6cyclemind leaves comfort zone, releases ‘more mature’ album

6CYCLEMIND performs at their CD launch

For 10 long years, Ney Dimaculangan was the voice of 6cyclemind and its array of hit songs, which included “Biglaan,” “Sandalan,” “Aaminin” and “Kasalanan.”

So, when the  front man, citing burnout, quit in 2011, the responsibility of stepping up to sing lead vocals fell on drummer Tutti Caringal’s lap.

Aside from two other original members Rye Sarmiento (rhythm guitar) and Bob Cañamo (bass), the band recruited Herbert Hernandez (lead guitar) and Vic Aquino (drums) for its current lineup.

In the first few months as 6cyclemind lead vocalist, Tutti admitted trying to copy Ney’s style “because that’s what people were used to.”

Soon enough, Tutti realized that he had to begin establishing his own identity by tailor-fitting the band’s repertoire to his vocal range and stage showmanship.

“We thought, ‘Why not change the arrangements?’ We cranked up the pace of some of the songs and made them more rock,” Tutti told the media at the recent launch of the band’s sixth and latest album, “Good By Sunday” (Soupstar Music) at ’70s Bistro in Quezon City.

“Right now we try to be more engaging, interactive during live performances. There’s more presence,” Tutti added.

Surviving

The criticisms and comparisons with Ney were inevitable, but Tutti had taken them all in stride. What’s important, he pointed out, was that the band “survived the storm.” And with the assistance of musician friends such as Raimund Marasigan and Jessie Grinter, the band pressed on to write new material.

Raimund and Jessie, who both play for the new band Gaijin, produced and helped arrange the 11 tracks on “Good By Sunday.” Raimund also took on the drum parts, as Vic still wasn’t officially a 6cyclemind member at the time of the recording.

Buddy Zabala stepped in as vocal coach.

Though the album pretty much retained the pop-rock formula that had hooked the fans, Tutti said they got out of their comfort zones to create the kind of songs that they hadn’t done before. For one, the band had been listening to Foo Fighters and other heavier stuff, and this enhanced the songwriting for the new album.

“When you listen to it, it’s still 6cyclemind, but with more kick. It’s more mature. And, safe to say, it’s very different from our previous albums,” Tutti said.

Standout tracks include the carrier single “Basta Ako,” as well as “Kontrabida” and the hip hop-infused “Pangako.” Raimund’s influence is evident in the vigorous and funky “Bola.”

No stopping them

The band had opened itself to experimenting with new sounds and collaborating with other artists, as in 2009’s “Project: 6cyclemind,” which featured Gloc-9, Wendell Garcia on “Kasalanan,” and Yeng Constantino and Kean Ciprinao on “Kung Wala na Nga.”

As for the band’s future, Tutti said they’d rather take things one day, one gig at a time. But one thing’s for sure Rye said: “In the next five years, we’ll still be playing together.

Rye added: “I think we’ve experienced every problem imaginable about being in a band. Been there, done that. What else is going to stop us now?”