Mark Escueta

Mark Edward Penabella Escueta (born 9 January 1976) is a Filipino musician and one of the original members of the Filipino rock band Rivermaya.

Early life

Escueta is the eldest of four siblings. He has two younger brothers and one sister. Escueta took Business Administration major in Computer at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. His family is from Tiaong, Quezon.^[1]

Musical career

Rivermaya (1994-present)

Escueta began playing drums at the age of 13. He entered the Philippine music industry when he became the drummer of the band Bazurak where one of his bandmates, Nathan Azarcon was the bass player. Azarcon introduced Escueta to another band, Xaga, where Azarcon also played bass. In 1994, he replaced Rome Velayo as drummer and percussionist of Xaga which eventually disbanded and was renamed Rivermaya.^[2] He served as drummer of Rivermaya until 2011 when Ryan Peralta replaced him as the drummer. He gradually switch to guitars and also became of the lead vocalists of the band (along with Mike Elgar and later Nathan Azarcon).

On his birthday at January 9, 2016, he re-united with his former Rivermaya co-members, Perf de Castro, Nathan Azarcon and Rico Blanco for a "secret mini semi-reunion", following de Castro's gig at 19 East, Taguig City.

Other musical interests

Escueta is also the former drummer of the short-lived band, Planet Garapata formed by Eraserheads drummer, Raimund Marasigan in 1996.

Personal life

Escueta married the singer-actress Jolina Magdangal on 21 November 2011.^[3]

Discography

Rivermaya

• Rivermaya (1994)
• Trip (1996)
• Atomic Bomb (1997)
• It's Not Easy Being Green (1999)
• Free (2000)
• Tuloy ang Ligaya (2001)
• Between the Stars and Waves (2003)
• Isang Ugat, Isang Dugo (2006)
• Buhay (2008)
• Closest Thing to Heaven (2009)
• Panatang Makabanda (2013)

References