Sheila and the Insects
The Philippines’ Sheila and the Insects are committed to smashing preconceived notions. First of all, there’s nobody named Sheila in the band; secondly, although the group is lumped in with the alternative-rock scene in Manila, they’re actually from Cebu; thirdly, they mainly sing in English; and lastly, despite their basic rock & roll instrumentation, they’re actually rooted in the arty ’80s New Wave of the Railway Children, the Church, and the Wild Swans. With their shimmering guitars, hummable melodies, and husky vocals, Sheila and the Insects are viewed as New Wave revivalists; while there is validity in that claim, the combo also pays homage to ’90s alternative rock by cranking up the amps. Before forming Sheila and the Insects, Ian Zafra (lead guitar, backup vocals) was a member of an alternative-rock group called the End in the early ’90s. The End was one of Cebu’s most promising young acts, however, it was crippled by a series of departing musicians. In 1995, Orven Enoveso was hired (vocals, guitar, harmonica) to be their new vocalist. The End played gigs with Enoveso, but just when the band was beginning to receive media attention again, two of its members quit, leaving Zafra and Enoveso. In 1996, the End became Sheila and the Insects with new members Anthony Aseniero (bass) and Blair Kabahar (drums, percussion). Aseniero was eventually replaced by Benjie Fernandez (bass guitar, backup vocals) when the group migrated to Manila in 1999. Sheila and the Insects sold 300 copies of their first album, Tangible Rhymes, on cassette themselves when record companies expressed indifference. In 2000, the band released its second album, Plastic Eyes, Static Minds, on N/A Records in the Philippines, landing a radio hit with the single “Everyday Drive.” Michael Sutton, All Music Guide
From a silent break-up in January 2004, Enoveso and Zafra reset goals, regrouped three months later with ex-Urbandub Jerros Dolino (drummer) and ex-Glitch/Capsule Simon Nuñez (bass), then held their 8th anniversary concert at Kahayag Cafe, Mabolo, Cebu to officially announce the new lineup and their fresh comeback. A year later, the band re-issued their 2002 release and 3rd album Manipulator, and eventually signed a distribution deal with V3 Records. Sheila and the Insects rose from the coverband trap to being one of the trendiest bands along with their current international contemporaries The Killers, Bloc Party, and The Bravery.
We just got back together again after a few years of being inactive. So we’re sort of like starting over. Jamming and gigging occasionally. Hopefully, we get around to finishing and recording new songs by early 2010.
Some of the songs we’re working on currently:
1. Blind
2. The Teleporter
3. Pretty Loser
4. Always (or whatever Wesley wants to title that song of his)
5. An assortment of fragmented riffs and nice bass lines
Albums
Flowerfish(2005)
includes : Lemerson Quick To Panic Happenstance Clever As You
Manipulator(2002)
Plastic Eyes, Static Minds (2000)
Tangible Rhymes(1999)
Members:
Vocals, guitars: Orven Enoveso
Lead guitars: Ian Zafra
Bass: Wesley Chiongbian
X Bass: Boobop Nuñez
Drums: Jerros Dolino
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