Rivermaya

Rivermaya

A Filipino Alternative Rock group,Rivermaya comes across as band influenced by the new wave of the 80’s and has been channelized by the abundance of energy that flows with the lyrics. Rivermaya was born in 1993 and has been swinging between the two extremes of credibility and mass appeal. Formed by the band manager Lizza Napkil, Rivermaya started with Perf de Castro on guitar, Bamboo Manalac on vocals, Rico Blanco on keyboards, Mark Escueta on drums and Nathan Azarcon on bass. Rico Blanco and Nathan Azarcon were the first two members of the band. Since 1993, Rivermaya has performed many tracks that has a rock-alternative appeal and this added to their popularity. The rise to the top was not the easiest of task and staying on the top isn’t going to be easy either.

BMG Records Pilipinas released the first album by Rivermaya in 1994. This was the time when the rock revolution was on a high in Philippines and Rivermaya’s debut album also of the same name caught on like a raging fire. Within a few months the LP went gold and the album was eventually certified triple platinum. With a platinum record in their pocket Rivermaya had their feet on the ground but then Castro left to start his own band Triaxis. Blanco had to jump in to fill his place and became the lead guitarist.

By 1996, RiverMaya's second album was ready and soon Trip hit the stores and the radio stations. Trip sold hotter than cakes and left the previous albums sales behind. It went on to achieve quadruple platinum and was critically acclaimed. Within a year later, Rivermaya released their third album called Atomic Bomb, and it was a massive success. Rivermaya was truly on its way to the top and their soul tearing and dangerously rebellious lyrics were becoming increasingly popular. In 2000, Rivermaya caused a stir with the release of their album Free through the Internet, which incidentally was also made available free for download.