Introvoys - Back To The Roots (1991)

Introvoys was formed in 1986 by 3rd-G Cristobal, Paco Arespacochaga, and Jonathan Buencamino. Their 1989 debut album, called "Back to the Roots" was a "diamond in the rough". After two duds for singles, Dyna Records, which was the band's label, was ready to drop them. However, fate had a different plan. "However Which Way" which was the band's third single shot all the way to No. 1 in Metro Manila in just 2 weeks. After a month, the ditty became the country's No. 1 song thus paving the way for a national tour for the Introvoys. Culled from the same album are certified No. 1 singles such as , "Calling All Nations","Maynila" and "Lullabye" among many others. Their second album sealed Introvoys' status in the mainstream. Born from this album were songs that are now classified as standard hits. These songs are "Will I Survive", "Di Na Ako Aasa Pa", "Binibini" and "Are You Happy". Eventually, the album shot to quadruple platinum status earning the Introvoys the tag "the No. 1 Band in the Land!". In 1994 they released Line to Heaven album which has melodies that are catchy and pop-inflected, some of which are imbedded in rock-styled arrangements. The carrier single was written after Arespacochaga suffered a terrible tragedy, the loss of his parents in a car accident. He left the band in 1996 rejoined in 2000. Ira Cruz, who had played with Introvoys from 1987 to 1991, joined Passage and Kapatid. In 2001, Ira rejoined Introvoys for the short-lived reunion run. After nothing much happened since, Ira decided to pursue other interests. In 1995, Jonathan Buencamino left the band for health and personal reasons. It was during this time that Introvoys invited Paku Herrera of Neocolours to carry on Jobert’s chores. After years of hiatus and a brief reunion in 2001, followed by another period of creative resting, they decided work on a new album entitled "A Brighter Day" in 2005. In December 2006, the band released a follow-up album entitled, "New Beginnings" - A collection of major hits arranged in new renditions and introduced two new members, Steve Guadiz (guitars) and Chot Ulep (bass). In April 2009, Tim De Ramos joined the band as the new drummer while Arespacochaga assumed duties as the new lead guitarist.

One 1996 INTROVOYS Track listing 1. "Tell Me Why" 2. "Ang Barkada" 3. "Magkaisa Tayong Lahat" 4. "Pagmulat" 5. "Stop (Before You Hurt Us All)" 6. "I Love You Still" 7. "More Than A Friend" 8. "One" 9. "Sana Naman" 10. "I'm Sorry" 11. "Ang Sabi Niya Sa Akin"

Back To The Roots 1991 INTROVOYS Track Listing 1. "White Roses" - 3:41 2. "Maynila" - 3:13 3. "Calling All Nations" - 2:46 4. "However Which Way" - 3:56 5. "Kaibigan" - 3:28 6. "Pag-asa Ng Mundo" - 3:25 7. "Lullabye" - 3:52 8. "It's You" - 3:28 9. "Panahon" - 3:27 10. "Ingay" - 2:48

New Beginnings 2007 INTROVOYS Track listing 1. "In A Little While" - 2:31 2. "Stay" - 3:37 3. "Di Na Ko Aasa Pa" - 3:57 4. "Just A Dream" - 3:16 5. "Calling All Nations" - 2:55 6. "However Which Way" - 4:27 7. "Desire" - 3:52 8. "Tell Me Why" - 3:57 9. "Maynila" - 2:32 10. "Kaibigan" - 3:36 11. "Kailanman" - 3:32 12. "Line To Heaven" - 3:18 13. "Will I Survive" - 2:57 14. "More Than A Friend" - 4:34 15. "Living My Life" - 3:41 16. "Eroplano" - 2:52 17. "The Big Ride" - 4:01 18. "Lullabye" - 3:24 Line Up Jonathan Buencamino (Lead vocals) Paco Arespacochaga (Drumms,Guitars/Backing vocals) JJ Buencamino (Keyboards) Chot Ulep (Bass guitar) Tim De Ramos (Drums) Steve Guadiz (Lead guitar)

The Dawn - OPM Timeless Collection (1997)

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. The Dawn is considered the "longest-lived and most prolific rock band in the Philippines"

History

The Dawn was formed in 1985 by Teddy Diaz (vocals and guitars), JB Leonor (drums) and Clay Luna (bass). The band's name was derived from a portrait of the Holy Spirit that symbolized the dawn of a new day (probably found in a book given by the Sisters of the Holy Spirit to Teddy Diaz, as well as a crucifix which Teddy also received from the same sisterhood), called The Dawning of the Holy Spirit. Diaz, Leonor and Luna initially wanted a female vocalist; but in the course of their search, Jett Pangan auditioned and got the trio's unanimous nod.

