NOT many people know this, but growing up, the band Hale had the need for speed.

"I wanted to be a race car driver growing up," guitarist Roll Martinez said. "I don't know why, but I just wanted to be one." Drummer Omnie Saroca jumped in, "I wanted to be a pilot. Then a doctor, then an architect."

"When I was in preschool, I wanted to be an astronaut!" bassist Sheldon Gellanda said. "But in sixth grade I wanted to be a videogame creator."

It seems that only vocalist Champ Lui Pio had dreams of rock-star grandeur while growing up. "My dad's a musician, so since I was a kid, I was surrounded by music."

Garage band formula

It's such a garage-band clich� how Hale got together. They were all students at the Conservatory of Music of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), and according to Champ, "Roll and Sheldon were classmates, and I was friends with Roll."

It sounds like your usual, conventional college band story, but unlike most groups who spend their time playing shady clubs to get noticed (after all, every college band believes the "starving artist" way is the easiest and most credible way to go places), Hale took a different road: they spent time and money on recording a clean demo to submit to record labels. And it paid off.

In November 2004, after shopping their demo around various companies, EMI Philippines picked them up.

"I heard the demo and right away, I called them up to set a meeting," A&R manager Russel Eustaquio said. "There was no way I was going to let a band like that go to another label."

Their lack of presence in the gig circuit made Champ happy with the recognition that their anonymity brought. People would debate on online message boards whether the band was a local act or a foreign group.

According to Champ, a friend told him that a local cover band played one of their songs, and said that it was a song by US Christian rock band Switchfoot. "That was so cool... Switchfoot is one of our influences," Champ said.

It wouldn't be long before people would get to know the faces behind the music. A few months back, they cut their self-titled debut album, which was a crash course on how things work in the music industry.

"At first I didn't know what we were doing," Champ laughed. "But then you just learn as you go along." Roll agreed. "Medyo may pressure, mabilis kasi recording... pero madami kaming natutunan."

Next up was a music video directed by genius Avid Liongoren-"The Day you Said Goodbye" is now on heavy rotation on TV.

Learning the ropes

Hale might be reveling in their success, but they do admit that the many drawbacks to fame get to them sometimes. During the interview, all of them confessed that they were getting a cold, and Sheldon wouldn't let ten minutes go by without sneezing. "Tomorrow is going to be our first day-off in weeks," Roll said. "We're going to sleep the whole day."

Omnie also shared their first run-in with the politics in the music industry. Their worst gig so far was at a guitar fest, when their set was pushed three hours later. "So many bands kept sneaking into the lineup. We kept getting bumped up. And it sucked because our friends came to see us play at 12 midnight, and they had to stay until 3 a.m. to watch us," Omnie said. "And they had curfews!"

And of course, they hardly have time for themselves anymore. While working on the first album, they would meet twice a week to rehearse and write songs. Now, they're lucky to have a few days just to chill.

But they're also quick to acknowledge the perks they get from working so hard. While Champ said that the privilege to play in front of crowds is a reward in itself, Omnie joked that he loves that they get free food at gigs. "And gas!" Roll laughed. "We come all the way from Para�aque, so free gas is always a good thing!"

And of course, the energy from the crowd fuels them to keep going. "Our best gig was at La Salle Dasma. It was raining and people started going home. It was an against-all-odds gig!" Omnie said.

Sheldon piped in: "And through that gig... nagbunga ang aming pagtugtog." Obviously an inside joke, as the whole band burst into laughter at Sheldon's comment. "There was... shall we say, personal progress at that gig," he laughed.

Bright future

It's hard to disregard how fast Hale got into the spotlight. And it's only right that they strike while the iron is hot.

Up next for the band is a mall tour. And of course, their stint on the Alternative stage at the F�te de la Musique on June 18, which they're really giddy about.

"Ako dati every year, inaabangan ko talaga 'yung F�te," Sheldon said. "I was introduced to it by a friend... and magaling siya, because in one night, lahat ng musicians from different genres play. Walang sapawan. It's a night for everyone."

"Puwede kang pumili sino papanuorin mo," Omnie said.

Sheldon went on: "The event caters to everyone, from A-Z." he then stopped. "Oh no wait, wala palang Sex Bomb dancers doon."

The band broke into laughter again, but they were obviously tired.

Champ was excited about his plan to sleep all day, and Roll was anticipating the hour-long drive home. And then, in three days, they would rock the stage at Mayric's and jump into a whirlwind schedule of gigs.

With such professional work ethic and hunger to succeed, the band has definitely quenched their thirst for speed.