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Stonefree: 10 Years in the Making

by Irene Tan-Gurango; Photos by Jay Lara

Manila has seen bands come and go. There were bands that formed, made music, released an album, and got famous only to disband a few months later. There were bands that formed, made music, never made it to the mainstream, got tired and then disbanded, too. And then there is Stonefree, who formed, made music, kept making music, and continue to make music.

The Stonefree saga continues.

For more than ten years now, Miro Valera (vocals and guitar), Benson Tanoja (guitar), Regie Mangubat (bass) and Relly Mangubat (drums) have all been making music together as Stonefree. They've been together for so long now that they all consider each other brothers (well, albeit literally for drummer, Relly, and his younger sibling, Regie)! You can easily see the strong sense of brotherhood and friendship just by watching them both onstage and offstage, as they balance goofing around with the need to constantly look-out for one another.

Watching Stonefree play is an experience beyond 'simply watching just another gig' as the band plays their songs of love, longing, remembering and everything in between. Miro pours his heart out in song, Benson and Regie sway, 'feeling' each played note, and Relly pounds on the drums as if his life depends on it. One feels the band's need for their songs to get through to you, to touch you. You can't help but feel exactly what these boys were feeling while writing the song - be it about forgetting first love, desire, and transformations. You feel as if you've just been given a glimpse of the boys' lives through their music.

Definitely more than just your typical 'pogi rock' band, Stonefree has a lot more to offer than just their good looks. Fans are constantly being blown away by the intensity of their live performances and constantly falling in love with their contagious, LSS (stands for 'last song syndrome'), emotion-driven songs. (Admit it - I'm sure you've had either 'Listen' or 'Kapag Nawala Ka' stuck in your head at least once!) Stonefree's story is one of deep, strong passion for the music they make, one that keeps them going throughout the years despite the ebbs and flows of life. Theirs is no fairytale story. Others would've given up. Others would've gotten tired of playing the same gigs. Others would've seen the need to trade in the musician's life for a working man's life and earnings - but Stonefree remains.

And we should all be thankful.

Now, their many years of hard work are finally paying off! In 2004, they released a self-produced EP that gave birth to their mega hit 'Listen'. Following that, Hibiscus, their debut album, was released under Warner Records, spawning hits like 'Kapag Nawala Ka', 'Sayang' and 'Ikot'. And now, following the success of their debut album, Stonefree gives us DELOREAN, a second sampling of stories in their continuing saga narrated to us listeners through their songs and music. Sure to deliver new songs to dedicate to our objects of affection, Stonefree's sophomore album includes 10 new tracks including 'Love and Grace', 'LSS' and latest single 'Anghel' - which incidentally has been stuck in my head for days.

Stonefree will be launching DELOREAN at Eastwood City Central Plaza on March 17, Saturday, so for a sampling of what kind of 'last song syndrome' we will all be suffering from for the next few months, go check them out and hear the boys' newest stories! And while you're at it, grab a copy of their album too. Not just for the lovesick, DELOREAN serves as yet another chapter in Stonefree's saga, one that will keep going until they have new songs to sing and music to play. And judging from how the boys are doing now, this saga won't be ending anytime soon - so it's happily ever after for all of us.

City Sessions - Stonefree was shot at:
BluberriJam Studios
798 Tandang Sora Ave.
Old Balara, Quezon City.
Tel: 434114

Albums

Videos

Stonefree - Interview Part 1

Stonefree - Interview Part 2

Stonefree - Anghel

Stonefree - LSS

Photos

Gig Schedules

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