Pinoy Rock Bands

Sandwich is a Filipino rock band that was formed in 1995 by Raimund Marasigan and Diego Castillo for the purpose of fulfilling their mutual desire to work together. Castillo recruited former band mates from The Aga Muhlach Experience Mike Dizon (of The Teeth & Pedicab) to play drums and Myrene Academia (of Imago & Duster)to handle bass duties. Sandwich was searching for a vocalist when music video director Marie Jamora recommended her friend Marc Abaya. A few years earlier, Marasigan was a judge at a contest where Marc Abaya jammed to a Beastie Boys song with his high-school band, Shirley Beans. Abaya then joined Sandwich, but was later replaced by Mong Alcaraz of the band Chicosci.Although existing simultaneously with the Marasigan's foremost band at that time, Eraserheads, Sandwich provided a heavier, grittier sound, and built up their own fan base. Abaya was still in college at the time, and Marasigan would still tour occasionally with the Eraserheads, but these weren’t hindering factors for Sandwich, as there were many session musicians ready to take over in case of a member’s absence. In 1999, they signed with Sony Music and released their debut album Grip Stand Throw with much success, thanks to its carrier single, Butterfly Carnival. The band won three awards at the 1999 NU 107 Rock Awards: Album of the Year, Best New Artist, and Song of the Year. The following year, Sandwich released their second album 4-Track Mind, which was honored as Album of the Year at the 2001 NU Rock Awards. In 2003, Sandwich parted ways with Sony Music, and released their third album Thanks To The Moon’s Gravitational Pull under distribution by PolyEast Records. Abaya left Sandwich in 2005, in an effort to cope with the difficulty of juggling his job as an MTV VJ, and his obligations to his other band, Kjwan. Marasigan has since taken over sole vocal duties. After Abaya’s departure, the band wrote songs for soundtracks, including Humanda Ka for the online game Tantra, and Nginiig for the ABS-CBN television program of the same name.

Rocksteddy is an alternative rock Filipino band recording on 12stone Records, which is a Sony BMG imprint, which are now part of PolyEast Records.Formerly known as Acoustic Faith, Rocksteddy was founded in March 2003. In 2005, the band released "Lagi Mo Na Lang Akong Dinededma," "Gising Na," and the Close Up single "Smile at Me" as their singles. They also provided the theme song, "Superhero," for the ABS-CBN fantasy show Super Inggo and contributed to the "Kami nAPO Muna: Tribute to the Apo Hiking Society" album with a cover of "Blue Jeans". They became part of the Manila sound tribute album, "Hopia, Mani, Popcorn", with their rendition of the Juan dela Cruz song, "No Touch". Teddy Corpuz is a cousin of TV reporter, host and radio anchor Niña Corpuz-Rodriguez. In 2007, the band launched their sophomore album with their single, "Break Na Tayo". In 2009, Rocksteddy launched their 3rd album, "Ayos Lang Ako", now under PolyEast Records, with their single "Boy Kulot".

Rivermaya is one of the most influential, critically acclaimed and significant Filipino rock bands in the Philippines. Formed in 1994, they are one of the several bands who spearheaded the 90s Philippine alternative rock explosion. Rivermaya is composed of Mark Escueta, Mike Elgar, Japs Sergio, Ryan Peralta and Norby David. They are the fourteenth biggest-selling artists in the Philippines.[1]The first line-up consisted of Jesse Gonzales on vocals, Kenneth Ilagan on guitars, Nathan Azarcon on bass guitar, Rome Velayo on drums, and Rico Blanco on keyboards and backing vocals. They were managed by Lizza Nakpil and director Chito Roño who had the intention of molding the group into a rock show band. The band was then called Xaga.In the process of grueling practice sessions, Ilagan was replaced with Perfecto "Perf" de Castro; Azarcon's childhood friend, Mark Escueta, to replace Velayo, as well as former classmate Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac to replace Gonzales. With Bamboo as frontman, the band members themselves decided to disband Xaga and form the band Rivermaya. They started putting together original songs like "Ulan" [Rain], "214", and "Awit ng Kabataan" [Song of the Youth] (mostly composed by Rico Blanco) in demo form for prospective recording companies. Nathan Azarcon was one of the members of Rivermaya from 1993 to 2001. By November 1994, the band had released its first album, the self-titled Rivermaya, and its first single, "Ulan"; followed by "214". Critically praised for its fresh, excitingly new pop/rock sound, the album went on to become one of the best acts in the 1990s.

