Critical Amnesia

Critical Amnesia
The music genre ‘Rock’ has influenced many local artists and, in some norms, it’s a way of life. CRITICAL AMNESIA is one such band.
“My brother Albert and I formed the band ‘Weird’ in 1977. The band mostly cover Deep Purple music. Classic rock talaga ang genre ko nakalakihan”, remembers Eduardo ‘Kokok’ Parales. From 1979 to 1983 they ventured to Japan to perform. At that time, Japan is very conducive in the Rock scene. Coming home in 1984, his brother as bassist has to leave the band for personal reason. Roderick ‘Road’ Abutin and Jigz Redondo was asked to join in, as bassist and drummer, respectively.
“Magkasama kami ni Road Abutin sa ‘Caution Band’ circa 1983. Then si Kokok binuo kami kasama si Booch.”, remembers Jigz Redondo. Sadly, Road have to leave the band due to a job offer in Los Angeles in 1985. The band was very active from 1984 to 1986 going the rounds in Cavite City’s watering hole like Rollet’s Ihaw-Ihaw, Denebs, Shakey’s Manuela and many more. Lito Esteban joins the band  as the replacement of Road. In 1987, a reform was made and Weird came to a naught; Critical Amnesia was born. Why the name? Kokok explains it’s every band’s dilemma in memorizing their piece. During practice, the band would sound smooth, but on stage…some members tend to forget their practiced part. The name stuck with a tinge of mystery in it.
Critical Amnesia continues to play on different bars and gigs until in 1992, Kokok was tapped by comedian Gary Lising’s band The Music Making Company, playing nightly at Century Park Sheraton.
Kokok out of Critical  Amnesia, the band continued to perform with Onat Magcauas to take Kokok’s place. After a very short hiatus of one month, CA was reformed with Lito Rolly, Bebet and Jigz’s replacement Jerico.
Kokok would skip from  band to band, and place to place to find the right fit for his glove. From 1994 to mid 2000, he went to a phase in search of the right band. But nothing would be more sweeter than to be home for one’s comfort. “Tapos nabuo ulit ang Critical Amnesia nawala ako sila Zig, Arnel, Bebet at Kokok tapos umalis si Zig ako na pumalit up to now”, Recalls Jigz Redondo. For sometime, the group shuffled members as if a deck of cards, but retaining the same sound In 2007 Kokok reformed and rekindled Critical Amnesia.
Now on it’s 7th generation, current Critical Amnesia members are Booch Yntela & Raychel Eva Angkico on vocals, Arnel Caldejon on bass, Jigz Redondo on drums, Ramir Cuerpo on keyboards, Kokok Parales on lead guitar & Rodel Toledo on rhythm guitar.