BIG BEATS The band to beat

When they play Sultans of Swing, you’d think they’re actually Dire Straits. When they do Another Brick in The Wall, you wouldn’t miss Pink Floyd at all.
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Not that they simply want to be “wannabes.” It’s just that comparing Big Beats with some of the world’s greatest rock and roll groups may be the easiest way to assess the band’s promise.
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Big Beats was formed in the Philippines in 1986, with the original members, Floyd Anthony Lim, his brother Mark Roseller Lim and Cesar Ordona, who are all natives of Surigao province. They performed in big establishments in Manila. They were offered to do a recording for Viva Records, one of the biggest recording companies in the Philippines. The three , however, gave up the offer in favor of an opportunity to perform in Japan, where they would travel back and forth.
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Now on its 13th year, Big Beats has not only remained intact but has become part of Saipan’s musicscape since it first arrived on island in 1993.
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Big Beats first performed at the former GQ Club (now 42nd Street) in Chalan Kiya, where they met a customer, Steve Sablan, a skilled guitarist who would later become a group member.
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Labor problems forced the band members to resign from GQ, and started playing in different clubs, such as Bud’s Bar, Maharaja, BJ Garden, Highway Star, and Rudolpho’s –– until they found a home club in Garapan, Remington Club, where they were a mainstay for two years. There, drummer Hermes Gujilde, who used to perform at Pacific .
Gardenia with the Cool Change band, joined the group.
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Now, Big Beats has five members who all sing and play instruments.
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And what makes them click?
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“Our love for music and dedication to this profession. We don’t play for money,” says Floyd.
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“Our friendship, and the similarities in our taste for music,” Mark adds.
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Add to that: All the band members are natural musicians who discovered their gifts when they were kids, as young as eight years old.
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“One thing good about the band is that we blend well. We groove together, and agree on what type of music to play,” says Steve.
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Steve is the only non-Filipino member of the group, which doesn’t bother him. “Music has no border. Music doesn’t know race,” Steve says.
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Plus, having a Chamorro member in the group, according to Mark, backs up the group’s feeling for Saipan as a second home.
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“What I like most about these guys is their approach to work. They observe good work ethic,” Steve says. “Most local bands don’t invest time in preparing for a gig. These guys don’t stop learning new music.”
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That’s because music requires endless learning, Floyd says.
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“As long as new stuff continue coming, we will continue exploring,” Floyd adds.
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And what makes them click with the audience?
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“We know what they want because we feel what they want,” Cesar says.
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There’s another thing that Big Beats is proud of, Floyd says. “We’re a drug-free band.”
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Big Beats is now a regular at Hard Rock Cafe, and The Field. They will soon be performing at Figueroa’s. (MCM)