By Pocholo Concepcion
Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines--“I will never leave Orange and Lemons… They just wanted to kick me out. Absurd and outrageous.
“The recent ballyhooed misunderstanding between me and my band mates, including [our management] No Seat Affair and [record label] Universal Records, has yet to reach a conclusion. I’m sorry if it took me a while to post anything official since I am still trying to assess the situation and settle our differences. Time is a very important element. I assure you that this is not a publicity gimmick.”
These statements were posted by Orange and Lemons guitarist/co-songwriter Clem Castro in his blogspot three months ago, shortly before the band flew to the US for a concert series.
Then, last week, Universal announced Orange and Lemons’ official breakup, based on a letter sent by the band’s management, which cited “individual and musical differences.”
The trouble that had been brewing and which finally led to the split was said to have begun at the recording sessions for the band’s latest album, “Moonlane Gardens.”
Sources privy to the infighting alleged that Clem had contested certain creative decisions.
“Clem wanted to have his own say, kasi parati na lang si Mcoy (Fundales, lead vocalist/co-songwriter) ang parang nabibigyan ng attention,” the source said. “Even the choice of what promo single to release was a cause for arguments.”
The perceived insecurity on Clem’s part was what led him, according to the source, to raise a fuss during a press con several months ago to promote the new album.
The incident made it to the Internet, with chat groups wondering why Clem was being “kicked out.”
When the group returned from the US concerts, their management and label tried to patch things up between Clem and the rest of the band. But the rift had worsened.
The latest word is that Mcoy plans to either go solo or form a new group with his old band’s rhythm section, the brothers Ace and JM del Mundo.
Mcoy also reportedly tried to audition as cast member of the new edition of the reality TV show “Pinoy Big Brother.”
Clem is likewise bent on forming his own band. He allegedly warned his ex-band mates not to use the name Orange and Lemons -- because he had coined it.
Formed in 2003 and heavily influenced by The Beatles and The Smiths, Orange and Lemons parlayed its melodic, pop-rock sound into a widely successful career with only two albums -- the indie release “Love in the Land of Rubber Shoes and Dirty Ice Cream” (Terno Recordings) and the major debut “Strike Whilst the Iron is Hot” (Universal).
The band was named Best New Artist for 2004 at the NU Rock Awards.
In 2005, its recording of “Pinoy Ako,” commissioned as the theme for ABS-CBN’s “Pinoy Big Brother,” became a huge hit in the country and among Filipinos abroad. Critics claimed it borrowed heavily from a British song, “Chandeliers,” by The Care. But no formal complaint was filed.
MANILA, Philippines--“I will never leave Orange and Lemons… They just wanted to kick me out. Absurd and outrageous.
“The recent ballyhooed misunderstanding between me and my band mates, including [our management] No Seat Affair and [record label] Universal Records, has yet to reach a conclusion. I’m sorry if it took me a while to post anything official since I am still trying to assess the situation and settle our differences. Time is a very important element. I assure you that this is not a publicity gimmick.”
These statements were posted by Orange and Lemons guitarist/co-songwriter Clem Castro in his blogspot three months ago, shortly before the band flew to the US for a concert series.
Then, last week, Universal announced Orange and Lemons’ official breakup, based on a letter sent by the band’s management, which cited “individual and musical differences.”
The trouble that had been brewing and which finally led to the split was said to have begun at the recording sessions for the band’s latest album, “Moonlane Gardens.”
Sources privy to the infighting alleged that Clem had contested certain creative decisions.
“Clem wanted to have his own say, kasi parati na lang si Mcoy (Fundales, lead vocalist/co-songwriter) ang parang nabibigyan ng attention,” the source said. “Even the choice of what promo single to release was a cause for arguments.”
The perceived insecurity on Clem’s part was what led him, according to the source, to raise a fuss during a press con several months ago to promote the new album.
The incident made it to the Internet, with chat groups wondering why Clem was being “kicked out.”
When the group returned from the US concerts, their management and label tried to patch things up between Clem and the rest of the band. But the rift had worsened.
The latest word is that Mcoy plans to either go solo or form a new group with his old band’s rhythm section, the brothers Ace and JM del Mundo.
Mcoy also reportedly tried to audition as cast member of the new edition of the reality TV show “Pinoy Big Brother.”
Clem is likewise bent on forming his own band. He allegedly warned his ex-band mates not to use the name Orange and Lemons -- because he had coined it.
Formed in 2003 and heavily influenced by The Beatles and The Smiths, Orange and Lemons parlayed its melodic, pop-rock sound into a widely successful career with only two albums -- the indie release “Love in the Land of Rubber Shoes and Dirty Ice Cream” (Terno Recordings) and the major debut “Strike Whilst the Iron is Hot” (Universal).
The band was named Best New Artist for 2004 at the NU Rock Awards.
In 2005, its recording of “Pinoy Ako,” commissioned as the theme for ABS-CBN’s “Pinoy Big Brother,” became a huge hit in the country and among Filipinos abroad. Critics claimed it borrowed heavily from a British song, “Chandeliers,” by The Care. But no formal complaint was filed.
