WOW Pinoy

San Francisco - "Either go big or go home." declares San Francisco's lovable Fil-Am band, /the Jumping Jacks.

Aching from a shot of cupid's arrows and in turn, wounded from its heartches? The perfect remedy would be to put on your headphones, scroll that Ipod to the The Jumping Jacks and prepare yourself for the musical therapy of an aggresive-melodic-alternative-type music.

Although therapeutic in its sense, the usual soothing sounds of birds chirping, winds chiming, and waterfalls flowing are definitely not along the line of this band's method of pampering. This form of relaxation comes from a symphony of various compositions derived from finely tuned members of different backgrounds and different pasts.

Their inspirational influences vary from bands such as Third Eye Blind, Smashing Pumpkins, to Jay-Z, a sprinkle of spice from numerous jazz band, other prominent Filipino bands known as Eraserheads, Teeth, and Wolfgang, America's favorite rock band, Green Day, Rage Against the Machine and last but not the least, to their very own moms an dads. Here, musical appreciation derives from a kind of gratitude straight from the heart of happy home.

These young men have been able to flourish in their music due to their strong relationshiop with one another. Their different personalities are evident with theirbeats and lyrics. It has also helped them stay together for over eight years through the highs and lows of an amateur band.

At first impression, The Jumping Jacks rub off as a bunch of brothers fooling around and enjoying themselves. As you are engulfed with their unique beats, you are some times drawn away from the meaning behind their music. When you think of alternative or rock music, you usually do not associate it with thought-provoking topics. The stereotype usually for alternative or rock is a smashing of sounds and gloommy themes througout their songs. Contrary to the "typical" alternative music, The Jumping Jack find a creative method of planting their feelings into their music. They are also able to include the progressive and emo genre into their alternative sound.

The emo genre come into play with their personal experiences. Like any other ordinary person, one experiences trial and tribulations. The Jumping Jacks are expressing their feelings of heartache and obstacle through their music. Because love is universal language, everyone can call The Jumping Jacks a "best friend" when it comes to jamming to their lyrics as a form of a love-telling story.

The Jumping Jacks are like any other inspiring musicians eager to pick up an instrument for a good old jamming session. What usually starts out as a hobby usually stays a hobby. For this group, their hobby turned into a profession. From what started off as a group of guys jamming in the Bay Area. eventually turned into tours in Los Angeles and even in Philippines. They have also collaborated with Pedro Hill from the band Rubberband.

"Were trying to be one of the many Filipino bands that is trying to be out there and actually be someone or something that other bands can look upon," says one of the vocalists named Boks.

Not only are these a group of Filipino Americans just trying to put together music, but also on an overall level, attempting to bring dreams into realities for kids as motivated, as perservering and as determined. Day in, day out of music studios and performing at their local hit-up spots for pure entertainment cravings are second nature to them.

The Jumping Jacks are more than just a group of guys fulfulling their Rock Band dream. They stand tall as a proud Filipino Americans with the intense desire to charm the world with their musical talent.

With upcoming tours in thePhilippines this April, The Jumping Jacks are jumping from one musical stage to the next with a full zest of power. Watch out world : Here they come.