{ Biography }

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Current Members:
Vocals – Miguel Chavez
Guitars – Miguel Alcaraz
Bass – Carlos Calderon
Guitars – Ariel Lumanlan
Drums – Macoy Estacio

Former Members:
Guitars – Sonny Baquisal
Drums – Joel Salvador
Percussions – Eugene Esquivias

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).

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.

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 2002 NU 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.

Achievements:
Listener’s Choice Award – 2009 NU107 Rock Awards
Favorite Artist of Philippines – MTV Asia, 2008
Best produced album – “Method of Breathing,” 2002 NU107 Rock Awards
Song of the year – “Paris,” 2002 NU107 Rock Awards
Guitarist of the year – Mong(2002 & 2006 NU107 Rock Awards) and Sny(2002 NU107 Rock Awards)
Best Director – Lyle Sacris for “Sink or Swim,” 2001 MTV Pilipinas Music Awards
Best Designed Album Cover – “Revenge of the Giant Robot,” 2001 NU107 Rock Awards
Male of the year – Mong, 2006 NU107 Rock Awards

Nominations:
Song of the year – “Diamond Shotgun,” 2009 Nu107 Rock Awards
Album of the year – “Icarus”, 2004 NU107 Rock Awards
Guitarists of the year – Mong and Sny, 2004 NU107 Rock Awards
Best album packaging – “Icarus”, 2004 NU107 Rock Awards
Drummer of the year – Joel, 2002 NU107 Rock Awards
Best rock recording – “Sink or Swim,” 2001 Awit Awards
Song of the year – “Sink or Swim,” 2001 NU107 Rock Awards
Best music video – “Sink or Swim,” 2001 NU107 Rock Awards
Best new artist – 2000 NU107 RockAwards

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