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Above: 6 Cycle Mind Band

6 Cycle Mind

Place of Origin: Tarlac City, Philippines

Type of Music: Alternative, Pop, Clasic, Reggae, Hip-hop

Existence: 2002 – present

Record Label: Sony BMG

Related Acts: Protein Shake, Afterimage (band)

Band Members

• Bobby “Bob” Cañamo – Bass
• Tito Fortunato “Tutti” Caringal – Drums
• Rhoneil “Ney” Dimaculangan – Vocalist
• Carlos “Chuck” Isidro – Lead guitar
• Ryan “Rye” Sarmiento – Rhythm guitar, Vocals
• Wency “Wen” Cornejo – Keyboard, Vocals

Rhoneil “Ney” Dimaculangan who plays the lead vocals, Ryan “Rye” Sarmiento who does rhythm guitars as well as doing backup vocals, Carlos “Chuck” Isidro who plays the lead guitars Bobby “Bob” Cañamo who performs the bass and Tito Fortunato “Tutti” Caringal who does drums forms the Filipino band known as “6 Cycle Mind” or “Six Cycle Mind / 6cyclemind”. Their band’s genre is a mixture of pop fused with alternative sounds.

People might wonder why a five member band then, had itself named “6cyclemind”. Although that is indeed the case, the members of that group deemed their manager as their sixth member. The band’s albums, namely: “Permission to Shine (2003)”, “Panorama (2005)”, “Home, & Fiesta (2007)”, under the label ”Sony BMG Records Philippines” were all lucrative in their sales value.

Name Derivation

6cyclemind commemorates the five ( 5 ) people that makes up the band including their manager Darwin Hernandez – him being the sixth (6^th) member. Communally, all six ( 6 ) members of the band gives their two ( 2 ) cents worth when it came to writing, arranging and creating ideas. This is their constant series when it came to their conceptualization of their kind of music – consequently coming up with the name: 6cyclemind. Their lead guitarist, Carlos “Chuck” Isidro was previously with the band “Afterimage”. Soon after the break-up of that band, Chuck started working in a recording company. Throughout the duration of his stay, he authorized a band that would be handled by Darwin Hernandez. The two men got into talking and decided to create a band by adding members and eventually calling the band “6cyclemind”.

Albums

• Permission to Shine
• Panorama
• Home
• Fiesta

6 Cycle Mind Collection

• UltraelectromagneticJam: A Tribute to Eraserheads (Sony BMG Music Philippines, 2005)
• The Best Of Manila Sound: Hopia Mani Popcorn (Viva Records, 2006)

Cueshé

Place of Origin: Cebu City, Philippines

Type of Music: Alternative, Pop, Pop Rock

Existence: 2005 – present

Record Label: Sony BMG

Band Members

Ruben Callboy
Jay Baklaan Blues
Jhunjie Bulbol
Fritz Lababo
Mike Manaloto
Jovan Matiti

The band “Cueshé” had its humble beginnings in Cebu, Philippines and its music is considered to be on the OPM-pop-rock genre.

Memoirs of the Band

“Cueshé” happens to be a portmanteau of “cue”, an implication of the Filipino dessert, the banana cue. This local food is mostly found in the streets and is made-up of skewered caramel-coated bananas. The word “shé” (which is enunciated as “shay”) was christen after the band’s previous vocalist who happens to be a female. During the band’s early stages, they would perform as a show band in their hometown of Cebu. They would find time to practice at Mike Manaloto’s bedroom – him being the drummer of the band. This became their very first rehearsal studio. They would then find themselves eating right after their practice with their favorite snack; the banana cue.

On December 24, 2001, the band’s female vocalist was injured during a motorcycle accident. After she had recovered from that said accident, Jay Justiniani took her slot as the vocalist of the band.

Soon after, Ruben Caballero became part of the ensemble. In the beginning, Caballero, alongside Jay, was merely doing vocal. When he took the initiative to modify his skills to a higher level, he soon transitioned into becoming the band’s rhythm guitarist as well as vocalist. The band’s Jhunjie Dosdos is the pianist and / or keyboardist eventually displayed his abilities which he was able to polish during his younger years.

Musical Profession

The band soon focused on thrusting themselves to the “Rock Mecca of the Philippines” – Manila. It was on March 2005 when they decided to pursue their dreams of making it big in the country. This decision led to the band’s career to finally take-off to a whole different level. The band’s singles: “Stay,” “Sorry.” “Ulan,” “Can’t Let You Go” and “24 Hours” were indeed massive hits. They also received a double platinum award for their album “Half Empty, Half Full”. The band was also given honors such as: Favorite Artist, Favorite Group and Favorite Song—for the song “Stay” in the first ever MYX Music Awards. The band also garnered the prestigious title and award of being “SMART Texters’ Choice Hitmaker of the Year” with the 2006 MTV Pilipinas Awards. The band also accepted the coveted title of being “Band of the Year” at the 2006 SOP PasiklaBand Awards. It didn’t stop there. The band also acquired the “Best Breakthrough Artist” at the 2005 SOP Music Awards. The band undoubtedly produced sold-out concerts and gigs. This was all achieved in a one year period.

“Back To Me” is the band’s sophomore album which was released in less than a year’s time. The main purpose of this album was to direct and authenticate the group’s stand as being “pop idols”. When the band made the ten (10) tracks public, it showcased their talent in composing since all songs were written by them. Their initial single had the same title while the second one was entitled: “Borrowed Time”. The band did a revival John Lennon’s classic hit “John Lennon”. This was no surprise since the band members were great fans of MYXThe Beatles.

In addition to all the accomplishments of Cueshé, the band was also able to contribute a song to the tribute album of the “Erasherheads (Ultraelectromagneticjam)” wherein they did their personal version of “Hard To Believe”.

During the 2006 MYX Year End Countdown, the single of the band entitled “Ulan” had reached the number three (#3) spot following its domination in the MYX Hit Chart at #1. This transpired from mid-January 2006 up until the latter part of February 2006. Several Filipino listeners claimed that “Ulan” was too “pang-masa“; in other words, it meant that it was a song that was for the masses. This explains why a lot of rock purists as well as critics dislike the band. Others, on the other hand, illustrate the band as being individual “no talent hacks” and “posers”.

The group shortly recorded the original sound track of the Philippine TV show “Asian Treasures” called “Walang Yamang (Mas Hihigit Sa “Yo),” which was a part of the repackaged edition of the band’s album “Back To Me.”

Amidst Controversy

Ever since the group’s initial single, the band’s detractors and critics labeled them as another musical band that would have a one hit wonder. Rock purists rashly thought of them as a pariah, identifying them as “phonies” and a “sell-outs.”

The band’s song “Stay” was thought of to be a rip-off of the song “Perfect” by Simple Plan and the song “The Greatest View” by Silverchair. However, this was in no way confirmed. The band was being compared to other comrades in the OPM music scene. These were mostly bands such as Hale, Sponge Cola and Bamboo – since they all share similar controversies linking them.

Albums

• Half Emplty, Half Full(2005)
• Back to Me (2006)
• TBA (2008)

Cueshé Collections

• UltraelectromagneticJam
• Mga Awit Kapuso: The Best Of GMA TV Themes Vol. 3

Nominations and Awards

• 2006 MYX Music Awards
  • Favorite Song (Stay)
  • Favorite Artist
  • Favorite Group

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