Requiem Rising: Sheila And The Insects February 1, 2013

SHEILA AND THE INSECTS
Sheila and the Insects traces its roots to the band “The End” that was formed by Ian
Zafra together with a few friends in December of 1991. The band started out playing
new wave covers and writing and recording a few original songs. Through the years,
the band met with several changes in its line-up eventually picking up Orven Enoveso
as the band’s vocalist in 1992 along the way.
With very little in the way of an active band scene in Cebu, the band still managed to
survive doing gigs in small clubs and continuing to write and record new material.
After landing a regular weekly gig in the now defunct Artist Dais club in circa 1996, the
band slowly built up a regular following, which led to bookings in bigger clubs and,
eventually, corporate sponsored concerts.
The band eventually recorded and released independently their first album in 1999
during which time, the band moved to Manila, Philippines to promote their music in
the capital. Slowly, the band gained recognition especially with the release of their
second album the following year. The album, Plastic Eyes, Static Minds produced two
singles that gave the band their biggest break. The song Everyday Drive gained regular
radio airplay and eventually landed the top spot in the NU107 midnight countdown for
four straight weeks and went on to stay in the countdown for a total of 15 weeks.
Another single from the same album, Your Comedy landed in the same countdown
eventually peaking at number 2. That year, the band received a nomination as best
new artist in the NU107 Rock Awards and performed in the nationally televised event.
Returning to Cebu shortly after their successful Manila stint, the band continued to be
active in the local circuit and went on to release their third independent album titled
Manipulator. The album spawned another hit single, Idle Hands, which gained similar
recognition and success in Manila’s rock charts thus cementing the band’s status as
one of the Philippines’ best indie acts. Shortly after the release of their third album,
the band broke up because of musical differences.
Eventually, Ian Zafra and Orven Enoveso, the band’s lead guitarist and lead vocalist
respectively, and also the band’s main songwriters, decided to reform the band with
two new members: Boobob on bass and Jerros Dolino on drums. Both new members
had had stints in Cebu-based bands that also met with success in Manila namely
Glitch and Urbandub.
Releasing Flowerfish in August of 2005, the band reestablished themselves in the
Philippine rock scene with strong singles like Lemerson and the highly contagious
Quick to Panic, the latter released with a highly stylized animated music video that
caught the scene by surprise. Riding renewed interest from old and new fans alike, the
band went on to release videos for the singles Happenstance, Clever as You, and the
latest, Maude.
The band was later chosen to be part of the Apo Hiking Society tribute album. Their
cover version of Softly was released in 2008 as part of The Best of Kami nAPO Muna
2CD + DVD collection.
In spite of all their successes and recognition from the Philippine rock scene, its band
members never really became full-time musician for long -- choosing instead to work
day jobs. Choosing individual careers over music though, has allowed the band to
remain truly independent with their sound.
The band currently with a new drummer, Vince Yap, who is also part of the Cebu indie
band Undercover Grasshoppers, is now working on new releases and a series of gigs
with the aim of bringing their music to a wider audience. Their next single, ‘Pretty
Loser’, is set for release in 2013 to growing anticipation by loyal indie followers and
fans.
Members:
Orven Enoveso vocalist, guitars
Ian Zafra lead guitarist
Wesley Chiongbian bassist
Vince Yap drummer