Jaco Benin

MANILA, Philippines -- The departure from Side A of bassist and Forevermore composer Joey Benin may not have been good news among fans, having been the group’s most effective songwriter.

No doubt a number of people thought the group was significantly altered with his exit.

Small wonder that his son, Jaco, who is now embarking on a solo career, feels the same impact, probably in a more weighty tone.

In an interview to promote his self-titled CD under Polyeast Records, he said, “No offense, I don’t see Side A the way they were. Yes they’re still world-class, but they’re not the same without my dad.”

His remark sounds just natural for a son who used to see his dad play for a known act and who himself is now trying his luck at making a name in showbusiness. That’s more of a nod to his father’s legacy. And besides, by reading between the lines, he just wants his old man back to the band that scored other now-staple hits like “Hold On,” “So Many Questions,” along with strong covers of “Tuloy Pa Rin,” (Labuyo) and “Tell Me” (Joey Albert).

“I love my dad being part of Side A,” Jaco blurted out, straight to the point.

Joey’s influence to Jaco turned him into a ouido acoustic musician who just released a CD light containing his covers of 90s hits “Sa Puso Ko” (True Faith), “Prinsesa” (Teeth) and “Torete,” (Moonstar 88) – the last now being heard in the airwaves. His manager Erickson Raymundo, who handles Richard Poon and Sam Milby, to name just two, clearly saw his potential and gave blessings for an upcoming full-length album to contain his compositions. Just last Sunday at ABS-CBN’s “ASAP Rocks" he did a number with more established acoustic players.

Clearly wanting to be more than Joey Benin’s son, Jaco takes pride in the identity he wants to project. He wants to be known as an artist who sings soothingly as opposed to being a belter. He sees himself, style-wise, as a male Taylor Swift act.

As for his closeness with his dad, the 20-year-old singer recalled, “Straight from late-night gigs he won’t sleep so he could eat breakfast with us at home.” Then he shared Joey’s last days with Side A: “I remember those nights. Wala na siyang gana, tired of doing their routine and playing the same songs over and over.”