RiverMaya

Rivermaya
Rivermaya in 2016 (from left to right : Azarcon, Elgar, Escueta, and Peralta)
Background information
Origin	Metro Manila, Philippines
Genres	Alternative rock pop rock
Years active	1994–present
Labels	Universal BMG Viva Warner Revolver
Associated acts	Xaga Bazurak Bamboo Slapshock Kapatid Eraserheads Francis Magalona TriAxis Daydream Cycle J-John Valencia Martin Valencia Groove Nation Jyel Tagbo Mr. Crayon 7 Foot Junior Overtone Julianne Tarroja Salamin Jolina Magdangal Fidela Lacucarasta Malay Vinci Montaner Paolo Valenciano Pochoy Labog Peso Movement Ebe Dancel
Website	www.rivermaya.ph
Members	Mark Escueta Nathan Azarcon Mike Elgar Ryan Peralta
Past members	Rico Blanco Bamboo Mañalac Perf de Castro Japs Sergio Kakoy Legaspi Jayson Fernandez Norby David

Rivermaya is a Filipino rock band. Formed in 1994, it is one of several bands who spearheaded the 1990s Philippine alternative rock explosion. Rivermaya is currently composed of original members Mark Escueta and Nathan Azarcon with Mike Elgar, and Ryan Peralta. Former members include Rico Blanco, who had been the original songwriter of the band and vocalist Bamboo Mañalac, who later formed the band Bamboo and later went on his solo career. Rivermaya is the fourteenth biggest-selling artists/act in the Philippines.

The band's predecessor consisted of Jesse Gonzales on vocals, Kenneth Ilagan on guitars, Nathan Azarcon on bass guitar, Rome Velayo on drums, and Rico Blanco on keyboards and backing vocals. They were managed by Lizza Nakpil and director Chito S. Roño who had the intention of molding the group into a rock show band. The group was then called Xaga.

In the process of grueling practice sessions, Ilagan was replaced with Perfecto "Perf" de Castro; Azarcon's childhood friend, Mark Escueta, replaced Velayo, and Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac replaced Gonzales. With Bamboo as frontman, the band members disbanded Xaga and formed the band Rivermaya. They started putting together original songs like "Ulan" [Rain], "214", and "Awit ng Kabataan" [Song of the Youth] (mostly composed by Rico Blanco) in demo form for prospective recording companies.

By November 1994, the band had released its first album, the self-titled Rivermaya, and its first single, "Ulan"; followed by "214".

Citing artistic differences, Perf de Castro was adamant in leaving the group in late 1995 and returned to his project band "The Blues Trio", a band later renamed "Axis" until its final inception as "Triaxis." The band continued as a quartet and Rico Blanco became the full-time guitarist while Nathan Azarcon's friend J-John Valencia filled in as session secondary guitar player on live shows.