Sponge Cola

Sponge Cola (sometimes spelled Spongecola) is a Filipino rock band formed in 1998. The band is composed of Yael Yuzon on vocals and guitars, Gosh Dilay on bass, Armo Armovit on guitars and drummer Tedmark Cruz.

Sponge Cola
from left to right: Dilay, Yuzon, Cruz and Armovit
Background information
OriginQuezon City, Philippines
Genres
Years active1998–present
Labels
Associated acts
Members
Past membersChris Cantada

One of the most popular rock bands in the Philippines, the band produced many hit songs including Jeepney, KLSP, Gemini, Bitiw, Tuliro, Di Na Mababawi, Tambay, Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay, and XGF. To date, the band have released several albums that went successful.

Formation and early years

The band formed between 1998 and 2002, Ysmael "Yael" Yuzon and Reynaldo "Gosh" Dilay (both from Ateneo de Manila High School) met through the school's theatre guild, Teatro Baguntao. Yuzon decided to form a band with Dilay and two other members of Teatro Baguntao. They named the group Sponge after R.S. Surtees' Mr. Sponge Sporting Tour, and the band won in several high school competitions boosting their popularity on campuses and in other schools.

After a couple of lineup changes, drummer Christopher "Chris" Cantada and Rampqueen guitarist Erwin "Armo" Armovit joined the band permanently. Later on, they heard of a Detroit grunge band already using the name Sponge. "But we wanted to keep the word Sponge in our band name because people have already associated us with that name...so we decided to add 'Cola', since it's an easy enough word to remember," Yuzon said. Sponge Cola was officially formed in summer of 2003. In the midst of touring the healthy local gig circuit during their senior year in high school, they released a 5-track, all original, self-titled EP in 2003. It is from here that critics and music aficionados immediately took note of the songs "Lunes (trans: Monday)" and "Jeepney", slowly creating buzz in the underground music scene. In the same year, the band performed a cover of Madonna's seminal classic "Crazy for You", a bootlegged copy of which was shared and downloaded immensely via peer-to-peer networks. This, along with the EP, helped the band break into mainstream consciousness and popularity, gaining extensive airplay from several local pop and rock radio stations.

Career

Palabas and Mainstream Success (2004-2006)

In 2004, Sponge Cola signed a record distribution deal with Sony BMG Philippines and released their first full-length debut album entitled Palabas (trans: The Show), an allusion to their roots in theatre. "KLSP", the album's lead single, further spread the band's name all over the OPM market, gaining heavy airplay in local radio stations and music channels. Other hits included the Shakespeare-inspired "Gemini", "Una (trans: The First)", and a remastered "Jeepney", all hitting number 1 in various music charts in the Philippines. This, along with a slew of other releases from other OPM bands, spearheaded the resurgence of Pinoy rock, and revitalized OPM as a whole. After a subsequent repackaged release the following year, Palabas was certified Gold in 2005.

Transit (2006-2008)
The album cover of Transit (2006), Sponge Cola's second album.

Their second full-length CD Transit was released in 2006 under Universal Records. The album was certified gold in less than four months after release, mainly due to the success of lead single Bitiw (trans: Let Go), which enjoyed massive radio and television airplay. The song also became the theme song of the ABS-CBN television series Pedro Penduko. The album's second and third singles "Tuliro (trans: Dumbfounded)" and "Pasubali (trans: Conditions)", were hits in their own right, and have proven to be two of the band's most requested during their live sets.

Sponge Cola also contributed on three tribute albums. They recorded covers of the Eraserheads hit, Pare Ko on Ultraelectromagneticjam, and APO Hiking Society's classics Nakapagtataka and "Saan Na Nga Ba'ng Barkada" on the tribute albums Kami nAPO muna and Kami nAPO Muna ULIT.

The band won four awards in the 2007 MYX Music Awards, besting other OPM acts in both Favorite Artist and Favorite Group categories, while Bitiw was voted as both Favorite Song and Favorite Rock Video. In the same year, ABS-CBN once again tapped Sponge Cola for the theme song of Pedro Penduko at ang mga Engkantao, Tuloy Pa Rin. The band was also featured in the MYX show "Myxellaneous", following their fast evolution from young upstarts to one of the more stellar acts in the Philippine Rock scene.

The single "Pasubali" was released along with a deluxe edition of "Transit" in 2008, and was used as the theme song to ABS-CBN's airing of the Koreanovela Lovers. This set includes a bonus AVCD featuring Tuloy Pa Rin, Nakapagtataka, Tuliro (Semi-Emo Version), Pasubali (Acoustic Version), Intercept, and Pasubali (Radio Edit). It also includes the music videos of Bitiw, Nakapagtataka, Tuliro, Tuloy Pa Rin, Movie, and Pasubali, and hit platinum a week after release.

