NWSE

Well the year has officially began for INK. We just had our first gig of the year last saturday at saguijo on the 2nd leg of our NORTHWESTERN SOUND ESCAPE tour. It's not as big as the Siege Tour but it's certainly just as special. Special because I came up with the idea of the NSWE. And INK and a few of our close friends have turned it into a living thing. I was looking for a way to describe the music that my band and our friends dish out that could really identify us independently.

The idea is loosely based on the middle and southern American stereotype known as "redneck" but minus the ignorance of race and foreign cultures of course. I identified with the rather unrefined way of life of being redneck because I for one actually live like a redneck somewhat. And our musical direction is basically going to a more aggressive and raw approach as well. Unlike many bands out there now in the local scene which sound very clean and crisp and very deep or to the other extreme very pop, we and our friends choose to be more direct and in your face but still keeping with our own distinct styles.

Our brothers in Kneel on Nails and April Morning Skies share this vision with us. It's all about no nonsense music and lifestyle. We all love to party yet we give respect where it is due, we cuss and tease and joke around but we still keep a foot in reality. We are not as financially endowed as many bands out there and we have worked very very hard to get to where we are. We still struggle to be heard and to be understood. Nothing has been given to us on a silver platter. We basically do the best with what we have and we have paid our dues. Im trying to give redneck a newer,better identity.

The "Nothwestern" came mainly because we are all from the northwestern part of the country. But the idea wouldve been just that without the help of our friend Mico Sangalang. He came up with the idea to take NWSE on the scene and make it into a touring gig. And now we have finished 2 legs. We will be playing different places every weekend for as much as we can just to spread the word out. So if you are like us, middle and not-so-middle class but still very cool people, come party with us on the NORTHWESTERN SOUND ESCAPE. Nothing saucy or fancy just good old heavy party rock!Cheers!

-Darwin