I Belong to the Zoo
{{Short description|Filipino indie pop rock band formed in 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = I Belong to the Zoo
| image = I Belong to the Zoo at Binangonan in 2023.jpg
| landscape = yes
| caption = I Belong to the Zoo at Binangonan, Rizal on April 1, 2023
| origin = Quezon City, Philippines
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| years_active = 2014–present
| label = Yellow Room Music Philippines
| current_members = * Argee Guerrero
- Simon Clariza
- Lee De Veyra
- Gere Guerrero
- Ow Owyong
}}
I Belong to the Zoo is a Filipino indie pop rock band which started as a solo folk project by Argee Guerrero.{{Cite web |title=I Belong to the Zoo |url=https://ibelongtothezoo.bandcamp.com/ |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=I Belong to the Zoo |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327152438/https://ibelongtothezoo.bandcamp.com/ |url-status=live }} After the success of their debut studio album, Guerrero expanded the project into a band with Simon Clariza and Lee De Veyra on guitars, Gere Guerrero on bass, and Ow Owyong on drums. The band has more than three hundred million total Spotify streams, averaging 1.2 million monthly listeners.{{Cite web |title=Cornerstone Entertainment |url=http://www.cornerstoneentertainment.com.ph/ |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=Cornerstone Entertainment |language=en |archive-date=2022-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707101941/http://www.cornerstoneentertainment.com.ph/ |url-status=live }}
Associated acts of the band include Mayonnaise, Reese Lansangan, Moira Dela Torre, Gabba Santiago, Clara Benin, Paolo Tabuena of Runway Crimes,{{Cite web |date=2020-08-10 |title=Argee Guerrero of I Belong to the Zoo reminds fans to "stay home," tests positive for COVID-19 |url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/argee-guerrero-i-belong-to-the-zoo-tests-positive-covid-19-coronavirus-quarantine-2020 |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=Argee Guerrero of I Belong to the Zoo reminds fans to "stay home," tests positive for COVID-19 {{!}} Bandwagon {{!}} Music media championing and spotlighting music in Asia. |language=en |archive-date=2021-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415075951/https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/argee-guerrero-i-belong-to-the-zoo-tests-positive-covid-19-coronavirus-quarantine-2020 |url-status=live }} and Tonight We Sleep. Tabuena is a frequent collaborator of the band, and has directed the music video of their song "Paumanhin".{{Cite web |date=2021-08-09 |title=I Belong to the Zoo tugs at your heartstrings with new 'Paumanhin' music video – watch |url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/i-belong-to-the-zoo-argee-guerrero-new-paumanhin-single-music-video-second-studio-album-2021-watch |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=Bandwagon |language=en |archive-date=2021-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809134557/https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/i-belong-to-the-zoo-argee-guerrero-new-paumanhin-single-music-video-second-studio-album-2021-watch |url-status=live }} Guerrero is also the vocalist and guitarist of the band Tonight We Sleep.{{Cite web |title=Tonight We Sleep biography |url=https://www.last.fm/music/Tonight+We+Sleep/+wiki |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719231548/https://www.last.fm/music/Tonight+We+Sleep/+wiki |archive-date=2022-07-19 |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=Last.fm |language=en}}{{Unreliable source?|date=July 2022}}
History
= Performing solo, 2002–2007 =
As a grade 7 student, Guerrero was exposed to live rock performances, which inspired him to pursue a career in music.{{Cite web |last=Ledesma |first=NeP-C. |date=2020-03-02 |title=Getting to Know I Belong to the Zoo |url=https://thepopblogph.com/2020/03/02/getting-to-know-i-belong-to-the-zoo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420101857/https://thepopblogph.com/2020/03/02/getting-to-know-i-belong-to-the-zoo/ |archive-date=2021-04-20 |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=The Pop Blog |language=en-US}}
Guerrero began performing solo acoustic shows and using his own name, but found it challenging as he perceived the use of his own name as boastful. He then performed under the stage name Fireplace Letters.{{Cite web |date=2018-07-09 |title=ENCORE FEATURE: The Story Behind Indie Music Artist I Belong To The Zoo |url=https://udou.ph/music/encore-features/the-story-behind-indie-music-artist-i-belong-to-the-zoo/ |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=uDOu PH |language=en-US |archive-date=2021-04-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414112545/https://udou.ph/music/encore-features/the-story-behind-indie-music-artist-i-belong-to-the-zoo/ |url-status=live }}
By 2007, Guerrero stopped performing solo and went on to form the band Tonight We Sleep.
= ''Tonight We Sleep'', 2007–present =
Guerrero, Ton Vergel de Dios (guitar), Rex Ferriols (bass) and Paolo Owyong (drums) formed the band Tonight We Sleep in 2007. Guerrero and Owyong served as songwriters for the band.{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2017 |title=Tonight We Sleep's Argee Guerrero talks about how it works with his solo project I Belong To The Zoo |url=https://www.onemusic.ph/news/one-music-live-with-i-belong-to-the-zoo-3204 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302134808/https://www.onemusic.ph/news/one-music-live-with-i-belong-to-the-zoo-3204 |archive-date=March 2, 2020 |access-date=July 20, 2022 |website=OneMusicPH}} They were managed by Mary Moon Productions.
= ''I Belong to the Zoo'', the solo project, 2014–2018 =
In 2014, Guerrero started a solo musical career as he felt that some of the songs that he wrote are too mellow and emotional for Tonight We Sleep. Guerrero said that he incorporates his personal experience in the songs for I Belong to the Zoo, which is not the case for the songs he wrote for Tonight We Sleep.
