My thoughts on Basti Artadi

Basti Artadi photo by Karla Redor

When reports of the worsening health condition of Basti Artadi which threatens his ability to sing first started filtering in, my instinctive reaction was to write about it. But I told myself I had to observe the situation first, learn more about it, and wait things out before I would react to the breaking news.

For me, it was never a question of who wrote about it first, or not, for the single self serving purpose of “bragging rights.” I simply do not operate that way because in this case, it would obviate the fact that this is about a man’s desire to keep on singing. For me, it was always the sincerity and message of genuine concern for Basti Artadi’s health that matter. I have nothing to prove to anyone when it comes to my respect and admiration for the music of Basti Artadi via his band Wolfgang because I have written about them when others would not and did not see any reason to do so.

I am one of the few people around today who would one day become a columnist in one of the major media outlets in the country that got to see Wolfgang when they were not yet in their peak. I was lucky enough to be there when Basti Artadi still wore long hair, when the original drummer Wolf Gemora was still a part of the band, and to see one of their very first live performances of such classic songs like “Sanctified” and “Hell Looks” which were their singles taken from their third studio release ‘Wurm’ in 1997.

Even when Basti Artadi had left for the States and stayed there for a number of years, and it was never quite clear then if he would ever be coming back to reform Wolfgang, or to perform as a solo artist here in the Philippines, I did not stop listening to Wolfgang through the physical hard copies I had. And neither did I stop watching over and over again my VHS recordings of their performances they did which were shown on television.

I can still vividly remember when a Wolfgang compilation called ‘Volume’ was released in the early 2000s and this was a few years after Basti Artadi had been living in the States already and that CD was made available for purchase in the now defunct Tower Records. ‘Volume’ is one of my most treasured CD’s in my collection. I don’t know anyone else who got to purchase that rare and now sought after compilation album because probably for others, since the band Wolfgang were on indefinite hiatus at the time, they did not think of getting it.

But I quickly purchased the album and a couple of years later, I was even able to have Wolfgang guitarist Manuel Legarda autograph it when he became a member of a band called DRT during the post Wolfgang years. In fact, he was even so surprised that I still remembered him during his years as a member of Wolfgang because at the time I had asked for his autograph, the band Wolfgang was on indefinite hiatus. I answered, “Why ever and how would I forget when the music of Wolfgang is a part of my childhood.”

Of course, since the time Basti Artadi had returned from the States, Manuel Legarda has rejoined Wolfgang.

I have followed Basti Artadi’s career ever since I was in my pre teens. And so later on in life when I got to conduct a solo personal interview with him nearly four years ago for my article entitled: “Spotlight on Wolfgang” which came out on January 12, 2013, I am able to paint a more accurate picture of the man from my own perspective. I can say that Basti Artadi is highly intelligent, very articulate in answering questions, and more importantly, a truly decent person. Plus, he is quite intuitive and attuned to his surroundings and he can tell right away someone’s true motives a mile away. Halfway through my interview with him, he thoughtfully stopped and remarked to me, pleasantly surprised, “You’re a fan ! You know our band’s history.”

Basti Artadi truly appreciates his fans and especially the people who have stayed loyal to his band throughout the decades. The man is not only a celebrated veteran of the local scene, but in the truest sense of the word a survivor, particularly now in his battle to keep on singing despite the physical and medical challenges he faces.

Let me tell you, based on personal experience, that you would never leave attending a Wolfgang gig disappointed as these guys kicked a** onstage and blew away the competition.

You would only come home with more precious memories to store in your memory bank because during the 90s, you would not see people holding up smartphones trying to record the entire set and inconsiderately blocking the view of those standing behind them because thankfully, these “devices of distraction” which I have dubbed were not invented yet. Even cameras were not often seen during those years except for the designated band photographer.

A symbiotic energy existed between Wolfgang and their true fans that moved all to share a common bond and passion for the music Wolfgang provided.

Times like those made you just live in the moment which is proof of how special a band like Wolfgang was and still is to this day. The energy in the air, the raucous crowd, and the ferocity of Wolfgang I got to witness in those gigs made them such unforgettable moments that are a testament to the greatness of a band like Wolfgang.

I remember especially during 90s, the Filipino word “angas” was often associated to Basti Artadi, simply because he has this persona about him of being a no nonsense type of guy and who just gets the job done of meeting the expectations of fans of his band Wolfgang each time they perform live and release a brand new album. “Angas” is also associated to Basti Artadi’s commanding presence onstage, his aggressive yet restrained style of singing that many have tried to emulate.

I honestly believe that when it comes to the kind of local singers we have in bands that there will never be any one like a Basti Artadi ever again. Truth be told, Basti Artadi’s voice is like no other’s.

It is, however, in times like this when Basti Artadi, in particular, is facing some challenges which threaten his ability to keep on singing that we should remember and  never forget how he has gifted us with his voice. Let us continue to support the man in any way we can as he embarks on his road to recovery.

Let us celebrate the music Basti has shared with us. Music can touch lives, inspire people to become greater in what they do, and even heal and uplift the spirit. I hope that with all of these positive influences his music has had on us all these many years, we can give back to Basti Artadi now in our own way.

It is our turn.