Rock band Sugarfree disbanded eight years ago, but the band’s music has never stopped being played on the radio, sung in local karaoke joints, or popping up on rom-com soundtracks.
Now, with the band’s two-decade anniversary upon us, former frontman Ebe Dancel — whose 2011 decision to walk away resulted in the band’s dissolving — is paying tribute to his former pop-rock group with a pair of intimate shows next week, kicking off with a Tuesday performance at 12 Monkeys Music Hall and Pub in El Pueblo, Pasig City.
He teased as much on Facebook earlier this week, saying “the band is gone, but 20 years later, the music lives on.” No details about the time or place for the second show have yet been released.
It’s been eight years since Dancel left the band, and both the frontman and his former bandmates — bassist Jal Taguibao and drummer Kaka Quisumbing — have been mum on details of their separation. But in an interview with One Music last year, Dancel said he quit because he was “just really tired.” He also apologized to Sugarfree fans who were hurt by his decision to leave the group and said at the time there would be no reunion show of any sort.
However, with more details of the 20th anniversary tribute expected at a Tuesday press conference, fans are speculating with fingers crossed that his former bandmates might take the stage with him.
Sugarfree’s highly relatable Filipino lyrics and moving, anthemic ballads have produced notable studio albums like 2004’s Dramachine, and hits as “Hari ng Sablay” (King of Cockups), “Makita kang Muli” (To See You Again), and “Sa Wakas” (Finally).
The last two of those songs were featured in the ground-breaking musical Sa Wakas, a critically acclaimed staging of an original play revolving around a couple’s bittersweet love story, featuring songs entirely drawn from Sugarfree.
Find it:
12 Monkeys Bistro and Pub is at El Pueblo, Camotes St. Pasig
Opens Mon-Sun, 4pm till late
Phone: (63) 917 570 3222
FB: @12MonkeysPH | IG:@12monkeysph
Door charge at 12 Monkeys is at PHP350 (US$6). For reservations, contact them in the number listed above.
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