Self-titled album (2008-2010)

The band released their third album in September 2008. The self-titled record was an instant success both critically and commercially, led by the official theme song for Season 71 of the UAAP – "Puso (trans: Heart)". The song would continue to be the league's anthem for the next 4 years. Other singles include the massive hit "Di Na Mababawi (trans: You Can't Take it Back)", "Wala Kang Katulad (trans: You Are like No Other)", "Makapiling Ka (trans: To Be With You) ", and "Ayt!", a collaboration with Gary Valenciano. The band also rerecorded Gino Padilla's classic "Closer You and I" for Closeup Toothpaste.

During recording, Chris Cantada left the band citing that the heavy touring was contributing to his health problems.[1] A handful of drummers joined the band on tours, most notably Pupil's Wendell Garcia. By 2009, Tedmark "Tmac" Cruz signed on as the band's official drummer.

Sponge Cola became the first Philippine band to release its new album in mp3 and mp4 format. All songs, including those in the past albums are included in the music players launched on 4 January 2009 with 'Di Na Mababawi on ASAP.

Tambay EP, Araw Oras Tagpuan, District EP (2010-2012)

In late 2011, the band released their much awaited and highly anticipated 4th full-length studio album under Universal Records. Entitled Araw Oras Tagpuan (trans: Day Time Setting), it contains 12 tracks including songs from the band's Tambay (trans: Hanging Out) EP, released earlier in 2010 via a Coca-Cola promo. The outstanding sales of Tambay and Araw Oras Tagpuan gave Sponge Cola a diamond record award as it sold over 200,000 units that summer.[2] It featured the lead single Tambay, Araw Oras Tagpuan, Regal, Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay, and Stargazer. Former drummer Chris Cantada appeared as a cameo guest for the music video of Tambay. Fran of RX 93.1, Kim Marvilla of defunct radio station NU 107, film director Wincy Aquino Ong, and singer Zia Quizon also appear in said video, which is, according to the band, a homage to the film franchise, Back to the Future.

In September of the following year, the band's 6-track District EP was released, with lead single "XGF" featuring Parokya ni Edgar vocalist Chito Miranda and rapper Los Magno. Shortly after its release, "XGF" became the top download of MyMusicStore.com for 7 weeks. Fresh and innovative, District also ruled the sales charts of local record store Odyssey upon release. Other singles "Mahaba pa ang Gabi (trans: The Night is Young) and "Pick Your Poison" enjoyed success as well, the latter being used for GMA Films' Metro Manila Film Festival entry "Sosy Problems".

Ultrablessed and Thank You (2014-2016)

Sponge Cola released their 5th new album called "Ultrablessed" on January 31, 2014. The same day they release their first DVD concert called "Maximum Capacity" which was recorded last July 19, 2013. In January 2015, Sponge Cola posted a picture of their now-released ultrablessed thank you edition Online.On February 14, 2015, they released their repackaged 5th album Ultrablessed Thank You Edition featuring their newest lead single "Move On" featuring Jane Oineza.

Sinag and Tala (2016-present)

In 2016, Sponge Cola released their EPs #Sinag and #Tala.

Members

Current members

Former members

Touring members

Discography

Albums

EP
  • 2003 – Sponge Cola
  • 2011 – Tambay EP
  • 2012 – District EP
  • 2016 - Sinag
  • 2016 - Tala

Compilations
  • Super Size Rock (Warner Music Philippines, 2003)
  • Tunog Acoustic 3 (Warner Music Philippines, 2004)
  • Ultraelectromagneticjam!: The Music Of The Eraserheads - "Pare Ko" (Sony BMG Music Philippines, 2005)
  • Kami nAPO muna - "Nakapagtataka" (Universal Records, 2006)
  • Super! The Biggest Opm Hits Of The Year (Universal Records, 2006)
  • Pinoy Biggie Hits Vol. 2 (Star Records, 2006)
  • Kami nAPO muna ulit - "Saan Na Nga Ba Ang Barkada" (Universal Records, 2007)
  • Level Up! The Album - "Intercept" (Star Records, 2007)
  • Palabas: Best of OPM TV Themes (Universal Records, 2007)
  • Astig...The Biggest Band Hits (Universal Records, 2008)
  • Super Astig Hits (Universal Records, 2016)

Singles
  • Lunes
  • Crazy For You
  • KLSP
  • Gemini
  • Jeepney
  • Una
  • Dragonfly (Internet Only)
  • Nakapagtataka (Original by APO Hiking Society)
  • Pare Ko (Original by Eraserheads)
  • Bitiw
  • Tuliro
  • Tuloy Pa Rin
  • Saan Na Nga Ba'ng Barkada (Original by APO Hiking Society)
  • Closer You And I (Original by Gino Padilla)
  • Movie
  • Pasubali
  • Puso
  • Ayt!
  • Di Na Mababawi
  • Wala Kang Katulad
  • Makapiling Ka
  • Tambay
  • Regal
  • Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay
  • Stargazer
  • She Wants You To
  • Araw Oras Tagpuan
  • XGF (Featuring Chito Miranda and Los Magnos)
  • Mahaba Pa Ang Gabi
  • Pick Your Poison
  • Segundo (Pinoy Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs Entry)
  • Kailangan Kita
  • Anting-Anting (featuring Gloc-9 and Denise Barbacena)
  • Singapore Sling (Dahil Kilala Na Kita)
  • + 63 (featuring Yeng Constantino)
  • Walk Away
  • Iyong-Iyong-Iyo
  • Move On (featuring Jane Oineza)
  • Pag-Ibig
  • Coda
  • Bahaghari
  • Tempura
  • Kunwari
  • Phantoms
  • Paliyabin Na Ang Lahat

