Brace Yourself for Anthem for Maria

Brace Yourself for Anthem for Maria

by rick olivares

Pop Punk band Anthem for Maria is launching their second album, Brace Yourself, this coming April 13, at Tomato Kick in the Timog area of Quezon City.

Brace Yourself, follows their 2017 debut, Sweet Tears on Reckless Years, and features 10 songs of polished and catchy hooks. While you will find traces of their influences such as Fall Out Boy, Pierce the Veil, All Time Low, Kamikazee, and Chicosci. But the Dasmariñas, Cavite-based band (vocalist Charles Vincent Vera, guitarists JV Lucero and Jake Palmaso, bassist Paul Michael Barcelona, and drummer Mark Denzel Lucero) has put their own stamp on the genre by a mix of their love for all things pop culture.

According to JV Lucero, Anthem for Maria derives their name from two things – first and foremost, them being fans of Maria Ozawa, and second, their desire to write songs about women and the affairs of the heart. 

Lucero clarified the latter, “We are all for respect for women.”

In fact, the cover for Brace Yourself shows five dogs (that represent each member of Anthem for Maria) surrounding a curvy woman. It means either protection and that the band are coming for the affections of their respective crushes. “Music is a way into one’s heart,” pointed out Lucero.

Their songs are aimed at the teen and young adult set with accompanying anime/manga style art. 

We aren’t just referring to the album cover art, because this also translates to their merchandise, videos (see their latest video for “Lucia”) and songs on Spotify. Each and every song comes with corresponding art that is based on the song. 

Their band merch (from Carnivore Clothing) are just as fetching.

While the female of the species isn’t too far from their mind, Anthem for Maria are all professed geeks. All are into anime and manga, American comics, music, and video games. 

“Through art, we want to add something more to the song and we also want others who aren’t fans of our band or even pop punk to check us out because they might be fans of anime/manga and American comics,” added Lucero. 

In their words, the band just wants to make their music more enjoyable to all the senses. 

Catch them at Tomato Kick for their album launch.