TOP 50 OPM BANDS OF THE '90S | PART 5
- Syd Salazar
- Nov 12, 2022
- 9 min read
Updated: Jun 8
20 bands left.
The cream of the '90s crop.The most influential. The most iconic. The most unforgettable.Born from a decade that redefined OPM and raised the bar for what band music could be.
This is my list. You’re free to make yours.
That’s the disclaimer. Deal with it.
And yeah. Almost forgot about this.
11 to 20
20 JOEY AYALA AT ANG BAGONG LUMAD
YEARS ACTIVE: 1980s – PRESENT
GROUP ROSTER (KNOWN MEMBERS): JOEY AYALA
90S HITS: KARANIWANG TAO, NAKITA KITA, HARING IBON, HITHIT BUGA, PADAYON, MAGKABILAAN, MINDANAO, LUMAD SA SYUDAD, MAGKAUGNAY (?)
Joey Ayala didn’t sing about college crushes or rebellious long-haired teens. His music had depth. It tackled poverty, violence, and the longing for peace—even if peace felt like an impossible dream (but hey, wouldn’t hurt to hope). He was also one of the first mainstream voices to champion environmental awareness, singing about preserving our natural resources without sounding preachy. I doubt he talks to trees... that often.
Armed with ancient instruments that probably date back to when the Aetas, Indones, and Malays first roamed the islands, Joey Ayala carved his place as one of the most respected folk artists of the '90s. His only downside? He didn’t have an FM radio home. Not even NU107 could make space for his genre. It was too niche. Thankfully, the internet gave him a second wind.
I might have been a bigger fan back then if I had more chances to hear his music. But I’ll always remember that time he worked with DOH Secretary Juan Flavier for the “Let’s DOH It” campaign—singing a health anthem while trolling Yosi Kadiri. It was weird. It was wonderful. It was Joey Ayala.
19 TROPICAL DEPRESSION
YEARS ACTIVE: 1984 – PRESENT
GROUP ROSTER (KNOWN MEMBERS): PAPA DOM, BONG EUDELA, ANABEL BOSCH 90S HITS: BILOG NA NAMAN ANG BUWAN, KAPAYAPAAN, BAGYO-BAGYO
Who could ever forget the big guy in the colorful hat and shirt? The late, great Papa Dom was the face of Pinoy reggae in the '90s. With his unmistakable presence and Tropical Depression’s infectious sound, they became the go-to act for every summer event—from beach parties to TV station festivals. “Kapayapaan” was practically the official anthem of sunny specials, while “Bilog na Naman ang Buwan” took over once the sun went down and the good times rolled into the night.
But beyond the summer vibes, Tropical Depression also stood for something more. They used their platform to advocate for peace and environmental awareness—proof that their music wasn’t just feel-good, it had heart. Papa Dom wasn’t just your ultimate beach buddy—he was a voice for change, wrapped in rhythm and sunshine.
18 AFTER IMAGE
YEARS ACTIVE: 1990 – 2001; 2008 – PRESENT
GROUP ROSTER: WENCY CORNEJO, BOBIT USON, NINO MESINA, CHUCK ISIDRO, ROGIE CALLEJO, ARNOLD CABALZA
90S HITS: NEXT IN LINE, MANGARAP KA, BAI, HABANG MAY BUHAY, TAG-ULAN
Wency Cornejo is an incredible vocalist. His voice doesn’t just sing—it soars. And his band, AfterImage, delivered an anthem that defined a generation. “Next in Line” wasn’t just a hit; it was a moment. That song cemented the band’s place in OPM history, playing on loop during a time when we were all still figuring things out. I remember being a kid, watching them perform the same tune on TV over and over for months—and never getting tired of it.
But they weren’t a one-hit wonder. AfterImage had a solid catalog, with several tracks making their way into movie soundtracks and being reinterpreted by balladeers and divas alike. And that’s a testament to how well-crafted their songs were—clean, emotional, and masterfully arranged. The band disbanded in 2001, with Wency pursuing a solo career, but they reunited briefly in 2008, reminding everyone of just how powerful their music truly was.
17 GRIN DEPARTMENT
YEARS ACTIVE: 1995 – PRESENT
GROUP ROSTER: ANDREW B, BOH PASCASIO, PEDRO PLAZON
90S HITS: MISS U, BUY ONE TAKE TWO (SPECIAL OFFER), TABLAHAN, SYOTA NG BAYAN, MAY SAYAD, TABO
If you were looking for wholesome, family-friendly music back in the '90s… this definitely wasn’t it. This band made a name for themselves with double entendres, kinky verses, and the kind of lyrical mischief that made you laugh, cringe, and hide the cassette from your parents. Their debut 2-part album Hahehihohu went double platinum—and let’s be honest, it wasn’t just because of the music. People were curious. People wanted the tea. Or rather… the toothbrush.
