Gabby Alipe

Gabby Alipe (born October 13, 1979) is a Filipino musician and songwriter. He known as the frontman and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Urbandub. He was also a co-founder and guitarist of the band Franco from 2008 until his departure in 2012. In 2016, he began his solo career and released his debut extended play (EP) A New Strain under MCA Music.

Early life Alipe was born on October 13, 1979, and hails from Cebu, Philippines. He is the eldest of nine siblings and the son of author Lollétte-Oliva Alipe and Em Alipe. His parents reunited after five years of separation.

Career Urbandub

Alipe began his music career during high school, initially seeing himself as a guitarist and songwriter rather than a vocalist. During his college years in Cebu, he played bass in various local bands. After one of his former groups declined to perform original material, he formed a new band with friend Jed Honrado. Due to the lack of available vocalists, Alipe assumed the role of lead singer. This led to the formation of Urbandub, with Alipe serving as both frontman and rhythm guitarist.

Franco

In 2008, Alipe became part of the supergroup Franco, which included members from prominent Filipino rock bands such as Jan-Jan Mendoza (Urbandub), Buwi Meneses (Parokya ni Edgar), Paolo Toleran (Queso), and frontman Franco Reyes. While the band was often seen as a "side project" due to its members' commitments to their respective groups. In 2010, the group released their self-titled debut album under MCA Music.

He remained with the band until 2012, when he left the band to pursue other musical and personal projects. Around the same time, Buwi Meneses, Paolo Toleran, and Jan-Jan Mendoza also departed from the group.

Solo career and other projects Following his tenure with Urbandub, Alipe explored work behind the scenes, managing bands such as Autotelic, Faspitch, Cables & Space, Sirens and Faintlight under his company Nemesis Music Group. Despite initially being hesitant to return to performing, he eventually re-entered the music scene as a solo artist.

In 2016, he released his debut extended play (EP) A New Strain under MCA Music and produced by Eric Perlas. The EP contains six tracks written by him, including the lead single "Visions", which reached number one on the Spotify Philippines Viral 50 chart a week after its release. The EP also debuted in the Top 5 of the iTunes Philippines album chart on the day of its release.

Personal life Alipe has been in a long-term relationship with former VJ aspirant and model-entrepreneur Erika Hocson. In 2012, they welcomed their first child.

Accolades Award Year Category Recipient(s) Result NU Rock Awards 2006 Vocalist of the Year Gabby Alipe Best Male Award Gabby Alipe NU Rock Awards 2008 Vocalist of the Year Gabby Alipe NU Rock Awards 2010 Vocalist of the Year Gabby Alipe Awit Awards 2017 Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist "Visions" Best Rock/Alternative Recording "Visions"

Discography With Urbandub Birth (2001) Influence (2003) Embrace (2005) Under Southern Lights (2007) The Apparition (2009)

With Franco Franco (2010)

As a solo artist EP A New Strain (2016), MCA Music Singles "Visions" (2016), MCA Music "Guillotine" (2019), MCA Music "Hindi Alam" (2019), MCA Music "Sun and Moon" (2021), Tower of Doom "Fragile and Human" (2021), Tower of Doom "Watawat" (2022), Tower of Doom "Some Time Away" (2022), Tower of Doom "Heartless" (2023), Tower of Doom Collaborations "Balita" – with Gloc-9 (2009) "Better Days" - composed with Franco from the album Soul Adventurer (2013) "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" – with John Dinopol and The Ransom Collective (2017) "Caution to the Wind" – with John Dinopol and The Ransom Collective (2017) "Fools" – with John Dinopol (2017) "Run" – with Greyhoundz (2024)