Kamikazee | |
---|---|
from left to right: Contreras, Burdeos, Linao, Tuyay and Astete
|
|
Background information | |
Origin | Quezon City, Philippines |
Genres | |
Years active | 2000–2015 (on hiatus) |
Labels | Universal (Philippines) |
Associated acts |
|
Past members | Jay Contreras Jomal Linao Led Tuyay Puto Astete Bords Burdeos |
Kamikazee was a Filipino hard rock band formed in 2000. The band was composed of Jay Contreras on vocals, Jomal Linao and Led Tuyay on guitars, bassist Puto Astete and drummer Bords Burdeos.
Fans and critics have described the band's music as a mix of pop-punk and hard rock. In August 2015, the band had temporarily reunited after a brief hiatus announced earlier in January 2015 and in 2016, the band officially entered an indefinite hiatus. They played their farewell concert on December 10, 2015 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The band is composed of five members who met at the College of Fine Arts of the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Kamikazee's early gigs were mostly on-campus events in UP Diliman like the annual UP Fair. Before they were signed to a major label, they went by the name "Kamikazee Cornflakes", eventually shortening the name to "Kamikazee". Their early shows included performances of the songs "Mmm Sarap", "Tsinelas", a cover of singer Ariel Rivera's "Sana Kahit Minsan", and Britney Spears' Lucky.
Their live performances have since been known for using expletives, sexually suggestive dances, and references to genitalia. Despite such antics, their music incorporates many elements of modern rock music, such as pop-punk, grunge and NU-metal, on some of their songs. Band drummer Bords Burdeos was also recognized for his drumwork, which according to fans and critics, added extra flair to the band's songs.
Kamikazee released their first studio album in 2002. The album's carrier single was a heavy cover version of Britney Spears' "Lucky". Other notable songs include "Girlfriend", "Ung Tagalog", "Tsinelas" and their cover of Ariel Rivera's "Sana Kahit Minsan". In 2005, the band released "Chiksilog" as part of the Ragnarok MMORPG compilation album Rok On!.
In 2006, they released their second album, "Maharot". The carrier single of the album was "Narda", which is about the fictional Filipina super hero Darna. "Narda" was a popular hit in 2006, and gained constant radio airplay in the same year, eventually becoming the band's signature song. The song was inspired by GMA Network's 2005 primetime show Darna which starred Angel Locsin. Later in 2009, it was used for GMA Network's primetime show Darna with Marian Rivera playing the title role. The band also borrowed from other genres of music in composing their songs for the album, as evidenced by the metal-inspired sound of the tracks "Sobrang Init" and "KKK", the pop-punk styling of the songs "Director's Cut" and "Martyr Nyebera" and the reggae-sounding feel of "Petix". Maharot was recognized for its sound, and further propelled the band to mainstream success.