InnerVoices turns 34

Turning 34 for a band who started when the members were still in college feels “unreal” for InnerVoices original member, lawyer Rey Bergado, who has propelled the group to greater heights.

“As mere college buddies with modest musical abilities, we never thought we’d come this far in terms of longevity,” said lawyer Rey.

When InnerVoices started as a mere college band, they never imagined going this far.

“In 1991, we were classmates in college then,” Rey shared. “We were asked to perform a song during the ‘Linggo ng Wika.’ We decided to do our original song which the crowd liked.

“So, we thought of composing more originals and we came up with a few songs and decided to recruit a drummer to complete the band.”

Understandably, InnerVoices faced problems performing together through the years. “The changing of the guards, particularly with our frontman,” said lawyer Rey.

That proved to be a major change in the group’s set-up and each time. Getting a new vocalist was a challenge. The original singer, Red Miano, stayed with the band for more than a decade. “We’ve changed our vocalist three times in our history,” added Rey.

Yet, the most memorable for InnerVoices was winning the Awit Awards in 2015. That was a proud moment for the group that they can actually bask on to this day, when they can perform out of town and even abroad.

“The band played in different iterations in Japan and Singapore,” shared Rey. “The present ones did music festivals in the provinces. Guimaras’ Manggahan Festival, Bacolod, Pintados Festival in Negros, Pamukad in Siquijor and other places.”

New frontliner Patrick Marcelino came in last May, but has easily blended with the group in no time. He wasn’t definitely a new singer.

He performed in Singapore for nearly a decade and he knew the members of the band even before. Hence, the transition came easy for him.

“Patrick has been a friend from way back and he also joins our rides,” said lawyer Rey. “Before he officially joined the band, he was already friends with everyone.”

There seemed to be no lull after former frontliner Angelo Miguel left InnerVoices and Patrick came in.

“Patrick has been recording songs that I composed since November 2024,” granted Rey. “So, when we needed a singer to replace the previous guy, we just asked Patrick if he’s interested. He said yes right away.

“By the time he agrees to front for us, we have already recorded two songs. which were originally intended to be his launching originals as a solo artist.”

Recently, InnerVoices has added a Spanish tune, Corazon Espinado (Thorned Heart) by Latin rock band Santana to its set list.

“That was only an accident,” said Rey. “We were only asked by an audience to do Corazon Espinado by Santana. So, he could jam. We’re surprised to find out that it could actually work.”

As an original member of the group, lawyer Rey shuttles between performing for InnerVoices five times a week and his legal profession.

Apparently, nothing is hard or challenging when you love what you do. Despite performing late nights in bars and music lounges around town, he manages to keep lawyering still importantly a part of his work.

InnerVoices will release a new EP (extended play) for the new songs they recorded this year. “Now, we finished eight original songs,” Rey said proudly. “We have four songs coming out by September, which will include a Christmas track.”

InnerVoices performs on Thursday and Saturday nights at Hard Rock Café in Makati. They do regular gigs four nights a week.

On Mondays, they sing at Bar 360 at the Newport World Resorts and on Fridays at Bar IX (Nine) at Molito in Alabang. They sing on special nights, once a month, at 19 East in Parañaque, Noctos and Aromata in Quezon City.

InnerVoices is managed by lawyer Rey Bergado. Other members are Rene Tecson on guitar, Alvin Herbon on bass, Joseph Cruz on keyboards and Joseph Esparago on percussion.