The Itchyworms From On The Air To In The Air: “I thought, this is a band that won’t disappear in the next few years.”
The veteran pop-rock institution has lived through radio’s heyday, survived a key member’s departure, and is taking their live show overseas.
Nearing three decades as a band, the Itchyworms have definitely worked their way up into the Pinoy Rock pantheon with five excellent studio albums, over a dozen hit singles, multiple awards and recognitions, and a reputation for being one of the tightest and most engaging live acts around. Their consistency onstage and in the studio is undoubtedly the band’s strongest suit, the result of its founding core of singer/guitarist Jugs Jugueta, singer/drummer/keyboardist Jazz Nicolas, and bassist Kelvin Yu remaining intact since 1996. They’ve since bounced back from the recent relocation of longtime lead guitarist Chino Singson to Canada by getting Ciudad’s Mikey Amistoso on acoustic guitar and keys, as well as ace session guitarist Weckl Mercado to bolster their live sound. It’s hard to believe, though, that when the Itchyworms started out, Nicolas — the co-composer and voice of some of their most timeless songs like “Beer,” “Love Team,” and..
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Jason Caballa
Currently the Managing Editor at Billboard Philippines, Jason Caballa's career in music journalism has spanned decades, having most notably served as Music Editor of PULP Magazine and then Associate Editor for the now-defunct Pinoytuner.com.
He has also contributed music articles for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rogue Magazine, Mabuhay Magazine, and other print publications from as early as his college years. After shifting to advertising as a copywriter in several agencies, he has returned to documenting local and international music with the establishment of Billboard Philippines in 2023.
Having been a musician himself in Manila's rock and indie scenes since the late '90s, Jason is often inclined towards featuring bands and recording artists who come from that world, as his firsthand experiences allow him to come up with insightful angles and questions for his subjects, resulting in unique and in-depth stories.