Locomoco Lang Sapat Na: Reigniting The Spark For Unstoppable Force

In a world where musical paths can take unexpected turns, there are moments when fate orchestrates a harmonious convergence. Such is the story of Locomoco, a 5-piece “medyo” pop punk band that transcends the confines of disbanded groups.

The Locos

Born from the ashes of former projects, the band members, Rap (Vocals), Vinx(Guitar/Vocals), Aaron(Bass), Jam(Guitar), and Ley(Drums) found solace and a renewed sense of purpose in each other’s company, united by a shared passion for music. As Vinx shared, “We are lucky enough to (have) found each other that somehow (still) has this common goal to make music.”

And to much luck that they have, their band name Locomoco came out only unique to them in the industry. Derived from the tagalog “Loko Mo Ko”, the band decided to merge it into one word to make it more witty and easier to remember. “We always get called kapag sasalang kami sa kapistahan, and the hosts will say ‘Uy, Loko mo ‘ko (Locomoco).’ I think we achieved the reason why we picked the name in the first place,” Vinx shared.

Influenced by the likes of State Champs, New Found Glory, and Neck Deep, the band aims to create music that would stir people’s emotions and would make them jump and dance together with them rather than be violent, or as Rap says, “Medyo Pop Punk.”

Locomoco may have been an official band only by 2018, but its members goes way back from playing on the same gigs with their previous bands, as Vinx recounts, “Kami ni Niko at Niki, nakasama ko yang mga yan way back 2005 pa. Kasama ko sa sila sa banda na Nodetrack dati. And still is pero tumutugtog na lang kasi kami sa events like weddings, birthdays, etc. Si Rap matagal ko nang nakakasabay yan sa mga gigs nung nasa Choyz pa siya at ako nasa Punkober. Pero nakasama ko si Rap talaga nung nabuo Locomoco which was 2018. Different members pa dati yun pero kami ni Rap ang founding talaga. Then Niki came around a year after nabuo yung banda, then Niko and Jam nung after pandemic na. Tapos nun kami kami na talaga magkakasama ever since.”

Creating from Differences

Just like other bands, Locomoco is aware that healthy arguements will always be part of the process of creating music. They’ve all agreed to always be professional when it comes to their music. “It’s not personal, it’s more on professionalism, so konting usap lang naiintindihan na agad,” Rap shared.

Squeezing creative juices from five brains having different opinion and taste is not an easy task, but Locomoco understands that their differences makes their music unique. “Yung creative differences namin hindi namin siya ginagamit para mahimay kami kundi para makabuo kami ng tunog namin. Lahat naman ng music has it’s own special way para makarating sa tenga ng makikinig e. Kumukuha lang kami ng ingredients tapos nageexperiment kami ano yung masarap sa panglasa. Pero i’m not saying na porke’t maasim e di na masarap,” Vinx shared.

Loco with A Heart

While their music may seem a bit too much for some, the band is all in to empower their listeners, Ley stated, “Locomoco songs are about heartbreaks, and we would like to inspire them at their lowest point of relationship. Not to let them feel more depressed, but to ascend.”

Vinx on the other hand wishes that their songs could strike a chord and help encourage people to stand up and get back on track, “Habang nakikinig kayo sa kanta namin e meron kaming masundot na kwerdas ng puso niyo… matuto tayong lumaban sa kalungkutan. Loco always fights back and gets back on track.”

“Kuntento”

A song made out of the feelings of desire and contentment, it explores the idea of that neverending loop where we always long for something we don’t have. As Vinx unfolds the story behind the song, he shared, “Kuntento is about buhay na mahirap tuldukan. Sa kahit anong bagay yan, trabaho, relasyon, pera, estado, position at kung ano ano pa. Napakabihira lang talaga nating masabing ‘Kuntento na ako sa ganitong buhay’. Although bilib ako sa mga taong simple lang talaga ang gusto sa buhay at kuntento na sila kung anong meron sila ngayon. Pero amininin man natin o hindi, yung mga nagsasabing kuntento na sila, we know deep inside, meron pa silang gustong baguhin sa buhay nila. And that’s the reality.”

Being the main songwriter of the song, Vinx shared how the song was made explaining, “I always write in Major or happy scale and always starts on Tonic. So when i wrote this, it would sound like, contented ka kasi the chords would fall into the right place e. Kaya naisip ko, to bring tension to the verses, I’ll start it on Subdominant. Then the refrain would end on minor to have that ‘pagsisisi’ feel. Then the chorus would be straight up Major chord but a hidden minor on the first part which the lyrics say ‘Kaya mo bang bigyan ng Pagkakataon?’ Nagbibigay lang siya ng hint na yung tanong na yan walang kasugutan. Or better yet, ayaw mong marinig yung sagot. I guess nasa subconscious ko na talaga lahat yan paano yung arrangement at paano ko mailalahad sa makikinig yung purpose bakit ko pinili yung melody/chords sa mga parts.”

