Ira Cruz

Ira Cruz
Ira Cruz at Rock Overload Festival 2010
Background information
Origin	Philippines
Genres	Rock; Funk; Jazz Alternative rock Reggae
Occupation(s)	musician, songwriter
Instruments	Guitar, Acoustic guitar, Bass guitar, Vocals
Years active	1986–present
Labels	EMI Music Philippines, Inc.
Associated acts	Hijo, Bamboo, Passage, Introvoys, Kapatid
Notable instruments
PRS Fender Guitars Gibson Guitar Taylor Guitars Vox Wah Digitech whammy pedal Boss DS-1 Distortion Ibanez Tube Screamer (TS 808) Effects Zen Drive II TC Electronic Nova Modulator NM 1 T-Rex Replica Delay T-Rex Room Mate Reverb

Ira Cara Cruz is a multi-awarded Filipino musician, composer and producer. He was a founding member of Filipino rock bands Hijo, Bamboo, Introvoys, Passage and Kapatid.

Introvoys was formed in 1986 by 3rd-G Cristobal, Paco Arespacochaga, and Jonathan Buencamino. Their first album was a "diamond in the rough". After two singles, Dyna Records, which was the band's label, was ready to drop them like a hot potato. However, fate had a different plan. "However Which way" which was the band's third single shot all the way to No. 1 in Metro Manila in just 2 weeks. After a month, the song became the country's No. 1 song thus paving the way for a national tour for the Introvoys. Culled from the same album are certified No. 1 singles such as, "Calling All Nations","Maynila" and "Lullabye" among many others. Their second album sealed Introvoys' status in the mainstream. Born from this album were songs that are now classified as standard hits. These songs are "Will I Survive", "Di Na Ko Aasa Pa", "Binibini" and "Are You Happy". Eventually, the album shot to quadruple platinum status earning the Introvoys the tagged "the No. 1 Band in the Land!". In 1994 they released "Line to Heaven" album which has melodies that are catchy and pop-inflected, some of which are imbedded in rock-styled arrangements. The carrier single was written after Arespacochaga suffered a terrible tragedy, the loss of his parents in a car accident. He left the band in 1996 rejoined in 2000. Ira Cruz, who had played with Introvoys from 1987 to 1991, joined Passage and Kapatid. In 2001, Ira rejoined Introvoys for the short-lived reunion run.

Kapatid (English: Siblings; Brother/ Sister) came together through an informal gathering of friends with diverse musical talents in other bands. The original lineup included Karl Roy of Advent Call and P.O.T.; Marinito "J-hoon" Balbuena of Kjwan; Ira Cruz previously of Passage; Azarcon; and Chico Molina. In 2002, the band went on to release their debut album "Edsa 524". The album contains the singles "Pagbabalik Ng Kwago", "I like it like this", and "Visions". The band split apart rather quickly, with a couple of members leaving for other bands under less than amicable circumstances. Roy later stated of the breakup, "There was lots of talk about brotherhood and respect and the joy of playing music together. Unfortunately, things didn’t turn that way. The band split apart rather quickly, as a couple of members left for another band, under less amicable circumstances. First, Ira left, and then Nathan followed, and the two eventually hooked up with Bamboo."

In 2003, after living in Los Angeles following the Rivermaya tour in America, Mañalac returned to the Philippines. Azarcon introduced Mañalac to Cruz and Vic Mercado (drums) and together, they formed Bamboo.