Mondo C. Castro
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The Pin-Ups were an incarnation of the independent band The Pin-Up Girls formed in 1995 by Mondo C. Castro along with Keltscross members Pamela Aquino and Jennifer Tan. Dubbed the "first Philippine-based band to sign with a U.S. label", The Pin-Ups are also included in a UK-based compilation album and have released a new single for 2015 in partnership with another U.S. indie label HolyZone Records. The band in all incarnations, according to musician and critic Aldus Santos, "have always delivered on the tunes: familiar, always with a dash of innocence, with no facetious tricks up their sleeves, infinitely hummable. Not the most dynamic of bands, certainly not the most technically adept, but these deficiencies are countered by an undeniable charm on musical fronts that matter: melodic, lyrical, structural." Despite the achievements and being well-connected, the band never became a "mammoth act" yet has enjoyed more success overseas than in their homeland.


History


Early years

Starting out as a garage band in 1995, the band recruited guitarist Ramses Dela Torre (Mass Carnage) and drummer John Carpio (
Tikbalang The Tikbalang (/ˈtikbaˌlaŋ/) (also Tigbalang, Tigbalan, Tikbalan, Tigbolan, or Werehorse) is a creature of Philippine folklore said to lurk in the mountains and rainforests of the Philippines. It is a tall, bony humanoid creature with the he ...
, Goo, End of Man) and started jamming at an abandoned hotel. The then unnamed band went through names that never stuck, including Ebenezzer Blue Cow, Blue Juice, Mushroom, and Bubblegum Crisis. Guitarist Ryan Nachura and musician
Noel Garcia ''Casualty'' is a British medical drama television series that premiered on 6 September 1986 on BBC1. The series was created by Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin. It is set in the fictional Holby City Hospital, in the equally fictitious city of Hol ...
(
Ethnic Faces An ethnic group or an ethnicity is a grouping of people who identify with each other on the basis of shared attributes that distinguish them from other groups. Those attributes can include common sets of traditions, ancestry, language, history, ...
, Eraserheads and
Color It Red Color (American English) or colour (British English) is the visual perception, visual perceptual Physical property, property deriving from the spectrum of light interacting with the photoreceptor cells of the eyes. Color categories and physica ...
sessionist) eventually joined the band, replacing Dela Torre and Carpio. They were without a permanent name until Tan wore a Bettie Page T-shirt to a rehearsal at then-Eraserheads drummer
Raimund Marasigan Raimund Emmanuel Parcon Marasigan (born May 22, 1971) is a Filipino rock musician and record producer. His first name is often misspelled ''Raymond'' or ''Raimond'' though he personally prefers to spell his name as Raymund. The breadth of his p ...
's house. Marasigan suggested they name themselves after Page, one of the most famous pin-up girls from the ‘50s.


''Hello Pain'' (2001)

After a few rounds of Mayric’s garage sales to raise money, The Pin-Ups wrapped up recording their debut album ''Hello Pain'' under their own label, Broken Records. The album was executively produced by ABS-CBN news anchor Liesl Castro and actor Diether Ocampo (he loaned Castro money for CD manufacturing), produced by Marasigan and engineered by
Shinji Tanaka is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team. Club career Tanaka was born in Saitama on September 25, 1960. After graduating from Chuo University, he joined Nissan Motors in 1983. The club won 1983 and ...
at Sound Creation studios. The album includes "Witching Hour" that hit number one on NU107's Midnight Countdown for seven weeks; "Broken", "A Cold & Better Place", and "Ride Rocket Wild". The album’s artwork was created by Filipino graphic artist
Leinil Francis Yu Leinil Francis Yu (born 1977) is a People of the Philippines, Filipino comic book artist, who began working for the United States, American market through Wildstorm Productions. Career Leinil Francis Yu was first recognized after winning the ''W ...
. The music video for "Down", directed by Quark Henares, won "Rock Video of the Year" at the 2002 NU 107 Rock Awards.


