Clem Castro, a singer-songwriter and guitarist, founded the Filipino group Orange & Lemons in 1999, rounding out the original core trio with drummer Ace Del Mundo and his brother JM del Mundo, who stepped into the role of bassist for the fledgling band. Early in their run, the lineup added Mcoy Fundales as a second vocalist, a position he held from the group’s formation through the end of their first active period in 2007, when the members parted ways due to musical differences. Across their first eight years together, the band built a sound that blended alternative rock, indie pop, and experimental music, pulling influence from a diverse range of well-respected cross-generational acts, including UK indie pioneers The Smiths, timeless pop rock icons The Beatles, and legendary Filipino trailblazers the Eraserheads.