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Viral Gen Z ERock artist back in music scene with new name and band

by Joanna Deala

REMEMBER Red Santiago, the Gen Z rising OPM artist who made rounds online after sharing his take on emo rock?

Well, he is back in the music scene with a new name and a band.

Santiago reintroduced himself as Erock, drawing inspiration from his pursued genre, the emotional kind of rock or “ERock.” 

ERock is the young artist’s “homage to the already established ‘emo genre’ that influenced his music.”

In an exclusive interview with republicasia last year, Erock said he was on a mission to bring ERock to the country as he noticed that many young people were into the music genre but could not express themselves because of discrimination.

However, his statement earned negative reactions from netizens, with some raising their eyebrows at the term ERock and saying that the emo genre is nothing new in the Philippines.

These remarks weren’t the only backlash he got online. Erock said that he was called names like “E-nggot,” “E-bike,” and “E-pal.” Worse, he received death threats and became a meme.

While dealing with criticisms was not an easy journey, the Gen Z musician persisted in attaining his goal of sharing his music with the world.

“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,” said Erock.

“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,” he went on.

Meet Red Scarlet

Erock is not alone in his musical journey. He is now accompanied by members of Red Scarlet, the band he formed in 2023.

The group initially had five members: Erock, Dwight Maputi, Shin Catapang, Gyo Dellosa and Mochi Molina. 

Red Scarlet logo

But due to his responsibilities as a professional school instructor, Maputi had to leave Red Scarlet and was replaced by Lem Tamayao.

More doors of opportunities opened for the band, including their first promotional tour in November 2023 in Iloilo City and Antique. 

In one of their shows, Red Scarlet had the opportunity to interact with the Filipino rock band Typecast which shared with them some advice on their journey to make a name for themselves in the music industry.

Typecast’s vocalist Steve Badiola told the rising band, “Know your goals and just focus on them. Don’t be distracted.”

Red Scarlet, however, faced another challenge when three band members resigned because of their work and school schedules, leaving Erock and Dellosa behind.

While it was unfortunate to send off his bandmates, Erock continued his musical journey and found new members for Red Scarlet. They are Jeremy Dela Cruz (drums), Kurt Velasco (lead), and Mark Steven Senobio (bass), replacing Catapang, Molina, and Tamayao.

Red Scarlet

Red Scarlet’s discography is a combination of “emo rock” and “metalcore,” deriving from the band’s music influences like Suicide Silence, Bullet for My Valentine, Bless the Fall, Saosin, Attack Attack and Alesana.

Red Scarlet’s future

Senobio shared his dreams for Red Scarlet, saying that he hopes to see the band performing on bigger stages and abroad.

Velasco believes that this goal is something that is not out of their reach.

“Our skills will improve more, and of course, we are already making people do moshes and bangs on bigger stages,” he said.

Red Scarlet is currently working on their first extended play (EP) titled “Blood Curse.” 

The EP will “depict the feeling of being judged unlawfully and subjected to insults and mockery,” as well as “the feelings of anxiousness, despair and death.”

“Blood Curse” will feature four songs: “Eto Ka,” “Hands of Love,” “Blame Me, Hate Me” and “You Cheated Me Like Hell.”

“Eto Ka” album cover

The band teamed up with Inah Muñoz, Erock’s manager, to write these songs.

“Eto Ka,” which expresses the feeling of “being used, bullied, and judged,” will be released on August 30.

Meanwhile, the EP will be dropped in the first quarter of 2025.

Red Scarlet will hold a tour in Luzon called “Eto Ka,” which will kick off on August 29 and end on December 21, 2024.

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