True Faith (band)

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Truefaith
Origin	Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Genres	Pinoy rock, Alternative rock, Experimental, OPM
Years active	1992 – present
Labels	Octoarts International (1993-2008) Viva Records (2009-present)
Associated acts	Violent Playground The Dawn Rivermaya
Website	[Truefaith's Facebook Fan Site]
Members
Medwin Marfil - vocals Eugene Marfil - acoustic guitar/vocals Bimbo Yance - bass guitar Allan Elgar - lead guitar Jake Lumacad - keyboards Benedict Esguerra - drums
Former members
Caryl Campos Eazer Pastor Ferdie Marquez Francis Guevarra Yeng Remulla Jay Valencia Jun Dizon Carlo Sison Kenneth Ilagan

True Faith or Truefaith started in 1992, and since then, has become one of the Philippines' most popular and accomplished bands.

The band took its name from New Order's 1987 hit single "True Faith", revealing the group's new wave origins. At first, True Faith mined mid-'80s new wave sounds for its breezy pop formula, but the group eventually ventured further into the Philippine mainstream, firmly embracing middle of the road radio.

Presently, this OctoArts-EMI label band has 11 best-selling albums under its belt . Its music is best described as a blend of jazz, folk, pop and rock music.

Contents 1 Early career 2 Awards 3 Legal action 4 New sound 5 2002 and beyond 6 Current members 7 Former members 8 Discography 8.1 Albums 8.2 Collaborations 8.3 Soundtracks 8.4 Popular Hits

[edit] Early career

In 1993, a demo tape of the band's song "Perfect" -- a romantic ballad with jangling guitars and longing vocals à la the Railway Children and the Lotus Eaters -- hit number one on Manila Top 40 radio station DWRT. The accessibility of "Perfect" opened the doors to the masses, a much larger crowd than the cult of fans who watched them perform new wave covers in small clubs. Signed to EMI music in the Philippines, True Faith's 1995 album, Build, was the group's first big smash, elevating it to superstar status in its native land.

[edit] Awards

Through the distinct powerful voice of its lead singer and founder, Medwin Marfil, the band is able to amass numerous music awards and nominations highlighted in summer of 2000 by an Music Television Asia award for Best Video Award for the video Awit Para Sa Kanya (Song For Her). Although Truefaith didn't win, the nomination brought the band back into the public spotlight. Memories Are Cheap: The Best of Truefaith, 1993-2000 was also released that year, a hugely successful overview of Truefaith's success and a look at how the group evolved from its new wave roots to becoming an easy listening icon. Since then, they've become a favorite contender in every respectable award-giving organization.

As they tour the Philippines through colleges, club circuits, and radio stations, they continue to build a strong following. "Faithfools", the monicker the fans called themselves, look upon the group to hear songs they have popularized like, "Perfect", "Sumasarap ang Gising", and "Dedma".

Truefaith has played alongside famous artists like The Dawn, the late Ric Segreto, Kuh Ledesma, Kulay and many more. They are slated to perform in the United States in the fall of 2005.

True Faith is a band that is newly formed. They are mostly popular for singing the theme song for "Sa Piling Mo" entitled "Dahil Ikaw". This song bagged the Favorite Media Soundtrack category in the recent 2007 MYX Music Awards.

Nevertheless, for many observers, True Faith's nomination was a welcome boost to a rollercoaster career that dates back to their 1993 monster hit, "Perfect", which started life as a demo that spent countless weeks as the no. 1 song on the competitive 99.5 RT Top 40 chart. After riding high as one of the country's top pop bands, True Faith peaked with their 1995 album "Build", which spawned several hit singles such as "Alaala" and "Kundi Rin Lang Ikaw".

[edit] Legal action

"Build" was followed by a messy episode that involved a court case between co-founder and lead singer Medwin Marfil and three founding band members over the use of the band name. An out of court settlement ensued, with Medwin winning full rights to the name. He reformed the band with some old and new members and recorded two more studio albums for the Octoarts-EMI label. The band has only recently (2006) regained its stride, with a top-selling greatest hits album and the nomination of the band's video (by award winning video director Robert Quebral) put them back on the A-List.

[edit] New sound

In May 2001 at an MTV event in Makati the band unveiled a new twist in its sound with the inclusion of a three-piece horn section composed of seasoned members of leading big band Ugoy Ugoy. The result is a more organic soul-based sound that veers away from the electronica splashes added by co-producer (and in-demand remixer) Brian Cua in their last studio outing.

[edit] 2002 and beyond

Grace (2002) the band’s next cd was welcomed with lukewarm response. Touted as a return to the pop rock realm, it didn’t quite meet the expectations of fans and even the band weren’t as happy as they were with previous efforts. The single Deadma initially made much of a stir with its video that featured FHM cover girl Diana Zubiri. All else fizzled into oblivion. True fans would disagree: they’d argue that tracks like Come Back Home and Medusa would have made great singles. As Medwin recalls today, the group wasn’t given ample time to polish the record into how it should be. The record company was also undergoing management personnel chnages which didn’t help either. He also remembers that aside from Slapshock and other rap metal bands, the band scene wasn’t as vibrant as it used to be. This seeming limbo like state of the band scene was followed by another music trend. A trend that Truefaith would be a bit player of sorts.

In 2004, Truefaith released Eto Hits… Acoustic. Convinced that the band pioneered the unplugged side of OPM in the early 90s, EMI decided to release a compilation of old Truefaith songs in their original acoustic arrangement or re-done to suit the theme. It also included a cover of the Culture Club classic, Mistake Number 3. The collection did quite well.

