Friday, May 16, 2014

Rivermaya Album by Rivermaya

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Rivermaya is the debut album of the Filipino rock band, Rivermaya. Containing 11 tracks, it was released in 1994 on BMG Records Pilipinas (now Sony BMG Music Philippines, Inc.).


Track listing
All songs were written by Rico Blanco except where noted.

No. Title Writer(s) Length


1. "Revolution" Rico Blanco / Nathan Azarcon 3:36





2. "Bring Me Down" 4:32





3. "Ground" 5:06





4. "20 Million" 3:54





5. "Ulan" Rico Blanco / Nathan Azarcon 4:29





6. "Halik sa Araw" Rico Blanco / Perf de Castro 3:57





7. "Gravity" 4:10





8. "214" 4:33





9. "Hate" 3:24





10. "Awit ng Kabataan" 4:50

'



11. "(Instrumental/Outro of Revolution)"

Rivermaya

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Rivermaya is one of the most influential and critically acclaimed 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 currently composed of Mark Escueta, Mike Elgar, Ryan Peralta and Norby David. Former members included Rico Blanco, who had been the original songwriter of the band, and vocalist Bamboo Mañalac, who later formed the band Bamboo. Rivermaya is the fourteenth biggest-selling artists/act in the Philippines.

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.

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.

Citing artistic differences, Perf de Castro was adamant in leaving the group and returned to his project band "The Blues Trio," a band later renamed "Axis" until its final inception as "Triaxis."

The band then embarked on a US and Canada tour. It was also at this time that Bamboo Mañalac decided to stay in the U.S. (He eventually went on to form his own band, Bamboo in 2003).

Rico Blanco performing.

Rico Blanco, the chief composer of the band; he later became the band's full-time guitarist when Perf de Castro left a year after their debut album was released & later became the band's frontman after Bamboo's departure in 1998.
Rivermaya decided to forge on, with Rico Blanco taking on lead vocals and released their fourth album, It's Not Easy Being Green containing the singles "Nerbyoso" [Nervous], "Shattered Like", and "Rodeo".

The band released its fifth studio album, aptly called Free, entirely for free on the Internet as well as on CDs distributed at their gigs. Free went on to be named "Best Album of 2000" at the NU Rock Awards.

Nathan performing.

Nathan Azarcon was one of the members of Rivermaya from 1994 to 2001.
In 2001, Nathan Azarcon departed from the group. This signaled a new line up change.

Rico Blanco and Mark Escueta remained as members. They recruited three different musicians to fill in the space left by the former members. Completing the lineup were familiar local guitar heroes, Victor "Kakoy" Legaspi (from blues band Mr. Crayon) and Mike Elgar (from 7 Foot Junior) as well as Japs Sergio (from Daydream Cycle) on bass guitar.

Legaspi resigned in 2004 but continues to be the axeman for other popular acts, such as Julianne Tarroja, and Peryodiko, among others.

The band found a variety of partners who commissioned such works as "Liwanag sa Dilim" [Light In The Dark], "Posible" [Possible] (Southeast Asian Games' Athletes Anthem) and "You'll Be Safe Here".

"You'll Be Safe Here", originally created as the theme for the ABS-CBN TV series Spirits (directed by Rivermaya co-manager Chito S. Rono) would be the song to take Rivermaya outside the country. Released as an EP by Warner Music Philippines, it also became the song that MTV Asia selected for performance at the 2006 Asia Awards. Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child introduced the group, and they were backed up by Thailand’s Royal Symphony Orchestra during live performance. It was the first time that a Filipino band was invited to perform in the said event.

An album of compiled works, titled "You'll Be Safe Here", is distributed in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Rivermaya embarked on a series of Asian tours, including at Thailand's Pattaya Music Fest (2008, 2009) as well as Singapore's Mosaic Festival (run by The Esplanade); and Bangkok's Fat Fest as well as in Indonesia's MTV Staying Alive show.

In the Philippines, the Rivermaya Greatest Hits 2006 album on Viva Records was followed by an album dedicated to its music heroes: Isang Ugat, Isang Dugo ['One Root, One Blood'].

