Don Ico

[Kid Moll]

DON ICO

A self-proclaimed “adik,” you cannot usually get serious with guys like Edward Vincent Versosa Ico. But if you have seen him perform, you will agree that he is one fine player.

An amateur band that performed in his elementary school made him pick up a guitar and the infamous 1001 Songhits. That introduced him extensively to the guitar. But his enrolment in Diggs Villabrosa’s guitar class in 1991, developed his playing to an awesome precision. Then he became the school group Days with the Lord’s official acoustic guitarist during mass and other choral activities. “Adik sa gitara!” He plays our national anthem “Lupang Hinirang” every morning for the rest of his high school days.

His other pursuits during his early high-school years means that he is a true talent, being one of them active contributors of the school publication Triumph, writing poems, essays, and articles. He also joined the Drum & Bugle Corps, playing the xylophone.

He watched bands like Partycrashers, BEMO, The Stand, Spear, among others. Then he formed a group of his own named Voices And Visions with his then seatmate we now know as Vhem Lobrigo. The group was joined by Erwin Ticar (drums, Spear) and Melody Collado and was playing songs of Bon Jovi and Harem Scarem among others. Don Ico played the electric guitars while singing as the lead. This made him one of the fine guitarists of his time as he played smartly. Later on he Started another group as guitarist and vocalist of an alternative trio-band with Vhem still on bass and Roselle Asis (now Atty. Roselle Napoles) on drums covering songs of Rivermaya, et al. The purpose was performing on the acquaintance parties of different organizations in Ateneo de Naga University.

On the same year 1994, Started the legendary Anima Creed with vhem on bass, merged with the group of Elmer Clarete (guitar), Vic San Vicente (drums), and Anthony Mendones (vocals) playing cover songs from def leppard, harem scarem, and other metal bands. He triggered and inspired Anima Creed in playing thrash metal music because he perfectly learned and played the guitar line and solo parts of most of the Megadeth and Metallica’s songs. At the time when metal and trash metal were hits worldwide, Anima Creed became one of the few pioneers who delivers the kind of music with a natural precision as Don Ico and his bandmates plays them tightly and lively, nailing all necessary parts. The reception was awesome. The group’s stint was a blast and Don was now one of the icons of Naga City’s underground scene, leaving audiences in awe with introductions of his simple improvisations and lively performances.

“Ta adik ngani,” in 1997, he formed Sancho’s Punani with Meek Canonizado of Anathema, this time covering Sublime and other artists in the similar genre. He later joined one of Naga City’s pioneer punk bands Pennies4Jane to take up Bryan Sacil’s place as a vocalist. He ended up being the group’s lead guitarist and 2nd vocalist, laying down the guitars and voice in its 14 songs. His style made Pennies4Jane unique in its variety, making the songs more melodic and structured as compared to some others.

Pennies4Jane is preparing to record new songs in a few months. Anima Creed is planning a comeback gig anytime this year. Other projects of other bands that he is in imply that even if Don Ico is in Singapore working, everybody knows how devoted Don Ico is to music he creates. And we will wait.

[NJ Asetre]

idol ko ni si master Don!

[Don Ico]

hala, may bago palan na forum si kid... tsk tsk tsk

mas idol ko si iNJi! artist in every sense! hehehe... mabalos J... :p
NJ Asetre said:

idol ko ni si master Don!

[Kid Moll]

Yes! Hanggang sixth sense maurag si NJ!

Don Ico said:

hala, may bago palan na forum si kid... tsk tsk tsk

mas idol ko si iNJi! artist in every sense! hehehe... mabalos J... :p
NJ Asetre said:

idol ko ni si master Don!

[yrhol]

fafa don! ulay ko tig tripan ako ni kid... gabos man palan! hahahaha

[glenn jaucian]

respect is not an overnight process... don has earned it!

let the passion burn!

[Jerome Reyes]

si don mital yan..

[busang]

..kua don???maurag..eu lang yan..no worsd can explain kung talagang csay yan..dawa man daw muntik u na akong sukahan nun..ueks lang yan..idol pa man giraray!!!..hope to see you again..god bless...mmuuuuuuuuuaaaaaaaahhhh

[jun jaucian]

hanep!! Lemme buy you a drink don.