True Faith (band)
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| True Faith | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines |
| Genre(s) | Pop rock, Experimental |
| Years active | 1993 – present |
| Label(s) | EMI Music Philippines |
| Associated acts | Violent Playground |
| Website | [Truefaith Online - The Official Site] |
| Members | |
| Medwin Marfil - vocals Eugene Marfil - acoustic guitar/vocals Bimbo Yance - bass guitar Kenneth Ilagan - lead guitar Jake Lumacad - keyboards Benedict Esguerra - drums |
|
| Former members | |
| Caryl Campos Eazer Pastor Ferdie Marquez Francis Guevarra Yeng Remulla Jay Valencia Jun Dizon Carlo Sison |
|
True Faith or Truefaith started in 1992, and since then, has become one of the Philippines' most popular and accomplished bands.
The band took its name from New Order's 1987 hit single "True Faith", revealing the group's new wave origins. At first, True Faith mined mid-'80s new wave sounds for its breezy pop formula, but the group eventually ventured further into the Philippine mainstream, firmly embracing middle of the road radio.
Presently, this OctoArts-EMI label band has 11 best-selling albums under its belt . Its music is best described as a blend of jazz, folk, pop and rock music.
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[edit] Early career
In 1993, a demo tape of the band's song "Perfect" -- a romantic ballad with jangling guitars and longing vocals à la the Railway Children and the Lotus Eaters -- hit number one on Manila Top 40 radio station DWRT (now 99.5 Campus FM). The accessibility of "Perfect" opened the doors to the masses, a much larger crowd than the cult of fans who watched them perform new wave covers in small clubs. Signed to EMI music in the Philippines, True Faith's 1995 album, Build, was the group's first big smash, elevating it to superstar status in its native land.
[edit] Awards
Through the distinct powerful voice of its lead singer and founder, Medwin Marfil, the band is able to amass numerous music awards and nominations highlighted in summer of 2000 by an Music Television Asia award for Best Video Award for the video Awit Para Sa Kanya (Song For Her). Although Truefaith didn't win, the nomination brought the band back into the public spotlight. Memories Are Cheap: The Best of Truefaith, 1993-2000 was also released that year, a hugely successful overview of Truefaith's success and a look at how the group evolved from its new wave roots to becoming an easy listening icon. Since then, they've become a favorite contender in every respectable award-giving organization.
As they tour the Philippines through colleges, club circuits, and radio stations, they continue to build a strong following. "Faithfools", the monicker the fans called themselves, look upon the group to hear songs they have popularized like, "Perfect", "Sumasarap ang Gising", and "Dedma".
Truefaith has played alongside famous artists like The Dawn, the late Ric Segreto, Kuh Ledesma, Kulay and many more. They are slated to perform in the United States in the fall of 2005.
True Faith is a band that is newly formed. They are mostly popular for singing the theme song for "Sa Piling Mo" entitled "Dahil Ikaw". This song bagged the Favorite Media Soundtrack category in the recent 2007 MYX Music Awards.
Nevertheless, for many observers, True Faith's nomination was a welcome boost to a rollercoaster career that dates back to their 1993 monster hit, "Perfect", which started life as a demo that spent countless weeks as the no. 1 song on the competitive 99.5 RT Top 40 chart. After riding high as one of the country's top pop bands, True Faith peaked with their 1995 album "Build", which spawned several hit singles such as "Alaala" and "Kundi Rin Lang Ikaw".
[edit] Legal action
"Build" was followed by a messy episode that involved a court case between co-founder and lead singer Medwin Marfil and three founding band members over the use of the band name. An out of court settlement ensued, with Medwin winning full rights to the name. He reformed the band with some old and new members and recorded two more studio albums for the Octoarts-EMI label. The band has only recently (2006) regained its stride, with a top-selling greatest hits album and the nomination of the band's video (by award winning video director Robert Quebral) put them back on the A-List.
[edit] New sound
In May 2006 at an MTV event in Makati the band unveiled a new twist in its sound with the inclusion of a three-piece horn section composed of seasoned members of leading big band Ugoy Ugoy. The result is a more organic soul-based sound that veers away from the electronica splashes added by co-producer (and in-demand remixer) Brian Cua in their last studio outing.
[edit] Current members
- Medwin Marfil - vocals
- Eugene Marfil - acoustic guitar/vocals
- Bimbo Yance - bass guitar
- Kenneth Ilagan - lead guitar
- Jake Lumacad - keyboards
- Benedict Esguerra - drums
[edit] Former members
- Caryl Campos
- Eazer Pastor
- Ferdie Marquez
- Francis Guevarra
- Yeng Remulla
- Jay Valencia
- Jun Dizon
- Carlo Sison
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Perfect (1993)
- Beyond Doubt (1994)
- Build (1995)
- Looking Up (1997)
- Bliss (1998)
- Memories Are Cheap: The Best of TrueFaith 1993-2000 (2000)
- Legalized Intense Vague Emotions (2001)
- Truefaith Live: Myxed Emotions At Halo-Halo (2001)
- Grace (2002)
- Eto Hits...Acoustic (2004)
- Stray To Be Found (2006)
- Dream Journal: The Very Best of Truefaith 1993-2007 (2007)
[edit] Collaborations
- Pasko Para Sa Lahat: All Star Christmas Album (Octoarts, 1996)
- Acoustic Lokal (Viva Records, 2003)
- Tunog Acoustic (Warner Music Philippines, 2003)
- Acoustic Natin (Universal Records, 2004)
- Acoustic Natin 2 (Universal Records, 2005)
- Pinoy Ako (Star Records, 2005)
- Pinoy Ako 2 (Star Records, 2006)
- Pinoy Biggie Hits Vol. 2 (Star Records, 2006)
- The Best Of OPM Acoustic Songs (Universal Records, 2005)
- Superbands (Universal Records, 2005)
- Bandang Pinoy, Lasang Hotdog (Sony BMG Music Philippines, 2006)
- Kami nAPO Muna Ulit (Universal Records, 2007)
- Toblerone National Thank You Day (2007)
- Unforgettable Kisses: Hershey’s 100th. Anniversary (2007)
[edit] Popular Hits
- Perfect
- Ambon
- Huwag Na Lang Kaya
- Muntik ng Maabot ang Langit
- Hi!
- Alaala
- Sa Puso Ko
- Baliw
- Awit Para (Sa Kanya)
- Kung O.k. Lang Sa’yo
- Sumasarap ang Gising
- Dedma
- Dahil Ikaw
- Sayang ang Lahat
- Araw't Gabi
- Ikaw Ang Miss Universe Ng Buhay Ko (a cover of Hotdog Band Original Song)
- Wala Nang Hahanapin Pa (A cover of Apo Hiking Society's Original Song)
- Isang Pangarap Lamang
