Kamikazee | |
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 from left to right: Contreras, Burdeos, Linao, Tuyay and Astete | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Quezon City, Philippines |
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| Years active |
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Kamikazee (or sometimes stylized as KMKZ) is a Filipino rock band formed in 2000. The band, originally known all throughout its career as a quintet, is currently composed of Jay Contreras (lead vocals), Jomal Linao (lead guitar and vocals), Led Tuyay (guitar), Puto Astete (bass), Bords Burdeos (drums), Jian Lubiano (guitar), and Mikki Jill (keyboards & vocals).
Fans and critics have described the band's music as a mix of pop punk and hardcore punk.
In August 2015, the band had temporarily reunited after a brief hiatus announced earlier in January 2015. By the beginning of 2016, the band officially entered an indefinite hiatus. They played their farewell concert on December 10, 2015, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Around 2017, the band had a reunion gig and has been touring since.[1]
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" (spoof or pun name of balladeer Martin Nievera) and the reggae-sounding feel of "Petix". Maharot was recognized for its sound, and further propelled the band to mainstream success.
The band maintains close ties with another popular Filipino band, Parokya ni Edgar (PNE). PNE frontman Chito Miranda met the band members in college. In concert events with both bands on the bill, one band's singer would occasionally jam with the other band. During Parokya ni Edgar's live sessions, Contreras frequently joined Miranda in performing songs such as "Okatokat", "Chikinini" and "The Yes Yes Show." In 2005, Contreras provided back-up vocals for PNE's hit song "The Order Taker" while co-member Linao provided lead guitar. In turn, Kaye Abad, Miranda's then-girlfriend, provided back-up vocals for Kamikazee's song "Martyr Nyebera". Contreras later married Kaye Abad's sister, Sarah, on February 12, 2009, at Paco Park.
In December 2008 when Kamikazee was set to perform at the Dubai Festival City in Dubai, United Arab Emirates as part of an international tour, guitarist Led Tuyay was arrested at the airport upon their arrival after a cannabis residue was found in his luggage. Tuyay was detained and deported back to Manila in January 2009.[2][3]
Kamikazee's 3rd Album "Long Time Noisy" took the band three years to put together as the band balanced out their tough schedules. The album was recorded at Tower of Doom Studios with producer Eric Perlas. "Unang Tikim," one of the album's singles, was used in the TV Ad of RC Cola in 2011. The album's writing style and music retained elements from their previous work, mainly in song structure and subject matter such as everyday life, drug use, and personal experiences.
Kamikazee's fourth & recent album, "Romantico" was released after being in production for 3 years. The album contained the singles "Halik" & "Huling Sayaw" with RNB singer Kyla on guest vocals. "Romantico" was well-received, despite minor criticism from some fans regarding the change of musical style in the album.
The band announced on January 25, 2015, that they would disband at the end of the year to pursue individual interests, although clarified that it was not a break up but merely a hiatus on band activities. The band told fans that they would surely see the band again in the future.[4]
In August 2015 after a brief hiatus, the band performed a series of live performances dubbed as "Kamikazee XV" which marks their 15th anniversary in the OPM industry. Kamikazee held their last gig at the 12 Monkeys Music Hall & Pub in Makati as part of the "Kamikazee XV" concert series entitled Kamikazee Huling Sayaw (translated to Kamikazee The Last Dance) with Parokya ni Edgar's Chito Miranda as special guest. The band announced that they will formally enter into hiatus starting 2016.[5] Their Huling Sayaw farewell concert was held at Smart Araneta Coliseum on December 10 which features other local bands and most notably singer Kyla.[1]
On August 20, 2017, The band announced on their Facebook page about their planned comeback through their statement: "Matagal na panahon. Magkikita muli...bagong kanta" meaning "Long time. We'll see each other again ... new song" and later set the date of release to be on December 9, 2017.
On November 11 Kamikazee announced a 2018 Tagpuan Tour inside and outside the Philippines via Facebook video. Cities/Countries included are Bulacan, Cavite, Baguio, Iloilo, Ilocos, Cebu, Lucena, Bicol, Laguna, Davao, Manila, Dubai, Singapore, U.S.A, and Canada. According to the band's teaser posters, the Tagpuan tour was set to kick off on December 9, 2017.
First confirmed date was March 16, 2018 – TagFest in Dubai. Kamikazee played alongside 6cyclemind, Moonstar88 and Teeth
Since December 9, 2017, Kamikazee have released two singles from their upcoming 2019 album: "Agimat" and "Leon".
