Nathan Azarcon
Encyclopedia
Nathan Azarcon is an award-winning Filipino musician, nationalist, songwriter, and producer. He is the lead vocalist
and bassist
of Hijo, and former bassist for Filipino rock
bands Rivermaya
, Pinikpikan, Kapatid
and Bamboo
.
His complete body of work includes hits produced while he was a member of four different bands. Albums on which he has performed have been certified Gold, Platinum, and Multi-Platinum. In recognition of his work, he has been honored by NU Rock Awards
; Katha Music Awards; MTV Pilipinas Music Awards
; and the Awit Awards
, which are presented and organized by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI).
, Red Hot Chili Peppers
, and the Ramones
. The members included Junji Lerma, guitar player for Radioactive Sago Project
; Richard Recto on vocals; Paolo Lerma on drums; John Valencia on guitars; and Mark Escueta on drums.
, who planned on developing a musical group into a rock/show band. The band was originally formed under the name Xaga.
The band evolved through a series of line-ups that included Azarcon on bass, Rico Blanco
on keyboards and Perfecto de Castro
on guitars. The initial drummer was replaced by former Bazurak bandmate and childhood friend, Mark Escueta, while school mate Francisco Bamboo Mañalac
came on board as lead vocals. The band was managed by Nakpil and Roño.
With Mañalac as frontman, the band members decided to disband Xaga and reestablish the band as "Rivermaya". They started developing original songs like "Ulan" (Rain), "214", and "Awit ng Kabataan" (Song of the Youth) in demo form for prospective recording companies. They were quickly signed to the Sony BMG Philippines label.
. Their first single, "Ulan", written by Azarcon and Blanco, shot to the top of the charts. Their second and third singles "Awit ng Kabataan" and "214" were the first songs to have a melodic bass interlude, which would soon become an Azarcon staple. The album was released on the Sony BMG Philippines label and was certified triple platinum. Critically praised for its fresh, excitingly new pop/rock sound, the album went on to become one of the Philippine's best musical recordings of the 1990s.
, was released by Sony BMG Philippines and was certified quadruple platinum. Singles from the album included "Kisapmata" [Blink of an Eye], "Himala" [Miracle], and "Panahon Na Naman" [Here Comes the Season], "Princess of Disguise", and "Flowers". The songs "Sunog" and "Is It Sunny Where You Are?" were written by Azarcon and Blanco.
The single "Himala" included a rare, nylon-string guitar solo by Azarcon. He also showcased his further musical growth on the funky finger style, pop and slap heavy "Is It Sunny Where You Are". His use of the root third and fifth, as well as the double stops on the hit single "Himala", complimented Blanco's guitar playing and Escueta's drum accents.
The album received positive response from listeners and received heavy airplay from radio stations. During this period, Rivermaya also released the Rivermaya Remixed album, produced with the help of DJ Toti Dalmacion of Groove Nation.
With the growing international success of the band, combined with a tour in the United States and Canada, Mañalac decided to leave the band and remain in Los Angeles with his family.
. After a falling out with their long-time label, the band chose to distribute the album to listeners free-of-charge on the Internet, a first for a Filipino artist. The release was subsequently honored as Album of the Year during the NU Rock Awards
2000. In 2006, Filipino journalist Erwin Romulo of The Philippine Star
wrote that Free is "Arguably one of the greatest albums in Pinoy rock history."
, Rene "chong" Tengasantos and Bob Aves. Azarcon under the moniker "Elqpal", fit well with the band's ethno-tribal rhythms.
In 2000, the band released their album Atas on the Tropical Records label, a subsidiary of A&M Records
. The recording won the Philippine's 2001 Katha Music Award for Album of the Year, Best World Song, and Best Performance for "Kalipay". Other standout tracks on the album include "Aumoon", "Salidumay", and "Singkilan".
; Ira Cruz
previously of Passage; Azarcon; and Chico Molina.
In 2002, the band went on to release their debut album "Edsa 524". The album contains the singles "Pagbabalik Ng Kwago", "I like it like this", and "Visions". The band split apart rather quickly, with a couple of members leaving for other bands under less than amicable circumstances. Roy later stated of the breakup, "There was lots of talk about brotherhood and respect and the joy of playing music together. Unfortunately, things didn’t turn that way. The band split apart rather quickly, as a couple of members left for another band, under less than amicable circumstances. First, Ira left, and then Nathan followed, and the two eventually hooked up with Bamboo."
