It was a decision that shocked many of their fans, given that IV of Spades, one of the promising new acts to emerge recently, was well on their way towards the heights of local music fame.

But perhaps no one was more frustrated about Unique Salonga leaving than his ex-bandmates themselves, who, in an interview on "Tonight with Boy Abunda" Friday, admitted that they did harbor a bit of resentment for their former frontman.

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Salonga left the band to go solo, and the remaining members, who have since continued as a trio, said that that they found it difficult to live up their fans' expectations after that.

"Sobrang hirap dahil you have to adjust --'yon 'yung moment na biglang pumutok iyong band. Pagkaputok, bigla siyang nawala and then we have to deal with the pressure to put on a great show for the people watching us," said drummer Badjao de Castro.

But guitarist Zild Benitez, who now vocally fronts IV of Spades, added that that was all in the past and they have since moved on from it --the band just released their new album, Clapclapclap!

"Ngayon wala na," he said when asked if they were still angry with Salonga. "Para kaming bata lang naman na gumagawa ng music, so nung panahon na iyon parang mahirap siya lunukin."

"Pero ngayon maiintindihan mo na minsan mayroon talagang mga artistic differences, baka may ibang rason ang mga tao sa mga bagay na ginagawa nila."

"Rerespetuhin mo lang iyong ginagawa ng ibang tao kung gusto mong ma-respeto lang din ang mga desisyon mo sa buhay."

He did say that he no longer considers Salonga as his "friend."

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Salonga left IV of Spades early last year, just after the band was named the best new artist by MYX Philippines.

He didn't explain his reasons, but fans later found out that it was to go solo as he signed a contract with Kean Cipriano's new record label, OC Records.