Pupil is a Filipino rock band composed of Ely Buendia on frontman duties and guitars, Yan Yuzon on lead guitar, Dok Sergio on bass and Wendell Garcia on drums.Pupil was formed when Dok Sergio from the bands The Teeth and Daydream Cycle joined The Mongols' line-up during the fourth quarter of 2004, making it a five-man band. The Mongols' bassist Yan Yuzon moved to third guitar duties while Dok Sergio handled bass. The transitional five-man line-up was witnessed in The Mongols’ last single and music video entitled “Heroine”. In May 2005, guitarist, Jerome Velasco, a.k.a. J. Astro, left to pursue a career in producing and recording studio engineering. The group's last gig under the name "The Mongols" was on July 7, 2005. Velasco’s departure shook things up for the group as they were trapped into the decision of whether to stay as a band or not. As they decided to continue and as they progressed, the band noticed that they were producing a different sound without Velasco on the lead guitar and decided to form a "new" band. “We got a better bass player and dumber guitarist,” jokes guitarist Yan Yuzon, who left bass playing duties to Dok Sergio to take Velasco’s place. Upon the determination of forming a “new” band, the group’s first move was to change their name.[1] Frontman Ely Buendia chanced upon the name "Pupil" while browsing a medical book. The band wanted a classic name for a rock band. Before using Pupil, they tried several other names, such as Villain, Lords of Nasdaq, The Gets, Trochlean, Traitors, and Tyrel Corp. They chose the name Pupil because Buendia liked the fact that it is the part of the eye where light enters. Guitarist Yan Yuzon likes its double meaning, as well as the “eternal learning” connotations of the name. Pupil's launch gig was on July 13, 2005 at the UP Bahay ng Alumni.[2] Pupil also joined Livestock Productions. It was an event group with members such us Sponge Cola, Kiko Machine, Menaya, Tawo, Sleepyheads, and Elytistas.

Pedicab is composed of the country’s seasoned artists. Daddy Maps (Diego Mapa of Monsterbot and Cambio) is the band’s lead vocalist. Sugar Raims (Raimund Marasigan) is on synths and back-up vocals. The master of drums is Masterbeat (Mike Dizon of Sandwich and Teeth). J.Sonic (Jason Caballa of Twisted Halo and Blast Ople) is the guitarist and back-up vocalist. Just Toni (RA Rivera) is responsible for the band’s visuals and multimedia. Around August 2004 the band Pedicab was formed. They did their first gig in September that year. On 2005, the band released their debut album entitled Tugish Takish under Vicor Music. The name was taken from the onomatopoeia of the drum’s banging sound. Containing 12 tracks, the album’s singles include: Dixzy Boy, Dito Tayo Sa Dilim, Konti Na Lang, and Bleached Streaks. Its videos were directed by its own member RA Rivera. Prior to that, they released a two-track sampler dubbed as “For Hire” with tracks Bago Pa Mag Pasko and Pa-Experience. Pa-Experience was included in the compilation of Rock Against The Round: Musicians Against The WTO in 2005. Songs Isasayaw Ko and Awitin Mo were included in Hopia Mani Popcorn 2: The Best Of Manila Sound on 2007 under Viva Records. The group signed a recording deal with MCA Records Philippine for their second album. Entitled Shinji Ilabas Mo Na Ang Helicopter, the album was released on April 2008 under MCA Music. The album is a logical progression from the raw, dance-punk sound of their first record, with more beats, more guitars, more sonic elements and more singing. The release contained carrier single Ang Pusa Mo. Its video, directed by RA Rivera, featured the band members being abused physically by eight lovely ladies. Other tracks incorporated are FX, Follow Through, Breaking Away and the remake of Pa-Experience ("Pa-Taste").

The name Parokya Ni Edgar came from a class joke Jeric Estaco recited in one of their classes in high school. Sources state that the class subject was Filipino, and it all started when the teacher asked him where the father of Jose Rizal's fictional hero, Crisostomo Ibarra (in the novel Noli Me Tangere), was educated. It was said that Jeric answered the teacher with the daft remark "sa Parokya ni Edgar". In the early 1990's, the band started performing regularly in Club Dredd, one of the famous clubs in Manila during that time. The band slowly gained popularity during the height of the Filipino rock explosion, with the local rock community opening up to the influence of foreign grunge acts such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. Eventually, the late managing director of Universal Records, Bella Dy Tan, signed them as contract artists after witnessing one of their performances at Club Dredd. Soon their initial recordings such as Buloy, Trip and Lutong Bahay were heard across Philippines through radio stations. Their first album, Khangkhungkherrnitz became a triple platinum hit in the Philippines having sold 120,000 units. The other 3 albums include Buruguduystunstugudunstuy (triple platinum), Jingle Balls Silent Night Holy Cow (gold), and Gulong Itlog Gulong (triple platinum).[3] They recently released their 8th studio album, Middle-Aged Juvenile Novelty Pop Rockers in 2010 with the carrier single "Paki-usap Lang (Lasingin Nyo Ako)". It is PNE's 11th album in total. In 2011, Parokya joins the roster of Tanduay's First Five replacing long running Tanduay endorser 6cyclemind who has recently left the group with Bamboo, who is now replaced by Wolfgang. Parokya and Wolfgang are now part of the concert event together with the remaining original Tanduay members, Sandwich, Chicosci and Kamikazee.

