Wolfgang: A Chip off the Fantastic Four

Wolfgang is considered as one of the four most influential Pinoy rock bands of all time, along with The Dawn, Juan de la Cruz and Eraserheads. They are a mixture of hard rock, grunge and heavy metal. Heavy metal, indeed. So the fans did not take it lightly when they disbanded one bittersweet November in the year 2002. There was even a tribute made for them, an album performed by fellow artists in the rock industry, and then a reunion concert which had been awaited by hard rock parched souls who missed their music.

The end of their band signaled the end of the era of rock music for Pinoys that time. So many people continue to be disappointed with their breakup, which was caused by Basti Atardi's decision to choose love over career. He married and relocated to the United States with his bride, leaving the band where he had been lead singer for as far back as people could remember the name “Wolfgang”. After this painful ordeal, the other members of band decided to move one. Wolf Gemora became part of a band in Souther California named Lokomotiv, and the relocated Basti formed his own band called Kitaan ni San Francisco, where he is now based. The guitarist, Manuel Legarda, became part of Dirt and eventually formed the band Razorback, a Manila-based band. And then Mon Legaspi joined the Dawn, another famous band in the Philippines for bass.

After the disbanding, the members of Wolfgang really did fairly well as compared to other bands which disbanded and were not heard of from again. But it was still unparalleled to the success that Wolfgang had as a unit. They were the epitome of Pinoy hard rock, and while rock had to evolve to fare with the times seasoned with acoustics, pop, R&B and other mainstream forms of music, the memory of Wolfgang still etches pure Pinoy rock in the authentic rakista's mind. Ask any trueblue Pinoy rocker, and he will tell you the Wolfgang never fades. They are a legend as far as the Pinoy rocker is concerned. And even those new to rock music are being acquainted to who helped make high quality Pinoy rock music. 

Because of this, the album Darkness Fell, a tribute to Wolfgang sold like pancakes. And their reunion concert last January 6,2007 was a massive success. Despite the incomplete attendance, rockers all over the Philippines devoured this after a drought of Wolfgang music for years since they disbanded. There have been so much hype, with old fans being ushered in to reminisce for old times and see that despite the hard times and changes, rock music lives on and will continue to do so in their hearts.   

On a more historical and cultural point of view, the disbanding of Wolfgang ushered in new alternative to the way rock is being played. There were new bands to come up, with a slightly different style and sound than that which Wolfgang fans are used to. The times changed, and eventually these new styles were welcomed and incorporated to the widening horizon called Pinoy rock. 

It remains unknown whether another band like Wolfgang may ever spring up in the near future. But we rockers continue to anticipate what might happen next.

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