Uno: Fully Articulated "We are created from music, photography, literature and the almighty source code."

Nicole Limos’ 33 Questions for Mistula

Writer Nicole Limos sent us 33 questions for the Sense&Style feature on Mistula, but not all of them made it on print. So we’re posting the interview here for you – uncut and complete with Lobo’s licentious remarks about Manx’s boobs.

1. Please tell me about your personal and professional background.

LUGOSI: I am Bella Lugosi, but everyone just calls me Lord Lugosi. I don’t know why. I play the drums and write songs for Mistula and decide the overall direction of the band. Of course I welcome inputs from them as well. When I’m in the mood.

UNO: I’m Uno, ECD – Executive Creative Doll – for an advertising agency by weekday, rockstar on weekends, and extra luggage on holidays.

MANX: My name’s Manx Minuet, and I’m the lead guitarist, occasional vocalist of Mistula. I also co-write the songs with Lugosi. Mostly, I put melodies to his words. Porn films? Been there, done that. Now I’m just Mistula’s six-string sex siren – a role I like very much.

LOBO: My name’s Lobo, former leader of the British street gang called Lycantroops. I used to make a living in the underground fighting dens in London until I became the rhythm guitarist for Mistula.

MANX: Notice his sexy British accent.

2. What is the most challenging part of being in your band? What’s the most fulfilling?

LUGOSI: The most challenging part of being in Mistula is always striving to take the perspective that normally isn’t taken. Going for the unfamiliar. Confronting age-old beliefs, no matter how daunting and unpopular they may be. Putting a question on things and shaking up foundations that are traditionally rock-solid. That’s challenging for us, because we realize it takes a certain kind of effort for people to actually break away from their comfort zones. But for us, that’s always been the challenge worthy of pursuing.

The most fulfilling part is when people recognize the effort that we put into our works and are somehow changed by the experience. When someone from halfway across the world, in a totally different culture, gets immersed into our ideas and comes out appreciating the Philippines more, with a deeper understanding of our culture. I think, more than the music charts and accolades, that’s the kind of thing that has fueled us more intensely.

MANX: The most challenging part of being in this band is to always come up with riffs that Lugosi would approve of. He usually is never easy to please, you know. The most fulfilling part is hearing the songs in their final state. I’m always in awe whenever I hear them the first time.

UNO: It’s both challenging and fulfilling to be invited as a host for a morning talk show.

On frontman and bassist Uno: An old missal top and vintage velvet accents.

3. How much influence do you think you have on people?

LUGOSI: I think we have some considerable influence. We’ve managed to make some followers sign up on Facebook when they didn’t have an account. That was when we finally succumbed to it ourselves and set up a page.

UNO: I definitely have more influence than Joey or Rey. I receive more Christmas gifts than they do, and I can get friends to offer them free accommodations when they travel abroad.

4. How do you handle fame?

LUGOSI: Unlike human bands, I think fame is something we really don’t take too seriously. Nobody here is planning on committing suicide anytime soon.

5. What’s a typical day like? What are your activities outside music?

LUGOSI: Actually, I have no activities outside music. Everyday is spent thinking and planning about what to do next, in the grand Mistula scheme of things.

MANX: Oh, I just sit around until inspiration strikes me. Then I wait for Joey and Rey to announce if we topped the Overplay charts. Our latest track has been number 1 since it was released! It’s awesome.

UNO: I work in an advertising agency with Joey, meet new people, go places – do things that make me feel human. I blog about my not-so-ordinary life. Leave me a comment at www.mistula.com/uno!

6. What do you like best about each other?

MANX: I like how Lugosi can always be in control, you know? It’s like he has this ability to turn these random riffs I have into like, really cool songs.

UNO: I don’t like that at all.

LOBO: I like Manx’s boobs the best.

7. What was the kindest thing a stranger ever did to you?

UNO: A cute girl took me around Bali in a tour bus, because she said rockstars deserve nothing less.

8. How would you describe your kind of music?

LUGOSI: The music we play, it’s a performance of the poetry we write. It’s playing up on the ideas that we want to put focus on. But it always has to be something impactful, thought-provoking. And it’s definitely never, ever easy. We rely on being uncomfortable, as I’ve always said before. Because that’s when you’re restless and you learn to push a little bit further. We’ve always been perceived as being somewhat a heavy band. But I think we’ve proven, especially with our most current songs, that being heavy is just one avenue we can take to deliver our messages across.