At the end of March 2007, Rivermaya scored again another first for the Philippines as their videos, "You'll Be Safe Here" and the recent video remake "Balisong" were chosen as the first Asian artists to have full-length music videos featured on the Star World Channel.

In 2008–2009 Rivermaya performed at the Marina Bay New Years' Countdown in Singapore and became the first Filipino band invited to perform at the 2009 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.

Rivermaya is also often referred to as "Banda ng Bayan" [The Band of the Nation], a nickname they share with Parokya ni Edgar.

On May 2007, rumors of Rico Blanco quitting the group surfaced. The band's management team refused to comment, as did the other members. It was not until a few more days before Rico Blanco officially announced his departure from the group. Both Rivermaya and its management have taken the announcement in stride and have denied rumors that the band would disband as a result. "No one member is greater than the whole," declared Rivermaya management in an official statement released on June 14, 2007.

After Rico Blanco left, Rivermaya released a new single, "Sayang" [Such a Waste], penned by Japs Sergio and described by the band as "an open letter to the fans."

In addition, Studio 23 announced the selection of Rivermaya to create the new theme song for the station. The new song is titled "Sumigaw" [Shout] and marks the release of a second single in two months for the band, accelerating Rivermaya's pace for new songs rapidly (In previous years, the band had managed to release only a single every 12 months).

On August 11, 2007, during a mini press conference held at Mogwai Bar and Café in Cubao's Marikina Shoe Expo, Rivermaya released its all-new 5-song Bagong Liwanag ['New Light'] EP, which hit stores nationwide starting August 15. This 5-song EP is released on the band's own label, Revolver Music, and licensed to Warner Music Philippines.

Rivermaya also held auditions for a new vocalist. Out of more than 400 participants, only 80 were chosen to join the semi-finals. The auditions was televised on Studio 23, which was titled Bagong Liwanag. Aside from the band members, main judges are Rivermaya manager Lizza Nakpil, The Dawn guitarist Francis Reyes, and Razorback bassist Louie Talan.

On October 24, 2007, then-18-year-old Jayson Fernandez was announced as the winner and new member of Rivermaya.

On February 2008, Rivermaya released the album entitled Buhay ['Life'] with the carrier single "Sugal ng Kapalaran" [Gamble of Fate] penned by Sergio with both Fernandez and Sergio doing the vocals, while Elgar and Escueta do backing vocals.

In October 2008, after allegedly discovering several acts of misappropriation of funds involving the bands' royalties and talent fees, the current Rivermaya band members announced that the band had parted ways with their longtime manager Lizza Nakpil. She was charged with the crime of estafa, sued for damages, and the court has issued a Writ of Preliminary Injunction forbidding further contact with Rivermaya.

Rivermaya has played in Singapore at the Marina Bay New Year Countdown in December 31, 2008 while in September 2009, the group is the first Filipino band invited to perform on 3 different stages at the 2009 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix and in the same month and year, the band released the album Closest Thing To Heaven with the track "Dangal" [Dignity] as the carrier single.

In February 22, 2011, Rivermaya's official Facebook page announce that they will release their music video titled "Remenis" [Reminisce] and will formally introduce their new members, Ryan Peralta and Norby David of the band Overtone.

On August 28, 2011, after months of speculation, Jayson Fernandez stated that he had left Rivermaya after 4 years with the group citing musical differences as the primary reason.[5] Paolo Valenciano (son of Gary Valenciano) and Vinci Montaner of Parokya ni Edgar simultaneously filled in as temporary lead vocalists for some occasional gigs weeks after Fernandez's departure. Mark Escueta, Mike Elgar and Norby David now simultaneously switch over the lead vocal duties.

After taking a brief hiatus, on November of 2012, Japs Sergio posted on his official Facebook page that he left Rivermaya, in order to pursue his new band, Peso Movement.

On March 19, 2013, Rivermaya released the album Panatang Makabanda ['Oath for the Band Passionates'].