Orange and Lemons was a Filipino pop rock band formed in 1999. The band name "Oranges and Lemons" was initially recommended by a former member of the group. Apparently the band was not aware at that time that the name was actually derived from a British nursery rhyme and a title of an album by the British band "XTC". So they changed it to "Orange and Lemons". With a style of retro music combined with alternative rock, the band has become few of Pinoy Rock bands that have definitive sound that separated them from the rest of pure pop and rock. The band's main musical influences ranged from The Beatles and The Smiths, to The Cure and The Eraserheads. Orange and Lemons or ONL was a grand and swift crossover story from their humble beginnings as a virtually unknown act in the scene to being independent artists to being artists under major label Universal Records Philippines. Their songs enjoyed massive airplay in radio stations and music channels in the country resulting to the band gaining popularity and winning fans of different ages and backgrounds. Their hit songs as of 2006 included "Just like a Splendid Love Song", "Hanggang Kailan (Until When)", "Heaven Knows (This Angel Has Flown)", "Abot Kamay (Within Reach)" and the controversial hit song "Pinoy Ako ('I'm Filipino)," which was the official soundtrack of Pinoy Big Brother, Philippines' franchised version of the reality TV show Big Brother.

Narda was a successful Pinoy rock band, widely seen as one of the visible acts in the Philippine indie rock scene.Narda formed with three main objectives; namely, to write and play their original songs, to have fun, and to help out people. Due to Ryan and Ed’s connection with the Ateneo de Manila High School, a portion of Narda’s EP sales would go to the Tulong Dunong Scholarship Fund, which aimed to assist worthy public school students to study at the Ateneo and other private schools. By October 2002, Narda had recorded their first EP, "A Postcard From", containing four songs ("Crime-fighting Mama", "Hypochondriac", "Meron Ba" and "Kusina"). Then on December 13, 2002, the band released its second EP titled "Suwerte" (translated: "Good Luck"), also containing four songs ("Tanga", "In The Afternoon", "Leave" and "Suwerte"). Over Christmas vacation of 2002, Narda recorded their stripped-down acoustic EP called "Burador". "Burador" was released early 2003 containing four songs ("Another Day", "Pasensya Na", Santong Paspasan" and "Ang Gabi"). By 2003, Narda was gigging heavily and their songs were earning steady airplay over NU 107. Narda started recording their fourth EP "Salaguinto't Salagubang" in the summer of 2003, which carried five songs ("Vanillin", "Daylight Savings Time", "Saan Na?", "Liwanag" and "Jaywalker"). The EP was launched at the now defunct Millenia on September 2003. By the time, original guitarist Ibarra had left the band for a day job. And former Lilian guitarist Nico Africa had rejoined his former bandmates in Narda, who played during the EP launch. Releasing four EPs in a span of a year would earn the band several guestings on NU 107's In the Raw Show with Francis Brew. The single "Jaywalker" also started gaining airplay on NU 107. Narda would then go on to win the NU 107 Rock Awards' In the Raw Award for 2003.

M.Y.M.P. (or MYMP, short for Make Your Mama Proud) is an acoustic band act from the Philippines, which consists of five members. Their career started when Raymond Ryan, a station manager of iFm watched one of their gigs, and met up with a producer to produce their 2003 debut album, Soulful Acoustic, which has since been certified Platinum. In 2005, M.Y.M.P. released their second album titled Beyond Acoustic and third album Versions through Ivory Music. The success of the two albums prompted the re-release of their second and third albums in a 2-disc set the same year. In 2006, they released their fourth album, New Horizon, and DVD of their concert in the Music Museum. In 2008, M.Y.M.P. released their last album on Ivory Music, titled Now, as the group signed a deal with Star Records.Jacques "Chin" Alcantara founded the band back in late 1996. It was Chin's elder brother, Julius, who gave the band its name --- a tribute to their departed mother. Chin's mother, Dr. Stella Lopez-Alcantara (a cardiologist), had died of complications from breast cancer when she was 17. Back when it was originally formed, Make Your Momma Proud was a four-man rock band, whose arsenal included Jimi Hendrix, The Doors and, as Alcantara adds, a little Mr. Big. He was still a student at Miriam College then, taking up Communication Arts, major in Advertising. “My mom played the piano but she didn’t get to see me play professionally—she did get to see me start out,” Alcantara said. In the year after his mother died, Alcantara took up the guitar and, in his words, “really got obsessed with it and that’s when I knew what I wanted to be, a musician.” Alcantara was enjoined by his father (an investment and a private development banker) to attend classical guitar tutoring, but stopped after a month. Alcantara taught himself how to play. The peak of M.Y.M.P.'s amateur days was when it won the 1996 national championship of the San Miguel Beer Battle of (rock) Bands. Before that, the group had won the NCR championship, best vocalist and best lead-guitarist awards.

