Jamir Garcia

Jasus "Jamir" Ramirez Garcia is a Filipino singer better known as the frontman of the nu metal band Slapshock.

Slapshock

The band was formed during the University of the Philippines Fair on February 14, 1997, which marked their first ever gig. The band’s name came from funky guitar plucking and chord slapping technique that characterized much of the nu metal sound. Rap-funk-punk-metal fusion band Red Hot Chili Peppers are a major influence. Guitarist Jerry Basco looks back at their debut album, 4th Degree Burn: “Our music that time were raw, we have little experience and knowledge about the equipments.” Nonetheless, it was good enough for the fans. The album’s sales reached platinum status. “We started at a young age and now we’ve matured. We evolved on our own. We don’t confine ourselves to what is the mode today,” Garcia proudly claims. But though Slapshock continues to evolve, they remain true to their metal roots. On recent wave of emo (emotive punk) bands, Nadela says, “We don’t see it as a competition; we have our own kind of music. We are more particular to rockers. It’s in the commitment. We stay long because we honor our commitment to the band. Other bands switch and change members maybe because their commitment is questionable.” Ever since their formation, the members have so far refused to take any side projects or consider leaving the group. Kinse Kalibre, the title of their latest album under PolyEast Records, was released on 2011. The group produced the album themselves, perfecting musicality and peculiar arrangements. They received nominations such as Best Artist from MTV Asia, and were awarded Band of the Year by the NU107 in 2001, 2002 and 2003. They also received the Best in Album Packaging award for Novena in 2002. Their first ever hit is "Agent Orange". And also some of their song are considered to be Hardcore style or genre.

Studio Albums

• 4th Degree Burn (PolyEast Records, 1999) Platinum in the Philippines
• Headtrip (PolyEast Records, 2001) Platinum in the Philippines
• Project 11-41 (PolyEast Records, 2002) Platinum in the Philippines
• Novena (PolyEast Records, 2004) Gold in the Philippines
• Silence (PolyEast Records, 2006)
• Cariño Brutal (PolyEast Records, 2010)
• Kinse Kalibre (PolyEast Records, 2011)

Amid social struggles, Slapshock is very vocal and profound with their stands on issues facing Filipinos. Rampant piracy in the country is one problem most artists are concerned with. “We get affected because we pay taxes to the government, then they can’t even protect us,” Garcia complained.

Slapshock performed at the Dubai Desert Rock Festival on March 7, 2008, together with internationally acclaimed bands such as Korn, Machine Head, Velvet Revolver, Muse and Marky Ramone (of the seminal punk band The Ramones) and many others. Desert Rock was one of the largest rock events of its kind and the only one in the Middle East between 2004 and 2009, doubling its attendances yearly. “It was very fulfilling; we saw the bands that we idolize. We were inspired to write new materials. We became a band because of them,” exclaimed vocalist Jamir Garcia. Though they sang a Tagalog song, overwhelming audience acceptance of their music was very visible. “The audience was mostly whites; it’s another inspiration that we can let foreigners jam with us. It’s a manifestation that music really transcends,” bassist Lee Nadela attested. Slapshock has been invited not only to perform but also to record their first-ever international album. They see this as another challenge since they will be bringing a new Filipino sound to foreign airwaves.

• "Agent Orange"
• "Evil Clown"
• Madapaka"
• "Get Away"
• "Shezzo Wicked"
• "Numb"
• "Wake Up"
• "Queen Paranoia"
• "Anino Mo"
• "We Are One"
• "Misterio"
• "Miles Away"
• "Direction"
• "Waiting"
• "Adios"
• "Stranded"
• "Sigaw"
• "Carino Brutal"
• "Like Eskimo"
• "Ngayon Na"
• "Langit"
• "Salamin"
• "Unshakable"
• "Night Owls"