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Sino Mas Magaling Para Sa Inyo: Slapshock, Greyhoundz, Queso or Chicosci?
If you wonder why I compare these four bands, meron kasi silang things in common eh. They started almost the same time, played the same music genre, still active up to now and most of all, THEY ALL HAVE MATURED MUSICALLY.
If you wonder why I compare these four bands, meron kasi silang things in common eh. They started almost the same time, played the same music genre, still active up to now and most of all, THEY ALL HAVE MATURED MUSICALLY.
Jamir Garcia ::: vocalist
Jerry Basco ::: guitarist
Lean Ansing ::: guitarist
Lee Nadela ::: bassist
Chi Evora ::: drummer
Slapshock was formed by five musicians on February 1997 in University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. They started as a rap-metal group which later developed to a more diverse rock band. Most of the early gigs were college sponsored events, fairs and also some club gigs like Club Dredd and Mayric’s which are the pinoneer rock clubs in Manila. The band was signed in 1998, when rap-metal was a hit in the U.S as well as in the Phippines. Slapshock pioneered that genre here, delivering high intensity performances always giving their audiences not just entertainment but an experience worth remembering.
They released their first platinum selling album entitled 4th Degree Burn under EMI Music Philippines in 1999 which instantly made them the country’s premiere rock band. They consistently released hit albums year after year, Headtrip (2001), Project 11-41 (2002), Novena (2004) and Silence (2006). They have practically toured the whole Philippines as far north as Isabela and Baguio to down south as Davao, Gensan and Cotabato. They’ve done shows in almost all of the key cities like Cebu, Dumaguete, Bohol, Boracay, Bacolod and Ilo-ilo.
Slapshock has garnered numerous awards during their entire career. They are consistent winners at the annual NU 107 Rock Awards. They won Best New Artist and Listener’s Choice in 2000. They won Band of the Year, Best Bassist and again a Listener’s Choice Award in 2001. They were again Band of the Year, the year after. They were also Philippines’ representative to the MTV Asia Awards 2003 in Singapore and presented an award to LINKIN PARK.
Once again, last March 7, 2008, marked a historic event for Slapshock as they represented the Philippines and Asia. They became the first ever Filipino and Asian artist to be invited to participate in the Dubai Desert Rock Festival. It’s the most prestigious annual rock event in the Middle East with thousands of rock afficionados gathering from all parts of the globe. They shared the stage with KORN, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, VELVET REVOLVER,AS I LAY DYING,MACHINE HEAD AND MUSE.
Slapshock is more than a decade old now in the music industry. They just released a Greatest Hits Album called Recollection which contains all the hits and singles from all the five studio albums spanning a decade. To date, they have sold over 150,000 units for all their released albums in the Philippines. They are the only band amongst those signed during the post grunge and rap-metal boom era that is still visible and still active today. They’ve come through with the alternative, acoustic, revival and bossa nova waves that has entered and left the Philippine music scene. Slapshock now has that distinct sound and performance style that continues to make believers and fans. Never had any line up or member changes, Slapshock remains intact with a solid rock fanbase.
* Reg Rubio - vocals
* TJ Brillantes - drums
* Audie Avenido - guitars
* Niño Avenido - bass
* Allen Cudal (deceased) - guitar
Greyhoundz is a Filipino band specializes in genres like Indie, Hardcore and Rap Metal. During the 90’s, they were considered as the meanest and heaviest band in the country, able to bridge Heavy Rock and Hip Hop- two norms in music which cannot go on together.
Greyhoundz is currently a four-some band, composed of Reg Rubio as the band’s vocalists, TJ Brillantes on drums, Audie Avenido on guitars and Niño Avenido on basss. Allen Cudal was once included in the list as guitarist however, he died on May 6, 2006 in a car accident.
History:
The Avenido Cousins, Audie and Niño, formed the band Greyhoundz on 1997. The name was borrowed from the band of Audie’s father. Simply, like any other band, they just wanted to compete in a local battle of bands. The contest however, was cancelled, so they decided to audition at Club Dredd.
Everything during the late 90’s was influences mainly by foreign trends: food, fashion and even music, name it, it is simply stereotypical. They have met Reg who also played in a band at Club Dredd. The two recruited him and since then, they have been enjoying his presence.
As the decade faced a new horizon, the Philippine music scenery was totally blown by a single demo recording. The demo was heard in NU107’s In The Raw program. The single was named “Pigface” and the artist, Greyhoundz.
For those who heard the song were amazed for it was the first time in the airwaves that the kind of music was being played. The sound was referred as “new alternative” and its acceptance was unbelievable. The “New Metal” genre was conceived.
