MANILA, Philippines?(UPDATE) More than a year after Rivermaya front man Rico Blanco left to pursue a solo career, it?s now the other members? turn to take drastic action.
No, none of them is about to leave the band again. Instead, they have decided to part ways with manager Lizza Nakpil. One band member was said to have consulted with a songwriters? group about record contracts that Rivermaya has entered into since its inception.
One of the major issues at hand, according to a source, is the unauthorized collection of royalties due the band.
Contacted by INQUIRER.net, Nakpil said the allegations were ?untrue and baseless.? ?They are pressuring me to give up the Rivermaya trademark, which I worked hard for years, by coming up with these trumped-up charges,? Nakpil said. She described the charges as ?incredible and bizarre.?
Nakpil said the attempt to have her give up the trademark was due to a planned Rivermaya reunion concert. ?You can just imagine how expensive that (trademark) will be. I call that greed.?
Rivermaya drummer Mark Escueta?the only original band member to have remained after Perf de Castro, Bamboo Maalac, Nathan Azarcon and Blanco all quit?declined to comment as advised by lawyers, but sent the Philippine Daily Inquirer this SMS: ?All I can tell you is that she is no longer our agent, and no longer allowed to represent Rivermaya... ?
With INQUIRER.net
