Alternative rock band TEETH is celebrating their 33rd anniversary since their formation in 1993. Over the years, they’ve released singles that have defined the band’s history, including “Laklak,” “Prinsesa,” and “Sorry.” To celebrate more than three decades of rock music, the band, which currently consists of vocalist Glenn Jacinto, lead guitarist Jerome Velasco, rhythm guitarist Dok Sergio, bassist Pedz Narvaja, and drummer Mike Dizon, will kick off their anniversary celebrations with a Singapore show on August 30, followed by a five-city concert tour across the Philippines from September 5 to 12.
In line with the concert tour, TEETH have re-released their debut album on vinyl for the first time. Copies of which sold out within the first hour. With the overwhelming response, Narvaja dropped the big news that new TEETH songs underway, proving that the band is far from done. However, Dizon went on to confirm that the new songs won’t be played at their upcoming reunion concert in Manila.
“Kung mag-ta-time travel ako to the year 2026 tapos makikita ko na ganito ‘yung eksena, it’s unbelievable,” Jacinto tells Rolling Stone Philippines. “Kasi noong turn of the century, when I left, wala masyadong gigs parang tinanggap ko na I’m gonna stop playing music and I’m just gonna live a simple life again, working a day job. So ngayon [the band’s] coming back and the scene is getting better actually if you ask me, I don’t take it for granted anymore.”
For Sergio, who joined TEETH in 1997, they’ve always been a band that’s constantly maturing and open to any direction musically.
“Wala kaming naiisip na direction at all. Gumagawa lang kami ng music. If anyone wants it, if TEETH wants it, TEETH can have it. If no one wants it, I’ll take it for myself,” he says. “I’ll just do it, walang restriction. If it has to be grunge or if it has to be this or that, wala. If the band wants it or if it suits us, let’s do it. TEETH is still new.”
Beyond the Hits
TEETH has continued to explore different types of distortion and heavy guitar textures throughout its catalog, going beyond the songs that first made them household names. From 1997’s Time Machine to 1999’s I Was A Teenage Tree, the band went on to push themselves beyond the “grunge” sound from its earlier material. Instead of sticking to the formula of “Laklak” and “Prinsesa,” TEETH became more willing to experiment with different sounds, arrangements, and collaborations as its members matured.
Arguably one of the band’s best singles, “Shooting Star” was one of its experiments in I Was A Teenage Tree. Velasco recalled adding shoegaze elements to the song, as he himself is a big fan of the genre. The band also mentioned nu-gaze rock band bird.’s cover of “Shooting Star” last April, where Velasco was blown away by the rendition. Dizon, meanwhile, recalled how the band would listen to Sonic Youth and other forms of alternative rock to become inspired while writing their last album.
“TEETH is not only about “Laklak” and “Prinsesa.” So ‘pag pinakinggan mo ‘yung Time Machine, nag-e-evolve siya from the first album. Pero ‘yung culmination nandon sa I Was A Teenage Tree, ‘pag pinakinggan niyo ‘yung songs, walang isang theme. There was no conscious effort to be or hindi namin pinipilit mag-shoegaze. Nasa dugo kasi namin ‘yung pinapakinggan namin. Sana marinig ng new generation kasi ‘yun ang TEETH talaga. Yun ‘yung pinaka-end namen na sound.”
Frequently Asked Questions
The band was formed in 1993 and is celebrating its 33rd anniversary in 2026.
Members currently consist of vocalist Glenn Jacinto, lead guitarist Jerome Velasco, rhythm guitarist Dok Sergio, bassist Pedz Narvaja, and drummer Mike Dizon.
TEETH’s anniversary celebrations begin with a Singapore show on August 30, 2026, followed by a five-city Philippine tour from September 5 to September 12, 2026.
TEETH’s last reunion tours were held in 2018 and 2023. The band’s first major reunion took place at the Metrotent in 2014.
TEETH’s debut album was re-released on vinyl for the first time as part of the band’s 33rd anniversary celebrations. The initial copies sold out within an hour of release.
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