Moonstar88 is a female-fronted band in the Philippine local music scene. As of April 2008, they have released three albums, Popcorn, Press to Play and Todo Combo, and collaborated on one track, Pag-Ibig Ko Sa Iyo, found on RoK On! Music Inspired By Ragnarok Online. They also performed a rendition of the APO song, "Panalangin" which they recorded and was added to the tribute album for the band, Apo Hiking Society, on the Kami nAPO Muna album.Moonstar88 was formed in 1999. They were signed to Sony BMG by 2007. The band members all maintain successful careers outside their work as musicians. Maychelle is a pharmacist with academic achievements outside music; Paolo is a famous video director; Bon is a Marketing Manager; and Herbert is an accomplished Creative Director. The name of the band was chosen after they had landed a gig, but did not have a name for their band. They wrote down a list of names and when they were about to perform, they choose Moonstar. They added the number 88 since Moonstar was the 88th name on their list. They belong to Backbeat Management - the same management that handles more famous bands such as Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Queso, and The Youth and more recently Franco. They made a remake of Yano's famous song, "Senti".

Mayonnaise is a 4-piece Filipino alternative rock band. The band is fronted by Monty Macalino who due to his unarguably hefty body figure, makes him the most visible member of the group. The band is famous for winning the prestigious Red Horse Muziklaban in 2004.The band was launched in 2004 after winning the Grand Prize of the Red Horse Muziklaban 2004. Their debut self-titled album, Mayonnaise was launched with their 1st single, "Jopay" which was released by Sony Music Philippines. Jopay is a reference of a former member of the Sexbomb Dancers. Their next single was "Bakit Part 2" which became a radio airplay hit. Their follow-up 2nd album, Pa'no Nangyari Yun? was released in 2006 with their carrier single, "Salamin". The same year, the band also covered the song, '"Ipagpatawad Mo", originally from VST and Company. The song was included in their collaboration album, Hopia Mani Popcorn. In 2008, Mayonnaise released their 3rd album, Tersera which was launched with their singles, "Singungaling", "Torres" and "Sakto". The band released their 4th album, Pula in 2010 with the carrier single, "Sa Pula, Sa Puti". The group also sang the TV theme song of ABS-CBN 2's reality show, The Biggest Loser: Pinoy Edition entitled "Sabay Tayo" in 2011.

Kamikazee is a Filipino rock band formed in 2000. The band is composed of Jay Contreras, Jomal Linao, Led Tuyay, Puto Astete and Bords Burdeos.The band is composed of five members who met in college at the College of Fine Arts of the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Kamikazee's early gigs were mostly on campus events in UP Diliman like the annual UP Fair and sometimes in Baguio this 2012. Before they were signed in a major label, they went by the name "Kamikazee Cornflakes" (eventually shortened to its current state as "Kamikazee" which they think is easier to remember). Their early shows included renditions of the songs "Mmm Sarap", "Tsinelas", a cover of Ariel Rivera's "Sana Kahit Minsan", and Britney Spears' Lucky. They were known for using expletives, suggestive movements, and references to genitalia in their UP Diliman performances.Kamikazee released their first self titled album in 2002. The album's carrier single was a heavy cover version of the Britney Spears song "Lucky". Other notable songs include "Girlfriend", "Ung Tagalog", "Tsinelas" and their cover song of Ariel Rivera's "Sana Kahit Minsan". In 2005, the band released "Chiksilog" as part of the compilation album Rok On! and in 2006 they released their second album, Maharot. The carrier single of the album was "Narda", which is thought to be about the fictional Filipina heroine Darna. "Narda" was a popular hit in 2006, and gained constant airplays in radios on the same year. This was inspired by GMA Network's primetime show Darna which stars Angel Locsin. Later in 2009, "Narda" was used as a soundtrack for GMA Network's primetime show Darna which stars Marian Rivera in her title role.

The Juan de la Cruz Band was a Filipino rock band formed in 1968. In December 1970, the band was featured in the first open field rock festival in the Philippines, the Antipolo Rock Festival. The band's popularity gained momentum in September 1971 when it backed up the production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Then in December of the same year, the band garnered its crowning glory when again, for the first time in the Philippines, a rock group on its own, backed by a full symphony orchestra (the National Philharmonic) was presented in concert at the CCP. The band originally had six members: Wally Gonzales (guitars and vocals), Rene Segueco (organ and vocals), Clifford Ho (bass and vocal), Romy Santos (wind instruments), Bobot Guerrero (drums), and Sandy Tagarro (lead vocals). Sandy Tagarro left the band before the band's first album "Up in Arms" was released. Wally Gonzales, in an interview later credited Edmund "Bosyo" Fortuno of having coined the band's name though Bosyo's collaboration with the band was not until 1981 with Juan Dela Cruz Band's 6th Album in which he was the drummer along with Joey "Pepe" Smith.

