Hale now hits off melodiously well with a hopelessly romantic Filipino audience. Their impact is felt everywhere you hear their song “Broken Sonnet” and “The Day You Said Goodnight”– the songs that have sent young hearts pumping into overdrive.

July 2004, when this four-piece rock alternative outfit collected themselves at the core of one goal to reach out the listening crowd and make them understand the value of the band’s musical sincerity. And sincerity is where Hale excels.

Hale, the band that promises to highlight their musical versatility and excellent vocalism in alternative rock genre and yet emanates a very sad undertone that they describe as “melodrama.” (melodious drama)

All from the southern part of the metro (Las Piñas, Alabang and Parañaque), Hale is composed of Champ Lui-Pio’s (lead vocals and guitars) heart-on-sleeve vocals and the group’s songwriting exude feelings and melody, much to the delight of the melancholic youth in search of a like-minded voice. Roll Martinez (guitars and vocals) with his lyrical powers, believes that there’s so much to spell in words through songs where exudes a very ironic yet compelling poetic piece, “Broken Sonnet”—the band’s first single with EMI Music. In synch with Sheldon Gellada’s expertise on bass, he also contributed heartfelt and experience-based songs infectious to his personal musical influences that excel in his instrumental virtuosity to grandiose rock. And with then-sessionist Omnie Saroca on drums, an artist whose music used to steep in cool mainstream reggae now switched to melodic rock.

The band then meet at an epicenter—music. Two of the members, Rol and Sheldon, are Music majors at the University of Santo Tomas (UST). They eventually became friends with Champ, who also been exposed to music scene while he was young and being the son of a respected songwriter-producer. Lastly, Omnie, before has started jamming with other bands and that have helped him develop his talents in his chosen craft.

The band signed in November 2004 with EMI Philippines after being snubbed by other recording companies. But EMI took the chance of giving these young prowesses of sincere music begin their journey. At the first quarter of 2005, their tragic love song “Broken Sonnet” became the carrier single in EMI’s Full Volume, a collection of Pinoy rock music– where the pioneers meet protégé…Hale graced the album with local rock titans like Bamboo, Sugarfree, Sandwich, Urbandub etc.

The mid-tempo ballad “The Day You Said Goodnight”, which served as their first single for their first and self-titled album, have massively dominated the local charts and wowed a crowd largely comprising college kids even before the release of their first album. Their self-titled album under EMI Music Philippines had already given an impressive record sales and radio airplay since its release in May 2005 and turned Platinum record in August and Double Platinum in November 2005. Second single followed with KAHIT PA and KUNG WALA KA came next.

Hale have conquered 2005 with songs that gladly scaled the heights of radio charts, music channel charts and stage performances across the nation as that first single THE DAY YOU SAID GOODNIGHT hold its lock at no.1 and endeared the band to both critics and listeners alike.

THE DAY YOU SAID… never went away the radio charts as it was hailed as “Song of the Year on 97.1 WLS-FM; OPM song of the Year on RX 93.1 & Magic 89.9 WTM. Collective effort on many levels, first and foremost by the artist themselves, HALE was also named OPM Band of the Year on RX 93.1 and Best New OPM Artist on TM 89.9.

Hale’s dynamics also involved the making of their self-titled album to HALE REPACKAGED released in February 2006. Hale Repackaged album boasts a brand new single called TOLL GATE is another straight-ahead song the band has ever created, as the band’s fourth single.

But nevertheless, from the band’s self-titled album brings their latest and fifth single BLUE SKY which is now hitting the charts in radios. BLUE SKY’s music video is another groundbreaking drama from the band and the video’s director, Marie Jamora. Triple Platinum award for their self-titled album was given to them in May 2006.

“Hale tries to be the not-your-typical “drama core” band,” says Omnie Saroca as they have created lyrical content of songs that are sincerely insightful, sad, angry, and earnest; producing music with heart and that explores the full range of human emotions. To name other songs that will surely redraw the borders of the band’s genre are: Runaway, Bent Down, Here Tonight, Take No, Wishing, Life Support, Underneath the Waves.

“I’m of the belief that ‘what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger’. Hale would mean ‘sound in mind and body’. To be such a strong person would require you to be subjected to all these trials and letdowns that help shape your character. This is a musical journey through the various pitfalls we’ve come across,” as Sheldon Gellada adds. Champ originally captured the term “Hale” in the dictionary. “It’s old English which means ‘sound in body,” he reveals.

Their musical influences include a diverse eclectic group of musicians ranging from Sean Malone, Gordian Knot, 311, Dirk Lance, Jaco Pastorius, Dream Theater, Victor Wooten, Aston Barret, John Mayer, Dave Matthews, Kurt Cobain, Muse, Dave Grohl, Soundgarden, James Iha, Damien Rice, Switchfoot, Nina Gordon, Shades Apart, Feeder, Travis, Nine Days, Chris Carraba and The Corrs.

From those humble beginnings came to these young acts, they have also become product endorsers of the most renowned and commercially acclaimed companies in the country.

With this youth-driven and fickle-minded industry, it’s not easy to run the gamut of clever music. But with Hale, they have just discovered the simple beauty of an infectious melody and a few honest words. And sincerity is where Hale excels.

source: http://www.emimusic.ph/hale