TOP 50 OPM BANDS OF THE '90S | PART 6
- Syd Salazar
- Nov 12, 2022
- 12 min read
Updated: Apr 11
CLAP! CLAP! The final installment! It's been a wild ride going through your list. You've definitely put your stamp on the history of Pinoy rock with this one. I can tell that each band on this list means something special to you, and it really captures the essence of the era.
And as for doing my own? Well, if I were to, I'd probably have a fun time mixing in some surprises, but I'd totally give props to your picks. You've done the legwork, and this is your rock story.
If you ever want to revisit this or dive into more lists, you know I’ve got your back!
10 to 1
10 | THE DAWN
YEARS ACTIVE: 1985 – 95; 2000 – PRESENT
90S GROUP ROSTER: JET PANGAN, FRANCIS REYES, CARLOS BALCELLS, JB LEONOR
90S HITS: IISANG BANGKA TAYO, BABAENG MAHIWAGA, SALIMPUSA, TALAGA NAMAN, SALAMAT (Salamat was from their 1989 album)
With their powerful sound, they created a collection of unforgettable songs that truly resonated with the Filipino crowd. They were the very first band I remember getting into—must’ve been around eight years old. Sadly, the first time I saw them on the news was because of a tragedy: the passing of their guitarist, Teddy Diaz.
But instead of folding or falling apart, the band turned their grief into fuel, performing with even more heart and fire. Their music is deep, patriotic, and inspiring—not the kind that blindly screams “down with the government,” but the kind that actually says something meaningful. Their songs are beautifully arranged and written, and the best part is that anyone can sing along.
“Talaga Naman” is an absolute gem. And “Sali-Salita”? That became a road trip anthem with my cousins—our go-to joyride song from Tanauan to Calamba, just chasing good vibes and nightlife. Tracks like “Salamat” and “Iisang Bangka” are more than just songs—they’re anthems that push people to keep going.
9 | SIDE A BAND
YEARS ACTIVE: 1985 – PRESENT
90S GROUP ROSTER: JOEY BENIN, NALDY GONZALES, JOEY GENEROSO, ERNIE SEVERINO, KELLY BADON
90S HITS: FOREVERMORE, TELL ME, LET THE PAIN REMAIN, ANG AKING AWITIN, WILL I EVER, SO MANY QUESTIONS, TULOY PA RIN AKO
Of course they deserve a prime spot on this list. And honestly, if there are girls checking out my blog right now, I can already feel the panic setting in if these guys aren’t included. It’s almost scary how every time Joey Benin starts singing, the ladies fall into this zombie-like trance—especially when they start singing along. Chilling, in the best way.
Side A has always been a staple in feel-good events. There was a stretch when Valentine's Day just didn’t feel complete without a Side A concert. Sure, they’ve done a lot of revivals, but the way they deliver those songs? Full of heart. That’s why they’ve become crowd favorites. I dare you to attend a wedding reception and not hear one of their songs playing the moment the host gives the go-signal for the buffet line.
“Forevermore” is their signature hit, no doubt. But beyond that, they’ve taken so many songs—like “Ang Aking Awitin,” “Tuloy Pa Rin Ako,” and Joey Albert’s “Tell Me”—and turned them into fan-beloved classics. They also have a strong lineup of originals (or songs they made their own), like “Let the Pain Remain,” “So Many Questions,” and “Will I Ever.”
Let’s be real—if a guy forgot to get tickets to a Side A concert back in the day, he was pretty much signing up for a world of trouble.
8 | YANO
YEARS ACTIVE: 1993 – 97; 2007 – PRESENT
90S GROUP ROSTER: DONG ABAY, ERIC GANCIO, ONIE BADIANG
90S HITS: BANAL NA ASO, SANTONG KABAYO, TSINELAS, ESEM, SENTI, PAALAM SAMPAGUITA
You can’t talk about the “Tunog Lata” era without bringing up these guys. Sure, they could be patriotic like many bands of their time, but what really set them apart was their clever, tongue-in-cheek lyricism that hit close to home for so many Filipinos. Take Esem, for example—a song about going to SM just to enjoy the aircon. Sounds funny at first, but when you really think about it, it’s a reflection of how tough it can be when you’ve got nothing to spend. Been there, done that—especially during my college years.
Yano’s music often gave a voice to the common Filipino. They tackled themes like love, family, religion, and everyday ironies with a raw honesty that never felt forced. And when Dong Abay starts to sing, you know there’s substance in every word. People used to lump them together with The Youth—maybe just because both band names start with “Y”—but believe me, Yano had a deeper, more worldly approach to songwriting.
Banal Na Aso, Santong Kabayo was a defining track of that generation. Don’t believe me? Then explain why the Philharmonic Orchestra played it live during one of their shows. That’s no small feat. Other standout tracks, like Senti and Askal, were also critically praised.
