LET'S face it: bands are 10 centavos a dozen. But some bands, like Eraserheads, Wolfgang, Razorback, Parokya ni Edgar and Side A, have managed to keep a loyal following even if the market is already saturated. And Sandwich, Cheese, Greyhoundz, Free Verse, Freestyle and other upcoming bands are breaking into the mainstream market.

What makes them tick? What makes a band survive the fickle interest of the audience? Basically, what makes a band successful? And what accounts for its eventual downfall?

Ned Esguerra (bass, Free Verse) believes that having a good and skillful manager prolongs the lifespan of a band. A manager can chart a career path for a band based on its capabilities. "A manager should believe in the band that he handles because he will sell and guide the band. A manager can inspire a band to hone its sensitivity and creativity. He can also do the opposite and push a band to its limit, kaya nagkaka-burn out."

Glenn Jacinto (vocals, Teeth) stresses that a good manager can help a band, but true bonding and friendship among bandmates can push it to become more successful. He admits that the chemistry between bandmates can't be faked.

"We were friends even before we became a band," Glenn gestures towards his bandmates. "Familiarity helps. At saka yung mga pinapakinggan naming music, pare-pareho, kaya mas nagkakasundo kami. Walang isang taong napipilitan. Ang mga bahay namin, one tricycle ride away lang sa isa't-isa."

According to Glenn, a band also needs good songwriters to pen potential hits. "Kailangan magaling silang magsulat ng kanta. Kahit anong galing ng vocalist n'yo, kung walang puso at laman ang mga kanta, magsasawa din ang tao. Kailangan din ng energy sa live performances. Dapat mahahatak mo ang tao na makinig at mag-react sa tugtog n'yo kapag tumutugtog kayo ng live."

Diego Castillo (guitars, Sandwich) explains that performing live and exciting your audience in the process can enhance the popularity and success of a band. "Kailangan 110 percent ang performance! At saka importante din na alagaan nyo ang inyong mga gamit. Kapag hindi ginagamit ang gitara, pumapalya ang tugtog kasi 'nagtatampo' ang gitara!"

Raymund Marasigan (guitars & vocals, Sandwich/drums, Eraserheads) agrees that investing in the best musical instruments can help a band get to the top. "A band should buy a tuner. It's the best investment.

"Be professional. We can be friends in the band but work is work! Be on time whether it's for rehearsals or gigs. Never ever play under the influence of drugs or when you're intoxicated.

"Lastly, you should be open to other musical styles. And you should be energetic and enthusiastic during a live performance!"

Glennis Torralba (female lead vocals, Merchants of Groove) agrees that satisfying a live audience fulfills a band more than receiving an award. "Makita ko lang na masaya ang mga nanonood sa amin, lalo akong ginaganahang kumanta. Tumatagal ang isang banda kapag lahat sila ay may desire na tumugtog. Kailangan lagi silang excited na mag-perform," she shares.

EJ Cabigting (male lead vocals, Merchants of Groove) feels that a band can become successful if it has the ability to evolve with the times. "Bihira ang banda na tumatagal. Kadalasan nagpapalit lang sila ng mga miyembro. Bihira 'yung puro original na members ang naiiwan sa banda. Kailangan marunong mag-adapt sa change ang isang banda. Kailangan silang matutong sumunod sa uso, pero hindi dapat mawala yung sariling identity nila."

Ely Buendia (vocals/songwriter, Eraserheads) adheres to the adage, "Practice makes perfect." Likewise, he admits that the emerging alternative bands sound better. "Hindi kailangan ng mga upcoming bands ng advice. Yung mga banda ngayon, they are a lot better than I was before. They just have to know what they want to do with their music.

"A successful band practices a lot. The only way a band can discover and master their sound is through practice. Wala sa talent iyan, nasa perseverance!"

Buddy Zabala (bass, Eraserheads) nods that perseverance is an important ingredient of success. "Never stop believing in yourself. In playing the bass, I always keep in tune. Never lose the groove. And listen to other bands!"

Angel (vocals, Kulay) agrees that believing in yourself makes anything possible. "Nobody can believe for you. In the beginning, Radha and Boom did the believing for me, because I was still unsure about my abilities. But ultimately, you have to believe in yourself because you can't fake confidence. And, to be more confident when you perform, you have to practice."

Boom (vocals, Kulay) notes that a band should express itself through its music. "Just stay true to yourself. If people don't want your music, just believe in it--but be realistic at the same time. Maybe people don't dig your music because the music is not there yet--it's not the trend. Be patient, just keep on working on your music until you can rock the house!"

Diego Castillo (guitars, Sandwich) relates that a band should play the music it wants to play to become successful. "You should have fun while playing. And you can only truly enjoy your music if you're playing what you want to play.

"Hindi porke't uso ang Korn music (hard-core rock na rap) ay sasakay na kayo sa ganoong klaseng music para lang mapansin kayo! Mali na kaagad ang motive para tumugtog. Malulungkot kayo, drag na ang tugtog kasi trabaho na."

Chuck Isidro (guitars, AfterImage & Jive Turkey) believes that passion for music is another factor for success. "Follow your heart! Be true to your music and play what you want to play. Just because Korn bands are popular these days, why should you copy them?

