WOLFGANG [1]
The Philippines music scene is not a very conducive environment for metal/hard rock music, dominated as it is by solo artists performing sugary love songs and easy listening tunes. Wolfgang, however, has defied the odds to become one of the country's most popular and best-selling acts, its name synonymous with hard-driving riffs and precision group interplay.
Wolfgang formed around 1994. Vocalist Basti Artadi (born Sebastian), bassist Mon Legaspi (born Ramon), and drummer Wolf Gemora (born Leslie) started in other local bands and guitarist Manuel Legarda returned to the Philippines from living in Spain. As much music in the Philippines is greatly influenced by Western sources, Wolfgang took their cue from Metallica, Soundgarden, and Led Zeppelin, among others.
Wolfgang submitted demos of two original compositions, "Darkness Fell" and "Left Alone," to local radio stations, which generated many listener requests. The band signed with Def Tone, a label of local independent Ivory Records. Wolfgang released its first album, Wolfgang, in 1995, at a time when a rock craze, which started the previous year, was underway in the country.
At the 1995 NU107 Rock Awards, the country's premier rock awards show, Artadi was nominated for Vocalist of the Year, Gemora for Drummer of the Year, and Legarda for Guitarist of the Year. The band was nominated for Artist of the Year and Best Live Act. Legarda was named co-winner for Guitarist of the Year.
The band signed in 1996 with a major label, Epic of Sony Music Entertainment Philippines (SMEP). Wolfgang's first Epic release, Semenelin, reached at least double-platinum status (80,000 units sold -- Wolfgang does not allow SMEP to release precise figures, but does allow it to state if the album reached gold, platinum...). Wolfgang became one of the most popular bands in the Philippines.
Semenelin was named Album of the Year at the 1996 NU107 Rock Awards, where Artadi won Vocalist of the Year, Gemora took Drummer of the Year, and the band was named Artist of the Year and Best Live Performer. Semenelin was released in the United States in an all-English version in March of 1997, with two songs originally performed in Tagalog, the Philippines' national language, re-recorded in English. The other tracks on Semenelin were originally recorded in English.
Wurm was released in late 1997, and was an outstanding, most adventurous set, truly a landmark album that reached platinum status (40,000 units). The lower sales than that achieved by Semenelin can perhaps be attributed in part to the downswing of the rock movement, which had started several years earlier. This, however, does nothing to diminish the standard set by Wurm, which was nominated at the 1998 NU107 Rock Awards for Album of the Year, which also saw Artadi winning his second Vocalist of the Year award, and Gemora winning his second Drummer of the Year award, while the band took honors for Listener's Choice and Artist of the Year.
Wurm, which was recorded entirely in English, was released in early 1998 in Japan, the world's second-largest market for recorded music, and Wolfgang performed several showcases in Japan to promote the album. Wolfgang's fourth album, Serve in Silence, was released locally in March 1999, and saw a return to the style purveyed on 1996's Semenelin. Though another critical and commercial success, it did not see international release.
Serve in Silence was nominated for Album of the Year at the 1999 NU107 Rock Awards, as well as for Best Album Packaging. Wolfgang was nominated for Artist/Band of the Year, and all four band members were nominated for individual awards: Basti Artadi for Vocalist of the Year, Manuel Legarda for Guitarist of the Year, Mon Legaspi for Bassist of the Year, and Wolf Gemora for Drummer of the Year. In addition, Wolfgang was nominated for Producer of the Year. Serve in Silence tied for first place for Album of the Year, and Basti Artadi won again for Vocalist of the Year, his third overall win in this category. Wolfgang also won the Listener's Choice award.
In February 2000, the excellent live album Soundcheck: The Live Recordings, featuring Wolfgang and three other rock bands signed to Sony Music Entertainment Philippines, was released. For the 2000 NU107 Rock Awards, Basti Artadi was nominated once again for Vocalist of the Year, Wolf Gemora for Drummer of the Year, Mon Legaspi for Bassist of the Year, and Manuel Legarda for Guitarist of the Year. Basti Artadi won yet again for Vocalist of the Year, the fourth time he has received this honor.
In late 2000, Wolfgang released a live concert album, Acoustica 9/30/2000, a beautiful set on which previously recorded songs were played in an acoustic manner. Several guest artists, including guitarist David Aguirre of local rock band Razorback, also participated. The album reached gold status.
In April 2001, in conjunction with U.S.-based music retailer Tower Records, Volume, a compilation of Wolfgang material culled from all four of its studio albums, including its first Ivory Records set, was released in Tower Records stores in the U.S. and Australia. Vocalist Basti Artadi's participation in a side project with members of labelmateRazorback culminated in a release in August 2001 of an acoustic-styled rock album entitled, Brain Salad. Wolfgang's next studio album, Black Mantra, a double-album set, was released locally in August 2001
Wolfgang has disbanded since then.
