Moonstar 88

Occupying a space between mainstream pop and alternative rock, the Philippines-based Moonstar 88 frequently face dismissal from underground purists who view them as inauthentic. Yet the ensemble’s melodic, heartfelt material on themes of love and faith aligns them more closely with the gentle jangle of Sixpence None the Richer than with the post-punk circles that critique them. The lineup features Acel Bisa on vocals and guitar, Teng Marcelo on guitar and vocals, Herbert Hernandez on guitars, Paolo Bernaldo on bass, and William Pineda on drums. Moonstar 88 came together in Manila, Philippines, during February 1999. They worked the local club and café circuit, earning particular popularity as live acts on college campuses and at university venues. On May 8, 1999, the group captured their initial demo, a five-track CD. Early the following year they completed additional material and forwarded the recording to Alpha Records, a Philippine label. The company placed them on its Harmony Music imprint and brought them into the studio during July 2000 to record the debut album Popcorn. Issued in 2001, after the macho intensity and combative fury of grunge had lost broad commercial traction, Popcorn earned favorable notices from reviewers and received airplay on both Top 40 and alternative stations. Bisa’s soft, sweet delivery prompted comparisons to Harriet Wheeler of the Sundays and Dolores O’Riordan of the Cranberries, though the band’s true stylistic counterpart remained Sixpence None the Richer, owing to shared Christian themes, comparably delicate female vocals, and folk leanings. Moonstar 88 later received Song of the Year honors for “Sa Langit” (“In Heaven”) along with Band of the Year and New Artist of the Year accolades. Their follow-up full-length, Press to Play, generated further critical praise and stronger sales. The ensemble’s youthful supporters, known as “Moonies,” propelled the act into the higher reaches of the OPM (Original Philippine Music) charts. Navigating between easy listening and modern rock, Moonstar 88 have drawn listeners from both camps across the Philippines.