Pinoy rock
Encyclopedia
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
, post-grunge
, ethnic, new wave
, pop rock
, punk rock
, funk
, reggae
, heavy metal
and ska
. Because these genres are generally considered to fall under the broad rock music category, pinoy rock may be more specifically defined as rock music with Filipino cultural sensibilities.
from the period, became known as the "Elvis Presley of the Philippines." Back then, many Filipinos referred to Rock bands as "combos," many of which used nontraditional instruments like floor-bass bongos
, maracas, and gas tanks.
and The Ventures
flourished. Bands that arose in this period were The Deltas, The Celtics, RJ & the Riots, The Technicolors, The Downbeats, The Hi-Jacks, and The Electromaniacs. These bands spawned the first Filipino singer-songwriter
s.
In 1963, during the British Invasion
bands such as The Beatles
rose to mainstream audiences worldwide. Their widespread popularity and their embrace of the counterculture injected the possibility of socio-political lyrics with mature comments on real life into popular music. Immensely influenced by this new breed of British artists, many Filipino bands began adopting similar musical styles.
more often. Pop music still dominates the airwaves with disco and funk bands such as the Apo Hiking Society
and Hotdog
. Songs like Hotdog's "Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko" (You Are The Miss Universe
of My Life) combined Filipino
and English
within the same song. This helped innovate the so-called "Manila Sound
". OPM (Original Pilipino Music) also became popular.
However, emerging social and political consciousness somehow creeped in to the industry with the traditional allied genres that are folk and rock music. Folk musicians and bands included Freddie Aguilar
, Asin
, Heber Bartolome
and Florante
. (In 1978, Freddie Aguilar's debut single, "Anak
", became the most commercially successful Filipino recording in history. The song became known also in other Asian countries and in Europe). Perhaps Asin, an ethnic-folk band, was the first commercial band to successfully bring a pro-environment song to the airwaves with "Masdan Mo Ang Kapaligiran". Also famous for providing subtle rebellious (anti-Marcos dictatorship sentiment was growing at that time) and peace messages behind its skillful vocal harmonizing, Asin gave the masses hits such as "Bayan Kong Sinilangan (Cotabato)" and "Balita".
Juan de la Cruz Band
, a garage and blues-rock influenced group consisting of drummer Joey "Pepe" Smith, bassist Mike Hanopol
, and lead guitarist Wally Gonzales
, are often credited for ushering in the first "rock & roll revolution" in the Philippines that lasted from the late '60s to the late '70s (also known as the Golden Age of Pinoy Rock). Considered by many to be the "grandfathers" of Pinoy Rock, they played a large role in re-awakening national pride through their bluesy Tagalog
rock songs at a time when the music circulating predominantly in the local scene used lyrics in English. During a Woodstock-esque concert in Luneta Park, the group performed their original "Himig Natin" for the first time.
Being influenced by the counterculture, the bands of the '70s were known to have never been sidelined commercially and sometimes took the center stage by storm. The radio station DZRJ
, particularly the AM weekend "Pinoy Rock and Rhythm" show hosted by the ex-Fine Arts student from Philippine Women's University
named Dante David, a.k.a. Howlin' Dave
, provided the much-needed support and publicity to Pinoy Rock during this era.
Today, many music journalists refer to the works of these pioneering artists as Classic Pinoy Rock, perhaps to distinguish them from the works of relatively younger Pinoy Rock bands, especially those that emerged in the 1980s through the 1990s.
, also the very young then Noel Cabangon were a hit on Street concerts and campus tours. this groups of artists eventually reunited and formed BUKLOD [Bukluran ng mga Musikero para sa Bayan] which later Rom Donggeto , of Sinaglahi, Noel Cabangon, and Rene Bongcocan of Lingkod Sining took as their new band name when it disbanded after the EDSA Revolution. Aguilar's Bayan Ko
(My Country) became an anthem during the 1986 EDSA Revolution. A subculture rejected this kind of socially-aware lyrics. Thus Recordings of these early protest group mentioned above were banned from Radio stations but not in Dzrj owned by a composer and musician businessman Ramon Jacinto. The Band NUKLUS with Joven Aguilar,Jesus Nebreja and Ariel Angus was given airplay with their winning of 1st Tuklas Songwiriting piece "Ang Mamang May Baril" . The song became the anthem of the movement against abuses of the military in the early to mid 80's
sm
The most popular Pinoy Rock band in the Philippines in the '80s was arguably The Dawn
, whose early songs were largely influenced by New Wave
and Post-punk
, the dominant Alternative Music genres in the Philippines during that period. The Dawn came to prominence in 1986, when its independently-released single "Enveloped Ideas
" became an instant favorite among listeners of DWXB-FM
102.7, a now-defunct FM radio station popular in the mid-'80s that heavily played New Wave, Post-Punk, and similar genres.