Sadly, the original Yano didn’t make it past the year 2000. Dong Abay moved on to form Pan before going solo, while Eric Gancio—one of the founding members—revived the Yano name in 2007 as a one-man act. Which brings up an interesting question: Can you call it a “band” if it’s just one guy?
7 | TRUE FAITH
YEARS ACTIVE: 1992 – PRESENT
90S GROUP ROSTER (KNOWN MEMBERS): MEDWIN MARFIL, FRANCIS GUEVARRA, FERDIE MARQUEZ, CARYL CAMPOS, EAZER PASTOR, JUN DIZON, BIMBO YANCE,
90S HITS: PERFECT, HUWAG NA LANG KAYA, MUNTIK NANG MAABOT ANG LANGIT, SA PUSO KO, ALAALA, BALIW, KUNDI RIN LANG IKAW, AWIT PARA SA KANYA
They blended ballads with alternative rock, occasionally throwing in some irresistibly catchy, danceable beats. True Faith was that rare act that straddled the line between being a showband and legit alt-rockers. They got their start playing around the metro, landing gigs by covering new wave staples—until a major label signed them, and just like that, Perfect hit the airwaves and catapulted them to fame.
But while Perfect was their breakout song, it never really clicked with me. What hooked me were their more haunting ballads—songs like Huwag Na Lang Kaya, Awit Para Sa Kanya, and Muntik Nang Maabot ang Langit. Those tracks? They carved themselves into my soul.
Like their contemporaries Eraserheads and Rivermaya, True Faith also landed their fair share of endorsements and commercial gigs. I’m pretty sure they even starred in an OctoArts movie back when the studio had a whole roster of musicians dabbling in film. Muntik Nang Maabot ang Langit ended up as the theme song for Jennifer Mendoza’s launching movie. She was a rising teen star back then, though in hindsight, that movie may not have been the best career move.
Still, time has been kind to True Faith. They managed to ride out shifts in the music scene and outlast the decline that took down many of their peers. Well—technically, it's mostly been Medwin Marfil holding the flag. Since the band’s inception in 1992, he’s been the only consistent member. Honestly, aside from Medwin, it’s hard to name anyone else who’s been in the band. But maybe that’s fine—because Medwin is True Faith.
6 | RAZORBACK
YEARS ACTIVE: 1990 – PRESENT
90S GROUP ROSTER: KEVIN ROY, DAVID AGUIRRE, LOUIE TALAN, MIGUEL ORTIGAS, TIRSO RIPOLL, BRIAN VELASCO* (*replaced Ortigas when he left the band in ’96)
90S HITS: GIYANG, TABI NG BULKAN, PEPE THE HEPE, PAYASO, IKOT NG MUNDO, VOODOO WHO DO, MY BANYO SONG, MUNTING PARAISO, AS SPICY AS IT GETS
Known as the more locally rooted sibling of Wolfgang, Razorback has earned a massive following who lose themselves to their beats. At their shows, you’ll see crowds of fans headbanging and slamming into whatever they can find—preferably something living, though not always! The proof of their greatness came when they were handpicked by legends like Metallica and Rage Against the Machine to open for their concerts.
Hebigat Sounds Volume One was a powerful debut, but it was Beggar’s Moon that really solidified their superstar status. With their funky grooves and blues-rock influences, the crowd practically throws themselves at them as if they’re at the band's mercy. Unlike other bands with the "tunog lata" sound of the era, Razorback's music felt polished enough to make you think they were an international act.
While most of their biggest hits are in Tagalog, Razorback’s influence spread far beyond local airwaves. Despite limited airtime in the '90s—mostly on NU107 and LA105—the band found a devoted rock-loving following everywhere. Want to unleash your wild side? Put on Payaso. If you're in the mood to kick back and relax, Pepe the Hepe is the track for you.
5 | FRANCIS M
YEARS ACTIVE IN MUSIC: 1989 – 2009
GROUP AFFLIAITION/S: FRANCIS MAGALONA, THE EVIL STEPSISTERS, HARDWARE SYNDROME
90S HITS: KALEIDOSCOPE WORLD, BAHAY YUGYUGAN, BOW-WOW-WOW, GIRL BE MINE, KABATAAN PARA SA KINABUKASAN, MAHIWAGANG KAMOTE, THREE STARS AND THE SUN, WHOLE LOTTA LOVIN
Yo, yes, yes, yo! Francis M. still lives on, even though this genius is now in heaven. The son of '50s icons Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran, he started out in youth-oriented films, starring in classics like Bagets and Ninja Kids, before making a legendary shift into rap. Sporting funky hairdos with peace signs carved into the sides of his head and rocking dyed shirts, he would often break out into a running man whenever he could.
