The year was 1993. A group of friends from high school got together for their first jam session in Manila. Little did they know then, they'd just begun the process of creating something atomic.

After a few changes to the lineup, these kids found themselves as the opening act for the Eraserheads at a gig in Las Piñas. It was minutes before set time and they didn't have a name yet. There was an unexplainable attachment to the word "River," but simply calling themselves that didn't feel right. Something was missing. None of the other names on their yellow pad clicked. Then suddenly, someone pitched the word "Maya," and in an instant, they knew. Rivermaya. 

"We are Rivermaya!": The "classic lineup" reunion reminds us why they're still the ‘Banda ng Bayan’

12 studio albums, three EPs, and multiple member changes later, Rivermaya are facing their 30th-anniversary head-on with a reunion concert at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Pasay City on 17 February 2024. It will be with the "classic lineup"—Bamboo Mañalac (vocals), Mark Escueta (drums), Nathan Azarcon (bass), and Rico Blanco (keyboards, guitars, and backing vocals)—focusing on their second and third albums, Trip and Atomic Bomb, with a little bit of their self-titled debut album. They've been busy gearing up for it, with Escueta sharing on Offstage Hang that the band has been meeting for weekly rehearsals at Studio M, playing TV guestings on ASAP and Eat Bulaga, and conceptualizing the entire show with Live Nation Philippines. It's definitely going to be a big one; a show that will make its mark in Philippine music history.

Bandwagon, with the help of Mark Escueta and former members of the group, banded together to make a rundown of Rivermaya's history from 1993 to the present, the lineup changes, and all the music they put out throughout their career.

1993

The Lineup:

Jesse Gonzales (vocals)
Kenneth Ilagan (guitars)
Nathan Azarcon (bass)
Rome Velayo (drums)
Rico Blanco (keyboards and backing vocals)

This was a simple time, when a group of five young guys got together to figure things out and test their chemistry as a band.

1993

The Lineup:

Jesse Gonzales (vocals) but soon replaced by Bamboo Mañalac
Kenneth Ilagan (guitars)
Nathan Azarcon (bass)
Mark Escueta (drums)
Rico Blanco (keyboards and backing vocals)

For the second lineup of the group, Nathan Azarcon brought his preschool buddy Mark Escueta and high school classmate Bamboo Mañalac into the fold. Things were about to get even more exciting; neutrons were getting ready for the big bang.

1994

The Lineup:

Bamboo Mañalac (vocals)
Perf de Castro (guitar)
Nathan Azarcon (bass)
Mark Escueta (drums)
Rico Blanco (keyboards and backing vocals)

Rivermaya made their debut as a five-piece band, splitting atoms and unleashing a kind of massive explosion that was never been seen before with the release of '214', 'Awit ng Kabataan', and 'Ulan' from their self-titled debut via BMG Records.

LATE 1995 - 1998

The Lineup:

Bamboo Mañalac (vocals)
Mark Escueta (drums)
Nathan Azarcon (bass)
Rico Blanco (keyboards, guitars, and backing vocals)

In the middle of recording their second studio album Trip, which saw Rivermaya's rise with 'Himala' and 'Kisapmata', Perf de Castro made his exit from the band. This quartet would be what they'll call the "classic Lineup" that will take the stage at the band's reunion concert for their 30th anniversary in 2024.

In 1997, more atoms were charged, causing a big wave of hot energy as Rivermaya unveiled their third record Atomic Bomb. The album features 'Hinahanap-Hanap Kita' and 'Elesi'. A year later, they would find themselves touring the U.S. and inevitably saying goodbye to Bamboo Mañalac as he stayed behind in San Francisco to be with his family, who'd migrated ahead of him.

1999 - 2000

The Lineup:

Mark Escueta (drums)
Nathan Azarcon (vocals, bass)
Rico Blanco (vocals, keyboards, guitars)

Rivermaya were now a trio. Rico Blanco, under his own volition, stepped up as vocalist for the group.

In 1999 they released their fifth record It's Not Easy Being Green via BMG Records, which features 'Nerbyoso', 'Shattered Like', and 'Rodeo'. A year later, they came out with Free, their album which includes 'Faithless' and 'Ambulansya'.

At this time, Rivermaya were scouting for new members to join the band. One of these hopefuls was Diego Mapa, who performed with them at a school event and the NU Rock Awards. "I was a contender in their new lineup but did not push through. The lineup that was formed for Tuloy Ang Ligaya. So those two shows I mentioned let’s just say were unspoken trial jams," Mapa tells Bandwagon. "I love Rivermaya and have great respect for all their past and present members."

2001 - 2007

The Lineup:

Mark Escueta (drums)
Japs Sergio (bass)
Rico Blanco (vocals, keyboards, guitars)
Kakoy Legaspi (guitars)
Mike Elgar (vocals, guitars)

2001 was the time Rivermaya sought to bring in more creative minds into the group. Rico Blanco and former manager Lisa Nakpil attended a Daydream Cycle gig in Malate and spotted 21-year-old bassist Japs Sergio. They called him over to talk and invited him for a jam session at Escueta's house. "There was already some talk going around the music circle that Nathan was on 'leave' from the band, so I wasn't completely clueless about the situation," Sergio shares with Bandwagon. "I was ecstatic, nervous, and terrified all at the same time."

After Sergio's first rehearsal with Rivermaya, Kakoy Legaspi came in and after another session, Mike Elgar joined the group. 

In this period, Rivermaya had signed with VIVA Records and went on to release three full-length albums and three EPs. In 2001, they unveiled Tuloy Ang Ligaya, which features 'Umaaraw, Umuulan' and 'Wag Na Init Ulo Baby', and Alab ng Puso EP.

