It was in
the early part of the turn of the millennium when I first heard an Itchyworms
song. I even thought that this Pinoy rock band’s “Antipara” was an Eraserhead’s
tune. Honestly, I became an instant fan because they sounded like Ely, Marcus, Buddy and Raimund's
band.
But as years
go by, I realized that Itchyworms is not just a one-hit wonder after scoring
one hit and another. “Akin Ka Na Lang”
was even my anthem when I was still luring my wife; “Beer” as my motivation to
get drowned with alcohol during a stressful day; and “Penge Naman Ako
Niyan” every time I beg the high heavens for anything from sheer luck to a
glass of tasteful halo-halo.
Fast forward
to present time, I am still hooked with the band. And it was such a super uber
privilege to be able to meet them in person during the launching of their latest
album After All This Time recently. Itchyworms
is composed of Jazz Nicolas (drums, lead vocals); Jugs Jugueta (rhythm guitars, co-lead vocals);
Kelvin Yu (bass guitar, backing vocals); and Chino Singson (lead guitars,
backing vocals). The gang rocked Centris Activity Center in a night of great
performance of songs their latest offering.
![]() |
Fan mode on with Jugs |
The album
was actually released through the support of a local telecom company last
year containing containing 10 soothing and sarap pampa-good vibes pero
may sipa songs.
1.
“Countdown”
2. “After
All This Time”
3. “Ayokong
Tumanda”
4. “Gliding
in an Azure Reverie”
5. “Panahon”
6. “Life
Sequence”
7. “Huwag na
Sana ‘kong Gumising Mag-Isa”
8. “My Jolly
Old Buddy”
9. “Rainy
Day”
10. “Lost in
Space with Rey Langit”
In the
deluxe version which they launched, they added six new tracks including their
take on the Heads’s Maling Akala. Other additions are Higher and Higher; Ayokong
Tumanda (Tower Sessions and Acoustic); Huwag Na Sana ‘Kong Gumising Mag-isa (Ang Nawawalang Version); and After All this Time (Under the Weather Version).
I easily
picked some songs that I can play over and over again and not get tired of it.
The title track is a hands down sure choice for fans of the band but I love the pampa-in love sound of
Ayokong Tumanda and Huwag na Sana ‘Kong Gumising Mag-isa. (Ang lakas lang
maka-high school. The same magic one will feel while listening to Smokey Mountain’s Kailan). I had a laugh
trip listening to Lost in Space. I was never bored the whole ten minutes of the
track.
This album
is one compilation that every fan of OPM songs should have, even if you’re not
a fan of Itchyworms (which is highly unlikely if you’re reading this post).