Stonefree

Stonefree

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1995
Headquarters	Antipolo, Rizal , Philippines
Products	Rock music
Number of employees	4 (original lineup) (1995)
Website	www.facebook.com/stonefreeband

Stonefree emerged as a rock group from Antipolo, Rizal, Philippines, established in 1995. The lineup featured Regie Mangubat on bass, Relly Mangubat handling drums, Benson Tanoja playing guitar, and Miro Valera as the vocalist. Their recording contract with Warner Music Philippines spanned from 2004 until 2014.

Background

Initially called The Marikina Sound Machine, a name inspired by the Mangubat brothers’ hometown, the band eventually adopted the name Stonefree. They formed at UP Diliman and chose a name that symbolized a novel direction in rock music, deliberately avoiding the conventional "rockstar" stereotype.

While attending college, they frequently performed in local bar venues, interpreting songs influenced by bands such as Matchbox 20, Jars of Clay, and Incubus. Their presence extended to prominent Philippine music festivals including San Miguel Oktoberfest, NU Summer Shebang, Pulp Summer Slam, and the NU Rock Awards.

Their significant breakthrough occurred in 2002 after competing in Monster Radio RX 93.1's contest called The RX Band Breakout. Although they did not secure the top prize, their track "Listen" gained widespread popularity, winning Monster Radio RX 93.1’s OPM Song of the Year and reaching #3 on 103.5 K-Lite’s Yearend Countdown in 2003. This momentum allowed them to independently release a four-track EP titled Listen on July 23, 2004. Songs like "Kapag Nawala Ka" received extensive airplay, while "Listen" was featured on an ABC-5 television program and included in several compilation albums.

Their growing recognition attracted Warner Music Philippines, leading to their debut album Hibiscus, launched on August 19, 2004. The project was produced by Louie Talan and mastered by Zach Lucero of Imago, featuring guest musician Mark Escueta from Rivermaya. Singles such as "Ikot" and "Sayang" achieved considerable chart success; notably, "Sayang" earned a nomination for Best Performance by a New Group at the 19th Awit Awards. The album was met with critical praise and enjoyed strong sales bolstered by substantial airplay on Magic 89.9.

Stonefree expanded their visibility through television appearances and frequent music video broadcasts on MYX and MTV Diyes prior to releasing their first full-length album.

Their second album, DeLorean, was released on March 17, 2007, with the lead single "Anghel" gaining notable traction on radio and music channels. By mid-2010, original members Relly and Regie Mangubat had exited the band.

To continue their work on the third album Providence, Stonefree brought in Billy Reyes (from Kikomachine) on guitar, Jody Salas (of the Brew) on bass, and Nico Pineda (from Chubibo) on drums. Later on, Shan Regalado (Mayonaise) joined as drummer.

In 2014, Stonefree briefly reunited with original members Relly and Regie for a special reunion performance.

Subsequently, vocalist Miro Valera advanced as a finalist on The Voice of the Philippines (season 2).

Influences

Stonefree identifies grunge as their central musical influence while incorporating styles from funk, jazz, and pop genres into their sound. Their inspirations include bands such as Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Goo Goo Dolls, Stone Temple Pilots, and Matchbox 20, whose songs they frequently covered early in their career. Additionally, local legends like Eraserheads have shaped their musical identity.

Discography

• Listen (2004)

1. "Listen"
2. "Kapag Nawala Ka"
3. "Baka Naman"

• Hibiscus (2005)

1. "Clutch"
2. "Kapag Nawala Ka"
3. "Scar"
4. "Ikot"
5. "Sayang"
6. "The Way She Moves"
7. "Water"
8. "My Star"
9. "Baka Naman"
10. "Listen"
11. "Panahon"
12. "Langit"
13. "Ikaw Pa Rin"

• DeLorean (2007)

1. "Anghel"
2. "LSS"
3. "Tadhana"
4. "Don't Lie To Me"
5. "It's Over"
6. "Nasan Na"
7. "Bend"
8. "Last Days Of May"
9. "Tidal Waves"
10. "Love and Grace"

• Providence (2012)

1. "Camouflage"
2. "Providence"
3. "Teach Me"
4. "Fallin'"
5. "Ecstatic"
6. "Bionic"
7. "A Perfect Place"
8. "Life Designed For You"
9. "Providence (Unplugged)"
10. "A Perfect Place (Piano Version)"

External links

• Official Facebook page of Stonefree