WOLFGANG [2]
Developed in the early 1980s by greedy video game tycoon William Jennings Wellworth as an expensive prototype robot capable of human feeling, Wolfgang was also extensively analog-programmed with an encyclopedic knowledge of the popular music of the era, with the idea of creating the world's first robot pop star, capable of writing hit songs.
Having developed some of the most influential titles of the newly-emerging video game industry (such as "Rocketship Rangers" and "Galaxy Battalion"), Wellworth turned his attention to robotics and artificial intelligence. Utilizing video game microchips in conjunction with the synthesizer and sequencing technologies of the age, Wellworth assembled a humanoid robot with the capacity to autonomously compose music.
Essentially force-fed huge libraries of The Human League, New Order and the like, it was hoped that Wolfgang would pay Wellworth back in kind in the form of huge record sales and royalties. Despite putting all the vast resources Wellworth had into the project, Wolfgang was not able to create under his cruel and cold hand. This failure cost Wellworth his fortune as well as his reputation. He was never heard from again.
Nearly 25 years later, renovations to convert the crumbling Wellworth Electronics factory in Brooklyn into luxury condominiums had rallied a group of young neighborhood activists to take action against what they saw as the impending gentrification of their poor artistic community. During a nighttime mission to vandalize the building, one of the activists discovered Wolfgang discarded in a dumpster amongst endless amounts of electronic waste.
With a thorough cleaning and a battery charge, Wolfgang became operational again. Developing special feelings for the young man who had provided rescue from the dumpster, Wolfgang had at last experienced a human emotion. That emotion was love.
This awakening allowed Wolfgang to begin composing music, just as Wellworth had intended. The man loved to dance, and Wolfgang enjoyed providing the beats. Soon Wolfgang would begin writing and performing songs as a show of bravado for the object of the robot's affection.
And some songs were written in private. As Wolfgang began to realize that a human can never truly love a robot, the music became a way to deal with the emotional sensory overload. Wolfgang's songs illustrate the experience of happiness and heartache, of the initial joy and eventual hopelessness that accompanies unrequited love.
Wolfgang has issued two titles through the New York label Hypnote Recording Concern. The EP "Not In Love (Not True)" was released in late 2005, along with a 7" single which adds an extra track. The EP also has two bonus tracks not included on the then-forthcoming album, including a cover of Lime's "Angel Eyes". The album "The Wicked Truth About Loving A Man" was issued in 2006, although all of the material for it was recorded in 2004.
Back to Back
Wolfgang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A religion of uniform
Cradle the star
Hail their salute of pressure
An issue is burning behind the flags of surrender
Ignorance a weapon
As children bleed in their virginity
Repeat your suffering
Watch this crime a political act
Suspend animation
Forgive and forget gracefully
Sell these arms to enemies we trust
Chuck it on the fire
With all these lies we covet
Politics wave this hand
Eat the applause
Refuse what has been treatened
The dance of the 7 veils
Too many soldiers fight an unknown cause
Into the valley of death rode the 600
Into the valley of death rode 600 blindmen
When it's written down change the meaning
Too many hungry lions waiting for the kill
Call it a blot on a gentlemen's conduct
Stride in magnificent style
To catch up on a winning
Aim for an end in this wildlife drudgery
The dance of the 7 veils has come to an end
And you're left naked
Politics a bag of tricks
Politics and Politics Politics and Politics
Politics a bag of tricks
Politics, Politics,...
Waiting for the kill
Outstretched hands
Open hands
Outstretched hands
I pray for more I'm hungry and you won't feed me
I'm starving
And you won't
Feed me.
Michael Allen: Voice, Bass, Piano, Percussion, Drum Loops
Mark Cox: Synthesizer, Motor, Chains, Drums
Andrew Gray: Guitars, Percussion
Wolfgang's song "Back To Back" has a lyrical content that highlights the destructive nature of politics and the impact it has on society. The song is a reflection of the politics that govern our world and the violence and mayhem that is perpetuated by those with power. The lyrics are a harsh commentary on the state of the world and the suffering of the innocent, particularly children. The lines "An issue is burning behind the flags of surrender / Ignorance a weapon / As children bleed in their virginity" illustrate the painful reality of war and the atrocities committed under the guise of patriotism.
