Soaring brand of power pop

You’ll definitely hear more music from the band, says frontman Box Garchitorena.

Their unusual name certainly gets them a lot of attention. And that’s even before you hear them play a single note.

But there is certainly a lot more to My Ex-Girlfriend than their intriguing band name. The high-energy six-piece outfit plays a mean brand of powerpop that does not need any kind of gimmickry to get people to stop, watch and listen.

And it all started at least three years ago, when the band was formed from the remnants of other bands like cover me quick /!\ (stylized as that, not a typo).

“We just wanted a name that wasn’t easy to mishear. Who doesn’t have an ex?” recalled frontman Box Garchitorena.

From then on, the band also composed of Ernie Bangiban, Drix Garchitorena, Exon Pasamba, Mark Garchitorena and Neil Carlo Espina came to be known as My Ex-Girlfriend, which they say is not at all a tribute to their respective exes.

Influenced by the likes of Forever the Sickest Kids, Boys Like Girls, Cobra Starship, Sugarcult, Weezer, Green Day, Fall Out Boy, The Ataris and Danger: Radio, their high-octane sound has drawn comparisons with celebrated rabblerousers, Kamikazee.

BEING compared to Kamikazee feels like heaven for My Ex-Girlfriend.

“We actually love being compared to bands that are more established. That means we also have a chance to make it as big as they have become, I guess? Besides, Kamikazee was one of our peers when we came out with our previous albums under our former band. Magaling sila (They are good) and being compared to them is heaven,” Box admitted.

As for their signature sound that not a few fans cannot put a finger on, My Ex-Girlfriend refuses to be categorized as pop-punk.

“We think pop-punk is an oxymoron. Kung hindi nyo gets ang Power Pop, sige Barkada Rock na lang,” the band declared.

Since 2016, My Ex-Girlfriend has released a total of seven original songs plus a rollicking cover of Sharon Cuneta’s “Bituing Walang Ningning” and a four-track independently-produced EP called “Makakalimutan Na Sana Kita, Kaso Napanaginipan Kita.”

Among their original standouts is the soaring stop-and-go number, “Ubos Gasolina,” the anthemic “Pusong Rockista Lang,” the accelerating “Kasama Ka vs The Universe,” the piano-driven ballad, “Aminin” and their latest, the spirited “Lilipad Muli” said to be written specifically for the upcoming film adaptation of Darna.

Box confesses that the band is actually praying that the song eventually makes it as the film’s official theme song, especially now since they’re signed under Star Records, which usually carries the soundtracks of films produced by Star Cinema.

“If you listen to the lyrics of the song, it was really made for her (Darna). But thinking about it, we thought it could really be for any superhero for that matter — or as a song of hope. It’s now up to Star Records how they want to use the song. But we do pray they’d consider it. Masaya ‘yun ‘pag nagkataon,” Box quipped.

Describing the lyrics of their songs, Box said every member of My Ex-Girlfriend is capable of composing songs that are usually about their experiences.

“Lately, we’ve been challenging ourselves to write about stuff that interests us. We already wrote something for a superhero. We wrote stuff for depression. We’re also releasing a sports-themed song soon! The songs come from different directions, but of course, love songs will always make it through and Ernie has been writing like a beast of late. When he came back after a hiatus, he brought with him an album of songs — and now we’re about to release them as an album.”

Yes, My Ex-Girlfriend intends to release a full-length album of more original material. Box admits that despite maintaining day jobs, all six members of the band do get together from time and time and are determined to take their music to the next level.

“You’ll definitely hear more from us in the days to come,” Box assured. We hope so, too.