The Itchyworms is a Filipino rock band whose music is primarily guitar-driven rock with pronounced 1960s and 1980s pop sensibilities and embellished with two- or three-part vocal harmonies. The group made their name in the OPM (Original Pilipino Music) scene in 2006 with their sophomore effort Noontime Show with songs such as "Akin Ka Na Lang" and "Beer". Formed in 1996, the band had been composed of Jazz Nicolas, Jugs Jugueta, Kelvin Yu (on lead guitar), Kevin Santos (on back-up vocals) and Hadrian "Haji" Cruz (on bass). The band performed at various school-based events and competitions with a handful of original songs and Beatles covers. Unfortunately, communication and scheduling issues forced Cruz to leave the group. This predicament forced Yu to take up the bass guitar vacancy, effectively making the band a trio. The group continued as a trio until the middle of 1997, when a common friend in the Ateneo Musicians' Pool recruited Chino Singson to play guitar with the group at a school event. Singson eventually went on to become a permanent member, which solidified the group's current lineup.

Imago is a Filipino pop rock band composed of Aia De Leon (vocals/guitars), Myrene "Maps" Academia (bass), Tim Cacho (guitars) and Zach Lucero (drums) known for songs such as Akap, Anino, Ewan, Taralets and Sundo.Imago was formed in 1999 With Aia de Leon on vocals and rhythm guitar, Tim Cacho on lead guitar, Arvin Gatmaitan on bass and back up vocals, Zach Lucero on drums and Michelle Pritchard on violin. After their tribal-sounding track titled "Rainsong" spent considerable time being played on NU107's In The Raw, a program for independent bands in the country, it eventually graduated into the station's mainstream playlist. They were then signed a recording contract with Viva Records and was able to record their debut album titled Probably Not But Most Definitely under the helm of producer/musician Bob Aves. The album was released in 2001 and included 19 tracks which included their pre-album songs like "Rainsong" and "Alay" as well as an electronica remix of "Rainsong" by friend and musician Raymund Marasigan under the Squid 9 nom de musique. The album was highly regarded by the alternative industry for their courage to take a more Celtic/World Music feel in their music rather than the rap-growl (lovingly called "Hupaw" by most music critics) scene that was growing at the time, as well as the poetic approach to their lyrics.

Hale was an alternative rock band from Manila, Philippines. The group consisted of Champ Lui Pio, Roll Martinez, Sheldon Gellada, and Paolo Santiago.Roll Martinez and Sheldon Gellada were music majors from University of Santo Tomas, Champ Lui-Pio was from De La Salle University - College of Saint Benilde and former drummer Omnie Saroca was from Technological University of the Philippines. All four of them met up to form Hale in mid-2004 and soon after signed up to EMI Philippines (now PolyEast Records).In 2005, Hale released their debut self-titled album Hale, consisting of singles "Broken Sonnet", "The Day You Said Goodnight", "Kahit Pa", "Kung Wala Ka" and "Blue Sky", together with "Tollgate" which was released together with the re-issuing of the album on March 2, 2006. "The Day You Said Goodnight" marked the first steps of Hale's massive success to the mainstream and gained tremendous popularity as the singles were released. "The Day You Said Goodnight" was also nominated many times by most of the music media as OPM Song Of The Year 2005. Soon, the band was also nominated as Band Of The Year 2005 and Best New OPM Artist for 2005. Hale re-issued their debut album together with the single "Tollgate" on March 2, 2006.[1] At the same year, the debut album had reached Triple Platinum Certification (90, 000 copies sold). They were also chosen to make a commercial endorsement for Nescafé Philippines and a jingle "One Moment, One Nescafé" written by them in promotion of the Nescafé products.

Eraserheads, or E-Heads was a Filipino rock band of the 90s, formed by Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala and Marcus Adoro. The band is one of the most successful, most influential, critically acclaimed, and significant bands in the history of OPM. Eraserheads are also credited for spearheading a second wave of Manila band invasions,[1] paving the way for a host of influential Philippine alternative rock bands.[2] The band released several singles, albums, and EPs that reached number one. The band achieved critical and commercial success with their third album Cutterpillow, which achieved platinum status several times. Eraserheads received the Viewer's Choice Award for Asia from the MTV Video Music Awards.
In 1989, two college bands from the University of the Philippines, Diliman were both in search of new members for a new group. Curfew, which consisted of Buddy Zabala on bass, Raimund Marasigan on drums and Marcus Adoro on guitars met up with Sunday School, which consisted of Ely Buendia on vocals and Raimund as session drummer in December of the same year. Ely's first two college bands (Bluidie Tryste and Sunday School) were too unstable, so he decided to post an audition notice on a university message board. Only Raimund, Buddy, and Marcus showed up (Raimund was first since he knew Ely and performed with him before, then Buddy and Marcus were next). According to an interview with Myx, Raimund said he first auditioned as bassist while Buddy as drummer. But they noticed that it did not sound right, the two switched places, and the rest was history. The four decided to form a new group, calling themselves Eraserheads. The band took their name from the movie "Eraserhead" by surrealist director David Lynch, which they picked up while reading a magazine. They did mostly covers, playing every gig in school they've managed to get into. Eventually, they made the rounds of Manila's rock club circuit, achieving little success.

