Kaktooz at China Tiger Translate 2012

During the recent months from July to September, Kaktooz has been busy with the China Tiger Translate 2012 Battle of the Bands, a nationwide open band competition. The bands competed with the criteria of best original song and performance.

The preliminary round for the series of events started 14th of July at Xtasea Sports Bar in Shekou of which Kaktooz won the 1st place Champion title against 30 bands. The next round was the Shenzhen City Final held at the Musibase Concert Hall also in Shenzhen on August 3. Again, Kaktooz won 1st place. The last round for Shenzhen was the Finals for Guangdong Province also held at Musibase on August 17, and again Kaktooz won first place which entitled them to compete for the China National Semi-Finals. The outdoor tarmac of the old Kunming Airport in Yunnan was the chosen venue for the national semi-finals, a massive set-up attended by the thousands. That time, unlike the previous rounds, Kaktooz competed with China's best as the bands were all champions from different areas all over China filtered to reach the semi-finals. The date was September 15 and Kaktooz had to fly a day before to Yunnan for the event. Kaktooz prevailed once more and won 1st place as Champion.

The China National Semi-Finals was held at a massive concert hall venue in Beijing called Tango. The date was set at September 22 and like Yunnan, Kaktooz flew to Beijing a day earlier for sound-check and preparations. This time a local Chinese band won the Champion title which gave them the title to represent China for Tiger Translate International engagements. Although it was a sad day for Kaktooz, there were no regrets and in reality, it might be awkward for a non-Chinese band to represent China if ever they won. A grand slam of 4 rounds as Champion but unfortunately, Beijing, the city which the band was so anxious to see was their Waterloo. Kaktooz put out one of the best rock n roll shows Beijing has seen and although they did not bring home the bacon, getting that far within China for a national band competition was well worth it.

Photo courtesy of Yereth Jansen Photography

Photo courtesy of Yereth Jansen Photography

Bayani Ng Lahi (OFW Song) by Kaktooz Now Online

Kaktooz, whose been playing around countries in Asia for several years and recentlty based in China just launched an original song online via You Tube and Facebook. Shared to the world online just February 7, 2012, the song entitled "Bayani Ng Lahi (OFW Song)" which is dedicated to OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) all over the world had a good day's start with OFWs from all over checking out the song and saying that it is something they could relate to.

Kaktooz, started with the Philippine music circuit way back 2001 and engaged in a few recording projects. The band then traveled to Bahrain as OFWs for a four year contract stint at three different venues. After that, they spent a few months in the Philippines touring the provinces and islands and but was quickly hired to perform in Hong Kong, after a tedious audition process (around 25 bands auditioned), a gig which lasted another two years. June of 2011, they transferred  to Shekou, Shenzhen, China and there, the band recorded Bayani Ng Lahi (OFW Song), a song which was written in Wan Chai, Hong Kong in 2010.

The song Bayani Ng Lahi (OFW Song) is an honest account of what life a typical OFW has. The sacrifices, hardships, pain, triumphs and hope that all dwell within an OFW's spirit and mind. Bayani Ng Lahi (OFW Song) is a song "for the OFW by an OFW". It is written by Dennis R. Briones, the band's drummer-vocalist who recorded the acoustic guitars and sang it together with Patricia v. Silang on lead vocals and Sonny the bassman on back-up vocals. Jephthah laid down the electric guitar and that slide guitar which added depth and emotion. Carlo put in the keyboard bed which tied everything up together.

Bayani Ng Lahi (OFW Song) could be viewed on You Tube and is slowly gaining popularity amongst OFWs. Most OFWs who have watched and listened to it connected and said, "It's true, that's the life we live". The song is shared online to the world for free as long as it is not used for commercial purposes. as of now, it could only be accessed via YouTube and not downloadable.

Kaktooz is presently in Shenzhen at Xtasea Sports Bar, Minghua Ship, Sea World, Shekou attending to their daily OFW duties to perform to an audience of mixed races while trying to put in their extra time off to make Original Filipino Music.

Listen and watch Bayani Ng Lahi (OFW Song) on YouTube below.

Kaktooz in Shenzhen, China

After a 2 year stint at Bar Amazonia in Wanchai, Hong Kong, the band has decided to move to Sea World, Shekou, Shenzhen in China at a bar called X-Ta-Sea Sports Bar which is Shenzhen's Best Sports Bar 3 years in a row. Kaktooz officially started at X-Ta-Sea June 1st and has been steadily accumulating a good following within the area.

Kaktooz still plays cover songs within the genres of rock, reggae and classics which is has become a trademark for the band not only in Bahrain, Philippines and Hong Kong but now also in Shenzhen, China. Such genre of music has proven itself many times over to attract a good share of audience market at any area or country. Since most of the songs you can hear from Kaktooz cannot be heard in other bands, the choice of repertoire proved effective in reeling in the crowd who not only want a drink or two and entertainment, but also quality music which takes them back in time remembering how it was.

