I Belong to the Zoo is a Filipino indie pop rock band which started as a solo folk project by Argee Guerrero. After the success of their debut studio album, Guerrero expanded the project into a band with Simon Clariza and Lee De Veyra on guitars, Gere Guerrero on bass, and Ow Owyong on drums. The band has more than three hundred million total Spotify streams, averaging 1.2 million monthly listeners.
Associated acts of the band include Mayonnaise, Reese Lansangan, Moira Dela Torre, Gabba Santiago, Clara Benin, Paolo Tabuena of Runway Crimes, and Tonight We Sleep. Tabuena is a frequent collaborator of the band, and has directed the music video of their song "Paumanhin". Guerrero is also the vocalist and guitarist of the band Tonight We Sleep.
History
Performing solo, 2002–2007 As a grade 7 student, Guerrero was exposed to live rock performances, which inspired him to pursue a career in music.
Guerrero began performing solo acoustic shows and using his own name, but found it challenging as he perceived the use of his own name as boastful. He then performed under the stage name Fireplace Letters.
By 2007, Guerrero stopped performing solo and went on to form the band Tonight We Sleep.
Tonight We Sleep, 2007–present Guerrero, Ton Vergel de Dios (guitar), Rex Ferriols (bass) and Paolo Owyong (drums) formed the band Tonight We Sleep in 2007. Guerrero and Owyong served as songwriters for the band.
I Belong to the Zoo, the solo project, 2014–2018 In 2014, Guerrero started a solo musical career as he felt that some of the songs that he wrote are too mellow and emotional for Tonight We Sleep. Guerrero said that he incorporates his personal experience in the songs for I Belong to the Zoo, which is not the case for the songs he wrote for Tonight We Sleep.
The name I Belong to the Zoo came from a parody of Happy Birthday to You with the lyrics, “Happy birthday to you, I belong to the zoo” which Guerrero used to serenade his then-girlfriend. Guerrero further explained that the phrase described himself in a nutshell saying, "The name kind of just stuck [...] As a kid, I was teased for the way I look. ‘I belong to the zoo’ was my way of owning it.”
In 2017, I Belong to the Zoo released its self-titled debut album.
I Belong to the Zoo, the band, 2018–present After the success of the first album, I Belong to the Zoo then expanded to a five-member band which is now composed of Guerrero (vocals and guitar), Owyong (drums), Simon Clariza (guitar), Lee De Veyra (guitar), and Gerald Guerrero (bass).
After testing positive for COVID-19 in August 2020, Guerrero advised his fans to stay home and wear masks properly. He was able to recover within the same month. Along with the news of his recovery, he released a cover of Taking Back Sunday's "MakeDamnSure" with Tabuena and Paolo Owyong.
In 2021, the band released its second studio album, Kapiling.
In 2024, the band released its third studio album, afteryou.
Musical style and influences I Belong to the Zoo's music has been described as folk, indie rock, and currently, pop rock. It was described as in the same musical territory of Keaton Henson, William Fitzsimmons, Dallas Green, and Damien Rice. Guerrero further explained that he listened to lots of Rice's music which became the main influence for I Belong to the Zoo. However, according to Guerrero, his music influences are mostly OPM rock bands such as Greyhoundz, Slapshock, and Quezo.
When it comes to songwriting, Guerrero cites Dashboard Confessional as a key influence, particularly how the vocalist Chris Carraba performed in their MTV Unplugged 2.0 live album.
Band members
Argee Guerrero – lead vocals, guitars Simon Clariza – guitars Lee De Veyra – guitars Gere Guerrero – bass Paolo "Ow" Owyong – drums
Discography
Albums
I Belong to the Zoo (Self-released, 2017) Kapiling (Self-released, 2021) afteryou. (Self-released, 2024)
Singles As lead artist Title Year Album "Never Me" 2014 I Belong to the Zoo "Sana" 2018Kapiling "Balang Araw""Patawad, Paalam"(Moira Dela Torre & I Belong to the Zoo) 2019 "Kapit" 2020 Kapiling "Paumanhin" "Para kay Catriona" "Oras" 2021 Kapiling "Maybe" rowspan="4" "Hands to Heaven" 2022 "Aalis Ka Ba?" "Tama Nga Sila" 2023 "Hakbang" afteryou. "Masaya" "Pagod" "Relapse" 2024 "'Di Bale Na Lang"
As featured artist Title Year Album "Pahirapan"(Mayonnaise featuring I Belong to the Zoo) 2020 Friends & Family "Hindi Masaya"(CHNDTR featuring I Belong to the Zoo)
In other media In 2017, the songs "Porter", "Ruin" (with Reese Lansangan), and "Pity Party" appeared in the TV5 series, Forever Sucks.
In 2019, "Sana" appeared in the film Open.
In 2021, the WeTV series Pasabuy used "Balang Araw", "In an Instant", and "Pansamantala".
Awards and nominations +Award CeremonyYearCategoryNominee(s)/work(s)Result14th Myx Music Awards2019New Artist of the YearI Belong to the ZooPerformance of the Year4th Wish 107.5 Music AwardsBallad Performance of the YearI Belong to the Zoo – “Sana”Ballad Song of the Year“Balang Araw” – I Belong To The ZooPromising Artist of the YearI Belong To The ZooHimig HandogBest Song“Ingat” (Composer: Ferdinand Aragon; Interpreter: I Belong to the Zoo)Top 12 FinalistMOR Pinoy Music AwardsDigital Artist of the YearI Belong To The Zoo for “Sana”15th Myx Music Awards2020Collaboration of the Year“Patawad, Paalam” – Moira Dela Torre and I Belong to the Zoo5th Wish 107.5 Music Awards11th PMPC Star Awards for MusicSong of the Year“Sana” – I Belong to the Zoo (Yellow Room Music Philippines)16th Myx Music Awards2021Rock Video of the Year“Pahirapan” – Mayonnaise ft. I Belong To The Zoo (Director: Juancho Pancho)6th Wish 107.5 Music AwardsRock/Alternative Performance of the YearI Belong to the Zoo – “Balita”Mayonnaise (ft. I Belong to the Zoo) – “Pahirapan”12th PMPC Star Awards for MusicSong of the Year“Patawad, Paalam” – Moira Dela Torre and I Belong to the Zoo7th Wish 107.5 Music Awards2022Rock/Alternative Song of the Year“Wala Lang” – I Belong To The Zoo13th PMPC Star Awards for MusicMusic Video of the Year“A Trilogy: Patawad Paalam, Paalam and Patawad" – Moira Dela Torre feat. I Belong To The Zoo and Ben&Ben (Star Music)
Notes
References
External links
Cornerstone Entertainment