"The whole process of making the Tuloy Ang Ligaya album was amazing," Sergio says. "Even the last day of recording was a blast, where we invited a bunch of friends, fellow musicians, and music industry people that quickly became an album-listening street party!"

With the release of their 2003 album Between the Stars and Waves, which includes 'A Love to Share', 'Balisong', 'Sunday Driving', and '241 (My Favorite Song)', Rivermaya became an unstoppable force. Their single 'Liwanag sa Dilim', which appears in the special edition release of the album, will one day become the anthem of hope for a generation of Filipinos.

Of course, a band that made it would get pulled to do some commercial work ('Liwanag sa Dilim' was also used as a jingle for Pepsi and LBC), and thus brought forth Rivermaya's 'Ka Greenwich Ka' in 2004.

In 2005, Rivermaya released what could arguably be their most popular song, 'You'll Be Safe Here', for the horror-drama series Spirits. Its reach went regional and won the hearts of many music fans across Asia and Europe. In two years' time Rivermaya had released their third EP, titled Bagong Liwanag, under VIVA Records.

2004 - MAY 2007

The Lineup:

Mark Escueta (drums)
Japs Sergio (bass)
Rico Blanco (vocals, keyboards, guitars)
Mike Elgar (vocals, guitars)

Rivermaya released their covers album Isang Ugat, Isang Dugo via VIVA Records in 2006. It also features the lone original track on the record, 'Isang Bandila', the theme song for ABS-CBN's news broadcasting show Bandila. They also came out with  Rivermaya: Greatest Hits, featuring 'Posible'.

In May 2007, Rico Blanco took his leave from the band after 13 years. Despite this, Rivermaya decided to continue making music together.

2007 - AUGUST 2010

The Lineup:

Mark Escueta (vocals, drums)
Japs Sergio (vocals, bass)
Mike Elgar (vocals, guitars)
Jayson Fernandez (vocals)

With the departure of Rico Blanco from the band, Rivermaya carried on to release Bagong Liwanag, an EP with five tracks and an additional five instrumentals.

The band held a televised two-day audition for a new vocalist called Bagong Liwanag on Studio 23, where they found 18-year-old vocalist Jayson Fernandez.

"The first audition was held at the UP campus in October of 2007," Fernandez tells Bandwagon. "There were 400 of us at one point, and suddenly there were only 24. Sadly, I was not among the final 12 contestants after the second round. I was feeling down and prepared to head home but then the judges decided to add one more to the lineup which was me! The Music Museum hosted the grand finals, and the rest is history."

Together with Fernandez, Rivermaya signed with Warner Music Philippines and released their ninth studio album Buhay, which features 'Sugal ng Kapalaran', 'Maskara', 'Sleep', and 'Ligawan Stage (Nerbyoso Part 2)'.

In 2009, they released their tenth full-length record Closest Thing to Heaven, featuring 'Dangal' and 'Ambotsa'.

"It felt as though I was dreaming. Just picture yourself as one of their fans and then you suddenly become a member. Since I was so young when I joined, I learned a lot from them, and I will always be grateful for that. I will always be a fan," Fernandez says.

2010 - 2012

The Lineup:

Mark Escueta (drums)
Japs Sergio (bass)
Mike Elgar (guitars)
Vocals (rotating)
   –Pochoy Labog
   –Paolo Valenciano

In 2011, Jayson Fernandez parted ways with Rivermaya due to musical differences, bringing in Salamin vocalist Paolo Valenciano and Dicta License frontman Pochoy Labog to take over vocal duties on rotation for the band. 

"Been waiting for this since I was [in] grade 6... Nung 'di bumalik si B from the US," Paolo Valenciano wrote in an Instagram Story, sharing his ticket to the upcoming Rivermaya reunion concert. "Feelings are going to be felt."

2012 - 2016

The Lineup:

Mark Escueta (co-lead vocals, drums)
Mike Elgar (co-lead vocals, guitars)
Ryan Peralta (percussion, keys)
Norby David (co-lead vocals, bass)

2012 saw the departure of bassist Japs Sergio, who went on to pursue music with his new band Peso Movement, and the addition of Overtone's Norby David and drummer Ryan Peralta to the band. Together, they released Panatang Makabanda via Universal Music Philippines in 2013, featuring 'Pilipinas, Kailan Ka Magigising?', 'Nasa Sa'yo' (featuring Gloc-9), 'Malayang Magmahal', 'Tayo Lang Dalawa', and 'Tayo'.

"Rivermaya has always been a presence spanning decades," Ryan Peralta shares in an interview with Business Mirror. "Despite changing members, they have maintained their hits, performing them live throughout the country and adding more." 

2016 - 2018

The Lineup:

Mark Escueta (co-lead vocals, guitars)
Mike Elgar (co-lead vocals, guitars)
Ryan Peralta (drums, percussion)
Nathan Azarcon (co-lead vocals, bass)

Now with Nathan Azarcon back in Rivermaya, the band hit Tower of Doom in Quezon City to work on their latest full-length album, Sa Kabila ng Lahat. The album, which was their first offering under Star Music, features the tracks 'Manila' and '8 to 5'.

LATE 2018 - PRESENT

The Lineup:

Mark Escueta (co-lead vocals, drums)
Mike Elgar (co-lead vocals, guitars)
Nathan Azarcon (co-lead vocals, bass)

Ryan Peralta left Rivermaya in 2018 with Escueta returning to his throne behind the drums. In 2022, they released 'Casino'. In 2023, Live Nation Philippines announced the band's reunion concert, featuring the "classic Lineup" with Bamboo Mañalac, Mark Escueta, Nathan Azarcon, and Rico Blanco.

Listen to Rivermaya's discography below.