''Taste Test''

Michael Sutton, a writer for the All-Music Guide, discovered them by accident on a random NU107 air check mailed from the Philippines by music fan Denis Batungbacal. Sutton signed The Pin-Ups to Tacoma, Washington’s Know-It-All Records in 2002, making them the first Philippine-based band to be signed to a U.S. label. Aquino left for the U.S. and was replaced by Jaja Manuel (Girl In Park, who eventually signed with Know-It-All Records and released an album internationally) and Garcia was eventually replaced by Mitch Singson (
Ciudad (band) Ciudad () is the Spanish word for City Ciudad may also refer to: *La Ciudad (archaeological site), Hohokam ruins in Phoenix, Arizona *La Ciudad, district of Durango City, Mexico *''La ciudad'', novel by Mario Levrero 1970 *La Ciudad ''The City'' ...
, ex-
Sugarfree A sugar substitute is a food additive that provides a sweetness like that of sugar while containing significantly less food energy than sugar-based sweeteners, making it a zero-calorie () or low-calorie sweetener. Artificial sweeteners may be d ...
) as the Pin-Up Girls released their 6-track U.S. debut, ''Taste Test'', in 2003. "Caress", written and produced by Castro, hit the top ten on NU-107 number one on Flashback Alternatives in New Jersey. The EP’s artwork was also designed by
Leinil Francis Yu Leinil Francis Yu (born 1977) is a People of the Philippines, Filipino comic book artist, who began working for the United States, American market through Wildstorm Productions. Career Leinil Francis Yu was first recognized after winning the ''W ...
. In 2006, The Pin-Up's drummer Noel Garcia died from a heart attack. In 2004, ''Taste Test'' was reissued with several bonus tracks as ''Taste Test: Expanded Menu'', receiving reviews in the UK. It was during this time that Manuel left the band and was not replaced.


''Take on the Weakened Sky''

In 2005, Sutton took The Pin-Ups with him on his own label, Sutton Records (later renamed Sutton Music Group), which released a Philippine-version of ''Taste Test'' in the form of ''Take on the Weakened Sky''.


''All Seats Are Taken''

In 2006, the band fronted for
Fra Lippo Lippi Filippo Lippi ( – 8 October 1469), also known as Lippo Lippi, was an Italian painter of the Quattrocento (15th century) and a Carmelite Priest. Biography Lippi was born in Florence in 1406 to Tommaso, a butcher, and his wife. He was orph ...
at the Araneta Coliseum as ''All Seats Are Taken'' was released in the Philippines by
Sony-BMG Sony BMG Music Entertainment was an American record company owned as a 50–50 joint venture between Sony Corporation of America and Bertelsmann. The venture's successor, the revived Sony Music, is wholly owned by Sony, following their buyout ...
. The 16-track album features guitarists Kakoi Legaspi (ex-Rivermaya, Peryodiko), Castro's cousin
Kenneth Ilagan Kenneth Ilagan is a Filipino musician who was the guitarist for the rock band The Dawn. Before assuming guitar duties for The Dawn, Ilagan also played guitar for Violent Playground, True Faith and Xaga (who then became Rivermaya). Ilagan is a ...
(ex-Violent Playground, Mulatto, The Dawn), and the late Francis Magalona. The songs were co-produced, mixed, and mastered by Angee Rozul. Comic book writer and artist Arnold Arre was commissioned by the band to do the album artwork. In June 2008, ''
PULP Magazine Pulp magazines (also referred to as "the pulps") were inexpensive fiction magazines that were published from 1896 to the late 1950s. The term "pulp" derives from the cheap wood pulp paper on which the magazines were printed. In contrast, magazine ...
'' featured The Pin-Ups on the cover.


UK compilation album appearance

Chris Williams of Manchester, England's Baby Boom Records contacted Castro through The Pin-Ups’ Myspace page. Williams requested the band's track, "Jackson Pollock 9", for inclusion in the compilation album ''Baby Boom Sampler No. 4.''. The CD was launched at the
SXSW South by Southwest, abbreviated as SXSW and colloquially referred to as South By, is an annual conglomeration of parallel film, interactive media, and music festivals and conferences organized jointly that take place in mid-March in Austin, Te ...
Festival in Texas, U.S. and is still available in Manchester and through the Baby Boom Records website.


