Fuseboxx unveils new line-up; records new live album and announces plans for 2020.

Fuseboxx unveils new line-up; records new live album and announces plans for 2020.

by rick olivares

Friday night, November 8, was a special night for Filipino progressive music band, Fuseboxx, and the fans who braved the horrendous traffic that day for the former’s show titled Block Party, at the 123 Block in Mandaluyong City.

The fans were treated to several firsts that evening. 

For one, the band officially presented its new line-up of Bea Lao (formerly of General Luna) behind the drum kit with vocalist Gala Sanchez (who joined the band in mid-2018) guitarist Mico Ong, keyboardist Eric Tubon, and Chapman Stick player and keyboardist Abby Clutario.

Lao is more than another pretty face on a talented band. Her stick work is precise and meticulous not to mention, imaginative. 

Second, the band performed its new single “New Beginning” and presented its accompanying new music video that was produced by production house, The Jumpcat Experiment.

Hip hop artists KJah and Juss Rye were among the special guests who joined the band that evening. The hip hop duo performed their upcoming second single, Hanggang Kailan” (that is about dealing with depression) along with Clutario who recorded the song with the duo. 

“Hanggang Kailan” was performed publicly for the first time and hasn’t been released on any platform. The duo has been on a tear of late with KJah participating in Juss Rye’s basketball-themed song, song, “Pasa Pasa” along with rapper Kemikal Ali and Mike Kosa. The two collaborated on the song, “Pamantayan” that they also performed for the 123 Block audience.

Others guest performers included violinist Jemay Dadap and Herbert Jose on cello who performed with the band on the songs “Reflections” and “Hibang” giving Fuseboxx’s dynamic progressive rock a different dimension. 

And lastly, the show -- that nearly clocked two hours -- was recorded live and will be released as an official album for fans while waiting for the third studio album. The live album will be out on compact disc in two weeks. The live album, according to Tubon, “will whet their fans’ appetite until the release of their much-awaited third album that is scheduled for a mid-2020 unveiling.”

Another treat for fans is Fuseboxx’s upcoming Christmas song that Clutario described as “a progressive take on a traditional Christmas song.” That song will be out soon as well.

The progressive rock band first made a name for themselves after winning the Muziklaban contest in 2003. They released their self-titled debut album in 2006 and followed it up with a sparkling sophomore album titled Animated in 2011.

The band has seen numerous personnel changes since their formation in 2001 and their winning the Red Horse Muziklaban contest in 2003. Tubon and Clutario are the remaining original members of the band since they began recording. Ong on the other hand, joined the band around prior to the recording of Animated. With Sanchez on vocals and Lao on drums, the band is back to a five-piece unit.

Their Block Party show, according to spectators, fully showcased Sanchez’ vocal range and ranks among the band’s best performances. “They sounded really good especially their dynamics,” said Jerome Clemente of fellow prog band, Luminus. “Their sound is more balanced now with the new drummer (Lao). She’s not overpowering the band at all. Great control.”

That dynamic and control is what Fuseboxx is looking forward to when they hit the studio soon to record their new and third album. The band teased some “foreign” guest performers on the album.

“We’re excited about the new direction we’re heading towards,” summed up Tubon. “We not only hope to do new music, but also make a case for Filipino progressive music abroad.”