A knack for reinvention

When it comes to sass and style, the comedy band K and the Boxers is the most ardent and active preachers-slash-proponents of the Gospel of Reinvention. That is why it comes hardly as a surprise that they’ve reinvented themselves through the years with ease and élan. So effortlessly and flawlessly, in fact, that they could do it with each costume and hairdo change. Without batting an eyelash.

When the band changed their name and composition a few months back, they hardly missed a beat and went about their merry way – attaining one success after another. They’ve won two honors: The Composer’s Cut for their mammoth hit Sasakyan Kita from the S.O.P. Music Awards and Best Comedy Group from the Consumer’s Choice Awards.

These awards, as far as the band members – Kakai Brosas, Daniel Lardizabal, Cris Samonte, and Shanna Hife – are concerned, offer more than sweet vindication and affirmation. "We’re really happy," Kakai points out. "It’s as if all of our hard work has paid off. That it was all worth it. Although we wouldn’t want to let it go to our head, it really makes us feel proud."

"It’s really inspiring," Cris concurs. "We really look at such achievements as our chance to further improve in our work, to do our best all the time."

As such, K and the Boxers remains very much in demand in the live concert scene and the band’s calendar is invariably fully booked. They can be seen regularly at Soundstage in Cainta (every Tuesday); at Klownz Araneta (every Wednesday); at Ratsky’s Malate (every Thursday) and at Ratsky’s Morato (every Friday).

Busy as the proverbial bees, K and the Boxers are.

"We’ve also started recording songs for our second album under Viva Records," Kakai volunteers.

Their sophomore outing will also have songs from Lito Camo plus songs from other composers. "We really enjoyed working with Lito in our first album," Cris chimes in. "He’s very open to suggestions and he allows us to experiment."

Unlike their first album, a CD Lite which only had three songs, their second album will be a full album, which will include from eight to 10 songs. "CD heavy na siya," Kakai cracks.

Seriously now, they are all keeping their fingers crossed that they would be given solo songs on the new album, so that they would be allowed to showcase their individual sounds. "How we wish we would also have serious songs, aside from the usual novelty and comedy tunes that we do," Kakai remarks. If given the chance, Kakai would like to do a pop-rock ballad, a la Bonnie Tyler. "It’s because when I sing a love song, I put a lot of heart in it. Very emotional."

Cris, for his part, would like to do something like the current Dice and K9 hit, Itsumo. "Something that sounds foreign," Cris explains. "In terms of quality and production, it would sound foreign. Alternative and R&B."

"Cris can rap well," Kakai points out. "Like in Sasakyan Kita, he was the one who did the rapping. Daniel, for his part, can do the ballads. He is the greatest balladeer who ever lived!"

Last but not the least, Shanna, a Star in a Million finalist, can lend her trademark whistling vocal acrobatics to the new album. "My sound is very black," Shanna acknowledges. "I’d like to do more songs a la Alicia Keys."

"She’s very soulful," Kakai describes Shanna.

Shanna’s inclusion in the group also permitted them to engage in a new comedy routine. Asked what is her role in the routine, Shanna sheepishly shares: "My role is just to laugh at their jokes!"

Truth is, Shanna is Kakai’s punching bag onstage – and Shanna relishes her role with gusto. "I usually bully her onstage," Kakai hollers. "And she just keeps quiet all throughout, while I call her names and question her singing ability."

Indeed, the secret of the band’s continuing success is their ever-changing looks, sounds and styles – on and offstage. "Now, we go to Salon de Manila for our hair extensions," Kakai exclaims.

"And we don’t wear our hair extensions the same way every time," Cris pipes in. "Sometimes I have it braided. Sometimes I have it slicked back or spiky."

In terms of fashion, they are also very adventurous. Shanna and Cris, in fact, are known to raid ukay-ukay and Tutuban. For her part, Kakai has roamed Glorietta, particularly Mango, A/X and Esprit, for her outfits. Once, in a special show, the band even came in full Superhero regalia. "Kakai came as Lara Croft from Tomb Raider," Cris recalls. "Daniel was Wolverine from X-Men. While I was Neo from The Matrix."

In the future, Shanna would like to morph into anime babe Sailor Moon onstage. Kakai suggests, however, that they should go as local heroes like "Mulawin, Marinara, Lastikman, and Kristala!"

"When we perform, we aim to give our audience something new every time," Kakai professes. "Not only in terms of songs and jokes, but also in terms of our looks. We may sound rowdy, raucous, and very jologs, but we look not only presentable, but fabulous onstage!"

And that’s the Gospel of Reinvention, according to K and the Boxers.