Many music journalists and enthusiasts, as well as musicians themselves, attribute the flourishing in the mid-'80s of New Wave- and Post-Punk-influenced bands to DWXB-FM
, which began playing independently-released singles of unsigned local bands. This helped many of the struggling bands in this era to achieve cult status. These bands included Dean's December, Ethnic Faces, Identity Crisis, and Violent Playground, all of which were able to record and release their respective albums in the years that followed.
Other Pinoy Rock groups took their cue from these pioneers and started recording their own songs; and this proved beneficial to the Pinoy Rock scene, which brought back creativity and originality to the awareness of fledgling musicians. Among the lot, The Dawn, Afterimage
, and Introvoys
proved to be the enduring and more successful groups. Each was able to sustain a relatively long career.
DWXB-FM went off the air on June 9, 1987. The new Cory Aquino-led government began sequestering properties owned by her predecessor Ferdinand Marcos
and his cronies, including the home that DWXB-FM beamed from. DWXB-FM was revived as an online radio station on September 10, 2005, by Sutton Records, with the original DJs broadcasting from Manila.
), together with Mayric's (now Sazi's) and Kampo (Yosh in the mid '90s), were the only venues where unsigned bands were allowed to play their own songs. From Power Pop
, shoegazer, postpunk, alternative rock (Eraserheads, Color It Red, The Youth, Half Life Half Death
, Feet like Fins, Advent Call, Alamid) to hard rock, heavy metal (Razorback
, Askals, Wolfgang, Dahong Palay
, etc.) to hardcore
, punk, and death metal
(Skychurch, Genital Grinder, Death After Birth, Kabaong ni Kamatayan, Loads of Motherhood, WUDS, Yano
, Bad Omen, Rumblebelly, Disinterment, Deiphago, etc.).
The late 1980s and the early 1990s marked the beginning of what was known as the era of underground rock and progressive music, with NU107.5 playing unknown bands through Francis Brew's "In the Raw". It was through this station that many of the prominent and promising rock bands were discovered (e.g., GreyHoundz, Slapshock, Sugar Free, Fatal Posporos, Itchy Worms, Peryodiko, Monsterbot, Tanya Markova, Pedicab, and many others). NU107.5 was the only radio station that played music longer than the standard radio format would allow, as well as sound tracks (The Reel Score). Apart from allotting air time to new and known foreign rock bands (e.g., Save Ferris, Veruca Salt, Metallica, Audio Slave, Sound Garden, etc.), it gave full exposure to Filipino groups such as Sugar Hiccup, Eraserheads, Imago, Cynthia Alexander, Parokya ni Edgar, Wolfgang, Razorback, Ciudad, Teeth, Urbandub, Putreska, Tropical Depression, Rivermaya, Yano, Siakol, Cheese, etc. Its prestigious NU107 Rock Awards honored the Philippine rock industry's best and brightest for 17 years. These Rock Awardees now rule the local scene.
To add to the plight of the underground bands, radio stations would not play their music due to the payola
system in the radio industry despite the fact that most of these bands, if not all, had self-produced (indie) albums. But DWLA 105.9 challenged the current system by providing a venue for the bands to broadcast their original songs. Pinoy Rock enthuthiasts were finally elated to hear their favorite underground bands ruling the airwaves.
Radio station LA 105.9 advocated Filipino rock music, playing original amateur (even if poorly recorded) singles and gave new avenues for emerging bands outside organized underground concerts. Rock n' Rhythm, a local music magazine also supported this scene with news and updates, band interviews, album and concert reviews, carrying on the torch that the defunct Jingle Chordbook and Moptop (popular Philippine rock music magazines during the '70s and '80s, respectively) have entrailed. The band explosion opened avenues for non-traditional artists as well, like Intermidya, for example. Their musical instruments looked like materials from a junk shop glued together and which had names like Sandata#1, Sandata#2, Baby Sandata, etc.
The commercial success of Eraserheads paved the way for more Pinoy Rock acts (Rivermaya
, Rizal Underground, The Youth) getting record deals. Some brave all-female bands got signed (Kelt's Cross, Tribal Fish, Agaw Agimat) and a few solo artists as well (Maegan Aguilar, Bayang Barrios
, DJ Alvaro). Rappers crossed over with great success (Francis M with Hardware Syndrome and Erectus), despite some earlier controversy with hiphop-bashing allegedly incited by some artists. These bands adopted a variety of influences both in image and music; many fell under a particular genre; however, the crossing over of styles was most often inevitable.
Unfortunately, around 1995, the height of the Pinoy band scene was exploited up to its wits. Bands were guesting almost everywhere from noon-time TV shows and movies to drama sitcoms like Maalaala Mo Kaya
. Even the Miss Universe pageant held in the country was not spared.
Although the '90s were more inclined to be about pop rock bands mentioned above, many Filipino rock fans were ardent supporters of the more creative and independent Filipino underground community. Diverse not by name alone, these underground musicians were not easily attracted to mainstream pop sensibilities and grew their own market without the support of corrupt major labels that some critics and artists viewed as responsible for damaging most Filipino music careers.
