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”.
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.
Their song "SAYA NG BUHAY" was recently chosen to be the jingle of one of the country's top brands, Jack and Jill. SAYA NG BUHAY is currently playing on radio stations such as NU 107, JAm 88.3, WRR, Love Radio and CAmpus Radio 97.1
In terms of media exposure, they were also featured in Channel V’s coverage of Soup Kitchen 2000,RJTV 29’s “RJ Musicology”. The band was also featured in radio interviews on the stations mentioned above.
Just recently, their song NGAYON O BUKAS MAN was included in ALPHA RECORDS' new compilation album entitled "ROCK GROOVES IN DELIRIOUS WAYS" featuring other pinoy bands like Alamid Moonstar88,Spoons,AudioLokal,Cattski among others. The album is now out in all Tower Records, Odyssey, Radio City branches and other record bars.
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.