Sandwich (stylized as <S>andwich in earlier releases) is a Filipino
alternative rock
Alternative rock, or alt-rock, is a category of rock music that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1970s and became widely popular in the 1990s. "Alternative" refers to the genre's distinction from mainstream or commerci ...
band from the
Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...
. The band consists of lead vocalist
Raymund Marasigan
Raimund Emmanuel Parcon Marasigan (born May 22, 1971) is a Filipino rock musician and record producer. His first name is often misspelled ''Raymond'' or ''Raimond'' though he personally prefers to spell his name as Raymund. The breadth of his p ...
, guitarists and backing vocalists Diego Castillo and Mong Alcaraz, bassist Myrene Academia and drummer Mike Dizon.
History
Formation and ''Grip Stand Throw'' (1998–2000)
The band formed in 1998 by
Raymund Marasigan
Raimund Emmanuel Parcon Marasigan (born May 22, 1971) is a Filipino rock musician and record producer. His first name is often misspelled ''Raymond'' or ''Raimond'' though he personally prefers to spell his name as Raymund. The breadth of his p ...
(former drummer of
Eraserheads
Eraserheads (sometimes stylized as ERASƎRHEADS or ƎRASƎRHƎADS) are a Filipino alternative rock band formed in 1989. With a line-up comprising Ely Buendia, Buddy Zabala, Marcus Adoro, and Raimund Marasigan, the band became one of the most ...
) and Diego Castillo (The Aga Mulach Experience) for the purpose of fulfilling their mutual desire to work together. When Raymund Marasigan saw The Aga Muhlach Experience in a gig, he told Diego that he wanted to form a band that sounds like Weezer and Whales. He then recruited Diego Castillo and his band mates from The Aga Muhlach Experience - Mike Dizon (
Teeth
A tooth ( : teeth) is a hard, calcified structure found in the jaws (or mouths) of many vertebrates and used to break down food. Some animals, particularly carnivores and omnivores, also use teeth to help with capturing or wounding prey, t ...
and
Pedicab
The cycle rickshaw is a small-scale local means of transport. It is a type of hatchback tricycle designed to carry passengers on a for-hire basis. It is also known by a variety of other names such as bike taxi, velotaxi, pedicab, bikecab, ...
) to play drums, as well as bassist Myrene Academia (
Imago
In biology, the imago (Latin for "image") is the last stage an insect attains during its metamorphosis, its process of growth and development; it is also called the imaginal stage, the stage in which the insect attains maturity. It follows the f ...
& Duster). Sandwich was searching for a vocalist when music video director
Marie Jamora recommended her friend
Marc Abaya
Ramon Marcelino Diaz Abaya (born November 6, 1979), known professionally as Marc Abaya, is a Filipino singer, actor, musician, TV host, and VJ. He appeared in the 2009 Philippine release of ''Tinker Bell''.
He is the son of actor/director Mano ...
(
Kjwan
Kjwan is a Filipino hard rock band formed in 2003 by former Sandwich guitarist and lead vocalist Marc Abaya and Dicta License bassist Kelley Mangahas.
History
Long-time friends and former high school bandmates Marc Abaya (vocals) and Kelley Man ...
). A few years earlier, Marasigan was a judge at a contest where
Marc Abaya
Ramon Marcelino Diaz Abaya (born November 6, 1979), known professionally as Marc Abaya, is a Filipino singer, actor, musician, TV host, and VJ. He appeared in the 2009 Philippine release of ''Tinker Bell''.
He is the son of actor/director Mano ...
with his high-school band, Shirley Beans were part of. Abaya then joined Sandwich. When Abaya and Marasigan met each other, they jammed together performing Beastie Boys "Sabotage" for 10 minutes.
Although existing simultaneously with the Marasigan's band at that time,
Eraserheads
Eraserheads (sometimes stylized as ERASƎRHEADS or ƎRASƎRHƎADS) are a Filipino alternative rock band formed in 1989. With a line-up comprising Ely Buendia, Buddy Zabala, Marcus Adoro, and Raimund Marasigan, the band became one of the most ...
, Sandwich provided a heavier, grittier sound, and built up their own fan base. Abaya was still in college at the time, and Marasigan would still tour occasionally with the
Eraserheads
Eraserheads (sometimes stylized as ERASƎRHEADS or ƎRASƎRHƎADS) are a Filipino alternative rock band formed in 1989. With a line-up comprising Ely Buendia, Buddy Zabala, Marcus Adoro, and Raimund Marasigan, the band became one of the most ...
