Filipino Bands

After fronting rock and roll bands during her teens, Lolita Carbon met Cesar "Saro" Bañares, Mike Pillora, and Pendong Aban in Kola House, a folk rock club, and then decided to form their own musical group, naming it Salt of the Earth.

Asin (sometimes spelled ASIN, in all capital letters) is a Pinoy rock and folk rock band from the Philippines. They were formed during the 1970s and originally known as Salt of the Earth from the song of Joan Baez. They later changed their name to "ASIN", which means salt in theFilipino language.

Asin was the first group to incorporate Filipino indigenous instruments into pop/rock music. They also studied Filipino tribal music and did what they could to be true to the origins of the music. Instead of plagiarizing the indigenous music they set about educating people about respecting the origins of the music and representing it with agreement from the tribal sources.

Asin was also important in the political world and although they did not set out to be a political band they reflected the political message needed for the times. This should be seen against the backdrop of martial law during the time of President Ferdinand Marcos. Occasionally their recordings were confiscated as subversive, yet, on the other hand they were invited to play at the Presidential Palace.

After 10 years of being disbanded, the group returned with a new album, "Our Place Under The Sun" with the carrier single "Musikero", released under Viva Records.

What do ten years mean to you?

For a band like After Image, it could mean roughly the time they were on top of their game—a successful run in the recording business, producing such enduring hits as "Next In Line," "Habang May Buhay," and "Mangarap Ka." They amassed a fan base that has turned their affinity to the band into impressive sales figures. Formed roughly in 1987, the band enjoyed a status not many of their colleagues are fortunate enough to reach. But then, they decided to take a break—a long one, if you ask their fans.

It's almost another ten years, then, since they last officially recorded the albumTouch The Sun. Now the local music scene is filled with emo music while rock ballads were popular during their heyday. Faced with this scenario, the main members of the After Image curiously find that their schedules have finally allowed them to do what they have been toying around in their heads for a few years now: they want to re-form the group and possibly go on tour.

When they received an offer to tour the States early last year (thanks to other local acts that have successfully staged their own tours catering to Filipino crowds mixed with a good number of curious Westerners), the band decided that it would be best to come out with an album first. After all, would you go to a battle unprepared?

Midway last year, the band spent some time in the studio to finally write—or should we say, fine-tune—new songs. Almost everyone from the original line-up was accounted for. Now with a full album finally recorded under Viva Records, titled Our Place in the Sun, we find new revisions in personnel: The producing tandem of Wency Cornejo (vocals) and Arnold Cabalza (keyboards) and Nino Messina (bass) are still there. But there are two new members: Gereon Arcay (guitars) and Gibby Viduya (drums).

And now, they have produced a new album, a 12-track collection of new songs that are a mix of rock, heavy ballads and everything in between. On paper, it sounds as if it's the same surefire formula behind the band's past successes, but there's a certain deliberateness about their songwriting now. Some fans may even catch the subtle nuances that truly mark the changes in the band's music.

In "Musikero," the band salutes their brothers and sisters whose gift of song helps make the world a truly good place to live. Fans and new listeners can now look forward to the title track (penned by Arnold), whose dynamic rhythm and memorable melody play up solidly to Wency's U2 influences. 

Wency also penned "Finding It Hard to Believe," a classic big rock ballad with an updated feel, whose soft keyboard intro gives way to rocking verses and an infectious chorus. In this song, Wency employs a rougher vocal style, the grit that the song needs and that allows it to transcend the "power ballad" classification. The album also holds a trump card—a hidden track that promises to be one of the most interesting collaborations this year, bringing together two iconic voices of Pinoy rock together.

Wency puts all the band's new efforts now into perspective: "We're not necessarily aiming to be the hottest thing out there, but we'd like to still be relevant, respected and still making good music...kuntento na ako sa ganun," says Wency.

After Image is all about forging connections, then and now. The relevance Wency is looking for lies in the songs—through these, their listeners will realize that although almost a decade has gone by, when the music speaks to the soul, time doesn't really matter.

Our Place Under the Sun hits retail outlets this month under Viva Records. You may download After Image's latest album Our Place Under The Sun at www.fliptunes.net. As a special treat to fans, a special version of their single "Standing By Your Side" is available to online buyers.

Afterimage was a Filipino Alternative Rock / pop rock band who was active in the 1990s. The group disbanded after 11 years and made three studio albums. After disbanding, Wency Cornejo, the band vocalist, pursued a solo career. Afterimage was the band behind the commercially popular songs "Habang May Buhay ['While There's Life']," "Next in Line", and "Mangarap Ka [Dream)."

The band's first album, entitled Touch the Sun, was released in 1992 on Dyna Records (now Dyna Music). Among the eight songs that the album contained, four were released as singles: ("[Bai] Sa Langit ang Ating Tagpuan," "Only You," "Next in Line," and "Pagtawid"). The title of the album, which was the concluding part of the lyric to "Next in Line," was said to have just been a spontaneous utter of phrase which Cornejo made during the recording session for the said song. The band's having thought that the phrase--"touch the sun"--had captured the essence and concept of the entire album prompted them to use it as the album's title. The recurrent theme of the songs in the album was a personal expression of hopes, frustrations, and self-renewal—which the band hoped to touch not only their own lives but also the lives of other people.

The album is also said to be a celebration of about 4 years of musical experimentation. According to them, "It is quite difficult to put all the songs in the album in one perspective, considering they encompass so many growths the band has undergone."

