Tell us about Peachy Dukes, who’s in the band?
Bon: You’ve got Bon (me) on vocals, Gerick (Gec) on guitars, and our dearly departed buddy bassist, Jimi. We’re also going to be bringing in our mates RB from Madeline (guitars), and Jesser from Conscious & The Goodness (keyboards) for future projects.
Rb and Jesser were with Jimi in a band called Unica for a good while, so they’re well aware of and very much capable of reflecting that “Jimi sound” that I will always be looking for in every song we’ll be releasing.
You’re a band from the Philippines, how was the band formed?
Bon: I remember giving Gec a very random call, asking if he could help me out on a song I wrote. Jimi, also quite randomly, invited me over for a “few” drinks a couple of days after (we live really close to each other), and I let him listen to a rough cut of what Gec and I were working on. I asked if he’d like to join in on the project, and thankfully he was all for it. The rest they say is history.
Gec: I consider Peachy Dukes as an online band as of the moment. Bon visits me at home often to jam the songs he wrote. It wasn’t possible for us to regularly meet because of the pandemic restrictions. Most of the ideas are sent digitally (audio, video, etc.). The only time that the 3 of us got together was when we had our band photo shoot earlier this year. 😅
What were your influences starting out?
Bon: I always find myself having a hard time answering this, as we each come from separate bands, and have our individual tastes and preferences. As Peachy Dukes, we make music based on “what the song is asking for”.
Gec: On my end, I listen to a lot of 90’s music up to the early 2000’s alternative rock. However, I don’t limit myself to listening to just a particular set of playlists. I go with whatever genre of music that inspires me with ideas.
Your band name is a colourful play on words what made you come up with it?
Bon: I wanted a name that would read well internationally, and at the same time reflect our Zamboangueño roots. Took me a few days to realize that “pichi duk!” was staring us in the face the whole time. The closest translation I can give is “go for it!”, which is quite appropriate, as the saying is usually spoken when encouraging a friend to give it all, no matter how questionable the current situation is.
The phrase perfectly mirrors our “unrestricted” approach to creating and sharing our music. A good laugh we had when “Peachy Dukes” was put on the table. It’s just such a multi-layered name that’s equal parts cultural pride and inside joke. I honestly can’t think of naming ourselves something else.
Congratulations on the success of “Something Again”, what’s the story behind the song?
Bon: I wanted to write a song that people could attach their feelings of being in the “in-between” to; that place you find yourself in when you want to leave something but can’t, because no matter how destructive or chaotic your life is because of that “thing”, you remain inexplicably drawn and attached to it. So whether it be a person, a habit, or what else have you – that’s Something Again.
On a more personal level, it’s about my…susceptibility to alcohol, and how I can’t seem to say “no” to the circles and situations around it, despite being fully aware of my “tendencies” when under its influence. I love how Gec and Jimi captured the feel of that “in-betweeness”, in that the song isn’t overly happy, but isn’t obviously sad either.
Gec: I fell in love with the idea of putting ideas on this song. I’ve been in different bands for quite some time, but I never had the opportunity of laying down guitar parts freely. It was more of a learning experience for me.
It’s received airplay around the world, how does that feel?
Bon: Won’t lie. Feels awesome!
Gec: It’s my/our first since forever! I’m still stoked!
What’s surprised you most about how it’s been received?
Bon: That it’s being received in the first place! I mean, sure, you believe that you had just made a good song, and you’d dream that people will listen to it and like it. But when it actually happens? It’s incredible.
Gec: Personally, I’ve lowered my expectations because there are a lot of artists. But I do have faith in “Something Again”. Bon is an amazing songwriter!
The song has a great melody, and makes the listener want to check out your music, how does a typical writing session begin?
Bon: Being a dad, husband, and day-job employee, I don’t usually have enough time to really sit down and focus on writing. When the ideas come in, I just whip out the phone and hit record, then piece them together later, or whenever I can. It’s funny when these ideas come, because they’re usually in the middle of work, or someplace awkward. So if by chance you see me singing into my phone while facing a random wall on the street – you know what’s up.
Gec: Adding up ideas becomes easy because Bon paints us a picture of the song already. After brainstorming, we just keep the ideas and parts which sound “enough” for the song.
COVID impacted the creative industry in a big way what kept you motivated?
Bon: I wouldn’t call it a plus, but the pandemic in some odd way, brought me back to music. Before CoViD hit, I stayed away from music for a very long time. I don’t know, man…the pandemic took away so many things from everyone…but it somehow put to light the things that really matter.
Gec: Technology played a huge part in motivation. It made me aware of the vast resources for recording. Experimenting with digital recording forced us to somehow squeeze creative juices til the last drop. 😅
The last couple of years has been a time to reflect what have you learnt about yourselves?
Bon: I think I’ve finally accepted that I will always want to make music. Even if it’s not a practical career path, I think I’m going to go down this road, and just hope for the best.
Gec: The pandemic taught me to be resourceful; that there is still a way to do music in spite of COVID.
Did you pick up any new skills?
Bon: I’ve upped my game in avoiding crowded places. Does that count? 🤣
Gec: I’ve learned to maximize the things I can do with GarageBand. 😅
What are you listening to at the moment?
Bon: Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Work Drugs, along with my usual serving of Softcult, and Holly Humberstone 💘
Gec: New releases from Tears for Fears, revisiting tracks from Eve 6, and tracks from Dixie and Addison Rae!
What are you looking forward to next?
Bon: Our future releases! I’m really excited about “Dorothy”, which has something one might call “a different Disney”. There’s also “Magic”, a kind of “emotional follow-up” to the story of Something Again, and “New Girl”, a track that might just get you grooving 😁