OPM Timeless Collection 1997 THE DAWN Jett Pangan,JB Leonor,Teddy Diaz,Francis Reyes,Atsushi Matsuura,Carlos Balcells [Enjoy] Track listing 1."Enveloped Ideas" 2."Salamat" 3."Love Will Set Us Free" 4."Iisang Bangka Tayo" 5."Talaga Naman" 6."Let Me Dream" 7."Give Me the Night" 8."Alam Ko, Alam N'yo" 9."Dreams" 10."Runaway" 11."Abot Kamay" 12."Beyond the Bend" 13."Little Paradise" 14."Salimpusa" 15."I Stand With You" 16."Sali-salita " 17."Magtanim Ay Di Biro" 18."Enveloped Ideas (Extended Version)"

The quartet began performing in clubs and eventually recorded a demo of a song entitled "Enveloped Ideas," a copy of which they submitted to DWXB 102.7, a now-defunct Metro Manila–based FM radio station that played Alternative rock and New Wave music. It topped the radio station's charts in 1986, helping the group gain a cult following. Heavily influenced by the New Wave genre of the 1980s, "Enveloped Ideas" is distinct for its introductory operatic vocals a la Klaus Nomi. While The Dawn was in search of a major record label, Luna left the band to immigrate to the US. Carlos "Caloy" Balcells, bass player of another Filipino group, the Cicada Band, soon replaced him. Success and tragedy In 1986, The Dawn signed with OctoArts International (now PolyEast Records Philippines) and, the next summer, released their eponymous debut album, which gained commercial success. Many critics felt that The Dawn would fill the void left behind by the Juan de la Cruz Band when their music slowly faded in the 1980s. At the height of their popularity, and just weeks after the release of their second album I Stand With You, Teddy Diaz was stabbed to death in front of his girlfriend's house on August 21, 1988 by two men allegedly under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Despite the demise of Diaz, his influence is still felt among many guitarists today and he has become a legend among many Filipino musicians. The Dawn still considers Diaz to be the band's driving force to this day.

The band continued to play, at one time employing the services of a masked guitarist (nicknamed Zorro by some fans) in the absence of a permanent guitar player. Atsushi Matsuura, a Japanese guitarist who had earlier released a solo album in the Philippines under Ivory Records, took on lead guitar duties in January 1989. He was later replaced by Francis Reyes, former Afterimage guitarist, who was also a disc jockey at NU-107, a local alternative rock radio station. Reyes also happened to be Diaz's close friend. Classically trained session keyboardist Millette Saldajeno also joined the band in 1990 but was later replaced by Isidore Fernandez in 1992.

Breakup and reunion

In 1995, the band went their separate ways due to Pangan's desire to move on with another career. Pangan then formed the Jett Pangan Group.

The 1997 reunion at the ULTRA brought the band back on-stage and, for the first time, the band employed two guitarists: Matsuura and Reyes. They did another reunion show at the now defunct ABG's along Pasong Tamo, while they were discussing a comeback release through Sony Music Philippines (now Sony BMG Music Philippines). In 2000 they reunited with both Francis Reyes and Atsushi Matsuura on guitars and performed on GMA Networks' 2000 Global Millennium Day Broadcast in Ayala Avenue in Makati City. That year, they also recorded Prodigal Sun, an album that, much like the parable of the Prodigal Son, symbolized their return to the music scene.

2001 saw the band actively engaged in the live circuit, embarking on an 8-city US tour and were in New York City when 9/11 turned the World Trade Center into ground zero. In 2004, Carlos Balcells left the band in order to perform his duties as city councilor in his native Talisay City. Wolfgang's bass player Mon Legaspi took his place in the band. A few months later, the band once again parted with Matsuura and returned to being a quartet.

Moonpools & Caterpillars - Lucky Dumpling (1995)

Moonpools & Caterpillars was a Filipino American rock band based in California. The band was most popular in the 1990s. They released three albums commercially, The Pink Album (self-released), Lucky Dumpling (1995, Elektra Records), and 12 Songs (self-released). Lucky Dumpling was produced by Richard Gottehrer, who has also worked with Blondie, The Go-Go's, and Judybats. Moonpools & Caterpillars was based in Los Angeles and played many nights at the Whiskey-A-Gogo, where The Pink Album was recorded live. Lead singer Kimi Ward Encarnacion is known for being very energetic on stage. Jay Jay Encarnacion gave Moonpools & Caterpillars their distinct guitar sounds, which varied from ethereal chorusing to large, wall-of-sound distortion. Bassist Tim DePala and drummer Gugut Salgado were the other two members of the band.

The band was featured in the movies The Baby-Sitters Club (1995) and Wish Upon a Star (1996).