The Dawn was formed in 1985 by Teddy Diaz (vocals and guitars), JB Leonor (drums) and Clay Luna (bass). The band's name was derived from a portrait of the Holy Spirit that symbolized the dawn of a new day (probably found in a book given by the Sisters of the Holy Spirit to Teddy Diaz,[2] as well as a crucifix which Teddy also received from the same sisterhood), called The Dawning of the Holy Spirit.[3] Diaz, Leonor and Luna initially wanted a female vocalist; but in the course of their search, Jett Pangan auditioned and got the trio's unanimous nod. The quartet began performing in clubs and eventually recorded a demo of a song entitled "Enveloped Ideas," a copy of which they submitted to DWXB 102.7, a now-defunct Metro Manila–based FM radio station that played Alternative rock and New Wave music. It topped the radio station's charts in 1986, helping the group gain a cult following.[4] Heavily influenced by the New Wave genre of the 1980s, "Enveloped Ideas" is distinct for its introductory operatic vocals a la Klaus Nomi. While The Dawn was in search of a major record label, Luna left the band to immigrate to the US. Carlos "Caloy" Balcells, bass player of another Filipino group, the Cicada Band, soon replaced him.

In March 2005, the group decided to move to the Philippine capital of Manila. The group achieved hit singles ("Stay", "Sorry", "Ulan", "Can't Let You Go" and "24 Hours"), a double platinum album (Half Empty, Half Full), accolades (Favorite Artist, Favorite Group and Favorite Song—for the song "Stay" at the 1st MYX Music Awards; SMART Texters’ Choice Hitmaker of the Year at the 2006 MTV Pilipinas Awards; Band of the Year at the 2006 SOP PasiklaBand Awards; and Best Breakthrough Artist at the 2005 SOP Music Awards), within the span of a year.[citation needed] Less than a year later, the band released their second album, Back to Me. The new album contained ten new tracks, all of which were written by the band members themselves. The first single from the album was of the same title, followed by three more singles "Borrowed Time", "Bakit?" and "Pasensya Na". Being fans of The Beatles, they also did a remake of the John Lennon hit single "Jealous Guy". In 2008, a third album was released entitled Driven, which spawned the three singles "BMD", "There Was You" and "Minsan". 2010 saw the band release their fourth and latest album Life, containing the single "Pangako". The band also made a contribution to The Eraserheads tribute album, Ultraelectromagneticjam!: The Music Of The Eraserheads, on which they sung their own rendition of "Hard To Believe". The band also recorded the theme song of the Philippine television series Asian Treasures entitled "Walang Yamang (Mas Hihigit Sa 'Yo)", which is included in the repackaged version of their album Back to Me.

ChicoSci (previously Chico Science) was originally composed of Miguel "Miggy" Chavez, Miguel "Mong" Alcaraz, Carlos "Calde" Calderon, Jan Kevin Santos and Joel Salvador from the Ateneo de Manila University. They later recruited guitarist Sonny Baquisal and long-time friend Eugene "Yug" Esquivias to solidify the songwriting process. The band won an inter school Battle of the Bands and spent the prize money recording a demo – an investment that landed them a two-album record deal with EMI Philippines. The band released the albums Revenge of the Giant Robot and Method of Breathing. The highly successful debut record established Chico Science Support as one of the forerunners of the new generation of rock. Revenge of the Giant Robot spawned hits such as Amen, Soopafly, and the MTV hit, Sink or Swim. This album was also nominated to the prestigious Awit Awards for Best Rock Recording. Their first-ever music video Sink or Swim, directed by Lyle Sacris, also won as the Best Directed Video for the 2001 MTV Pilipinas Awards. Later on, they decided to change the name Chico Science to ChicoSci, in order not to be confused with the Brazilian singer.

