This Band—composed of singer Andrea Manzano, guitarist-songwriter Euwie Von loria, keyboardist Melvin Carson, lead guitarist Raymart Gubat, bassist Miccael Galvan, and drummer John Macaranas – is pacing itself with quality releases after its breakout hit.
After its massive hit “Kahit Ayaw Mo Na,” which has an estimated 140 million streams on Spotify and YouTube combined, 2019’s biggest band is back with a new single titled “Wala Ka Nang Magagawa.” The song is the band’s first new song after 2020’s Huwag Kang Matakot album of all original tracks.
The group’s keyboardist describes This Band’s themes as being “about (experiencing) heartbreak after heartbreak, but despite (that) giving up is never a choice.” He also goes on to enumerate This Band fan-favorites such as “Bakit Ganon,” and “’Di Susuko,” to name a few. On “Huwag Matakot” single, Carson describes it as a hopeful song about “self-love that tells us that we should embrace our flaws and love our own uniqueness.”
And it’s that “self-love” that permeates “Wala Ka Nang Magagawa.” A song about “firmly deciding to not go back to the one who has hurt you.” That’s classic This Band for you with the ‘hugot’ feels.
From pop-rock heavy “Sinugaling Ka,” to the finely executed love song “Kaya Sorry Na,” to smooth pop-rock sounding “Bakit Ganon,” musically, over several singles, This Band has been evolving its Pinoy pop style.
And the same spirit is present on “Wala Ka Nang Magagawa.” This Band goes from head-bobbing pop to mixing jazz bits into it just for the heck of it and because they can do it.
But one thing is for sure, This Band will always be about the songs. As for its reputation in the Pinoy pop scene, This band is still very much considered as one of the top bands of the current generation. Not bad for a band who almost always produces heartbreak, or as the popular parlance for it go, ‘hugot.’
This Band has said collectively that all of them are “very grateful for the love and support that people showed in the past three years,” adding “we look forward to one, performing live again” hopefully soon. For someone who has accomplished much as a band in such a short time.
This Band still has a couple of things ticked off its bucket list. “An international tour” is one, and having its song as part of a soundtrack for an international movie is another. Entirely doable for sure.
As for the next big hit from This Band? It is imminent. As sure as somewhere out there, someone is experiencing heartbreak, there is a This Band song for them to listen to.
Currently, This Band is keeping busy with a new music video for “Wala Kang Magagawa” and an upcoming collaboration with another band set for release later this year.