. The album was certified Double Platinum by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI). A double-disc repackaged edition was released in 2005.
The first single off of the album, "Noypi" (a slang term meaning "Filipino"), was a rock anthem that captivated the hearts of the youth and sparked patriotism in the Philippines. The album contains ten tracks, with three in Tagalog, namely: "Noypi", "Hudas", and "Masaya". The initial release of the album used a white cover, while a second black-cover release later in the year contained six bonus tracks and three video clips of "Noypi", "Masaya", and "Mr. Clay".
The album was honored at the AWIT Awards, NU Rock Awards, and MTV Pilipinas Music Awards
. The Awit Awards honored them as the Best Performance of a New Duo or Group Recording Artists for their performance of "Noypi". The song was also honored as Best Rock Recording of the Year and People's Choice Favorite Song of the Year. Bamboo received the MTV Award for Favorite New Artist in a Video, Favorite Group Video, and Favorite Song for "Noypi". The NU Rock Awards honored the band with the awards for Listener's Choice, Song of the Year, and Band of the Year. Mercado was additionally honored as Best Drummer, while Mañalac was recognized as Best Vocalist.
The album was honored at the AWIT Awards, NU Rock Awards, and MTV Pilipinas Music Awards
. The band also won Awit Awards for Best Performance of a New Duo or Group Recording Artists for their performance of "Noypi". The song was also honored as Best Rock Recording of the Year and People's Choice Favorite Song of the Year. the band also received the MTV Award for Favorite New Artist in a Video, Favorite Group Video, and Favorite Song for "Noypi". The NU Rock Awards honored the band with the awards for Listener's Choice, Song of the Year, and Band of the Year.
The song "Much Has Been Said" received the award for Best Ballad of the Year, while the song "Hallelujah" was honored with the 2006 Awit Award for People's Choice as Favorite Song and Best Rock Recording. The song "Hallelujah" was released prior to the actual release of the album, becoming an instant hit and winning the 2006 Awit Award for People's Choice as Favorite Song and Best Rock Recording.
In addition to rock, the band incorporated a variety of styles including rap or scat-style singing, as well as a gospel music theme on the song "Alpha Beta Omega". In 2006, the band was honored at the MTV Pilipinas Music Awards for Best Cinematography in a Video for the song "Much Has Been Said".
.
Among the cover songs included on the album are Buklod's "Tatsulok" and Anak Bayan's "Probinsyana" from Anak Bayan, Pearl Jam
's "Alive", and Paul Simon
's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover". It also includes bonus tracks like unplugged versions of their hit songs from previous albums such as "Mr. Clay", "These Days", and "Hallelujah". "Tatsulok" and "Probinsyana" were released as singles and became hits on local radio.
In 2008, the Awit Awards honored "Tatsulok" with the awards for Best Performance by a Group Recording Artist and Best Rock Song. "Probinsyana" received the awards for Best Musical Arrangement, Best Engineered Recording, and Music Video of the Year. NU Rock Awards recognized the band as the Best Live Act. The album was certified Gold by PARI.
Hits off of Tomorrow Becomes Yesterday include "Last Days On A Cruise Ship (Don't Wait For Tomorrow)" and "Probinsyana". The 2008 Awit Awards honored "Probinsyana" as Best Musical Arrangement, Best Engineered Recording, and Music Video of the Year. The NU Rock Awards recognized "Last Days On A Cruise Ship" as Music Video of the Year.
In January 2011, News had been circulating that Bamboo has allegedly disbanded. DJ KC Montero of Wave 89.1 confirmed the breakup on Wave's The KC Show 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.
Bamboo's lead vocalist Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac finally confirmed the breakup of his band in an official statement posted before midnight of January 11 on the group's website.
.
On April 19, 2008, Nathan Azarcon married Ina Serrano at the St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish in Magallanes Village, Makati City
.
Azarcon is an alumnus and active member of the Tau Gamma Phi Triskelion Grand Fraternity
. He is a 1989 graduate of the De La Salle-Santiago Zobel School
and a 1994 graduate of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), which is a Catholic University, based in Manila.
