Introvoys
Encyclopedia
Introvoys is a Filipino
pop rock
band, now based in Los Angeles, California
, USA.
Their 1989 debut album, called "Back to the Roots" was a "diamond in the rough". After two duds for singles, Dyna Records, which was the band's label, was ready to drop them. However, fate had a different plan. "However Which Way" which was the band's third single shot all the way to No. 1 in Metro Manila
in just 2 weeks. After a month, the ditty became the country's No. 1 song thus paving the way for a national tour for the Introvoys. Culled from the same album are certified No. 1 singles such as , "Calling All Nations","Maynila" and "Lullabye" among many others.
Their second album sealed Introvoys' status in the mainstream. Born from this album were songs that are now classified as standard hits. These songs are "Will I Survive", "Di Na Ako Aasa Pa", "Binibini" and "Are You Happy". Eventually, the album shot to quadruple platinum status earning the Introvoys the tag "the No. 1 Band in the Land!".
In 1994 they released Line to Heaven album which has melodies that are catchy and pop-inflected, some of which are imbedded in rock-styled arrangements. The carrier single was written after Arespacochaga suffered a terrible tragedy, the loss of his parents in a car accident. He left the band in 1996 rejoined in 2000.
In 1995, Jonathan Buencamino left the band for health and personal reasons. It was during this time that Introvoys invited Paku Herrera of Neocolours
to carry on Jobert’s chores.
Ira Cruz
, who had played with Introvoys from 1987 to 1991, joined Passage and Kapatid. In 2001, Ira rejoined Introvoys for the short-lived reunion run. After nothing much happened since, Ira decided to pursue other interests.
After years of hiatus and a brief reunion in 2001, followed by another period of creative resting, they decided work on a new album entitled "A Brighter Day" in 2005.
In December 2006, the band released a follow-up album entitled, "New Beginnings" - A collection of major hits arranged in new renditions and introduced two new members, Steve Guadiz (guitars) and Chot Ulep
(bass).
In April 2009, Tim De Ramos joined the band as the new drummer while Arespacochaga assumed duties as the new lead guitarist.
In October 2011, at the Tanduay Rockfest, Arespachochaga performed signature Introvoys hits including "Line To Heaven" and "Di Na Ako Aasa Pa". Buoyed by the warm welcome he got from the crowd, he said, “Salamat. Maraming, maraming salamat. By next year, kasama ko na ang buong banda.”
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
pop rock
Pop rock
Pop rock is a music genre which mixes a catchy pop style and light lyrics in its guitar-based rock songs. There are varying definitions of the term, ranging from a slower and mellower form of rock music to a subgenre of pop music...
band, now based in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, USA.
Background
Introvoys was formed in 1986 by 3rd-G Cristobal, Paco Arespacochaga, and Jonathan Buencamino.Their 1989 debut album, called "Back to the Roots" was a "diamond in the rough". After two duds for singles, Dyna Records, which was the band's label, was ready to drop them. However, fate had a different plan. "However Which Way" which was the band's third single shot all the way to No. 1 in Metro Manila
Metro Manila
Metropolitan Manila , the National Capital Region , or simply Metro Manila, is the metropolitan region encompassing the City of Manila and its surrounding areas in the Philippines...
in just 2 weeks. After a month, the ditty became the country's No. 1 song thus paving the way for a national tour for the Introvoys. Culled from the same album are certified No. 1 singles such as , "Calling All Nations","Maynila" and "Lullabye" among many others.
Their second album sealed Introvoys' status in the mainstream. Born from this album were songs that are now classified as standard hits. These songs are "Will I Survive", "Di Na Ako Aasa Pa", "Binibini" and "Are You Happy". Eventually, the album shot to quadruple platinum status earning the Introvoys the tag "the No. 1 Band in the Land!".
In 1994 they released Line to Heaven album which has melodies that are catchy and pop-inflected, some of which are imbedded in rock-styled arrangements. The carrier single was written after Arespacochaga suffered a terrible tragedy, the loss of his parents in a car accident. He left the band in 1996 rejoined in 2000.
In 1995, Jonathan Buencamino left the band for health and personal reasons. It was during this time that Introvoys invited Paku Herrera of Neocolours
Neocolours
Neocolours was formed 1988, out of the remnants of a mid 1980s vocal group, in Manila, Philippines. Founding members were: Jimmy Antiporda , Ito Rapadas , Marvin Querido , Josel Jimenez , Paku Herrera and Nino Regalado . At that time the pop music genre in the Philippines was dominated by solo...
to carry on Jobert’s chores.
Ira Cruz
Ira Cruz
Ira Cara Cruz is a multi-award winning Filipino musician, composer and producer. He is the lead guitarist of Hijo and former member of Bamboo, Introvoys, Passage and Kapatid.-Introvoys :...
, who had played with Introvoys from 1987 to 1991, joined Passage and Kapatid. In 2001, Ira rejoined Introvoys for the short-lived reunion run. After nothing much happened since, Ira decided to pursue other interests.
After years of hiatus and a brief reunion in 2001, followed by another period of creative resting, they decided work on a new album entitled "A Brighter Day" in 2005.
In December 2006, the band released a follow-up album entitled, "New Beginnings" - A collection of major hits arranged in new renditions and introduced two new members, Steve Guadiz (guitars) and Chot Ulep
Chot Ulep
Chot Ulep is a Filipino songwriter, bassist and financial trader. He was born on July 15, 1974 in Quezon City, Philippines....
(bass).
In April 2009, Tim De Ramos joined the band as the new drummer while Arespacochaga assumed duties as the new lead guitarist.
In October 2011, at the Tanduay Rockfest, Arespachochaga performed signature Introvoys hits including "Line To Heaven" and "Di Na Ako Aasa Pa". Buoyed by the warm welcome he got from the crowd, he said, “Salamat. Maraming, maraming salamat. By next year, kasama ko na ang buong banda.”
Current members
- Jonathan Buencamino - Lead vocals
- Paco ArespacochagaPaco ArespacochagaPaco Arespacochaga is a Filipino musician best known as the drummer of the band Introvoys. He is best remembered for his song "Line to Heaven". The song was said to be inspired by the loss of both his parents.-Personal life:...
- Guitars/Backing vocals - JJ Buencamino - Keyboards
- Chot UlepChot UlepChot Ulep is a Filipino songwriter, bassist and financial trader. He was born on July 15, 1974 in Quezon City, Philippines....
- Bass guitar - Tim De Ramos - Drums
- Steve Guadiz - Lead guitar