Rivermaya

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Current line-up of Rivermaya
Background information
Origin	Manila, Philippines
Genre(s)	Pinoy Rock
Years active	1993–present
Label(s)	SonyBMG (Philippines) Viva Records
Associated acts	Triaxis Bamboo
Website	www.rivermaya.net
Members
Rico Blanco (vocals, keyboards, guitars) Mark Escueta (drums) Mike Elgar (guitars, backup vocals) Japs Sergio (bass)
Former members
Nathan Azarcon (bass) Perfecto de Castro (guitar, 1993) Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac (vocals) Victor "Kakoi" Legaspi (guitar, 2003)

Rivermaya is a Filipino pop/rock band formed in 1993. Having won the Favorite Artist Philippines award at the MTV Asia Awards in 2005, they received their second award of the same title at the 2006 awards night held at Bangkok, Thailand. They also won in the 1st MYX Music Awards (Philippines) held last June 6. They won awards for the Favorite Music Video and Favorite Media Soundtrack categories with the song You'll Be Safe Here.

1 History
2 Discography
3 Singles
4 Commercial Endorsements (Local)
5 External Links

[edit] History

Rico Blanco auditioned as a rhythm guitarist/keyboard player for a yet un-named new band that was managed by Lizza Nakpil and Chito Roño. He, along with Nathan Azarcon became the first two members of that band. Guitar player Kenneth Ilagan and drummer Rome Velayo completed the initial lineup, with Blanco singing vocals. Jessie Gonzales was recruited later on to do the vocals, and Marc Escueta replaced Velayo on drums. Later on, Perfecto de Castro and Bamboo Mañalac replaced the guitarist and vocalist, respectively.

With regards as to how the band's name was formed, Blanco really liked the name of Pinoy band Rizal Underground. He came up with hundreds of other possible names but Rivermaya was the one his bandmates chose. They were still planning to change it, but the first time they publicly called themselves Rivermaya, they all thought that it sounded right for them.

In the beginning, Rivermaya was at odds with the percolating music scene. In 1994, most of the bands had risen through the underground club scene. Their membership belonged to a loose community that gravitated around clubs such as Red Rocks and later, Club Dredd. They had paid their dues, but they hardly played any gigs until they landed a record deal, and almost immediately scored a hit single with "Ulan" (Rain).

One thing was undeniable, however: Rico Blanco could write songs. A string of radio hits followed, each one winning converts. "Ulan" was followed by "214," "Elesi," "Himala," "If," "Kung Ayaw Mo, H'wag Mo"-each an instant pop classic, each bearing an unmistakable stamp of authorship.

Shortly after the first album's release, guitarist de Castro departed to form his own band. Rather than look for a new guitar player, Blanco filled in. That whole second album ("Trip," 1996) is a documentary of Blanco's learning to play guitar. The keyboardist is always the dorkiest member of the band. Playing guitar pushed Blanco forward, into the spotlight. Fans began to notice him more.

As if to seal the changes that had taken place, Rivermaya released their fifth album independently in 2000, and gave it away for free on the Internet. "Free" remains the favorite album for many hardcore fans, not only because it was a gift from the band, but also because it marked Blanco's recorded debut as frontman, and included the highly-charged "emo" anthem, "Faithless," revealing hitherto unexplored emotional depths.