Kamikazee defines fun rock

Kamikazee, one of the hottest rock acts of the country today, likens playing for Cebuanos to coming home. They couldn't agree on the exact dates and number of times they had performed in Cebu in the past, but they could always remember the fun.

These punk rockers found their way back here recently, headlining Kapamilya Fiesta, a celebration of the 10th anniversary of MOR 97.1 "Lupig Sila" at Ayala Center Cebu, still riding high on the smashing success of their "Maharot" album, which was born out of a planned two-year time off from the music scene to bond and create songs. Cebuanos, again, got a taste of their (in) famous live performance, replete with their trademark wacky antics and more mature musicality.

Kamikazee is composed of Jay Contreras (vocals); Jomal Linao (lead guitar); Led Tuyay (rhythm guitar); Jason "Putopooch" Astete (bass guitar) and Allan "Bords" Burdeos (drums). But before becoming the band that they are now, the guys of Kamikazee were already "magkakabarkada" back in college at the University of the Philippines in Diliman as Fine Arts students. They even started out with a forgettable band name. So when they came up with Kamikazee, were they aware of the word's negative connotation? "Oo, suicidal kami," Jay jokes in an interview with The FREEMAN Entertainment, before quickly adding, "Actually, wala lang. We chose it for no particular reason.

So close they have become that what they've been doing is no longer considered work at all. Jay describes the camaraderie: "Masaya para na kaming magkakapatid." Bords says, "Masaya kahit pagod, lahat sila nakakatuwa at makukulit lalo na sila Jay at Jomal." "Kilalang kilala na namin ang isa't isa," continues Led.

Kamikazee admits that they like fooling around in performances. But their being a riotous and shamelessly silly gang of five extends beyond the stage and into their real lives. In the album cover of "Maharot" which featured drama actress Eula Valdez sitting on a golden throne, the band members posed like naughty angels. According to Led, "Sinadya talaga namin yun para po makita ng mga tao kung gaano talaga kami kaharot as opposed to the serious character of Ms. Eula." Jay backs up, "Oo, maharot at magulo talaga kami pero gusto lang talaga naming magpasaya at talagang masayahin kami."

Though they have scored hits like "Chinelas" and a cover version of Britney Spears' "Lucky" during pre-"Maharot" days, the year that was 2005 proved to be their best year, churning out chart-topper after chart-topper, beginning with the super infectious "Narda."

Led points out that their number one hit "Narda" was not inspired by the superserye "Darna" nor of Angel Locsin, because the song already came to be even before the superserye started. The seemingly never-ending popularity of "Narda," which tells about a woman, who is quite impossible to reach, still leaves the band amazed to this day. Commenting on the heavy airplay that the song is still enjoying to date, Led says, "Minsan nakakasawa na rin para sa amin pakinggan pero madami paring gusto makinig kaya natutuwa talaga kami."

Other hits spun from "Maharot" include "First Day High" (the ubiquitous dance anthem of the Rexona commercial), "Chiksilog" and "A.I.D.S.". The band continues to promote their album and their latest music video for newly released single "Martyr Nyebera," wherein sexy star Rica Peralejo figures in an anime-like adventure. While not on the road, they collectively make songs, which are inspired by the lives of Filipinos, according to Jay. Would they ever tone down and write songs ala senti-rock? The group has their moments of drama and despair ("Lalo na pag-gabi," they chorus), but Led says they will only write songs that are true to the band's artistry and identity.

They agree that fame brings in the fringe benefits-from staying in nice hotels, to dining out, buffet-style, in classy restaurants, to feeling like celebrities with the hordes of girls ("Actually, wala! Wala talagang girls," protests Jay) err...fans, asking for their photos and autographs.

But with fame comes intrigues as well-and Kamikazee is not spared from the wagging tongues of rumormongers. After a recent collaboration with Parokya ni Edgar for the song "Ordertaker," Jay reportedly competed with and tried to outshine Parokya's famous frontman, Chito Miranda. Jay denies this: "Hindi po kami nagsapawan ni Chito, nagsaya lang talaga kami...Tsaka, wala nang sasapaw kay Chito, sobrang galing nun! Idol kasi naming sila!"

A more serious issue hounding them is their supposed intention to turn their backs on their label, EMI Philippines, and return to the underground circuit. Led, obviously taken aback, promptly disagrees, "Hindi totoo yan. We're very happy with our label. We're very happy with how things are going for the band."

Kamikazee is all praises for the upsurge of Cebuano bands-whether indie or signed ones-such as Urbandub, Ambassadors and Faspitch. "Magagaling ang Cebuano bands, si Gabby, yung vocalist ng Urbandaub, housemate ko yun," reveals Jay. Surprisingly, these guys really make the time and effort to catch gigs of Cebuano bands. "Tulungan lang yan," says Jason, adding, "Sobrang galing naman talaga ng Cebuano bands, nakakatakot (in a good way), parang kung may gig kami na nandoon din sila, kailangan talaga namin magpraktis, nakaka-inspire."

Kamikazee's latest concert in Cebu sated everyone's expectations of high-energy performance and all-out fun; there were singing and screaming from all corners. And it seemed nobody really cared if the performers were reportedly the purveyors of "pangit rock" ("Pangit naman talaga kami," enthuses Jay), antithesis to "pogi rock," which is often used to refer to other rising bands. Nevertheless, Jay makes light of all these as he comes on stage: "Huwag ho sana kayong matakot sa amin at don't judge us, mukha lang po talaga kaming mga adik pero mababait naman talaga kami eh."