When Ely Buendia left the Eraserheads sometime in 2002, remaining members Buddy Zabala, Marcus Adoro and Raimund Marasigan decided to continue as Eheads by adding singer-guitarist Kris Gorra (from the indie all-girl pop-punk band, Fatal Posporos and, later, Duster). After just a few months, Marcus Adoro left the group as well to pursue a passion for surfing and for his own musical endeavor, Markus Highway. Zabala, Marasigan and Gorra (later, Gorra-Dancel) decided to continue on, adding Ebe Dancel of Sugarfree and Diego Mapa (of Monsterbot and Pedicab); and thus becoming Cambio. Cambio is well-known for having songs about Pinoy Pop Culture, such as DV (Divisoria, a commercial place in Manila which is popular for having affordable goods) and Call Center (on the budding contact center and Business Process Outsourcing industry in the Philippines).

They also entered the Philippine music scene with their singles Stars, Take My Hand, their breakthrough single Magbalik, Pasan, which was also included in the soundtrack of Lineage II, Insane and Sanctuary, all from their debut album Destination XYZ. Their second album Fisheye' followed not long after, which scored its first single Susundan dedicated to the death of their friend Jan Kevin Santos. A commercial jingle Eto na ang Summer [1] that was specially composed for Sony Ericsson, also ran into airplays. Callalily Vocalist Kean Cipriano has a duet collaboration with Paraluman vocalist Madeline Ramboyong with their hit single "Tabi", from the Paraluman's debut album "In Lab!" launched in 2008.[2] Kean Cipriano has also taken a new responsibility in acting on a Top Rated Hit Sunday Noon Time Teen Television Series "BFGF" with leading lady TV Host and actress Alex Gonzaga on TV 5. Half of the band's songs and new ones are used on the TV series featuring Yakap as its theme song and features "Magbalik" as a background track. And also he's a co-host of Sunday Musical Variety Show "P.O.5". He's also former part of a sitcom Hapi Together and his magical comedy reality show, Magic Gimik. He's now currently seen on Magic Bagsik and his newest sitcom, Sugo Mga Kapatid were also both aired on TV5. Kean Cipriano has also worked with 6 Cycle Mind in their redux of Kung Wala Na Nga with fellow members of the music industry Yeng Constantino and Tutti just this June 2010 they released the Music Video on Music Update Live on ABS CBN 2

Barbie's Cradle was a Filipino alternative rock band, formed in 1998 by the remaining members of Barbie Almalbis's previous band, Hungry Young Poets, and disbanded in 2005 when Almalbis took up a solo career. The band released three albums, Barbie's Cradle, Music from the Buffet Table, and Playing in the Fields, the last two of which featured lyrics notable for their Christian-oriented content, brought about by personal changes in the life of songwriter Almalbis. Aside from Almalbis, members over the years included Rommel de la Cruz who played Bass throughout the band's existence; drummers Franklin Benitez and Wendell Garcia, who were part of the band before and after the release of Music from the Buffet Table, respectively, and Kakoi Legaspi, who took up a second guitar position just prior to the band's dissolution in 2005.

Band origin Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac serves as the band's frontman. Contrary to popular belief, the band is not named after him. According to Ira Cruz, the guitarist, the word bamboo relates to strength and durability with an island feel to it.[1] Also, it's very Filipino and Asian at the same time. Two of its members, Bamboo Mañalac and Nathan Azarcon, were formerly part of Rivermaya. The other two members, Ira Cruz and Vic Mercado, were former instrumentalists of another band, Passage. Cruz and Azarcon were also former members of the band Kapatid during that time.[2] Four years after their departure from Rivermaya, Mañalac and Azarcon caught up again with each other, during which Azarcon introduced him to Cruz and Mercado. [edit]Music career Bamboo's debut album, As The Music Plays, was released in February 2004 where it received positive response from fans and critics alike. The album also won numerous awards at the AWIT Awards, NU 107 Rock Awards, and MTV Pilipinas 2004. Their second album, Light Peace Love, which was released in 2005, consists of ten songs with differing moods and subjects, and took only 3 months to record. This album has a softer sound with both its lyrics and delivery. For this album, the band added more strings and a variety of other instruments, including trumpets. The band admitted that this album had a personal feel to it. They experimented with several new styles that may please new listeners, at the risk of disappointing fans of the more conventional rock of their first album. Their third album, We Stand Alone Together, was released in 2007. It contains covers of local songs such as Buklod's "Tatsulok" and international songs such as Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover", from different generations. It also includes bonus tracks like unplugged versions of their hit songs from previous albums such as "Mr. Clay", "These Days", and "Hallelujah". Once again, opting to do away with the conventional rock image that was attached to them, they produced sounds which were more jazzy than expected. Star Records--backed up by ABS-CBN TV Production and MYX--produced and created the official soundtrack for the tele-epiko "Rounin", wherein the title track "Argos" was performed by Bamboo. A new avenue was opened to the band, as "Argos" is said to be the band’s first venture to record a song for a primetime television show. It is also the first time for the multi-awarded band and Star Records to work together.[3] The band was also part of the "Days of Peace" Campaign by UNICEF with Gary Valenciano.[4] The band's fourth album, Tomorrow Becomes Yesterday achieved platinum status on September 28, 2008 - just two days after its release. [edit]Break-up News circulated on January 9, 2011 that Bamboo had "allegedly disbanded." DJ KC Montero of Wave 89.1 confirmed the breakup on Wave's The KC Show[5] and via Twitter. Montero clarified that all the members of the band "have decided to move on," and that he does not know why they called it quits. The group has not released an official statement on the issue, according to ABS-CBNNews.com.[6] On January 11, 2011, Bamboo's lead vocalist Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac finally confirmed the breakup of his band in an official statement posted on the group's website.[7] [edit]Aftermath A few months after the band disbanded, the group reformed without the vocalist (Bamboo Mañalac) and formed the band Hijo. Nathan Azarcon (vocals & bass), Ira Cruz (guitar & back vocals), Vic Mercado (drums), Junji Lerma of Wahijuara (guitar) and Jay-O Orduña of Cauio (keyboards). The band's frontman Bamboo Mañalac pursued a solo career and released his first album as a solo artist in November 2011.