A big chunk of these bands shared the same ideology of refusing to be exploited. It was only a matter of time when two factors, piracy and technology, brought major labels to reconsider their business dealings. In effect, most underground musicians secured their own spots in the Metal, Gothic rock
, Punk and hardcore genres.
-, reggae
-, acoustic pop/jazz-, and R&B
-influenced bands dominated the Philippine music scene, causing Pinoy Rock to take a backseat. Only a number of Pinoy Rock bands managed to stay in the mainstream during this period. In 2003 a not-so-well-known home-educated DJ named DJ RO started playing in a small bar and restaurant known as GWEILOS; DJ RO helped promote the club every Monday night while there was an emergence of Filipino Rock bands like Bamboo
, Orange and Lemons
and Kitchie Nadal
that started performing in Gweilos and eventually became popular. In 2004, Pinoy Rock once again gained prominence, with the rise of yet another wave of Filipino Rock bands. During this time, the Pinoy Rock music scene in Cebu
also gained exposure.
2001 saw indie band The Pin-Up Girls
, made up of former Keltscross members and underground musicians, signing to Know-It-All Records in Tacoma, Washington
, making them the first Manila-based band to sign with an American label. This development caused quite a negative reaction from the Manila rock scene as most musicians deemed the band unworthy of the break.
The Pin-Up Girls
released an EP worldwide called "Taste Test" that sold out. Know-It-All then printed a new batch dubbed "Taste Test: The Expanded Menu". The lead-off single "Caress" hit number one on the New Jersey
- and Internet-based radio
www.flashbackalternatives.com.
2004 also saw the emergence of the first Philippine virtual band
, Mistula
. With the internet as their stage, Mistula
comes alive through their official website, a fusion of music, graphic art, literature, photography and other art forms.
The rest of the 2000s further ushered in the mainstream buzz on Pinoy Rock, and along with it bands that leaned more towards pop sensibilities. During this time, Pinoy Rock, more than ever, gained mainstream exposure. Pogi ("pretty-face") rock was born (with such bands as Hale
, Sponge Cola
, Callalily
and the new, post-Rico Blanco
Rivermaya
), although an obscure, provincial band that called itself Groupies' Panciteria tried to assert a different political path, releasing in 2009 an mp3 album for free downloading on Soundclick
.com after having been inspired by the politics of ultra-independent rock artist Dong Abay
; the half-send-up-of- and half-tribute-to-commercial-TV 2005 album by the band Itchyworms
called Noontime Show; and the downloadable protest-folk albums of Gary Granada.
2006 was when Filipino band, KALA Kāla
, appeared in the commercial music scene with their full length album entitled "Manila High" distributed by SonyBMG Music Entertainment. Their first hit was Jeepney which was released summer of 2006. According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the band started the resurgence of the Manila Sound genre into the modern world through their own mix of funky jazzy electronic rock music.
The band was also part of the tribute album Hopia Mani Popcorn. They made a funky remake of VST and Co.'s Rock Baby Rock which hit number 1 in the airwaves.
In recent years as well, bands like Urbandub
, Pupil
, Chicosci
, Slapshock
and Typecast
have also played in other countries such as Singapore and the US, amongst others. Some have even garnered nominations and recognition from internationally-based publications and award-giving bodies. This is mainly attributed to the effect of the internet and globalization on almost anything including music, as listeners from other countries can now see and hear songs and videos of bands overseas without leaving their country.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
produced in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
or by Filipinos
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
. 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
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
, post-grunge
Post-grunge
Post-grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged in the mid-1990s as a derivative of grunge, using the sounds and aesthetic of grunge, but with a more commercially acceptable tone...
, ethnic, new wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
, pop rock
Pop rock
Pop rock is a music genre which mixes a catchy pop style and light lyrics in its guitar-based rock songs. There are varying definitions of the term, ranging from a slower and mellower form of rock music to a subgenre of pop music...
, punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
, reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
, heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
and ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
. Because these genres are generally considered to fall under the broad rock music category, pinoy rock may be more specifically defined as rock music with Filipino cultural sensibilities.
History
One of the first popular Filipino rock stars was Bobby Gonzales, whose major hit was "Hahabul-Habol." Eddie Mesa, another teen idolTeen idol
A teen idol is a celebrity who is widely idolized by teenagers; he or she is often young but not necessarily teenaged. Often teen idols are actors or pop singers, but some sports figures have an appeal to teenagers. Some teen idols began their careers as child actors...
from the period, became known as the "Elvis Presley of the Philippines." Back then, many Filipinos referred to Rock bands as "combos," many of which used nontraditional instruments like floor-bass bongos
Bongo drum
Bongo or bongos are a Cuban percussion instrument consisting of a pair of single-headed, open-ended drums attached to each other. The drums are of different size: the larger drum is called in Spanish the hembra and the smaller the macho...
, maracas, and gas tanks.