, but these weren’t hindering factors for Sandwich, as there were many session musicians ready to take over in case of a member's absence.
In 1999, they signed with
Sony Music
Sony Music Entertainment (SME), also known as simply Sony Music, is an American multinational music company. Being owned by the parent conglomerate Sony Group Corporation, it is part of the Sony Music Group, which is owned by Sony Entertainme ...
. and released their debut album, ''
Grip Stand Throw'', with much success, thanks to its carrier single, "Butterfly Carnival." The band won three awards at the 1999 NU 107 Rock Awards: Album of the Year, Best New Artist, and Song of the Year.
''4-Track Mind'' (2000–2003)
The following year, Sandwich released their second album ''4-Track Mind'' on July 30, 2001. which was not successful as their debut album. It was honored as Album of the Year at the 2001
NU Rock Awards
The NU Rock Awards was an annual accolade presented from 1994 to 2010 by the Metro Manila-based radio station NU 107, known for prominent performances by the most influential pinoy rock artists of each year.
History
The first NU 107 Rock Awa ...
. The album name came from Marc Abaya's 4-track recorder, which he brought into the studio that contains a demo. Singer Marc Abaya considers this as his most personal album.
''Thanks to the Moon's Gravitational Pull'' and Marc Abaya's departure (2003–2005)
The year 2003 marked a critical time for Sandwich. That year, recording label
Sony Music
Sony Music Entertainment (SME), also known as simply Sony Music, is an American multinational music company. Being owned by the parent conglomerate Sony Group Corporation, it is part of the Sony Music Group, which is owned by Sony Entertainme ...
decided to drop the band. The following year, 2004, Sandwich took the independent route and recorded their third album
Thanks to the Moon's Gravitational Pull
''Thanks to the Moon's Gravitational Pull'' is the third studio album released by the Filipino alternative rock band Sandwich in 2003. The album contains the singles "Right Now", "2 Trick Pony" and ''Nahuhulog''. It was the last album featuring M ...
. Eventually, they signed with
PolyEast Records
PolyEast Records (formerly Canary Records, OctoArts International, OctoArts EMI Music Inc. and EMI Philippines) is a record label in the Philippines. It is a member of the Philippine Association of the Record Industry and from 2008 until 2013, ...
. The album's hit tracks were "Two Trick Pony", "Masilungan" and "Nahuhulog."
While in Sandwich, Marc Abaya formed the band
Kjwan
Kjwan is a Filipino hard rock band formed in 2003 by former Sandwich guitarist and lead vocalist Marc Abaya and Dicta License bassist Kelley Mangahas.
History
Long-time friends and former high school bandmates Marc Abaya (vocals) and Kelley Man ...
with his long-time friends and former high school band-mates and fellow Ateneans Kelley Mangahas, Jorel Corpus, J-hoon Balbuena.
Later in 2013, Marc would reveal in an interview with Radio Republic that Raymund once told him that Shirley Beans must reform. Marc interpreted this as Raymund telling him that some of his materials didn't fit Sandwich. At the time of the supposed conversation between Raymund and Marc, the latter was having difficulty managing his job as an
MTV VJ, and his obligations to his other band,
Kjwan
Kjwan is a Filipino hard rock band formed in 2003 by former Sandwich guitarist and lead vocalist Marc Abaya and Dicta License bassist Kelley Mangahas.
History
Long-time friends and former high school bandmates Marc Abaya (vocals) and Kelley Man ...
.
On February 20, 2005, Marc Abaya left Sandwich and cited "loaded work" as his reason. In an interview with Radio Republic, Abaya said that he regrets leaving
Sandwich
A sandwich is a food typically consisting of vegetables, sliced cheese or meat, placed on or between slices of bread, or more generally any dish wherein bread serves as a container or wrapper for another food type. The sandwich began as a po ...
without giving a proper farewell to the band. They remain good friends and they reunite to play a few songs from time to time.
