THE CHONGKEYS Band would like to introduce you into a reggae world, through our music. We will take you to our music then we'll add some rock, a whole lot of reggae with a little bit of alternative, rap, dub and few surprises that are recepies for a whole lot of fun into a good sound trip.
THE CHONGKEYS was formed in 2003 and today still consist of the four members, namely BENJIE P. ESTANISLAO (voice), JOHAN S. LUGTU (guitar/voice) PEPITO TRINIDAD (bass) and MARK MARQUEZ (drums). We started in a simple jamming session place in Marikina called “Groove Shop” (an indie skate store). Benjie who was one of the owners of Groove Shop; Johan was a vocalist of a hardcore CAKEWALK band, Pepito from BEEWINGS band and Mark a former drummer of CHERRY CORNFLAKES who replaced the former drummer Judas of ILL ADVICE. After several jamming sessions and being together we decided to make more songs and get serious about it. Few months after, we had EP launched, 10 tracks of our original songs at the rock and roll Purple Haze Bar.
THE CHONGKEYS had the honor of playing in many venues in metro manila (Bars: Mayrics, Xymaca, Club Dreeds, Purple Haze Bar, Freedom Bar, Dayo Bar, Kolumn Bar, Magnet Bar, Ride and Roll Diners, 9Mile bar, 70’s Bistro, One Love Bar, 6 Underground, Wills Attic and more). We had fun of playing in some parties like birthday, company’s christmas parties and our out of town gigs with some of the top performers in the Philippine Music Industry. We also played in some big events in vicinity of Metro Manila like 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, Give A Damn for Rizal 2008, The First Clark Rock Festival, Arts Music Festival (I,II,III and IV) and several guesting and judging for Battle of the Bands. Had the opportunities to play on TV Sows like Breakfast Show with Studio23 and Jojo A of QTV Channel and Live Radio Interviews with Jam88.3 live session and YesFM Boracay.
We believed, supported, promoted and respected different genre. Because of our respect and faith in music we had given a chance to be managed by Ann Angala-Shy (a former band manager of Eraserheads and POT). During her guidance and supervision we promoted one of our songs title “DIKSYONARYO” and luckily had been chosen to be one of the tracks for Doobie Nights Album produced by Jam 88.3 under Galaxy Records. One of our songs “DIKSYONARYO” has been placed in your regular videoke selection and “TIGNAN MO” was nominated Song of the Year in 2007 NU107 Rock Awards. THE CHONGKEYS had earned so much respect from both underground and mainstream scenes. Known band artists like Rivermaya, Kamikaze, Hale and Radio Active Sago Project and more gave us their appreciation to our music.
In August 2008 Ann Angala-Shy appointed our Road Manager Ann Constantino (a member of AMA Sound of Nativity Music Society and production manager of UProductions Manila) to take her position as a Band manager. On the other hand, Ann Angala-Shy is now our band consultant.
February 4, 2009 we had launched our first music video
