Urbandub
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2000 in Cebu City, Philippines |
| Headquarters | Cebu City , Philippines |
| Products | Rock music albums and singles |
Urbandub is a rock group originating from Cebu City, Philippines, established in 2000. The band’s current members are Gabby Alipe, John Dinopol, Lalay Lim, Sam Saludsong, and Russ Manaloto.
As the pioneering indie act in the Philippines to distribute albums nationwide with backing from a major label, Urbandub gained significant exposure. Their label also included them in the Pinoy rock compilation "FULL VOLUME," featuring their rendition of Sade's "No Ordinary Love." Expanding beyond local borders, the band toured Singapore, attracting listeners throughout Southeast Asia.
On May 9, 2015, Urbandub announced their final concert with the original members. Following this event, bassist and backing vocalist Lalay Lim and drummer JanJan Mendoza stepped away to prioritize family commitments.
In 2016, Alipe and Dinopol revived Urbandub—also referred to as "Gab and John"—bringing in bassist Russ Manaloto and drummer Sam Saludsong. After a hiatus, Lim and Mendoza rejoined the group in 2018.
Birth (2001)
Urbandub’s first album encountered difficulties in distribution due to limited support from major labels. Their lead single "Come," accompanied by a music video funded by Sonic Boom, helped establish their local presence. Other singles from the album included "Boy," "Give," and "Would You Go." Although initial success was modest, Birth laid the foundation for their influence within Cebu City’s music community. The album’s raw and heavy style drew inspiration from Deftones and experimental rock genres, serving as a continuation of the mid-1990s independent rock movement despite its unpolished production.
Influence (2003)
Urbandub’s sophomore release, INFLUENCE, came out under Lighter Records (Backyard Studio), showcasing an evolution in their sound. This period introduced drummer Jerros Dolino following Jed Honrado's exit. Jerros contributed to the recording but departed later in 2003 for undisclosed reasons, prompting JanJan Mendoza to join as his replacement. The album marked a pivotal moment in Urbandub’s artistic growth, featuring singles such as "Gone" and their acclaimed hit "Soul Searching," which earned Best Song of the Year at the NU107 Rock Awards 2003. The album itself was honored as Album of the Year at the NU107 Rock Awards 2004. Another notable track, "A New Tattoo," was written in memory of a former friend, Juan Paulo Hidalgo.
During this timeframe, guitarist John Dinopol sustained an injury from an accidental shooting linked to gang violence in Cebu. Though not life-threatening, his left arm required several months for recovery. To continue live performances during his absence, Urbandub enlisted Faspitch guitarist Russell Manaloto and Mong Alcaraz from Chicosci as temporary stand-ins. John made a comeback within a year, returning to live shows and appearing in the "A New Tattoo" music video despite wearing metal braces.
Embrace (2005)
Released in 2005 under Lighter Records with EMI Philippines’ involvement, Embrace allowed Urbandub creative liberty to record in Cebu while balancing independent ethos with major label resources. The album expanded their audience through singles like "Alert The Armory," "Frailty," "Endless, A Silent Whisper," and the widely popular "First of Summer." These songs enjoyed substantial radio rotation, reinforcing the band’s status within the local rock scene through their distinctive combination of poetic songwriting, intricate guitar work, and dynamic drumming.
Under Southern Lights (2007)
After surpassing 10,000 album sales and completing extensive tours, Urbandub launched Under Southern Lights on June 15, 2007. This release contains 10 tracks that highlight the band's polished rock sound and varied songwriting abilities.
The album's title honors Cebu City—their hometown and creative hub—and reflects the inspiration drawn from their families there, as explained by lead vocalist Gabby Alipe.
The opening single, "Anthem," begins with a striking guitar riff and energetic drumming, capturing Urbandub’s signature vocal harmonies. While the band explores new musical directions, they remain committed to evolving without sacrificing their essential character. Alipe mentioned their ambition to broaden their listener base while preserving the genuine intensity that defines their music.
The Apparition (2009)
In 2009, following the conclusion of their contract with EMI, Urbandub signed with MCA MUSIC and unveiled their fifth album, The Apparition, on November 28. The writing process took place in Cebu, where the group rented a mountain house transformed into a home studio for two months. Recording sessions were held afterward at Tracks Studio in Manila with producer Angee Rozul. Initial releases included covers of Depeche Mode’s "Home" and Sade’s "No Ordinary Love," reflecting their wide-ranging musical influences. The lead track "Gravity" combined the band’s characteristic heavy guitar riffs with melodic elements that are rare in Pinoy rock.
