Rivermaya revs up for the 2009 Singtel Singapore F1 Grand Prix

Rivermaya as a band started in 1994. The pioneering band members were Bamboo Mañalac, Nathan Azarcon, Rico Blanco, Perfecto de Castro and Mark Escueta.

Mark, being the sole remaining pioneer member candidly narrates, “This will sound a bit funny but back in 1993 the group was originally slated to be a manufactured-commercial-rock-showband that would play cover songs in bars and clubs, our former agent’s idea. Musicians would come and go but it was Nathan Azarcon, who felt strongly about taking in this keyboard player from Laguna named Rico Blanco. Nates was really impressed, and amused, by Rico’s rendition of Metallica’s “Seek and Destroy” on the portable keyboard. Nathan’s a pretty persuasive guy, especially when it comes to music. He got his way right away, and Rico became part of the group. He also took the initiative to invite me to jam with his “new band”. We had been bandmates in “Bazurak” all throughout high school and he really wanted me to join him. Upon Nathan’s recommendation, I eventually replaced the first drummer (Rome Velayo) when he left the group for undisclosed reasons. Later on, after the first vocalist (Jesse Gonzales) was asked to leave the band, he would offer the same to his good friend Bamboo Mañalac because Nathan noticed he was fond of singing. Perfecto de Castro, who was already known for his skillful guitar playing, became our most logical option to replace the first guitar player (Kenneth Ilagan), since he owned the rehearsal studio where we used to jam and already knew most of our songs just from hearing us rehearse. Kenneth left the group for personal reasons, moved on and joined numerous bands including Violent Playground, Mulatto and True Faith. He is now playing guitar for The Dawn.”

“For a few weeks we would go by the name “Xaga” and perform at the now ‘classic’ Faces Disco in Makati. Please don’t ask me the why’s and how’s behind the name because, again, it was our former agents’ idea. After trying the rock-showband set-up for a short while, we we’re very sure that that was NOT what we wanted to do. Rico already had some original songs written prior to his joining the band, I believe Perf had some too, and we all knew we could write more. Eventually we eagerly dumped the whole ‘rock-showband’ idea, we disbanded Xaga (thank God!) and we went nameless for a while as we started to compose more songs. Then, in Cecile’s (a restaurant across an empty lot in Las Piñas where we we’re set to go onstage as front act for would-be-legendary Eraserheads), we knew we had to decide on a name because we had to be introduced by the host right? Haha! Bamboo, Nathan, Rico, Perf and I really liked the word ‘River’ and had grown attached to it and, according to Bamboo, it was Perf who suggested adding the word ‘Maya’ to complete our name. It served our purpose well enough because we wanted a name that had “pinoy flavor” but not too much. We played our first gig as Rivermaya and went on to release our first album under BMG Records. So there you have it, Nathan Azarcon practically formed the band and from the minds of 5 musicians from the south, the name Rivermaya was borne,” Mark explains.

In November 2004, the band released their self-titled debut album. The years 1995-1997 started testing the band when guitarist Perfecto de Castro left the band due to artistic and musical differences. Rico Blanco switched from keyboard to guitar duties and the band was still able to release several albums entitled “Trip”, “Atomic Bomb”, and “Rivermaya Remixed”.

The band went on its first US Tour in 1998. However, the then vocalist Bamboo, decided to leave the band to pursue his studies and return to his family in the United States. Rico Blanco assumed the vocalist position.

Rivermaya was left as a trio but was still able to release the album “It’s Not Easy Being Green”.

Year 2000 saw Rivermaya going ‘indie’ and shocking the Philippine music scene by giving away their music for free over the internet and at their gigs. Their album, entitled “Free” won the Album of the Year award at the NU Rock Awards.

Then bassist Nathan Azarcon left the band in 2001 so the remaining Mark Escueta and Rico Blanco had to discreetly search for new members all over the Metro. The simple jam sessions they held at Mark’s house then were actually disguised auditions that finally led them to invite Mike Elgar (guitar), Kakoi Legaspi (guitar) & Japs Sergio (bass) to join the band. Then Rivermaya signed a contract with Viva Records and the album “Tuloy Ang Ligaya” was released soon after.

In 2003 the band released the album “Between the Stars & Waves” and went on its second US Tour in Long Beach, San Jose, Vallejo, San Diego, San Francisco, Chicago and New York. But in 2004,guitar player Kakoi Legaspi left the band which went on as a foursome. Yet the band’s success continued the following year winning the MTV Asia Awards Philippines’ Favorite Artist 2005, Pattaya Music Festival 2005 in Thailand and creating the Athletes’ Anthem, “Posible” (”Possible”) for the South East Asian Games 2005. They even performed at the Grand Finale of the SEA Games Opening Ceremonies in 2005 that was simulcast to eleven ASEAN countries. They were also able to make the United Nations Millennium Development Goals Anthem; title track of UN anthem called “Tayo-Tayo Rin” (”No One Else But Us”) and was nominated Best Album and Best Music Video at the Catholic Mass Media Awards 2006.

