Slapshock frontman Jamir Garcia found dead

VLADIMIR “Jamir” Garcia, vocalist of Filipino heavy metal band Slapshock died on Thursday afternoon. He was 42.Quezon City Police District confirmed they received a report that Garcia was found lifeless in an apparent suicide by hanging at his residence in Barangay Sangandaan. He was rushed to the MetroNorth Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.It was only in October that Slapshock — comprised of Garcia, Lean Ansing, Jerry Basco, Lee Nadela and Chi Evora — disbanded after 23 years. In an earlier statement by bassist Nadela, he said the band had some relationship issues including money matters, and that the pandemic challenged that even more.No official statement has been released yet, but the family requests privacy. He is survived by his wife, Jaya and their three children.The multi-awarded group was formed on Feb. 14, 1997 when the members were still students at University of the Philippines-Diliman. Garcia, who is cousin to guitarist Jerry Basco, replaced Slapshock’s original vocalist Reynold Munsayac in early 1998. Amid social struggles, the band is known to be very vocal and profound in using their music to express their stand on the country’s issues.Three of their nine albums, namely “4th Degree Burn,” (1999) “Headtrip” (2001) and “Project 11-41” (2002) are certified Platinum in the Philippines; while “Novena” (2004) received Gold. Other Slapshock albums include “Silence” (2006), “Cariño Brutal,” (2010) ” Kinse Kalibre” (2011), “Night Owls” (2014) and lastly, “Atake” (2017) which coincided with their 20th anniversary.The band popularized the hits “Agent Orange,” “Cariño Brutal,” “Ngayon Na,” “Langit,” “Wake Up,” “Anino Mo,” among others.

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