"A band should have originality and passion because music is our artistic expression. It's our form of release. Some bands follow a formula to gain popularity but, if you believe in your music, you will go places."

Kelly Badon (guitars, Side A) relates that having the right attitude can make or break a band. "Lima kami sa banda, iba't-ibang utak at personality. Kailangan ilabas mo ang totoo mong pagkatao--weakness, habits, ugali. Lahat naman tayo may mga weakness, kailangan lang nating matutong mag-adjust sa isa't-isa.

"Pero kung talagang hindi kayang pagpasensiyahan ang ugali, pagsabihan n'yo. Maraming magagaling na banda, pero nasira sila dahil sa maling attitude.

"Stay away from drugs. May mga banda na akala nila ang galing-galing nila, pero sa drugs lang pala sila kumukuha ng lakas ng loob. Dapat may dedication ka sa music pero hindi mo dapat kalimutan ang iba mong priorities.

"Kailangan balanced ang lahat. May oras ka sa banda, may oras ka din para sa sarili at sa pamilya mo."

Niño Mesina (bass, AfterImage/Jive Turkey) relates that humility can work wonders for a band even if it falters in the popularity department. Having a "grounded and realistic attitude" can help band mates cope with failure and success.

"A band should know where they are heading. When you become famous, namimili ka na ng mga gigs, tinitingnan mo na yung budget para sa show, pero hindi mo dapat talikuran kung saan ka nanggaling.

"Sometimes if a band becomes popular, they become too snobbish, but some people can't afford to go to expensive venues so the band has to adjust. Sometimes you should play in underground places for free. Minsan masarap balikan yung mga lugar kung saan kayo nagsimula."

Naldy Gonzales (keyboards, Side A) agrees that you should always go back to your roots. He also encourages young, upcoming bands to finish their studies first before venturing into music fulltime.

"Being in a band, can be lucrative but it's also unstable. Kaya dapat hindi tumigil sa pag-aaral ang isang banda kahit dumadalas na ang mga gigs nila.

"If you really love music, you should invest time and effort in it without sacrificing your other priorities. You should have the discipline to practice.

"You should also listen to different types of music para hindi kayo naka-de-kahon. Hindi porke't jazz ka, jazz lang ang pakikinggan mo. Kung rock, puro rock lang. You should be open to all types of music para magkaroon ng diversity yung music n'yo. You should also love what you do because if you do, your work will have depth and soul."

Marc Abaya (vocals & guitars, Sandwich) agrees that music should be the main focus, instead of money and fame. "Have fun! You shouldn't always do things by the book. As long as you're happy with your music, you can do what you want.

"Music is the important thing. Love is enough. If you're happy with it, everything will happen. A band should know how to listen to each other especially if it's a live performance. You should learn how to play with your bandmates."

You learn to adjust to your bandmates. But the relationship turns sour when the band fails to gel as a unit. Is it safe to say that, when a band loses its unity, this will eventually lead to its downfall?

Glenn clarifies, "Democratic kami sa banda namin. Kapag may problema, pinag-uusapan namin. Kapag may napapansin akong conflict, kinakausap ko sila. Kung ayaw nilang tumugtog, OK lang.

"A band will experience its downfall when its members become greedy. Huwag isipin masyado ang pera. Yung ibang mga banda, nag-aaway dahil sa pera. Nag-aaway dahil humihingi sila ng mas malaking budget."

EJ agrees that communication and harmony should be maintained at all times within a band. "Parang chain ang isang banda: para tumagal ito, wala dapat kakalas! Dapat lalong tumibay at maging united ang inyong samahan kapag may problema. Kailangang may perfect harmony palagi, otherwise baka mag-disband kayo."

Ned, however, points out that a band can't fully achieve perfect harmony. "Each band member has his own moods and personality, kaya hindi magiging smooth sailing ang lahat. You just have to learn how to respect each other and have the dedication to improve your music. When you lose respect for a bandmate, that's when the trouble starts."

What if in spite of all the dedication, hardwork and talent, the band loses its luster and popularity? How can it cope with a faltering musical career?

Boom relates, "Right now, we're more of a corporate band because we do commercial endorsements, but we know that everything changes. We might be the flavor of the moment, but that will pass. Music all boils down to whether you rock the house or not. We just have to be ready for the time when we don't rock the house anymore."

Ram Santos (drums, Jive Turkey) shares, "Music undergoes a cycle. If your band becomes laos, you just have to do your own thing. Someday your music will be appreciated again on the music scene."

Nino nods, "Bands come and go, they have a lifespan. Some bands hit it big, others disband or fade away. Dapat wala kang timetable para sa banda n'yo. With Jive Turkey, even if we don't earn with our kind of music, we're happy. It's easier to deal with failure if you accept that nothing is permanent. Being in a band is unstable and you have to accept that reality."

Glenn shares, "The popularity of a band depends on its audience. Pana-panahon lang 'yan, hindi puwedeng palagi kang sikat. Sinabi sa akin ni Wency Cornejo 'yan. Na-realize ko na kahit laos na kami ngayon (compared sa success namin before), I'm still grateful. Kahit papaano, may narating yung banda namin."

Talent, perseverance, dedication and innovativeness can indeed spell success for bands, and the right attitude can help them maintain it. But having gratitude and acceptance can ease the pain of failure.