Who can forget that iconic line: “May libre kang... may libre kang toothbrush”? That one-liner alone was enough to get high school students whispering and laughing in the back of classrooms. Somehow, despite their NSFW catalog, the band managed to sneak a few songs onto mainstream platforms—like “Miss U” appearing on The Sharon Cuneta Show, proving that not everything they touched was automatically R-18.
In many ways, their songs were the modern, musical reincarnation of Haring Solomon—cheeky, suggestive, and intentionally layered. I still remember buying that cassette for ₱60 (or was it ₱90?) with the big fat “EXPLICIT LYRICS” sticker plastered on it. And of course, that sticker only made it more appealing. If you tell minors not to buy it, that’s exactly when they’ll line up for it.
16 THE TEETH
YEARS ACTIVE: 1992 – PRESENT
90S GROUP ROSTER: GLENN JACINTO, PEDZ NARVAJA, JEROME VELASCO, MIKE DIZON, DOK SERGIO (Dok replaced Pedz when the latter moved to the US)
90S HITS: LAKLAK, PRINSESA, STOKWA, GALIT SA MUNDO, SHOOTING STAR
Their debut album was a certified bombshell—not in the bad sense, but in the “exploded-into-OPM-history” kind of way. Laklak and Prinsesa became anthems for two very specific kinds of people: the dreamers and the drunkards. And truth be told, most of us were probably both.
Laklak, in particular, wasn’t just a hit—it dominated the LA 105 charts for a whopping 12 weeks. That kind of chart reign wasn’t just a fluke; it was a statement. Suddenly, this band looked like they could be the next Eraserheads, or at least a legitimate contender in the same arena.
Their second album didn’t disappoint either. Rock enthusiasts gave it a warm reception, and their place in the Bandmania movement was solidified, especially impressive given that Glenn Jacinto eventually battled and recovered from a serious lung ailment.
Despite the health scares and side projects, the members continued to thrive musically. Mike Dizon went on to co-found Sandwich and Pedicab. Dok Sergio? He took a mic and became the occasional frontman for Ely Buendia’s Pupil. As for Glenn, he may not be in every gig, but when he shows up, you feel it.
They weren’t just a flash in the pan. They were loud, proud, and unapologetically Pinoy rock—and they never really left.
15 SIAKOL
YEARS ACTIVE: 1994 – PRESENT
GROUP ROSTER: NOEL PALOMO, WOWIE FLORES, MINIONG CERVANTES, JAMES RODRIGUEZ
90S HITS: LAKAS TAMA, PEKSMAN, BAKIT BA, BIYAHENG IMPYERNO, BALEWALA, AYOS LANG, KANTO, ASO
They were one of the loudest voices in the Tunog Lata Movement—and by loud, I mean both in sound and presence. Ever since they burst into the scene, they’ve been consistently productive, churning out album after album like they were on a mission. But let’s be honest: despite their growing discography, nothing hits quite like their debut Tayo Na Sa Paraiso.
This album had it. Emotional gut-punch? Bakit Ba. That desperate, pleading vibe? Peksman. And the crown jewel of the set? Lakas Tama.
Lakas Tama is arguably their finest work—deep, poetic, and raw. Sure, people will say it’s cut from the same cloth as Laklak, but this one has more nuance, more bite, and a lot more poetry hiding between the lines. It builds slowly—an intro that hooks, verses that simmer, and then boom—the chorus hits like a chaser to your shot of angst.
This band may have come in with the tin can clatter of the Tunog Lata era, but Lakas Tama showed they had a lot more than noise—they had substance.
14 INTROVOYS
YEARS ACTIVE: 1986 – PRESENT
90S GROUP ROSTER: JONATHAN BUENCAMINO, PACO ARESPACOCHAGA, JJ BUENCAMINO, PAKU HERRERA
90S HITS: LINE TO HEAVEN, WILL I EVER SURVIVE, DI NA AKO AASA PA, KAILANMAN, HOWEVER WHICH WAY
Before Cueshé, before Hale, before Sponge Cola and the pogi rock brigade, there were the Introvoys.
Why was this good? Honestly, I don’t know. Maybe it was the totoy looks. Maybe it was their wholesome barkada vibe. Or maybe it was because they sounded like the heartbreak soundtrack every nice guy needed.
Jonathan Buencamino was the voice behind the emo-lite hits, while Paco Arespacochaga handled the off-stage drama with a very public relationship with Geneva Cruz. That romance gave birth to more than just headlines—they literally named their child Heaven, after their most iconic track, Line to Heaven. (Yes, that’s a real thing. Look it up.)
Line to Heaven was their peak. A heartbreak anthem wrapped in sincerity, and it worked. They had a ton of songs about heartache, rejection, and all the awkward feels—but they were tolerable. Even likable. Let’s be real: Buencamino had that voice that made him sound like the guy who got friend-zoned for the fifth time this week.
The Introvoys may have passed the torch to the next-gen pogi bands, but they’re still very much alive—rocking and rolling in the U.S. to this day.