Esoteric (2013)
Released on September 20, 2013, Esoteric marked the band’s sixth studio album and their last before entering a hiatus in 2015. It featured the single "Never Will I Forget," which was dedicated to their fans, known as Dubistas, who also participated in recording the gang chant sections.
Hiatus and Reformation
Urbandub concluded their initial run with a farewell concert titled "Endless" on May 9, 2015, held at Metrotent Convention Center in Ortigas. Later that year, frontman Gabby Alipe briefly ventured into solo performances.
In 2016, the group returned as a trio before expanding into a four-member lineup consisting of Gabby (guitar/vocals), John (guitar), Russ Manaloto (bass), and Sam Saludsong (drums).
On February 25 and 26, 2018, the original members reunited for shows at 70s Bistro and 19 EAST Bar and Grill. These performances attracted approximately 750 Dubistas and featured a setlist covering hits from across their career since 2000.
Members
Current members
- Gabby Alipe – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2000–2015; 2016–present)
- John Dinopol – lead guitar, backing vocals (2000–2015; 2016–present)
- Lalay Lim-Geronimo – bass guitar, backing vocals (2000–2015; 2018–present)
- JanJan Mendoza – drums (2003–2015; 2018; currently on hiatus)
- Russ Manaloto – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2018–present); bass guitar (2016–2018)
- Sam Saludsong – drums (2016–present)
- Touring, studio, live, session members
- Eo Marcos – drums (2019)
Former members
- Jed Honrado – drums (2000–2002)
- Jerros Dolino – drums (2002–2003)
Studio Albums
- Birth (2001)
- Influence (2003)
- Embrace (2005)
- Under Southern Lights (2007)
- The Apparition (2009)
- Esoteric (2013)
| Album | Tracks | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | Boy Breakdown Would You Go Dissect Eating Me Picture Give Come It's Over Two Things Apart (featuring Dice & K9) Give (acoustic version) |
2001 | Lighter Records |
| Influence | Fallen on Deaf Ears Under Crisis Soul Searching Runaway Versus Gone Sailing Quiet Poetic A New Tattoo Lover Among Ruins |
2003 | Lighter Records |
| Embrace | An Interlude Between Closeness Alert The Armory Frailty First of Summer When Heroes Die Reveal The Remedy The Arsonist Endless, A Silent Whisper Safety in Numbers A City of Sleeping Hearts The End of Something |
2005 | EMI Philippines |
| Under Southern Lights | An Invitation Anthem The Fight Is Over Guillotine Cebuana Life Is Easy Evidence A Method To Chaos Inside The Mind of A Killer (featuring Kat Agarrado of Sinosikat?) She Keeps Me Warm |
2007 | EMI Philippines |
| The Apparition | Meneurs De Loup The Apparition Face in the Woods Gravity When Shadows Have Eyes What This Night Brings A Call To Arms Arrows Tongues Like Knives Bright City Kids Stars & The Sun Over The Hill & Back We Kept It Hidden Good Morning Bones Mountains Tell Stories |
2009 | MCA Music, Inc. |
| Esoteric | Stars Have Aligned Hover Never Will I Forget Dim the Headlights Cold Hearted When Love Is Not an Answer Sleight of Hand Between the Earth and Sky (featuring Aia DeLeon, formerly of Imago) Mantra The Burning Taste |
2013 | MCA Music, Inc. |
EP Album
- Sending A Message (2011)
| Album | Tracks | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sending A Message | Sending A Message This Used To Be My Playground A Call To Arms (Stripped Down Version) Home |
2011 | MCA Music, Inc. |
Singles
| Year | Single | MYX Hit and Billboard Chart Highest Position |
Album | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Come | — | Birth | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Give | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Would You Go | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003 | Gone | — | Influence | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soul Searching | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A New Tattoo | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | Alert The Armory | — | Embrace | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Frailty | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006 | Endless, A Silent Whisper | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First of Summer | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | Guillotine | 1 | Under Southern Lights | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | Evidence | 1 |
- |
The Fight is Over | 1 | - | 2009 | Gravity | 1 | The Apparition | - | 2010 | A Call To Arms | — | - | 2011 | Sending a Message | — | - | 2013 | Never Will I Forget | — | Esoteric | - | 2013 | Hover | — |