Through his work with the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity, Azarcon is affiliated with community chapters known as the Triskelion Youth Movement or "T.Y.M." Community chapters with whom Azarcon is directly involved include the Bahay Filipino Parañaque Community Chapter, GT Filipino Children's Montessori School, and the Vista Granda Community Chapter Las Piñas.
and Modulus
bass guitars. The gear that he utilizes includes Radial Tonebone, Fishman Transducers electronics, and Dunlop
's Crybaby Bass Wah.
Lead vocalist
The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
and bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
of Hijo, and former bassist for Filipino rock
Pinoy rock
Pinoy rock, or Filipino rock, is the brand of rock music produced in the Philippines or by Filipinos. It has become as diverse as the rock music genre itself, and bands adopting this style are now further classified under more specific genres or combinations of genres like alternative rock,...
bands Rivermaya
Rivermaya
Rivermaya is one of the most influential, critically acclaimed and significant Filipino rock band formed in 1993. They are one of the several bands who spearheads the 90s Philippine alternative rock explosion...
, Pinikpikan, Kapatid
Kapatid (band)
-History:Kapatid is fronted by the iconic Karl Roy , he is also brother of Kevin Roy of Razorback. The band was originally made up of some of the industry's heavyweights: Nathan Azarcon on bass, J-Hoon Balbuena on drums, Ira Cruz on rhythm guitars and the late Chico Molina on lead guitars...
and Bamboo
Bamboo (band)
Bamboo was a Filipino alternative rock supergroup founded in 2002 by Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac, Ira Cruz, Nathan Azarcon and Vic Mercado.-Band origin:...
.
His complete body of work includes hits produced while he was a member of four different bands. Albums on which he has performed have been certified Gold, Platinum, and Multi-Platinum. In recognition of his work, he has been honored by NU Rock Awards
NU Rock Awards
The NU Rock Awards was an annual recognition program sponsored from 1994 to 2010 by the defunct Metro Manila based radio station NU 107.1. 1994 saw the birth of what is to become the biggest annual gathering of the finest rock musicians in the country—the NU 107 Rock Awards! The very first NU 107...
; Katha Music Awards; MTV Pilipinas Music Awards
MTV Pilipinas Music Awards
MTV Pilipinas Music Awards is the Philippines' biggest annual music video awards event.-Award categories:*Video of the Year*Favorite Male Video*Favorite Female Video*Favorite New Artist in a Video*Favorite Group Video*Favorite Pop Video...
; and the Awit Awards
Awit Awards
The Awit Awards is the longest-running award-giving body of the Philippines that gives recognition to Filipino musical talents, performing artists and producers it was Philippines equivalent to Grammy Awards, organized by the Philippine Association Of The Record Industry .-Objectives and Winner...
, which are presented and organized by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI).
Bazurak
Azarcon first started playing bass during the early 90s with punk funk rock band, Bazurak. They covered songs from Sex PistolsSex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
, and the Ramones
Ramones
The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
. The members included Junji Lerma, guitar player for Radioactive Sago Project
Radioactive Sago Project
Radioactive Sago Project is a Filipino jazz rock band formed in 1999 in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. The band's sound is a fusion of spoken-word poetry, bebop jazz, and punk...
; Richard Recto on vocals; Paolo Lerma on drums; John Valencia on guitars; and Mark Escueta on drums.
Rivermaya (1993-2001)
In 1993, Rivermaya was formed by PR practitioner Lizza Nakpil and film director Chito RoñoChito Roño
Chito Roño, also known as Sixto Kayko, is a Filipino multi-awarded TV and film director. He is the director of the blockbuster films Feng Shui and Sukob...
, who planned on developing a musical group into a rock/show band. The band was originally formed under the name Xaga.