And whether you admit it or not, you’ve probably sung Di Na Ako Aasa Pa once with real conviction.
13 NEOCOLOURS
YEARS ACTIVE: 1988 – 1999
90S GROUP ROSTER: ITO RAPADAS, JIMMY ANTIPORDA, JOSEL JIMENEZ, MARVIN QUERIDO, JACK RUFO, NINO REGALADO
90’S HITS: TULOY PA RIN, KASALANAN KO BA, HOLD ON, SAY YOU’LL NEVER GO
Neocolours was this close to being Side A-level iconic.
Had they stuck around a little longer, they might’ve had that same dedicated, swooning fanbase. Ito Rapadas had the vocal chops to rival solo legends like Gary V, Martin Nievera, even the balladeer benchwarmers like Jaime Garchitorena, Gino Padilla, and Richard Reynoso. But instead of going solo, Rapadas fronted a band that proved meaningful music didn’t have to come from a one-man show.
Their 1989 album Making It may have technically belonged to the ‘80s, but let’s be honest—its ripples were felt well into the ‘90s. It helped pave the way for the band explosion that defined the decade, showing that OPM bands could go toe-to-toe with established solo acts, and win.
While their run was short-lived, they aged like wine. In 1999, Neocolours released Emerge: The Best of Neocolours—not just a rehash of old hits but a reimagining, complete with remasters and new tracks. It was both a time capsule and a revival project—and it worked.
Their songs have been covered by just about everyone, from pop idols to lounge singers, and that says a lot about the quality of their work. Even if you’re not familiar with Hold On or Tuloy Pa Rin, chances are you’ve heard someone cover them at a wedding, a teleserye, or some emotional montage on TV.
Neocolours proved that heartfelt songwriting, when done right, never really goes out of style.
12 ALAMID
YEARS ACTIVE: 1987 – PRESENT
90S GROUP ROSTER: GARY IGNACIO, DEXTER FACELO, THALLIE FACELO, GAIL IGNACIO, PAKU HERRERA, ROEL MANGYAO
90S HITS: YOUR LOVE, CHINA EYES, SAMA-SAMA, HESUS, BATIBOT, ATING BAYANI
They almost called themselves Salamin ni Bruce Lee.
And honestly? I would’ve been all for it. But would people have taken them seriously? Maybe not. Good thing they went with Alamid—named after the elusive wild civet seen in the mountains. Classy name, classy band.
Alamid was one of the finest acts to come out of the 90s rock scene. Their music had depth, their lyrics hit hard, and their sound was mature without losing its edge. While Sama-Sama and China Eyes were solid tracks (with China Eyes even getting airtime as transition music on Palibhasa Lalake), it’s Your Love that turned them into household names. That song was everywhere. There’s even an old story where a recording exec thought it was from a foreign act—yup, that’s how tight and polished it sounded.
Your Love also made history as the very first Song of the Year winner at the NU107 Rock Awards. For a band that wasn’t flashy or loud, that was a mic drop.
Fun fact: their cover of the Batibot theme song actually became the official theme for the show before the band went on hiatus. That’s range—from soft rock ballads to educational TV anthems.
They didn’t need gimmicks. Alamid had the kind of music that did the talking.
11 THE YOUTH
YEARS ACTIVE: 1989 – 1997; 2004 – PRESENT
GROUP ROSTER: DODONG CRUZ, ERAP CARRASCO, ROBERT JAVIER
90S HITS: MULTONG BAKLA, TAKBO, KAPAG NAGUNAW ANG MUNDO, SUPERNOVA SCUM, BASURA, TAO PO, BA-BA-BA-BAYANI, ATING BAYANI
With his long black locks and big, round eyes, Dodong Cruz looked like a demented hippie — but his voice was unmistakable and impossible to ignore. The Youth was one of the decade’s standout bands, carving out a cult following with their high-energy, no-nonsense performances. Their music was a wild mix of punk, rock, and humor, with easy-to-sing tunes that connected with everyone, especially the masses.
Their songs had bite but were catchy enough for anyone to sing along, making them a staple in the underground scene. When the band disbanded in the late ’90s, Dodong Cruz went solo, and Robert Javier took on producing duties for some Parokya ni Edgar albums. The Youth reunited in 2004, but it hasn’t quite hit commercial success since.
Here’s a personal moment: I was young, home alone, listening to the radio when my sister and her friend pulled a prank. They threw rocks at the windows from both front and back, and I was calling out, confused and scared. Then suddenly, Dodong Cruz’s voice blasted through the speakers screaming the chorus of TAKBO. I ran to my room and hid under the blankets like the dork I was.
That’s the power of The Youth — unforgettable and always loud.
NOTES:
Every band on this list absolutely deserves their spot. Honestly, I wrestled with cutting The Youth and Neocolours out of the Top 10 — those two made it really tough. But the truth is, the ’90s gave us a huge crop of amazing acts that shaped OPM forever.
So stick around for the finale — it’s gonna be worth it.
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