The landscape of the Filipino music wouldn't be what it is today without the power and influence of Typecast.

Known as one of the pioneering acts in the post-hardcore spectrum of the local music scene, the quartet behind 'Will You Ever Learn,' 'Last Time,' and 'Reverend's Daughter' have more than just their iconic anthems to show for.

They've inspired numerous aspiring musicians to pick up an axe and write their own tunes. They've taken on stages across the globe, commanding the earth to shake with every chord chugged. And now they're ready more than ever to continue fanning the flames of their 20-year long legacy.

Typecast recommend...

Bandwagon caught up with vocalist Steve Badiola to run through Typecast's catalog from their 2002 debut Last Time to their upcoming studio album, currently in the works.

LAST TIME (2002)

How did you start writing songs together for Last Time?

Same as I do now. Basically, I take all of my finished songs to practice, we jam it. That's about it. 

What was it like working with Noel De Brackinghe?

Noel is an awesome guy. He agreed to record our songs even though we were just starting out with a budget next to nothing. I will always be truly grateful that he believed in our music. He's also one of the people who made me realize my love for recording and mixing music.

Looking back now, in what ways would you say that Typecast have grown musically and creatively since the release of Last Time?

Like most artists, growth comes from practice and experience. We change as individuals. We acquire new and different tastes in music and art. Combined with your own style and sound, it will definitely show through the music as time passes. 

If there is one thing you could change about this album, what would it be?

Despite the juvenile and insecure lyrics, some arrangement flaws and the occasional cringe from having written those lyrics at such a different phase from where I stand now, I wouldn't change anything about it because we only get to be young once. What's awesome about it is that the pureness of our youth was captured on the record. 

THE INFATUATION IS ALWAYS THERE (2004)

Do you have any fun stories you'd like to share from when you were working on this record?

Aside from the recording itself, those quick breaks were also fun for me. We talked about the early Eraserheads years, some pointers and insightful stuff. 

You wrote most of the songs in two months. What kind of place where you emotionally, considering how quickly you came up with the lyrics?

After Last Time was released independently, I was still writing. I had jotted down ideas and lines in my notebook that I brought one summer to my grandparents' home in Nueva Ecija. The place was chill and laid back. A couple of months with no distractions got my creative juices flowing.

Why did you decide to record the album in Sound Creation and Raymund Marasigan's home, considering it's in Marikina and you're all from the south? Did you face any challenges with the distance?

Sound Creation was recommended by Raymund Marasigan and Diego Castillo who were the producers of the album. We recorded the drums there. Then the rest was recorded at Raymund's home in Marikina. We were so excited to record the new album so the distance never was an issue. 

What was it like working with Raymund?

As the producer of the album, he made sure we recorded our best performances for each song and we had fun tracking them. He also added some instruments in the recordings like synth, strings, etc.

EVERY MOSS AND COBWEB (2006)

One of the most beautiful moments at American Football's Manila concert was during your opening set when you played 'Will You Ever Learn' and how the audience resonated with the song. How does it make you feel that it gives that kind of impact to your audiences up to this day?

Hearing and seeing them sing along to the songs I wrote feels really amazing! Knowing that people can relate to the song and knowing that the songs have touched them gives me a sense of fulfillment.

What was the most challenging thing about writing and recording Every Moss and Cobweb?

We had to record all the drums tracks in one day and all the bass tracks the next, because they needed to fly back to Manila for work and for health reasons. 

HOW YOUR INFLUENCE BETRAYS YOU (2011)

You broke your 2-year time frame in releasing albums with How Your Influence Betrays You. Tell us about the struggles you faced with this one.

Aside from playing shows, we've had personal issues to attend to. But we were still writing new songs. Took us a while, but we never stopped. 

How did you deal with the pressure of releasing an album after such a long period and the expectations you'd built from your previous offerings?

Not much pressure, we took our time writing until the songs felt natural to us and with the excitement recording the songs at Tower of Doom, we ended up adding more songs to the album. 

You decided to get a little more experimental with this album. What did you do differently with Influence compared to your older records?

We've acquired new musical influences throughout the years and after Every Moss.You could say that How Your Influence Betrays You was the album where the band started to mature. 

WORD SITS HEAVY (2014)

What's the story behind the cover art of Word Sits Heavy?

The cover was created by our friend Pejie Abia. It was supposed to be a three-part EP with three different artworks with the same theme. 

What made you decide to release the EP the way it is instead of a three-part offering?

Since the departure of our last drummer, we decided to call off the three-part EP. We were in search of a new drummer at that time and when we recruited Sep Roño, we thought that it was best to release a full album with Sep doing the drum duties. 

What were you doing in the three years between Influence and Word Sits Heavy? 

We were busy playing shows and starting our own thing. 

NEW ALBUM (????)

Last time we spoke, you mentioned that you're working on your next studio album. Which stage of the process are you currently in?

We're currently in the middle of it. We were supposed to book some studio time but was pushed back a bit to give way to the preparation for the anniversary shows. 

Thematically, what have you been writing about differently after 20 years together as a band?

My songwriting has evolved and matured throughout the years as I got older.  As for the band and with Sep onboard, we're really excited to finish this album. 

Can we expect to hear 'Against the Ropes,' 'Perfect Posture,' and 'Mulat Na Mata' in that album?

Yes, they will be included in the new album. 

Do you plan on having more collaborations on the album? Any dream collabs you're hoping to have?

We haven't decided yet. Dream collabs? Maybe an artist in a completely different genre, that would be so cool!

Since writing and releasing 'Mulat Na Mata,' how has the reception been with you delivering a Tagalog single? Do you plan on releasing more?

The reception for 'Mulat Na Mata' was very good. We should play it more often. I have some lines in my notes but haven't decided yet. Hopefully, a couple more. 

When do you plan on dropping this album?

It was supposed to come out this year, but with the schedule we've had, its much better to release the album early next year. 

Typecast are slated to share the stage with Urbandub, Faspitch, Salamin, and more at Threadfest 2019, happening at Metrotent Convention Center in Pasig City on December 1 (Sunday). Get your tickets online here and The No Good Crew.