Chicosci is a 5 piece band based in Manila.
The band is composed of Miggy Chavez,
Carlos Calderon, Joel Salvador and Mong Alcaraz.
They found a new member Ariel Lumanlan on November
2007 to lead as a guitarist after Sonny
Baquisal's departure as a guitarist.
Background
Origin of the name "Chicosci"
"Chicosci" is short for Chico Science.
They were first named Chico Science in homage
to the Brazilian musician of same name.
They later shortened this to Chicosci in
order to avoid confusion with the Brazilian artist.
Formation and early days
What started out as a group of young college
kids from the Ateneo de Manila University,
Chicosci was originally composed of Miguel Chavez,
Mong Alcaraz, Carlos Calderon, and Joel Salvador.
The four enjoyed playing together so much that they
decided to take their music seriously by recruiting
guitarist Sonny Baquisal and long-time friend Eugene
Esquivias to solidify the songwriting process.
Chicosci won an interschool Battle of the Bands and
spent the prize money in recording a demo -
an investment that landed them a two-album record deal
with EMI-Virgin Philippines. The band released the
albums Revenge of the Giant Robot (2000) and
Method of Breathing (2002).
Career as Chico Science
The highly-successful debut record established Chicosci
as one of the forerunners of the new generation of rock.
Revenge spawned hits such as Amen, Soopafly, and the MTV hit,
Sink or Swim. This album was also nominated to the prestigious
Awit Awards for Best Rock Recording. Their first-ever music
video Sink or Swim, directed by Lyle Sacris, also won as
the Best Directed Video for the 2001 MTV Pilipinas Awards.
Career as Chicosci
Never satisfied and always trying out new things, the band
continued to work on redefining their sound. Shifting their
musical direction to a more melodic style, they sought
Raimund Marasigan (Eraserheads and Sandwich) for guidance
in working with their second album. True enough, both audiences
and critics embraced the new sound of Chicosci.
Method of Breathing included several hits such as Glass is Broken,
Rolento, and the highly-infectious Paris. Interestingly,
Paris holds the record for the most number of weeks a song
(foreign or local) has stayed in a countdown.
It stayed in the NU107 Midnight Countdown for more than 52 weeks
and giving Chicosci the Song of the Year
award at the 2002NU 107 Rock Awards.
In 2004, the band released their third album, Icarus, under Viva Records.
The band again enlisted the help of Raimund Marasigan, who tagged along
Buddy Zabala (Eraserheads and The Dawn), to produce the bands most
experimental album. In May 2004, the band gained media recognition
by becoming MTVs Lokal Artist of the Month.
The songs Theme from Conversation with Fire, Shallow Graves, and An Argument,
enjoyed media airtime, also went into the NU 107 Midnight
Countdown and Year-end Countdown.
Last June 6, 2006, Chicosci released and launched their self-titled fourth album.
Having been in the studio for more than a year, the band boasts it as
being their best work to date. A self-produced effort, the band again
attempts to give listeners something new to look forward to.
Focusing more on catchier melodies and earnest lyrics, the new album
redefines the bands already distinct sound with MTV-generation pop sensibilities.
With this new record, the band hopes to further expand its fanbase and
touch those who might share the bands life experiences.
With the release of their carrier single A Promise, Chicosci gained more
popularity as their market grew. Chicosci is busy promoting the album
through gigs and events here in Manila and in the provinces as well.
Aside from this, they continue to play for annual school fairs, corporate events,
and variety shows. Upcoming gigs also include dates around the country -
Laguna, Pampanga, Baguio, Bicol, Olongapo, Cebu, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro,
and Davao, among others.
They performed as front act for Fall Out Boy's Friends or Enemies Tour,
Manila stop held at Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City last September 20 and 21, 2007.
Discography
Revenge of the Giant Robot (2000)
Method Of Breathing (2002)
Icarus (2004)
Chicosci (2006)
Chicosci Repackaged (2006)
BEST (2007)
Main article: Chicosci Discography
Achievements
Song of the Year- "Paris", 2002 NU Rock Awards
Guitarists of the Year- Mong Alcaraz (2002 & 2006 NU 107 Rock Awards)
and Sonny Baquisal (2002 NU 107 Rock Awards)
Album of the year- "Method Of Breathing" (2002 NU 107 Rock Awards)
Best Director-Lyle Sacris "Sink or Swim", 2001 MTV Pilipinas Music Awards
Best Designed Album Cover- "Revenge of the Giant Robot", 2001 NU 107 Rock Awards
Nominations
Vocalist of the Year- Miggy Chavez- 2007 (NU 107Rock Awards)
Guitarist of the Year- Mong Alcaraz - 2007 (NU 107Rock Awards)
Bassist of the Year- Carlos Calderon - 2007 (NU 107Rock Awards)
Drummer of the Year - Joel Salvador - 2007 (NU 107 Rock Awards)
Best Live Act- 2007 (NU 107 Rock Awards)
Song of the Year- "Chicosci Vampire Social Club" - 2007 (NU 107 Rock Awards)
Artist of the Year - 2007 (NU 107 Rock Awards)
Album of the Year- "Icarus", 2004 NU 107 Rock Awards
Guitarists of the Year- Mong Alcaraz and Sonny Baquisal, 2004 NU 107 Rock Awards
Best Album Packaging- "Icarus", 2004 NU 107 Rock Awards
Drummer of the Year- Joel Salvador, 2002 NU 107 Rock Awards
Best Rock Recording- "Sink or Swim", 2001 Awit Awards
Song of the Year- "Sink or Swim", 2001 NU 107 Rock Awards
Best Music Video- "Sink or Swim", 2001 NU 107 Rock Awards
Best New Artist- 2000, NU 107 Rock Awards
Former members
Eugene Esquivas - Percussions (2000-2007).
Last appeared on Seven Black Roses music video.
Eugene Esquivas is leaving for Canada.
Sonny Baquisal - Guitar (2000-2007). Last seen on
Chicosci Vampire Social Club music video.Sonny
Baquisal is leaving for Italy to be with his family.