“Back in 2016, Pepperbones pa pangalan namin—meme band lang talaga kami.” Robi laughs as he says it, the kind of laugh that tells you he’s told this story more than once, but it never gets old. Across from him, Aadritch leans back, already chuckling before he even adds, “Nagpa-practice lang kami noon. Cover ng Franco, Spongecola. Pero ‘di pa seryoso. Slickblack, Sputnik, French Fries Crisis—mga gano’n.”

That’s how ŌJO started. Four guys just throwing out random names, random jams, and random dreams. What makes it different is that somewhere along the way, everything started to align. Or as Robi puts it, “Everything fell into orbit.”

A Band Born From Chaos—and Kapampangan Words

There’s no deep philosophy behind the name ŌJO. No epic backstory. Just a bunch of friends throwing out random Kapampangan words one day at the studio. “Parang nagme-memes lang tayo noon e,” Aadritch says, looking over at Jazz. “Tapos ŌJO sa ‘Ō Jo Kaluguran Da Ka.’”

“My love,” Robi chimes in, half-singing it. “Aking sinta. Ano bang meron sa iyo~ HAHA.”

Ironically soft, they admit, for a band whose sound leans heavy, bold, and aggressive. But it stuck. Even when people confuse it for “Audio,” they don’t mind. “Okay na yun. Stick na e.”

From High School to Headbangs

It started with a high school band called Black Roses. Francis and Robi were part of it, and when Aadritch transferred schools, he auditioned with “Let It Be.” “Ayaw na akong pakawalan nung isang Francis,” Aadritch remembers. “Sabi niya, ‘Sali ka na sa banda.’ Hobby-hobby lang hanggang sa nag-graduate. Come and go yung members. Pero eventually, pinsan ko—si Jazz—naka-schoolmate nila. He clicked. Hindi dahil pinsan ko lang siya. May connection din siya with our vocalist.”

Robi tells the rest of the story like it’s yesterday. “Second year college, nasa klase ako. Biglang tumawag si Francis—‘Robs, punta ka dito, turuan mo drummer namin.’ Bored na ako, hinagis ko bag ko. Sabi ko sa prof, ‘Magbabanyo lang ako.’ Tapos studio na agad, and that’s where I met Jazz.”

“First jam naming tatlo—instant chemistry,” he adds, nodding.

Raw, Rough, Bold, and Sexy

Describe their sound in four words?

“Raw,” says Jazz.

“Sexy,” Francis replies without skipping a beat.

“Rough,” from Aadritch.

And finally, “Bold,” Robi concludes.

Their influences stretch far and wide: Slash, Metallica, Rage Against the Machine. Aadritch’s riffs come straight from the Metallica scale, while Jazz’s basslines channel the grit of Rage and Audioslave. Robi’s drums reflect that Red Hot Chili Peppers flavor with a backbone of metal, and Francis proudly brings in energy from Kjwan, Franco, and even Steel Panther.

The ŌJO Method: Feels First

There’s no single formula to how they create songs.

“Usually may dala yung isa ng riff or lyrics,” Jazz shares. “Tapos from there, i-bi-build up namin based sa kung anong gusto mismo ng song.”

Aadritch nods. “The feels. It’s always the feels. Hindi namin pinipilit kung ano lang yung gusto naming sound. Binabase namin sa kung ano yung gusto ng kanta mismo.”

Sometimes it’s collaborative. Sometimes one member just shows up with a finished idea and the others let it be. Either way, it’s instinct-driven. Real.

Into the Grave, Konsensya, and Darkness: When the Music Becomes Personal

They all write differently, but when it hits personal, it hits hard.

“‘Into the Grave’—yun yung pag-alis ko ng ugaling gumagamit ng tao nung college para lang sa magandang grades,” Robi shares without hesitation.

Jazz nods solemnly. “Ako naman ‘Konsensya.’ Sinulat ko ‘yon nung nasa darkness ako. Outlet talaga.”

Francis chimes in, “Yung ‘Mundong Ilalim’ din. Lahat naman tayo nararamdaman ‘yon e.”