Being new in the industry, the band was best described as brave, bold and aggressive. The Pigface spread throughout the country and at last, the Pinoys have something to be proud of. As more and more fans were recognized, a solid and massive fanbase was created. This really took off when the band released its much-anticipated debut album.
The album was entitled 7 Corners Of Your Game, released on 1999 under Sony Music Philippines. Spawning the rawest and most powerful yet appealing songs, Greyhoundz proved their versatility in songwriting. The album includes hit singles like Mr.Pig, Leech and Party At 802. The album went on to its Platinum Status.
On 2001, another Sony Music Philippines’ recording was released. This self-titled album produced instant favourites as Jack In The Box, Hole and Your Puppet And Clown. Fans expected an equally good or a better album than the first, and they were right. In addition, encompassed in the Spider-Man movie music compilation .was one of the Greyhoundz’ song “Even” from the album, making them the first Asian artist to be included in this international project.
On mid 2005, Greyhoundz again released its third album dubbed as Apoy. The album was released under the label of EMI Philippines. With 13 tracks, the album boasts the presence of Francis Magalona, Gloc 9 and Otso Queso in “Koro”.
Despite the unexpected demise of a brother, Greyhoundz never did a time-out. Instead, all this they dedicated to the one above, who wants nothing than to do their best and be the best. They have played at numerous events, collaborated with the country’s famous acts and headlined some of the shows. From Luzon to Visayas to lower Mindanao, Greyhoundz toured them all.
Currently, with many rock bands sprouted as aggressive as Greyhoundz did before, but still, Greyhoundz stood up true and steadfast, fearless and ambitious. And the fans grew even bigger.
Queso is a Filipino band known very well for their daring act as they were considered widely as the most creative, innovative, experimental, unpredictable and uncompromising group to ever hit the Philippine music scene. They won the local World Battle of the Bands though did not win on its international competition on Hong Kong.
Queso is currently composed of Ian Tayao on vocals, Enzo Ruidera on guitars, 2ts/Tuts Calinawan on bass, Robert dela Cruz on drums, CJ Olaguera on percussions, Paolo “8” Toleran on guitars and Biboy Garcia on turntables.
Queso started around 1994 with the name ”Cheese”. Enzo Ruidera, 2ts Calinawan and Pow Rosal were schoolmates and decided to put up a band for them to have something to do after classes. Unexpectedly, they were winning battles of the bands left and right and things getting serious at the time. Thinking something bigger, they asked Ian Tayao, cousin of Pow Rosal as the band’s vocalists. During the time, Cheese started to write originals. CJ Olaguera was constantly with the band and eventually played the band’s percussions. In anyway, he had added new texture to the sound of the band.
Breaking the scene on 1996, fearing not what others have to say, or caring what other think is right or wrong, proper or improper. Daring to oppose the standards, they crafted music they call their very own. Performing with energy, Cheese claimed the stage their own, jumping and just being crazy on stage.
As the band gaining numerous gigs at different bars and club, 8 Toleran asked Ian if he could audition and luckily, as fate would have it, he was accepted since the band was looking for another guitarist. Another friend and a Dj, RT de Ano was absorbed into the band. It was always nice to have a dj for a band.
On 1997, Cheese released a two-song self-titled E.P. This demo contained tracks Fine and The Way. Fine eventually garnered a decent airplay in radio stations and topped the charts in no time. Cheese then captured the attention of Warner Music Philippines and signed a recording contract with the label.
1998 saw the release of full-length, debut self-titled album under Warner Music Philippines. The album took the radio airwaves by surprise, garnering critical and various awards. Earning peers and contemporaries alike, they made solid followers.
Cheese went on to spread what they have. They have travelled and rocked almost all the stages in every cities of the country. They were even tapped to represent the Philippines during the Pusan Rock Festival 2000 in Korea. There, they showed how Filipinos jump around, make noise, own and kill a stage.
On the recording of their sophomore album, Biboy Garcia went on, replacing RT de Ano. On 2001, Cheese released Pilipinas. As critically acclaimed, the album was considered as “the richest rock release of the year”. The album was released under Warner Music Philippines.
Cheese officially announced its new name into ”Queso” by 2003 for the reason that kids were calling them on that name. On the same year, Pow Rosal left and Robert dela Cruz replaced him and continued touring throughout the country.
As the Queso started writing originals again, the band released a DVD Documentary “Buhay Queso” on 2005. The following year, the band finished their third album, Queso.
Queso also won the World Battle of the Bands locally. It earned them the chance to compete for the World title which was held in Hong Kong. However, the band failed to grab the title. They even failed to be with the top three. But it was a sweet success for them.
