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Sugar Hiccup, Wolfgang Alums Form Alt-Rock Supergroup The Mellow Dees

Sugar Hiccup, Wolfgang Alums Form Alt-Rock Supergroup The Mellow Dees

Unlikely collaborator Melody del Mundo (former Sugar Hiccup singer), Wolf Gemora (former Wolfgang drummer), and guitar whiz Robin Nievera (who has now opted to go by the mononym Nievera) have released new music as The Mellow Dees.

The dream-pop chanteuse, Pinoy metal alum, and six-string maven may make for strange bedfellows. However, “Lamán ,” the maiden single they released on November 4, has taught us something though. It is that collaboration knows no age, genre, or creed.

The Trio’s History

Formed in 2019, the trio’s momentum hit a brick wall with the dawning of the global pandemic in 2020. But as they say, a good idea is worth pursuing. In July of 2021, they reconvened for songwriting sessions and rigorous band rehearsals.

By New Year’s 2022, they have begun recording at Mack Sennet Studios in the Silverlake District of Los Angeles, California. The same hallowed halls luminaries of the film (Martin Scorsese, David Lynch) and music (Lady Gaga, Jay-Z, John Legend) have worked.

Today, listeners the world over will get the first helpings of the smorgasbord they have concocted for their debut record.

“Lamán” is possibly the farthest thing from the individual members’ previous work. A fusion of reggae, island pop, and kundiman (traditional Filipino folk ballad). The single sees a band cognizant of its roots but also dead set on innovation.

Describing the track as “a serenade with a different approach,” the band further
shares that the tune is “definitely a break from the usual,” being “a heavier and more
upbeat track.”

Sugar Hiccup’s Del Mundo, Wolfgang’s Gemora, Guitar Whiz Nievera

Del Mundo is renowned for her dreamy pipe work that harkens back to Cocteau Twins and bands of similar ilk. Her most popular works with Sugar Hiccup (“Five Years,” “Moden De”) can be characterized as “beauty beyond speech,”. Being literal gobbledygook set to sprawling, textured music.

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Meanwhile, Gemora drummed on almost everything in the Wolfgang catalog. He was also in the short-lived outfit Lokomotiv with members of Razorback. From the ’90s to the early ’00s, his propulsive rhythm work served as a soundtrack for heavy music fans in Manila.

Lastly, Nievera has paved a path independent of his pedigree. Cutting records for majors and indies alike, he showcases his guitar and songwriting skills. His playing combines elements of blues rock (Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix), Latin (Carlos Santana), fusion (Eric Johnson), and modern (Prince, The Edge, Jack White, John Mayer).

Lilystars Records in Manila distributes “Lamán” and the forthcoming full-length record that carries it. “It’s a welcome bit of happenstance to be working with legends in the local music scene.  Surely a generation I can relate with, as it reminds me of my youth as a music fan.” Label head Clem Castro (Orange & Lemons, The Camerawalls, Dragonfly Collector) states of this exciting new collaboration.

The Mellow Dees’ “ Lamán ” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide
via Lilystars Records.

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