Barbie's Cradle
Encyclopedia
Barbie's Cradle was a Filipino
alternative rock band, formed in 1998 by the remaining members of Barbie Almalbis
's previous band, Hungry Young Poets, and disbanded in 2005 when Almalbis took up a solo career. The band released three albums, Barbie's Cradle, Music from the Buffet Table, and Playing in the Fields, the last two of which featured lyrics notable for their Christian-oriented content, brought about by personal changes in the life of songwriter Almalbis. Aside from Almalbis, members over the years included Rommel de la Cruz who played Bass throughout the band's existence; drummers Franklin Benitez and Wendell Garcia, who were part of the band before and after the release of Music from the Buffet Table, respectively, and Kakoi Legaspi, who took up a second guitar position just prior to the band's dissolution in 2005.
started as a duo in 1997 by Barbie Almalbis
(guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter) and Ricci Gurango (bassist). After releasing their only self-titled album, Franklin Benitez (drummer) would officially complete the trio.
In 1998, Gurango left the band to lead cover band, Little Green Men, before forming MOJOFLY
. With Gurango's assertion of rights to the band's name, Almalbis and Benitez would later rename the group, Barbie's Cradle.
and which recorded the song "Tabing Ilog" to serve as the title song for an afternoon soap opera of the same name. Soon after, the band would release their Eponymous first album, Barbie's Cradle in late 1999.
Drummer Franklin Benitez would leave the band before the release in 2000 of the band's second album, Music from the Buffet Table. Some of the tracks on that album were thus performed by Benitez, and some by Wendell Garcia. That album would be significant for introducing the Christian-themed lyrics that would be Barbie's Cradle's trademark until its disbandment, and of Barbie Almalbis as a solo artist thereafter.
The highly successful trio of Almalbis, De La Cruz, and Garcia, with their now-distinctive spiritually influenced songs, released Playing in the Fields in 2003.
In 2005, Rivermaya guitarist Kakoi Legaspi left that group to become part of Barbie's Cradle. Almalbis, however, decided to take up a solo career, which meant that no full Barbie's Cradle album would be made with the addition of Legaspi's guitar performance. The new Barbie's Cradle sound, with Legaspi's contribution, however, can be heard in the "Good Day" track which was released in Barbie: The Singles, a compilation album released in 2005 featuring songs by Hungry Young Poets, Barbie's Cradle, and Almalbis as a solo artist.
, in UP Diliman's Bahay ng Alumni.
After Almalbis left the band in 2005 to pursue a solo career, the other members of the group eventually took up positions in other bands. Rommel De La Cruz would take up the post of Bass player in Freestyle
, Wendell Garcia became the drummer for Pupil
, and Kakoi Legaspi would be one of the founders of Salindiwa. Franklin Benitez worked with Almalbis again, taking up the drums for Almalbis' later albums as a solo artist.
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
alternative rock band, formed in 1998 by the remaining members of Barbie Almalbis
Barbie Almalbis
* Dahilan* Give Yourself Away* Overdrive * Damsel* Sorry Song* Parading* Little Miss Spider* High * Summer Day* Pag-alis* For The World...
's previous band, Hungry Young Poets, and disbanded in 2005 when Almalbis took up a solo career. The band released three albums, Barbie's Cradle, Music from the Buffet Table, and Playing in the Fields, the last two of which featured lyrics notable for their Christian-oriented content, brought about by personal changes in the life of songwriter Almalbis. Aside from Almalbis, members over the years included Rommel de la Cruz who played Bass throughout the band's existence; drummers Franklin Benitez and Wendell Garcia, who were part of the band before and after the release of Music from the Buffet Table, respectively, and Kakoi Legaspi, who took up a second guitar position just prior to the band's dissolution in 2005.
Origins
The first incarnation, called Hungry Young PoetsHungry Young Poets
Barbie's Cradle was a popular Filipino band, formed by Barbie Almalbis and Franklin Benitez from their previous band Hungry Young Poets...
started as a duo in 1997 by Barbie Almalbis
Barbie Almalbis
* Dahilan* Give Yourself Away* Overdrive * Damsel* Sorry Song* Parading* Little Miss Spider* High * Summer Day* Pag-alis* For The World...
(guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter) and Ricci Gurango (bassist). After releasing their only self-titled album, Franklin Benitez (drummer) would officially complete the trio.