1960s
In the early 1960s, as electric instruments and new technology became available, instrumental American and British bands like The ShadowsThe Shadows
The Shadows are a British pop group with a total of 69 UK hit-charted singles: 35 as 'The Shadows' and 34 as 'Cliff Richard and the Shadows', from the 1950s to the 2000s. Cliff Richard in casual conversation with the British rock press frequently refers to the Shadows by their nickname: 'The Shads'...
and The Ventures
The Ventures
The Ventures is an American instrumental rock band formed in 1958 in Tacoma, Washington. Founded by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle, the group in its various incarnations has had an enduring impact on the development of music worldwide. With over 100 million records sold, the group is the best-selling...
flourished. Bands that arose in this period were The Deltas, The Celtics, RJ & the Riots, The Technicolors, The Downbeats, The Hi-Jacks, and The Electromaniacs. These bands spawned the first Filipino singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
s.
In 1963, during the British Invasion
British Invasion
The British Invasion is a term used to describe the large number of rock and roll, beat, rock, and pop performers from the United Kingdom who became popular in the United States during the time period from 1964 through 1966.- Background :...
bands such as The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
rose to mainstream audiences worldwide. Their widespread popularity and their embrace of the counterculture injected the possibility of socio-political lyrics with mature comments on real life into popular music. Immensely influenced by this new breed of British artists, many Filipino bands began adopting similar musical styles.
1970s
Into the early 1970s, Filipino music was growing more nationalistic and socio-political in nature, as well as using TagalogTagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
more often. Pop music still dominates the airwaves with disco and funk bands such as the Apo Hiking Society
APO Hiking Society
The Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society, later popularly known as Apo Hiking Society or, simply, Apo, was a Filipino musical group. The group had its fledgling beginnings in 1969 at the Ateneo de Manila high school, with thirteen members: Lito de Joya, Sonny Santiago, Gus Cosio, Renato Garcia, Chito...
and Hotdog
Hotdog (band)
The Hotdog Band, more commonly known simply as Hotdog, is a Filipino band formed by brothers Dennis and Rene Garcia, that achieved musical fame in the Philippines during the 1970s. Their first album Unang Kagat was released in 1974 by Villar Records. The album led to the 1975 movie by the same...
. Songs like Hotdog's "Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko" (You Are The Miss Universe
Miss Universe
Miss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....
of My Life) combined Filipino
Filipino language
This move has drawn much criticism from other regional groups.In 1987, a new constitution introduced many provisions for the language.Article XIV, Section 6, omits any mention of Tagalog as the basis for Filipino, and states that:...
and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
within the same song. This helped innovate the so-called "Manila Sound
Manila sound
Manila Sound is a musical genre in the Philippines that begun in the early 1970s in Manila, flourished and peaked in the mid to late 1970s, and waned in popularity by the early 1980s...
". OPM (Original Pilipino Music) also became popular.
However, emerging social and political consciousness somehow creeped in to the industry with the traditional allied genres that are folk and rock music. Folk musicians and bands included Freddie Aguilar
Freddie Aguilar
Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar , better known as Freddie Aguilar, is a folk musician from the Philippines. He is best known for his rendition of "Bayan Ko", which became the anthem for the opposition to the Marcos regime during the 1986 People Power Revolution, and for his song "Anak", the best-selling...
, Asin
Asín
Asín is a municipality located in the Cinco Villas comarca of the province of Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, located a few kilometers west of Orés. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 106 inhabitants....
, Heber Bartolome
Heber Bartolome
Heber Gonzalez Bartolome is a Filipino folk and folk rock singer, songwriter, composer, poet, guitarist, bandurria player, bluesman, and painter. His music was influenced by the “stylistic tradition” of Philippine folk and religious melodies...
and Florante
Florante
Florante de Leon, popularly known simply as Florante, is a Filipino singer-songwriter. He was a pioneer and leading exponent of Pinoy folk rock during the DZRJ-AM radio boom in Manila during the 1970s...
. (In 1978, Freddie Aguilar's debut single, "Anak
Anak (song)
"Anak" is a Tagalog song written by Filipino folk-singer Freddie Aguilar. It was a finalist for the inaugural 1977 Metropop Song Festival held in Manila. It became an international hit, and was translated into 26 languages...
", became the most commercially successful Filipino recording in history. The song became known also in other Asian countries and in Europe). Perhaps Asin, an ethnic-folk band, was the first commercial band to successfully bring a pro-environment song to the airwaves with "Masdan Mo Ang Kapaligiran". Also famous for providing subtle rebellious (anti-Marcos dictatorship sentiment was growing at that time) and peace messages behind its skillful vocal harmonizing, Asin gave the masses hits such as "Bayan Kong Sinilangan (Cotabato)" and "Balita".
Juan de la Cruz Band
Juan de la Cruz Band
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...
, a garage and blues-rock influenced group consisting of drummer Joey "Pepe" Smith, bassist Mike Hanopol
Mike Hanopol
Mike Hanopol is a Filipino rock music icon and legend, revolutionary singer, veteran musician, guitarist, pop artist, folk rock star, and recording artist. He was a former bass guitarist for the Juan Dela Cruz Band. He is a pioneer of rock music in the Philippines during the 1970s, along with...
