The Youth is a Filipino rock band. Their music is a mixture of punk and alternative rock, influenced heavily by WUDS, a pioneering Filipino Punk band.
Current members
- Dodong Cruz (vocals, guitarist)
- Erap Carrasco (drums)
- Robert Javier (bassist, vocals)
- John Earl Gavaran (Water Boy)
Former Members
- Pat Epino (lead guitarist)
- John Olidan (bassist)
- Raul Velez (guitarist)
Early years
First called ”Boyish Days”, the band formed in 1989 by Dodong Cruz (vocals/rhythm guitar), Erap Carrasco (drums), Pat Epino (lead guitar) and John Olidan (bass). They played music suitable during the time, alternative and punk music, which was common on the radio station XB102’s Capital Radio. The station saw the origins of what would be one of the most famous local acts of the early 90’s.
Epino eventually left the band to form his own band, H8red. Raul Velez joined and assumed guitar duties. Upon the arrival of Velez, the group’s name was changed to The Youth. With their diverse influences, The Youth was able to produce their very own signature sound.
In 1990, Richard Tan of Backbeat Records took them under his wing. They were able to record and release a self-titled independent album. Like any other indie productions, the album had limited success. It is considered a collector's item today.
The band started performing in different underground gigs. They even penned themselves as “Da Wol” while signing up for the 1990 RJ Battle of the Bands, a contest strictly for amateur bands only. That meant the band having not recorded an album yet. Even with the indie album under their belt, they made it to the top and won the contest. Shortly after, however, Velez and Olidan left the band. The departure of two members was immediately replaced by a single Robert Javier, forming the classic thee-piece line-up of The Youth. As soon as he started jamming with the band, he injected his own off-beat humor into the band’s songs and performances. Due to frontman Cruz’s persistence, Club Dredd finally agreed to book the band in 1991. Considering their high-volume, high-energy and highly-impromptu performances, the band slowly established a cult following after several months of gigs. Soon, they became a headliner of the club. Their shows were sold-out, sometimes twice a week or more. Thanks to their combined punk, alternative rock, hard rock and satirical humor, audiences ate up their irreverent humor and distinct musicality. People returned again and again, each performance having unexpected surprises.
Going Major
1993 witnessed the band’s signing to a major label. A few months after The Eraserheads were signed to Sony Music, The Youth was contracted by MCA Music. This started the so-called “alternative music boom”. In 1994, the band released their debut album, "Album Na Walang Pamagat" (lit. Untitled Album). It contained the carrier single, "Multo Sa Paningin (Multong Bakla)" which became an instant hit. Robert started writing songs. The five songs first recorded in the previous album were included. The Youth gained massive airplay on many different rock stations across the nation.
The follow-up album was delayed as the band performed concerts all over the country and their fist album sold around 100,000 copies. In 1997, the much-awaited second album, entitled "Tao Po" was released. Though the album sales were similar to that of their debut album, the reviews were mixed, partly due to alternative rock's decline. With lack of airplay and promotion, gigs slowly declined. The Youth gained a name for creating riotous concerts. One example was at the Araneta Coliseum where the band wasn’t able to play a single song due to riots breaking out whenever they started playing. The riots eventually stopped.
They also made three albums in 1993,1998 and 2008 as well as a number of singles under the name The Fireman with Sir Paul McCartney
Breakup/Post-The Youth/Reunion
Relationships between members were a stress especially for the two opposing songwriters whose influences caused the break-up of the band. Fans were in complete shock when frontman Dodong Cruz pursued a solo career and unexpectedly scored a deal with JML Records, marking the end of the band’s heyday. The two remaining members went ahead and formed Warehouse Club. Cruz's solo career was a moderate success as his debut album, Experimento hit gold status. As the label revamped into a newly-formed Star Records, Cruz faded into obscurity for several years.
Then in November 1999, The Youth reformed and performed at Mayric’s. The gig was supposed to be a one-night reunion show only. However, the band’s magic was ever-present which inspired them to continue recording and get back into the mainstream.
Currently, The Youth is composed of Dodong Cruz as the band’s vocalist and guitarist, Robert Javier on bass and vocals, and Erap Carrasco on drums. In 2004, the band released a song as part of "Jack Daniel’s In Session…Manila" compilation.
