolentino’s jazz group and does solo lounge shows in hotels “dahil mahal ko kumanta ng standards,” she said.
Recently, she also became part of the power trio Tres Marias with Bayang Barrios and Lolita Carbon and recently released their first self-titled EP.
Funny moments
When asked about funny moments in the band’s career, Cooky retold a story about one of their concerts in Music Museum.
“Minco (Fabregas) was our drummer then. While singing our first song, na-excite ako ng todo nakita ko sa audience si ‘Sic O’ Clock’ news (host) Mr. Jaime Fabregas,” she recalled.
“Kaso nakalimutan ko name niya. So tanong ako ng tanong kay Minco ano (first) name. Sabi niya, ‘Just say Mr. and Mrs.’ Biglang sabi ko, ‘We would like to acknowledge the presence of Mr. NEMESIS Fabregas, sabay pinatayo ko pa siya at may spotlight, hahaha! Hiyang-hiya daw siya sobra!”
A preview of the live studio recording "Hindi Magtatagal" from Color It Red's fifth album as posted by Artiste Connect.
Color it Red’s “Silver”: The Launch happens this Friday, March 16 in Tiendesitas in Pasig City at 10 p.m. Performances by Ebe Dancel, Gary Granada, Lolita Carbon, Bayang Barrios, Gary Perez, Butch Saulog and Snoozebox.