Band members
Current members
Mark Escueta – lead vocals, guitars, occasional drums & percussions (2011–present); drums & percussions, trumpet, occasional guitars (1994–2011)
Mike Elgar – lead vocals (2011–present); guitars (2001–present); keyboards (2007–2011)
Norby David – lead vocals, bass guitar, occasional guitars (acoustic) (2011–present)
Ryan Peralta – drums & percussions, keyboards, backing vocals (2011–present)



Former members
Rico Blanco – lead vocals (1998–2007); co-lead and backing vocals (1994–1998); guitars (1995–2007); keyboards (1994–2007)
Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac – lead vocals (1994–1998)
Nathan Azarcon – bass guitar, backing vocals (1994–2001)
Perfecto "Perf" de Castro – guitars, backing vocals (1994–1995)
Victor "Kakoy" Legaspi – guitars (2001–2004)
Jayson Fernandez – lead vocals, guitars (2007–2011)
John Paul "Japs" Sergio – bass guitar, occasional lead vocals, occasional guitars (2001–2012)



Rivermaya discography
Rivermaya (1993)
Trip (1996)
Atomic Bomb (1997)
It's Not Easy Being Green (1999)
Free (2000)
Tuloy ang Ligaya (2001)
Between the Stars and Waves (2003)
Isang Ugat, Isang Dugo (2006)
Buhay (2008)
Closest Thing to Heaven (2009)
Panatang Makabanda (2013)

Monday, May 12, 2014

Francis Vincent "Vinci" Montaner of Parokya ni Edgar

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Francis Vincent "Vinci" Rosales Montaner (born November 27, 1976) is a Filipino singer best known for his work with the band Parokya ni Edgar where he served as a backup vocalist and one of its founding members. He left Parokya ni Edgar in late 2012 after a near 20-year stint with the band.

Montaner was born to Francisco and Mila Montaner and has three siblings nicknamed Chikko, Dikki and Chachi. He finished his lower education levels at the Ateneo de Manila University, and took a college degree course in Public Advertising at the University of the Philippines, Manila.

He temporarily left the group in 2005 to finish his education but at the same time was able to contribute to their album Halina sa Parokya. He later rejoined the band and appeared on their 2007 album Solid. Montaner is also popularly known by the band's audience as the resident prankster of the group both in videos and in live performances.

The band's hit song "The Yes Yes Show" is a satirical song about Chito Miranda and Montaner arguing over the lead vocal duties. It eventually became one of the band's chart topping songs in local OPM hit charts. Montaner also performed the lead vocals in PNE's hit song "Picha Pie" (Filipino slang term for Pizza Pie), a parody cover of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive".

He also had occasional gigs with the band Rivermaya after lead singer Jayson Fernandez left in mid-2011.

At around 2AM of October 14, 2012, he announced through Parokya ni Edgar's official Facebook page that he left the band a couple of weeks back for personal reasons. Chito Miranda immediately confirmed Vinci's departure from the band.

Posted in official Parokya ni Edgar Facebook Fanpage:

“ Hi! Sorry! I have left the band a couple of weeks back for personal reasons. I won't be back, like what happened before. Continue to support the best band in the world. See you around.
Thank you very much for the love for Parokya!

--Vinci

His last gig with the band was on September 2012 at 70's Bistro. His former band mates respected his decision as they parted ways in good terms and still remain very good friends. Miranda stated in an official post that Montaner chose to have a new career path and opted to live privately.

Aside from Parokya ni Edgar, Montaner also owns a school for special children and is said to be one of the primary reasons he left Parokya ni Edgar as he wants to focus in managing the said school.

Ferdinand "Dindin" Moreno of Parokya ni Edgar

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Ferdinand "Dindin" Alvarez Moreno (born March 16, 1976) is a Filipino drummer for the band Parokya ni Edgar.
Moreno is one of four members of Parokya ni Edgar who attended Ateneo de Manila University during their grade school to high school years. Moreno currently resides in Manila, with his wife, daughter, and son.