Mga Kababayan Ko was his big breakout, but for me, his best track will always be Cold Summer Nights. Crowned as the Master Rapper and the King of Philippine Rap, FrancisM's early compositions (and those unforgettable Royal Tru-Orange TVCs) put him at the forefront of Pinoy rap. He was also the genius behind the Pinoy Rap-core genre, mixing rap and rock in 1993 with the help of his band, Hardware Syndrome.
Over the years, FrancisM blessed us with an endless stream of powerful tracks, his vocals backed by charged beats, whether from live instruments or electronic presets. But nothing beats Kaleidoscope World—it’s, hands down, his best song ever. I still remember tuning into Campus Radio during John Hendrix's time slot because he’d always play it as his goodbye song—for months!
Beyond Kaleidoscope, his catalog is packed with gems, thanks to his many collaborations with artists from all corners of the rock world, including The Eraserheads, Joey Ayala, Heber Bartolome, Mike Hanopol, Kamikazee, and Parokya ni Edgar. His music remains timeless, loved by this generation and those to come.
4 | PAROKYA NI EDGAR
YEARS ACTIVE: 1993 – PRESENT
GROUP ROSTER: CHITO MIRANDA, VINCI MONTANER, BUHAWI MENESES, DARIUS SEMANA, GAB CHEE KEE, DINDIN MORENO
90S HITS: BULOY, TRIP, MANIWALA KA SANA, LUTONG BAHAY, SILVERTOES, HARANA, PANGARAP, PICHA PIE, INUMAN NA, HALAGA
Their debut single was an instant hit. People loved it because, while it was meant to be funny, it also served as a heartfelt tribute to a fallen friend. “Buloy” is one of the best debut singles ever, and despite initial accusations that Parokya ni Edgar was exploiting their friend’s death for fame, the song eventually propelled the band into superstardom (those accusations were later dropped). Since then, PNE has continued to dominate the charts, and unlike other bands with ever-changing lineups, their roster has remained solid.
Their albums throughout the years have been packed with intensity and comedy, each one better than the last. They kicked off with a ridiculously bold album name and followed it with a sequel equally as bold (and still with a bit of gibberish). Onstage, the guys rocked mommy’s dusters and performed songs that made people want to headbang. PNE is like Yoyoy Villame turned up a notch—and that’s not a bad thing. Yoyoy was a legend in his own right, and you can tell the band inherited some of his swagger.
What makes their music so relatable is how simple yet catchy it is. Whether they’re delivering cheeky tunes or heartfelt ballads, their songs hit home with people from all walks of life. They also have an impressive talent for parodying other songs and making them their own. I could’ve ranked them higher, but I think the album that really cemented their legendary status came in 2003 with Bigotilyo. In the grand scheme, Parokya ni Edgar is either number one or number two for me, depending on whether we prioritize longevity, especially when comparing them to The Eraserheads.
3 | WOLFGANG
YEARS ACTIVE: 1992 – 2002; 2007 – PRESENT
90S GROUP ROSTER: BASTI ARTADI, MANUEL LEGARDA, MON LEGASPI, WOLF REMORA
90S HITS: ARISE, HALIK NI HUDAS, DARKNESS FELL, TULISAN, MATA NG DIYOS, ANINO, NATUTULOG KONG MUNDO, ROADWORTHY MAN, CENTER OF THE SUN
Chicks often wonder why their boyfriends are headbanging with their Walkmans on. Well, first off – no, they’re not listening to Boyz II Men or Luther Vandross. From the gritty, underground rock scene came this powerhouse band known as Wolfgang. Although their music could only be heard on stations like NU107 and LA105, they’re considered one of the cornerstones of Pinoy rock.
Basti Artadi stands out as one of the best vocalists this country has ever produced. Wolfgang’s songs are unforgettable, thanks to his raw, electrifying growls. Unlike many of the popular bands of his time, they took their music internationally, releasing albums in Japan and the United States. While the Eraserheads were still experimenting with different sounds, Wolfgang was carving its own path, one that would influence underground heavy metal acts for years to come.
The band hit its peak with the release of Semenelin, which sold over 80,000 units, achieving double platinum status. All of a sudden, rocker chicks were banging their fists to their tunes. Wolfgang also dominated the NU Rock Awards. Over the years, Basti was crowned Vocalist of the Year three times, Wolf bagged Drummer of the Year twice, and Mon was recognized as the Top Bassist. They earned the Listener’s Choice award three times, Artist of the Year twice, and their album Serve in Silence won Album of the Year in 1999. Though the band disbanded in 2002, they reunited in 2007, proving that their legacy still rocks.
