How’s Red Santiago now? How was his name rebranded to Erock?
As we all remember, Red Santiago is the Gen Z musician who went viral in 2023 because of his statement about his pursued genre, which he referred to as “EROCK.”.
This genre is a supposed homage to the already established “emo genre” that influenced his music.
Because of this statement, it had a rollercoaster effect on his career back then. He acknowledged that his remarks had thrown the public into disarray and left a grotesque impression on the environment of social media and the local emo scene.
He claimed that he was exploring intensely the depth of the genre at the time, and now, as a way to commemorate how this issue changed his life and profession, he chose to switch his name from Red Santiago to Erock.
Different responses were received by Erock from Filipino internet users. In certain instances, he was called names such as E-nggot, E-bike, E-pal, etc. He received death threats and was turned into a meme later on. Despite the insults, he chose to put his profession first and ignore all the challenging times brought by this issue. In the coming months after the controversy, it became tough for him. Some doors closed, but new opportunities also came in.
In the midst of this issue, he didn’t despair. Instead, he began to form his band and name it Red Scarlet.
The journey wasn’t easy at all.
“Red Scarlet” started off as a three-piece band at the beginning of 2023, with Dwight Maputi and Shin Catapang as its original members. It was difficult to find a regular bass player. At the time, they’d resorted to temporary sessionists to fill the role.
His band was off to a strong start. And in September of the same year, Gyo Dellosa took over as rhythm, and Mochi Molina became the main-stay bassist at the time. However, Dwight’s obligations to the school as a professional instructor required him to resign as drummer around October 2023 and Lem Tomayao took his place as the drummer for Red Scarlet.
Great opportunities came; he and his band experienced their first promotional tour last November 2023 in Iloilo City and Antique, followed by The Last Rakrakan Festival 2023, organized by Rakista Radio, which was held at SMDC Ground Parañaque City, and the first Emo Fest in the Philippines, which was held at SM Skydome SM North Edsa Quezon City, Philippines. Where he met and had a chance to have a casual talk with Typecast.
During their conversation, one good piece of advice that Erock got from Steve Badiola (the localist of Typecast) was to “know your goals and just focus on them.” Don’t be distracted.”
Erock got inspired more and continued doing gigs together with his bands.
After several months, all the members resigned because their work and school schedules clashed. The vocalist, Erock, remained on board. His leadership endeavored to enlist new members.
These members are all from Bagong Silang, Caloocan. It consists of Jeremy Dela Cruz on drums, Kurt Velasco on lead, Mark Steven Senobio on bass, and Gyo Dellosa on rhythm, replacing the old members.
The new members are more driven to take the initiative to heavily hone their individuality and abilities.
At the same time, Erock kept learning the history of his genre thoroughly and focused on his improvement in all ways.
The band establishes their sound by combining emo rock and metalcore, which derive from their influences such as Suicide Silence, Bullet for My Valentine, Bless the Fall, Saosin, Attack Attack, Alesana, and other emo rock and metalcore artists.
A few questions were asked of Erock and Red Scarlet.
Despite the controversies and criticisms, we asked Erock, “What made him continue?”.
He answered, “My life is music. Since I enjoy what I do, I started this. What other people think of me doesn’t concern me. If they dislike me, it doesn’t bother me. I was mocked, abandoned, and alone. I already consider it normal. I am only familiar with those who have had personal interactions with me. Not everyone can be pleased. These circumstances clearly showed who my true friends are and who are simply looking for an opportunity. I’m grateful to those who came to help us when things got bad.”
“How did you handle death threats that you received online? ”
He answered, “At first, we got scared, but due to legal advice from the authorities, we recorded it and submitted the names. If ever physical harm occurs, at least there are records that the authority has for this.”
Did you feel intimidated because of the bashing? “No, I didn’t. I’m just focused on how to grow my team.”
Random questions to a few members of Red Scarlet, namely Steven Senobio and Kurt Velasco
Steven Senobio, bassist of Red Scarlet
What’s your personal genre?
“I like blues and metalcore.”
How do you see yourself three years from now with Red Scarlet?
“I would say we are performing on bigger stages and outside of the country. Well, that is my actual goal personally.”
How did you adjust to your genre now?
“It’s not a problem for me; the point is, we just have to learn the new songs.”
Since your vocalist became controversial, how do you handle issues that you see on social media?
“We love Erock. We focus on our goals and our team. Nothing more to say.”
Kurt Velasco
What’s your personal genre?
“I really like metal.”
How do you see yourself three years from now with Red Scarlet?
“Our skills will improve more, and of course, we are already making people do moshes and bangs on bigger stages.”
Since your vocalist became controversial, how do you handle the issues that you can see on social media?
“We are helping each other generate good music. They can think whatever they want to think about Erock. Because on our end, Erock is a worthy and good person to keep.
Ms. Inah Muñoz wrote most of the songs; however, she collaborated with Erock on several songs too.
The group is currently working on Blood Curse, their first EP, composed of four songs.
Inspired by the events in Pilate’s court before Jesus’ crucifixion, particularly the Jewish crowd’s readiness to take responsibility for Jesus’ death, this served as the inspiration for the title Blood Curse. It will depict the feeling of being judged unlawfully and subjected to insults and mockery. It depicts the feelings of anxiousness, despair, and death.
How do we obtain justice? If falsehoods and charges cause us to become blind.
It is expected to be released in the first quarter of 2025.
Red Scarlet will be releasing a song titled “Eto Ka” this coming August 30, 2024, as their first single in this EP on all digital platforms worldwide.
ETO KA
The saying “Eto Ka” means “There you go” in Tagalog and can also be used informally to show someone that you are giving them a brother finger sign. Ms. Ina Munoz wrote this song in response to the EROCK issue in April 2023.
This song depicts scenarios where someone is being used, bullied, and judged. It demonstrates how he overcomes every obstacle and proves to everyone that he is capable of standing tall.
Music Reference: Attack Attack and Marilyn Manson
Spotify Artwork: The red figure represents the bad person who judged, mocked, and bullied the good person. The white figure represents someone who was bullied, mocked, and judged.
Hands of Love
“Hands of Love” was composed by Erock, and the lyrics, in collaboration with Ms. Ina Munoz, portray the popular phrase “Too much love will kill you.”
It’s about a person who is struggling in their relationship. The person is torn between the love they feel for someone and the pain they feel in exchange.
Because loving someone too much can turn toxic, you end up losing yourself in the process of constant giving. Love has to be both given and reciprocated for it to be balanced, but it turns unhealthy when it’s a one-way process.
On the other hand, when you love beyond boundaries, you become so dependent on others that you frown and fret even over the slightest things. It not only hampers yourself but also the people around you. Sometimes you end up hurting the people around you who have nothing but immense love for you.
Blame me, hate me.
Ms. Ina Munoz wrote and composed the song “Blame Me, Hate Me.” It is a sensitive song that depicts the numbness and hatred that have resulted on someone to take their own life and to give in to the suffering they have endured from the outside world.
YOU CHEATED ME LIKE HELL
Ms. Ina Munoz wrote and composed “You Cheated Me Like Hell.” as a reflection of her personal story of her rocky marriage. She appeared blind and acted as though she was unaware of anything about her ex-husband. Nevertheless, she had the guts to follow her intuition, and regrettably, she discovered what she had assumed to be true.
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