BAMBOO
Above: Bamboo Band
Type of Music: Pinoy Rock, Rock, Aternative Rock, Jazz Fusion
Existence: 2002 – present
Record Label: EMI Philippines Inc.
Related Acts: Rivermaya, Passage, Kapatid, Introvoys
Website: bamboo.com.ph
Band Members
Francisco “Bamboo” Mañalac (Vocals)
Nathan Azarcon (Bass)
Ira Cruz (Guitars)
Vic Mercado (Drums)
“Bamboo” happens to be a Filipino band whose genre is mostly alternative. The band was formed by “Rivermaya”’s previous front man – Bamboo Manalac.
Beginnings
Bamboo Mañalac operates as the group’s vocalist. The band is not named after the vocalist – contrary to the mainstream belief. In the words of Ira Cruz, the guitarist of the band, the bamboo signifies resilience as well as strength with a twist of “island feel” to it. To add to that statement, it has a distinct “Filipino” as well as an “Asian” sense to it. The main idea for the band’s name in the duration of 2000 was “Audio Barangay” which meant “Audio Neighborhood” when translated to the English language. In spite of this, the band members recognized that it was a tad bit tricky and not at all catchy as well as being forgettable if one was to compare it to “Bamboo”. They unanimously shelved the name “Audio Baranggay” since “Audioslave” came together approximately the same period that their band was starting out. They did this to shun confusion – and rightly so.
After four years of leaving the band “Rivermaya”, Bamboo and Azarcon found each other once again, realizing that they were at the same stage in their music career. It was then that Azarcon introduced Bamboo to Ira Cruz and Vic Mercado. Bamboo Mañalac and Nathan Azarcon were both former members of the band “Rivermaya”. Ira Cruz was a former instrumentalist of “Passage”, same with Vic Mercado. Aside from “Passage”, Mercado was also a drummer for another band – “Kapatid”.
Musical Calling
Bamboo created rampage when he released the band’s debut album “As The Music Plays” in Febuary of 2004. It was an album that garnered acclaimed reactions from critics, fans and music lovers alike. The album was triumphant in winning multiple awards at the NU107 Rock Awards, MTV Pilipinas 2004 and AWIT Awards. The band’s sophomore album was released in 2005 entitled: “Light Peace Love”. It comprises of ten (10) songs coupled with variation of themes and dispositions. This album took the band just three ( 3 ) months to record. This record of theirs had a more subtle and gentler sound which is evident in its delivery and lyrics. This particular album consists of more strings and chords paired with an assortment of instruments such as a trumpet. This specific record had a more personal touch to the band members. The band had conducted experiments with a number of fresh music methods that had the potential to delight new listeners. There was a huge gamble in creating disappointment with the current fan-base who loved and appreciated their usual take on rock music during their first album.
“We Stand Alone Together” is the band’s third album. It was released in 2007. This record includes an array of revived local songs with the likes of Buklod’s “Tatsulok” as well as globally known songs like Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” that originated from different generations. The album also has bonus tracks such as unplugged versions of the band’s hits from their former albums. This would include songs like “Hallelujah”, “Mr. Clay” and “These Days”. The band continued to shape sounds which had a way more jazzy feel to it, more than predicted. This was because they wanted to do away with the usual rock image that was associated with them.
The ABS-CBN TV Production supported “Star Records” along with MYX to construct and generate the official soundtrack for the tele-epiko “Rounin”. The title track of the show which is “Argos” was carried-out by Bamboo. This was a new opportunity that was given to the band. The song “Argos” was allegedly said to be the group’s initial venture to record a song for a primetime TV series. Moreover, this was the first time for the multi-awarded Bamboo as well as Star Records to establish a working relationship with each other.
Bamboo also plays a role in the “Days of Peace” Campaign along with Gary Valenciano and UNICEF.
Other information regarding the band Bamboo:
Albums
As The Music Plays (2004) – Double platinum
Light Peace Love (2005) – Platinum
We Stand Alone Together (2007) – Gold
Compilations
Full Volume:The Best Of Pinoy Alternative (2005 EMI Philippines) includes As The Music Plays (Jam Version)
Rounin OST (2007 Star Records) includes Argos
Astig…The Biggest OPM Hits (2008 Universal Records)
Awards
• SOP Music Awards 2005
Strictly Alternative Category Winner: “Hallelujah” – Bamboo
• SOP Pasiklaband 2006
Best Rock Band: Bamboo
Vocalist of the Year: Bamboo Mañalac
• MTV Pilipinas 2004 Music Awards
Favorite New Artist/Group: Bamboo for “Noypi”
Favorite Song: “Noypi” – Bamboo
Favorite Group: Bamboo for “Noypi”
• MTV Pilipinas 2005 Music Awards
Favorite Media Soundtrack: “Fiesta Amazing” (Smart) – Bamboo
• MTV Pilipinas 2006 Music Awards
Best Cinematography in a Video: Bamboo for “Much Has Been Said”
• 18th Awit Awards 2005
Best Performance by a New Group Recording Artist: “Noypi” – Bamboo
Best Rock Song: “Noypi” – Bamboo
People’s Choice Favorite Song: “Noypi” – Bamboo
• 19th Awit Awards 2006
Album of the Year: Light Peace Love – Bamboo
Best Performance by a Group: Bamboo
Song of the Year: “Hallelujah” – Bamboo
Best Ballad: “Much Has Been Said” – Bamboo
Best Rock Song: “Hallelujah” – Bamboo
People’s Choice Award: Bamboo
Most Promising Entertainer: Bamboo
• NU Rock Awards 2004
Vocalist of the Year: Bamboo Mañalac
Song of the Year: “Noypi” – Bamboo
Drummer of the Year: Vic Mercado of Bamboo
Listeners’ Choice Award: Bamboo
Band of the Year: Bamboo
• NU Rock Awards 2005
Vocalist of the Year: Bamboo Mañalac
Album of the Year: Light Peace Love – Bamboo
Listeners’ Choice Award: Bamboo
• NU Rock Awards 2007
Guitarist of the Year: Ira Cruz
Bassist of the Year: Nathan Azarcon
Drummer of the Year: Vic Mercado
Best Live Act: Bamboo
Artist of the Year: Bamboo
Listener’s Choice Award: Bamboo
• 93.1 RX Year End Awards 2004
Song of the Year: “Masaya” – Bamboo
New Local Artist of the Year: Bamboo
Local Group of the Year: Bamboo
• 89.9 TM Year End Awards 2004
Song of the Year: “Masaya” – Bamboo
New Local Artist of the Year: Bamboo
Song of the Year: “Noypi” – Bamboo
• 19th ALIW AWARDS 2006
Most Promising Entertainer – Bamboo
Best Major Concert – (Group) Bamboo
