Blaster Silonga
{{Philippine name|Medina|Silonga}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Blaster Silonga
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Blaster Mitchell Medina Silonga
| alias = BLASTER
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1999|9|30}}
| birth_place = Marikina, Philippines
| genre = {{hlist|Visual kei|Glam rock}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Musician|Songwriter}}
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|Guitar}}
| years_active = 2014–present
| associated_acts = {{hlist|IV of Spades|Unique Salonga}}
| label = {{hlist|Island Records Philippines|UMG Philippines}}
}}
Blaster Mitchell Medina Silonga (born 30 September 1999), popularly known as Blaster Silonga or mononymously as BLASTER (stylized in uppercase), is a Filipino singer-songwriter and a musician. He is known as the lead guitarist and co-vocalist of IV of Spades while he also pursues solo music and formed his own band known as "Blaster and the Celestial Klowns" which recently released the album Last Fool Show.
Blaster is one of visual kei artists outside of J-pop.
Early life
Blaster was born in Sta. Monica, Tañong, Marikina. He is the son of veteran musician Allan Silonga, a member of 90s band Kindred Garden and the singing group Daddy's Home which finished third in The X Factor Philippines, and the current Senior A&R Manager at Def Jam Recordings Philippines label under UMG Philippines. He has three siblings, namely Dave, Ashanti, and Alleinah.
Music career
=IV of Spades=
{{main|IV of Spades}}
In June 2014, Allan Silonga decided to form a band for his son. The Silongas were able to recruit drummer Badjao de Castro and bassist Zildjian "Zild" Benitez, who are the sons of Allan's friends. Unique Salonga, Benitez's churchmate who was already writing his own music, was later recruited to become the band's lead singer.{{cite news |last1=Gloria |first1=Gaby |title=IV of Spades is ready to boogie |url=https://youngstar.philstar.com/iv-spades-ready-boogie/ |access-date=June 12, 2018 |agency=The Philippine Star |publisher=Youngstar |date=October 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308164808/https://youngstar.philstar.com/iv-spades-ready-boogie/ |archive-date=March 8, 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Fernandez |first1=Denise |title=Here's why IV OF SPADES is about to become your new favorite band |url=http://www.scoutmag.ph/music/iv-of-spades-denise-20171201 |access-date=June 12, 2018 |publisher=Scout Magazine |date=December 1, 2017}}
The band has released multiple singles, including the hit single "Mundo", and their debut album ClapClapClap!.
=Solo career=
On 13 August 2016, Silonga joined a music competition named "Music Hero" in the noontime show Eat Bulaga!. He originally won the "Electric Guitar Hero" title, but due to IV of Spades' rise to fandom, he and his bandmate, Zild Benitez, who also won the "Bass Hero" title, left their titles and gave it up.
In 2021, Silonga officially signed with UMG Philippines label Island Records Philippines. He released his debut single, "Disko Forever",{{Citation |title=Blaster - “Disko Forever” (Official Video) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECFKcFXb-Lw |language=en |access-date=2022-12-11}} in both Japanese{{Citation |title=Blaster - “Disko Forever” (Japanese Version) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ2-7mMMqtc |language=en |access-date=2022-12-11}} (released on 30 September 2021) and original Filipino version (released on 29 October 2021).{{cite news |last1=Bodegon-Hikino |first1=Kara |title=Blaster Silonga makes solo debut with 'DISKO FOREVER' (Japanese Version), signs with Island Records Philippines |url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/blaster-silonga-DISKO-FOREVER-iv-of-spades-solo-debut-new-single-signs-island-records-philippines-listen-2021 |access-date=27 July 2022 |work=Bandwagon.asia |date=30 September 2021}}{{cite news |title=LISTEN: Blaster Silonga releases Tagalog version of 'Disko Forever' |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/music/blaster-silonga-releases-tagalog-version-disko-forever/ |access-date=27 July 2022 |work=Rappler |date=29 October 2021}}
Coinciding with his solo career, he formed his own band The Celestial Klowns, consists of his brother Dave Silonga on bass, Crystal Jobli on keyboards, Max Cinco on drums, and songwriter-producer Dan Tanedo on guitars.{{cite news |title=Blaster Finally Launches Solo Career with Island Records PH |url=https://www.onemusic.ph/news/blaster-finally-launches-solo-career-with-island-records-ph-6436 |access-date=27 July 2022 |work=One Music PH |date=1 October 2021}}
On October 8, 2022, Silonga released his debut studio album My Kosmik Island Disk,{{Citation |title=MY KOSMIK ISLAND DISK |date=2022-10-13 |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/2V8ktp5DnQmoBBHHCbMZzj |language=en |access-date=2022-12-11}} featuring 9 tracks including his newest singles "Nararararamdaman" and "O Kay Ganda".{{cite news |last1=Basabas |first1=Franchesca Judine |title=BLASTER on looking out into the cosmos for his debut album 'MY KOSMIK ISLAND DISK' |url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/blaster-debut-solo-album-my-kosmic-island-disk-release-island-records-philippines-october-2023 |access-date=8 October 2022 |work=Bandwagon.asia |date=5 October 2022}}
Discography
=As a solo artist=
==Studio albums==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of studio albums with selected details ! scope="col" style="width:10em;" |Title ! scope="col" style="width:18em;" |Album Details |
| scope="row" |MY KOSMIK ISLAND DISK
|
|
| Last Fool Show
|
|
==Singles==
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
!Title !Album !Ref(s) |
|---|
| rowspan="3"|2021
| DISKO FOREVER (Japanese Version) |{{n/a|(Non-album single)}} |
| DISKO FOREVER
| MY KOSMIK ISLAND DISK |
| PASKO'Y HINDI NA MASAYA
| {{n/a|(Non-album single)}} | |
| rowspan="3" | 2022
| NARARARARAMDAMAN |rowspan="3" | MY KOSMIK ISLAND DISK | |
| O KAY GANDA
| |
| SA HULI ANG PAGSISISI
| |
| 2024
|Kamukha | rowspan="4" |Last Fool Show |
| rowspan="3" |2025
|Boomerang | |
| Hari Ng Kapalpakan
| |
| Akala Ko
| |
=With [[IV of Spades]]=
{{main|IV of Spades discography}}
=As a featured artist=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
!Title !Ref(s) |
|---|
| 2022
| Maitim na Mahika {{small|(with John Roa and Yuridope)}} | |
References
{{reflist}}
{{IV of Spades}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Silonga, Blaster}}
Category:Filipino rock musicians
Category:21st-century Filipino male singers
{{Philippines-musician-stub}}