Side A Band

YEARS ACTIVE: 1985 – PRESENT

90’S GROUP ROSTER: JOEY BENIN, NALDY GONZALES, JOEY GENEROSO,

ERNIE SEVERINO, KELLY BADON

90’S HITS: FOREVERMORE, TELL ME, LET THE PAIN REMAIN, ANG AKING

AWITIN, WILL I EVER, SO MANY QUESTIONS, TULOY PA RIN AKO

Side A is a Filipino pop band formed in 1985 who gained recognition in the Filipino music scene in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, best known for their hit single "Forevermore".

Dubbed as the Philippines' answer to Toto, Side A was founded in 1985 by the brothers Rodel and Naldy Gonzalez, with Joey Benin, Kelly Badon, Mar Dizon and Pido Lalimarmo. They released their eponymous debut album in 1989. They are managed by a Christian-oriented artist management company called Artistation Inc., owned by the late Wyngard Tracy.

Current members

    Naldy Gonzalez - keyboard, vocals (1985–present)

    Ernie Severino - drums, vocals (1990–present)

    Leevon Cailao - lead guitar, vocals (2005–present)

    Ned Esguerra - bass guitar, vocals (2008–present)

    Yubs Esperat - lead vocals, acoustic guitar (2015 - )

Former Members

    Rodel Gonzalez - lead vocals, saxophone (1985- 1995)

    Pido Lalimarmo - guitar, vocals (1985-1990)

    Mar Dizon - drums (1985-1990)

    Kelly Badon - lead guitar, vocals (1985-2005)

    Joey Benin - bass guitar, vocals (1985-2008)

    Joey Generoso - lead vocals, guitar (1990-2015; brother of TV director Pinggoy Generoso)

Rodel Gonzalez one of the founder of this prestigious Filipino band break away by creating in 1995 another musical band called Second Wind. He went to pursue his Christian ministry totally sacrificing and giving up this band during its most prestigious and successful career for the purpose of glorifying his creator and advanced his career making disciples. He now resides and continued on advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ in the United States of America.

Kelly Badon left the band to form The Kelly Badon Project with former members of Freeverse and was replaced by former Take One guitarist Leevon Cailao (making him the youngest member of the band). His debut with the band features him singing Fra Lippo Lippi's "Later" on their Gig: All Hits Live (at Bagaberde) album. The new live album obtained minimal success.

Joey Benin also left Side A. He currently tends a fish farm and a developing natural organic farmland in Silay, Negros Occidental with his wife and kids. He was replaced by Ned Esguerra, former Freeverse member.

Joey Generoso also left the band to pursue a solo career under the name "Joey G."

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The Dawn

 YEARS ACTIVE: 1985 – 95; 2000 – PRESENT

90’S Members: JET PANGAN, FRANCIS REYES, CARLOS BALCELLS, JB LEONOR

90’S HITS: IISANG BANGKA TAYO, BABAENG MAHIWAGA, SALIMPUSA, TALAGA NAMAN, SALAMAT (Salamat was from their 1989 album)

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".

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. 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. 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. 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. Heavily influenced by the new wave genre of the 1980s, "Enveloped Ideas" is distinct for its introductory operatic vocals a la Klaus Nomi.

At the height of their popularity, and just weeks after the release of their second album I Stand With You, containing the title track, "Magtanim Ay 'Di Biro" and "Love (Will Set Us Free)", after that, 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 - is actually rock guitar virtuoso Noel Mendez who will eventually form the band HAYP) 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 as the band released Beyond the Bend. Matsuura was featured on the music video of "Salamat".

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.

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 2003, Carlos Balcells left the band in order to perform his duties as city councilor in his native Talisay City, Negros Occidental. 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.

In July 2009, the band launched their eleventh studio album, Sound The Alarm. The album features The Dawn's latest guitarist Kenneth Ilagan, formerly of True Faith and Rivermaya. Francis Reyes, who had been with the band for the last 18 years, left after what Jett Pangan called a "hard meeting". Pangan also went on to state that Reyes was welcome to rejoin the band.

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The Youth

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)

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Alamid

YEARS ACTIVE: 1987 – PRESENT
90’S GROUP ROSTER: GARY IGNACIO, DEXTER FACELO, THALLIE FACELO, GAIL IGNACIO, PAKU HERRERA, ROEL MANGYAO
90’S HITS: YOUR LOVE, CHINA EYES, SAMA-SAMA, HESUS, BATIBOT, ATING BAYANI

The two main members Gary Ignacio and Dexter Facelo met while attending the St. James Academy in Malabon. In 1993, they signed to Warner Bros. Records (Warner Music Philippines) and released three albums.
Their hit single "Your Love" was named Song of the Year at the NU107 Rock Awards in 1995. In 2006, it was covered by Erik Santos generating renewed interest in the band, although Ignacio and Facelo constituted the band at that time. 

They were managed by Dodong Viray until his demise. They had further success with the songs "Just Wasn't Brave Enough" and "Still Believe in Love" while the intro to "China Eyes" was used for ABS-CBN sitcom Palibhasa Lalake.
In 1995, the song "Batibot" was used as a theme song for the children's show of the same name. They collaborated with the rapper Francis Magalona on the song "1896".
The band continue to play live both in the Philippines and abroad.
On April 17, 2015, former frontman Gary Ignacio died due to multiple organ failure.

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