The historic Minghua Ship, Sea World

Shekou, Shezhen, China

latest kaktooz pictorial

This is Kaktooz's latest group shot. Photo taken by Kaktooz guitarist Jephthah, using a 10 second timer to run to be in it!... hahaha..

kaktooz performs at the chater garden park, hong kong

Last June 6, Sunday, Kaktooz performed for a crowd of approximately 2,000 people at the Chater Garden Park, Central District in Hong Kong. The concert-show was entitled "Sama-sama sa Saya" and was organized by the Confederation of Overseas Filipino Workers in Hong Kong and sponsored by Western Union. Kaktooz was invited by the Hong Kong Musician;s Union headed by Mr. Jun Santiago, also an established musician.

hongkong 2010 rugby 7 after parties

Here are some pictures from the festivities during the 

Hong Kong Rugby 7 for the year 2010.

Kaktooz with the three kings

Party Peeps

At Amazonia's entrance...  inside, people were jam-packed like sardines in a can

Sopheia & Denzio strikes a pose

Denzio grabs this guy's cock... just wondering where Sonny's other hand is??

The streets from our apartment window

Wan Chai in party-chaos...5:30am

hmmm.. Denzio seemed to have enjoyed the party quite well

There was music and dancing in the streets....all out party-chaos, laughter, all sorts of crazy characters in costume; we were banging the night with the hardest rock songs we could deliver... it was exhausting but we had so much fun. Cheers!

sonny joins the team

This 2010, Sonny G. Vallo joins Kaktooz as a vocalist-bassist. He just came from China for a performance contract, went to the Philippines for a few days then he was rockin' with Kaktooz as if he played with the band for years. The fact that him and Denzio performed numerous gigs and concerts in the past has helped the band in having a tight sound with minimal time and effort.

Sonny is an artist of multiple talents being able to sing, play bass, guitars, keyboards and is quite skilled in music arranging and programming (although programming is not much use for Kaktooz since everything is played LIVE). He has traveled Vietnam, Bahrain and China to perform in the past. Sonny's powerful vocal range is a big plus for the group since he could easily belt out cover tunes by Sting and The Police, U2, Blues Brothers and other classic hits. Just in time for the band's album project, Sonny's contribution would be of great importance.

kaktooz at the hongkong cultural centre piazza concert

Kaktooz performed at the "Concert in the Park" at the Hongkong Cultural Centre Piazza in Tsim Sha Tsui recently this 22nd of November 2009. The event was well attended and the show was a great success. The concert was organized by the Philippine Consulate Office, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong (LCSD) and the Hong Kong Musicians Union (HKMU). Other artists which performed at the concert were The Culprits, Proteus and Friends, Music Seekers, Charcoal, H2O and Sensational in Tiffany's, all of whom are based in Hong Kong.

Kaktooz would like to extend their gratitude to the following who have helped and contributed to their performance:

Ispayk of Icebox -- percussion and photography
Brutus Tan of Manila-Davao All Star (formerly of Advent Call) -- percussion and photography
Jun Mendez of Icebox and The Culprits -- video shoot
Gani Valenzuela of Manila-Davao All Star -- video shoot
Roland Roque of Manila-Davao All Star -- technical team
Noli of Icebox and The Culprits --  photography
The Hong Kong Musicians Union, the Philippine Consulate Office and LCSD Hong Kong

This set of photos was taken by Brutus Tan.
Move mouse over picture and push the play button to run slide-show.

kaktooz working on new songs

While the band is busy performing nightly at Bar Amazonia in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, they are also working on new original materials which they plan to record very soon. The upcoming album will be released by digital distribution at Reverbnation and also as Audio CDs in Hong Kong. The sound that Kaktooz plans to come up with will be slightly different from the sound of their previous works and the members are optimistic that it will reach a much wider market due to technology readily available on the internet and by the help of friends and supporters. Struggling as an independent artist while working as an entertainment band to make ends meet is not an easy task,but what needs to be done must be done... all for the love of music.

kaktooz at metrowalk

Kaktooz at the Metrowalk Quadrangle, Pasig Philippines, 2009
Photo courtesy of Robert Dela Cruz

kaktooz with hinder guitarist

After Hinder's concert inside the US Naval Base MWR in Bahrain, the famous group decided to go out, have  a few (or more) drinks, have fun and watch a band... and guess what..? they went to Gulf Hotel and Kaktooz was there. Hinder stayed the whole night watching three sets of Kaktooz and the band (Kaktooz) felt both odd and proud having to have a world famous band as an audience.

Gulf Hotel Bahrain, 2008

the blues

The Blues, originally uploaded by Brad HK.