After 2 years of absence from the recording scene, Truefaith returned in a big way with the launch of their 11th cd, Stray To Be Found. Powered by the first single, the mega ballad, Dahil Ikaw (which is the theme song to the teleserye Sa Piling Mo) the band have made their comeback in a spectacular manner. Not to be left out in the burgeoning "new band wave", they have once again proven to be a force to reckon with in the local music industry. A couple of years back, Benedict Esguerra and Kenneth Ilagan entered the band as drummer and guitarist respectively. Two years was just enough time for them to gel with the band. After Dahil Ikaw, the singles, Sayang Ang Lahat, Cross My Heart (a cover of an EBTG classic), and Araw’t Gabi were released. All the videos for these singles became regular fare in MYX’s Daily Top 10. (The album also included covers of the band's favorites: Crowded House's Four Seasons In One Day, Fra Lippo Lippi's Crazy Wisdom.)

The video for Dahil Ikaw which was one of the most viewed in 2006; and was nominated in 2 categories at the MYX Music Awards of 2007 consequently winning in the soundtrack category.It was directed by Genghis Jimenez.

In October 2005, the band went to the U.S.A. for their 1st American Tour. They played 2 shows 'round San Francisco, San Diego, New York and two shows in L.A. Medwin believes that the popularity of the song Dahil Ikaw has only increased the chances of them goin back to America and possibly a tour of Europe to entertain Filipinos there. It is no wonder that the song that ushered their comeback has paved the way for them to play internationally. From 2006 to 2008 they’ve done shows in Taiwan, Hong Kong Singapore and Malaysia. In June of 2009, Medwin and Eugene did a special acoustic show in Dubai which was very successful. (In the works for 2010: a North American tour, Australian tour, European tour and a Middle East tour!!)

To celebrate Truefaith's contribution to OPM and their years in EMI Philippines, the record label compiled all of the band's most memorable hits and other less popular-yet-beautiful tracks. Dubbed as "Dream Journal:The Very Best Of Truefaith 1993-2007", the two-disc 32-track album chronicles Truefaith's journey through songs that endeared them to the listening public and cemented the band's reputation as certified hit makers.

Truefaith has just recently signed up with Viva Records and is currently recording for the new album. The new album titled, "Love Parade for the Life Brigade" was slated for an Oct release. According to Medwin, the band is experiencing some delays but reassures all fans of the band that it will be out way before 2009 ends.

Highly anticipated, Love Parade will feature an eclectic mix of special guests from soul prince, Luke Mejares, saxophone wiz, Dix Lucero (on the 80's influenced inspirational track,Kaya Mo 'Yan) and Time magazine- hailed artists: Carlos Magno of the superb band Out Of Body Special and Armi Millare of critics darlings, Up Dharma Down. The latter sings on the upcoming first single, Yun Lang. A new wave-y, dance-your-socks-off number which will surely create a storm in the local music scene.(More surprise guests are expected to grace the album!) That, Medwin believes, is a powerful certainty!!

With undying faith like that, Truefaith shall remain in this ever-fickle industry with much strength and a forceful belief in their musical vision. No doubt 'bout that!!

[edit] Current members

• Medwin Marfil - vocals
• Eugene Marfil - acoustic guitar/vocals
• Bimbo Yance - bass guitar
• Allan Elgar - lead guitar
• Jake Lumacad - keyboards
• Benedict Esguerra - drums

[edit] Former members

• Caryl Campos
• Eazer Pastor
• Ferdie Marquez
• Francis Guevarra
• Yeng Remulla
• Jay Valencia
• Jun Dizon
• Carlo Sison
• Kenneth Ilagan

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

• Perfect (1993)
• Beyond Doubt (1994)
• Build (1995)
• Looking Up (1997)
• Bliss (1998)
• Memories Are Cheap: The Best of TrueFaith 1993-2000 (2000)
• Legalized Intense Vague Emotions (2001)
• Truefaith Live: Myxed Emotions At Halo-Halo (2001)
• Grace (2002)
• Eto Hits...Acoustic (2004)
• Stray To Be Found (2006)
• Dream Journal: The Very Best of Truefaith 1993-2007 (2007)

[edit] Collaborations

• Make That Cool Thing Happen (Chiclets Promo Single, 1993)
• Pasko Para Sa Lahat: All Star Christmas Album (EMI Music Philippines "Formerly Octoarts", 1996)
• Acoustic Lokal (Viva Records, 2003)
• Tunog Acoustic (Warner Music Philippines, 2003)
• Acoustic Natin (Universal Records, 2004)
• Acoustic Natin 2 (Universal Records, 2005)
• Pinoy Ako (Star Records, 2005)
• Pinoy Ako 2 (Star Records, 2006)
• Pinoy Biggie Hits Vol. 2 (Star Records, 2006)
• The Best Of OPM Acoustic Songs (Universal Records, 2005)
• Superbands (Universal Records, 2005)
• Bandang Pinoy, Lasang Hotdog (Sony BMG Music Philippines, Repackaged 2006)
• Kami nAPO Muna Ulit (Universal Records, 2007)
• Toblerone National Thank You Day (2007)
• Unforgettable Kisses: Hershey’s 100th. Anniversary (2007)

[edit] Soundtracks

• Sana Maulit Muli: The Teleserye Soundtrack (Star Records, 2007)

[edit] Popular Hits

• Perfect
• Ambon
• Huwag Na Lang Kaya
• Muntik ng Maabot ang Langit
• Hi!
• Alaala
• Sa Puso Ko
• Baliw
• Awit Para (Sa Kanya)
• Kung O.k. Lang Sa’yo
• Sumasarap ang Gising
• Dedma
• Dahil Ikaw
• Sayang ang Lahat
• Araw't Gabi
• Shotgun Baby Bang! Bang!