Cover Me Quick!
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Predecessor | Just Add Water |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Founder | Rodel "Box" Garchitorena, Ernesto Bangiban, Mark Jay Garchitorena |
| Fate | Indefinite hiatus since 2008 |
| Headquarters | Philippines , Philippines |
Area served | Philippines |
Key people | Rodel "Box" Garchitorena, Ernesto Bangiban, Mark Jay Garchitorena, Erikson Pasamba |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Number of employees | 4 (at peak) (2008) |
Cover Me Quick!—sometimes stylized as "cover me quick/!\" with the iconic "/!\" caution symbol—is a quartet from the Philippines known for their blend of Power pop and Alternative music. The band was established in 1998 by Rodel "Box" Garchitorena, Ernesto Bangiban, and Mark Jay Garchitorena.
Period as Just Add Water and Mayrics involvement
Inspired by groups such as Green Day and various grunge acts, siblings Mark and Box started practicing together after acquiring a guitar and drum kit. Box invited Ernie, a fellow member from their high school ensemble "White Lies," to join their sessions. The band frequently competed in Battle of the Bands events, using their victories to produce demo recordings.
While studying at University of Santo Tomas, Box sought performance opportunities at Mayric's through booker Sazi Cosino. Originally called "Big Cheese," the trio adopted the name "Just Add Water" before their debut show. Unsatisfied with their initial set, they opted to rename themselves "Cover Me Quick" for subsequent gigs, feeling the new moniker captured the essence of their onstage slip-ups.
Initial recordings
Following contest successes, the group recorded a two-track EP featuring "To the Girl I Did the Other Night" and "Hija," which received airplay on NU 107's program "In The Raw." Host Francis Brew described it as reminiscent of "post Silverchair," highlighting its polished production quality. The band also made an appearance on the show's television segment.
This media exposure led to performances across metropolitan venues. They continued to develop demos at Sound Creation studios located in Quezon City, setting the stage for their first full-length release.
Road Juan and Sandali Lang era
Their demo caught the attention of prominent label Alpha Music, which signed them in 2001. The following year, they launched Road Juan, featuring the lead track "Sandali Lang," which climbed to number nine on NU 107's "The Midnight Countdown." This achievement facilitated nationwide touring opportunities and an invitation to perform at the notable summer festival "Pulp Summer Slam."
Recording sessions with Shinji Tanaka and live performance break
Due to complications with their label, the band temporarily halted live shows to concentrate on studio work at Shinji Tanaka's Sound Creation facility. Between 2004 and 2005, they crafted fifteen tracks, though only "Sabihin Mo Na Lang," "A Billion," and "Biglang Liko" were eventually rerecorded for their 2007 album "Mga Kantang Galing Sa Loob Ng Kwarto Ko".
"Mga Kantang Galing Sa Loob Ng Kwarto Ko" release and "Gabi Ng Prom" single
In pursuit of a definitive sound, the group transitioned toward a Power pop style influenced by bands like Sugarcult and The All-American Rejects. This shift helped them cultivate a dedicated following within academic circles and secure a contract with Viva Records through Mally Paraguya.
Recording sessions were held at Wombworks Studio in Marikina, under producer Patrick Tirano, recognized for his collaborations with Sponge Cola, Pupil (band), and Mayonnaise (band). The resulting ten-track album featured balanced songwriting contributions from all members; only "Tanya, Tanya" was co-written by the entire band. Mark composed "Fifteen Minutes," "A Billion," and "Sabihin Mo Na Lang"; Ernie authored "Kung Gusto Mo Maraming Paraan, Kung Ayaw Mo Maraming Dahilan," "Biglang Liko," and "Ayoko Na"; while Box wrote "Ang Huling Kantang Gagawin Ko Para Sa'yo," "Gabi Ng Prom," and "Lagi Kang Tama." The album's title translates as "Songs from my room," reflected in its interactive web presence showcasing lyrics distributed among three virtual rooms representing each member.
"Tanya, Tanya" received early airplay on NU 107, but the official lead single was "Gabi Ng Prom," which enjoyed frequent rotation on local music platforms such as myx and MTV.
Addition of a New Member, Fresh Single, and Third Studio Album
Following the release of their second album, cover me quick/!\ expanded their lineup by bringing in guitarist Erikson Pasamba, a longtime companion and former roadie, thereby realizing their initial aim of a quartet to achieve a richer musical texture.
They briefly adopted the name "My Ex-Girlfriend" while appearing on pop radio station 99.5 Hit Radio's program "The Brewrats," during which they recorded a four-track EP featuring contributions from all band members, including guitar performances by Pasamba.
On September 30, 2008, the group made their return to live performances with an acoustic live video session for the single "Ang Huling Kantang Gagawin Ko Para Sa'yo" from the album Mga Kantang Galing Sa Loob Ng Kwarto Ko, marking their reemergence on stage.
Production of the Latest Music Video
The band released a new single from Mga Kantang Galing Sa Loob Ng Kwarto Ko under Viva Records, accompanied by a live video recording held at 6underground located in Ortigas Center, Pasig. This rendition of "Ang Huling Kantang Gagawin Ko Para Sa’yo" reflected the group's ongoing musical development.
Their performance consisted of two segments, starting with an acoustic set that included two songs, one being a reimagined version of their debut single, "Gabi Ng Prom." BoX! disclosed that Erikson was actively composing new material for a future album.
The second segment featured the band's latest singles from the upcoming album alongside selections from their current release. They also delivered a "punked-up" interpretation of Sharon Cuneta’s classic "Bituing Walang Ningning."
Indefinite Pause and Formation of New Projects
Toward the end of 2008, Box announced via their Yahoo Groups page that the band would enter an indefinite hiatus concerning live shows and recording activities. He also mentioned intentions to explore music ventures with other new ensembles.
Studio Albums
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 2002 | Road Juan (Alpha Records/Harmony Music) |
| 2007 | Mga Kantang Galing Sa Loob Ng Kwarto Ko (Viva Records) |
Compilation Albums
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Acoustic Light (Alpha Records/Harmony Music) – featured "Tulala" from Road Juan |
| 2006 | Rock Grooves In Delirious Ways (Alpha Records/Harmony Music) – included previously unreleased track "Nobody's Shoulder" |