Slapshock

The group was formed on February 14, 1997 by several students at UP Diliman, with original vocalist Reynold Munsayac; he was soon replaced with guitarist Jerry Basco's cousin, Jamir Garcia.[1]

Heavily influenced by American East Coast rap, they played in clubs in Manila in the 1990s. Playing in the trenches of pioneering rock clubs Mayric’s and Club Dredd, and inciting musical mayhem during college events helped Slapshock grab the audience’s attention and the recording industry’s.

First Major Record Label Deal

The band was signed by EMI Music (Polyeast Records) Philippines in 1998, which resulted in their first platinum-selling album 4th Degree Burn. This album birthed many cult-favorite tracks like “Agent Orange” which became the rock anthem of the youth during that time and introduced the band to the underground and commercial scene. They were nominated for Band of the Year at the NU107 Rock Awards in 2001 and 2002, and in 2003 were nominated for Best Artist by MTV Asia. Bassist Lee Nadela was also named Bassist of the Year at the 2001 NU107 Rock Awards.

Platinum Awards

The Succeeding albums released through the years only proved their prolific ability to create successful albums consistently that music lovers also revere. The list goes on, from their 2nd platinum-selling album Headtrip (2001), to the 3rd platinum-selling disc Project 11-41 (2002).

The band was featured on Rivermaya's first live album, Live and Acoustic, filmed and recorded on May 18, 2002 from the "Double Trouble: Akoustik Rampage" concert held at the Music Museum, Greenhills, San Juan.

Gold Awards

The gold record award album Novena was released in 2004 with their hit song “Mistero” featuring the multi awarded film-maker, Lav Diaz.

Following the most awaited album Silence 2006 with their hit single “Direction” which was a huge hit penetrating new and younger audience.

In 2007, Slapshock released their second compilation album, Recollection, a collection of their greatest hits and includes a new track, "Sigaw" (Shout)

Rock Song of The Year (Cariño Brutal)

The critically acclaimed album Cariño Brutal (2009). They made music videos for their second single, "Like Eskimo", as well as "Cariño Brutal" from their 2009 album of the same title. The latter’s single of the same name went on to become 2010’s biggest rock hit.

Slapshock Milestones

They became the Philippines’ representatives to the 2003 MTV Asia Awards in Singapore, presenting to musical contemporaries Linkin Park.

The band also received the distinction of being the first Filipino, and Asian band for that matter, to play at the Dubai Desert Rock Festival in 2008. They shared the stage with rock heavyweights Korn, Killswitch Engage, Velvet Revolver, As I Lay Dying, Machine Head and Muse at this most prestigious annual rock event in the Middle East.

Slapshock also became as one of the founding members of the Asian super group PROJECT E.A.R. (East Asian Revolution) The latter is a collaboration of top artists from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore, which debuted during the 2009 MTV Asian Music Awards.

In 2010, another feat for the band happened when they were handpicked by the Macau Cultural Center to once again represent the Philippines at the MACAU Hush Music Fest on November 2010. They were also the guest VJ artist of MYX for the month of August 2010.

Their seventh studio album Kinse Kalibre, was released in 2011, with its lead single '"Ngayon Na", which topped the Myx Daily Top 10 for three straight weeks. Their second single for the album was a hard rock song called “Langit” (Heaven).

That same year was another exciting and defining moment as they were tapped to open for the shows of two of their childhood rock heroes and two of the biggest bands in the world – Deftones (February 2011) and Korn (August 2011) when they played in Manila. The band also shared the stage with big names in metal like Death Angel, Sepultura, Shadows Fall, The Darkest Hour, Trivium, Lamb of God, Megadeth, Cradle of Filth, Lacuna Coil, The Word Alive and Testament. They played with other Asian artists from Beijing, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and New Delhi. They were also chosen to open for Avenged Sevenfold in Araneta Coliseum a year after in 2012.

Slapshock was the representative of the Philippines in 2014 Music Matters in Clarke Quay, Singapore.

Slapshock also holds the most magazine front cover of Pulp Magazine.

International Record Deal

In 2014, they signed with apl.de.ap's label BMBX Entertainment. Slapshock’s 8th and best sounding album “Night Owls” released in the same year all recorded, mixed and mastered in Los Angeles, California. It was produced by Apl.de.Ap (Black Eyed Peas) and Shavo Odadjian (System of A Down) and mixed by big names in the recording industry like Ben Grosse and Terry Date[2]

20th Year Anniversary “ATAKE” (Final Studio Album)

The band just reached a milestone in their career as they are celebrating their 20th Anniversary in 2017, followed the release of their 9th studio album entitled, ATAKE; with 10 new tracks, under their own label Alley Road Records Released in November 11. 2017. The band started touring their last single “Bandera” until December 2019

Last Active Year, 2019 — 2020

Slapshock was considered as one of the highest paid rock + metal band in the Philippines, actively toured all over the country from 1999 - 2020, and to North America, Middle East, Australia and Asia.

They were also the Philippines’ representative to Bay Beats Music Festival in Esplanade, Singapore and played for Filipino fans in Yes 24 Live Hall, Seoul, South Korea in 2019.

Slapshock played their last public performance at UP Fair Diliman in February 10, 2020.

The band was the headliner and brand ambassador of the longest Rock Band competition in the country, Red Horse Beer Pambansang Muziklaban, they were also endorsers of Dickies and Macbeth Footwear Philippines, Sennheiser, Schecter Guitars, Sabian, Rimshot Drum Sticks, Cleartone Strings and D&D Custom Guitars

Official Disbandment

In October 2020, the band's bassist Lee Nadela announced to the public that the band had broke up.[3]

On November 26, 2020, vocalist Jamir Garcia was found dead in his home due to suicide by hanging.[4]

The band released their final single “Sana Pag Gising” in June 2020 and due to release a new album on December 2020.

• Official website