Sponge Cola is comprised of Yael (vocals), Armo (guitar), Gosh(bass), and Chris (drums). Formed when its members were still in high school, the band quickly established itself and began playing gigs regularly at venues all over Metro Manila. In September of 2003, they celebrated their first independent release with the 5-track EP containing the songs, “Lunes”, “A Tear”, “Saturn”, “Cigarette”, and “Jeepney.” “Lunes” and “Jeepney”, both written in Filipino, were released as singles and proved to be a hit with local audiences. Extensive radio airplay was instrumental in broadening the band’s fan base across the nation.
In the last quarter of 2004, Sponge Cola signed a record distribution deal with Sony Music Philippines for the release of their full-length album, entitled “Palabas” about the band members’ theater backgrounds. The album showcases a definitive voice in unadulterated rock, reminiscent of the 90s alternative but laced with enough sing-along pop sensibility to appeal to a wider audience. It displays a seamless blend of the band members’ varied influences while showcasing a refreshingly unique sound. The 14 original tracks contain traces of each band member’s musical preference: Gosh grew up on classical Filipino balladeers from the likes of Basil Valdes and Martin Nievera; Armo lends to the rock edge, citing bands like Tool, Deftones, and A Perfect Circle as influences; Chris admits to being influenced by acts like the Beatles, Foo Fighters and Gin Blossoms; and Yael listens to everything from pop to 80s power ballads up to the new metal phenomenon of the late 90s.
Following the release of their album, Sponge Cola found even greater success, as evidenced by several noteworthy accomplishments. They won the “Rising Sun Award” at the NU107 Rock Awards for successfully crossing over from the radio station’s core audience to the wider pop audience. MTV dubbed the band their “Rising Star” for December 2004, and the first single off the album, “KLSP”, was well-received by both radio and television audiences. The video for the single, which was released in early 2005, hit 1 on multiple MYX charts and stayed on the charts for several weeks. In late February, “Palabas” became the first rock album ever released through a full distribution deal to hit gold in the Philippines.
After the success of “KLSP,” the band decided to take a much-needed break to concentrate on their studies, as they were about to go into their senior year at Ateneo de Manila University. However, they continued to be a visible presence on the gig circuit, playing venues in Metro Manila as well as in the provinces, such as Naga, Iloilo, and Palawan.
With the release of their second single, Sponge Cola continued to rise in the music industry. “Gemini” was released simultaneously on radio stations and hit the 1 spot on 99.5 RT in just a day, a first for the station. A few days later, the song reached the top spot on 97.1 LSFM as well.
Sponge Cola found another hit single in “Una.” Released in early November, the song was well received by the band’s fans and enjoyed extensive airplay on major radio stations. The video for the song, directed by Wincy Ong, reached number 1 on the MYX charts. Another recent triumph for the band was lead singer Yael’s award for Best Male Rock Icon at the 2005 NU107 Rock Awards. In addition to this, Sponge Cola’s rendition of the Eraserheads classic, “Pare Ko,” is featured on the tribute album celebrating one of OPM’s most influential acts. To cap off their successful year, Sponge Cola also had the honor of holding the No.1 spot on 99.5RT’s year-end countdown. Another radio station, RX93.1, chose Sponge Cola as their Indie Artist of the Year, proving that the band’s accomplishments in 2005 did not go unrecognized.
As musicians who are not only working but were also pursuing their college degrees for some time, the members of Sponge Cola have inadvertently become role models for their younger fans. They have broken out of the mold of a traditional rock band by advocating clean living, hard work, and diligence. Bassist Gosh was an academic scholar, and, along with the other members, graduated with flying colors in March of 2006.
Just a few months after their graduation, they started recording songs for their sophomore album. After months of additional songwriting and recording, “Transit,” was ready to be released. By the first week of September 2006, the album was out in all the major record bars nationwide.
