Teeth members: Where are they now?

MANILA, Philippines — Now in their 50s, the members of Filipino rock band Teeth still remember how Laklak, the “anthem ng manginginom,” and Prinsesa changed their lives and opened doors to new musical opportunities when they were teenagers.

Formed in 1993, Teeth is composed of Glenn Jacinto on vocals, Jerome Velasco on guitars, Pedz Narvaja on bass, Mike Dizon on drums and Dok Sergio on guitars. Dok used to play bass for the band. Teeth is best known for its alternative rock sound, which incorporates elements of grunge and shoegaze.

The members released their self-titled album in 1995, which earned a double platinum certification from the Philippine Association of the Record Industry after selling more than 80,000 copies at the time. The album also earned the band several accolades, including three NU Rock Awards and two MTV Pilipinas Award nominations, according to a media release.

Glenn said during a virtual press conference that the band was “very fortunate” to have received plenty of opportunities because of Laklak and Prinsesa. “To this day, I don’t know why Laklak still resonates with people. I can’t explain it, but the work that we did when we were teenagers is still relevant now that we’re in our 50s. People have rediscovered the music. They go to the shows and then buy the records. It’s great. I’m thankful for that, and as time passes, it gets better and better,” he said.

“Actually, when people play the songs and ‘pag nag-e-enjoy ang mga tao, kinikilig pa rin ako. Isipin mo ’yun, sa tagal na ng mga songs na ’to, pinapakinggan pa rin nila at kinakanta pa rin hanggang ngayon. So, it’s very special for me,” added Pedz.

“When we made it to the mainstream, nagkaroon ng maraming opportunities for me to build a career in music — recording, producing and playing with other artists, as well as collaborating with them,” chimed in Jerome, who added that he was thankful for all these opportunities. “So, this reunion concert is a cumulative thank you to all our fans.”

For Mike, Laklak was the “happiest accident” that happened to the group. “Laklak wasn’t supposed to be our single, but by mistake, it happened. And we are all very grateful that it did. This is what they say na things happen for a reason. So baka ito yung luck talaga namin sa Laklak.”

Ahead of the group’s “Year 33: TEETH The Reunion – Legacy Tour,” a limited-edition vinyl pressing of Teeth’s self-titled debut album officially sold out within a day of its release, according to Backspacer Records.

The tour, which follows the band’s 2014 reunion show in Pasig, will make stops at the Foochow Event Building Hall in Singapore on Aug. 30; the SM North EDSA Skydome on Sept. 5; Davao on Sept. 12; Iloilo on Sept. 19; and Cebu on Sept. 26.

The “Year 33: TEETH The Reunion – Legacy Tour” is presented by BLKSHPMNL Lifestyle & Entertainment Management Inc. (BLACKSHEEP MANILA) and S32 Productions (Singapore).

To refresh one’s memory, after Teeth released its self-titled album in 1995, Glenn was hospitalized in 1996 due to an illness but recovered the following year. The band then recorded Time Machine. Pedz later left for the United States.

In 1999, they released their studio album I Was A Teenage Tree, which included Shooting Star. The track won Song of the Year at the NU 107 Rock Awards in 2000. The band released another album, Dogs Can Fly (Teeth’s Finest), in 2003.

Teeth later went on hiatus, with the members pursuing their respective endeavors. Mike joined Sandwich and Pedicab, Glenn moved to the United States, Jerome teamed up with Ely Buendia’s The Mongols and Dok later joined the band.

“I got sick with cancer,” Glenn recalled. “I was hospitalized for six months, and when we recorded the second album (Time Machine), it took over a year to finish because we weren’t ready.”

Glenn worked in the medical field in the United States but recently resigned and plans to be a “full-time rocker dude again.” “I just want to enjoy life and do a lot of traveling. I’m in my 50s, so I just want to relax a little bit,” he explained.

Pedz, on the other hand, manages a small business, while Mike maintains a food vlog and plays with Sandwich, Pedicab and Teeth on the side. Dok continues to make music, while Jerome still collaborates with Ely and other independent bands.