The issue stemmed from Join The Club’s alleged "off-key" performance at "SOP" where they were featured in a musical number with actors Dingdong Dantes, Keempee de Leon and Wendell Ramos a few months back.

Join the Club manager Tanya Ilacad, who said she has heard of the rumor from other talent managers, defended her ward and told Manila Bulletin, "I realize that ‘S.O.P.’ is a big show and that it’s vital avenue to promote bands so I ‘ve been holding our peace. But let me say this now: That guesting was a colossal error on our part; one that we regret doing to this day. We had our misgivings the moment we heard that Join The Club would be singing with these actors. But we went on with it because we needed the exposure. Besides, we were confident that the number would be prepared carefully and executed smoothly kasi syempre ‘SOP’ yon," says Tanya.

The song in contention was Tears for Fears’ "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" sung as a production number by the band with the actors.

Tanya says that (off-key) error was bound to happen due to the frantic system "S.O.P." adheres to when it comes to production numbers. "Two days before the show lang kami sinabihan kung ano sa usual repertoire namin ang napili nilang iperform namin sa show. With that usual repertoire, how can we bungle up that number when the band is used to singing it live? So tell me, was it the band that ruined the song, or these actors with questionable singing talent that did it?" she asked.

Tanya said that when the idea of guesting the band was broached to them, they thought that they were going to perform one of their singles. "Hindi pala. And then ang binigay nilang study tape kina Dingdong, etc. ay yung original version ng ‘Everybody.’ But we told them specifically that re-arranged version ang sa Join The Club! They also knew na binilisan namin ang tempo from the original at may mga pinalitan kami sa lyrics. Now, things would’ve gone smoothly if they allowed us to rehearse a few hours before the show but, well, they did not."

"So how can they say now that their new ruling is not to be called an audition but a rehearsal when they deny requests for rehearsals when asked for?" The bigger bone of contention here, Tanya believes, is why some variety shows insist on pairing recording artists with "none singers" in production numbers.

"I understand that since there’s limited air time, these shows just want to maximize exposure. But, really, what’s compromised is the integrity of those who can and do sing. Ask other bands and managers. I know I am not alone on this," says she.

To prove the last, Tanya says that alternative band Itchy Worms even took a stab on this "weird" practice in one of the tracks in their latest album.

" In ‘Theme From Noontime Show’ by Itchy Worms, they wrote ‘Ganito dapat pag banda/ Pagkanta may epal na artista.’ It’s true, isn’t it? At saka dito lang naman sa atin ang kelangan may kasabay na artista ang banda. Abroad, you will never see Coldplay or Greenday performing with Oprah or Jay Leno. Very rarely, too, will you see an international recording artist doing the song of someone else," she says.

Tanya, however, doesn’t generalize. She says that some shows grant requests for rehearsals like in production numbers Join The Club did with Diether Ocampo in "ASAP" and with Cueshe, Parokya Ni Edgar and Itchy Worms in "Eat Bulaga."

"And if Join The Club really was such a disaster in performing live, how come we were chosen as ‘Rising Star’ of MTV the month right after that guesting with ‘SOP?’" she says.

Manila Bulletin contacted "S.O.P." regarding these. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a production assistant involved with the show says that the practice of calling in potential guest artists for rehearsals to gauge their ability to perform live— especially if it’s a new band— has been the show’s standard operating procedure long before the Join The Club guesting; to the point that "S.O.P." sometimes send qualified staff members to gigs of bands that they’re eyeing for guesting.

"Besides, we’re open to suggestions on who among the hosts these guests want to sing with," says our source. "‘Everybody’ was, in fact, on the list of Join The Club repertoire that they submitted to us and we just chose from it," the source added but added, "If it’s only the actors who cannot sing, how come they (Join The Club), too, was off-key?"