The band evolved through a series of line-ups that included Azarcon on bass, Rico Blanco
Rico Blanco
Rico Blanco is a Filipino singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. As a solo artist and with his former band, Rivermaya, Blanco has so far recorded, written and produced more local and regional number one hits than any other musician since 1994 and has sold over a...
on keyboards and Perfecto de Castro
Perfecto de Castro
Perfecto "Perf" de Castro is a multi-awarded Filipino musician, currently focusing on Classical and Flamenco music played on the Ten-string guitar, but perhaps best known for having been a celebrated fixture in the Philippine alternative rock scene during the 1990s...
on guitars. The initial drummer was replaced by former Bazurak bandmate and childhood friend, Mark Escueta, while school mate Francisco Bamboo Mañalac
Bamboo Mañalac
Francisco Gaudencio Lupe Belardo Mañalac, popularly known as Bamboo Mañalac, is a Filipino musician and singer, who was known as the former vocalist of Filipino rock bands, Rivermaya and Bamboo, now performing as a solo artist....
came on board as lead vocals. The band was managed by Nakpil and Roño.
With Mañalac as frontman, the band members decided to disband Xaga and reestablish the band as "Rivermaya". They started developing original songs like "Ulan" (Rain), "214", and "Awit ng Kabataan" (Song of the Youth) in demo form for prospective recording companies. They were quickly signed to the Sony BMG Philippines label.
Rivermaya (album)
By November 1994, the band had released their first album, the self-titled RivermayaRivermaya (album)
- Personnel :Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac Rico Blanco Perfecto de Castro Nathan Azarcon Mark Escueta Producers: Bamboo Manalac, Mark Escueta, Perfecto de Castro, Nathan Azarcon & Rico Blanco...
. Their first single, "Ulan", written by Azarcon and Blanco, shot to the top of the charts. Their second and third singles "Awit ng Kabataan" and "214" were the first songs to have a melodic bass interlude, which would soon become an Azarcon staple. The album was released on the Sony BMG Philippines label and was certified triple platinum. Critically praised for its fresh, excitingly new pop/rock sound, the album went on to become one of the Philippine's best musical recordings of the 1990s.
Trip
In 1995, the band's second album TripTrip (Rivermaya album)
- Trivia :The album's title, "Trip," is not found anywhere on the CD packaging which can result in the album being mistaken for the band's self-titled debut album.- Personnel :*Rico Blanco - guitar, vocals*Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac - vocals...
, was released by Sony BMG Philippines and was certified quadruple platinum. Singles from the album included "Kisapmata" [Blink of an Eye], "Himala" [Miracle], and "Panahon Na Naman" [Here Comes the Season], "Princess of Disguise", and "Flowers". The songs "Sunog" and "Is It Sunny Where You Are?" were written by Azarcon and Blanco.
The single "Himala" included a rare, nylon-string guitar solo by Azarcon. He also showcased his further musical growth on the funky finger style, pop and slap heavy "Is It Sunny Where You Are". His use of the root third and fifth, as well as the double stops on the hit single "Himala", complimented Blanco's guitar playing and Escueta's drum accents.
Atomic Bomb
In 1997, the band released its third album, Atomic Bomb, with the single "Hinahanap-Hanap Kita" [Always Searching For You]. Other singles included "Elesi", "If", and "Kung Ayaw Mo, Huwag Mo". A funkier and playfully melodic Azarcon can be heard on stand out tracks such as "Hinahanap-Hanap Kita" and "Sunny Days". The album showcases Azarcon's increasingly active song writing on the hit songs "If" and "Luha". He also wrote "Saturday (Bakit Ako?)" and "Tea For Two".The album received positive response from listeners and received heavy airplay from radio stations. During this period, Rivermaya also released the Rivermaya Remixed album, produced with the help of DJ Toti Dalmacion of Groove Nation.
With the growing international success of the band, combined with a tour in the United States and Canada, Mañalac decided to leave the band and remain in Los Angeles with his family.
It's Not Easy Being Green
In 1999, after Mañalac's departure, Blanco took on lead vocals, and Rivermaya released their fourth album on the Sony BMG Philippines label. Singles from It's Not Easy Being Green included "Nerbyoso" [Nervous Man], "Shattered Like", and "Rodeo". The album also included four songs written by Azarcon, including "May Kasalanan", "Prodigal Dub 1 & 2", "She's So Uncool", and "Homecoming".Free
In 2000, Rivermaya released their fifth album, entitled FreeFree (Rivermaya album)
- Personnel :* Rico Blanco - lead vocals, guitars, synths* Nathan Azarcon - bass, vocals* Mark Escueta - drums- External links :* *...