They won the Best Music Video in 2006. But it seemed to be only the start of much bigger successes outside the country. With the help of Viva Records and Warner Asia-Pacific, they released their first Asian album entitled “You’ll Be Safe Here.” They also performed at Channel V’s “The [V] Party” in Zouk, Singapore, the Fat Festival 2006 in Bangkok, Thailand, the Esplanade Mosaic Music Festival 2006 in Singapore, the Grand Pattaya International Music Festival 2006 in Thailand and won the MTV Asia Awards Philippines’ Favorite Artist 2006 and became MTV Philippines’ Favorite Group: Record-breaking 4-time winner (2002-2006).

Then the theme music for The First Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition in July 2006 adopted Rivermaya’s “Alab ngPuso” (”Brave Hearts”) as theme. Continuing the assent of their career, they won the First MYX Music Awards 2006 – Top Prize of Favorite Music Video 2006; Favorite Media Soundtrack 2006 (”You’ll Be Safe Here”), the 19th Awit Awards 2006 – Music Video of the Year for the Best Song Written for Movie/TV/Stage Play (”You’ll Be Safe Here”).

Then 2007 saw the band’s resilience being tested again. Bagong Liwanag televised auditions were held after the unexpected departure of former vocalist.

Mike, Mark & Japs were left to release the Bagong Liwanag EP and their song entitled “Sumigaw” became the new station ID for Studio23. Rivermaya also became the endorser of Nike, HUMAN & JB Music. It was on that year that Jayson Fernandez became the newest member of Rivermaya which then won front act rights for the world famous foreign band Vertical Horizons at the Araneta Coliseum. Rivermaya was also asked to do a special performance at Asian Idol in Jakarta, Indonesia that year.

Rivermaya Singapore F1 Grand Prix

Since last year, Rivermaya has been a four-man band composed of Jayson Fernandez as vocalist and guitarist, Mike Elgar as lead guitarist, Japs Sergio on bass and Mark Escueta on drums. They all do backup vocals as well as “self-manage” the band. They released the all-new, all-original, 16-track album entitled “Buhay” (Life) under Warner Music Philippines and became the newest endorsers of San Miguel Pale Pilsen releasing the new arrangement of the 2004 SMB Oktoberfest Jingle. They were also commissioned to do a Special show for Filipino OFW’s in Taoyuan, Taiwan. They also represented the country in the 2008 Asian Song Festival in Seoul, Korea.

This year, a new benchmark falls yet again under the belt of the rather patriotically inclined ban as they become the only Filipino band to represent the musical artistry from the country in the Singapore Grand Prix.

Each of the members are very excited to perform in the world’s much awaited race.

“It’s still pretty unbelievable to be included in the lineup. It’s a lovely honor and I’m pretty nervous and excited at the same time,” says Japs.

Mike shares the same sentiment saying, “We’re honored to perform alongside major artists like Chaka Khan, The Backstreet Boys, Travis, and many more. We’re definitely excited.”

Meanwhile, Mark candidly admits, “It’s a great honor, and there’s no other way to say that. We’re the first to represent our country in this sort of event and we will do our best to give everyone a hefty serving of rock and roll, Pinoy style.” “I’m still hoping I can get to test drive one of the cars…. sige na nga… kahit pa-picture lang. Haha!”, he jokes.

“Performing during the Singapore GP is great but we’re also excited to watch the race!!! Hehe. And of course, we’re all looking forward to watch different bands that will perform there. This is one of the best gigs we have this year!”, says Jayson.

Coincidentally, the band’s elation about performing the event is described in their soon to be released new album, “Closest thing to heaven”.

Despite the many successes their band has achieved, Rivermaya remains true to their nationalism and still very flexible to roll with the tides, knowing that they are continuing to help the Philippine Music Industry that they had help to propagate in the new generation.

As Mark says, “I’d like to think that our biggest “achievement” is in our small contribution to building on the momentum started by internationally acclaimed Filipino artists such as Cecile Licad, Freddie Aguilar, Lea Salonga, just to name a few. Now even Indie-Filipino bands have an expanding doorway into the Asia and the rest of the world because of the quality of work done by these people.”

As for this website that is also helping the industry, Rivermaya says, “Thank you so much! Rivermaya wishes you the best of everything and we hope to work with you in the very near future.”

1. September 22nd, 2009 at 4:29 am
   alfred Says:

   ……♥♥long live!!!”RIVERMAYA”

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