The Greenwich #UltimateBandkada Top 8 Finalists

They say pizza taste even better with great music and friends. From this, Greenwich launched its first ever The Greenwich #UltimateBandkada Search. After months of searching and eliminations, the Top 8 finalists for the Greenwich Ultimate Bandkada was revealed earlier lunch time at 12 Monkeys in Century City Mall, Makati City.

Greenwich #UltimateBandkada

The Greenwich Ultimate Bandkada

From pop and alternative rock to electropop and hip-hop, 8 bands get together and compete for the #UltimateBandkada title. Greenwich is giving eight bands the opportunity to display their talents and gain new fans, but only one lucky band gets to bag the following prizes: a major record deal from Viva Records, a management contract with Viva Artist Agency, and a cash prize of P100,000. The second and third placers will receive P60,000 and P40,000, respectively.

Last March 11 to 21, the huge flock of 18- to 35-year-old hopeful musicians sent videos of their band’s performance and visited the audition booths in selected campuses and malls in the Metro.

Celebrity Yassi Pressman was also at the launch as Greenwich Pizza Thin's newest Greenwich Barkada endorser 

Out of the many promising contenders, the following young talents are the chosen few that had the right toppings to shake things up. The 8 finalists are:

• the droning, soulful sonics and textures of Syva
• the electronic endeavors of Invisible Drums
• the funky, groovy tunes of Adonai
• the destined jukebox hits of Hiyas
• the acoustic pop melodies of Sweet December
• 3-band group B-Boys
• a healthy dose of pop rock and alternative Offlane Pitch
• the uncompromising gritty beats of PAPAPETA

Adonai Band

B-BOY Band

Invisible Drums

To become the #UltimateBandkada, each band must incorporate a mash-up of the aforementioned genres into a winning, original Greenwich theme song.

“The Greenwich Ultimate Bandkada Search is different because each song that we are looking for must have a mash-up at least two of the top music genres in it. Just like in any group of friends where everyone has different personalities, these music genres may sound completely different individually but put together, they work and can create beautiful music. We made sure that The Ultimate Bandkada Search still reflects on what we are about which, aside from good food, is friendship,” says Greenwich PR Head, Cookie Cabrera.

Aside from infusing music genres together, what makes The #UltimateBandkada Search unlike any other is that it’s not just a plain competition—it’s a bootcamp.

Offlane Pitch Band

PAPETA Band

Sali Band

The Mentors & Judges

For three months, the 8 Bandkadas will be trained by the top musicians, producers, and vocal coaches handpicked by Greenwich and Viva Records.

The mentors will include Climax, the band most famous for their mysterious façade and Musikaramay initiative; Top Suzara, Freestyle’s vocalist during the 90s who continues to be one of the most prolific songwriters in the country today; Jasper a.k.a. Kio Priest, electronic dance music artist/producer/songwriter; and Pow Chavez, the singer-songwriter who has made her name in the Pinoy rap and hip-hop scene.

These mentors have already had their way with charts, stages, and Filipinos’ hearts. There is no doubt that they will be able to help the 8 Bandkadas impress a panel of judges that consists of the country’s most esteemed individuals in their craft. This includes Viva Records and Vicor Music’s Executive Vice-President MG Mozo, Viva Records’ A&R Manager Civ Fontanilla, award-winning singer and songwriter Mark Bautista and Thyro Alfaro, Greenwich’s General Manager and Marketing Director Albert Cuadrante and Pamela Reyes, as well as JB Music’s Jericho Fernando.

Sweet December Band

Syva Band

Watch the 8 Finalists

The public can also show support of their favorite bands by casting their votes starting May 1, 2015. The band with the most number of votes will be given The Favorite ng Barkada award on August 8, 2015 as the 8 Bandkadas will perform their Greenwich songs in the grand finale concert at Valkyrie Club, Uptown BGC, Taguig City.

Anything else before that, like the bands’ progress, will be posted on the #UltimateBandkada website, newspaper features, and special segments on MTV Pinoy.   The adrenaline-fueled anticipation is at its peak. There are going to be many journeys, stories, and sounds for the next couple of months from bands, mentors, and judges alike. Truly, Greenwich The #UltimateBandkada Search is in full swing, but the crucial part is just about to start.

The Greenwich Ultimate Bandkada Search is in partnership with Viva Records, JB Music and MTV Pinoy. For more info and updates, go to www.ultimatebandkada.com.