Lucky Dumpling
1995
MOONPOOLS & CATERPILLARS
Kimi Ward Encarnacion ,Jay Jay Encarnacion ,Tim DePala, Gugut Salgado
[Enjoy]

Track listing 1. "Hear" 2. "Ren" 3. "Soon" 4. "Trampling Rose" 5. "Colossal Youth" 6. "Summertime" 7. "Heaven" 8. "Sundays" 9. "Traveling Song" 10. "Buick" 11. "Koo Koo Koo" 12. "Jubilee" 13. "Crazy Old World"

nWu Bonus "Cool"(Twelve Songs 1998) "Martians" (Twelve Songs 1998) "Ooh Ooh Ooh" (Twelve Songs 1998) "Polyester" (Twelve Songs 1998) "Highwire" (The Pink Album 1995)

Biography

The Glendale-based Moonpools and Caterpillars were one of the most successful bands of Philippine ancestry and released their only major-label album, Lucky Dumpling, in 1995 through Eastwest/Elektra. The strong debut was produced by Richard Gottehrer (Blondie, Go-Go's, Judybats, and Jeffrey Gaines) and Jeffrey Lesser (Lou Reed, Barbra Streisand) at Bearsville Studios. Moonpools and Caterpillars were popular mainstays of the Los Angeles scene, especially on the Sunset Strip. Lead singer Kimi Ward Encarnacion had the voice and stage presence of Natalie Merchant, Bjork, and Gwen Stefani. JayJay Encarnacion brought an amazing combination of guitar sounds to the group and was influenced by U2's the Edge, 10,000 Maniacs' Robert Buck, and the Smiths' Johnny Marr. Bassist Tim DePala and drummer Gugut Salgado made up a dynamic rhythm section. Moonpools and Caterpillars have accurately been compared to Belly, the Cocteau Twins, Edna Swap, Alanis Morisette, the Cranberries, Velocity Girl, Tuscadero, Blake Babies, the Darling Buds, Liz Phair, and Veruca Salt. In spite of album sales that disappointed Elektra, Lucky Dumpling was a critical success and Volkswagon licensed multiple songs for the Jetta debut ad campaign (especially "Hear"). The band's song "Summertime" also was used in Disney's Baby-Sitters Club. Moonpools released The Pink Album in 1995 through Nobu Records. A third disc simply called Twelve Songs was for sale the night the group disbanded in 1998. Moonpools and Caterpillars were a phenomenal band that was vastly underappreciated. In a fair, just world where good taste reigned, Moonspools & Caterpillars would be household names.

VA - 10 Of Another Kind (1989)

10 Of Another Kind
1989
VARIOUS ARTISTS

Track listing:

1. Deans December – "Healing"
2. Ethnics Faces – "Golden Boy"
3. Under Blue Skies – "Falling"
4. Violent Playground – "Never The Bright Lights"
5. Introvoys – "Just A Dream"
6. Deans December – "I Read The News"
7. Ethnic Faces – "Balik Bayan"
8. Under Blue Skies – "Under Blue Skies"
9. Violent Playground – "Tupperware Party"
10. Introvoys – "Lullabye"

Identity Crisis

Cool Carla - Vocals, Percussions
Buddy Arceo - Vocals
Leni Llapitan - Keyboads
Resty Cornejo - Guitars
Bogs Ambrosio - Bass
Marvin Mendiola - Drums

Doom-laden drums, murky synths, Middle Eastern rhythms, dreamy guitar riffs, and ghostly vocals: The Identity Crisis had the style and soul of a mid-'80s European band on the dark 4AD record label. However, they weren't from Europe, and 4AD never touched their music. Formed in Manila, Philippines, in 1986, the Identity Crisis had an aura of mystery; most of their lineup even withheld their last names. The band originally consisted of Lenny Llapitan (keyboards), Resty (guitars), Buddy Boy (vocals), Bogs (bass), and Marvin (drums). New wave radio DJ Carla Abaya, otherwise known as Cool Carla, eventually joined the band, her Siouxsie Sioux-ish gothic vocals highlighting the group's enigmatic pop on their 1988 debut album ...Tale of Two, on Dyna Records. In Manila, tracks such as "Imagining Oktober" and "My Sanctuary" leapt onto radio play lists saturated by the sullen rock of English artists like the Cure and Joy Division even before the album's release. In concert, the Identity Crisis seduced fans with their elegant new wave outfits and ethereal sound. The group paid homage to their foreign post-punk influences by covering new wave radio hits such as Xmal Deutschland's "Matador" and the Adventures' "Two Rivers" in concert; there were even quotes from Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Happy Hi" on "Whispering Castles" and the Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" on "My Sanctuary." But the Identity Crisis' hybrid of gothic rock, Middle Eastern and classical music, jazz, and new wave wasn't built for mass consumption. The band recorded one more album, Water Came Running, before drifting into the shadows. Abaya and Llapitan reunited in the short-lived Mariya's Mistress in the mid-'90s.