Dicta License

There’s a quaint difference between hearing and listening – one suggests that thoughts and ideas enter through one ear and out the next, while the other entails attention, allowing words and concepts to take root. The same can be said for man’s most basic mode of relay, oral communication. Talk is cheap, as anyone with anything to say can prove in day to day circumstances, but to actually speak demands for an audience to listen, because one must have something, not just anything, to say.
Ever since they started penning their first batch of songs, Dicta License have managed to make audiences listen and take heed, line after line, hook after hook. Formed during their days in college, Pochoy Labog (vocals), Boogie Romero (guitar), Kelley Mangahas (bass), and Bryan Makasiar (drums) have taken a step further than other bands in the Philippine music industry today – a scene burdened by an overabundance of groups embracing tried and tested formulas – by injecting nationalistic pride and social consciousness into their material composed of blistering riffs, solid beats, and fervent vocals.
And so far, it has been working. After the release of their major label debut “Paghilom” in 2005 under Warner Music Philippines, more and more Filipinos are joining their cause; a revolution of sorts in Philippine music. By stirring not only the musical sensibilities of fans but re-igniting flames of hope in the third world as well, Dicta License have emerged as one of the country’s more stellar rock acts. Their opening cut, “Ang Ating Araw”, speaks to the common Juan de la Cruz, asking what he thinks he should do to help rebuild a nation that has been brought down time and again by countless promises. And it seems that Juan was more than willing to listen -- the song spoke its way to the top of local rock authority NU107’s charts, staying there for four weeks, and was even voted as the country’s 1 rock song for their 2005 yearend countdown. Dicta License struck a cord in the hearts of rock fans with “Ang Ating Araw”, giving them a voice and proving that so long as someone dared to speak, another is bound to listen. As if that weren’t enough, Dicta License followed that one up with “Alay Sa Mga Nagkamalay Noong Dekada Nobenta”, a lyrical salvo challenging Filipino youth to leave delusions about them such as ignorance, mediocrity, and apathy as what they should be: misconceptions. Powerful and provocative, yes, but the band keeps all of these ideas within the rules of society – Dicta License aren’t singing the songs they sing to be brazen, but rather dare audiences to think about bringing a change to their surroundings, positively. Sounds too much of a lecture? See them live -- the key needed in understanding the band’s music.
Their sets give life to the passion their songs bear, as experienced by anyone who takes notice for the first time. Pochoy can’t help but make audiences feel what his words mean, as he looks concertgoers dead straight in the eye with every line he delivers. This same intensity is translated in the wailing riffs of Boogie’s guitar and Kelley’s distinct smooth grooves, all held together cohesively by Bryan’s command of the drums. And after every song performed, the ample applause they get is a confirmation that the people understood.
Truly, the band has earned their license to speak.
Pochoy stresses the fact that writing in Filipino gave him more freedom to explore his ideas and emotions, since what can be more natural than writing in your own native tongue? Trains of thought tracked smoothly, giving more lucidity to the message of nationalism the band wanted to impart their fans with. And as an added bonus, his bandmates have felt the emotion and energy of their material surge even more, brought by the punch a language uniquely theirs can only bring. But although most of the singles in “Paghilom” are in Filipino, Pochoy made sure that substance wasn’t lost in translation in the likes of album favorites “DOTFB”, “The Enemy”, and Over The Edge”, all still brimming with the same ardent content potent enough to penetrate a multi-lingual cognizance.
With that said, Dicta License is out to take the revolution to more listeners, setting their sights on a wider, international audience. They won’t demand your attention -- chances are, you’ve already given it to them.
The first full length Dicta License album is still available in record stores! We are on our fourth single, "MGA SUGAT", and it is presently playing on NU 107., 97.1 and in other stations. Hope you guys vote and request for the song!
To vote at NU107
type NUVOTE SUGAT and send to 29107
Help us spread the music. Please visit our website - http://www.licensetospeak.net
You can also check out http://licensetospeak.multiply.com/ and http://amp.channelv.com/dictalicense
For bookings and inquiries, you may contact Raymond Fabul through mobile - (+63) 09175003227 and email - [email protected]