Jeepney Records

The Pin-Ups were included in the list of 7 winners of MTV Emerge and were set to sign with
apl.de.ap Allan Pineda Lindo (born November 28, 1974), known professionally as apl.de.ap (), is a Filipino-American rapper, singer and record producer. He is a founding member of the hip hop group Black Eyed Peas. Early life Allan Pineda Lindo was born ...
's Jeepney Music. However, in an interview with Manila Coconuts
Mondo Castro The Pin-Ups were an incarnation of the independent band The Pin-Up Girls formed in 1995 by Mondo C. Castro along with Keltscross members Pamela Aquino and Jennifer Tan. Dubbed the "first Philippine-based band to sign with a U.S. label", The ...
revealed that
Apl.de.ap Allan Pineda Lindo (born November 28, 1974), known professionally as apl.de.ap (), is a Filipino-American rapper, singer and record producer. He is a founding member of the hip hop group Black Eyed Peas. Early life Allan Pineda Lindo was born ...
"dropped the 7 bands like a hot potato" and that his handlers said that "
Apl.de.ap Allan Pineda Lindo (born November 28, 1974), known professionally as apl.de.ap (), is a Filipino-American rapper, singer and record producer. He is a founding member of the hip hop group Black Eyed Peas. Early life Allan Pineda Lindo was born ...
refuses to answer questions" about the event .


Mauling incident

On 17 November 2011, The Pin-Ups frontman Castro was mauled after a basketball game by 15 male models led by actors Kerbie Zamora and Lemuel Pelayo. Castro sustained numerous injuries and was rushed to hospital after he lost consciousness. Castro filed frustrated murder charges against the alleged perpetrators.


Overhaul

After founding member Jennifer Tan and ex-Sugarfree, Ciudad drummer Mitch Singson left the band around 2011 (Tan left for the U.S., Singson focused on his business), Your Imaginary Friends' Tanya Singh was tapped to play bass and fill-in drummer and Ex- Manibela Raffy Bonifacio officially joined the band. After a year, Singh was let go amicably, paving the way for an overhaul in terms of music and line-up. Instead of disbanding, Castro "reformed" the band under the name that the fans and friends have given the band: The Pin-Ups. At this point, long time fill-in musician Japo Anareta stepped in for bass duties. 2013 saw the entry of former
JAM 88.3 Jam is a type of fruit preserve. Jam or Jammed may also refer to: Other common meanings * A firearm malfunction * Block signals ** Radio jamming ** Radar jamming and deception ** Mobile phone jammer ** Echolocation jamming Arts and entertai ...
disc jockey and Save Me Hollywood vocalist Julz Savard on vocals, acoustic guitar and keyboards followed by TV actress and host
Hiyasmin Neri Hiyasmin Neri (born July 17, 1990) is a Filipino actress, host and musician. Career Hiyasmin Neri was introduced via Star Magic batch 15. Her first regular TV appearance was in ABS-CBN's '' The Wedding'', where she played a pregnant teenager and ...
on vocals, ukulele and acoustic guitar. Savard left after 7 months to concentrate on her other band. Bassist Rydahl Bangkas joined for 3 months and was replaced by Hazel Silvestre. Savard was reportedly let go by Castro. This is a common theme running through both The Pin-Up Girls and The Pin-Ups; Castro is seen as a benevolent dictator when it comes to band dynamics as he had a hand in "kicking out" past members Garcia and Manuel. Furthermore, it is known that Castro became a born-again Christian which in turn signaled a minor change in their songwriting process. Neri, Silvestre, and Bonifacio are also born-again Christians while Nachura is of the Catholic faith. The Pin-Up Girls has written songs that allude to religion, however the newer songs have been written with overt biblical references. With a new direction, the band name does not refer to the 60's pin-up girls anymore. Neri mentioned on a
Yahoo PH Yahoo! (, styled yahoo''!'' in its logo) is an American web services provider. It is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California and operated by the namesake company Yahoo! Inc. (2017–present), Yahoo Inc., which is 90% owned by investment funds ma ...
interview that the band's name means that they have "a message, and we're pinning it up on the wall for everyone to see. We are the message!" That message being one with Christian leanings.


2014 Rebirth & Release of "Can't Stand Waiting Here" (single)

With a new line-up in his arsenal, Castro sent demos to indie labels in the U.S. including HolyZone Records.
Chip Flores Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) is a type of immunoprecipitation experimental technique used to investigate the interaction between proteins and DNA in the cell. It aims to determine whether specific proteins are associated with specific geno ...
, CEO of HolyZone Records, replied to Castro and said: "I get thousands of songs sent in every day. My staff tries to listen to as many as possible. The Pin-Ups’ music came through and we all had the same smile on our face like finally something different and fresh." Moreover, Peter Godwin (singer) of the 80's band Metro (British band) posited that the song was "Very retro! Could almost be The Buzzcocks!". The single "Can't Stand Waiting Here" will be released and promoted in the Philippines and The U.S. However, it is not certain if the band will be signed by Flores. Notable online magazine Vandals on the Wall called the single as "sun-drenched indie pop informed by a swoon-worthy chorus and a driving backbeat. It delivers on the promise of accessibility and surprising melodic detours while also highlighting the band’s love for Britpop, indie-rock and new wave. At its heart is pure pop confection set to summer warmth: the kind that blasts on alt-radio and invites a crowd sing-along."


