Dead Ends
| Company type | Independent band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Founder | Al Dimalanta, Jay Dimalanta |
| Defunct | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Philippines |
Key people | Al Dimalanta, Jay Dimalanta, Rouen Pascual, Harley Alarcon, Bong Montojo, Lourd de Veyra |
| Products | Punk rock music albums |
Dead Ends is a punk rock group originating from the Philippines, which gained prominence during the mid-1980s surge of the local punk movement. Between 1985 and 1996, the band independently produced four full-length underground punk records, followed by a fifth compilation album released in 2003.
History
In 1985, Al Dimalanta and his half-brother Jay Dimalanta established Dead Ends, recruiting drummer Rouen Pascual to complete the initial lineup. They were active participants in the Philippine punk scene of the 1980s, sharing the stage with contemporaries such as Urban Bandits, the Wuds, Private Stock, Betrayed, G.I., and the Idiots.
Although the band's lineup experienced various changes over time, Al (handling vocals and guitar) and Jay (on bass) consistently served as the foundation of Dead Ends. The drumming role was filled by Rouen Pascual during their first two albums—Complaints and Second Coming—followed by Harley Alarcon on their third album Damned Nation, and later Bong Montojo on their fourth release Mamatay sa Ingay, which also featured guitarist Lourd de Veyra.
Their discography in order includes Complaints (1986), Second Coming (1987), Damned Nation (1988), Mamatay sa Ingay (1995), and a greatest hits collection titled Chosen (2003), created as a tribute to Jay Dimalanta. The first three albums were issued under the Twisted Red Cross label, while their fourth was launched independently.
The 1986 album Complaints holds the distinction of being the earliest full-length independently produced album by an underground Filipino punk band. Its successor, Second Coming (1987), marked the first full-length follow-up album released by an underground Pinoy punk group at that time.
Dead Ends ceased activity following the passing of co-founder Jay Dimalanta in 1996. Since 2001, Al Dimalanta has continued his involvement in punk music through his band Throw.
Discography
The key releases from Dead Ends spanning 1986 to 1996, along with their 2003 greatest hits compilation, include:
- Complaints (1986)
- Second Coming (1987)
- Damned Nation (1988)
- Mamatay sa Ingay (1995)
- Chosen - Greatest Hits (2003)
1985 to 1987
- Al Dimalanta – guitar and vocals
- Jay Dimalanta – bass
- Rouen Pascual – drums
1988 to 1989
- Al Dimalanta – guitar and vocals
- Jay Dimalanta – bass
- Harley Alarcon – drums
1995 to 1996
- Al Dimalanta – guitar and vocals
- Jay Dimalanta – bass
- Lourd de Veyra – guitar
- Bong Montojo – drums