The band recorded parts of the song at home and Polysonic Studio, who also mastered the track. While they acknowledge the quality of recording in a studio, the band prefers and will move forward to recording new songs at home to have more freedom and not be pressured by time. Vinx shared, “Nirecord namin yung Drum at Vocal track sa Polysonic. All the guitars and bass parts sa bahay lang. Minaster din ng Polysonic yung track. Pero moving forward siguro we would focus na to record our song dito na lang sa bahay. Hindi sa dahil di namin gusto sa studio, dahil lang naghahabol ka lagi ng oras kapag nasa studio ka. Minsan may gusto ka pang idagdag pero di mo na magawa kasi bitin ka na sa oras or may oras kang hinahabol.”

The Gary V. Cover

Aside from their current single, the band is also in the works to releasing another one, a cover of Gary Valenciano’s “Eto Na Naman.” With no exact date to release it, the band expects that the song will trigger nostalgia and re-introduce the song to the younger ones.

The band also wanted to say to Mr. Pure Energy:

Vinx: “Kay Mr Pure Energy, sana po najustify namin yung kanta niyo. Medyo bago yung groove, maaring nabago yung perspective ng mensahe, pero same pa din ng gustong iparating sa mga tao, yung napapasayaw sila kapag napakinggan nila yung kanta.”

Rap: “Pareng Gary tara HATAW NA!!! hahaha!”

Aaron, on the other hand, said he wants to politely ask for Gary V’s blessing, while Ley said in jest (or maybe not), “honestly, we’ll ask him to please don’t sue us.”

Popularity and Sucess

Social media has been a big tool for musicians to get recognized and gain exposure. While the band acknowledges this, they believe that creating music is about getting people to really listen to their song and relates to it than just getting on a bandwagon because it’s “uso.” As Vinx stated, “At real talk, ayokong makilala ng ibang tao dahil lang ‘uso’ kami. Mas okay sa akin na kahit konti lang nakakagets ng tugtugan o kanta namin basta lahat ng mga yun willing kami makilala as a band. Mas intimate yun bilang artist. Mas okay sa akin na kikilalanin ka keysa sa kilala ka.”

Ley also added, “As long as you make good quality songs and being appreciated even if not so much by other people, even if it’s not trending. What’s important is that you contribute something to the OPM.”

Taking about the business in music and how success can be achieved in an industry full of talented individuals who are striving to be seen and heard, Vinx shared his sentiments, “You should understand and know business. Music is music pero kapag may industry na ang usapan you should know how to do business. I think normal sa atin ma-overwhelm kapag napasok mo na talaga yung music industry at medyo bumabango pangalan mo. Pero don’t forget to take a breath and think legally bago mo man pasukin yung dapat mong pasukin. Maging business minded ka lang din dapat kasi you are a brand. a product. Kaya yung sinasabi ng iba, dito na hihinto yung saya, kasi magiging trabaho na.”

“Wag Kang Titgil”

Through their years of being musicians, even before Locomoco, the band gained the experiences and wisdom to keep moving forward and not let their fire die even if no one’s around to support.

“Wag kang titigil.” hanggang ngayon ginagawa ko pa din. Kung talagang mahal mo yung craft mo, just do it. Do it not to please anyone to like your art. Ilabas mo lang lahat ng gusto mong ilabas regardless sa sasabihin ng iba. Do it for yourself. At kahit magulang mo pa magsabi sa’yong itigil mo yan, don’t. Yung ginagawa mo ay yung tunay na ikaw. How you want to present yourself to other people. Kung trip ka nila o hindi, it’s okay. At least anytime mawala ka masasabi mong, “wala akong pinagsisisihan, nagawa ko lahat ng gusto kong gawin.” – Vinx

Be humble and respect other as a musician. Be a mirror of yourself in order for you to succeed. – Ley

Practice, form a bond with your bandmates. Go on no matter what, even if theres no one watching your gigs, everyone’s time to shine will always come. – Aaron

Or in other words, life is too short to play it safe. So, grab your air guitar, turn up the volume, and let Locomoco unleash their high-energy tunes straight into your eardrums. Trust us, you won’t be able to resist the infectious hooks of “Kuntento.”