MANX: Our music’s quite heavy sometimes, and quite playful some other times. I think it’s unpredictable. It’s full of strong emotions, I could say.

UNO: Not for the faint of heart.

9. Among other bands, whom do you look up to?

UNO: When you’re 60cm tall, you look up to every band out there.

10. What exciting escapades can you share?

UNO: I once went with Joey, her friend and a doll into an ancient cave in Bali that dates back to 1022 AD. As we were taking souvenir photos, the holy man of the temple kept following us around. I thought he was an avid Mistula fan; but later I found out that he’s worried the spirits might possess us idols. Joey told him we’re dolls, not idols. The holy man said, “Dolls, idols, people … they all share the same form. The spirits won’t be able to tell the difference.” From then on, Joey treated me with fear and respect.

LUGOSI: Is that why she pulled down your pants a few days ago to show her friend you’re anatomically correct?

11. What is one thing about you that would surprise people had they known?

MANX: My boobs are not real.

LOBO: No bloody way!

12. What will and will you not compromise on?

LUGOSI: I will not compromise on the quality of music we put out. I will not compromise the depth of the messages we want to convey. To put out anything less would, I believe, be a disservice to the listeners.

Drummer and lyricist Bella Lugosi in a velvet cape.

13. What’s your fashion style?

MANX: XXX.

LUGOSI: Black and unholy.

LOBO: Leather and chains.

UNO: I like pajamas.

14. Do you believe in God?

LUGOSI: I believe in God, of course. To think our whole existence just came out of pure scientific chance totally steps on the concept of the ultimate work of art called Life. And that is God, I really believe so: the very first artist, the ultimate creator. The very first Being who ever thought of an idea, and executed it marvelously.

Also, in the context of the Philippines, you can’t NOT believe in God, because the idea of a Supreme Being ruling your everyday decisions is something inherent in everyone. And I don’t think I would be representing the Philippines properly if I denied the existence of such an important Being.

MANX: Yes, I believe in God. His gift of music makes it possible for us to even play like we do and share it to other people.

UNO: Amen.

LOBO: Hallelujah!

15. How is art part of your everyday life?

LUGOSI: I think I wouldn’t exist if I were not thinking of creating something, every moment of every day.

UNO: Without art, Mistula will cease to be. We are created from music, photography, literature and the almighty source code.

16. What makes music an art? How would you define art?

LUGOSI: I’ve always thought art is what comes out when you’ve successfully put together existing resources you have and came up with something entirely new out of them. Whether it be a piece of sketch. Or words, to form poetry. Or yes, notes that, when arranged in succession, produces music. Of course, how you put them together is an entirely different matter, and entirely up to the creator. And that’s why we have bad art and good art, hahaha.

UNO: Art reminds us that we have souls, and that each of us has the power to create something beautiful and meaningful for others.

17. Do you believe in art for art’s sake?

LUGOSI: I come from the discipline where art always has to exist to do something. An agenda. A main point, if you will. The greatest disservice, I think, of an artist is to do works that are, what I call “wallpaper art”. They exist, just because. They pass before your eyes, and you forget about them after. They never do anything to you, except to maybe while away your time. The most successful art pieces, for us, change people and their beliefs. Make them think. Even disturb people enough to actually make them write extremely long hate mail or hate blog posts about it, hahaha. And in that one brief instance, when you’ve intruded into their lives, into their way of thinking, they’re scarred for the rest of their lives by that something you’ve created.

18. Tell me about the dolls who have visited you. Who are your favorites? What activities did you do?

UNO: Dragan is my best friend and therefore, my favorite. He became Mistula’s first rhythm guitarist. He came here all the way from the UK to shoot Mistula’s first music video for Mulat.

MANX: But he didn’t stay very long. That made me sad. I composed Nuestra Señora Dolorosa after he quit the band.

LOBO: My three old friends from the UK, the Lycantroops. We fought. And fought. Someday, I hope we can fight again.

LUGOSI: Shikai, because he proved that one doesn’t have to be a rockstar to have a world tour.

Rhythm guitarist Lobo in velvet pants.

