The Speaks

The Speaks is a five-member band composed of mostly Filipinos and Filipino-Americans, although later members of the band were not all Filipino. The band members include guitarist Cal Stamp, bassist Jerry Delino, drummer Derek Lee, vocalist Rafael Toledo, and guitarist Archie dela Cruz.^[1] Original members included percussionist John Abelende and guitarist Siegfred Fuster.^[1] The band was established in Washington, D.C. during the late 1990s.^[2][3] The band is notably remembered for their hit songs "High" and "Life's a Joke".^[4] Their album, according to the Manila Bulletin, debuted at number one on the Filetopia online radio station in the United Kingdom.^[5] The album, entitled This Is the Time was a hit on Asian radio charts (including Magic 89.9's Final Countdown, and in the top 20 of 97.1 WLS-FM).^[1] Their music videos have been featured on MTV Asia and Myx. The Washington Post declared the band as one of the top 5 bands in 2009.^[3]

The Speaks
Also known as	The Speakeasies (1999–2003)
Origin	Washington, D.C., United States
Genres	Alternative rock Pinoy rock pop rock
Years active	1999–2009 2011 2014 2018 2022–present
Labels	MCA Warner Philippines
Members	Rafael Toledo Jerry Delino Archie dela Cruz Cal Stamp Derek Lee
Past members	Siegfred Fuster John Abelende

The Washington, D.C.–based band won competitions such as the JAXX "World's Largest Battle of the Bands" (2003), the DC Hard Rock Café/SoBe "Ultimate Altitude Buzz" Battle of the Bands Finals (2003), and the DC 101 "Last Band Standing" competition (2004).^[1]

The band was co-managed by Rob Shipp and Jerry Garcia.^[5]

Band members

Current members

• Rafael Toledo – lead vocals (1999–2009, 2011, 2014, 2018, since 2022)
• Archie dela Cruz – guitar (1999–2009, 2011, 2014, 2018, since 2022)
• Jerry Delino – bass guitar (1999–2009, 2011, 2014, 2018, since 2022)
• Cal Stamp – guitar (2008–2009, 2011, 2014, 2018, since 2022)
• Derek Lee – drums, percussion (2008–2009, 2011, 2014, 2018, since 2022)

Early members

• Siegfred Fuster – guitar (1999–2008)
• John Abelende – drums, percussion (1999–2008)

Discography

Albums

• Life's a Joke (2003) (import version released in 2005)
• This Is the Time (2007) (import version released in 2008)
• The Price of Freedom (2011)

Singles

• "High" (demo version released in 2003, studio version released in 2005)
• "Life's a Joke"
• "Runaway"
• "Regret"
• "Bizarre Love Triangle" (New Order cover)
• "Ang Himig Natin" (Juan de la Cruz Band cover)