Artist Spotlight: The Itchyworms Talk Songwriting, SG, and More
After nearly three decades of making us laugh, sing, and sometimes cry over “Beer,” The Itchyworms are still very much in their groove. Known for turning everyday musings into anthems like “Akin Ka Na Lang” and “Di Na Muli,” the Filipino Pop-Rock act has struck that rare balance between humor and heart, a feat that has kept their music both timeless and distinctly Filipino.
Before the year ends, the band is giving their fans in Singapore a treat as they bring their one-night “Akin Ka Na Lang” concert to the Lion City on Nov. 8, 2025. The Beat Asia caught up with Jugs Jugueta (Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards), Jazz Nicolas (Vocals, Drums, Keyboards), Kelvin Yu (Bass, Vocals), Weckl Mercado (Lead Guitar, Vocals), and Michael Vargas (Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar, Percussion, Vocals) to talk about what it really takes to stick it out as a group after more than twenty years, how their creative process has changed since their college-band days, and what they think of the new generation of OPM artists taking over playlists today.
They also gave us a glimpse into their upcoming Singapore show and what fans can look forward to. Because if there’s one thing The Itchyworms have mastered by now, it’s staying true to who they are while still knowing how to have a good laugh along the way.
Itchyworms on Still Having Fun
Formed in 1996, The Itchyworms started out performing a mix of original songs and Beatles covers at various school events and competitions. The band originally consisted of Jazz Nicolas, Jugs Jugueta, Kelvin Yu, and Hadrian “Haji” Cruz — who later left the group. In 1997, Chino Singson joined, completing the lineup that fans know today.
Known early on for their witty songwriting and energetic performances, The Itchyworms quickly stood out in the local music scene. They released their first independent CD, “Revenge of the Unsigned,” in 1998, followed by their major label debut, “Little Monsters,” in 2001. But it was their 2005 album, “Noontime Show,” under Universal Records that brought them nationwide fame. The concept album, a clever satire of Filipino showbiz culture, spawned several of their biggest hits, including “Akin Ka Na Lang,” “Beer,” and “LoveTeam.”
When asked how they had evolved since their early years, the band mentioned improving greatly on the technical side of things and how they often feel on top of their musical game when playing live shows. As for their creative process, Jugs mentioned how circumstances have helped make a positive change in their songwriting style.
“Because of the pandemic, and our experience with our Awit Award-winning pandemic album, ‘Waiting For The End To Start,’ we were able to invest in good home recording gear, which we could use any time if we couldn’t make it to the studio,” he said. “This also helped our songwriting style, because we could just send demos or snippets of songs to each other, even if we are apart.”
The band also gave us a glimpse into their songwriting process and how it’s either members Jazz or Jugs who comes up with the idea in the form of a verse, a chorus, or a riff, then the rest of the song is completed by the rest of the members. Other times, they come up with full songs which they arrange as a band.
When asked about how they keep their music fresh while staying true to their signature vibe, and how humor became such an iconic element in their songwriting, the band replied, “Like everyone, we are influenced by everything around us: new songs, new movies, new stories, and new experiences. All these new things affect how we make music. Our identity as a band is what keeps the vibe, but the new experiences are what keep the music fresh.”
“Like most Filipinos, we use humor to shield our true emotions. When writing ‘Noon Time Show,’ we made a satirical take on the stereotypes of show business. Is it a conscious part of our creative identity? No. Perhaps a subconscious one.”
Many fans have grown up listening to the band, having released five full albums and one EP (Extended Play). These compilations contained songs that have become soundtracks of people’s lives and have become a huge part of Filipino pop culture. The band expressed how, after many years of performing and creating music together, they learned that the Philippines should be pushing OPM to the world and showcasing new talents in the industry.
“We are so happy for the current generation of Filipino artists,” they said. “They are so talented! We think this is the utopia that the legacy bands were envisioning during their time: original Filipino songs being as popular as foreign songs; Filipino bands touring the world; Filipino bands collaborating with different artists from all over the world. It’s just so beautiful.”
“I see ourselves as the older brother of these bands. Hindi kami mga Tito [we are not uncles]!” Jugs added. “I always give them advice not just in music, but also in artist management and branding.”
The band once collaborated with the legendary Ely Buendia of Eraserheads in 2016 for the song “Pariwara,” which was a notable hit that had fans thrilled, as The Itchyworms had been considered one of Eraserheads’ successors when it comes to songwriting. When asked if any rising artists have caught their attention, the group mentioned One Click Straight and Ena Mori, stating that they love their energy and would love to collaborate with them one day.
Now, The Itchyworms are showing the enduring power of their music with a concert in Singapore. This marks the band’s fourth visit to the city-state, and is described as more than just a concert but a celebration of their memories and connection with Singaporean fans. When asked what we can expect, the band was quick to express their excitement.
“We LOVE playing in Singapore!” they told The Beat Asia. “The SG crowd is always itching for an excuse to have fun! You’ll have so much fun in ‘Akin Ka Na Lang SG’! Our new member, Michael Vargas, is a multi-instrumentalist. His first primary instrument is the violin, and he’ll be playing it in Singapore! Also, D&D will be giving away one D&D Kidlat signature guitar to a lucky superfan!”
When asked about how it feels to have their music endure through the years and even cross borders, Jugs answered, “It is so overwhelming. I see kids who are younger than our songs watching us at the gigs! And they know the words, the discography, and even the deep cuts! Of course, we are very thankful for this opportunity to keep music fans happy. We hope to continue doing so for more decades to come!"
“We have no aspirations of being known internationally. But it really is heartwarming when someone who’s not Filipino comes up to me and says they like our music. That means so much to us,” the rest of the members added.
After almost three decades of making music together, the band also shared what keeps them motivated through the years and the key to longevity as a group.
“It’s a great excuse to hang out with my friends,” they simply stated. “And communication is the key.”
As for what the future holds, the legendary OPM act doesn’t seem to be stopping any time soon, revealing their desire to travel more and to put out more music. The band is also set to go on tour next year, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi scheduled for January, Taiwan in April, Europe in May, and Australia and New Zealand in September.
Their upcoming Singapore show will take place at the Timbre+ One North on Nov. 8 at 5 PM. You can choose from two ticket options: General Public (S$58) and Superfans (S$98), which include an exclusive meet and greet, early entry to the venue, access to soundcheck, freebies, a complimentary bottle of beer, and a chance to win a new guitar signed by the band. You can buy your tickets here.
You can follow Itchyworms on Facebook and Instagram. You can also listen to their music on Spotify, Apple Music, and on their official YouTube channel.
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