Bandang Lapis (stylized as Bandang LAPIS) is a

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, Philippines, known for their

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compositions online. The band is composed of Lesther Abaño (lead vocals), Mark Jay Nievas (lead guitar, backing vocals), Lenrey Beltran (rhythm guitar), Ryan Paul Marangga (bass guitar), Jomari Luna (keyboards, backing vocals), Leandro Repuno (drums, percussion, backing vocals), and Ivan Morallos (spoken word poetry). The band is known for their hit songs ''Kabilang Buhay'', ''Sana'y Di Nalang'', ''Kung Saan Ka Masaya'', and ''Nang Dumating Ka''. Their song, ''Kabilang Buhay'', became one of the top streamed songs on YouTube Philippines. As of 2022, its official music video reached over 54 million views while its lyric video reached 80 million views. Their live performance of the song in

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also reached 80 million views.

History

The band started out with childhood friends Mark Jay Nievas and Lenrey Beltran playing songs together in their local neighborhood at Rodriguez, Rizal in 2017. Nievas was already composing his own original songs prior to the formation of the band. Nievas then decided to invite his other childhood acquaintances and network of schoolmates who are into music until they finalized the current lineup in 2018. Lesther Abaño was already joining amateur singing contests as a solo artist before joining the band."Bandang Lapis makes good with trending single 'Kabilang Buhay'".
ABS-CBN News. 2020. The final lineup started joining local band competitions where they performed their original compositions (mostly composed by Nievas). They were hailed champions in their first competition together as a band. In 2019, the group started uploading their songs in

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sites such as YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music. The band broke into Spotify's Viral 50 (Philippines) chart, initially making their debut at No. 33 then making the big jump to No. 17 just inside a week with the song ''Kabilang Buhay''. The song was written by Nievas and was inspired by drummer Leandro Repuno's friend whose girlfriend died. The actor in the song's official music video was the one who lost his girlfriend. In 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic, the band signed with major record label Viva Records. The band was named the Philippines' "Biggest Breakout Band of 2020". Other songs of the band also reached over a million views in streaming sites such as ''Sana'y Di Nalang'', ''Kung Saan Ka Masaya'' and ''Nang Dumating Ka''. Some of the band members are still in school and are finishing their studies while continuing doing music."Bandang Lapis and its moving hit Sa Kabilang Buhay".
PhilStar. 2020. The group also performed at Coke Studio Philippines Season 4 in 2021.

Etymology

The band's name, which translated to English as ''"Pencil Band"'', was suggested by Nievas and is a reference to their major influence Eraserheads and their song ''Huwag Mo Nang Itanong''. It is also a nod to their songwriting process where ''pencil'' is their primary tool. As per lead singer Abaño, philosophically, "a pencil has the capability to erase and rectify an error, similar to that in life". Additionally according to Nievas, "it is an easy enough word to remember".

Members

*Lesther Abaño –

lead vocals The lead vocalist in popular music is typically the member of a group or band whose voice is the most prominent melody in a performance where multiple voices may be heard. The lead singer sets their voice against the accompaniment parts of t ...

*Mark Jay Nievas – lead guitar, backing vocals, chief songwriter *Lenrey Beltran –

rhythm guitar In music performances, rhythm guitar is a technique and role that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with other instruments from the rhythm section (e.g., drum kit, bass guitar ...

*Ryan Paul Marangga – bass guitar *Jomari Luna –

keyboards Keyboard may refer to: Text input * Keyboard, part of a typewriter * Computer keyboard ** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping ** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware Music * Musi ...

synths A synthesizer (also spelled synthesiser) is an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals. Synthesizers typically create sounds by generating waveforms through methods including subtractive synthesis, additive synthesis and f ...

, backing vocals *Leandro Repuno –

drums A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...

, percussion, backing vocals *Ivan Morallos – spoken word poetry, rap, backing vocals, percussion, synths, additional acoustic guitar

Discography

Notable singles

*"''Kabilang Buhay''" *"''Sana'y Di Nalang''" *"''Kung Saan Ka Masaya''" *"''Pagsisisi''" *"''Nang Dumating Ka''" *"''Ayaw''" (cover) *"''Pag-asa''" (with Syd Hartha) *"''Dating Tayo''" *"''Pagbilang Ng Tatlo''" *"''Huling Mensahe''" *"''Kung Alam Mo Lang''" EPs *''Bandang LAPIS Acoustic'' (2021)

References

External links

*{{Facebook, BandangLapisOfficial
''Kabilang Buhay'' by Bandang LAPIS at VIVA official website
Filipino pop music groups Musical groups established in 2020 2020 establishments in the Philippines