Mainstream return for Rivermaya

MANILA, Philippines - A few years back, the highly-successful Pinoy band Rivermaya was given up for dead with the departure of its then chief songwriter and frontman Rico Blanco. It didn’t help much that they went indie while their line-up continued to be shaken up. 

Still, the group journeyed on, carrying the thinking that they’re “not just about the people who left.” 

This year, it seems Rivermaya is out to prove that, especially with a new album backed by mainstream label Universal Records. Called Panatang Makabanda, it is the band’s first in four years. 

“Mahal namin ang ginagawa namin 100 percent. It won’t make sense kung ititigil namin ito dahil sa mga problema,” said Mark Escueta, the lone mainstay from the classic line-up that recorded the band’s self-titled debut album two decades ago. 

Rivermaya’s latest single Pilipinas, Kailan Ka Magigising? opens the 12-track album of original materials, all penned by the current personnel. Mark, married to Jolina Magdangal, wrote the song’s lyrics which includes the meaningful line, “Pag inuna ang sarili, nasa huli ang pagsisisi.” He happily recalled having to juggle his time between signing up their record contract with Universal and preparing to celebrate his first wedding anniversary as both occasions fell almost on the same day last November.

A collaboration with premier rapper Gloc-9 titled Nasa Sa ‘Yo proves to be a strong contender for the next single, as agreed upon by the quartet also composed of now-veteran member Mike Elgar and later acquisitions Norby David and Ryan Peralta.

The album sleeve reveals the names of the members without the usual identification as to who plays which instrument, in a way making it clear that the band is trying to veer away from stressing who sings lead — a subject that somehow bugged them in the past after some significant changes.

Bamboo Mañalac sang for Rivermaya during its early years before Rico moved in to the front with nearly identical success. The latter eventually went solo prompting the group to get a frontman by way of a TV competition. 

Norby shared his take on Rivermaya’s latest offering: “Hopefully, we can take the fans to a whole new level and attract new listeners.” Listening though to the track he composed called Can’t Hide It Anymore may give one a feeling that it’s sung and written by the previous members with Rico at the helm, which in a positive note means that the trademark Rivermaya sound has been retained.

Mark argued, “From the time we started up to ngayon, ito ang pinaka-relax ang pakiramdam ng grupo creatively.” 

With the band scheduled to front act for rock heavyweight Aerosmith on May 8 at Mall of Asia Arena, Rivermaya sees its current fortune as a way of coming full circle career-wise. Mark looks back with fondness having watched Steven Tyler and his gang live in 1998 as he and his former mates were on a tour abroad.

Fifteen years later, Aerosmith found the 2013 edition of his band cool enough to open for them. 

“That makes that upcoming gig extra special for me,” Mark stressed. 

Meanwhile, ex-Rivermaya vocalist Jason Fernandez, who won the Search for the New Rivermaya Vocalist when he was 18 but moved out in 2010, expresses praises for his former bandmates, noting that his debut album, which he recorded with his band Sta. Maria, owes much to the high-level of professionalism he learned from being a one-time Rivermaya member. 

Jason, whose album Panimula is also currently in the market, recently appeared as guest in the second leg of Songs From The Heart concert held at Cowboy Grill Delta Q.C. and topbilled by Birit Baby Jude Matthew Servilla. He shared, “Karangalan sa akin na naging bokalista ako ng Rivermaya. Sino lang ba ako? Masarap sa pakiramdam na tinatawag akong ex-vocalist ng isang bandang Rivermaya na.” 

The Orion Entertainment-managed singer-songwriter continues to perform Rivermaya hits like Himala, Elesi and Awit Ng Kabataan.