YEARS ACTIVE: 1992 – 2002; 2007 –
PRESENT
Members: BASTI ARTADI, MANUEL LEGARDA,
MON LEGASPI, WOLF REMORA
90’S HITS: ARISE, HALIK NI HUDAS,
DARKNESS FELL, TULISAN, MATA NG DIYOS, ANINO, NATUTULOG KONG MUNDO, ROADWORTHY
MAN, CENTER OF THE SUN
Wolfgang is a Filipino rock band formed
in January 1992 in Manila, Philippines. Wolfgang is notable for being the only
Filipino rock band to release albums in Japan and the United States and for
realizing Platinum record sales in their home country. After ten years, the
original line-up broke up in 2002. Wolfgang reformed in 2007 with a different
roster.
Vocalist Basti Artadi (born Sebastian
Artadi) and drummer Wolf Gemora (born Leslie Gemora) began their musical
careers with other local bands, while guitarist Manuel Legarda returned to the
Philippines from living abroad in Spain. Gemora was inspired to form a band
upon frequenting shows of another notable Filipino group, Razorback. He invited
Legarda to join him and eventually the two found Basti Artadi singing with his
former band, Sin City. Upon Legarda's invitation, Artadi joined the duo. In the
first few months of inception, the group went through a number of bass players.
They eventually met Mon Legaspi (who was recommended by Rizal Underground
bassist, Angelo Villegas) who became their permanent bassist. They first dubbed
themselves the "Wolfpack". They later adopted the name for the band,
"Wolfgang", upon the suggestion of David Aguirre, one of the
guitarists of Razorback.
As much as music in the Philippines was
and is greatly influenced by western artists, Wolfgang took their cue from
Metallica, Soundgarden, Santana, Pearl Jam, The Doors, Black Sabbath, Free, and
their heroes Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Jimi Hendrix, Ozzy Osbourne, Pink Floyd and
Aerosmith, among others. They began to play live gigs at Weekends Live! at the
Atrium and the now-defunct Kalye Bar in Makati City. Their first big break came
playing on Channel 29's RJ Junior Jam.
