YEARS ACTIVE: 1989 – 1997; 2004
– PRESENT
Member: DODONG CRUZ, ERAP
CARRASCO, ROBERT JAVIER
90’S HITS: MULTONG BAKLA,
TAKBO, KAPAG NAGUNAW ANG MUNDO, SUPERNOVA SCUM, BASURA, TAO PO, BA-BA-BA-BAYANI,
ATING BAYANI
The Youth is a
Filipino rock band. Their music is a mixture of punk, post-punk and alternative
rock, influenced heavily by Wuds, a pioneering Filipino punk band.
First, it was called
“Boyish Day”; the band was formed in 1989 composed of Dodong Cruz (Bass/Backup
vocals), Erap Carrasco (Drums), Pat Epino (lead guitars) and Zaldy Carrasco
(Lead singer). They played music suitable during the time: New wave,
alternative and punk music, which were common on the radio station (Capital
Radio's) XB 102. The station saw the origins of what would be one of the most
famous local acts of the early 1990s.
Due to musical
differences, the group separated and formed other groups. Dodong and Pat formed
EnVoice, while Erap and Zaldy, together with John Olidan, formed Obscure Tone.
Whenever there were concerts, Dodong, Erap and John always volunteer to do
front acts when nobody doesn't want to. The trio became popular, and they
decided to form a new group called The Youth. Their first underground hit song
was “Amen”. Thereafter, Dodong was named as "kristo". Another member
joined The Youth in the person of Raul Velez. Prior to the release of The
Youth's first self-titled album, John Olidan migrated to Canada. He was
replaced by Robert Javier. With their diverse influences, The Youth was able to
produce their very own signature sound.
In 1990, Richard Tan
of Backbeat Records took them under his wing. They were able to record and
release a self-titled independent/indie album, "The Youth". Like any
other indie production, the album had limited success. It is now considered a
collector's item.
The band started
performing in different underground gigs. They even penned themselves as “Da
Wol” while signing up for the 1990 RJ Battle of the Bands, a contest strictly
for amateur bands only. That means that this contest is meant for bands who
have not recorded any album yet. Even with the indie album under their belt,
they made it to the top and won the contest. Shortly after, Velez and Olidan
left the band. The departure of the two members was immediately replaced by a
single Robert Javier, forming the classic thee-piece line-up of The Youth. As
soon as he started jamming with the band, he injected his own off-beat humor
into the band’s songs and performances. Due to frontman Cruz’s persistence,
Club Dredd finally agreed to book the band in 1991. Considering their
high-volume, high-energy and highly-impromptu performances, the band slowly
established a cult following after several months of gigs. Soon, they became a
headliner of the club. Their shows were sold-out, sometimes twice a week or
more. Thanks to their combined punk, alternative rock, hard rock and satirical
humor, audiences ate up their irreverent humor and distinct musicality. People
returned again and again, each performance having surprises.
Going Major
1993 witnessed the
band’s signing to a major label. A few months after Eraserheads were signed to
BMG Music Pilipinas, The Youth was contracted by Universal Music. This started
the so-called “alternative music boom”. In 1994, the band released their debut
album, "Album na Walang Pamagat" (trans. Album Without a Title). It
contained the carrier single "Multo sa Paningin (Multong Bakla),"
which became an instant hit. Javier started writing songs. The Youth gained
massive airplay on different radio stations across the nation, and the album
was certified Platinum.
In 1995, The Youth
started recording their follow-up album, "Tao Po". However, the
album's release was delayed due to the band's hectic schedule in doing concerts
all over the country. In 1997, the much-awaited "Tao Po" was finally
released. Though the album sales were similar to that of their debut album, the
reviews were mixed, partly due to the local alternative rock's commercial
decline. With lack of airplay and promotion, gigs slowly declined as well.
Breakup/Post-The
Youth/Reunion
Relationships between
members were a stress especially for the two opposing songwriters whose
influences caused the break-up of the band. Fans were in complete shock when
frontman Dodong Cruz pursued a solo career and unexpectedly scored a deal with
JML Records, marking the end of the band’s heyday. The two remaining members
went ahead and formed Warehouse Club. Cruz's solo career was a moderate success
as his debut album, Experimento hit gold status. As the label revamped into a
newly formed Star Records, Cruz faded into obscurity for several years.
Then in November 1999,
The Youth reformed and performed at Mayric’s. The gig was supposed to be a
one-night reunion show only. However, the band’s magic was ever-present which
inspired them to continue recording and get back into the mainstream.
Currently, The Youth
is composed of Dodong Cruz as the band's vocalist and guitarist, Robert Javier
on bass and vocals, and Erap Carrasco on drums. In 2004, the band released a
song as part of the Jack Daniel's In Session: Manila compilation.
In 2012, The Youth finally
came back to the OPM rock music scene with their much awaited 5th and reunion
album Pirata.
Members
Current members
Dodong Cruz (vocals, guitarist)
Erap Carrasco (drums)
Robert Javier (bassist, vocals)
Former Members
Pat Epino (lead guitarist)
John Olidan (bassist)
Raul Velez (guitarist)
