Sandwich (band)

Sandwich (stylized as "< S >andwich" in earlier releases) is a Filipino alternative rock band that was formed in 1995 by Raimund Marasigan (former drummer of Eraserheads) and Diego Castillo (The Aga Mulach Experience) for the purpose of fulfilling their mutual desire to work together. Castillo recruited former band mates from The Aga Muhlach Experience Mike Dizon (Teeth & Pedicab) to play drums and Myrene Academia (Imago & Duster) to handle bass duties. Sandwich was searching for a vocalist when music video director Marie Jamora recommended her friend Marc Abaya (Kjwan). A few years earlier, Marasigan was a judge at a contest where Marc Abaya jammed to a Beastie Boys song with his high-school band, Shirley Beans. Abaya then joined Sandwich. Later, Raimund Marasigan assumed main vocal duties when Abaya left, but they remained a 5-piece band as the missing spot was later filled by Mong Alcaraz of the band Chicosci.

History

Although existing simultaneously with the Marasigan's foremost band at that time, Eraserheads, Sandwich provided a heavier, grittier sound, and built up their own fan base. Abaya was still in college at the time, and Marasigan would still tour occasionally with the Eraserheads, but these weren’t hindering factors for Sandwich, as there were many session musicians ready to take over in case of a member's absence.

In 1999, they signed with Sony Music and released their debut album, Grip Stand Throw, with much success, thanks to its carrier single, "Butterfly Carnival". The band won three awards at the 1999 NU 107 Rock Awards: Album of the Year, Best New Artist, and Song of the Year.

The following year, Sandwich released their second album 4-Track Mind, which was honored as Album of the Year at the 2001 NU Rock Awards.

In 2003, Sandwich parted ways with Sony Music, and released their third album, Thanks To The Moon’s Gravitational Pull, under distribution by PolyEast Records.

Abaya left Sandwich in 2005, in an effort to cope with the difficulty of juggling his job as an MTV VJ, and his obligations to his other band, Kjwan. Marasigan has since taken over sole vocal duties.

After Abaya's departure, the band wrote songs for soundtracks, including "Humanda Ka" for the online game Tantra, and "Nginiig" for the ABS-CBN television program of the same name.

In late 2005, Mong Alcaraz of Chicosci joined the band to solidify Sandwich's new sound and assume guitar duties which Abaya had left behind.

In early 2006, Sandwich released their fourth album, Five on the Floor. This was their first album with Marasigan as the sole frontman. In late-October 2006, their songs "Sugod" and "DVDX" became available on the online music game O2Jam. The video for "Sugod" won five major awards at the 2006 MTV Pilipinas Music Awards, including Video of the Year, Best Director, and Best Editing. In the same year, Sandwich members Mong Alcaraz and Myrene Acamedia won the Best Guitarist and Best Bassist awards at the NU Rock Awards. The following year, "DVDX" won the Best Music Video award from the same awards show.

In 2007, Sandwich performed "Zaido", the theme song for the fantaserye action series Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan, which aired on GMA 7. The song was written by Raimund Marasigan.

In 2008, their fifth album' <S> Marks the Spot, was released. The album received recognition from various awards shows, thanks to its singles Procrastinator and Betamax. In celebration of their 10th year in the industry, Sandwich briefly reunited with former vocalist Marc Abaya in a series of anniversary shows.

This year also started the 4-year relationship with Tanduay as Sandwich became part of Tanduay's First Five wherein 5 of the most popular bands in the country including 6cyclemind had a nationwide tour playing their hits.

In 2010, Sandwich launched their sixth studio album, Contra Tiempo featuring the single Putik, which the band dedicates to the victims of Typhoon Ondoy (international name Ketsana). Lakad was then released as the second single from the album.

2012 was a year where the band had a chance to travel and share their music to different countries. They participated in the Hongkong Clockenflap Music and Arts Festival, Malaysia's Future Music Festival and the Hollywood Bowl with Apl de Ap of the Black Eyed Peas in Los Angeles, USA.

In April, 2013, they have released their newest album entitled Fat Salt & Flame, under Polyeast Records. A vinyl pressing of this album is rumored to be on the works.

