After Touch: Winnipeg’s Top Band of the 90’s (Part 1 )

Levy Abad
The Diversity Times
 July 2017,Vol 6, No.7

The Prime band of the 90’s

After Touch Band 

After Touch was a premiere band of the Filipino community during the early 90s. It was formed after the band Exodus, whose members were Jojo Yso, Ronald Legaspi, JonJon Rigor Natoc, Frederick “Ricky” Natoc, Jun Magnaye and Willy Liwanag, disbanded.

In our phone conversation (March 18, 2017), Jojo Yso told me that it was in September 1993 that After Touch was formed. Jojo shared that a lot of musicians wanted to be members of After Touch and that they usually get paid during that time (between 1993 to 2012), a thousand per gig.

Where it all started?

Jojo Yso recalls that he was approached by the Alcera Family and Tita Zeny Gonzales of Richway Insurance, who were the producers of the show (Super Live Concert) if he has a band, and in particular, musicians who are adept at reading notes. The context during this time, according to Jojo, was Exodus just got disbanded as Jun Magnaye had to migrate to the U.S with his family. Jojo explained, “I started calling up prospects for the sessionistas. I first phoned JonJon Natoc (keys) to ask him if he reads notes and if he wants to play with me in a concert. Then I called Ricky Natoc (drums). I also tried to call Willy and asked him if he is familiar with reading music sheets to which he replied he doesn’t.  Back then I used to play with Frank Urbano at St. Edward’s Church where he was the bass player. I remember he would bring music sheets then when we play together.  So I called him and asked  if he is interested in playing with a group of Pinoy musicians and told him about the upcoming concert and Frank accepted my invitation” (J.Yso, May 22, 2017).

The first meeting of this band took place at the house of Austin Natoc, who I usually refer to as Kuya Boy, also a musician. Kuya Boy Natoc is the father of JonJon and Frederick ``Ricky`` Natoc who are the founding members of After Touch.  Basically, Jojo Yso is the initiator of After Touch.

Sessionistas

Jojo shared that After Touch was formed as a sessionist band in the September 1993 “SUPERLIVE concert” for Ogie Alcasid, Rachel Alejandro, Raymond Lauchengco and Lou Veloso. Jojo continued, “In 1994, a concert titled “Sama-sama Together,“ spearheaded by CKJS,  featured performances of our talents and fronted by Neil Cruz and a few other performers.  In 1995, the group performed at the World Beat concert. Another concert was organized by Vigcor Music School in 1997 where After Touch performed. From 1996 to 2001, After Touch performed at Famous organized concerts. The first solo concert of the band, “A Night with the After Touch,” was held on February 16, 2002.  Also in this same year, After Touch sessioned with Rey Valera, Vehnee Saturno and Nadine Roxas. Another fundraising event for the PCCM titled “Building Together” happened at the Centennial Concert Hall where After Touch sessioned for Ma-Anne Dionisio of Miss Saigon. In November 24, 2002, After Touch also performed as an opening act for Ariel Rivera’s Canadian Tour at the Pantages.  Come 2007, Jaya, Basil Valdez and Willie Nepomuceno did a concert and After Touch either performed as front act or as sessionist. They sessioned for Erik Santos (2009) and for Allan K., Pokyaw and Gisselle Sanchez (2010). Just looking at the line-up of famous artists from the Philippines that After Touch sessioned with, is really significant. Most of these famous artists travel with their managers who are meticulous on how they would sound on stage. I, myself, a low profile artist, is really ticked whenever the audio is mediocre, so how much more with these professionals. All this proves that After Touch was indeed Winnipeg’s premiere band from the 90`s up to early 2000’s.

After Touch Members

After Touch members were: Jojo Yso, the founder (acoustic and lead guitars), Frank Urbano (bass player band leader and arranger), Jun Urbano (second keys),  Jon Jon Natoc ( 1^st keys and who mixed for the band after Frank Urbano), Frederick “Ricky” Natoc (drums) Darius Dandan (saxophone player), Maui Zamora  (percussionist doing bongos ,conga etc ).

What with the Band’s name?

Curious about the band’s name, I asked Jojo Yso where the name After Touch came from. He said that it was a group’s choice. In simple terms, he explained that when one taps a keyboard then presses it, a sound is produced called the After Touch.  Another anecdote was relayed by Jon Jon Natoc that back in the 90`s, After Touch was usually referred to by Famous members as the “Side A Band of Winnipeg.” Side A is a famous band in the Philippines. Even Archie Castillo, Ariel Rivera’s musical director, compared the band to Side A, South Border and Freestyle.

 The leader of the band

Jojo Yso commented that Frank Urbano is a versatile musician. He is a competent bassist and also knows how to play the piano. Before joining After Touch, Frank was a member of an Italian band that was famous in the community.  Even when Frank was still in the Philippines, he was already a well-known musician. Jon Natoc described Frank as really a great musician who also plays the Trombone. Frank belonged to a family of musicians. His father is known in the community as a superb musician, according to an equally good senior musician drummer Joe Ynot. Frank’s older brother Tito Urbano, as stated by Jon Jon, was a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music and is a contemporary of Ryan Cayabyab, a legendary musician in the Philippines. Jojo even shared that Elizabeth Ramsey, a famous comedian and singer, even tried to recruit Frank to be a member of her band.

There are more interesting information about this premiere band of the 90s, which will be featured in the next issue.

(I would like to thank Jojo Yso and Jon Jon Natoc who supplied important information including the years when Philippine artists visited and performed in Winnipeg.) 

(Levy Abad is a freelance writer and also a singer songwriter/recording artist and a member of Migrante Canada-Mb chapter and also a founding member/ program coordinator of Winnipeg Multicultural Human Rights Forum, Levy has released four albums , Canadian Experience Vol. 1 (iTunes ), Never Give Up and Rhythms of Compassion CanEx 3. and  "Tara ng Maglakbay"( June2017). You can reach Levy Abad through , lev67.abad@yahoo.ca or on Facebook.).