sugarfree

SUGARFREE
Origin	Manila, Philippines
Genre(s)	Pinoy rock/OPM Alternative rock/Pop rock Indie rock/Indie pop
Years active	1999 – Present
Label(s)	EMI Philippines
Associated acts	Cambio The Teeth (Filipino band) Twisted Halo Ciudad The Pin-Up Girls Stardust
Website	http://bandanatin.blogspot.com
Members
Ebe Dancel (vocals/Guitar) Jal Taguibao (Bass/vocals) Kaka Quisumbing (Drums)
Former members
Mitch Singson (Drums) Sugarfree (band) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search SUGARFREE Origin Manila, Philippines Genre(s) Pinoy rock/OPM Alternative rock /Pop rock Indie rock /Indie pop Years active 1999 – Present Label(s) EMI Philippines Associated acts Cambio The Teeth (Filipino band) Twisted Halo Ciudad The Pin-Up Girls Stardust Website http://bandanatin.blogspot.com Members Ebe Dancel (vocals/Guitar) Jal Taguibao (Bass/vocals) Kaka Quisumbing (Drums) Former members Mitch Singson (Drums) Sugarfree is a three-piece Filipino band composed of Kaka Quisimbing on drums, Jal Taguibao on bass, and vocalist Ebe Dancel on guitars, influenced by the likes of bands Popsicle, Oasis and Radiohead. They have launched four successful albums — "Sa Wakas" (2003), "Dramachine" (2004), the repackaged version of "Dramachine" (2006), "Tala-Arawan" (2006) produced by Robin Rivera, who also produced the Eraserheads, and "Sugarfree Live! with the Manila Symphony Orchestra" (2008) all under EMI Philippines. PROFILE The initial line up had Mitch Singson on drums. Singson sadly left the band in August of 2006 for personal reasons and Quisumbing immediately took place. THE BAND: Sugarfree is possibly the greatest of pop-alternative groups that arose in the late nineties. Their fire and brilliance has long outlasted their 10 year history and the four albums they produced are prized possessions of many music lovers. Blessed with the talents of three formidable musicians and songwriters all sharing an unerring knack for crafting infectious melodies, Sugarfree’s music possess a timeless feel and accessibility matched by a precious few. Though heavily influenced by the likes of Popsicle, Oasis and Radiohead, they sound very different from any of their heroes. Listeners tended to be more laid-back, prizing song craft and good vibes above visceral energy, and the others – especially the songwriters – created music for thoughtful contemplation and because of this, Sugarfree came up with albums suited for their market together with the country’s prime list of producers such as Angee Rozul for “Sa Wakas” (2003) Buddy Zabala and Raimund Marasigan (Members of the former band Eraserheads) for “Dramachine” (2004) and Sir Robin Rivera (also an album producer of the Eraserheads) for “Tala-Arawan” (2006) all under the label - EMI Philippines. Their albums brought us numerous hit songs that earned them various awards and citations under their belt. Sugarfree has worked with many local music legends in concerts and in recording and with various groups such as the Manila Symphony Orchestra during their sold-out first major concert at the Music Museum held last September 29, 2007 entitled “Sugarfree Live!” Though many new bands emerged during the glory of the scene, Sugarfree remained strong and visible and thus believed to stay in the business for a very long time. Their fan base grew bigger and the clamor for their music become greater bringing them endorsement deals and a beautiful partnership with Dencio’s, Head and Shoulders, San Miguel Beer, Alactagrow, Penshoppe and many more. Discography “Sa Wakas” (January, 2003) (Telepono, Mariposa, Burnout and Taguan) In a span of 11 minutes, the album “Sa Wakas” was reportedly sold out during the album launch at Freedom Bar. Sugarfree’s first single “Telepono” and the follow-up “Mariposa” became a staple at every pop-alternative stations in Manila and key provinces but it wasn’t long enough when they began to hit mainstream with everybody’s favorite song “Burnout.” The band which was then a sleeper band became one of the country’s popular and sought-after with the “Best New Artist” and ‘Album Of The Year” from that years’ NU Rock Awards and “Best Alternative Recording (Burnout”) and “Best Rock Recording (Mariposa”) from the Awit Awards in tow. “Dramachine” (July, 2004) (Sinta, Hari ng Sablay, Prom, Kwarto, Tulog Na, Makita Kang Muli) No drama. No sophomore jinx for this album because it earned the band their first platinum record award signifying over 30,000 copies of the album sold. “Dramachine” churned out hits like “Sinta,” “Prom,” “Tulog Na,” “Kwarto,” and the massive hit “Hari Ng Sablay.” Their songs ruled the airwaves and stayed in the top five of every music chart across the country for weeks. There was more demand for the band and the invitation for gigs in Manila and in other cities and provinces poured. EMI Philippines decided to release a re-packaged “Dramachine” album now bearing additional tracks such as “Cuida” and the anthemic “Makita Kang Muli,” a theme song of the top-rating teleserye “Panday.” The AVCD also featured the band’s music videos. The phenomenal success of this album made Sugarfree a household name. “Tala-Arawan” (November, 2006) (Kung Ayaw Mo Na Sa Akin, Dear Kuya, Wag Ka Ng Umiyak, Batang Bata Ka Pa, Nangangawit) This album introduced Kaka Quisumbing as the band’s new drummer. The album which when translated is [[“diary”]] in English, documents what Ebe and Jal have started and the joys and the struggles brought by important people in their lives. The first single “Kung Ayaw Mo Na Sa Akin” was launched simultaneously in more than 40 radio stations nationwide. The biggest simultaneous launch for a single in radio to date. Drawing style differences from their previous albums, Sugarfree again hit the mark of success as “Tala-Arawan” reached the gold record status in April of 2008. The third single “Wag Ka Ng Umiyak” became one of the group’s most successful singles hitting the number one spot on the MYX Hit chart for three non-consecutive weeks. August 2007 marked Sugarfree’s 8th anniversary and it was celebrated with grandeur. After many attempts, the band finally agreed to do their first major concert “Sugarfree Live!,” a party for their loyal supporters, held at the Music Museum. Sugarfree did their much-loved hits with a twist as they played beautiful music together with the Manila Symphony Orchestra. The sold-out concert was put together by the band’s manager Monch Bontogon and carefully selected creative team which was composed of Treb Monteras (director,) Shari Villa (lighting director) and Angee Rozul (live recording engineer.) The concert gave birth to the band’s first live album also entitled “Sugarfree Live!” A 2-disc album with their power set list collating their hits since 2003. The album also comes with a “Pugad Dencio’s” premium AVCD which includes the single “Pugad,” the Pugad Dencio’s jingles and behind the scenes footage of the video and the album launch. Band members Ebe Dancel - Vocals/Guitar Jalton Taguibao - Bass/Vocals Kaka Quisimbing - Drums Past members Mitch Singson - Drums