The Youth is a Filipino rock band. Their music is a mixture of punk and alternative rock, influenced heavily by Wuds, a pioneering Filipino punk band.
First called ”Boyish Days”, the band formed in 1989 by Dodong Cruz (vocals/rhythm guitar), Erap Carrasco (drums), Pat Epino (lead guitar) and John Olidan (bass). They played music suitable during the time, alternative and punk music, which was common on the radio station XB102’s Capital Radio. The station saw the origins of what would be one of the most famous local acts of the early 90’s.
Epino eventually left the band to form his own band, H8red. Raul Velez joined and assumed guitar duties. Upon the arrival of Velez, the group’s name was changed to The Youth. With their diverse influences, The Youth was able to produce their very own signature sound.
In 1990, Richard Tan of Backbeat Records took them under his wing. They were able to record and release a self-titled independent album. Like any other indie productions, the album had limited success. It is considered a collector's item today.
The band started performing in different underground gigs. They even penned themselves as “Da Wol” while signing up for the 1990 RJ Battle of the Bands, a contest strictly for amateur bands only. That meant the band having not recorded an album yet. Even with the indie album under their belt, they made it to the top and won the contest. Shortly after, however, Velez and Olidan left the band. The departure of two members was immediately replaced by a single Robert Javier, forming the classic thee-piece line-up of The Youth. As soon as he started jamming with the band, he injected his own off-beat humor into the band’s songs and performances. Due to frontman Cruz’s persistence, Club Dredd finally agreed to book the band in 1991. Considering their high-volume, high-energy and highly-impromptu performances, the band slowly established a cult following after several months of gigs. Soon, they became a headliner of the club. Their shows were sold-out, sometimes twice a week or more. Thanks to their combined punk, alternative rock, hard rock and satirical humor, audiences ate up their irreverent humor and distinct musicality. People returned again and again, each performance having surprises.
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