AfterImage is a Filipino alternative rock/pop rock band who was active in the 1990s. They disbanded in 2001 after 11 years as a band, having released three studio albums. After disbanding, Wency Cornejo, the band's vocalist, pursued a solo career. AfterImage was the band behind the commercially popular songs "Habang May Buhay" (While There's Life), "Next in Line", and "Mangarap Ka" (Dream). In 2008, the band reunited and released their fourth studio album. The band's first album, entitled Touch the Sun, was released in 1992 on Dyna Records (now Dyna Music). Among the eight songs that the album contained, four were released as singles: "Bai (Sa Langit ang Ating Tagpuan)", "Only You", "Next in Line", and "Pagtawid". The title of the album, which was the concluding part of the lyric to "Next in Line", was said to have just been a spontaneous utter of phrase which Cornejo made during the recording session for the said song. The band, having thought that the phrase, "touch the sun" had captured the essence and concept of the entire album, prompted them to use it as the album's title. The recurrent theme of the songs in the album was a personal expression of hopes, frustrations, and self-renewal - which the band hoped to touch not only their own lives but also the lives of other people.[citation needed] The album is also said to be a celebration of about 4 years of musical experimentation. According to them, "It is quite difficult to put all the songs in the album in one perspective, considering they encompass so many growths the band has undergone."[citation needed] The band was composed of five members: Bobit Uson on bass guitar, Chuck Isidro on lead guitar, Rogie Callejo on drums, Arnold Cabalza on keyboards and Wency Cornejo on vocals. Francis Reyes (The Dawn) was the former guitarist of this band before Chuck Isidro (6cyclemind). In 1994 at the height of the first band craze in the Philippine music scene, AfterImage released their second album titled Tag-Ulan, Tag-Araw. The album's name was taken from two singles from the album. "Tag-ulan", the album's carrier single, topped various charts in the Philippines and was awarded a Gold Record Award, and later the follow-up single "Mangarap Ka" also became a great hit for the band. At the 1995 Awit Awards the album was named Album of the Year. A few months after winning the awards, Niño Mesina became the band's newest bassist leading Bobit Uson to play on guitar alongside Chuck Isidro. In 2001, AfterImage disbanded due to management conflicts. In 2008, after 7 years of disbandment, the band returned and reunited again for their new album, Our Place Under the Sun from Viva Records, 12 years since their last album in 1996 from Dyna Music (formerly Dyna Records).

6cyclemind comes from the 5 members plus their manager, Darwin Hernandez of Soupstar Entertainment as the 6th person. Collectively, they all contribute to the composing, arranging and brainstorming, which is a continuous cycle in their creation of music, hence 6cyclemind. Carlos "Chuck" Isidro was the former lead guitarist for Afterimage. When Afterimage disbanded, Isidro, worked in the recording company. During his stay, he signed up a group managed by Darwin Hernandez where he met Sarmiento, Cañamo, Gilbert Magat and Rhoneil "Ney" Dimaculangan. Both Isidro and Hernandez agreed and chose to form a band with them, which became 6cyclemind.

3rd Avenue is a Filipino show band composed of Paolo Ledesma (lead vocals), Teena Lim (lead vocals), Marlon Barnuevo (keyboards), Beng Gatmaitan (drums), RV Amaranto (bass guitar) and Lester Cerda (Saxophone and Flute). Prior to recording their first solo album in 2007, they had been performing at weddings, as well as in various bars and restaurants in Manila with their acoustic setup. They won second place in the 2004 Nescafé De-wired 2 Acoustic Band Competition and Song-Writing Contest. With the addition of their newest members (RV and Lester) they have completed their current line-up.