Five on the Floor & Mainstream success (2006–2008)
After Abaya's departure,
Raymund Marasigan
Raimund Emmanuel Parcon Marasigan (born May 22, 1971) is a Filipino rock musician and record producer. His first name is often misspelled ''Raymond'' or ''Raimond'' though he personally prefers to spell his name as Raymund. The breadth of his p ...
assumed main vocal duties. They remained a 5-piece band by bringing in guitarist Mong Alcaraz from
Chicosci. The band wrote songs for soundtracks, including "Humanda Ka" for the online game Tantra, and "Nginig" for the ABS-CBN television program of the same name.
In early 2006, Sandwich released their fourth album,
Five on the Floor. This was their first album with Marasigan as the sole frontman. In late October 2006, their songs "Sugod" and "DVDX" became available on the online music game O2Jam. The video for "Sugod" won five major awards at the 2006
MTV Pilipinas Music Awards
MTV Pilipinas Music Awards was the MTV Pilipinas' annual music video awards event.
Award categories
* Video of the Year
* Favorite Male Video
* Favorite Female Video
* Favorite New Artist in a Video
* Favorite Group Video
*Favorite Indie Video ...
, including Video of the Year, Best Director, and Best Editing. In the same year, Sandwich members Mong Alcaraz and Myrene Acamedia won the Best Guitarist and Best Bassist awards at the NU Rock Awards. The following year, "DVDX" won the Best Music Video award from the same awards show. Their former vocalist Marc Abaya expressed appreciation for the album(Five on the Floor). He stated that "he cried because of happiness for his former band" and said that the sound of the fifth album is what sandwich's sound was meant to be.
In 2007, Sandwich performed "Zaido", the theme song for the fantaserye action series ''
Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan'', which aired on
GMA 7
DZBB-TV, Channel 7 (analog) and Channel 15 (digital), is the flagship TV station of Philippine television network GMA. The station is owned and operated by GMA Network Inc. with its studios are located at the GMA Network Center, EDSA corne ...
. The song was written by Raymund Marasigan.
S Mark the Spot & Continuous success (2009–2010)
In 2008, their fifth album,
<S> Marks the Spot, was released. The album received recognition from various awards shows, thanks to its hit singles "Procrastinator" and "Betamax." In celebration of their 10th year in the industry, Sandwich briefly reunited with former vocalist Marc Abaya in a series of anniversary shows.
This year also started the 4-year relationship with Tanduay as Sandwich became part of Tanduay's First Five where five of the most popular bands in the country had a nationwide tour playing their hits.
Five on the Floor, Fat Salt & Flame, Debris, Under the glow of the Satellite concert (2010–2020)
In 2010, Sandwich launched their sixth studio album,
Contra Tiempo featuring the single "Putik", which the band dedicates to the victims of Typhoon Ondoy (international name
Ketsana). "Lakad" was released as the second single from the album.
2012 was a year where the band had a chance to travel and share their music to different countries. They participated in the Hong Kong Clockenflap Music and Arts Festival, Malaysia's Future Music Festival and the Hollywood Bowl with Apl de Ap of the Black Eyed Peas in Los Angeles, California, USA.
In April 2013, they released the album, Fat Salt & Flame, under Polyeast Records. A year after the release of Fat Salt & Flame, they released their 8th album under Polyeast Records entitled Debris with the carrier single "Kagulo". It was released on February 12, 2015 through PolyEast Records. It was launched on February 25, 2015 at the UP Town Center in Quezon City, Philippines. The album design of Debris featured destroyed and disassembled audio electronics like a Fostex cassette track which was first used as album cover for "4 Track Mind" and a Tascam minidisc track used for the production of Sandwich's "Grip, Stand Throw", Squid9's "Ink Jet", and Eraserheads' "Natin99" and "Carbonstereoxide". In 2014, Sandwich headlined P-Fest UK, performing in Leeds and London, United Kingdom together with other Filipino bands Top Junk, Squid 9, The Diegos,
Pedicab
The cycle rickshaw is a small-scale local means of transport. It is a type of hatchback tricycle designed to carry passengers on a for-hire basis. It is also known by a variety of other names such as bike taxi, velotaxi, pedicab, bikecab, ...
and Yano, as well as UK-based Filipino bands. In 2017, they took part at the
Coke Studio Philippines
''Coke Studio Philippines'' is a music television program in the Philippines featuring performances by various Filipino music artists. It is inspired by the Pakistani show of the same name.
History
Created by The Coca-Cola Company, the show has ...
Project, they collaborated with young electronic artist
BP Valenzuela.