, and lead guitarist Wally Gonzales
Wally Gonzales
Wally Gonzales is a Pinoy rock legend, Filipino bluesman, and professional guitarist. He established and played with the Juan Dela Cruz Band, along with lead singer and drummer Pepe Smith and bass player Mike Hanopol. Gonzales was dubbed as "the quiet Juan Dela Cruz" band member because of his...
, are often credited for ushering in the first "rock & roll revolution" in the Philippines that lasted from the late '60s to the late '70s (also known as the Golden Age of Pinoy Rock). Considered by many to be the "grandfathers" of Pinoy Rock, they played a large role in re-awakening national pride through their bluesy Tagalog
Tagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
rock songs at a time when the music circulating predominantly in the local scene used lyrics in English. During a Woodstock-esque concert in Luneta Park, the group performed their original "Himig Natin" for the first time.
Being influenced by the counterculture, the bands of the '70s were known to have never been sidelined commercially and sometimes took the center stage by storm. The radio station DZRJ
DZRJ-AM
DZRJ-AM , also known by its tagline The Voice of the Philippines, is an AM radio station of the Rajah Broadcasting Network, Inc. in the Philippines. The station was located on the roofdeck and tower of the J&T Building along Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard...
, particularly the AM weekend "Pinoy Rock and Rhythm" show hosted by the ex-Fine Arts student from Philippine Women's University
Philippine Women's University
The Philippine Women's University is a non-sectarian academic institution for men and women in the Philippines, founded in 1919 as the Philippine Women's College by Filipino women who envisioned a school that would prepare young women for leadership and service...
named Dante David, a.k.a. Howlin' Dave
Howlin' Dave
Dante David was a Filipino radio disc jockey. Better known by his stage name Howlin' Dave, he is credited with introducing Filipino radio listeners to Pinoy rock music in the early 1970s, and to new wave and punk rock in the 1980s.Howlin' Dave grew up in Pasay City and dropped out of high school...
, provided the much-needed support and publicity to Pinoy Rock during this era.
Today, many music journalists refer to the works of these pioneering artists as Classic Pinoy Rock, perhaps to distinguish them from the works of relatively younger Pinoy Rock bands, especially those that emerged in the 1980s through the 1990s.
1980s
In the early up to mid-1980s, Pinoy Rock became the music of Filipino protesters. Groups like NUKLUS, Sinaglahi, UP Sintunados Patatag, Tambisan, and soloist like the nationalist folk rock singers Paul Galang & Jess Santiago, the progressive folk duo Inang Laya, the progressive Pinoy rock band The JerksThe Jerks
The Jerks was formed in 1979 and is perhaps the original alternative rock and blues band in the Philippines. The band has undergone a lot of member changes and notably a lot of the previous members of the band are now certified icons themselves in the music scene. Members like Jun Lupito, Angelo...
, also the very young then Noel Cabangon were a hit on Street concerts and campus tours. this groups of artists eventually reunited and formed BUKLOD [Bukluran ng mga Musikero para sa Bayan] which later Rom Donggeto , of Sinaglahi, Noel Cabangon, and Rene Bongcocan of Lingkod Sining took as their new band name when it disbanded after the EDSA Revolution. Aguilar's Bayan Ko
Bayan Ko
"Bayan Ko" is one of the most recognizable patriotic songs in the Philippines that, because of its popularity, is sometimes assumed to be a folk song and the unofficial national anthem of the Philippines...
(My Country) became an anthem during the 1986 EDSA Revolution. A subculture rejected this kind of socially-aware lyrics. Thus Recordings of these early protest group mentioned above were banned from Radio stations but not in Dzrj owned by a composer and musician businessman Ramon Jacinto. The Band NUKLUS with Joven Aguilar,Jesus Nebreja and Ariel Angus was given airplay with their winning of 1st Tuklas Songwiriting piece "Ang Mamang May Baril" . The song became the anthem of the movement against abuses of the military in the early to mid 80's
sm
The most popular Pinoy Rock band in the Philippines in the '80s was arguably The Dawn
The Dawn (band)
The Dawn is a Filipino rock band which first achieved commercial success during the late 1980s in the Philippines. The band broke up in 1995 with lead vocalist Jett Pangan forming another band, the Jett Pangan Group. The Dawn reunited in late 1999...
, whose early songs were largely influenced by New Wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
and Post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
, the dominant Alternative Music genres in the Philippines during that period. The Dawn came to prominence in 1986, when its independently-released single "Enveloped Ideas
Enveloped Ideas
"Enveloped Ideas" is a song by Filipino rock band The Dawn. It is the first single from their 1987 debut album, The Dawn. The independently-released single was initially played as a demo at the Manila-based station DWXB. Listener reaction to the single was so positive, The Dawn became a byword in...
" became an instant favorite among listeners of DWXB-FM
DWXB-FM
WXB102 is a former Metro Manila FM radio station and current Internet radio station that plays New Wave, punk rock, dancepunk, synthpop and classic alternative from the UK, Philippines, and the rest of the world, available through Live365, Hayag.com and USTREAM.tv...