Awards
• Producer of the Year- Maly Andres, “Cheese album”
• Vocalist of the Year- Ian Tayao, NU 107 Rock Awards 2001
• People’s Choice Award- NU 107 Rock Awards 2001
• Album of the Year- “Pilipinas”, Nu 107 Rock Awards 2001
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Albums
1. Cheese (2-song demo)
2. Cheese (full-length album)
3. Pilipinas
4. Queso
Current Members:
Vocals - Miguel Chavez
Guitars - Miguel Alcaraz
Bass - Carlos Calderon
Guitars - Ariel Lumanlan
Drums - Macoy Estacio
Former Members:
Guitars - Sonny Baquisal
Drums - Joel Salvador
Percussions - Eugene Esquivias
What started out as a group of young college kids from the Ateneo de Manila University, CHICOSCI was originally composed of Miguel Chavez, Mong Alcaraz, Carlos Calderon, and Joel Salvador. The four enjoyed playing together so much that they decided to take their music seriously by recruiting guitarist Sonny Baquisal and long-time friend Eugene Esquivias to solidify the songwriting process. CHICOSCI won an interschool Battle of the Bands and spent the prize money in recording a demo - an investment that landed them a two-album record deal with EMI-Virgin Philippines. The band released the albums Revenge of the Giant Robot (2000) and Method of Breathing (2002).
The highly-successful debut record established CHICOSCI as one of the forerunners of the new generation of rock. Revenge spawned hits such as “Amen”, “Soopafly”, and the MTV hit, “Sink or Swim”. This album was also nominated to the prestigious Awit Awards for Best Rock Recording. Their first-ever music video (Sink or Swim), directed by Lyle Sacris, also won as the Best Directed Video for the 2001 MTV Pilipinas Awards.
Never satisfied and always trying out new things, the band continued to work on redefining their sound. Shifting their musical direction to a more melodic style, they sought Raimund Marasigan (Eraserheads and Sandwich) for guidance in working with their second album. True enough, both audiences and critics embraced the new sound of CHICOSCI. Method of Breathing included several hits such as “Glass is Broken”, “Rolento”, and the highly-infectious “Paris”. Interestingly, “Paris” holds the record for the most number of weeks a song (foreign or local) has stayed in a countdown. It stayed in the NU107 Midnight Countdown for more than 52 weeks and giving CHICOSCI the Song of the Year award at the 2002 NU 107 Rock Awards.
In 2004, the band released their third album, Icarus, under Viva Records. The band again enlisted the help of Raimund Marasigan, who tagged along Buddy Zabala (Eraserheads and The Dawn), to produce the bands most experimental album. In May 2004, the band gained media recognition by becoming MTVs Lokal Artist of the Month. The songs “Theme from Conversation with Fire”, “Shallow Graves”, and “An Argument”, enjoyed media airtime, also went into the NU 107 Midnight Countdown and Year-end Countdown.
Last June 6, 2006, CHICOSCI released and launched their self-titled fourth album. Having been in the studio for more than a year, the band boasts it as being their best work to date. A self-produced effort, the band again attempts to give listeners something new to look forward to. Focusing more on catchier melodies and earnest lyrics, the new album redefines the bands already distinct sound with MTV-generation pop sensibilities. With this new record, the band hopes to further expand its fanbase and touch those who might share the bands life experiences.
With the release of their carrier single “A Promise”, CHICOSCI gained more popularity as their market grew. CHICOSCI is busy promoting the album through gigs and events here in Manila and in the provinces as well. Aside from this, they continue to play for annual school fairs, corporate events, and variety shows. Upcoming gigs also include dates around the country - Laguna, Pampanga, Baguio, Bicol, Olongapo, Cebu, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao, among others.
Achievements:
Favorite Artist of Philippines - MTV Asia, 2008
Best produced album - “Method of Breathing,” 2002 NU107 RockAwards
Song of the year - “Paris,” 2002 NU107 RockAwards
Guitarist of the year - Mong(2002 & 2006 NU107 RockAwards) and Sny(2002 NU107 RockAwards)
Best Director - Lyle Sacris for “Sink or Swim,” 2001 MTV Pilipinas Music Awards
Best Designed Album Cover - “Revenge of the Giant Robot,” 2001 NU107 RockAwards
Male of the year - Mong, 2006 NU107 RockAwards
Nominations:
Album of the year - “Icarus”, 2004 NU107 RockAwards
Guitarists of the year - Mong and Sny, 2004 NU107 RockAwards
Best album packaging - “Icarus”, 2004 NU107 RockAwards
Drummer of the year - Joel, 2002 NU107 RockAwards
Best rock recording - “Sink or Swim,” 2001 Awit Awards
Song of the year - “Sink or Swim,” 2001 NU107 RockAwards
Best music video - “Sink or Swim,” 2001 NU107 RockAwards
Best new artist - 2000 NU107 RockAwards
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