The name I Belong to the Zoo came from a parody of Happy Birthday to You with the lyrics, “Happy birthday to you, I belong to the zoo” which Guerrero used to serenade his then-girlfriend. Guerrero further explained that the phrase described himself in a nutshell saying, "The name kind of just stuck [...] As a kid, I was teased for the way I look. ‘I belong to the zoo’ was my way of owning it.”{{Cite web |date=2019-03-01 |title='I Belong to the Zoo': Weird album title but with 1.8M listeners on Spotify |url=https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/326040/i-belong-to-the-zoo-weird-album-title-but-with-1-8m-listeners-on-spotify/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818180417/https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/326040/i-belong-to-the-zoo-weird-album-title-but-with-1-8m-listeners-on-spotify/ |archive-date=2019-08-18 |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=Inquirer Lifestyle |language=en-US}}
In 2017, I Belong to the Zoo released its self-titled debut album.{{Cite web |last=Sy |first=Stan |date=2021-10-25 |title=I Belong To The Zoo on new album 'Kapiling': "I put those emotions I can't verbalise into my music" |url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/music-interviews/i-belong-to-the-zoo-argee-guerrero-kapiling-album-3078148 |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=NME |language=en |archive-date=2022-04-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407184940/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/music-interviews/i-belong-to-the-zoo-argee-guerrero-kapiling-album-3078148 |url-status=live }}
= ''I Belong to the Zoo'', the band, 2018–present =
After the success of the first album, I Belong to the Zoo then expanded to a five-member band which is now composed of Guerrero (vocals and guitar), Owyong (drums), Simon Clariza (guitar), Lee De Veyra (guitar), and Kristoff Medina (bass).
After testing positive for COVID-19 in August 2020, Guerrero advised his fans to stay home and wear masks properly.{{Cite web |date=2020-08-10 |title=I Belong to the Zoo singer tests positive for COVID-19 |url=https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/10/i-belong-to-the-zoo-singer-tests-positive-for-covid-19/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115205724/https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/10/i-belong-to-the-zoo-singer-tests-positive-for-covid-19/ |archive-date=2021-01-15 |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en-US}} He was able to recover within the same month. Along with the news of his recovery, he released a cover of Taking Back Sunday's "MakeDamnSure" with Tabuena and Paolo Owyong.
In 2021, the band released its second studio album, Kapiling.
In 2024, the band released its third studio album, afteryou.
Musical style and influences
I Belong to the Zoo's music has been described as folk, indie rock, and currently, pop rock. It was described as in the same musical territory of Keaton Henson, William Fitzsimmons, Dallas Green, and Damien Rice. Guerrero further explained that he listened to lots of Rice's music which became the main influence for I Belong to the Zoo. However, according to Guerrero, his music influences are mostly OPM rock bands such as Greyhoundz, Slapshock, and Quezo.
When it comes to songwriting, Guerrero cites Dashboard Confessional as a key influence, particularly how the vocalist Chris Carraba performed in their MTV Unplugged 2.0 live album.
Band members
- Argee Guerrero – lead vocals, guitars
- Simon Clariza – guitars
- Lee De Veyra – guitars
- Gere Guerrero – bass
- Paolo "Ow" Owyong – drums
Discography
= Albums =
- I Belong to the Zoo (Self-released, 2017)
- Kapiling (Self-released, 2021)
- afteryou. (Self-released, 2024)
= Singles =
== As lead artist ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" style="width:160px;"| Title
! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" style="width:180px;"| Album |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Never Me"
| 2014 | I Belong to the Zoo |
| scope="row"| "Sana"
| rowspan="2"| 2018 | rowspan="2"|Kapiling |
| scope="row"| "Balang Araw" |
| scope="row" |"Patawad, Paalam" (Moira Dela Torre & I Belong to the Zoo) | 2019 | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" |"Kapit"
| rowspan="3" | 2020 | rowspan="2" | Kapiling |
| scope="row" | "Paumanhin" |
| scope="row" | "Para kay Catriona"
| {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Oras"
| rowspan="2" | 2021 | Kapiling |
| scope="row" | "Maybe"
| rowspan="4" {{Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row" | "Hands to Heaven"
| rowspan="2" | 2022 |
| scope="row" | "Aalis Ka Ba?" |
| scope="row" | "Tama Nga Sila"
| rowspan="4" | 2023 |
| scope="row" | "Hakbang"
| rowspan="7" | afteryou. |
| scope="row" | "Masaya" |
| scope="row" | "Pagod" |
| scope="row" | "Relapse"
| rowspan="3" | 2024 |
| scope="row" | "'Di Bale Na Lang" |
== As featured artist ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" style="width:160px;"| Title
! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" style="width:180px;"| Album |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Pahirapan" (Mayonnaise featuring I Belong to the Zoo) | rowspan="2" | 2020 | Friends & Family |
| scope="row" | "Hindi Masaya" (CHNDTR featuring I Belong to the Zoo) | {{Non-album single}} |
= In other media =
In 2017, the songs "Porter", "Ruin" (with Reese Lansangan), and "Pity Party" appeared in the TV5 series, Forever Sucks.
In 2019, "Sana" appeared in the film Open.{{Cite web |title=Argee Guerrero |url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm10267597/ |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=IMDb |archive-date=2022-07-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719231549/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10267597/ |url-status=live }}
In 2021, the WeTV series Pasabuy used "Balang Araw", "In an Instant"{{NoteTag|"In an Instant" is unreleased and only appears in Pasabuy.|name=a}}, and "Pansamantala".
Awards and nominations
Notes
{{reflist|group=note}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|10267597}}
- [https://www.cornerstoneentertainment.com.ph/profile/i-belong-to-the-zoo Cornerstone Entertainment]
Category:Filipino pop music groups
Category:Musical groups from Quezon City