The indie rock supergroup that isn’t, Prank Sinatra, will release their greatest hits this year (or something like that)

The indie rock supergroup that isn’t, Prank Sinatra, will release their greatest hits this year (or something like that)

by rick olivares

Indie rockers Prank Sinatra ended 2017 with a bang by closing the final show of Sugar Hiccup with a raucous set that nearly stole the show and perhaps came away having converted a few shoegazer fans. Now they open 2018 with the announcement that perhaps one of the most fun bands you might have not heard of will be releasing a “greatest hits” album on vinyl.

Unless you’re a habitue of the local rock clubs, you might have not heard of Prank Sinatra. However, when you find out that their line-up is as close to an indie superband, then you should pay attention.

Prank Sinatra’s leader, lead vocalist, and guitarist is Iman Leonardo who is the last bassist for Sugar Hiccup and formerly of local Goth Rock pioneers, Dominion. On drums is former Sugar Hiccup multi-instrumentalist Czandro Pollack. Rivermaya, Daydream Cycle, and Japsuki’s Japs Sergio plays the guitar. His brother, Dok, who also plays the bass Pupil, Teeth, and Daydream Cycle is on board, and Ryan Goan, who also plays with Ely Buendia, is on keyboards.

Japs Sergio, digresses: “Puwera BS, I don’t really think of Prank Sinatra as a superband. I’ve always looked at it as Iman’s band and friends with similar musical tastes. Completing the line-up.”

The disagreeing doesn’t end there.

“I hate the name Prank Sinatra,” declares Leonardo over a later merienda of French fries and beer at Chef’s Garage in Cubao X. “It was by accident and I needed a band name. My neighbor loves Frank Sinatra and it was just a joke. The name has no meaning. Kesyo naman ang pangalan namin ay, ‘Iman Leonardo’. Lalo na walang dating.”

I started a joke… that had the whole world laughing….

Leonardo laughs at my cribbing an old Bee Gees’ song.

The days of wearing eyeliner and make up with performing with Dominion are over. Leonardo has instead created his own music to his own beat; a free form of rock much like one of his musical inspirations Frank Zappa. “Although I am a Zappa fan, you will not find any traces of his playing styles in my songs,” says Iman.

The late American rocker’s music was characterized by non-conformity, sound experiments, and satire.

Witness the song titles: “I Lost My Plectrum”, “These Fingers Can’t Seem to Brighten Up My Day”, “Hooked on Gobbledygook”, and “It’s All Right If It’s Gone All Wrong”.

Touche. Leonardo laughs. “Yun lang.”

“I write songs the way I feel. If I want to play a chord here that doesn’t seem right, I have to find a way to make it sound right. Does that make sense,” Leonardo asks.

Apparently, because that is why Dok Sergio joined as he liked the songs. That is why Leonardo has buyers of Prank Sinatra’s albums from as far away as Europe.

Are these buyers from Europe – Filipino or not?

“Who cares,” Leonardo says throwing his hands up in the air. “They can be from Africa or wherever. As long as they buy and like our music, I like them.”

Prank Sinatra has released four albums – The F Defect (2005), Footlong Players (2006), The “Peel” Sessions (2008 with its Velvet Underground cover inspiration as well as late British DJ John Peel), and Get Outta My Way (2015).

The plan now is to release an album of songs the general public hasn’t mostly heard, to re-record them, or to record entirely new songs with the band’s current line-up. The band has never been complete for the discography thus far. Some perform on some albums, but not all.

“Before it was just kung sino available, but now, we’re available,” declares Leonardo. “It would be great to share a record with these talented musicians.”

The new line-up is interesting because Japs and Czandro are commonly associated with the shoegaze and dream pop genre. “Actually, kaya ko na-tripan yung music ng Prank, it’s because of the music I listen to as well as the psychedelic side from Pink Floyd to Syd Barrett. When Dok asked me if I wanted to play guitar for the band, I immediately said yes.”

“Regarding Prank, it’s better listened to in the perspective of depth,” chimes in Pollack.

The result is a livewire performance that has the sensibility and zaniness of an early Weezer or even Beastie Boys. They even dress the part as well such as the show with Sugar Hiccup where in everyone wore the same blue stripes collarless shirt that had the feel of a bizarro Clockwork Orange.

The time frame for the “greatest hits” -- or “new album of hits many people will not get to hear except in Germany” as Leonardo put – it sometime before the Christmas season. “This album,” he sums up, “is my Christmas gift to myself.”

Let the cackling begin.