Den Marco Rodriguez (born June 2), known as Den, Marco, or Drane, is an amateur musician from the band Alice's Wolves. He is a former bassist for the secular band May, Judith, and has also served as a session musician for the Christian rock group Mercy is Falling (MEDJAI).
Personal life
Born and raised in Marikina City in a Christian family with three siblings—Desiree, Destinee, and cousin Dan—Marco was influenced early on by his father, Marvin, an electrician, and his mother, Divine, an entrepreneur and longtime church worker. This upbringing provided him with a strong connection to Christian life.
Marco first picked up a basketball at the age of 10, inspired by the likes of Barangay Ginebra. He spent much of his youth developing his skills and quickly embraced the OLOPS College basketball scene. By age 13, he had joined his first team.
Basketball hobby
As one of the many die-hard fans of Barangay Ginebra, Marco enjoyed watching the team from the '90s. After school, he loved spending his siesta time on the basketball court, playing against older playmates during his elementary days. Marco accepted the game as a challenge on the court, and with everyday practice, he developed his skills and became a legitimate point guard for the Sunnyville Saints Basketball Organization. He achieved the Mythical Team award in 1999 and the All-Star award in 2001. Marco continued to play pick-up games against different opponents on weekends. In 2012, together with his batchmates from OLOPSC 2001, he joined SOHA (Society of OLOPSC HS Alumni), a basketball tournament organized by OLOPSC alumni and held at the school gym every Sunday. He wore jerseys numbered 4, 12, and 2.
2018 Basketball Comeback; he joined his first team after 4years of not touching any basketball
2018 BASKETBALL Teams: UPOPS 2.0 (IFBL)
BALLERS UNITED (MNL KINGPIN)
SORREGNISAL Batch 2k1 (OABL)
SAINTS SELECTION (PHENOM BASKETBALL LEAGUE)
Love for Music
Influenced by secular rock bands like Metallica, Wolfgang, Razorback, Smashing Pumpkins from the '90s, as well as A Perfect Circle, Tool, Korn, Manson, Nine Inch Nails, and other newly formed bands from various genres, Marco quickly embraced the music of his generation. As a member of the HWIM Praiseteam, he adopted Christian music, enjoying bands like Hillsong, Delirious, 7th Day Slumber, The Letter Black, and Skillet. Recently, he has also developed a love for Trip-Hop music, including bands like Mandalay, Nicola Hitchcock, and Massive Attack.
Musical journey
In 2004, Marco, a passionate music lover with dreams of joining a band, became a longtime member of HWIM. After accepting an invitation to audition for the HWIM praiseteam, he sought advice from former band member and praiseteam leader Jay Canlas. With the help of other worship musicians, Marco joined the HWIM Cainta Worshipteam after undergoing three months of training, eventually becoming a regular band member.
In September 2011, due to misconduct, Marco was placed under a six-month restoration period as per worship team rules. On Easter Sunday, April 7, 2012, he returned to stage with the team but faced another restoration after four weeks of playing. On June 8, he resigned as a musician.
Exploring his musical interests, Marco co-founded an amateur band named JUDITH with musicians he met in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Influenced by the U.S. band A Perfect Circle, they jammed and covered APC songs but struggled with inconsistent schedules, preventing live performances.
After a hiatus, Marco received a call from Leeyan of Mercy is Falling Band (MEDJAI) to play for "October Praise." They started jamming on September 30, 2012, and subsequently performed gigs around Metro Manila.
On October 7, 2012, Marco reunited with former HWIM bandmates Dhenz and Niel for a special acoustic performance at HWIM Cainta's first Sunday afternoon service, with only 30 minutes of rehearsal.
In May 2014, Marco and former bandmates formed a new lineup with PK on guitar, Jae on drums, and Erika on vocals, naming the band "MAY." They parted ways before the end of 2019.
MAY (band):
- Featured as a "Freshlybaked Artist" by Happyhouse
- Reached the Top 8 in the 2015 Yellow Room Battle of the Bands
- Metro Manila Champion of the 17th Red Horse Muziklaban
- Released an EP titled "WANDERLUST"
- Featured at Rakrakan Festival in 2017 and 2019
In May 2022, Marco served as a session bassist for Alikabok 2.0.
In January 2023, Marco returned to the music scene with ALICE'S WOLVES, an alternative pop-punk band formed in 2020 consisting of Essy (vocals), Lance (drums), Dodong (lead guitar), and Warren (rhythm guitar). They recorded their first track, "WALA NA BANG HINIHINTAY," which is available at Spotify.
For more information about ALICE'S WOLVES, visit their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/aliceswolvesph.
NOTABLE INSTRUMENT
HWIM
YAMAHA MOTION B / FERNANDO JAZZ BAZZ / IBANEZ CUSTOMS JA SERIES (PROJECT BASS) /
PEAVEY ZODIAC BXP / ARIA IGB-40 / IBANEZ GSR395/ MAC SMITH P-BASS
PICK UPS: SEYMOUR DUNCAN: SPB3
AMPLIFICATION: CARVIN / GALLIEN KRUEGER BLACKLINE 115
EFFECTS: KORG AX5B / ZOOM 506II / ZOOM B2
JUDITH
FERNANDES REVOLVER
EFFECTS: LINE 6 BASS FLOOR POD
MERCY IS FALLING / MEDJAI
PAST FERNANDO MUSICMAN COPY
MAY
GEMINI CUSTOM “DRseries” D CUSTOM P-BASS /
DRANE SIGNATURES MUSICMAN COPY / STAGG BC300
IBANEZ GATK / IBANEZ SR300 / IBANEZ ATK200 / IBANEZ SRX “GEISHA”
EFFECTS: ZOOM 708II / KORG AX3000B / MOOER GRAPHIC B / BEHRINGER BDI 21 /ZOOM B3
ZOOM B3N
STRINGS: D'ADDARIO / DR NEON
ALICES WOLVES
JCRAFT PBX (jazz) / JCRAFT R2
IBANEZ SE300
EFFECTS: BOSS ME50 B / ZOOMB3N / CALINE WINECELLAR / CALINE BASSCOMPRESSOR
Live with christian group Jesus Addicts
of Hope for the World Int'l Ministries
(2004 - 2012)
MAY live @
17th redhorse pambansang muziklaban grand finals
with ALICES WOLVES
"SUGATAN"
single launch
MILENYA,Marikina