Rivermaya

History

Rivermaya is one of the many successful pinoy bands that is rocking the Philippines today. In 1993 the original line up of Rivermaya was Rico Blanco(rhythm guitarist/keyboard player/vocalist), Nathan Azarcon(bass), Kenneth Ilagan(guitar) and Rome Velayo(drums). But it wasn’t too long before they changed their line up again adding Jessie Gonzales as the vocals, and Velayo was replaced by “Bazurak” drummer Marc Escueta. Later on, guitarist Kenneth Ilagan and vocalist Jessie Gonzales was replaced by Perfecto de Castro and Bamboo Mañalac, respectively. There were many instances that the band’s members leaves and is replaced by other musicians, maybe this is their secret to their successful career in the music industry until now.

Signed with BMG Pilipinas Their first self-titled album, Rivermaya was released in 1994 with their hit single “Ulan” together with “214” and “Awit ng kabataan”. With most songs in the album composed by Rico Blanco, people knew that he has talent in writing songs. Their self-titled album became quadruple-platinum in 1995. Shortly after the release of their first album, guitarist Perfecto de Castro left to form his own band and is replaced by Rico Blanco. Because of this Rico’s talent was again observed by the people because of his skills in guitar/keyboard playing and of course composing songs. Their second album, also a quadruple-platinum album, Trip was released in 1996 was sort of a documentary of songs made by Rico Blanco’s learning to play the guitar which included “Himala” and “Kisapmata”. Their third album, Atomic Bomb was released in 1997 the same year they became band of the year. Songs in this album namely, “Hinahanap-hanap kita”, “Elesi”, “Kung ayaw mo, huwag mo “and “If” all became number one in hit charts and became a popular hit that year.

Like other successful pinoy rock bands, they also performed and toured outside the country specifically in the US. After that tour vocalist Bamboo decided to stay together with his family there, leaving Rico Blanco to be the lead singer of the band. They returned to the Philippines and recruited another member, Jay John Valencia for the guitars, since Rico already became the lead vocalist.

In 1999 the released their fourth full-length album, entitled Its not easy being green but it only reached double-platinum status, but it produced three number one hits namely “Nerbyoso”, Shattered Like and Rodeo. In 2000 they independently released their fifth album, Free through the internet because of some problems with BMG Pilipinas. Nonetheless it still became the album of the year during the NU Rock Awards.

In 2001 bassist Nathan Azarcon was replaced Japs Sergio from DayDream Cycle. They also added two guitarists Kakoi Legaspi and Mike Elgar from the band Mr. Crayon and 7 Foot Junior respectively. In the same year when they released their sixth album for the movie Buhay Kamao. Also in the same year, they released their seventh album with their newly signed contract with Viva Records, entitled Tuloy ang ligaya with the carrier single “Umaaraw, umuulan”. Their ninth album, Live and Acoustic was their second album for Viva Records. After the release of Live and Acoustic guitarist Kakoi left the band to join in Barbie’s Cradle. In 2003 they released their tenth album Between the stars and Waves. In 2004 their eleventh album, Liwanag sa Dilim came out with the carrier single Liwanag sa Dilim.

Latest News

In 2005 the album You’ll be safe here was released to be their twelfth album with their hit single You’ll be safe here which was also the theme song for the tagalong TV show called SPIRITS that aired in ABS-CBN that year. Makaaasa ka, an album they released in 2005. Another album was released in the same year entitled Posible which became the theme song for the 2005 Southeast Asian Games. Their latest album was released in 2006 entitled, Isang Ugat, Isang dugo featuring the song “Isang bandila”.

Still going strong, Rivermaya is still united with its current line up, Rico Blanco as the lead vocals/the band’s song writer and he still sometimes plays the guitar or keyboard, Mark Escueta in drums, Mike Elgar in guitars and Japs Sergio in bass.

Must Hear Songs

-Ulan

-Kisapmata

-Himala

-Hinahanap-Hanap kita

-Elesi

-Umaaraw Umuulan

-You’ll be safe here

-Liwanag sa dilim