102.7, a now-defunct FM radio station popular in the mid-'80s that heavily played New Wave, Post-Punk, and similar genres.
Many music journalists and enthusiasts, as well as musicians themselves, attribute the flourishing in the mid-'80s of New Wave- and Post-Punk-influenced bands to DWXB-FM
DWXB-FM
WXB102 is a former Metro Manila FM radio station and current Internet radio station that plays New Wave, punk rock, dancepunk, synthpop and classic alternative from the UK, Philippines, and the rest of the world, available through Live365, Hayag.com and USTREAM.tv...
, which began playing independently-released singles of unsigned local bands. This helped many of the struggling bands in this era to achieve cult status. These bands included Dean's December, Ethnic Faces, Identity Crisis, and Violent Playground, all of which were able to record and release their respective albums in the years that followed.
Other Pinoy Rock groups took their cue from these pioneers and started recording their own songs; and this proved beneficial to the Pinoy Rock scene, which brought back creativity and originality to the awareness of fledgling musicians. Among the lot, The Dawn, Afterimage
Afterimage (band)
Afterimage was a Filipino Alternative Rock / pop rock band who was active in the 1990s. The group disbanded after 11 years and made three studio albums. After disbanding, Wency Cornejo, the band vocalist, pursued a solo career...
, and Introvoys
Introvoys
Introvoys is a Filipino pop rock band, now based in Los Angeles, California, USA.-Background:Introvoys was formed in 1986 by 3rd-G Cristobal, Paco Arespacochaga, and Jonathan Buencamino....
proved to be the enduring and more successful groups. Each was able to sustain a relatively long career.
DWXB-FM went off the air on June 9, 1987. The new Cory Aquino-led government began sequestering properties owned by her predecessor Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
and his cronies, including the home that DWXB-FM beamed from. DWXB-FM was revived as an online radio station on September 10, 2005, by Sutton Records, with the original DJs broadcasting from Manila.
1990s
During the start of the decade, The Hayp, Introvoys and After Image were among the prominent bands enjoying mainstream recognition. But their collective popularity was later overshadowed by younger bands that eventually emerged. An underground music scene was already burgeoning in some unknown bars in Manila. Red Rocks (which later became Club DreddClub DREDD
Club Dredd was a nightclub originally located in a small space on Timog Ave, Quezon City, Philippines. It was opened on 8 December 1990. The Timog venue had been a home for another rock venue called Red Rocks that closed down. It was put up by young rock musician Patrick Reidenbach and rock band...
), together with Mayric's (now Sazi's) and Kampo (Yosh in the mid '90s), were the only venues where unsigned bands were allowed to play their own songs. From Power Pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
, shoegazer, postpunk, alternative rock (Eraserheads, Color It Red, The Youth, Half Life Half Death
Half Life Half Death
Half Life Half Death, or "The Halves," was an obscure Filipino alternative rock band that existed from 1988 to 2003.-Formation:Half Life Half Death was originally formed in 1988 by five High school students of Sta...
, Feet like Fins, Advent Call, Alamid) to hard rock, heavy metal (Razorback
Razorback (band)
Razorback is a Filipino hard rock band formed in 1990. Originally known for being regulars at the now-defunct Kalye, a club in Makati, the band had proven their onstage mettle many times over, via their own club gigs to full-scale concerts as well as for having opened for Rage Against the Machine...
, Askals, Wolfgang, Dahong Palay
Dahong Palay
The Dahong Palay , literally 'Rice Leaf' in Tagalog, is a single-edged sword from the Philippines, specifically the Southern Tagalog provinces of Batangas and Mindoro...
, etc.) to hardcore
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
, punk, and death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
(Skychurch, Genital Grinder, Death After Birth, Kabaong ni Kamatayan, Loads of Motherhood, WUDS, Yano
Yano
Yano is a folk/punk rock band in the Philippines formed in 1993. The band members were originally composed of vocalist Dong Abay and Eric Gancio on guitar. Onie Badiang later joined them as bassist; Nowie Favila was the usual drummer but declined to join the group due to commitments with Ang...
, Bad Omen, Rumblebelly, Disinterment, Deiphago, etc.).
The late 1980s and the early 1990s marked the beginning of what was known as the era of underground rock and progressive music, with NU107.5 playing unknown bands through Francis Brew's "In the Raw". It was through this station that many of the prominent and promising rock bands were discovered (e.g., GreyHoundz, Slapshock, Sugar Free, Fatal Posporos, Itchy Worms, Peryodiko, Monsterbot, Tanya Markova, Pedicab, and many others). NU107.5 was the only radio station that played music longer than the standard radio format would allow, as well as sound tracks (The Reel Score). Apart from allotting air time to new and known foreign rock bands (e.g., Save Ferris, Veruca Salt, Metallica, Audio Slave, Sound Garden, etc.), it gave full exposure to Filipino groups such as Sugar Hiccup, Eraserheads, Imago, Cynthia Alexander, Parokya ni Edgar, Wolfgang, Razorback, Ciudad, Teeth, Urbandub, Putreska, Tropical Depression, Rivermaya, Yano, Siakol, Cheese, etc. Its prestigious NU107 Rock Awards honored the Philippine rock industry's best and brightest for 17 years. These Rock Awardees now rule the local scene.