Besides his musical interests, Moreno is an avid technology and gadget hobbyist and is very active in the gadget community. He is currently sponsored by a local drums brand.

Gabriel Ignatius "Gab" Chee Kee of Parokya ni Edgar

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Gabriel Ignatius "Gab" Juan Chee Kee (born July 30, 1976) is a Filipino guitarist, singer, and one of the founding members of Filipino band Parokya ni Edgar.


Chee Kee, whose parents are both former teachers, is one of four members of Parokya ni Edgar who attended Ateneo de Manila University during their grade school to high school years.

In 2003, Chee Kee married his then-girlfriend and former FHM model Apple Umali.

Darius Gerard "Dar" Semaña of Parokya ni Edgar

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Darius Gerard Laluna Semaña (born June 30, 1973) is a Filipino lead guitarist for the band Parokya ni Edgar and is the oldest member of the group.

Semaña attended theUniversity of the Philippines. He, along with Vinci Montaner, are the only members of Parokya ni Edgar who have earned a bachelor's degree. It is also publicly known that he is one of two band members who didn't attend Ateneo de Manila University, the other member being bassist Buwi Meneses who is lesser known as a non-Atenean graduate. Semaña is a high school alumnus of Ateneo's rival school, De La Salle University, which serves as material for many of the band's running jokes in their songs.

Semaña is mostly seen playing a Fender Stratocaster. He is a member of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity in the Philippines along with band mate Buwi Meneses.

Semaña is married and has a son.

Buhawi "Buwi" Meneses of Parokya ni Edgar

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Buhawi "Buwi" Francia Meneses (born June 4, 1976) is a Filipino bassist for the band Parokya ni Edgar, and formerly for Franco.

Meneses is the second of four children and only son of breast cancer activists Danny Meneses and the late Rosa Francia-Meneses.

Meneses took up Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. When his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, Meneses stopped schooling to concentrate on aiding her. Upon his mother's death, he continued a career in the music scene with Parokya ni Edgar.

He won the "Bassist of the Year" award at the NU Rock Awards in 1999. He also wrote the topseller Parokya ni Edgar song “Mr. Suave” in their 2003 album Bigotilyo.

Meneses was one of the castaways for GMA-7's Celebrity Edition of Survivor Philippines in August 2010 where in he became the 4th castaway to be voted out.


Meneses is married with two sons. He is a member of Tau Gamma Phi fraternity in the Philippines along with band mate Darius Semaña.

Alfonso "Chito" Miranda, Jr. of Parokya ni Edgar

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Alfonso "Chito" Yanga Miranda, Jr. (born February 7, 1976) is a Filipino singer and songwriter best known as one of the founding members and lead singer for the band Parokya ni Edgar.
Miranda attended grade school and high school at the Ateneo de Manila University where he met Gab Chee Kee, Vinci Montaner, Jeric Estaco, and Mikko Yap. They formed a garage band during their high school years.
Miranda is good friends with fellow Filipino artists Kamikazee vocalist Jay Contreras, the late rapper Francis Magalona and rapper Gloc-9. Miranda is a member of the Alpha Kappa Rho fraternity in Ateneo de Manila batch 1994.

Miranda previously dated actress Kaye Abad from the early 2000s until their breakup in 2009. He is currently in a relationship with actress Neri Naig.

On August 3, 2013, video snippets of Miranda having sexual intercourse with Naig, and 2 two other women in three different occasions appeared in YouTube.The video snippets with the other two women were taken down the same day, but the one with Naig became a viral hit that was shared in different blogs and social media sites. On his Twitter account, Miranda said his room was recently robbed. Among those stolen was his hard disk drive, where photo and video files were stored. On Parokya ni Edgar's Facebook page and on Miranda's Instagram page, Miranda expressed his sadness on the leaking of the private video. He also asked for forgiveness from both his and Naig's families.] A second more graphic clip, which is 11 minutes and 20 seconds long,different from the first video that spread in August was uploaded Monday afternoon on a Facebook page.

In early December 2013, it was officially announced that Miranda and Naig are now engaged.