. After a falling out with their long-time label, the band chose to distribute the album to listeners free-of-charge on the Internet, a first for a Filipino artist. The release was subsequently honored as Album of the Year during the NU Rock Awards
NU Rock Awards
The NU Rock Awards was an annual recognition program sponsored from 1994 to 2010 by the defunct Metro Manila based radio station NU 107.1. 1994 saw the birth of what is to become the biggest annual gathering of the finest rock musicians in the country—the NU 107 Rock Awards! The very first NU 107...
2000. In 2006, Filipino journalist Erwin Romulo of The Philippine Star
The Philippine Star
The Philippine Star is a daily English-language broadsheet newspaper based in Manila and circulated nationwide in the Philippines. Owned and published by PhilSTAR Daily, Inc, it was founded on July 28, 1986 by veteran journalists Max Soliven, Betty Go-Belmonte and Art Borjal...
wrote that Free is "Arguably one of the greatest albums in Pinoy rock history."
Pinikpikan (1998-2002)
In 1998, Azarcon started his apprenticeship under Sammy Asuncion, guitar player of Pinoy funk-reggae-rock band Spy and ethnic rock group Pinikpikan, a group renowned for reinventing musical pieces using indigenous tribal instruments. Notable members include Grace NonoGrace Nono
Grace Nono is a Filipino singer, known for her musical style based on traditional Filipino rhythms.Nono was born in in Agusan, Mindanao. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Humanities and a Master's degree in Philippine Studies from the University of the Philippines.Nono released her debut album "Tao...
, Rene "chong" Tengasantos and Bob Aves. Azarcon under the moniker "Elqpal", fit well with the band's ethno-tribal rhythms.
In 2000, the band released their album Atas on the Tropical Records label, a subsidiary of A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
. The recording won the Philippine's 2001 Katha Music Award for Album of the Year, Best World Song, and Best Performance for "Kalipay". Other standout tracks on the album include "Aumoon", "Salidumay", and "Singkilan".
Kapatid (2002-2003)
Kapatid (English: brother/sister) came together through an informal gathering of friends with diverse musical talents in other bands. The original lineup included Karl Roy of Advent Call and P.O.T.; Marinito "J-hoon" Balbuena of KjwanKjwan
Kjwan is a Filipino band formed in 2003 by former Sandwich guitarist and vocalist Marc Abaya.-History:Long-time friends and former high school band-mates Marc Abaya and Kelley Mangahas got together with fellow Ateneans Jorel Corpus and J-hoon Balbuena to form the band’s initial lineup...
; Ira Cruz
Ira Cruz
Ira Cara Cruz is a multi-award winning Filipino musician, composer and producer. He is the lead guitarist of Hijo and former member of Bamboo, Introvoys, Passage and Kapatid.-Introvoys :...
previously of Passage; Azarcon; and Chico Molina.
In 2002, the band went on to release their debut album "Edsa 524". The album contains the singles "Pagbabalik Ng Kwago", "I like it like this", and "Visions". The band split apart rather quickly, with a couple of members leaving for other bands under less than amicable circumstances. Roy later stated of the breakup, "There was lots of talk about brotherhood and respect and the joy of playing music together. Unfortunately, things didn’t turn that way. The band split apart rather quickly, as a couple of members left for another band, under less than amicable circumstances. First, Ira left, and then Nathan followed, and the two eventually hooked up with Bamboo."
Bamboo (2003-2011)
In 2003, after living in Los Angeles following the Rivermaya tour in America, Mañalac returned to the Philippines. Azarcon introduced Mañalac to Cruz and Vic Mercado (drums) and together, they formed a band.As the Music Plays
In February 2004, Bamboo released their debut album, As the Music PlaysAs the Music Plays
As The Music Plays is the debut album released by Pinoy rock band Bamboo following the return of Bamboo Mañalac in the Philippine music scene after 5 years of hiatus in the USA. Bamboo immediately gained fame for the track "Noypi" which captivated the hearts of the youth and sparked patriotism in...
. The album was certified Double Platinum by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI). A double-disc repackaged edition was released in 2005.