The song also delves into the idea of manipulation and the power dynamics at play within politics. The lines "When it's written down change the meaning / Too many hungry lions waiting for the kill / Call it a blot on a gentlemen's conduct" suggest that those in power have the ability to rewrite history and manipulate the truth to their advantage. The reference to the "dance of the 7 veils" symbolizes the hidden agendas and deceit that often accompany political maneuvering.
In summary, "Back To Back" is a thought-provoking song that critiques the political systems that shape our world, exposing the harm they cause and the innocent lives they destroy. It is a bold call to action to question authority, seek truth, and work towards a more just and equitable society.
Line by Line Meaning
A religion of uniform
People blindly following a particular system or way of living.
Cradle the star
Treating celebrities or famous individuals with utmost care and value.
Hail their salute of pressure
Praising those who enforce their ideas and beliefs on others through force.
Underfoot, under squalor
Being underprivileged and living in a filthy or degraded condition.
An issue is burning behind the flags of surrender
There is a deeper problem or conflict taking place behind a superficial display of surrender.
Ignorance a weapon
Using a lack of knowledge or understanding to manipulate or control others.
As children bleed in their virginity
Young and inexperienced individuals are suffering because of the actions of others.
Repeat your suffering
Continuing to endure pain or discomfort without any change or improvement.
Watch this crime a political act
A wrongdoing or injustice is committed for political gain or influence.
Suspend animation
Putting a pause or temporary halt on progress or advancement.
Forgive and forget gracefully
Choosing to let go of grudges or past hurts in a dignified manner.
Sell these arms to enemies we trust
Selling weapons or tools of destruction to those who may end up using them against us.
Chuck it on the fire
Disregarding or disposing of something without much thought or concern.
With all these lies we covet
Desiring or wanting things that are dishonest, false, or misleading.
Politics wave this hand
Political leaders or systems being dismissive or apathetic towards certain issues.
Eat the applause
Allowing or seeking approval or validation from others, even in deceitful or manipulative ways.
Refuse what has been threatened
Choosing not to comply with demands or ultimatums, even if faced with the consequences.
The dance of the 7 veils
A metaphor for revealing only small glimpses of truth or information while keeping the rest hidden or concealed.
Too many soldiers fight an unknown cause
Many people are willing to fight or die for a cause that they do not fully understand or believe in.
Into the valley of death rode the 600
A reference to a famous battle or conflict where many people lost their lives.
Into the valley of death rode 600 blindmen
Going into a dangerous or risky situation without fully understanding the possible consequences or outcomes.
When it's written down change the meaning
The written or documented account of something may not accurately reflect the truth or reality.
Too many hungry lions waiting for the kill
There are too many people or groups who are eager to take advantage of vulnerable or weak individuals.
Call it a blot on a gentlemen's conduct
Referring to immoral or unethical behavior as a minor or insignificant mistake.
Stride in magnificent style
Walking or behaving in a grand or impressive manner.
To catch up on a winning
Trying to achieve success or win at any cost or by any means necessary.
Aim for an end in this wildlife drudgery
Striving for a specific goal or outcome in what feels like a monotonous or tedious existence.
The dance of the 7 veils has come to an end
The truth or full picture has been revealed, and there is nothing else to hide.
And you're left naked
Being left in a vulnerable or exposed position.
Politics a bag of tricks
Referring to politics or political systems as being deceitful or manipulative.
Politics and Politics Politics and Politics
Emphasizing the pervasive and all-encompassing nature of politics.
Waiting for the kill
Anticipating or hoping for someone else's downfall or failure.
Outstretched hands
Reaching out for help or assistance.
Open hands
Being willing to give or share without any expectation of receiving anything in return.
Outstretched hands
Reaching out for help or assistance.
I pray for more I'm hungry and you won't feed me
Expressing a desire or need for something, but feeling like others are unwilling or unable to fulfill it.
I'm starving
Feeling extremely hungry or deprived.
And you won't
Others are unwilling or unable to provide the help or resources needed.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ZealotsOfTheLady
They were great! Probably one of the best opening acts ever. When they started playing, I was like, "Yep. I shall find their album, download it, and forever love this band."
MsMe
Looked all over the internet for this today! Heard it last night on the radio and wasn't sure of the title. Found it! Great vocals and instrumentals! Funky yet wistful.
Carlitos.Music.
Every song is so unique, very rare to find a band like this
Clifford
this song is sooooooo good!!!
Louis Herman
Most under rated band out there
schrodinger_kitten
I used to listen to this when I was 11. Now I'm 24
aura
same lol
Jim Kelly
when the whole world is sleeping i still lie up in my bed as i came round to thinking that this band are fucking awesome!
Eder Nunes
musicas de primeira qualidade, deveriao tocar no rock rio. com certeza estaria la.
Chelsea
I LOVE THIS DAMN SONG