Awards and honours

Awards
  • NU 107 Rock Awards
    • 2004: Rising Sun award
    • 2005: Male Rock Icon of The Year - Yael Yuzon
  • RX 93.1
    • 2004: Independent Artist of the Year
  • 99.5 RT
    • 2004: Song of the Year - "KLSP"
  • ASAP Pop Viewer's Choice
    • 2006: Pop Band of The Year
    • 2007: Pop Band of The Year
    • 2008: Pop Band of The Year
    • 2009: Best Performance in a Music Video for "Di Na Mababawi"
  • MYX Music Awards
    • 2006: Favorite Rock Video - "KLSP"
    • 2007: Favorite Rock Video - "Bitiw"
    • 2007: Favorite Artist
    • 2007: Favorite Group
    • 2007: Favorite Song - "Bitiw"
    • 2008: Favorite Media Soundtrack - "Tuloy Pa Rin"
    • 2008: Favorite Group
    • 2008: Favorite Music Video - "Tuliro"
    • 2008 Favorite Media Soundtrack: "Tuloy Pa Rin"
    • 2010 Favorite Group
    • 2012 Favorite Mellow Video - "Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay"
  • 1ST OPM Songhits Awards 2007
    • Best Male Vocalist- Yael Yuzon
    • Pinoy Magazine Brand Award
  • 40th Box Office Entertainment Awards
    • 2009 Most Popular Recording Group
  • 4th PMPC Star Awards for Music
    • 2012 Album of the Year - "Araw Oras Tagpuan"
    • 2012 Male Rock Artist of the Year
  • PMPC Star Awards for Music 2014
    • Rock Album of the Year (Ultrablessed)
    • Rock artist of the Year
  • 107.5 Wish Fm Awards
    • 2015 Wish Alternative Song of the Year for Move On
  • 44th Box Office Entertainment Awards 2013 (Guillermo Mendoza Awards for 2012)
    • Most Popular Recording/Performing Group[3]

Nominations
  • MYX Music Awards:
    • 2006: Favorite Music Video - "Gemini"
    • 2006: Favorite Song - "Gemini"
    • 2006: Favorite Rock Video - KLSP
    • 2006: Favorite New Artist
    • 2007: Favorite Music Video - "Bitiw"
    • 2007: Favorite Remake - "Nakapagtataka"
    • 2007: Favorite Song - "Bitiw"
    • 2007: Favorite Rock Video - "Bitiw"
    • 2007: Favorite Artist
    • 2007: Favorite Group
    • 2008: Favorite Music Video - "Tuliro" by Treb Monteras II
    • 2008: Favorite Group
    • 2008: Favorite Media Soundtrack - "Tuloy Pa Rin" - Pedro Penduko at ang mga Engkantao
    • 2012: Favorite Song - "XGF"
  • MTV Pilipinas Video Music Awards:
  • NU 107 Rock Awards
    • 2006: Music Video of The Year - "Bitiw"
    • 2007: Drummer of the Year - Chris Cantada
    • 2008: Song of the Year - "Pasubali"

SOP Pasiklaband:

  • 2006: Best Rock Song - "Jeepney"
  • 2006: Best Revival - "Pare Ko"

SOP Music Awards:

  • 2006: Revival '06 - "Pare Ko"

AWIT Awards

  • 2006: Music Video of the Year - "Gemini"
  • 2007: Best Performance by a Group
  • 2007: Album of the Year - "Transit"
  • 2007: Best Selling Album of the Year - "Transit"
  • 2007: Best Album Packaging - "Transit"
  • 2007: Music Video of the Year - "Bitiw"
  • 2012: Favorite Performance by a Group
  • 2012: Song of the Year
  • 2012: Album of the Year
  • 2012: Best Rock/Alternative Recording
gollark: I definitely haven't been spying on your writing notes.
gollark: Oh, good.
gollark: The skull should ONLY move through offscreen teleportation.
gollark: Well, skulls don't actually have any muscles. So that might be hard.
gollark: It would be more interesting if you made it ambiguous whether there was actually telepathic speech, or people were just imagining it.

References
  1. "Chris Cantada (Mr. Drummer Boy) of Sponge Cola will be leaving his Band". Fangirl Machine Machine. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  2. "Sponge Cola single hits 'Diamond'". Malaya. 2011-09-21. Archived from the original on 2011-09-25. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
  3. "44th Guillermo Mendoza Box-Office Entertainment Awards". Pep.ph. Retrieved 2014-05-19.
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