Farewell Talk with SOF

Survival of the Fittest

Survival of the Fittest (SOF) is a hardcore band from Batangas, combining emceeing and elements of hiphop and rock. It was early 2001 when the band started in Batangas underground music scene. But unfortunately, last year they have officially called it quits. The music lives on, their music and attitude speak for themselves.

Overtune: SOF had been playing for years, when and why did u guys decided to split up? Any comment?

AJ: We had already talked about it last year. To be totally honest with you guys, we were having some problems (which is nothing new to us since every year, we encounter problems that would almost break us up), and we decided to have an indefinite leave. And besides that, we have different responsibilities now that had to be addressed first, like new families, work and school. But we HAVE talked about it and contrary to the rumors that we are fighting amongst ourselves, it exactly the opposite. We still remain a family.
To some of us, we consider this phase as the 'semi-retirement' phase. We had been playing together for almost 14 years , to simply put it, we just needed a break. And we needed to work to earn for our families, haha.

Overtune: When and where did you have your last gig?

AJ: Our last gig was in the Hardcore's Finest gig in Saltwater Bar and Grill, Calamba, Laguna. It was last September 29. even at that time, we had split up but we couldn't pass up the opportunity to play. There were many people who had personally asked us to play again for that gig.

Overtune: Is there a chance SOF will reunite in the future?

AJ: Yes, of course. Me personally, I wouldn't close the doors. That option is still open for us all. As i've said earlier, some of us think of this as the semi-retirement phase. SOF has been more than a band for us all so we'll see in a couple of years if fate still wants us to play together again.

Overtune: Do you have plans to form another band?

AJ: Yes we do. Actually, long before we split up, some of my band mates have already formed their own bands. Our drummer, Bonzo, plays drums for his reggae band, Tsugalogs, and sings for his ska band, Tellayouthska. One of our vocalist, Hewitt, has his own hardcore group, Offline.

Our guitarists, before they left to work abroad also had their own side projects. Ramones had Power Behind the Throne (which has also disbanded) which plays HC and Eron had The Hotshots Experiment, which plays experimental music and a mixture of different genres.

As for myself, I had been busy with our indie label, SHURIKENFIST Entertainment and my 'solo' career as a hip hop MC. And as of now, our bassist Nelzone and I have formed a new HC group named Asero, which would also include people from different bands like Ismael from Lockfist/Calamity End, Gerald of Judgment, RJ of 043 Bloodline and Edward from Calamity End/One 4 Zero.

Overtune: What can you say about the other UG HC bands forming in Batangas/Bauan?

AJ: I couldn't say anything from Bauan since i am not from there but I could say a lot for the bands in Batangas City. There are a lot of awesome HC bands coming from Batangas, like Calamity End, Failure, 043 Bloodline, Judgment, Lockfist, Vagrant, Jane Doe, Voices of Unreason and the other old timers in our scene(hahaha), Sauna.

Bands have been springing up like mushrooms here not only hc bands, also bands from other genres like punk, emo, reggae and also hiphop acts. Musically, Batangas has been a very big melting pot of musical tastes. You can see your punk kids hanging out with their hip hop homeboys or you can see the average hardcore guy smoking weed with the dread heads. That's what we have been promoting for the last decade or so. Musical tolerance. That's why you'll see dread locked rastas on hiphop shows and vice versa or emo kids watching hardcore gigs. That's the way it goes here and it makes us quite happy.

Yung vision namin for years ay unti unting nangyayari sa eksena dito and what's good is hindi yun pinilit o force fed, ginugusto talaga ng tao na maging ganun.

Overtune: We appreciate your time and effort for sharing us the real score about SOF. Any last words? :)

AJ: First off, Sheng and Sky, thank you very much for the space and for listening to our crap. Seriously, thanks for giving us the time to explain what happened. A lot of people had also been asking us but all we could give them are vague answers. Now, here is the more in depth explanation, haha.

We would also like to thank all those people who had supported us since day 1. We love you guys. We wouldn't be here without you. And sana, keep supporting, not just our new bands, but also the whole underground music scene as well. And support projects like these kasi pinapalago nila ang eksena natin, DIY syle. Let's get digital, haha.

And finally, music is a means to send your message to the listeners. so add a lil bit of responsibilities in the making of your music, putting crap in it will also produce a lot of crap. If you really want to be an instrument of change, start with yourselves and then go from there, one lil step a time. The revolution starts with the most simple solutions. Also, being true to your selves is the most important. Peace.
-AJ a.k.a. Cardinal Tank

Link Myspace: Myspace
Genre: Hardcore / Hip Hop / Metal
Location: Batangas City, Philippines

photos by SOF