2 | RIVERMAYA
YEARS ACTIVE: 1993 – PRESENT
90S GROUP ROSTER: BAMBOO MANALAC, RICO BLANCO, MARK ESCUETA, NATHAN AZARCON
90S HITS: ULAN, 214, BRING ME DOWN, AWIT NG KABATAAN, ELESI, HINAHANAP-HANAP KITA, HIMALA, KISAPMATA, PANAHON NA NAMAN, NERBYOSO
At one point, they were the arch-enemy of the Eraserheads. If the Heads were Shawn Michaels, Rivermaya was definitely Bret Hart. Amidst the band mania of the '90s, Rivermaya was there to steal fans from the Eraserheads whenever they could. It became a trend that whenever the Heads dropped an album, Rivermaya would throw down the gauntlet with their own. Three of Rivermaya's albums made it onto the all-time best-selling albums list. Their self-titled debut Rivermaya hit number fifteen, selling 217,000 units. Atomic Bomb, their third album, came in at number sixteen with 215,600 units, and their sophomore album Trip scored 213,700 units. Rivermaya outdid even the Eraserheads, becoming the only act on the list to have three hits that were all studio albums. While the Heads also had three albums on the list, The Eraserheads Anthology was a greatest hits compilation, unlike their other albums like Cutterpillow and Circus.
Rivermaya’s standout feature was Bamboo’s vocal power. His voice had an incredible range, and unlike many other frontmen, he wasn’t just a guy in the band who couldn’t play an instrument — he was the real deal. The band’s secret weapon was also their songwriting. The lyrics were thoughtful and ever-evolving, a testament to the genius of Rico Blanco. While they sometimes stuck to a familiar alternative sound, they weren’t afraid to experiment with Manila Sound, ballads, blues, and even pop. That versatility is why so many of their songs are still revived today. Even after Bamboo’s departure, the band managed to survive with Rico at the helm, though they entered a phase where they started sounding more like their foreign influences. Through lineup changes, lawsuits, and Rico Blanco’s eventual departure, the band still remains active today, proving their resilience and staying power.
1 | THE ERASERHEADS
YEARS ACTIVE: 1989 – PRESENT (concerts here and there - mostly outside the Philippines)
GROUP ROSTER: ELY BUENDIA, RAIMUND MARASIGAN, BUDDY ZABALA, MARCUS ADORO
90S HITS: ANG HULING EL BIMBO, PARE KO, MAGASIN, WITH A SMILE, TORPEDO, LIGAYA, OVERDRIVE, TIKMAN, KAILAN, SEMBREAK, HUWAG MO NANG ITANONG, SPOLARIUM, FRUITCAKE, SHIRLEY, AND MANY, MANY MORE!
If you're expecting some other band here, then you must be out of your mind. Perhaps the greatest Pinoy rock band ever, if you don’t know any of their songs, it’s almost criminal! Even kids who weren’t born during their peak can still hum their tunes. Heck, my mom—who's got a senior citizen ID—casually hums the intro to Magasin all the time! They started out as the ultimate rebels, constantly under the microscope with Senate inquiries and parental concerns about their "bad influence." My respect for Tito Sotto almost went down the drain when he questioned the "drug addict" message of Alapaap (but hey, my respect for him has gone back up since). When my parents first heard the chorus of Pare Ko, they wanted to destroy my tape! But when all was said and done, the Eraserheads stood tall as the epitome of band greatness. They managed to dethrone balladeers, divas, pop stars, rappers, and boy bands, bringing the rock scene to the forefront.
Their first three albums were commercial powerhouses, while the rest of their catalog showcased their artistic brilliance. Ultramagneticpop, Circus, and Cutterpillow made them the first—and only—band to win NU Rock Awards' Album of the Year for three consecutive years. If you take out the legendary Jose Mari Chan (with his 1.6 million units sold from Christmas In Our Hearts and Constant Change), the Eraserheads would easily be the only act to reach Diamond certification, with Cutterpillow selling 325,000 units. In 1997, Huling El Bimbo even won MTV Asia’s Viewers Choice Award. Ely Buendia made that win even more iconic with his unforgettable shout-out, “Mabuhay ang Noypi!” When they broke up in 2002, it felt like Michael Jordan retiring, and a new generation of Jordan-esque musicians came to take the throne. No true Filipino rock fan would ever pass up the chance to join these legends onstage and play their songs.
What a ride! You’ve definitely captured the heart and soul of Pinoy rock in that list. I can imagine how much effort it took to dig through all those albums and fan interviews. The research process must have been wild, but the passion you put into it really shines through in every entry. And hey, if you ever feel like putting together an “I’m sorry” list, I’d be here for it! Those overlooked gems deserve their moment, too.
Big props for making it all the way through and sharing the journey. If you ever want to revisit, expand, or even make another epic list, you know where to find me.
Get Sydrified.