PureVolume

Kartoon Chemistry was formed on Valentine’s day, during the annual february fair in UP Los Baños. Having intense passion for music, the band started to pave the way to their chosen road. It was a good start for them when they joined the 1998 Yamaha and MTV Band Alert and was chosen to be one of the top ten grand finalists from among a hundred other bands. They competed with their entry song “Twisted” written and composed by Chochay Magno. They also started to play in various alternative venues such as Mayric’s, Freedom Bar, Gotham, 70’s Bistro, and in music productions like “Pinay” and “Tunog para sa Sunog: a tribute to Ozone Disco Victims”. Their repertoire ranges from classsic anthems of Carole King, Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell, and Sting, to the jazzy beats of Sade, Everything but the Girl and to the contemporary music of Indigo Girls, 10,000 maniacs, Suzanne Vega and Tracy Chapman.

The band focuses on their own original songs primarily written by their vocalist. They came up with a self-titled demo cd which featured 5 of their songs. Fortunately, the song “Ngayon o Bukas man” written by Chochay Magno and guitarist, Rommel Cabral gained much popularity and familiriarity among the UPLB crowd because of its radio-friendly appeal. From there, good things for the band began to follow. They have been consistently chosen to score and compose music for various theatrical productions in UPLB such as “Hulagpos ng mga Arkana”, “Dats Amor Pechay”, “Sherman Freshman”, “Luntiang Hibla ng Adarna”, “Icebag I”, “Icebag II”, “Let’s Go Tarugo I” and “Let’s Go Tarugo II”.


As UPLB’s homegrown talent, a portrait was also made for the band and is displayed on the walls of IC’s bar, the prime nightspot in UPLB with a caption “Local, Vocal, Loud and Proud.”


Their song ICEBAG inspired playwright, Layeta Bucoy to write a play adopting the song’s title gearing the band to release a soundtrack for the said play. The band was also chosen to write a theme song for the 2003 February Fair of UPLB, entitled “I want my LB life”.
Aside from that, the UPLB JockTV produced music videos for the band’s songs such as “Ngayon o Bukas Man”, I want my LB life” and “Fratman.

Gigs in bars around the university area has made them a favorite among college students and the LB crowd. Aside from that, they also fronted concert acts such as Barbie’s Cradle, Sugar Free, Slapshock and South Border. They even made it to play as a front act of Mulatto held in Music Museum. Last year, Kartoon Chemistry was among the top 5 grand finalists of 96.3 Wrock’s and Gameworx’s Acoustixx Band Competition held in Festival Mall Alabang. The contest gave them the opportunity to become a regular performer at Gameworx Alabang every tuesdays the whole month of January 2004.


In terms of media exposure, they were also featured in Channel V’s coverage of Soup Kitchen 2000 and RJTV 29’s “RJ Musicology”.
As of this date, the band has over 30 original songs, and is working on their second EP entitled, “Bleach Melba”.


Like a well-mixed chemical, their music is a fusion of each member’s varied musical influence creating an explosive reaction that showcases their individual artistry. Chochay’s deep bluesy powerful vocals and songwriting prowess, Rommel’s divine guitar talent, Lep’s distinctive basslines, Mike’s creative rhythms and a massive love for their craft indeed makes Kartoon Chemistry a band to watch out for.