Transit proved to be a fitting title for the band’s second album because not only did it capture the feel of the songs, but it also encapsulated the members' growth as individuals and musicians. With the young band members finally graduating from college and releasing their pivotal second album, the band suddenly had to adjust to a fairly new predicament. Transit captures the period of adjustment that the band members went through as it is in fact "the next step," a statement that implies transition, not stagnation.
Musically, the band has also matured over the years. With the two-year gap between their albums, there was a big leap in terms of musical direction, but at the same time, they maintained the essence that took them to the dance—soaring vocals underscored by intense guitars and relentless rhythmic pounding. The added dimension of well-placed ambient layers of guitar and riff-based songwriting created a more diverse album. There was a different approach for each song, strengthening the identity of each track.
“Bitiw,” their carrier single from Transit, has claimed the top spot of various radio stations all across the country. It was their fifth consecutive music video to skyrocket to the 1 position in the MYX hit chart and stayed there for a prolonged time, due to the acceptance of the Filipino people of their brand of music.
Other highlights in the album include the six-minute epic “The Wandering” which pays tribute to the well-known TV series Lost; “Movie,” the band's current single which immortalizes the feeling of people in the “friends zone”; “Do You Know The Feeling,” an 80s inspired stadium rock song; “Nocturne,” a poignant piece that tackles insomnia and remembering of a past love.
For more info:
https://www.facebook.com/spongecola
https://www.instagram.com/sponge_cola/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFiniMD_UVBOyUf4r2JQ0Wg
https://twitter.com/SpongeColaPH
Gemini
Sponge Cola Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Flicker in flight
We'll have about an inch space
But I'm here I can breathe in
What you breathe out
Let me know if I'm doing this right
Let me know if my grip's too tight
Let me know if dreams can come true
Let me know if this one's true
'Cause I see it
And I feel it
Right here
And I feel you right here
The vacuous night
Steps aside to give meaning
To Gemini's dreaming
The moon on it's back
And the seemingly
Veiled room's lit
By the same star
And I feel it right here
And I feel you right here
The lyrics of Sponge Cola's song Gemini depict a yearning for connection and a desire to know if one's dreams are feasible. The first two lines, "Come a little closer flicker in flight, we'll have about an inch space," suggests a hesitant approach towards getting closer to someone. The inch space implies that there is still hesitancy in fully committing to someone. Despite this, the next few lines indicate a willingness to match the actions of the person closest to them, "But I'm here I can breathe in, what you breathe out." This line signifies a sense of unity and a willingness to be in sync with the one they are singing to.
The second verse depicts the night giving the Gemini twins clarity and meaning through their dreams. The moon on its back implies a sense of vulnerability while the "veiled room lit by the same star" signifies that there is a sense of synchronicity or a shared experience between the singer and the one they are singing to. The repetition of "And I feel it right here, And I feel you right here" at the end expresses a feeling of connectedness, despite the inch space between them.
Overall, the song Gemini emphasizes a yearning for connection and a willingness to match the actions of the person they admire. The lyrics talk about the importance of clear communication, the desire to know if their grip is okay or if they can stay for the rest of their life. The song also implies a shared experience between the Gemini twins, signified by the same star that lights up their separate, but connected paths.