As for Aadritch? “Wala pa akong sobrang personal. More on feel-good, general themes. Influenced by current events. But who knows? Maybe someday.”

Indie in Pampanga: Loud and Proud

Ask them about the Pampanga indie scene, and there’s a mix of pride and realism.

“Medyo leaning siya sa mainstream,” Robi says. “Yung type ng lyricism na uso ngayon. Mga pang-sawi.”

But Aadritch sees the good too. “Welcoming naman. Kahit heavy kami, kahit distortion-heavy, naiinvite pa rin kami. Minsan nag-i-stand out kami, pero tinatanggap pa rin.”

Jazz adds, “Basta okay yung energy mo, tatanggapin ka ng crowd.”

Favorite Gigs and Humble Starts

“Muntinlupa,” Robi says with a smile when asked about their most unforgettable gig.

“Sullivan’s—Indie Pa’ko Ready V,” Jazz answers.

Francis agrees, and also recalls their performance at TTKD (Tigtigan Terakan King Dalan).

But Aadritch throws it back even further: “Favorite ko yung Sullivan’s. Pero pinaka-nakaka-proud? Yung first gig natin. First time natin ‘yon pero nakipagsabayan tayo agad.”

Real Talk: Indie Outside Manila

The struggles are real. Not all crowds are ready for their kind of sound.

“Hindi lahat welcoming,” Robi admits. “Pampanga indie is literally indie. Minsan acoustic-heavy.”

Aadritch laughs. “Imagine tumutugtog ka ng hard rock sa mga nag-a-acoustic. Pero kahit isang tao lang ang mag-headbang, solve na. Shout out kay Sir Ryan ng Songwriter’s Cabalen. Nakaka-ganang tumugtog pag nando’n siya.”

“Feeling ko lang,” Jazz says, “Manila has more ‘scouts.’ Parang basketball. More opportunities siguro.”

Who’s Listening?

Their music isn’t trying to fit into a mold. It’s for the people who just… get it.

“Para sa’kin talaga,” Aadritch says. “I just make music I want to listen to.”

“For the fans of classic rock,” Francis adds.

Jazz goes deeper: “Para sa mga gutom sa rock and roll. Hindi filtered.”

They all agree: it’s for people who want good vibes and rakenrol in this modern age.

And what do they want listeners to feel?

“Gusto ko yung mapapa-headbang, stomp, sabay,” says Aadritch.

Francis grins. “Yung stanky face. Kunot-noo face. ‘Yung parang, ‘grabe ‘yon ah!’”

Advice to the Next Generation

The band has seen gear come and go. But what sticks?

“Don’t obsess over the newest pedals or gear,” Aadritch says. “Hanap kayo ng isa or dalawa na core sound n’yo. ‘Wag gumastos ng sobra.”

“Confidence and energy,” Robi adds. “Kung nagkamali kayo, tuloy lang. Baka nga hindi nila alam na mali.”

“Simple lang sakin,” Francis says. “Be confident and humble.”

Jazz closes the advice circle: “Don’t make songs just to please people. Don’t fake it. Never play for clout.”

What’s Next for ŌJO?

They laugh when asked about new releases. “Dapat meron,” Robi says, smiling. “Actually, meron talaga. We’re recording an EP—finally.”

Six years in the making, the EP features “Mestiza,” “Hey Man!,” “Jack of All Trades,” and “Rage FM.”

“Hindi na nga ‘bagong ilalabas’ e,” Aadritch jokes. “Lumang ilalabas na. Ang tagal na.”

So what’s the dream?

“Stable fanbase,” says Aadritch. “Tapos makapag-tour, kahit Singapore lang. May makikinig, ‘di ba?”

Robi nods. “Tugtog sa mga big festivals. Castaway.”

Jazz adds, “Maka-jam yung mga idol namin like Kjwan and Franco.”

“Ma-mix ng mga producer like Angee Rozul,” Francis continues.

“Or Azi Acosta,” someone jokes.

“Angeli Khang daw e!” someone else shoots back, and everyone cracks up.

That’s ŌJO. Four guys, one chaotic origin, and a sound that never tries to be anything but theirs. Raw. Rough. Sexy. Bold.

And most of all—real.