Videography
- From Birth
- "Come"
- From Influence
- "A New Tattoo"
- From Embrace
- "Alert the Armory"
- "First of Summer"
- "Endless, A Silent Whisper"
- "Frailty"
- From Under Southern Lights
- "Guillotine"
- "Evidence"
- "The Fight is Over"
- From The Apparition
- "Gravity"
- "A Call To Arms"
- "Sending a Message"
- From Esoteric
- "Never Will I Forget"
Awards and nominations
| Year | Awarding Organization | Category | Entry | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | NU Rock Awards | Best Song of the Year | "Soul Searching" | Template:Won |
| 2004 | NU Rock Awards | Album of the Year | "Influence" | Template:Won |
| 2006 | MYX Music Awards | Favorite Rock Video | "Alert the Armory" | Template:Nominated |
| NU Rock Awards | Vocalist of the Year | (Gabby Alipe) | Template:Won | |
| Guitarist of the Year | (John Dinopol) | Template:Nominated | ||
| Bassist of the Year | (Lalay Lim) | Template:Nominated | ||
| Drummer of the Year | (JanJan Mendoza) | Template:Nominated | ||
| Song of the Year | "First of Summer" | Template:Nominated | ||
| Artist/Band of the Year | N/A | Template:Nominated | ||
| Best Male Award | (Gabby Alipe) | Template:Nominated | ||
| Album of the Year | "Embrace" | Template:Nominated | ||
| Best Album Packaging | (with Kahlil de Pio for "Embrace") | Template:Nominated | ||
| Producer of the Year | (with Kerryl Demetrio for "Embrace") | Template:Nominated | ||
| 2007 | NU Rock Awards | Best Music Video | "Frailty" | Template:Nominated |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Best Performance by a Group Recording Artists (Performance Award) | "Evidence" | Template:Nominated |
| Best Rock Recording | "Guillotine" | Template:Nominated | ||
| Best Performance by a Group Recording Artists (People's Choice Award) | "Evidence" | Template:Nominated | ||
| MYX Music Awards | Favorite Rock Video | "Guillotine" | Template:Nominated | |
| NU Rock Awards | Listener's Choice Award | N/A | Template:Won | |
| Vocalist of the Year | (Gabby Alipe) | Template:Nominated | ||
| Guitarist of the Year | (John Dinopol) | Template:Nominated | ||
| Bassist of the Year | (Lalay Lim) | Template:Nominated | ||
| Drummer of the Year | (JanJan Mendoza) | Template:Nominated | ||
| Best Live Act | N/A | Template:Nominated | ||
| Artist of the Year | N/A | Template:Nominated | ||
| Album of the Year | "Under Southern Lights" | Template:Nominated | ||
| Best Album Packaging | (Team Manila for "Under Southern Lights") | Template:Nominated | ||
| Song of the Year | "Evidence" | Template:Nominated | ||
| Best Music Video | "Guillotine" | Template:Nominated | ||
| Producer of the Year | (with Angee Rozul for "Under Southern Lights") | Template:Nominated | ||
| 2010 | NU Rock Awards | Vocalist of the Year | (Gabby Alipe) | Template:Won |
| Bassist of the Year | (Lalay Lim) | Template:Won | ||
| Artist of the Year | N/A | Template:Nominated | ||
| Album of the Year | "The Apparition" | Template:Nominated | ||
| Song of the Year | "A Call to Arms" | Template:Nominated | ||
| Guitarist of the Year | (Gabby Alipe and John Dinopol) | Template:Nominated |
Additional honors:
- Gold Record Award recognizing Exceptional Sales (2007) – "EMBRACE" album (EMI)
- Best Group – Junk Magazine Regional Music Awards (Malaysia) (2008)
Additional information
- Gabby Alipe, the lead singer, revealed that the band's name was inspired by their original concept to form a reggae and dub ensemble incorporating elements of ska, dancehall, hip-hop, and rock. Although lineup adjustments and changing musical tastes led to a different sound, the name Urbandub was retained.
- The music videos for "First of Summer" and "Endless, A Silent Whisper," both directed by Marie Jamora, feature interconnected storylines and were produced over a span of three days.
- Urbandub made an appearance on Animax's program Mad Mad Fun.
- Gabby Alipe is recognized by a unique birthmark on his right eye, which resembles the shape of Cebu island.
- The band usually crafts albums containing exactly ten tracks.
- "Udub" serves as a widely used abbreviation for Urbandub.
- In 2015, Gabby Alipe ventured into acting with his role in the film The Breakup Playlist, starring alongside Piolo Pascual and Sarah Geronimo.
- Urbandub’s musical style encompasses alternative metal, OPM, and alternative rock, drawing inspiration from bands such as Deftones, Metallica, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, and Filter.
External links
- Urbandub profile at EMI Music Philippines
- Urbandub's official website
- Urbandub's Facebook page