To add to the plight of the underground bands, radio stations would not play their music due to the payola
Payola
Payola, in the American music industry, is the illegal practice of payment or other inducement by record companies for the broadcast of recordings on music radio, in which the song is presented as being part of the normal day's broadcast. Under U.S...
system in the radio industry despite the fact that most of these bands, if not all, had self-produced (indie) albums. But DWLA 105.9 challenged the current system by providing a venue for the bands to broadcast their original songs. Pinoy Rock enthuthiasts were finally elated to hear their favorite underground bands ruling the airwaves.
Radio station LA 105.9 advocated Filipino rock music, playing original amateur (even if poorly recorded) singles and gave new avenues for emerging bands outside organized underground concerts. Rock n' Rhythm, a local music magazine also supported this scene with news and updates, band interviews, album and concert reviews, carrying on the torch that the defunct Jingle Chordbook and Moptop (popular Philippine rock music magazines during the '70s and '80s, respectively) have entrailed. The band explosion opened avenues for non-traditional artists as well, like Intermidya, for example. Their musical instruments looked like materials from a junk shop glued together and which had names like Sandata#1, Sandata#2, Baby Sandata, etc.
The commercial success of Eraserheads paved the way for more Pinoy Rock acts (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...
, Rizal Underground, The Youth) getting record deals. Some brave all-female bands got signed (Kelt's Cross, Tribal Fish, Agaw Agimat) and a few solo artists as well (Maegan Aguilar, Bayang Barrios
Bayang Barrios
Bayang Barrios is a Filipino musician who hails from Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, and is known for her use of indigenous instruments and styles....
, DJ Alvaro). Rappers crossed over with great success (Francis M with Hardware Syndrome and Erectus), despite some earlier controversy with hiphop-bashing allegedly incited by some artists. These bands adopted a variety of influences both in image and music; many fell under a particular genre; however, the crossing over of styles was most often inevitable.
Unfortunately, around 1995, the height of the Pinoy band scene was exploited up to its wits. Bands were guesting almost everywhere from noon-time TV shows and movies to drama sitcoms like Maalaala Mo Kaya
Maalaala Mo Kaya
Maalaala Mo Kaya is a Philippine drama anthology series broadcast on ABS-CBN every Saturday evening and being hosted by Charo Santos-Concio. Currently, it became the longest-running drama anthology on Philippine television and on Asia...
. Even the Miss Universe pageant held in the country was not spared.
A big chunk of these bands shared the same ideology of refusing to be exploited. It was only a matter of time when two factors, piracy and technology, brought major labels to reconsider their business dealings. In effect, most underground musicians secured their own spots in the Metal, Gothic rock
Gothic rock
Gothic rock is a musical subgenre of post-punk and alternative rock that formed during the late 1970s. Gothic rock bands grew from the strong ties they had to the English punk rock and emerging post-punk scenes...
, Punk and hardcore genres.
2000s
In the early 2000s, Hip hopHip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
-, reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
-, acoustic pop/jazz-, and R&B
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
-influenced bands dominated the Philippine music scene, causing Pinoy Rock to take a backseat. Only a number of Pinoy Rock bands managed to stay in the mainstream during this period. In 2003 a not-so-well-known home-educated DJ named DJ RO started playing in a small bar and restaurant known as GWEILOS; DJ RO helped promote the club every Monday night while there was an emergence of Filipino Rock bands like 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:...
, Orange and Lemons
Orange and Lemons
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...
and Kitchie Nadal
Kitchie Nadal
Anna Katrina Dumilon Nadal , more commonly known as Kitchie Nadal, is a singer and songwriter from Manila, Philippines, formerly the lead vocalist for the alternative rock band, Mojofly. Kitchie's popularity in the female OPM niche grew after she released a self-titled solo album featuring her...
that started performing in Gweilos and eventually became popular. In 2004, Pinoy Rock once again gained prominence, with the rise of yet another wave of Filipino Rock bands. During this time, the Pinoy Rock music scene in Cebu
Cebu
Cebu is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. It is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands...
also gained exposure.
2001 saw indie band The Pin-Up Girls
The Pin-Ups
The Pin-Ups, formerly The Pin-Up Girls, is an independent band formed in 1995 by Mondo Castro along with Keltscross members Pamela Aquino and Jennifer Tan.”...
, made up of former Keltscross members and underground musicians, signing to Know-It-All Records in Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
, making them the first Manila-based band to sign with an American label. This development caused quite a negative reaction from the Manila rock scene as most musicians deemed the band unworthy of the break.
