Sumaya, Sumigaw, Huminga sa One Click Straight.

 

Sumaya, Sumigaw, Huminga sa One Click Straight.

By Rick Olivares

 

One Click Straight’s debut EP under Island Records Philippines, “Sumaya. Sumigaw. Huminga.” Is a nod to the synth pop of OPM music of the late 1980s with the band’s modern sensibilities thrown in.

 

There’s tunefulness to the songs, soaring and emotive vocals that take you back to Dingdong Avanzado, Rannie Raymundo, and the like, and yet, there’s traces of rumbling New Order basslines and heavy synths with the funk of Jamiroquai thrown in. 

 

And that’s no surprise to the four-piece band of Toffer Marquez (vocalist, bassist), Sam Marquez (guitarist, songwriter), Tim Marquez (drummer, songwriter), and Joel Cartera (guitarist, percussionist). “We like the music of our parents which is the 1980s’ New Wave and 1990s alt-rock,” offer Toffer. “But we too have our own tastes.”

 

“The beauty of OCS’ music is we don’t have a specific influence we want to squeeze out as inspiration,” chimed in Sam. “It changes where we are at. Today, it’s Jamiroquai and the Prodigy. Before it was New Order and Oasis. Who knows what it is tomorrow?”

 

“We only got into OPM when we were older,” clarified Tim of the band’s conscious decision to go back to Filipino music roots. “I think it is only natural to back track.”

 

“We felt the messier the music the more it resonated with us,” Sam summed up. 

 

And that fine mess is the EP that features three tracks – the bouncy title track that serves as an antidote to hopelessness, “SSH,” the urgent “Wag Natin Sayangin” which is about making the most out of one’s time, and the Oasis-like “Minsan” that reminds one of those who are special in our life.

 

Conceived during the ongoing lockdown, the band, like everyone else on the planet, had to look deep inside themselves for reflection and inspiration.

 

“We just released an EP in February and we were looking forward to the things we do when we have new releases – tour, gig here and there,” bared Sam. But instead, we found ourselves in a different situation and we were at a loss of what to do. But as we wondered about what was going to happen next, we went back to basics and began making music, which is what we do best.”

 

As a result, “SSH” is – to crib Macca’s song title – hope of deliverance from this frightful and challenging time. 

 

“Think of it as our way of cheering not only ourselves up but others as well,” gleefully offered Toffer.

 

The striking cover to “SSH” shows torn pictures of the band members held together by scotch tape; a metaphor for holding on and how the album was recorded (without the benefit of a proper studio and the lack of gear. 

 

And yet, One Click Straight passes with flying colors.

 

“We give a lot of importance to visuals. It’s like a complete package,” pointed out Cartera. “We want to convey what we sound like.”  

 

And that is a big and refreshing sound with a cinematic feel which is what One Click Straight strives for. 

 

“We think that is the way music should be... the words and music paint pictures in your mind,” summed up Sam Marquez. 

 

And when it does, then it’s time… para sumaya, sumigaw, at huminga. One Click Straight-style.