The Youth

Members:

Dodong Cruz - vocals/guitar
Robert Javier- vocals/bass
Erap Carrasco - drums

Discography

"Album Na Walang Pamagat" (1994)
"Tao Po" (1997)
"Jack Daniel's In Session...Manila" (2004)

It was the late 80's, during the heyday of the radio station XB102's Capital Radio that the saw the origins of what would be one of the most famous local rock acts of the 90's. The band, then called Boyish Days, was formed around 1989 by Dodong, Erap, Pat Epino (guitar) and John Olidan (bass). They played a mixture of new wave and punk music, which was the staple of XB's programming in those days (The Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen, Depeche Mode). Pat eventually left to form his own band, H8red. Raul Velez joined them to take over lead guitar duties and they renamed the band The Youth. The Youth was also heavily influenced early on by their mentors, seminal punk group The Wuds, in music as well as religion (The Wuds are very devout Krishnas). These diverse influences helped develop the band's signature sound.

Independent producer Richard Tan of Backbeat records took them under his wing in 1990 and recorded an album. As was the fate of many indie productions, the album had limited success (It is a collector's item today). The early days of the band had them performing in various underground gigs. They even won an RJ Battle of the Bands contest in 1991 (They called themselves Da Wol for that contest to avoid legalities since the contest was strictly for amateurs, a status the band no longer held since recording an album). It was in this contest that Robert (about the time Raul and John left) joined the group completing the classic three-piece line-up that would remain to this day. Robert injected his own off-beat humor into the band's songs and performances.

In 1991 also, due mostly to Dodong's persistence (he would bug the club's owners daily), Club Dredd finally agreed to book the band. After several months of playing off-nights or pinch-hitting for no-shows, the band started to build up a following. It was not surprising considering their high-volume, high-energy and highly-impromptu performances. Soon they were headlining the club, performing in sold-out shows, sometimes twice a week or more. The audience ate up their irreverent humor and distinct music. Because it successfully blended punk, new wave, heavy rock and humor, their music was accessible to a very diverse mix of fans (hard core punks, sosyal wavers and rockers). People returned again and again because each show always had some unexpected surprise.

1993 saw the Youth signed up with major label Polycosmic, just a few months after their contemporaries The Eraserheads signed up with BMG. It would be the start of the so-called "alternative music boom" of 1994-1995. The first album was an instant hit with the controversial "Multong Bakla" as carrier single. It was in this album that Robert also began his writing career, giving their fans the pleasure of being thrown between his and Dodong's styles of writing. It also carried re-recorded versions of all five songs in the indie record. The Youth started getting massive airplay in traditionally pop stations. Then followed the standard appearances in noontime shows.

The Youth continued its success topbilling dozens of concerts around the country. What started as a band that would play for free, now had its members earning significant incomes. The album eventually would sell a more than a hundred thousand copies, unheard of for a heavy rock act in the country at the time.

1997. A much-delayed follow up album, Tao Po, was released in the twilight of the boom. Although it sold almost as well as their major label debut, things were not as rosy this time. Aside from lack of radio airplay and promotions, good gigs became rarer. The Youth also developed a reputation for causing riotous concerts. One of the most memorable was in the Araneta Coliseum show where the band was not able to complete a single song due to riots breaking out whenever the guys would start playing (the concert was eventually stopped).

Relations between the members also became strained. This was especially true for the two songwriters. Their opposing influences were tearing up the group. And then, Dodong shocked the band and fans by unexpectedly signing up a solo deal with upstart JML Records. This spelled the end of the band as far as everyone knew. The two remaining members went on to form Warehouse Club.

Dodong's solo career was moderately successful (his album, Experimento, hit gold). It eventually fizzled out after JML sold its line up of artists to the newly formed Star Records. What followed was a couple of years of obscurity for the former rock star.

In November 1999 though, the band reformed for what was supposed to be a one night only gig in Mayric's. The magic was still there, so several more followed. Now there is talk of a new album. In 2004, The Youth released a track on the Jack Daniels Manila indie CD called "Ultraviolent Ray".

Just in time for their next wave, The Youth is again helping brew up a storm for old fans as well as many new ones.


The Youth - Tao Po

Tracklist:

1. When Jordan Balled Shaq
2. Baduy
3. Pain
4. Telebisyo
5. Porselana
6. Balbon
7. Amats I
8. WWII
9. Plastikman
10. Tao Po
11. Tamang Panahon
12. Amats II
13. Kakanta
14. Sinta
15. Ba-ba-ba-bayani

Read More>>The Youth-Tao Po


The Youth - Album Na Walang Pamagat























Tracklist:

1. Anak Ka Ng Ina Mo (2:35)
2. Basura (3:59)
3. Kantang Walang Pamagat (1:34)
4. Kapag Naguna Ang Mundo (4:33)
5. Magulo Buhay Ng Tao (2:46)
6. Mukha Ng Pera (6:23)
7. Multo Sa Paningin (Multong Bakla) (3:29)
8. Payo (4:36)
9. Supernova Scum (4:08)
10. Takbo (4:09)
11. The Alphabet Song (Mother Funker) (4:36)

Read More>>The Youth-Album Na Walang Pamagat