Formed six years ago from Ateneo, Dicta License which means license to speak (dicta is a Latin word that means "to speak"), is composed of Pochoy Labog on vocals (he is also the band's lyricist), Kelly Mangahas on bass, Boogie Romero on guitars, and Bryan Makaslar on drums.
The band first saw light at this year's Fete de la Musique, where their explosive performance was met by screams and shouts of appreciation from the crowd.
Pochoy recalls the experience, "I felt like a rookie. The gig felt like one of our firsts in front of a huge crowd. It was intense and strange at the same time."
Many of those who have heard the band can't help but compare them to rap-rock heavyweight Rage Against the Machine (the groups also sounds like Paparoach in its heyday), yet Kelly shrugs off any comparison. "You could hear different influences on our old songs, with Rage (Against the Machine) as our common influence. But now the soup has been stirred. This is the next chapter. We really feel we are coming into our own sound right now."
Songs with substance
Dicta License is not just about rap-rock music, for it infuses rock with timely lyric, often dealing with the issues that concerns the youth.
"We want this album to be socially relevant", says Kelly. "We don't want it to sound political. Our songs are about people and how we deal with normal things. We're trying to tell people what's up."
Pochoy adds that there are songs whose words are not understood by listeners. So in the end, their meanings are compromised.
"Rap is really a sort of commentary. It really has to mean something", he says.
"I know it sounds serious", explains Bryan, "but you can still rock out to the songs. You can listen to it and at the same time, learn something from it."
Kelley and Boogie became Kjwan's guitarist and bassist, respectively in 2003. For them, Dicta License is a fresh new start.
"I think we pay our dues because we've been playing for so long." explains Kelley. "Now we have the opportunity to have Warner mass produce the stuff and really push it."
They consider their songs as themes of indifference and consciousness. Dicta License's smashing 10-track album Paghilom includes "Ang Ating Araw", "The Enemy", "Daloy ng Kamalayan", "Mga Sugat" and "Complex" among other songs.
THIS BAND ROCKS! (coming from a lasallian like me, this is a VERY BIG compliment)
