The history of rock music in the philippines.

 

The United States occupied the Islands in 1898 until 1946, and introduced American blues folk music, R&B, and rock and roll became popular. In the late 1950s, native performers adapted Tagalog lyrics for North American rock n'roll music, resulting in the seminal origins of Philippine rock. The most notable achievement in Philippine rock of the 1960s was the hit song "Killer Joe," which propelled the group "Rocky Fellers" which reached number 16 on the American radio charts.

Up until the 1970s, popular rock musicians began writing and producing in English. In the early 1970s, rock music began to be written using local languages, with bands like the Juan Dela Cruz Band being among the first popular bands to do so. Mixing Tagalog, and English lyrics were also popularly used within the same song, in songs like "Ang Miss Universe Ng Buhay Ko," by the band Hotdogs which helped innovate the Manila sound. The mixing of the two languages (known as "Taglish"), while common in casual speech in the Philippines, was seen as a bold move, but the success of Taglish in popular songs, including Sharon Cuneta

 

's first hit, "Mr DJ," broke the barrier forevermore.

Philippine rock musicians added folk music, and other influences, helping to lead to the 1978 breakthrough success of Freddie Aguilar. Aguilar's "Anak" (Child), his debut recording, is the most commercially successful Filipino recording, and was popular throughout Asia, and Europe, and has been translated into numerous language by singers worldwide. Asin

 

also broke into the music scene at the same period, and were popular.

Folk-rock became the Philippine protest music of the 1980s, and Aguilar's "Bayan Ko" (My Country) became popular as an anthem during the 1986 EDSA Revolution. At the same time, a counterculture rejected the rise of politically focused lyrics. In Manila, a punk rock scene developed, led by bands like Betrayed, The Jerks, and Urban Bandits. The influence of New Wave was also felt during these years, spearheaded by The Dawn

.

The 1990s saw the emergence of a superstar pop-rock group, the Eraserheads, considered by many Philippine nationals as the number one group in the Philippine recording scene. In the wake of their success was the emergence of a string of influential Filipino rock bands such as Yano, Siakol, Parokya ni Edgar, and Rivermaya

, each of which mixes the influence of a variety of rock subgenres into their style.

Filipino rock has also developed to include some hard rock, heavy metal, and Alternative rock such as Razorback, Greyhoundz, Slapshock

, Grin department,and the progressive band Paradigm.

 

 

Many of the so called “under ground” bands existed, though their exposure is limited to the public. Naming a few, The Zombies of Ateneo de Manila ( with Grigo Mendoza as front man), Circle’s End of Diliman (with Geno Georsua as “the dramatic song writer"....where are you going you're already there.) and the ethnic group band of Southern Philippines, the Kudyapi ni Bandong (with Zac Dugiung “string master”.)

The Neo-Traditional genre in Filipino music is also gaining popularity, with artists such as Joey Ayala

, Grace Nono, Bayang Barrios, Cocojam, and Pinikpikan, reaping relative commercial success while utilizing the traditional musical sounds of many Indigenous tribes in the Philippines.

 

 

Today, the Philippines has notable bands such as Pupil, Hale, Sponge Cola, Callalily, GreenLush, Chicosci, Bamboo, Silent Sanctuary, Rocksteddy, Kjwan, Kamikazee, Cueshe, Itchyworms, Imago, The Ambassadors, Moonstar 88, Faspitch,and Urbandub, and the emergence of its first virtual band, Mistula.

In the Reggae Scene, Cebu is dubbed to be the "Reggae Capital of the Philippines" with the most numbered Reggae artists. Some of the influential reggae bands from cebu is Cooliedread and the Microphone Commanders, Bambu Spliff, Potent Bush, Roots Revival, Sefyla, Santing Scalawags, and more!