Itchyworms

Popular and Endearing The Itchyworms are probably one of the busiest and most visible acts in the Philippine rock music scene today. Their success is no surprise because of their passion for music, and highly professional work ethic. Their songs have consistently topped the local music charts for years because the music is fresh yet familiar. The band’s popularity has allowed them to travel throughout most of the Philippines. They have also played gigs in Dubai and Singapore, and are now eager to showcase their brand of Filipino music in other countries. They also enjoy exceptional reach because of their frontman Jugs Jugueta. He is a co-host of the popular ABS-CBN variety program It’s Showtime, which airs on The Filipino Channel (TFC). The Itchyworms’ music continually finds audiences in people of all ages and walks of life, and you can be sure that a performance will showcase hit after hit, each very close to the heart. Prolific and Productive To date they have released four full-length studio albums and one EP. They have also contributed songs to numerous compilations, most notably including the Kami nAPO Muna tribute albums. In 2014 they launched their fourth full-length studio album, After All This Time. This new deluxe edition of the album contains six bonus tracks aside from the ten main tracks. These include the current single Ayokong Tumanda, the title track After All This Time, and a remake of the classic Juan dela Cruz song Panahon. The advertising and movie industries also constantly utilize the band’s existing songs or recruit the band to write new material. Recent Successes In the singular year that was 2016, The Itchyworms recently participated -- and won -- in two of the country's most prestigious songwriting competitions: Himig Handog and PhilPop. Songwriter Davey Langit asked the band to interpret Dalawang Letra, his entry into the Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs competition. The song went on to win top prize at the finals night in April. Only a few months later in July, the band’s drummer/vocalist Jazz Nicolas with songwriting partner Wally Acolola, won the PhilPop grand prize with their composition Di Na Muli, also performed by The Itchyworms. Notable Collaborations Over the years the band has collaborated with OPM icons such as Gary Valenciano, Ryan Cayabyab, the APO Hiking Society, and Juan dela Cruz frontman Joey "Pepe" Smith. In 2016 through 2017, the band have sustained their penchant for collaboration, but this time with Ely Buendia (formerly of the Eraserheads). In August 2016, the band released Pariwara, a song written in collaboration with Mr. Buendia himself. He gave The Itchyworms a demo of Pariwara, an unfinished song of his from the 1990s. In short order, Jugs and Jazz delivered more lyrics and a new bridge. Several months later, in April of 2017, lighting struck again with Lutang, a brand-new song also by Buendia. The band again delivered in spades to complete his demo of the song. When asked about working with The Itchyworms on a second song, Buendia replied, “This band really knows their sh**!" He continues, “Any time we lay a song down, everything is where it should be, no part is underplayed or overplayed. It's a great feeling of peace and contentment.” Both songs will be released soon as double A-sides of an exclusive vinyl pressing, published by Offshore Records.