Some blues covers and improvisations are elements of Kaktooz's happy hour acoustic set at Bar Amazonia Hong Kong. Photo courtesy of photographer and also a good friend of the band, Mr. Brad Morris, from his Flickr photostream - Brad HK.

jephthah sings marvin gaye

Kaktooz - Bar Amazonia Hong Kong, originally uploaded by Brad HK.

"Ain't No Sunshine" by Marvin Gaye is crowd favorite covered by Jeph during early hour at Bar Amazonia, Hong Kong. Photo courtesy of photographer and also a good friend of the band, Mr. Brad Morris, from his Flickr photostream - Brad HK.

you're so vain

Kaktooz - Bar Amazonia Hong Kong, originally uploaded by Brad HK.

Sopheia sings a hit from Carly Simon - "You're So Vain" at happy hours in Amazonia, Wan Chai. Photo courtesy of photographer and also a good friend of the band, Mr. Brad Morris, from his Flickr photostream - Brad HK.

like a rolling stone

Denzio, originally uploaded by Brad HK.

Denzio does a Bob Dylan cover - "LIke A Rolling Stone", during early hours at Amazonia, Hong Kong. Photo courtesy of photographer and also a good friend of the band, Mr. Brad Morris, from his Flickr photostream - Brad HK.

wow

Shot take at outdoor grounds of the The Cultural Center of the Philippines for the Suzuki Concert Tour. Photo courtesy of Suzuki Philippines.

sonny

Sonny G. Vallo
vocals / bass / acoustic guitar

Sonny is the latest addition to the band's line-up but him and Dennis (drummer) share common roots and have performed together in past. Yes, like the rest of the band, Sonny is also a multi-talented artist well able to play different instruments with ease and conviction. During the span of his musical career, he performed professionally as a bassist, guitarist, keyboardist at the same time doing lead vocals traveling the countries of Vietnam, China and Bahrain. His musical arranging and programming skills also add up to his arsenal of talents. He sings cover songs from U2, Police, Blues Brothers and other classics which added a great deal of new character to the band.

jephthah

Jephthah Wenceslao
JEPHTHAH - vocals / electric and acoustic guitars / percussion 

Being the guitarist of BLACK EYED PEA’s Apol during the Philippine Concert Tour with Slapshock, Jephthah is not your ordinary musician. Very well accustomed to harsh competitions, he has won and gathered numerous music contest awards. He was part of several established recording acts in the Philippines such as Agaw Agimat, Bernardo Carpio, Slapshock, Reggae Mistress and Virus Artists to name some. He was also the essential part of the band who won (Grand Champion) the Yamaha Philippine National Band Competition which represented the Philippines in Singapore for the World Finals. A seasoned songwriter-arranger, Jephthah was also a product demonstrator and specilaist for Aria Pro’s line of guitars and amplifiers in the Philippines and endorser of Behringer products. His manic guitar shows always rocks the house putting audiences in awe. Jephthah is popular  for playing hard and wild with classic Hendrix tunes, but his bluesy and emotional interpretations of hits from Marvin Gaye and even Sade sends audiences to a natural high.

Photo courtesy of Mark Forbes 

 

Photo courtesy of Suzuki Philippines

 

 Photo courtesy of Suzuki Philippines

 

  Photo courtesy of Suzuki Philippines 

denzio

Dennis R. Briones
DENZIO - vocals / drums / guitars / harmonica

An experienced artist-entertainer, he performed in Singapore and Maldives, U.S. Bases top venues and concerts in the Philippines, Bahrain and presently Hong Kong. He was also part of numerous album projects and movie soundtracks in the past. Watching him play would clearly translate that he is doing it to his heart and soul's fulfillment. Denzio was nominated in the Philippine Awit Awards 2001 as songwriter, one of the Philippine's most prestigious awarding body for songwriters.  He is also a sound designer-jingle writer and studio engineer when not onstage extending his creative output on musical scores and other music related projects in the realm of the performing arts. For the band, aside from playing drums, second guitars (for acoustic set-up) and harmonica, he sings classic hits from the likes of The Doors, Bob Dylan, Rolling Stones and more.

carlo

Carlo A. Carranza
CARLO - Vocals / Keyboards / Acoustic Guitar

Carlo's visual presence instantly sends the crowd to a reggae mood and hist soulful rendition of  reggae tunes and other island music hits justifies just that, transcending an ordinary night into a festive tropical mood. A truly multi-talented performer, aside from playing keyboards and singing up front as a standing vocalist not only for reggae but for classic hits and hard rock as well, he also plays acoustic and electric guitars. Aside from reggae, Carlo sings song by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage, Big Mountain, Papa Roach and even Harry Belafonte song interpreted and arranged by Kaktooz. 

 Photo courtesy of Jephthah Wenceslao

 

 

Photo courtesy of Ardie Lopez