Rivermaya

Rivermaya, one of the Philippine's most iconic bands during the 90's. They were one of the  successful bands to lead the explosion of alternative rock music here in the Philippines along with the Eraserheads, The Dawn, AfterImage, Parokya ni Edgar, and such.

The band did not start as the legend that we know today. They were managed by Liza Nakpil and was formed and directed by Director Chito Roño who had the idea to form a rock band that would go to road shows and hopefully sky rocket to success which later on happened.

The band started with the name Xaga with 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 as their original members. But as the band progresses, Ilagan was replaced with Perfecto "Perf" de Castro; Azarcon's childhood friend, Mark Escueta, replaced Velayo, and Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac replaced Gonzales. With Bamboo as frontman, the band members disbanded Xaga and the band Rivermaya was formed.


My Personal Take on the Band

Just like my previous blog that features the Eraserheads, I also grew up listening to Rivermaya. But unlike the Eraserheads,  no one inspired me to listen to this band, it was my personal choice since I listened to their hit song "Liwanag sa Dilim". Since then, I have always dreamt of starting a band which eventually came to reality when I started college in Lyceum of the Philippines - Laguna. My first band, "Lyceum Concert Rakkers" was composed of my friends in the school choir who eventually are good musicians, and guess who our influence was? Rivermaya.



1.Rivermaya
          Number 1 hit: 214

2. Atomic Bomb

          Number 1 hit: Elesi

3.  Trip

          Number 1 hit: Kisapmata

4. Rivermaya: Greatest Hits

          Number 1 hit: Liwanag sa Dilim

5. Isang ugat, isang dugo

          Number 1 hit: Padayon

Bloggers Pick

Eraserheads

The Eraserheads, also known as the Philippines' very own "fab-four" because of the band's comparison to United Kingdom's world famous 'Beatles' in terms of the type of music that they play and the lyrics they write which has meanings underlying within.

The band started as an amateur group in 1989 and was formed by four students from the University of the Philippines Diliman. The original lineup was composed of Ely Buendia as the band's frontman, Raimund Marasigan on drums, Marco Adoro on lead guitar and Buddy Zabala on Bass. 

My Personal Take on the Band

In my case, I grew up listening to the voice of Ely Buendia due to the influence of my uncle whose playlist is full of the band's hits. I grew up singing along to the catchy tunes of Tindahan ni Aling Nena, Magasin, Toyang, and especially their greatest hit: Ang Huling El Bimbo.


The Band's Best Selling Albums

1. Cutterpillow
          Number 1 hit: Ang Huling El Bimbo

2. Ultraelectromagneticpop!
          Number 1 hit: Pare Ko

3. Eraserheads: The Reunion Concert

4. Circus
          Number 1 hit: Alapaap

5. Natin99         
          Number 1 hit: Maselang Bahaghari

Bloggers Pick