The Jerks

The Jerks
Philippine rock band The Jerks performing at a stage in Luneta Park on September 21, 2018, during a Martial Law anniversary protest rally.
Philippine rock band The Jerks performing at a stage in Luneta Park on September 21, 2018, during a Martial Law anniversary protest rally.
Background information
OriginManila, Philippines
GenresPinoy rock, punk rock, blues rock
Years active1979–present
LabelsStar Music
MembersChikoy Pura
Benjie Santos
Paolo Manuel
Past membersJun Lopito (deceased)
Angelo Villegas
Flor Mendoza (deceased)
Paul Benitez
Jong Cablitas
Gils Dawag
Boy Matriano
Heli Umali
Rene Tengasantos
Brutus Lacano
Rey Abella
Nitoy Adriano
Pino Fernandez
Loy Biscaro
Edwin Aguilar

The Jerks is a rock band from the Philippines formed in 1979, and perhaps, is the original alternative rock and blues band in the country.[1] The band has undergone a lot of member changes and notably a lot of the previous members of the band are now certified icons themselves in the music scene. Members like Chickoy Pura, Nitoy Adriano, Jun Lopito, Angelo Villegas, and others have carved names in their respective niches.[2][3] Other performers who have played with the Jerks are former Put3ska drummer Brutus Lacano as a session musician, and drummer Benjie Santos.

Despite having been formed in 1979, they only released their debut record in 1994 entitled The Jerks Live, released under Gary Granada's Backdoor Records. It was recorded live at the legendary Mayric's bar and showcases the raw, passionate musicality of the band never before put into record. The Jerks also released a self-titled album in the late '90s.[2]

By 1998, Star Music managed to convince the band to record a major label album called Haligi Ng Maynila, produced by ABS-CBN's Gabby Lopez, which gave the band the opportunity to reach a wider audience. This paved the way to the band winning the 1998 NU Rock Award for Best Album and the 1998 Katha Award for Best Rock Song, "Reklamo ng Reklamo".[2]

On October 29, 2004, the band celebrated their 25th Anniversary at 70s Bistro. Musicians like Bayang Barrios, Cooky Chua, Angelo & Mike Villegas, Jun Lopito, Tots Tolentino, Acoustic Jive will join the anniversary.[4]

The Jerks still perform regularly around Manila in bars like My Brother's Mustache Folk Bar near Timog Avenue, The 70s Bistro, Tiendesitas and Route 196 along Katipunan Extension.[5][6]

In June 2022, the band released a seven-inch extended play, "The Jerks EP". Featuring three songs that date back to 1981 that were only played on radio and never released on any format[7] and a reissue of "The Jerks Live" album on vinyl.[8]

  1. ^ "Biography 2.) The Jerks - Philippines". last.fm.
  2. ^ a b c "Chickoy Pura's leap of faith: A journeyman's journey". Inquirer Lifestyle. 2019-09-14. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  3. ^ "Old Dog, New Licks". Inquirer Lifestyle. 2013-05-04. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  4. ^ "The Jerks celebrate their first 25 years". philmusic.com. Philmusic. Archived from the original on 2005-12-21. Retrieved December 21, 2005.
  5. ^ Pastor, Pam (2006-10-16). "ALL ROADS lead to ROUTE 196!". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
  6. ^ "Shows and Events:The Jerks". Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
  7. ^ "How it took 41 years to put out The Jerks' original material on vinyl". news.abs-cbn.com. Rick Olivares. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  8. ^ "Why 2022 could be the year of The Jerks". news.abs-cbn.com. Rick Olivares. Retrieved April 18, 2022.