The humor of Parokya ni Edgar

"What are your influences?" asks a magazine reporter.

"Local or foreign?" they ask back.

"Any," the reporter says.

"Local," they reply.

This is just one of the million anecdotes that explains why Parokya ni Edgar (PnE) is one of the biggest bands in the local music scene. Capturing the Pinoy’s weakness for humor and wit effortlessly, PnE still continues to lord it all over coming to its latest release Halina Sa Parokya, from Universal Records.

More than a decade ago, Parokya ni Edgar tested the warm waters of the industry called music. The band kicked off during Club Dredd’s glorious years, creating music that made an impact even on first-time listeners. Since then, the band composed of Dindin Moreno (drums), Vince Montaner (back-up vocals), Darius Semana (guitars), Gabriel Cheekee (guitars), Buwi Meneses (bass) and Chito Miranda (lead vocals) has won countless fans with their catchy music and quirky humor.

The late Bella Tan of Universal Records discovered PnE in Club Dredd, when she was invited by a rock manager to check out another band. They were signed up as soon as the band came up with more original songs. PnE’s long-standing partnership with Universal Records was jumpstarted with two albums named like tongue twisters Khankhungkhernitz and Buruguduystunstugudunstuy, which yielded future classics such as Buloy, Harana and Please Don’t Touch My Birdie.

PnE then went on to release its Christmas album, Jingle Balls, Silent Night, Holy Cow, a cult-favorite because of the twisted storyteller narrative about the reindeer that bullied Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. PnE’s following release Gulong, Itlog, Gulong skyrocketed the band’s popularity with hits such as Halaga, Inuman Na and Picha Pie and gave further proof that the group is here to stay. Inspired by Ryan Cayabyab’s seminal old TV show, PnE then released Edgar Edgar Musikahan, which yielded the summer hit, Swimming Beach.

And just when a crop of young bands started to establish a new world order in the local rock scene, PnE came up with the blockbuster album, Bigotilyo. The release of the latter was boosted by the landmark hit, Mr. Suave. The song laid out the red carpet for nostalgia and a barrage of election campaign jingles.

Countless Gold and Platinum Records Sales Awards, MTV Awards and Awit Awards trophies later, PnE shows no signs of slowing down with its latest release, Halina Sa Parokya.