Who The FUCK Are The Outlaws?!?

Saturday, March 31, 2007

A SHORT HISTORY

Nights spent listening to Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, The Clash, Rancid; Asin, Buklod, Gary Granada, Joey Ayala; and Friday nights at the 70’s Bistro watching The Jerks, produced what is perhaps the latest, and hopefully not the last, addition to the long and colorful line of Filipino protest musicians.

THE OUTLAWS took their name from a Dylan song, in honor of those who were outlawed – harassed, made to disappear, silenced, and murdered – all because of speaking up; taking a stand; and openly declaring what is wrong with governments, in particular, and the human society, in general.

The music of THE OUTLAWS is a mix of punk, reggae, ska, folk, rock n’ roll, and the blues… infused with lyrics emanating from personal sentiments regarding life in the third world.

Formed in May of 2004, the original members were K Lopez (vocals, rhythm guitars), Tonji Garcia (lead guitars, vocals), Jek Lopez (bass guitars, vocals), and Lawrence Napoco (drums).

The band’s first gig was in August of 2004, at the Buntisan Art Experience, in Dasmariñas, Cavite. They played covers of songs by The Jerks; and were further inspired by the accolade they received, despite the obvious lack of commercially-successful songs in their repertoire.

Subsequent gigs followed and took the Laguna-based quartet to various places in Southern Luzon and Metro Manila; including the Hobbit House and the 70’s Bistro.

Despite changes in the line-up and the limited arenas for their music, THE OUTLAWS continue to play their songs, and strive to educate both themselves and their audience about issues that are rarely touched by the complacent and apathetic majority. While it is not their primary goal to be in the limelight, such an opportunity will not be shunned for it is but a tool to reach out to a bigger audience.

The band is currently made up of Jek Lopez (vocals, guitars), Tonji Garcia (lead guitars, vocals), Buboy Panaligan (bass guitars, vocals), and K Lopez (drums, vocals).