19. What is your secret passion?

LUGOSI: If I tell you, it won’t be secret anymore.

UNO: Lugosi has a passion for muscular men in stretchy pants.

20. Have you met Barbie? If yes, how do you find her? (She just turned 50!) If not, would you like to? How will you spend a day with her?

UNO: I haven’t met Barbie, but I have heard of her from children who shout “Barbie! Barbie!” every time they see me.

21. How do you take care of yourself?

MANX: I stay out of the sun and put on Mr. Super Clear UV-Cut Flat to prevent my skin from yellowing.

UNO: I put on a face protector every time I travel.

LOBO: Nothing beats a melamine sponge bath after a rough day.

LUGOSI: I stay away from kids.

22. Are you scared of Chuckie?

UNO: … Dreyfuss? Hell yes.

LUGOSI: Chuckie is, sad to say, Child’s Play for us.

MANX: Ewww, Chuckie is gross.

23. What are your embarrassments and regrets?

UNO: It’s embarrassing not to be able to talk to real girls when I go out with them on dates. I always regret not being able to express what I feel.

LOBO: Plus, Joey always has to go as your chaperone. That’s bloody embarrassing.

24. How private are you?

LUGOSI: I like to keep to myself. I find I write my best works alone.

UNO: My life is an open book, er, blog. I also blog about Lugosi’s private pursuits.

25. How do you find Joey and Rey?

MANX: Our humans are the best!

UNO: They made us who we are. They rock.

LUGOSI: They can be richer, though. I need new equipment.

26. What is the most difficult thing for you to say “no” to?

MANX: It’s most difficult to say no to Lugosi.

27. Do you love humans? What human behavior do you find the coolest?

MANX: Oh, I loooove humans. Somehow, they’re always capable of the most beautiful things.

UNO: Human friendship is the coolest thing ever. Mistula won’t be as awesome without real friends helping us out in every possible way, like Gabie and Mike traveling with us all the way to Pampanga for the Sense&Style shoot.

Lobo chats with virtual band manager and stylist, Joey, in between takes.

For more behind-the-scenes peeks, CLICK HERE.

28. Tell me about your trip to Singapore.

UNO: Singapore is a very special place for me, and I have very special friends there. The first time I went to Singapore, I met Joey’s doll friends, Mae and Djinn, and their beautiful dolls, Seishurou and Tsukisou. They eventually built Black Rosary, the Official Mistula Fan Club. We are privileged to have them in the team; Joey has always thought of them highly for their influence in the doll community.

29. What is your hope for the nation, for the world?

LUGOSI: I hope the nation starts taking seriously how they can be a force to be reckoned with. Not just, obviously, inside the boxing ring, but in other aspects as well. There’s so much untapped potential just waiting to burst forth. And not just from the usual suspects, either.

MANX: World peace!

Lead guitarist Manx Minuet in an old missal tube and velvet tie-knot skirt.

30. What dreams are you in the process of fulfilling?

MANX: My dream is to be on the cover of a magazine. Am I in the process of fulfilling that? Hmmm.

UNO: I dream of succeeding AA as the editor-in-chief of Sense&Style magazine.

31. If your life philosophy can be summarized in a T-shirt, what would it say?

MANX: “I’m too sexy for this shirt.”

UNO: Lugosi’s would be “Lord of Pranings”.

32. If you could have a different point of view, how would you like to see the world?

LUGOSI: We’ve always pushed for people to perceive things from a different point of view. Probably because we really are viewing it differently, from a pair of glass eyes. But if I could have a different point of view, aside from what I have, I would like it to be from the point of view of actual church idols and statues. Just imagine how much knowledge you could gather from church goers, their hopes, their dreams, their fears, their prayers. What makes them happy, what drives them to faith. Such an immense field of wisdom there, just waiting to be discovered.

33. Which of the Ten Commandments do you find most applicable in life?

LUGOSI: I am the Lord thy God and thou shalt not have any strange gods before me.

UNO: Thou shalt not steal copyrighted material.

Nicole Limos’ interview was published on the July issue of Sense&Style magazine and the October 2 edition of Manila Bulletin’s Style Weekend.

Got a question for Mistula? Send them to webmessiah(at)mistula(dot)com and we’ll find time and space on Fully Articulated for your interview. Thanks very much!