Tubero (band)
Tubero | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Label | Tower of Doom |
| Members |
|
| Past members |
|
Tubero is a Filipino grindcore band from Quezon City, formed in 2008. The band is known for its explicit adult content and frequent use of Filipino humor in its lyrics, a style they refer to as "Kupal Metal".[1]
The band known for wearing masks during live performances and for performing their songs with high energy, which has resulted in comparisons to bands such as Slipknot. Elijah Pareño of Rolling Stone Philippines described the band's music as crude and chaotic, with an intense and unapologetic sound.[2]
Background
Tubero was formed in 2008 by a group of co-workers in Quezon City. The project started as a casual studio experiment after one member recorded shouted vocals during a rehearsal session for another band. The recording circulated online and received attention, leading the group to continue the project as a formal band.[3] Over time, the band developed a style combining grindcore with Filipino humor and slang, a sound they later referred to as "Kupal Metal".[a][3][4]
In 2019, Tubero signed with the independent label Tower of Doom and joined its roster of heavy and extreme acts.[5] After signing, the band put their music on streaming platforms and appeared on several radio shows. They also recorded live sessions, including a performance on Tower Radio.[6]
Their releases include the debut album Kupal Destroyer was released in 2018 and several short tracks, including "Guard Tang Ina Mo" (2018), "Kapitbahay" (2020; "Neighbor"), "Wala Na Akong Pera" (2021; "I Have No Money Left"), and the extremely brief track "Pweh!" (2021), which lasts only three seconds.[6] The animated music video for "Kapitbahay", released on YouTube on June 11, 2020, humorously portrays common neighborhood disturbances, such as noisy neighbors and barking dogs.[7][8] The band released a romantic and emotionally charged song titled "Cubao", released on March 8, 2021, through Tower of Doom.[9]
Tubero participated in Lola Amour's Misbehave Mini Tour, which began on June 6, 2025, alongside artists such as Jan Roberts, Arthur Miguel, Hale, and The Koolpals. The band joined the tour on June 19, shared the stage with Lola Amour and comedy group The Koolpals at Mow's Bar in Quezon City, an unusual combination for a single lineup.[10] The band also gained popularity after appearing in the 2025 film Sampung Utos Kay Josh, in which the group performed "Guard Tang Ina Mo" in front of Satanas (played by Pepe Herrera).
Members
The group is supported by various crew members, with changes occurring over time; however, the exact years of these changes are not documented.
Current members
- Birjin Pakir (now known as Pastor PB; real name: Lovel Ajok) - frontman, vocals, guitar, lead songwriter
- Siraulo - bass
- WhatDaShit (formerly known as WatDaShit) - keyboards[b]
- Banal na Tae - drums
- Master Chikinini - guitar
- My Darling Aswang - backing vocals
Former members
- FCM (Fucking Crazy Man; real name: Matthew John Miaco) - backing vocals, keyboards[b]
- Casket Maker - guitar
- Blodiab (real name: Jon Leori Gonzales) - guitar
- Tangke ng Tae (real name: John Raphael Gonzales) - drums
- Sirit Ungol (real name: Richard Laurente) - bass
- Suicide Bomber - bass
- Ammy Yagbols (real name: Jodan Manata) - bass (died 2025)
Discography
Studio albums
- Kupal Destroyer (2018)
EPs
- Tubero EP: Pakyu! (2018)
- Tubero EP 2 (2018)
- Kupal Metal (2020)
Selected singles
- "Guard" (2018)
- "Kapitbahay" (2020)
- "Wala Na Akong Pera" (2021)
- "Pweh!" (2021)
Live albums
- A Valentine's Day Special (Tower Sessions Live) (2021)
References
Notes
- ^ "Kupal" is Filipino slang for "jerk" or "asshole".
- ^ a b Instead of traditional musical instruments, he uses a standard computer keyboard as his instrument.
Sources
- ^ Asia, Unite (May 2, 2019). "Philippines Grindcore Greats Tubero Drop Professional Live In the Studio Fullset Video". Unite Asia. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
- ^ Pareño, Elijah. "Lola Amour and Tubero Share an Unlikely Booking That Bucks the System". Rolling Stone Philippines. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
- ^ a b "Tubero: Kupal Metal for a Kupal World". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
- ^ "Philippines Grindcore Greats Tubero Drop Professional Live Studio Fullset Video". Unite Asia. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
- ^ "Yo! Massive News: Metal Madmen Tubero Signed to Tower Doom Philippines". Unite Asia. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
- ^ a b Doom, Eric of (May 2, 2019). "Tubero Performs Over 20 Songs Live on Tower Radio! Listen Now!". Tower of Doom. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
- ^ Asia, Unite (June 11, 2020). "Philippines Grindcore Band Tubero Release Animated Music Video". Unite Asia. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
- ^ Dyer, Ryan (March 30, 2021). "Brutal Tourism: 9 Sick Metal Bands from Southeast Asia". MetalSucks. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
- ^ Bodegon-Hikino, Kara (March 12, 2021). "SB19, Tubero, Suspiria Pink, Saab Magalona, and more release new music – listen". Bandwagon Asia. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
- ^ "Lola Amour announces "Misbehave" mini tour with Hale, Tubero, The Koolpals, and more". ABS-CBN. Archived from the original on June 13, 2025. Retrieved December 29, 2025.