The first single off of the album, "Noypi" (a slang term meaning "Filipino"), was a rock anthem that captivated the hearts of the youth and sparked patriotism in the Philippines. The album contains ten tracks, with three in Tagalog, namely: "Noypi", "Hudas", and "Masaya". The initial release of the album used a white cover, while a second black-cover release later in the year contained six bonus tracks and three video clips of "Noypi", "Masaya", and "Mr. Clay".
The album was honored at the AWIT Awards, NU Rock Awards, and MTV Pilipinas Music Awards
MTV Pilipinas Music Awards
MTV Pilipinas Music Awards is the Philippines' biggest annual music video awards event.-Award categories:*Video of the Year*Favorite Male Video*Favorite Female Video*Favorite New Artist in a Video*Favorite Group Video*Favorite Pop Video...
. The Awit Awards honored them as the Best Performance of a New Duo or Group Recording Artists for their performance of "Noypi". The song was also honored as Best Rock Recording of the Year and People's Choice Favorite Song of the Year. Bamboo received the MTV Award for Favorite New Artist in a Video, Favorite Group Video, and Favorite Song for "Noypi". The NU Rock Awards honored the band with the awards for Listener's Choice, Song of the Year, and Band of the Year. Mercado was additionally honored as Best Drummer, while Mañalac was recognized as Best Vocalist.
Noypi
Rumors circulating the Pinoy rock scene were rampantly claiming that Karl Roy wrote "Noypi" (originally as a reggae song) and that Azarcon stole the song from him. The truth about the recording was offered in a 2008 interview with Karl Roy, presented in Rogue Magazine.
Nathan had originally written the megahit rock anthem "Noypi" for Kapatid, but Karl didn't like it. "It takes a while for me to like a song," Karl explains, and to this day, he regrets not paying enough attention to what Nathan was doing.
The album was honored at the AWIT Awards, NU Rock Awards, and MTV Pilipinas Music Awards
MTV Pilipinas Music Awards
MTV Pilipinas Music Awards is the Philippines' biggest annual music video awards event.-Award categories:*Video of the Year*Favorite Male Video*Favorite Female Video*Favorite New Artist in a Video*Favorite Group Video*Favorite Pop Video...
. The band also won Awit Awards for Best Performance of a New Duo or Group Recording Artists for their performance of "Noypi". The song was also honored as Best Rock Recording of the Year and People's Choice Favorite Song of the Year. the band also received the MTV Award for Favorite New Artist in a Video, Favorite Group Video, and Favorite Song for "Noypi". The NU Rock Awards honored the band with the awards for Listener's Choice, Song of the Year, and Band of the Year.
Light Peace Love
In 2005, Bamboo released their second album, Light Peace Love. The album received the Awit Award for Album of the Year. The album was certified Platinum by PARI.The song "Much Has Been Said" received the award for Best Ballad of the Year, while the song "Hallelujah" was honored with the 2006 Awit Award for People's Choice as Favorite Song and Best Rock Recording. The song "Hallelujah" was released prior to the actual release of the album, becoming an instant hit and winning the 2006 Awit Award for People's Choice as Favorite Song and Best Rock Recording.
In addition to rock, the band incorporated a variety of styles including rap or scat-style singing, as well as a gospel music theme on the song "Alpha Beta Omega". In 2006, the band was honored at the MTV Pilipinas Music Awards for Best Cinematography in a Video for the song "Much Has Been Said".
We Stand Alone Together
In 2007, Bamboo released their third album, We Stand Alone Together. The album is a double disc recording package of revived cover songs. The album also includes a cover of Sting's "Englishman In New York", presented as a hidden trackHidden track
In the field of recorded music, a hidden track is a piece of music that has been placed on a CD, audio cassette, vinyl record or other recorded medium in such a way as to avoid detection by the casual listener...
.
Among the cover songs included on the album are Buklod's "Tatsulok" and Anak Bayan's "Probinsyana" from Anak Bayan, Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
's "Alive", and Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Paul Frederic Simon is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.Simon is best known for his success, beginning in 1965, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached number one on the US singles...
's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover". It also includes bonus tracks like unplugged versions of their hit songs from previous albums such as "Mr. Clay", "These Days", and "Hallelujah". "Tatsulok" and "Probinsyana" were released as singles and became hits on local radio.
