Imago

History

Imago was formed in 1997 with Aia de Leon on vocals and rhythm guitar, Tim Cacho on lead guitar, Arvin Gatmaitan on bass and backup vocals, Zach Lucero on drums and London-born Michelle Pritchard on violin. After their tribal-sounding track entitled "Rainsong" spent considerable time being played on NU107's In the Raw, a program for independent bands in the country, it eventually graduated into the station's mainstream playlist. They then signed a recording contract with Viva Records and recorded their debut album entitled Probably Not But Most Definitely, produced by Bob Aves and Grace Nono. The album was released on June 27, 2001, and included 19 tracks, which included their pre-album songs like "Rainsong" and "Alay" as well as an electronica remix of "Rainsong" by friend and musician (former Eraserheads drummer) Raimund Marasigan under the Squid 9 nom de musique. The album was highly regarded by the alternative industry for their courage to take on a Celtic/World Music feel in their music rather than the rap-growl (fondly known as "Hupaw" by most music critics) scene that was growing at the time, as well as the poetic approach to their lyrics.

The band won Katha and NU107 Rock Awards (Best Female Award for Aia De Leon and Best Music Video for "Akap") from the first CD. All this while maintaining a consistent public presence around Metro Manila, playing in various venues with other bands in the lineup as well as part of various production events such as Admit One and Sunday Grabe Sunday. During this time, Aia also joined the all-girl alt-pop band Fatal Posporos, as a bassist, replacing their original member Annette Ortiz who left for the United States and where she joined the newly reformed Filipino band, Prettier Than Pink.

Around this period, bassist Arvin Gatmaitan and violinist Michelle Pritchard left the band. Gatmaitan played with progressive metal band Eternal Now and went into the English training business, alongside teaching stringed instruments (bass, guitar, ukulele) at the British School Manila. Pritchard pursued race car driving and became a regular competitor in the Philippine motorsports scene. Pritchard also hosted the NBC TV show, Auto Review and was associate editor for C! Magazine. Pritchard later returned to London. Pritchard's signature Celtic-influenced violin strokes were missed by many early fans as Imago's sound morphed into mainstream pop shortly after Myrene Academia, former NU107 DJ and Sandwich bassist joined the band.

Imago's second album was released 2 years after, though they had been playing most of their new material during gigs. Recorded in 2003, the CD's release was delayed by unexpected record label setbacks and was thus titled Take 2 in reference to the band's second attempt in releasing an album. The material is relatively heavier compared to the first album, trading in the ethereal-cum-New-Age sensibilities with a modern pop-rock flavor, even incorporating rap along with the staccato-type of singing they had been known for. Released independently, Take 2 featured hit songs such as "Akap" and "Anino".[2] Take 2 produced the new sound and gave the band a wider audience, having been played in some mainstream CHR (Current Hit Radio) format stations. "Taning" was also included in the soundtrack to the Peque Gallaga comeback experimental film, Pinoy Blonde.

Band members

Current members

Tim Cacho – lead guitar (1997–present)

Myrene "Maps" Academia – bass guitar, backing vocals (2003–present)

Mervin Panganiban – drums and percussion (2013–present)

Kharren "Kurei" Granada – lead vocals (2022–present)

Former members

Michelle Pritchard – violin (1997–2002)

Arvin Gatmaitan – bass guitar, backing vocals (1997–2003)

Aia de Leon – lead vocals, guitar (1997–2013)

Zach Lucero – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals, occasional and former full-time drums and percussion (1997–2025)

Mayumi Gomez – lead vocals, keyboards (2013–2019)

Kiara San Luis – lead vocals, guitar (2019–2022)

Discography

Probably Not But Most Definitely (2001)

Pretty me

Pauna

Rainsong

Bathala

The Box

Tugon

Hiwaga

On Shadows & Tendencies

Do

Alay

Salitoo

Otherwise

Idlip

Salitree

Unwed

Wishlist

Laya

18

(Bonus Track) Rainsong Remix

Take 2 (2004)

Freefall

Phoenix

Akap

Bihag

Taning

Anino

Reset

Gratitude

One Way

Soft Return

Rush

Roasted Anino Mix (Bonus track)

Preset/Reset (Bonus track)

Taning/Mahal kong Kalaguyo (Bonus track)

Taning/Ipagpatuloy ang Kasalanan (Bonus track)

Blush (2007)

Zelo

Lula

"Sundo"

Under Repair

Highway

Lights Out

Last Dance

Closer

"Taralets"

Walang Misteryo

So Be It

S.R.O

Effect Desired None (2010)

Bawal

Ang Huling Yakap Ng Mundo

Sutil

Sa Ngalan Mo

Yahoo

Effects Desired None

Premonition

Can I

Sagad

Spare Change Glitter

Kapit (2015)

Kapit

Nagkalimutan

Then was Forever

Summer Baby

Sa Wala

Malaya

Then Was Forever (Remix)

Kapit (Remix)

Miscellaneous

Spoliarium - Ultraelectromagneticjam!: The Music Of The Eraserheads

Ewan - Kami nAPO Muna

Let It Snow - Close Up Season of Smiles

Umagang Kay Ganda - Theme Song for ABS-CBN's "Umagang Kay Ganda" morning program

Love is in my hair (OST for the CineMalaya Film entry PISAY)

Show Me Your Smile - Kami nAPO Muna Ulit

Taralets - Theme Song for Pitong Dalagita

Blue Kiss (song) - Cover song (Promotional Purposes only)

Collaborations of Imago

Ultraelectromagneticjam!: The Music Of The Eraserheads (Sony BMG Music Philippines, 2005)

ROK ON! (Viva Records, 2005)

Kami nAPO Muna (Universal Records, 2006)

Super! The Biggest Opm Hits Of The Year (Universal Records, 2006)

Pinoy Ako 2 (Star Music, 2006)

Kami nAPO Muna Ulit (Universal Records, 2007)

The OPM Love Album (Universal Records, 2008)

Super Astig Hits (Universal Records, 2016)