In 2018, Sandwich celebrated their 20th Year by releasing a new single called 'Time Lapse'. It was released on February 1, 2018. They held their Anniversary Show on April 13, 2018 at the Metrotent Convention Center Pasig.
No Goodbyes EP (2020–present)
On May 20, 2022, the band released their first EP, ''No Goodbyes'', a 5-track list featuring their lead single of the same title and "Buhol Buhol" (both were released in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic). Production of these songs were recorded at a private place in Batangas for 3 days, although other recordings were done at both their residences and at Kodama Studios as well as the help from Buddy Zabala for Marasigan's vocals in pre-production.
Influences
Sandwich cited influence are
Foo Fighters,
Weezer
Weezer is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1992. Since 2001, the band has consisted of Rivers Cuomo (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Patrick Wilson (drums, backing vocals), Scott Shriner (bass guitar, keyboards, backing ...
,
Sonic Youth,
Superchunk,
Beck,
Beastie Boys,
Whale
Whales are a widely distributed and diverse group of fully aquatic placental marine mammals. As an informal and colloquial grouping, they correspond to large members of the infraorder Cetacea, i.e. all cetaceans apart from dolphins and ...
,
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in 1978 in Crawley, West Sussex. Throughout numerous lineup changes since the band's formation, guitarist, lead vocalist, and songwriter Robert Smith has remained the only constant member. The band's ...
,
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. With a heavy, guitar-driven sound, they are ci ...
,
The Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and drummer John Densmore. They were among the most controversial and influential rock acts ...
,
Nine Inch Nails,
Korn,
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983, comprising vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Chad Smith, and guitarist John Frusciante. Their music incorporates elements of alternative rock, funk ...
,
Pantera,
Deftones
Deftones is an American alternative metal band formed in Sacramento, California in 1988. They were formed by Chino Moreno (vocals, guitar), Stephen Carpenter (guitar), Abe Cunningham (drums), and Dominic Garcia (bass). During their first f ...
and
LCD Soundsystem. The band's main influences are Weezer and Whale. During a performance at 19 East in Sucat, Philippines, Raymund mentioned that they want to be awesome like Foo Fighters, indie like Sonic Youth and hip-hop like Beastie Boys. When Marc was the vocalist of the band, he mentioned in the interview that his main influence was Led Zeppelin,
Jim Morrison
James Douglas Morrison (December 8, 1943 – July 3, 1971) was an American singer, poet and songwriter who was the lead vocalist of the rock band the Doors. Due to his wild personality, poetic lyrics, distinctive voice, unpredictable and err ...
of The Doors. Myrene and Mong also mentioned their admiration for LCD Soundsystem.
Band members
;Current members
*
Raymund Marasigan
Raimund Emmanuel Parcon Marasigan (born May 22, 1971) is a Filipino rock musician and record producer. His first name is often misspelled ''Raymond'' or ''Raimond'' though he personally prefers to spell his name as Raymund. The breadth of his p ...
- lead vocals, keyboards, additional guitar, percussion
(2005–present); rhythm guitar, co-lead and backing vocals
(1998-2005)
*Diego Castillo - rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
(1998–present)
*Myrene Academia - bass guitar, aerophones, occasional backing vocals
(1998–present)
*Mong Alcaraz - lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards
(2005–present)
*Mike Dizon - drums
(1998–present)
;Former member
*
Marc Abaya
Ramon Marcelino Diaz Abaya (born November 6, 1979), known professionally as Marc Abaya, is a Filipino singer, actor, musician, TV host, and VJ. He appeared in the 2009 Philippine release of ''Tinker Bell''.
He is the son of actor/director Mano ...
- co-lead and backing vocals, lead guitar
(1998-2005)
;Sessionists
*Enzo Hermosa - drums
*Eco Del Rio - bass
Discography
Studio albums
*''
Grip Stand Throw'' (1999)
*''4-Track Mind'' (2000)
*''
Thanks to the Moon's Gravitational Pull
''Thanks to the Moon's Gravitational Pull'' is the third studio album released by the Filipino alternative rock band Sandwich in 2003. The album contains the singles "Right Now", "2 Trick Pony" and ''Nahuhulog''. It was the last album featuring M ...
'' (2003)
*''
Five on the Floor'' (2006)
*''
<S> Marks the Spot'' (2008)
*''
Contra Tiempo'' (2010)
*''
Fat Salt & Flame
''Fat Salt & Flame'' is the seventh studio album by Filipino alternative rock band Sandwich, released on April 12, 2013 by PolyEast Records. The album also marks the band's 15th anniversary.
