Category 9 started off as a small acoustic project between Oscar Antonio and Jay Garay but decided to pick up the sound for it needed more than just 2 guitars to contain what they had in ideas. Later on a mutual friend named Jeremy Vu introduced them both to his brother Matthew Vu who had previously worked along with his older brother Anthony Vu in a band named Bad Channel as a guitarist and drummer respectively. The Vu brothers loved to play and found this as an opportunity to play with 2 guys who had similar tastes. Matthew picked up the bass and Anthony the drums to complete the band of 4.
Jay, who was influenced by bands like Coldplay and Radiohead as well as artists like Adele, had already written a few original songs In Los Angeles, California. Oscar, who was influenced by guitarists like Mike Einziger from Incubus due to his use of effect pedals, started adding guitar parts to Jay’s music which made the songs take on a slightly different sound. Later, Oscar started to contribute original music of his own which further expanded the groups sound. Matthew and Anthony would then write their bass and drum parts and add any input they had to further change the sound of the current Idea.
Together they practice in a small studio that serves as a small getaway from their everyday lives to torture the smallest of their ideas and force them to mix into something that has everyone's inspiration and heart in it.
Band Members
Jay Garay - Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
Oscar Antonio - Lead Guitar
Matthew Vu - Bass Guitar
Anthony Vu - Drums/Percussion