In 2018, Kamikazee took part in a reunion tour around the Philippines, USA and Canada finally announcing on January 4, 2019, that they will tour again with Greyhoundz and Queso to USA, Canada and Philippines cities such as Iloilo, Manila, Cavite and Cebu.
Expanding as an ensemble, the group became a 7-piece band starting in 2020, adding Jian Lubiano of Catfight on guitar and Mikki Jill of FIONA on keyboards & vocals.
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 2002 | Kamikazee |
| 2006 | Maharot |
| 2009 | Long Time Noisy |
| 2012 | Romantico |
| 2019 | Alab |
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Their Greatest Hits |
| Year | Award Giving Body | Category | Nominated Work | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | MTV Pilipinas Music Awards | Video of the Year | "Lucky" | Won[6] |
| Favorite New Artist | (for "Lucky") | Nominated[7] | ||
| Best Director | (Avid Liongren for Lucky) | Nominated[7] | ||
| NU Rock Awards | Drummer of the Year | (for Allan Burdeos) | Won | |
| Listener's Choice | — | Won | ||
| Best New Artist | — | Nominated[8] | ||
| Artist of the Year | — | Nominated[8] | ||
| Album of the Year | "Kamikazee" | Nominated[8] | ||
| Best Album Packaging | "Kamikazee" | Nominated[8] | ||
| Best Music Video | "Lucky" | Nominated[8] | ||
| Vocalist of the Year | (for Jay Contreras) | Nominated[8] | ||
| 2005 | NU Rock Awards | Best Live Act | — | Won |
| Song of the Year | "Chicksilog" | Nominated | ||
| 2006 | NU Rock Awards | Best Live Act | — | Won |
| Song of the Year | "Narda" | Won | ||
| Artist/ Band of the Year | — | Won | ||
| Listener's Choice | — | Won | ||
| Vocalist of the Year | (for Jay Contreras) | Nominated[9] | ||
| Guitarist of the Year | (for Jomal Linao) | Nominated[9] | ||
| Drummer of the Year | (for Allan Burdeos) | Nominated[9] | ||
| Best Male Award | (for Jay Contreras) | Nominated[9] | ||
| Album of the Year | "Maharot" | Nominated[9] | ||
| Best Album Packaging | Allan Burdeos for "Maharot" | Nominated[9] | ||
| Best Music Video of the Year | "Martyr Nyebera" | Nominated[9] | ||
| "Doo Bidoo" | Nominated[9] | |||
| Producer of the Year | (Angee Razul, Jonathan Ong, Allan Burdeos, 8 Toleran and Jomal Linao for "Maharot") | Nominated[9] | ||
| 2007 | 20th Awit Awards | Album of the Year | "Maharot" | Won[10] |
| Song of the Year | "Narda | Won[10] | ||
| Best Rock Recording | "Narda" | Won[10] | ||
| Best Performance by a Group Artist | "Narda" | Won[10] | ||
| Music Video of the Year | "Martyr Nyebera" | Won[10] | ||
| MYX Music Awards | Favorite Ringtone | "Narda" | Won[11] | |
| Favorite Music Video | "Martyr Nyebera" | Nominated[12] | ||
| "Doo Bidoo" | Nominated[12] | |||
| Favorite Song | "Narda" | Nominated[12] | ||
| "Doo Bidoo" | Nominated[12] | |||
| Favorite Artist | — | Nominated[12] | ||
| Favorite Group | — | Nominated[12] | ||
| Favorite Collaboration | "Ordertaker" with Parokya Ni Edgar | Nominated[12] | ||
| Favorite Remake | "Doo Bidoo" | Nominated[12] | ||
| Favorite Rock Video | "Doo Bidoo" | Nominated[12] | ||
| Favorite Media Soundtrack | "First Day High" for Rexona, First Day High | Nominated[12] | ||
| 2008 | MYX Music Awards | Favorite Rock Video | "Seksi Seksi" | Nominated[13] |
| 2009 | NU Rock Awards | Drummer of the Year | (for Allan Burdeos) | Won[14] |
| Artist of the Year | — | Nominated | ||
| Album of the Year | "Long Time Noisy" | Nominated | ||
| Guitarist of the Year | (for Jomal Linao) | Nominated | ||
| (for Led Tuyay) | Nominated | |||
| Best Album Packaging | (Allan Burdeos & Ace Enriquez for "Long Time Noisy") | Nominated |