Accolades
In other media
The song "Mayday" was used in ...
'' (2013)
*''
Debris
Debris (, ) is rubble, wreckage, ruins, litter and discarded garbage/refuse/trash, scattered remains of something destroyed, or, as in geology, large rock fragments left by a melting glacier, etc. Depending on context, ''debris'' can refer to ...
'' (2015)
Extended plays
*''No Goodbyes'' (2022)
Soundtracks
*Tantra Neo Oriental Fantasy (2005)
**Humanda Ka Music Video
**Humanda Ka OST
**Humanda Ka (Minus One)
*
Rounin OST (2007)
**"Humanda Ka"
*Nginig OST
**"Nginig"
*
Super Noypi OST
**"Super Noypi"
*Mga Awit Kapuso: The Best Of GMA Themes Vol. 4 (2008)
**
Zaido
''Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan'' (International title: ''Zaido: The Space Sheriff'' / ) is a Philippine television drama science fiction series broadcast by GMA Network. The series is a spin-off of the Japanese Metal Hero series ''Space Sheriff S ...
: Pulis Pangkalawakan OST
***"Zaido"
Commercial jingles
* Smart Bro jingle
** Modified version of ''Sugod'' for
Smart Communications
Smart Communications Inc., commonly referred to as Smart (and officially stylized/ self-styled as SMART), is a wholly owned wireless communications and digital services subsidiary of PLDT Inc., a telecommunications and digital services provid ...
' wireless internet service
*
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola, or Coke, is a carbonated soft drink manufactured by the Coca-Cola Company. Originally marketed as a temperance drink and intended as a patent medicine, it was invented in the late 19th century by John Stith Pemberton in Atlant ...
Philippines commercial jingle
** Buhay Coke (2008) and Open Coca-Cola,
Open Happiness (2009)
*
Chiz Escudero
Francis Joseph "Chiz" Guevara Escudero (, born October 10, 1969) is a Filipino lawyer and politician serving as a Senator since 2022, and previously from 2007 to 2019. He recently served as governor of Sorsogon from 2019 to 2022, and was the ...
's campaign jingle
** Modified version of ''Sugod'
* Frenzy Condoms
** Are We Good
* Cafe Puro
** Modified version of ''Betamax''
Compilations
*The 2 in 1 Series: Sandwich
Collaborations
*Full Volume (2004)
**"Right Now (Morse Immediate Mix)"
*Pinoy Ako(2005)
**"Humanda Ka"
*
Kami nAPO muna, Kami nAPO Muna (2006)
**"Bakit Ang Babae"
*CloseUp Season of Smiles Christmas Album (2006)
**"Close Encounter"
*Sakto Sa Pasko Christmas Album (2008)
**"Simbang Gabi"
*I-Star 15: The Best Of Alternative & Rock Songs (2010)
**"Humanda Ka"
Singles
* "Grip, Stand, Throw"
* "Butterfly Carnival"
* "Sakyan"
* "Art To Di Too"
* "Maybe"
* "Food for the Soul"
* "Hairpin"
* "Sometimes"
* "Right Now"
* "Two Trick Pony"
* "Nahuhulog"
* "Humanda Ka" (''Tantra'' Soundtrack)
* "Masilungan"
* "Sugod"
* "Walang Kadala-dala"
* "DVDX"
* "Super Noypi" for the movie of the same name
* "Sunburn"
* "Zaido (Pulis Pangkalawakan)" for the TV series of the same name
* "Procrastinator"
* "Betamax"
* "Selos"
* "Manila"
* "Putik"
* "Lakad"
* "Pera Pera"
* "Back for More"
* "Mayday"
* "Kagulo"
* "Border Crossing"
* "New Romancer"
* "Time Lapse"
Awards and nominations
References
External links
*
Sandwich Facebook pageSandwich Instagram pageEMI Philippines - SandwichPoptimes Magazine InterviewSandwich Pinoybanda ProfileListen Sandwich music streamSandwich on purevolume*https://web.archive.org/web/20060902005117/http://mtvasia.com/News/200109/18005652.html
{{authority control
Filipino rock music groups
Musical groups established in 1998
PolyEast Records artists
Sony Music Philippines artists