Do you know what The Chongkeys mean to the music world? The Chongkeys means a whole lot of reggae with a little bit of alternative, rap, dub and surprises, ingredients for a wild, wild party of fun and good music!
Let’s take a look at how colorful the band’s track record had started. The Chongkeys was born eight years ago in a simple, jamming session place in Marikina City called the Groove Shop described as an indie skate store where Benjie S. Estanislao (voice), was one of the owners. He was then joined by Johan Lugtu (guitar/voice), a vocalist of a hardcore band Cake Walk, Dennis Deloviar (bass), from Dai I Chi (who replace former bassist Pepito Trinidad) and lastly, by Mark Marquez(drums), former drummer of Cherry Cornflakes.
After several jamming sessions, they finally found themselves immersed in making more songs and really getting serious about it. The result, they had launched 10 tracks of their original songs at the rock and roll Purple Haze Bar. Since then, they had been playing and conquering Metro Manila’s popular bars and gigs, sometimes rocking side by side with known artists like Rivermaya, Kamikaze, Hale and Radio Active Sago Project.
The Chongkeys had also lots of fun performing on special events like company and birthday parties and out of town gigs. Some of the big events within Metro Manila they had played are Pulp Summer Slam, Fete de la Musique Malate, Rakista 7 and 9, Skateboard Demo and Competition, Tabak, Urge Magazine Tour, UP Fair, Dutdutan Festival 2008, The First Clark Rock Festival, Arts Music Festival(I,II,III,IV). The Chongkeys also share their music with regular playing and judging for the local Battle of the Bands.
Aside from different gigs and shows, The Chongkeys already appeared at several Radio and TV Shows such as Live Radio Shows with Jam 88.3 sessions, YES FM Boracay, Breakfast Shows with Studio 23 and Jojo A of QTV Channel.
After 2 years since they are formed in 2003, The Chongkeys had been already nominated in the 2005 Reggae of the Year- Hip Hop Awards Reggae Category and been a Global Battle of the Bands Finalist. By the year 2005, their song Diksyunaryo has been included in the Most Requested Song list of Jam 88.3, Dobie Nights, NU 107, YES FM and Love Radio. Also in the same year, their song Tignan Mo was also nominated as Song of the Year in NU107 Rock Awards 2007.
In February, 2009, The Chongkeys’ first music video for Diksyunaryo was launched and was first aired on Tong Hits and Playlist MTV Philippines. A month after this was aired on MYX. The bands impressive success (aside from their natural talent) was all due to their most energetic band manager, Ann Angala-Shy (a former band manager of Eraserheads and POT). Later on, Ann appointed the band’s road manager Ann Constantino (member of AMA Sound of Nativity Music Society and production manager of UP Productions Manila) to take her position as band manager.
The Chongkeys success in the Reggae Rock Music industry was all because of their open appreciation to all music genres. Their faith in music made them unique in the hearts and minds of their followers
galing nila kagabi sa 101.9 Tambayan radio!!! keep it up mga chong!!! ang tanging Rock Reggae local acts naten..!!! Respect & Pride!! Music Uplate sila bukas Aug 12 sa channel 2!! lipad!!!!