Queso are recognized as one of the most commercially successful Filipino Rock Bands in the 2000s. Their popularity, however, wasn’t the product of slick marketing or a producer’s conceit. During the band’s early years in the mid-1990s—a time when they still called themselves Cheese—their unpredictable brand of Rock music already attracted a dedicated following.

The band’s founding members are guitarist Enzo Ruidera and bassist Tuts Calinawan, who both wanted to form their own Rock band in 1994. Paolo Rosal subsequently joined as drummer to complete the rhythm section. Vocalist Ian Irving Tayao only joined after the original Cheese lineup splintered and guitarist Ocho Toleran, a.k.a. 8, soon followed. Toleran joined the band as a fan. A sound engineer educated in Sydney’s Audio Education Center, Toleran returned to the Philippines determined to carve out a career in music.

By 1996 the band’s classic lineup was completed and the band agreed to name themselves Cheese rather than stick with Flower Children, an alternate name they wanted to use but decided against. Tayao was on vocals, Toleran and Enzo Ruidera were on guitars, Tuts Calinawan was on bass with Paolo Rosal on drums. RT de Ano was Cheese’s original DJ on turntables.

Playing a chaotic and eclectic variety of modern Rock that emerged in the post-grunge 1990s, Cheese’s performance in the Manila club circuit cemented their reputation as a band to watch. Their popularity in venues like Club Dredd led to weekly gigs, often as frequent as thrice a week. Cheese’s other haunts included Mayric’s, Yosh Café, and Club Radio.

Additional shows in schools and public venues introduced them to a broader audience. Their first release, a two-song demo, reportedly sold well although the exact figures are unknown since only 500 copies were printed. Another account claims that the 500 copies were sold out on the night it was released during a Queso gig.

Shortly after releasing their demo in 1997, Cheese were signed by Warner Music Philippines. The band’s self-titled debut album was a critical and commercial success, with singles like 10x Karma earning the band airplay, headliner status, and name recall. Cheese’s prominence paved the way for multiple product endorsements.

Having broken into the mainstream, their self-titled LP gave them unofficial membership in the emerging Nu Metal genre and it wasn’t long before Cheese were considered peers to Slapshock and Greyhoundz, two bands whose own members would either collaborate and support Cheese in the future. Cheese were among the first bands to be included on the bill for the annual Muziklaban festival and band competition organized by Red Horse Beer. Cheese would go on to perform at Muziklaban almost yearly even when the band already changed their name to Queso.