Thirty-three years after forming as schoolmates and neighbors, 90s alternative rock band TEETH gathered at Backspacer Records on September 2 for their vinyl launch presser. Looking back on their garage-jamming roots, the band reminisced about their humble beginnings.
Naturally, no angry teen was spared with the iconic lines to “Laklak”:
Kabilin-bilinan ng lola
‘Wag nang uminom ng serbesa
Ito’y hindi inumin pang bata
Mag-softdrinks ka na lang muna
In fact, this breakout song gave them the confidence to write a full album. Which falls back to the present, on their grand reunion tour with a vinyl press.
Nostalgic Beginnings And The Spark of Rock
Early on, cassette tapes were their main medium. Member Glenn Jacinto recalled physical gratitude with their first ever album,
When the cassette was released back then, when we came to the store, week after, nasa chart sya. We have sales.”
Soon after, their very first paid gig—a 30-minute set on LA 105.9(an alternative rock sound station in the 90s) became a life-changing moment.
At the time, Glenn was working at Doc Martens in Megamall. Reflecting on that show, Glenn shared,
Naalala ko nag-wowork ako sa mall noon, sumesweldo ako ng five thousand a month. Sabay nag gig kami, 30-MINUTE SET, and then nakatanggap ako ng five thousand. Sabi ko, shet. I’m gonna resign. Ito na yun.”
Consequently, that sudden realization led straight to his decision:
Fuck this shit I’m gonna be a rocker!
Roads With The Rockers And Evolving Audiences
While “Laklak” put them on the map, their hit track “Prinsesa” opened even bigger doors. Interestingly, it was just a last-minute studio addition to fill out a ten-song release. Today, younger listeners often mistake it for a Daniel Padilla song due to his popular cover.
Meanwhile, many new fans discover TEETH through their dads’ old record collections, family recommendations, or the film Rakenrol. Comparing today’s gig-goers to those of the 90s, band member Mike Dizon noted key changes in crowd behavior. Back then, concerts featured flying mineral bottles and endless beer. Today, audience members mostly hold up smartphones to record.
Still, as the band pointed out,
Mas wild dati. Hindi mo alam yung mangyayari.”
TEETH: The Legacy Tour
To reintroduce their distinct signature sound, TEETH firmly believes nothing beats playing live. Therefore, they are prioritizing live shows to reconnect with fans. These days, the members hope to bond longer, cut back on cigarettes, and take better care of their health.
Ultimately, they want to keep making music together for years to come. Currently, their main focus is their ongoing legacy tour. It launched in Manila on September 5 and continues with upcoming dates in Davao on September 12, Iloilo on September 19, and Cebu on September 26.
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