It's showtime for the Itchyworms

By VATSKI
The Freeman 09/16/2006

Mix sense of humor, musical inventiveness and aviator shades-and you get Itchyworms.

Asked how they got their name, Jugs (guitar and lead vox) said it was supposed to be "Itchybirds" but conservative school officials junked it because of its double meaning. "Itchyballs sana kaya lang di rin pwede," explained Jugs of how they got to be called "Itchyworms." Why not "Itchysnakes?" was a question fired by this writer during a chitchat with them while dining at Formo in Banilad Town Center. "Oo nga no?" was Jugs' answer, while laughing at the suggestion. He went on to explain that they could not possibly have such a name as they started it all while they were just students at Ateneo de Manila. But they were still able to defy the norms while in the midst of elite students, by choosing to be what they were (and still are): "Jologs!"

Backtracking. Year 1997, when they started performing in school. A few years later, in 2001, this rock band of four members released their first album "Little Monsters Under Your Bed," which earned them the Best New Artist award in the year's NU107 Rock Awards. However, it was only last year that they really made it big in the music mainstream following the release of their Noontime Show album. "Akin Ka Na Lang." This first single became such a hit that even until now it is still being played in most radio stations. And even before Pinoys got the hang of their first success, the group hit it again with "Beer," then "Kabataang Pinoy" (PBB's Teen Edition's theme song), "Buwan," "Antipara," "Happy House," among other songs. Since then, Itchyworms have been hopping from one television channel to another, rocking and rolling with every place they visit, and infecting young and old with their humor and craziness. In short, Itchyworms has become a household name.

The problem now is how to stay on top. But Jazz (drums and lead vox) has a solution to that already: "improve live show," as according to him that is what people come to see.

"Dati hindi kami naghuhubad, pero ngayon kelangan na talaga," the healthy Jugs joked, while adjusting his tie that was already choking him while the evening of eating progressed. At this juncture, Jugs, who seemed to have enjoyed the meal and even wished there was lechon baboy, admitted they were also being restricted from eating much. But heck, "puro pizza lang pinakain sa amin kanina," was his retort.

"In general, we try to do our best. From start to finish best effort talaga. Nakakahiya naman sa fans if we give them substandard songs," answered Chino (lead guitar/backing vocals) on the hanging question before Jugs broke the conversation with his humor.

The group admitted that they look up to the APO Hiking Society. They made a tribute to APO by way of doing a compilation of their songs, with various bands doing their own revivals as well, all put together in the album "Kami NAPO Muna: A tribute to the Apo Hiking Society." Few weeks ago, these bands including the Itchyworms, of course, did a musical performance for the APO.

Apart from the APO, the group's music influences could also be traced to The Beatles, one of their inspirations. Although each of them has his own music genre: reggae for Kelvin (bass/backing vox), indie for Chino, rock for Jazz, anything goes for Jugs, that when put together becomes a mixture of... "siguro rock, but we try to put on more pop." Ano ba talaga kuya? "Ah basta, I think, our fans like it naman," smiled Chino.

Their fans seem to love it. Even the group's fashion sense-short sleeves polo mismatched with a tie, paired with jeans, and complemented with a pair of Converse sneakers or "whatever is in the bag" footwear, which has become their trademark-has been socially accepted. This must also be the reason why Motorola got them to sing the product's jingle-"Hello Moto!"-and to endorse the brand's latest music mobile phone, the MotoROKR.

After the dinner, the party went to the Gaisano Countrymall for the unveiling of the MotoROKR. The event was followed by the Rock Mo'to Band Competition, of which the band and Updharmadown were the guest band performers.

There, Itchyworms rocked the concert stage with their catchy music and mesmerizing thousands of people gathered around with their humorous remarks and their ever-present aviator shades.