The Mongols were a Filipino underground band comprising Eraserheads vocalist Ely Buendia, Teeth guitarist Jerome Velasco, bassist Yanni Yuzon, and drummer Bogs Jugo.
Formed after Buendia left Eraserheads in 2002, The Mongols released an album, Buddha's Pest, in 2003. Velasco left the band soon after to study in the United States, and the rest of the band recruited Teeth guitarist Dok Sergio and renamed the band Pupil.
History 2002–2003: Formation Buendia had left Eraserheads in March 2002. He later organized live shows with his friends, playing covers of his previous band, Teeth, and The Velvet Underground. Meanwhile, Teeth had gone on hiatus in 2003 after their vocalist Glenn Jacinto migrated to the United States. Velasco later met Buendia and got together for informal jam sessions.
Buendia came up with the name of the band after visiting the American Museum of Natural History in New York City with his partner Diane Ventura (who later managed the band), where they saw an exhibit featuring Mongolian llamas.
The band first performed in Davao in January 2003. They self-produced an EP, A Fraction of a Second, which they sold at their live shows.
2003: Buddha's Pest In November 2003, the band released an album, Buddha's Pest, through Viva Records. It included the lead single "Bulakbol".
2005: Pupil In 2005, Velasco left the Mongols to study in the United States. The band recruited Teeth guitarist Dok Sergio and renamed the band Pupil.
Influences The band's influences include the Velvet Underground, My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth, and The Jesus and Mary Chain.
Members Ely Buendia – vocals, guitars Jerome Velasco – lead guitars Yanni Yuzon – bass Bogs Jugo – drums
Discography Studio albums Title Album details Buddha's PestReleased: November 2003 Label: Viva Format: CD
EPs A Fraction of a Second (Redrum, 2003)
Music videos Year Title Director2004"Bakit Nga Ba?"Francis Magalona"Keeper"Kurt Kataract, Diane Ventura and Manie Magbanua Jr.2005"Heroine"
References