Music today, tomorrow—everyday

Three years ago, four individuals joined forces to create a band that would later turn out to be one of the most sought-after bands on the island: The Big Beats Band.

Drummer Dennis Morante, bassist Mark Lin, guitarist Floyd Lin, and vocalist Lovely Dottino all started out with different bands but ended up together, gelling like they’ve never had before with other groups. Dennis, Mark, and Floyd are vocalists as well. The group is now under the management of Dottino Enterprises headed by Lovely’s husband, Scott.

The band said that having a career in the music industry is a “job we love,” and they always try to make sure that they connect with their audience.

“We’re doing this to entertain the people of Saipan,” said Floyd Lin. “It pushes us to try to do better and improve because it’s hard if no one is listening to you. We try to build that connection…and even if only one person is listening, then we’ll do our best to entertain that person.”

The group is primarily a rock and roll band but since each member comes from a different musical background, they also perform a blend of rock, pop, and a variety of other genres.

“All we have to do is share with each other, and that’s good for us,” they said.

“We cannot please everyone [when we play only one genre], so we mix it up,” Dottino said.

The band has never been busier these days, with daily gigs six days a week at bars and restaurants across the island, so practice sessions are held only once a week.

The Big Beats can be heard at the Tambayan Bar and Restaurant on Sunday and Thursday nights; at Sam’s Bar and Restaurant on Wednesday and Saturday nights; at Dai-ichi Hotel Saipan Beach on Thursdays; and at Hard Rock Café on Friday nights. The group disclosed that beginning Dec. 6, the group would also be performing at the VFW Post in Garapan.

The group encourages young musicians to pursue their dreams.

“You’ve got to play from the heart. Don’t play because you want to impress a girl or something like that. Play because you want to and you’re happy to do so. Don’t force yourself and just enjoy the music,” Floyd said.

The group has already recorded a single with Pacific International Entertainment, and intends to record an album in the near future.

The group is also available for bookings for a variety of parties. To contact for booking, call 234-7433.

THE BEGINNING

All four credited family influence as key to their love for music.

Morante kicked off his career in 1996 playing in a rock underground band in the Philippines. “Its in the blood, if you’re born a musician, then you’ll be a musician. My parents love music, my dad is a guitar player…so it’s in the family,” he said.

For her part, Dottino credits her father for teaching her to sing. “I got into music because I felt I have talent, and ever since I was a little girl, my father would teach me how to sing. I was singing since I was 12, but professionally, my first time to go abroad was in 1989 in Japan. After that, I would go to different places and perform,” she said.

Mark, on the other hand, was influenced by his brother Floyd and began playing the guitar in 1986. “I started out playing rhythm guitar before switching to bass.”

The lead guitarist of the group, Floyd, began his career in 1982, and, along the way, has performed as a soloist, in a duet, trio, and quartet before forming the band.

The group Big Beats originally consisted of Mark, Floyd and three other members before the group disbanded. Mark and Floyd later joined up with Dennis in June of 2001 after Morante’s group—performing at The Field in the past—disbanded as well. Shortly after, Dottino joined the bunch. The group she was a part of had also disbanded.

The group now considers each other as family.

“It’s like destiny for all four of us,” they said. “All our bands disbanded, and we just got together and we’re happy. We’re like a family now. We consider each other as family.”