Break-Up

After a successful relaunch, the band unexpectedly broke-up allegedly due to commitment issues from the other members. Reports mentioned that Castro was fed up with the tardiness and lack of commitment of the other members. Castro is forming a new band at the moment.


The Beautiful Letdown

Castro formed The Beautiful Letdown (band), name after
Switchfoot Switchfoot is an American rock band from San Diego, California. The band's members are Jon Foreman (lead vocals, guitar), Tim Foreman (bass guitar, backing vocals), Chad Butler (drums, percussion), and Jerome Fontamillas (guitar, keyboards, back ...
's album, right after the dissolution of The Pin-Ups in January 2016 but it took him a year to find the right members.


Band members

* Mondo C. Castro – vocals, guitars (1996– May 2015) * Ryan Nachura – guitars, keyboards, vocals (1997– May 2015) * Raffy Bonifacio – drums (2009–May 2015) * Hiyasmin Neri – vocals, guitars (2013–January 2015) * Hazel Silvestre – bass guitar (2014– May 2015) * Pamela Aquino – guitars, vocals (1996–2002) * Iggy Bilbao (1996) * Noel Garcia (deceased) – drums (1997–2002) * Jaja Manuel – guitars, vocals (2002–2004) * John Carpio – drums (1996–1997) * Ramses Dela Torre – guitar (1996–1997) * Robby Mananquil (2009–2010) * Mitch Singson – drums, vocals (2003–2009) * Jennifer Tan – bass, vocals (1996–2009) * Tanya Singh – bass, vocals (2010–2012) * Julz Savard - keyboards, vocals (2013) * Rydahl Bangkas - bass (2013) ;Session player * Japo Anareta - keyboards, vocals (2011–2014) ; Other Known Session Musicians *
Raimund Marasigan Raimund Emmanuel Parcon Marasigan (born May 22, 1971) is a Filipino rock musician and record producer. His first name is often misspelled ''Raymond'' or ''Raimond'' though he personally prefers to spell his name as Raymund. The breadth of his p ...
- bass, drums (1996-2004) * Wuwu Ortiz (deceased) - lead guitar (1999) * Jason Caballa - lead guitars (2001-2002) * JunJun Regalado - drums (2002) * Pot Quiambao - drums * Matt Johnson - drums (2006-2008)


Discography


Albums

*2001: ''Hello Pain'' (Broken Records) *2004: ''Taste Test: Expanded Menu'' (Know-It-All Records) *2005: ''Take on the Weakened Sky'' (Sutton Records) *2006: ''All Seats Are Taken'' (Sutton Records, distributed by Sony Music Philippines)


Singles and EPs

*2003: ''Taste Test EP'' (Know-It-All Records) *2014: "Can't Stand Waiting Here" (HolyZone Records)


Compilation appearances

*1999: ''Ride Rocket Wild'' (songs from NU107’s In The Raw) (Sony Music Entertainment) *2004: ''Jack Daniel's: In Session Manila'' ("Caress") (Jack Daniel's and The Gweilo's Hour release) *2007: ''Band Trip 2'' ("Nilamon Ng Gabi") (Sony-BMG Philippines) *2009: ''Baby Boom Sampler No. 4'' ("Jackson Pollock 9") (Baby Boom Records of Manchester, England)


Music videos


References


External links

* allmusicguide.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:jbfyxq9ald6e~T1
www.mb.com.ph/node/76996

philstar.com/youngstar/ysarticle.aspx?articleId=193783&publicationSubCategoryId=84


* ttp://www.whisperinandhollerin.com/reviews/review.asp?id=1659 whisperinandhollerin.com/reviews/review.asp?id=1659
whisperinandhollerin.com/reviews/review.asp?id=1546

agingyouth.com/?p=542



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{{DEFAULTSORT:Pin-Ups Filipino rock music groups Musical groups established in 1995 Musical groups disestablished in 2015 Musical groups from Manila