The Speaks
Review by Amanda Erickson, MML.com
Upon first hearing this band, my initial thought was simply "why isn't this band signed?"
Hailing from the nation's capital, The Speaks have taken rock to another level. With each measure, the listener is pulled in just a bit further, making it near impossible to not listen to what this band has to say. Of course, it helps to have the pipes of lead singer Rafael Toledo adding that last bit of proverbial icing.
With the music industry seemingly dominated by the emo-punk epidemic, The Speaks lend a breath a fresh air to those who remember what rock truly is. The band combines vocal styling similair to that of Brent Smith from Shinedown, the undeniable heart-pumping riffs reminiscent of Pearl Jam and Soundgarden
, and a dash of John Petrucci
Though The Speaks bring something that has been missing from rock for some time, they do have a soft spot. Their song "High" gives the listener a lighter side of their abilities. The first song I ever heard by them, the song has a timeless luster that lingers with you. A song that you can listen to on a bad day, and immediately feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside, without feeling like you're listening to "chick music" or the stereotypical ballad. Just another gem that shows that slower rock songs can be just as powerful and universally loved.
Though I'm partial to the aforementioned, their most famous song is "Life's A Joke" which appears on the album appropriately titled "Life's A Joke" which was released in the US in 2003, but picked up by Warner Music, Phillipines in 2005. Along with the self-titled track, the album explores many different emotions including war heroism (“Only the Good”) and interracial love (“She Said…”) giving the band a more versatile sound.
Reigning in the #1 spot in every contest they have entered including DC101's "Last Band Standing" in 2004, and JAXX's "World's Largest Battle of the Bands" in 2003 where their fans single-handedly gave the event a record-breaking crowd for both the Semi-Finals and Finals, The Speaks have already begun to pave their way to greatness, even being one of the few unsigned bands to have an autographed guitar on display at The Hard Rock Cafe.
The Speaks include vocalist Rafael Toledo, Jerry Delino on bass, Archie Dela Cruz on rythym guitar, Siegfred Fuster dominating lead guitar, and Ben Tufts rockin' it out on drums.
Bottom line, The Speaks are the type of band that you can imagine crawling out from the woodwork back in the Nirvana grunge days, bringing in the crowds at a local music festival, perpetually requested on radio stations, and one day accepting awards on a stage shared by other rock music greats. Not only is their music memorable, but the passion in each riff is undeniable.
The Speaks - Official Layout
You've read about 'em, you've heard 'em, now it's time to spread the word.