The band was composed of five members: Bobit Uson on Bass Guitar, Chuck Isidro on Lead Guitar, Rogie Callejo on Drums, Arnold Cabalza on keyboards and Wency Cornejo on vocals. Francis Reyes (The Dawn) was the former guitarist of this band before Chuck Isidro (6cyclemind).

In 1994 at the height of the first band craze in the Philippine music scene, Afterimage released their second album titled Tag-araw, Tag-ulan. The album's name was taken from two singles from the album, the album's carrier single "Tag-ulan" topped many charts in the Philippines and was awarded a Gold Recorda Award, later the follow-up single "Mangarap Ka" became a great hit for the band & at the 1995 Awit Awards it was named Album of the year, A Few months after winning the awards Niño Mesina became the band's newest bassist making Bobbit Uson hold the guitar for the band together with Chuck Isidro.

In 2001, After Image was disbanded due to manager conflict.

But in 2008, after 7 years of disbanded, the band returned and reunited again for their new album, "One Place Under The Sun." from Viva Records since their last album in 1995 from Dyna Records when Wency Cornejo went solo and moved to Viva Records the following year..

Compilations of 6Cyclemind

• Ultraelectromagneticjam!: The Music Of The Eraserheads (Sony Music, 2005)
• The Best Of Manila Sound: Hopia Mani Popcorn (Viva Records, 2006)
• Gusto Ko Ng Rock (Sony Music, 2009)
• Tambayan 101.9 (Star Records, 2009)

Soundtracks

• When i Met U: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Sony-BMG, 2009)

6cyclemind comes from the 5 members plus their manager, Darwin Hernandez of Soupstar Entertainment as the 6th person. Collectively, they all contribute to the composing, arranging and brainstorming, which is a continuous cycle in their creation of music, hence 6cyclemind. Carlos "Chuck" Isidro was the former lead guitarist for Afterimage. When Afterimage disbanded, Chuck, worked in recording company. During his stay, he signed up a group managed by Darwin Hernandez. Both of them talked and chose to form a band by adding members, which became 6cyclemind.

FANS ASK: WHY 6CYCLEMIND? 6CYCLEMIND may have only five members visible when performing but behind the public’s eye is a sixth member. The music that 6cyclemind creates is a result of each of the six members ideas combined into one. HISTORY: 6cyclemind is the result of a group of friends’ desire to play and create music. Around two years after being formed and playing from no pay to small budget gigs, 6cyclemind got their break and signed a three-album contract with BMG Pilipinas (now Sony BMG Music Entertainment). Late 2003, their debut album Permission to Shine was released. After several hits and nominations, the band got back to the studio to record their second album which they released October of 2005. Entitled Panorama under the merged company, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, the album was able to beat the sophomore jinx with each of the singles released proving to be hits. Panorama was soon a certified Gold Record by December 2006. Amidst all the busy schedules, 6cyclemind managed to record and release two albums on 2007. January 2007, Home, which showcased the band’s rendition of several songs which they most feel at home with was released. Home was declared a gold record late 2007. Come October of the same year, their latest offering Fiesta came out in the market, featuring songs which capture the mood of Philippine festivals. MUSIC: 6cyclemind’s music is what we could label as “alternative/pop crossover”, basically the fusion of alternative music and pop music. They write songs conveying positive themes with the hope of alleviating our plight in these difficult times. From the time that they appeared into the local music scene, music authorities have tagged 6CYCLEMIND as “the band to watch out for”. As their music progressed and reached the heart of the Filipino people, 6CYCLEMIND proved to be worthy of attention and indeed, something to watch out for. WHAT’S MAKING THEIR MINDS TICK? With the band on billboards nationwide as the latest endorser of Tanduay (the country’s number one rhum brand) – T5, FG Denim Revolution clothing, and leading shoe brand GBX, the success that the band has achieved is evident. It is not a secret though that 6cyclemind toiled hard enough before earning the prime spot that they are currently in. Ney, Rye, Chuck, Bob, and Tutti may have come from different backgrounds with their passion for music, but nevertheless found each other and pursued one path. In between all the promotions and projects that 6cyclemind goes around with, the band still managed to squeeze in several projects such as the following: Alapaap (Ultraelectromagnetic Jam: A tribute to the Eraserheads); Bonngahan (Hopia Mani Popcorn: The Best of Manila Sound). They have been recently commissioned by the ABSCBN Foundation Inc. to be the performer for Sagot Kita, the theme of their project S4S (Schools for Schools). 6cyclemind is now promoting their fourth album, Fiesta, their first from the renewed three-album contract under Sony BMG Music Entertainment. The carrier single, Magsasaya, proved to be another hit, and follow-up single, Aaminin, has been a crowd favorite on gigs since the first time they performed it.

6cyclemind (or Six Cycle Mind) is a Filipino band composed of Ney Dimaculangan on lead vocals, Rye Sarmiento on rhythm guitars and backup vocals, Chuck Isidro on lead guitars, Bob Cañamo on bass and Tutti Caringal on drums. Their music can be labelled as a fusion of alternative music and pop music. They have successfully released two albums under Sony BMG Records Philippines -- Permission to Shine(2003) and Panorama (2005).

They have successfully released four albums under Sony BMG Records Philippines and the following are: Permission to Shine (2003), Panorama (2005), Home (2007) & Fiesta! Magsasaya Ang Lahat (2007). Their 5th album "Project: 6cyclemind" was recently released last June 2009.

They're currently performing for the Tanduay's First Five along with Rico Blanco, Chicosci, Sandwich and Bamboo.