In 1998, Gurango left the band to lead cover band, Little Green Men, before forming MOJOFLY
MOJOFLY
MOJOFLY is a now defunct pop-rock band from the Philippines.Formed in '99 by bassist Ricci Gurango after his departure from Hungry Young Poets, MOJOFLY reeled in mainstream and alternative crowds alike with the debut album Birth Day and follow-up A Million Stories , both released under Sony BMG...
. With Gurango's assertion of rights to the band's name, Almalbis and Benitez would later rename the group, Barbie's Cradle.
Albums and Lineup over the years
The band's original lineup consisted of Barbie Almalbis on vocals and guitar, Franklin Benitez on drums, and Rommel De La Cruz on Bass. This was the lineup that performed at a Manila show by Sixpence None The RicherSixpence None the Richer
Sixpence None the Richer is an American rock/pop band that formed in New Braunfels, Texas, eventually settling in Nashville, Tennessee. They are best known for their songs "Kiss Me" and "Breathe Your Name" and their covers of "Don't Dream It's Over" and "There She Goes". The name of the band is...
and which recorded the song "Tabing Ilog" to serve as the title song for an afternoon soap opera of the same name. Soon after, the band would release their Eponymous first album, Barbie's Cradle in late 1999.
Drummer Franklin Benitez would leave the band before the release in 2000 of the band's second album, Music from the Buffet Table. Some of the tracks on that album were thus performed by Benitez, and some by Wendell Garcia. That album would be significant for introducing the Christian-themed lyrics that would be Barbie's Cradle's trademark until its disbandment, and of Barbie Almalbis as a solo artist thereafter.
The highly successful trio of Almalbis, De La Cruz, and Garcia, with their now-distinctive spiritually influenced songs, released Playing in the Fields in 2003.
In 2005, Rivermaya guitarist Kakoi Legaspi left that group to become part of Barbie's Cradle. Almalbis, however, decided to take up a solo career, which meant that no full Barbie's Cradle album would be made with the addition of Legaspi's guitar performance. The new Barbie's Cradle sound, with Legaspi's contribution, however, can be heard in the "Good Day" track which was released in Barbie: The Singles, a compilation album released in 2005 featuring songs by Hungry Young Poets, Barbie's Cradle, and Almalbis as a solo artist.
After Barbie's Cradle
The band had one last performance as one of the performers at a benefit concert for the Philippine National Red CrossPhilippine National Red Cross
Born officially in 1947, Philippine Red Cross , a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, has roots that trace back to the revolutionary days...
, in UP Diliman's Bahay ng Alumni.
After Almalbis left the band in 2005 to pursue a solo career, the other members of the group eventually took up positions in other bands. Rommel De La Cruz would take up the post of Bass player in Freestyle
Freestyle (band)
-Current members:*Joshua Desiderio *Mike Luis *Rommel dela Cruz *Gerald Banzon *Tat Suzara -Former Members:*Christopher "Top" Suzara *Carlo Tapia *Obet Luzon...
, Wendell Garcia became the drummer for Pupil
Pupil (band)
Pupil is a Filipino rock band composed of Ely Buendia on frontman duties and guitars, Yan Yuzon on lead guitar, Dok Sergio on bass and Wendell Garcia on drums.-Formation:...
, and Kakoi Legaspi would be one of the founders of Salindiwa. Franklin Benitez worked with Almalbis again, taking up the drums for Almalbis' later albums as a solo artist.
Discography
- 1999 - Barbie's Cradle
- 2000 - Music from the Buffet Table
- 2003 - Playing in the Fields
Awards
- 2001 Katha Awards
- Best Electronica Composition, Up and at 'Em (Power Puff Girls CD)
- Best Folk Song, Dear Paul
- Best Folk Vocal Performance, Dear Paul (single) by Barbie Almalbis
- 2001 NU107 Rock AwardsNU Rock AwardsThe NU Rock Awards was an annual recognition program sponsored from 1994 to 2010 by the defunct Metro Manila based radio station NU 107.1. 1994 saw the birth of what is to become the biggest annual gathering of the finest rock musicians in the country—the NU 107 Rock Awards! The very first NU 107...
- Best Music Video, Money For Food (video) by Monty Parungao
- 2000 Katha Awards
- Best Alternative Song, Goodnyt (single)
- Best Album Packaging, Barbie's Cradle (self-titled) by Barbie Almalbis / Yvette Co
- PARI 13th Awit Awards 2000
- Best Album Packaging, Barbie's Cradle (self-titled)
- 1999 New Artist Awards Festival, 99.5RT
- Best New Pop-Alternative Artist, Barbie's Cradle