Jayson fernandez rivermaya biography of martin luther

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Then suddenly, someone pitched the word "Maya," and in an instant, they knew. Something was missing.

Its reach went regional and won the hearts of many music fans across Asia and Europe.

"Been waiting for this since I was [in] grade 6... Nung 'di bumalik si B from the US," Paolo Valenciano wrote in an Instagram Story, sharing his ticket to the upcoming Rivermaya reunion concert.

They recruited three different musicians to fill in the space left by the former members. Little did they know then, they'd just begun the process of creating something atomic.

After a few changes to the lineup, these kids found themselves as the opening act for the Eraserheadsat a gig in Las Piñas. It's definitely going to be a big one; a show that will make its mark in Philippine music history.

Bandwagon, with the help of Mark Escueta and former members of the group, banded together to make a rundown of Rivermaya's history from 1993 to the present, the lineup changes, and all the music they put out throughout their career.

1993

The Lineup:

Jesse Gonzales (vocals)
Kenneth Ilagan (guitars)
Nathan Azarcon (bass)
Rome Velayo (drums)
Rico Blanco (keyboards and backing vocals)

This was a simple time, when a group of five young guys got together to figure things out and test their chemistry as a band.

1993

The Lineup:

Jesse Gonzales (vocals) but soon replaced by Bamboo Mañalac
Kenneth Ilagan (guitars)
Nathan Azarcon (bass)
Mark Escueta (drums)
Rico Blanco (keyboards and backing vocals)

For the second lineup of the group, Nathan Azarcon brought his preschool buddy Mark Escueta and high school classmate Bamboo Mañalac into the fold.

This 5-song EP is released on the band's own label, Revolver Music, and licensed to Warner Music Philippines.

Rivermaya held auditions for a new vocalist. Days after his departure, former members Japs Sergio and Nathan Azarcon took over bass duties in live shows. The TRO prevents Nakpil from claiming sole ownership of the "Rivermaya" band name while the case and appeal issued by both parties are still being studied by the court, thus allowing Escueta to continue using the band name regardless of Nakpil's pending application for registration of the trademark "Rivermaya" name in the Intellectual Property Office .

Fourth and fifth evolution of line-up (2011–2016)

On February 22, 2011, Rivermaya's official Facebook page announced that they would release their music video titled "Remenis" [Reminisce] and will formally introduce their new members, Ryan Peralta who was the band's regular session player and Norby David of the band Overtone.

Departure of Jayson Fernandez (2011)

On August 28, 2011, Jayson Fernandez left Rivermaya after 4 years with the group citing musical differences as the primary reason.

This new line-up allowed Rico Blanco to handle vocal duties full-time during live shows.

Together, this lineup released Tuloy ang Ligaya ['The Fun Continues'], preceded by the EP "Alab ng Puso" [Fire of the Heart], featuring a remix by Raimund Marasigan's Squid 9.

"We are Rivermaya!": The "classic lineup" reunion reminds us why they're still the ‘Banda ng Bayan’

12 studio albums, three EPs, and multiple member changes later, Rivermaya are facing their 30th-anniversary head-on with a reunion concert at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Pasay City on 17 February 2024.

Bamboo Mañalac was invited as well however it was reported that he was out of the country on that date. It will be with the "classic lineup"—Bamboo Mañalac (vocals), Mark Escueta (drums), Nathan Azarcon (bass), and Rico Blanco (keyboards, guitars, and backing vocals)—focusing on their second and third albums, Trip and Atomic Bomb, with a little bit of their self-titled debut album.

During this period, Rivermaya also released the "Rivermaya Remixed" album, put together with the help of DJ Toti Dalmacion of Groove Nation.

Departure of Bamboo Mañalac and second evolution of line-up
The band then embarked on a US and Canada tour. One of these hopefuls was Diego Mapa, who performed with them at a school event and the NU Rock Awards.

Just picture yourself as one of their fans and then you suddenly become a member. Rico Blanco and former manager Lisa Nakpil attended a Daydream Cycle gig in Malate and spotted 21-year-old bassist Japs Sergio. They called him over to talk and invited him for a jam session at Escueta's house.

Since 2012, Mark Escueta, Mike Elgar and Norby David simultaneously switched over the lead vocal duties.

On March 19, 2013, Rivermaya released the album Panatang Makabanda ['A Vow for the Band Passionate'].

On January 9, 2016, members from the original classic line-up consisting of Perf de Castro, Nathan Azarcon, Mark Escueta and Rico Blanco were re-united at 19 East, Taguig City after an invitation from de Castro following his gig.

This signaled a new line up change.

Rico Blanco and Mark Escueta remained as members. Completing the lineup were familiar local guitar heroes, Victor "Kakoy" Legaspi (from blues band Mr. Crayon) and Mike Elgar (from 7 Foot Junior) as well as Japs Sergio (from Daydream Cycle) on bass guitar. Aside from the band members, main judges are Rivermaya manager Lizza Nakpil, The Dawn guitarist Francis Reyes, and Razorback bassist Louie Talan.