In 2008, the Awit Awards honored "Tatsulok" with the awards for Best Performance by a Group Recording Artist and Best Rock Song. "Probinsyana" received the awards for Best Musical Arrangement, Best Engineered Recording, and Music Video of the Year. NU Rock Awards recognized the band as the Best Live Act. The album was certified Gold by PARI.
Tomorrow Becomes Yesterday
The band's Tomorrow Becomes Yesterday album was certified Platinum status on September 28, 2008 — two days after its release. The album consists of ten tracks with the lead-off single "Kailan". The title of the album came from the phrase of the fifth track, "Little Child".Hits off of Tomorrow Becomes Yesterday include "Last Days On A Cruise Ship (Don't Wait For Tomorrow)" and "Probinsyana". The 2008 Awit Awards honored "Probinsyana" as Best Musical Arrangement, Best Engineered Recording, and Music Video of the Year. The NU Rock Awards recognized "Last Days On A Cruise Ship" as Music Video of the Year.
In January 2011, News had been circulating that Bamboo has allegedly disbanded. DJ KC Montero of Wave 89.1 confirmed the breakup on Wave's The KC Show 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.
Bamboo's lead vocalist Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac finally confirmed the breakup of his band in an official statement posted before midnight of January 11 on the group's website.
Hijo (2011)
Three months after the breakup of Bamboo, Azarcon and two former members reunited to form the band Hijo. The new band is composed of Nathan Azarcon on vocals and bass, Ira Cruz on guitar and back-up vocals, and Vic Mercado on drums. The band also includes Junji Lerma on guitar and Jay-O Orduna on keyboards. They performed their first gig at Route 196 on April 16, 2011.Personal life
Azarcon was born and raised in the Philippines. His younger brother, Nick Azarcon is the guitar player for Filipino soul band, SinoSikat?Sinosikat?
SinoSikat? is a Filipino band that started September 2004, performing music influenced by a number of musical genres, but which has been described as "Pinoy Soul," reflecting a recent expansion of genres active within the Philippine music industry...
.
On April 19, 2008, Nathan Azarcon married Ina Serrano at the St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish in Magallanes Village, Makati City
Makati City
The City of Makati is one of the 17 cities that make up Metro Manila, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. Makati is the financial center of the Philippines and one of the major financial, commercial and economic hubs in Asia...
.
Azarcon is an alumnus and active member of the Tau Gamma Phi Triskelion Grand Fraternity
Tau Gamma Phi
Tau Gamma Phi also known as the Triskelions' Grand Fraternity, is a fraternity established in the Philippines. Its members call themselves Triskelions. Their aim is to see a Fraternity System devoid of violence, and to earnestly propagate their fraternity's principles as their way of life...
. He is a 1989 graduate of the De La Salle-Santiago Zobel School
De La Salle-Santiago Zobel School
The De La Salle–Santiago Zobel School is a Catholic institution for boys and girls located in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, the Philippines...
and a 1994 graduate of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), which is a Catholic University, based in Manila.
Through his work with the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity, Azarcon is affiliated with community chapters known as the Triskelion Youth Movement or "T.Y.M." Community chapters with whom Azarcon is directly involved include the Bahay Filipino Parañaque Community Chapter, GT Filipino Children's Montessori School, and the Vista Granda Community Chapter Las Piñas.
Equipment
Azarcon uses Fender, Music ManMusic Man (company)
Music Man is an American guitar, and bass guitar manufacturer. It is a division of the Ernie Ball corporation.-Early years:The Music Man story began in 1971 when Forrest White and Tom Walker talked with Leo Fender about starting a company they would call Tri-Sonic, Inc...
and Modulus
Modulus Guitars
Modulus Guitars is an American manufacturer of musical instruments, most notably bass guitars built with carbon fiber necks. The company, originally called Modulus Graphite, was founded in part by Geoff Gould, a bassist who also worked for an aerospace company in Palo Alto, California.The name may...
bass guitars. The gear that he utilizes includes Radial Tonebone, Fishman Transducers electronics, and Dunlop
Dunlop Manufacturing
Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc., known colloquially as Jim Dunlop, is a manufacturer of musical accessories based in Benicia, California. Originally founded in 1965 by Jim Dunlop, Sr., the company has grown from a small home operation to being a large manufacturer of music gear for over 40 years.- Way...
's Crybaby Bass Wah.