Line by Line Meaning
Come a little closer
Let's get a little closer to each other physically and emotionally
Flicker in flight
Our movements are dynamic and energetic
We'll have about an inch space
There will be a little bit of distance between us
But I'm here I can breathe in
Despite the distance, I can still feel your presence and it makes me feel alive
What you breathe out
I want to experience the world through your perspective and understand your thoughts and feelings
Let me know if I'm doing this right
Please tell me if I am expressing my feelings and intentions in a way that is acceptable to you
Let me know if my grip's too tight
Please tell me if I am being too clingy and not giving you enough space or freedom
Let me know if I can stay all of my life
Please tell me if we can spend the rest of our lives together
Let me know if dreams can come true
Please tell me if it is possible for our hopes and aspirations to be fulfilled
Let me know if this one's true
Please tell me if my love for you is genuine and sincere
'Cause I see it
Because I can see our future together
And I feel it
And I can sense that we can have a deep connection
Right here
In this moment, I feel our potential as a couple
The vacuous night
The empty and dark space surrounding us
Steps aside to give meaning
The darkness fades away as our love for each other becomes more significant
To Gemini's dreaming
To the hopes and fantasies of the Gemini star sign, representing the two sides of a person
The moon on it's back
The moon is visible and shines its light from a different position
And the seemingly
Even though it may appear
Veiled room's lit
A hidden or obscured place is illuminated
By the same star
By the same light that shines on us and gives us courage to face our fears
And I feel it right here
I sense the intensity of our connection in this moment
And I feel you right here
And I feel your presence with me, even when you are not physically here
Contributed by Logan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@carlvincent1221
Come a little closer flicker in flight
We'll have about an inch space but I'm here
I can breathe in what you breathe out
Let me know if I'm doing this right
Let me know if my grips too tight
Let me know if I can stay all of my life
Let me know if dreams can come true
Let me know if this one's yours too
Coz I see it (Oh...)
And I feel it right here
And I feel you right here
The vacuous night steps aside
To give meaning to
Gemini's dreaming
The moon on it's back and the seemingly
Veiled rooms lit
By the same star
Let me know if I'm doing this right
Let me know if my grips too tight
Let me know if I can stay all of my life
Let me know if dreams can come true
Let me know if this one's yours too
Coz I see it (Oh...)
And I feel it right here
And I feel you right here
@1256OO
"Gemini"
Come a little closer
Flicker in flight
We'll have about an inch space
But I'm here I can breathe in
What you breathe out
Let me know if I'm doing this right
Let me know if my grip's too tight
Let me know if I can stay all of my life
Let me know if dreams can come true
Let me know if this one's yours too
'Cause I see it
And I feel it
Right here
And I feel you right here
The vacuous night
Steps aside to give meaning
To Gemini's dreaming
The moon on it's back
And the seemingly
Veiled room's lit
By the same star
Let me know if I'm doing this right
Let me know if my grip's too tight
Let me know if I can stay all of my life
Let me know if dreams can come true
Let me know if this one's yours too
'Cause I see it
And I feel it
Right here
And I feel you right here
@masteraix
Come a little closer
Flicker in flight
We'll have about an inch space
But I'm here I can breathe in
What you breathe out
Let me know if I'm doing this right
Let me know if my grip's too tight
Let me know if I can stay all of my life
Let me know if dreams can come true
Let me know if this one's yours too
'Cause I see it
And I feel it
Right here
And I feel you right here
The vacuous night
Steps aside to give meaning
To Gemini's dreaming
The moon on it's back
And the seemingly
Veiled room's lit
By the same star
Let me know if I'm doing this right
Let me know if my grip's too tight
Let me know if I can stay all of my life
Let me know if dreams can come true
Let me know if this one's yours too
'Cause I see it
And I feel it
Right here
And I feel you right here
@MHT_MUSIC_2023
Philippines is an amazing country!! I'm from Malaysia, but I love your Philippines very much. From the people, the culture, to the food to this song. Everything is great!!
Is anyone listening to this song also me?!❤❤
@jpao1834
Imho, this is one of the most underrated songs of my generation. Sabagay, Hale and Cushe were the front-runners back then, the competition was so damn great
@vincentignacio4389
JP Trj along with neon! truly their bests
@xhaumie0227
💯
@johnpaultolentino2651
Rivermaya pa
@StepcurryNgPinas
ur fak when u think that music is a competition
@kathiiemaata7568
True to be told ! our gen's music was the best ❤❤
@sb19atin65
How to be you Armo? 😭😍 nakaka miss din long hair nya... lupit na guitarist ng Sponge Cola!!! 🤘
@sebastianlee2677
HALF STEP DOWN TO E-FLAT ang tuning neto. hahaha eto unang tinugtog ko sa GF ko! UNTIL NOW KAMI PA DIN!! WOOOOOOOOO 😍
@louiebulawan8147
maghihiwalay din kayo, hehehe Joke lang!