Sandwich (band)

Sandwich
from left to right: Mike, Diego, Myrene, Mong, Raymund
Background information
Origin	Philippines
Genres	Pinoy rock alternative rock post-punk hard rock rap rock
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Sony Music PolyEast
Associated acts	Eraserheads Kjwan Pedicab Squid9 Imago Cambio Teeth Chicosci Project 1 Parokya ni Edgar Sun Valley Crew Duster Gaijin Shirley Beans Limelight Assembly Generals The Aga Muhlach Experience Planet Garapata Blueberry Juice The Pin-Ups
Members	Raymund Marasigan Diego Castillo Myrene Academia Mong Alcaraz Mike Dizon
Past members	Marc Abaya

Sandwich (stylized as <S>andwich in earlier releases) is a Filipino alternative rock band from the Philippines. The band consists of lead vocalist Raymund Marasigan, 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 (former drummer of Eraserheads) 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 and Pedicab) to play drums, as well as bassist Myrene Academia (Imago & Duster). Sandwich was searching for a vocalist when music video director Marie Jamora recommended her friend Marc Abaya (Kjwan). A few years earlier, Marasigan was a judge at a contest where Marc Abaya 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, 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, 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 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 31, 2001 which was not successful as their debut album. It was honored as Album of the Year at the 2001 NU Rock Awards. 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 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. Eventually, they signed with PolyEast Records. The album's hit tracks were "Two Trick Pony", "Masilungan" and "Nahuhulog."

While in Sandwich, Marc Abaya formed the band Kjwan 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.

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 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 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, 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. 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–present)

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 and Yano, as well as UK-based Filipino bands. In 2017, they took part at the Coke Studio Philippines 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.

Influences

Sandwich cited influence are Foo Fighters, Weezer, Sonic Youth, Superchunk, Beck, Beastie Boys, Whale, The Cure, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Nine Inch Nails, Korn, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pantera, Deftones 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 of The Doors. Myrene and Mong also mentioned their admiration for LCD Soundsystem.

Band members

Current members

• Raymund Marasigan - 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 - 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 (2003)
• Five on the Floor (2006)
• <S> Marks the Spot (2008)
• Contra Tiempo (2010)
• Fat Salt & Flame (2013)
• Debris (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: Pulis Pangkalawakan OST
    • "Zaido"

Commercial jingles

• Smart Bro jingle
  • Modified version of Sugod for Smart Communications' wireless internet service
• Coca-Cola Philippines commercial jingle
  • Buhay Coke (2008) and Open Coca-Cola, Open Happiness (2009)
• Chiz Escudero's campaign jingle
  • Modified version of Sugod [1]
• 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 (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

Year	Award Giving Body	Category	Nominated Work	Results
1999	NU Rock Awards	Best New Artist	N/A	Won
		Song of the Year	"Butterfly Carnival"	Won
		Album of the Year(shared with Wolgang)	"Grip Stand Throw"	Won
2000	Awit Awards	Best Performance of a New Duo or Group Recording Artist	"Butterfly Carnival"	Won
2001	NU Rock Awards	Album of the Year	"4-Track Mind"	Won
		Artist of the Year	N/A	Nominated
		Song Of the Year	"Food for the Soul"	Nominated
		Best Music Video	"Food for the Soul"	Nominated
		Best Album Packaging	"4-Track Mind"	Nominated
		Vocalist of the Year	(for Marc Abaya)	Nominated
		Guitarist of the Year	(for Marc Abaya & Diego Castillo)	Nominated
		Drummer of the Year	(for Mike Dizon)	Nominated
2004	NU Rock Awards	Producer of the Year	"Thanks to the Moon's Gravitational Pull"	Won
2005	NU Rock Awards	Song of the Year	"Humanda Ka"	Nominated
		Best Male Award	(for Raymund Marasigan)	Nominated
		Best Female Award	(for Myrene Academia)	Nominated
2006	MTV Pilipinas Music Awards	Best Production Design in a Video	"Sugod"	Won
		Best Editing in a Video	"Sugod"	Won
		Video of the Year	"Sugod"	Won
	MYX Music Awards	Favorite Indie Artist	N/A	Won
	NU Rock Awards	Best Music Video of the Year	"Sugod"	Won
		Best Album Packaging	(Inksurge.com for "Five on the Floor")	Won
		Guitarist of the Year	(for Mong Alcaraz)	Won
		Bassist of the Year	(for Myrene Academia)	Won
		Best Male Award	(for Mong Alcaraz)	Won
		Vocalist of the Year	(for Raymund Marasigan)	Nominated
		Best Live Act	N/A	Nominated
		Song of the Year	"Sugod"	Nominated
		Artist/ Band of the Year	N/A	Nominated
		Album of the Year	"Five on the Floor"	Nominated
		Producer of the Year	(Buddy Zabala for "Five on the Floor")	Nominated
2007	MYX Music Awards	Favorite Music Video	"Sugod"	Nominated
		Favorite Song	"Sugod"	Nominated
		Favorite Artist	N/A	Nominated
		Favorite Rock Video	"Sugod"	Nominated
		Favorite Group	N/A	Nominated
		Favorite Media Soundtrack	"Super Noypi"	Nominated
	NU Rock Awards	Best Music Video	"DVDX"	Won
		Song of the Year	"DVDX"	Nominated
2008	NU Rock Awards	Best Live Act	N/A	Won
		Song of the Year	"Betamax"	Won
		Best Album Packaging	(Inksurge.com for "<S> Marks the Spot")	Won
		Bassist of the Year	(for Myrene Academia)	Nominated
		Drummer of the Year	(for Mike Dizon)	Nominated
		Artist of the Year	N/A	Nominated
		Album of the Year	"<S> Marks the Spot"	Nominated
2011	MYX Music Awards	Favorite Artist	N/A	Won
		Favorite Rock Video	"Lakad"	Won

External links

• Official website
• Sandwich Facebook page
• Sandwich Instagram page
• EMI Philippines - Sandwich
• Poptimes Magazine Interview
• Sandwich Pinoybanda Profile
• Listen Sandwich music stream
• Sandwich on purevolume

Awards
Preceded by Orphan Lily	NU Rock Awards Best New Artist 1999	Succeeded by Slapshock
Preceded by The Jerks The Jerks	NU Rock Awards Album of the Year Grip Stand Throw together with Serve In Silence 1999	Succeeded by Free Rivermaya
Preceded by Free Rivermaya	NU Rock Awards Album of the Year 4-Track Mind 2001	Succeeded by Pilipinas Cheese

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