The Pin-Up Girls
The Pin-Ups
The Pin-Ups, formerly The Pin-Up Girls, is an independent band formed in 1995 by Mondo Castro along with Keltscross members Pamela Aquino and Jennifer Tan.”...
released an EP worldwide called "Taste Test" that sold out. Know-It-All then printed a new batch dubbed "Taste Test: The Expanded Menu". The lead-off single "Caress" hit number one on the New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
- and Internet-based radio
Internet radio
Internet radio is an audio service transmitted via the Internet...
www.flashbackalternatives.com.
2004 also saw the emergence of the first Philippine virtual band
Virtual band
In music, a virtual band is any group whose members are not corporeal musicians, but animated characters...
, Mistula
Mistula
Mistula is the first Filipino virtual band, and is composed of four customized ball-jointed dolls. They fuse music, graphic art, literature, photography, and other art forms, built around themes of Catholic idolatry and cultural commentary....
. With the internet as their stage, Mistula
Mistula
Mistula is the first Filipino virtual band, and is composed of four customized ball-jointed dolls. They fuse music, graphic art, literature, photography, and other art forms, built around themes of Catholic idolatry and cultural commentary....
comes alive through their official website, a fusion of music, graphic art, literature, photography and other art forms.
The rest of the 2000s further ushered in the mainstream buzz on Pinoy Rock, and along with it bands that leaned more towards pop sensibilities. During this time, Pinoy Rock, more than ever, gained mainstream exposure. Pogi ("pretty-face") rock was born (with such bands as Hale
Hale (band)
Hale was an alternative rock band from Manila, Philippines. The group consisted of Champ Lui Pio, Roll Martinez, Sheldon Gellada, and Paolo Santiago.- Formation :...
, Sponge Cola
Sponge Cola
Sponge Cola is a Filipino rock band formed in 2002 which produced many hit songs including "Lunes" , "KLSP", "Jeepney", "Makapiling Ka" and many others....
, Callalily
Callalily
Callalily is a 4-piece OPM band from the Philippines, composed of Kean Cipriano, Tatsi Jamnague, Aaron Ricafrente and Lemuel Belaro.- Background :...
and the new, post-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...
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...
), although an obscure, provincial band that called itself Groupies' Panciteria tried to assert a different political path, releasing in 2009 an mp3 album for free downloading on Soundclick
SoundClick
SoundClick is a music-based social community. It offers bands, artists, and music labels a platform for self-promotion. Songs can be streamed, downloaded in MP3 format, sold through the store, or licensed to others. SoundClick compiles daily charts for various genres, based on how many times a...
.com after having been inspired by the politics of ultra-independent rock artist Dong Abay
Dong Abay
Westdon Martin Abay , popularly known as Dong Abay, is a poet and a Pinoy rock musician. He was the founding member, songwriter and lead vocalist of the bands Yano, Pan, and dongabay, which are now all defunct...
; the half-send-up-of- and half-tribute-to-commercial-TV 2005 album by the band Itchyworms
Itchyworms
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...
called Noontime Show; and the downloadable protest-folk albums of Gary Granada.
2006 was when Filipino band, KALA Kāla
Kala
Kala may refer to:In Hinduism:*Kāla , a Sanskrit word for "time"*Kalā: 64 arts*Kala Bo, a Hindu consort goddess*Kirtimukha: a fierce guardian faceIn culture*Kala , a character in the Tarzan novels*Kala , a 2007 Indonesian film...
, appeared in the commercial music scene with their full length album entitled "Manila High" distributed by SonyBMG Music Entertainment. Their first hit was Jeepney which was released summer of 2006. According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the band started the resurgence of the Manila Sound genre into the modern world through their own mix of funky jazzy electronic rock music.
The band was also part of the tribute album Hopia Mani Popcorn. They made a funky remake of VST and Co.'s Rock Baby Rock which hit number 1 in the airwaves.
In recent years as well, bands like Urbandub
Urbandub
Urbandub is a Filipino rock band from Cebu City, Philippines. Since its inception in 2000, the band's line-up has consisted of Gabby Alipe , John Dinopol , and Lalay Lim . The band's current drummer is Janjan Mendoza, who has been with the band since 2003.Urbandub is the first indie band who has...
, Pupil
Pupil (band)
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.-Formation:...
, Chicosci
Chicosci
ChicoSci is a 5-piece Filipino rock band based in Manila. The band is composed of Miggy Chavez, Mong Alcaraz, Calde Calderon, Macoy Estacio and Ariel Lumanlan.-Formation and early days:...
, Slapshock
Slapshock
Slapshock is a rock band from Manila, Philippines. Formed in 1996 originally as a rap metal act, significantly being compared with Korn. Their recent material were now under the metalcore genre.- Background :...
and Typecast
Typecast (band)
Typecast is a post-hardcore/alternative rock band from the Philippines. Originally an underground act, they have surfaced on the mainstream Philippine music scene, while managing to hold on to their underground roots.-Career:...
have also played in other countries such as Singapore and the US, amongst others. Some have even garnered nominations and recognition from internationally-based publications and award-giving bodies. This is mainly attributed to the effect of the internet and globalization on almost anything including music, as listeners from other countries can now see and hear songs and videos of bands overseas without leaving their country.