REGGAE has throughout the years influenced different cultures through its universal messages

about love, peace, unity. This musical genre has also transcended time and innovation, thus giving birth
to some of its modern and artistic variety. Dancehall Reggae is one of the newest style of reggae to hit
international music markets, a mixture of reggae, hip-hop raping or toasting in Jamaican terms, topped
with soulful chants and rhymes. It creates heart-pumping, dynamic and lively music. Taking its roots from
Jamaica in the late 70s, it continues to evolve and transform rhythm and blues into a distinctive style.

Finally, James “CoolieDread” D’Lonsod, drummer, producer / sound engineer of the down to earth
roots reggae band HERBS and Gregory “Microphone Commander” Polo of Bambu Spliff, alongside Ryan
“Wajahrymes” Yu of Iron Youth, from Cebu City, Philippines, have committed themselves to creating
dancehall in a new level and produced an energetic sound system crew called CoolieDread and the
Microphone Commander. Resulted to the creation of 12 original and powerful tracks in the album “How
Are You World?” They have also carefully handpicked unique toaster Iñigo Jaldon, aka Gauchito from
Davao and rapper Dominic “D.Smith” Smith from New Mexico, USA, to highlight some of their songs.
Wajahrymes, the lead vocals of Iron Youth, lends his deep baritone voice to heat up the pulsating
dancehall beat with his perfect rapping skills. Although he was not around during the album production, he
helped promote the album in their Selector and DeeJay tour in Manila last September 2005.

cooliedreadproductions.com • all rights reserved 2005

 Due to unfortunate events, Greggy aka Microphone Commander, had to quit the band and focus on
his priorities… But blessed with Cebu’s top musicians, CDMC did not stop from performing and making
such wonderful music. Paul Cañada, a renowned sound engineer of Zzubu Recording Studio, and one of
the supreme rock guitarists in Cebu, gave CoolieDread enough courage to continue what the group has
started. While, Gene “Gene Gong” Caballes, vocalist of HERBS, opted to give his melodic toasting, singing
and full support, brought the CDMC sound to a soul lifting aura. Such instrumentalists from Iron Youth also
came to the picture knowing this band didn’t perform for a while. Mark Villanueva (Bassist) and The Yrigan
Brothers, Eric (Drummer) and Dang (Guitarist), completed the new line-up of which they call now:
COOLIEDREAD AND THE MICROPHONE COMMANDERS… first performed in the 11th Bob Marley Festival
held in Cebu City last April 8, 2006. With the lovely additive of Yani Sagun, keyboardist of Pasakanin, a
visayan reggae band in Cebu, finally completed the line-up. CDMCS giving ya’all powerfull tunes that
would definitely make your body move…

left to right: eric (drums), yani (keyboards), ryan aka “WajahRhymes” (vocals), james aka “Cooliedread”
(vocals, dj, percussions), gene aka “GeneGong” (vocals), mark (bass), paul (guitars) and dang (guitars)

Last September 7, 2006, Club Vudu, in Cebu City, hosted the regional elimination round of
Motorola’s Rock Mo’To 2006. Among the twenty bands competing, CDMCs came out first, having then to
join the semifinals on September 9, 2006, at the Gaisano Country Mall, Cebu City, with four other Cebu-
based bands—Hatemail, UNO, Blood of the Stones, and 3mL. Again, CDMCs were able to rock the crowd to
dancing and thus were bound for Metro Manila for the final round.

In Metro Manila, CDMCs, with the other fifteen finalists, was made to be a part of the Motorola
School of Rock Mo’To, where they were able to further enhance their musical skills through sessions with
highly reputed musicians. The Finals, on September 30, 2006, held at Metrowalk, Ortigas, CDMCs played
beats of joyous celebration, which in the end turned out to be for a victory of their own. Crowned as the
official Motorola Philippines Endorser for the year 2007… As part of the price, CDMCs had a thirteen leg bar
tour in Manila last October and November 2006, alongside the countries top big acts.

The band had finally reached the apex of their high-reaching but selfless aspiration, it is too early
to tell. Now back in Cebu to finish their 2 nd full length album, considering that it is the world that CDMCs
had wanted to entrance and make dance, it will do for the moment to say, The party is lackin’ room for
none: CDMCs A BUN THE PLACE!!! NOW DANCE TO THE RIDDIM!!!

cooliedreadproductions.com • all rights reserved 2005

Band Name: CoolieDread and The Microphone Commanders (CDMCs)
Genre: “Dancehall Reggae”
City of Origin: Cebu City, Philippines
Band Member Names and Instruments:

The Band:
Gene “Gene Gong” Caballes -
Vocals
Ryan “WaJahRhymes” Yu - Vocals
James “CoolieDread” D’Lonsod
- Vocals / DJ / sFX
Eric Yrigan - Drums
Mark Villanueva - Bass
Yani Sagun - Keyboards
Dang Yrigan - Guitars
Paul Cañada - Guitars

Key points of interest:

• Launched their 12 track 1st full length album “How Are You World?”, DJ Release
- September 3, 2005 at XAYMACA reggae bar, Timog, Quezon City, Philippines
- May 19, 2006 at HANDURAW, Mabolo, Cebu City, Philippines
• Each original song in the album contains either conscious or sensual lyrics.
• 2 bonus tracks: Buttercup Chill (drum and bass, chill out mix) – CoolieDread Single
M.D (dancehall remix) – BambuSpliff Single
• Buttercup Chill, How Are You World, Boonoonoonous Girl aired over Monster Radio BT105.9 Cebu
• Wide coverage of album airplay: Tobaco City, Albay (One Radio 91.3), Catanduanes, Sorsogon and
Legaspi City and Jam 88.3 Manila…
• Featured in www.leisurecebu.com
• Featured Artist on an international internet reggae radio station, BIGUP RADIO 24X7.
http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=7623
• Featured in Cebu Daily News, Lifestyle, March 4 and July 7, 2006
• Featured in SunStar Cebu, Show, July 8, 2006 and October 15, 2006
• Featured in Cebu TV Channel 28 November 06’ Overdrive 30mins Segment
• Featured in MTV Philippines October 06’: Winning the Motorola School of RockMoto 2006
• Made a jingle for Motorola: Motorola 12 days of Christmas, aired all over the country on radio
• 2nd full length album in the works… To be released 1st quarter of 2007

Additional data:

• Discography:
10 tracks of original dancehall reggae, plus 2 Bonus Tracks….
- M.D. ft. D.Smith [Dancehall Remix] – BambuSpliff single
- Buttercup Chill [Drum n Bass Chillout] – CoolieDread single

Merging the influences of dancehall roots culture and hip-hop ragga, a

crew of aggressive toasters gather, featuring:
Gauchito aka Gaucho (Davao, Phils.), D.Smith (New Mexico, USA)

Contact Information: For more information on the band, call or write:

Mobile: +639158893722 or +639212854288 • E-mail: cdatmc@yahoo.com

cooliedreadproductions.com • all rights reserved 2005