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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Music and Concerts devider HEY JUNE! marks five years by looking ahead

HEY JUNE! marks five years by looking ahead

Published Jun 27, 2026 01:54 pm

Five years is a milestone for any band. It's long enough to build a loyal following, develop a distinct sound, and survive the growing pains that come with making music together. For indie rock outfit HEY JUNE!, however, the occasion is less about looking back and more about what comes next.

The band recently celebrated its fifth anniversary with a free concert for fans, a fitting thank-you to the community that has supported its journey from independent upstarts to one of the country's rising rock acts.

"It feels like time went by so fast," bassist Coey said. "Five years na pala 'yon."

While the anniversary offered a chance to reflect, the band made it clear that they see the milestone as the beginning of a new chapter rather than the culmination of one.

"It's just the start," guitarist Jim said. "There's so much more that can be achieved."

That next chapter is already taking shape.

HEY JUNE! just dropped its sophomore full-length album.

HEY JUNE! confirmed that it is set to release its sophomore full-length album later this year, alongside new singles, live performances, and other projects.

"No official date yet," the band teased.

But just a week after their anniversary concert, HEY JUNE! unveiled "Ai Shite Ruyo," a fresh take on Smokey Mountain's 1994 hit. The release also marks the first collaboration between EMI Records Philippines and Island Records Philippines.

Rather than simply recreating the original, the band approached the song as an opportunity to reinterpret an OPM classic through its own musical identity. The version places bassist Coey's vocals at the forefront for the first time in an official HEY JUNE! release, while preserving the emotion that made the song memorable three decades ago.

The tribute extends beyond the music.

The single's artwork pays homage to Smokey Mountain's "Death Penalty" album cover, while its visualizer introduces the classic to a new generation of listeners.

The band's willingness to revisit a well-loved OPM song reflects its wide-ranging musical influences.

Asked whether minimalist rock bands like The White Stripes and The Black Keys shaped their sound, Jim said it would be difficult to point to just one source.

"Everything," he said. "It could lead anywhere from The Beatles to Nirvana."

That openness has become one of HEY JUNE!'s defining traits. Over the past five years, the band has embraced different sounds while continuing to evolve without losing its identity.

For HEY JUNE!, turning five is not about celebrating how far they've come. It's about embracing the opportunities that lie ahead. With a new album on the horizon and fresh music already making its way to listeners, the band is entering its next chapter with the same excitement that fueled its earliest days. (Ian Ureta)

Related Tags

HEY JUNE! five years HEY JUNE! \"Ai Shite Ruyo\" \"Ai Shite Ruyo\" Smokey Mountain OPM Original Pilipino Music EMI Records Philippines Island Records Philippines
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