Kiko Machine

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Biography
The University of Philippines-based indie band Kiko Machine, aside from being that noisy humorous band whose members are dressed in red jumpsuits, boasts of a secret weapon, something other upstarts dont have: they are the only band with a guy in a Spider-Man costume, who not only performs duties as the bands mascot, but is also the bands bassist. In addition, the bands energetic live performances are incomparable; in every performance, they have new antics to delight a crowd like various pauses and poses within songs, their eclectic musical style, the stand-up comedy routines and of course, the infamous "Spidey" dance.
Their musical influences range from KISS, the Foo Fighters, Deftones, the Used, 311, the Beatles, Supergrass, Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins, Joe Satriani, Incubus, Weezer and a bunch of Filipino musicians such as VST and Company, Tito, Vic and Joey, Eraserheads, Siakol, and Hotdog.
Characterized by catchy and infectious heavy guitar licks but balanced with simple lyrics which sometimes poke fun at current issues and preoccupations of young people like themselves, their songs are also capable of imparting pearls of wisdom about life andeven the loftiest albeit, most common topiclove. But generally, as the so-called Andy Warhols of Pinoy Rock and Roll, as they refer to themselves half-seriously and half-jokingly, their songs are usually about Philippine pop culture and its icons such as actor Val Sotto, the 80s TV shows MacGyver and Takeshis Castle, comedy duo Dolphy and Panchito, pro-wrestling, and Sammy Lagmay.
The brilliant minds behind Kiko Machine all hail from the University of the Philippines, College of Fine Arts. Formerly known as Punk Sinatra, they later changed their name (because a band in the US has the same name) to Kiko Machine, from the Batibot character Kiko Matsing. The band was formed in July 2000 for the F.A. Fresh Meet. The original members were JP Cuison (vocalist, former lead guitarist and main songwriter), Bheng Densing (vocalist/back-up dancer), Manix Abrera (rhythm guitarist/statue), Spider-Dan Geromo (bassist/band mascot) and Zoltan Pabon (drummer), and at the time, they mostly played at activist gatherings, or wherever they were invited.
But then, they had to replace their drummer Zoltan when he had and accident while skateboarding. He is now a drummer for the rock band Apollo Creed. In the year 2001, Kiko Machine went through a number of drummers. For a while, they practiced with fellow UP Fine Arts student, Billy Reyes (a former lead guitarist for Chocolate Beef and Lester Cannon) who would later become Kiko Machines bassist and then lead guitarist in 2005. Then Bon Sundiang, (also a U.P. Fine Arts student and a former drummer for Chocolate Beef and now the drummer of Moonstar 88), took over. But Bon left the band soon after because of commitments with his real band, since Kiko Machine was just his side project, and Bheng had to play drums in the meantime, but then, they signed on classmate Marco Rosales in November 2001. Finally, the band settled with Jeff Azarcon, also a Fine Arts student at UP and the former drummer of Killjoy, a funky-reggae band, after Marco left for the US.
At one point, Spider-Dan himself even left the band in December 2003, and he was replaced by friend Apol Sta. Maria, bassist for the now-defunct band Chocolate Beef. His reasons were many. Dan came back to play bass for Kiko Machine again after a years hiatus.
In 2005, they signed with Star Records of ABS-CBN.
Now they enjoy some success and fame, although initially, they only wanted to be famous in UP, but they have found that they have even gone beyond. Aside from people asking them for autographs and asking for pictures with Spider-Dan, they are sometimes even chased after gigs. It also came as a surprise for Bheng to be recognized outside of gigs.

Members
JP Cuison - Vocals
Bheng Densing - Vocals
Spider-Dan - Bass
Manix Abrera - Guitars
Billy Reyes - Guitars
Jeff Azarcon - Drums