Learn more about them at www.sandwich.com.ph

Band Members

Current Member

• Raimund Marasigan - lead vocals, keyboards (1995–present), rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1995-2005)
• Myrene Academia - bass, backing vocals (1995–present)
• Mong Alcaraz - lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards (2005–present)
• Diego Castillo - rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1995–present)
• Mike Dizon - drums (1995–present)

Former Member

• Marc Abaya - lead vocals, unclean vocals, lead guitar, backing vocals (1995-2005)

Discography

Studio albums

• Grip Stand Throw (1999)
• 4-Track Mind (2000)
• Thanks To The Moon's Gravitational Pull (2003)
• Five on the Floor (2006)
• <S> Marks the Spot (2008)
• Contra Tiempo (2010)
• Fat Salt & Flame (2013)

Soundtracks

• Tantra Neo Oriental Fantasy (2005)
  • Humanda Ka Music Video
  • Humanda Ka OST
  • Humanda Ka (Minus One)
• Rounin OST (2007)
  • "Humanda Ka"
• Nginiiig OST
  • "Nginig"
• Super Noypi OST
  • "Super Noypi
• Mga Awit Kapuso: The Best Of GMA Themes Vol. 4 (2008)
  • Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan OST
    • "Zaido"

Commercial Jingles

• Smart Bro Jingle
  • A modified version of Sugod for Smart Communications' wireless internet service.
• Coca-Cola Philippines Commercial Jingle
  • Buhay Coke (2008) and Open Coca-Cola, Open Happiness (2009)
• Chiz Escudero's Campaign Jingle
  • A modified version of Sugod.
• Frenzy Condoms
  • Are We Good
• Cafe Puro
  • A modified version of Betamax

Compilations

• The 2 in 1 Series: Sandwich

Collaborations

• Full Volume (2004)
  • "Right Now (Morse Immediate Mix)"
• Pinoy Ako(2005)
  • "Humanda Ka"
• Kami nAPO Muna (2006)
  • "Bakit Ang Babae"
• CloseUp Season of Smiles Christmas Album (2006)
  • "Close Encounter"
• Sakto Sa Pasko Christmas Album (2008)
  • "Simbang Gabi"
• I-Star 15: The Best Of Alternative & Rock Songs (2010)
  • "Humanda Ka"

Singles

• Grip, Stand, Throw
• Butterfly Carnival
• Sakyan
• Art To Di Too
• Maybe
• Food for the Soul
• Hairpin
• Sometimes
• Right Now
• Two Trick Pony
• Nahuhulog
• Humanda Ka (Tantra Soundtrack)
• Masilungan
• Sugod
• Walang Kadala-dala
• DVDX
• "Super Noypi" for the movie of the same name.
• Sunburn
• "Zaido (Pulis Pangkalawakan)" for the TV Teleserye of the same title.
• Procrastinator
• Betamax
• Selos
• Manila
• Putik
• Lakad
• Pera Pera
• Back for More
• Mayday

Awards and nominations

Awit Awards

Won: Best Performance of a New Duo or Group Recording Artist - "Butterfly Carnival" (2000)

NU Rock Awards

Won: Best New Artist (1999)

Won: Song of the Year - "Butterfly Carnival" (1999)

Won: Album of the Year - Grip Stand Throw and Wolfgang's Serve in Silence (1999)

Won: Album of the Year - 4-Track Mind (2001)

Won: Producer of the Year - "Thanks To The Moon's Gravitational Pull" (2004)

Won: Rock Video of the Year - "Sugod" (2006)

Won: Best Album Packaging - Five on the Floor (2006)

Won: Guitarist of the Year - Mong Alcaraz (2006)

Won: Bassist of the Year - Myrene Academia (2006)

Won: Best Male Award - Mong Alcaraz (2006)

Won: Rock Video of the Year - "DVDX" (2007)

Won: Best Live Act(2008)

Won: Song of the Year - "Betamax" (2008)

MYX Music Awards

Won: Favorite Indie Artist (2006)

Nominated: Favorite Music Video - "Sugod" (2007)

Nominated: Favorite Song - "Sugod" (2007)

Nominated: Favorite Artist (2007)

Nominated: Favorite Rock Video - "Sugod" (2007)

Nominated: Favorite Group (2007)

Nominated: Favorite Guest Appearance in a Music Video - Edu Manzano for "DVDX" (2007)

Won: Favorite Artist (2011)

Won: Favorite Rock Video - "Lakad" (2011)

External links

• Sandwich Facebook page
• EMI Philippines - Sandwich
• Poptimes Magazine Interview
• Sandwich Pinoybanda Profile
• Listen Sandwich music stream
• Sandwich on purevolume