Kamikazee - History

History

The band is composed of five members who met in college 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 and sometimes in Baguio this 2012. Before they were signed in a major label, they went by the name "Kamikazee Cornflakes" (eventually shortened to its current state as "Kamikazee" which they think is easier to remember). Their early shows included renditions of the songs "Mmm Sarap", "Tsinelas", a cover of Ariel Rivera's "Sana Kahit Minsan", and Britney Spears' Lucky. They were known for using expletives, suggestive movements, and references to genitalia in their UP Diliman performances.

Kamikazee released their first self titled album in 2002. The album's carrier single was a heavy cover version of the Britney Spears song "Lucky". Other notable songs include "Girlfriend", "Ung Tagalog", "Tsinelas" and their cover song of Ariel Rivera's "Sana Kahit Minsan". In 2005, the band released "Chiksilog" as part of the compilation album Rok On! and in 2006 they released their second album, Maharot. The carrier single of the album was "Narda", which is thought to be about the fictional Filipina heroine Darna. "Narda" was a popular hit in 2006, and gained constant airplays in radios on the same year. This was inspired by GMA Network's primetime show Darna which stars Angel Locsin. Later in 2009, "Narda" was used as a soundtrack for GMA Network's primetime show Darna which stars Marian Rivera in her title role.

The band maintains close ties with another popular Filipino band, Parokya ni Edgar (PNE). Chito Miranda, PNE's vocalist, met the band members in college as he was also studying in the College of Fine Arts. In events with Parokya ni Edgar on the line-up, one band's singer would normally jam with the other band. On Parokya ni Edgar's live sessions, Contreras frequently joined Miranda on songs like "Okatokat", "Chikinini" and "The Yes Yes Show." Contreras does back-up vocals to PNE's hit song "The Order Taker" while Linao was on lead guitars. In turn, Kaye Abad, Miranda's former girlfriend, was on back-up vocals in Kamikazee's song "Martyr Nyebera". Sarah Abad-Contreras, sister of Kaye Abad was married to Jay Contreras on February 12, 2009 held at the Paco Park.

The 3rd Album "Long Time Noisy" took the band 3 years to construct as the band balanced their tough schedules. The album was recorded at Tower of Doom Studios with producer Eric Perlas. "Unang Tikim," one of their singles, was used in the TV Ad of RC Cola in 2011.