Jyro Xhan
Encyclopedia
Jyro Xhan is the stage/pen name
of Filipino American
musician
Jeff La Villa. He lives in California
. He is a singer, songwriter
, producer, guitarist
and keyboard player. He has been in several bands such as Jyradelix, Cush, Juggernautz, but most notably Mortal
and Fold Zandura
. He was the main songwriter and lead singer for both bands. He first used his pen name in 1988 on a demo tape but spelled it "Gyro" until the release of Fathom where it became Jyro. He is married to Carla Joy Phillips. The title track from Mortal's 1995 album Pura is dedicated to her.
In 1988 he, Jerome Fontamillas
, Ray Tongpo and Wilson Peralta released a 6 song demo called Wish Fifteen as Mortal Wish. Four years later they signed with Intense Records
and released Lusis and changed their name to simply Mortal. They released six albums with Intense Records. Their last album with the label was called Pura. According to the liner notes of Pura, Solamente is inspired by Tonight I Can Write by Pablo Neruda
and is cited as Jyro's favorite poet. Serena by Fold Zandura also references this poem. In the summer of 1995 he and his friend Jerome formed Fold Zandura with drummer Frank Lenz
. They released three more albums until 1999. Fold Zandura has not officially broken up according to their website, but they have not released anything since King Planet.
In 2000 he worked with Crystal Lewis
on Fearless and co-wrote Satisfied. In early 2002 he released a side project on Crystal Lewis' record label Metro One Music called Juggernautz without Jerome. In October 2002 Jyro released a new Mortal album on Tooth & Nail Records
called Nu-En-Jin. They did not tour to promote however since Jyro has stated that Mortal could continue to exist albeit only as a studio band. He is currently working for Metro One Music as a producer, engineer, keyboard and guitar player for various bands.
Jyro is currently "director/dj/guru" in Immersion
a musical collective that meets every month for event style art.
Jyro has also surfaced as the leader of the band LCNA (formerly Lucena) under the initials JFM. Their debut, Mercury Light, is available through iTunes and the band is at work on a full-length album. LCNA announced on their myspace site that they broke up on December 30, 2009, but would reform under a different name in the near future.
He did a cover in 2002 of Forever, written by Chris Tomlin
Vocals, Guitar
Juggernautz
Vocals, Guitar, Programming
Fold Zandura
Vocals, Guitar, Programming
Mortal
Vocals, Guitar, Programming
Mortal Wish Vocals, Guitar, Programming
Jyradelix
Pen name
A pen name, nom de plume, or literary double, is a pseudonym adopted by an author. A pen name may be used to make the author's name more distinctive, to disguise his or her gender, to distance an author from some or all of his or her works, to protect the author from retribution for his or her...
of Filipino American
Filipino American
Filipino Americans are Americans of Filipino ancestry. Filipino Americans, often shortened to "Fil-Ams", or "Pinoy",Filipinos in what is now the United States were first documented in the 16th century, with small settlements beginning in the 18th century...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
Jeff La Villa. He lives in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. He is a singer, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, producer, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and keyboard player. He has been in several bands such as Jyradelix, Cush, Juggernautz, but most notably Mortal
Mortal (band)
Mortal was a Christian industrial/dance band fronted by Jerome Fontamillas and Jyro Xhan. Both members went on to found the alternative rock group Fold Zandura, and for a time were members of both bands simultaneously...
and Fold Zandura
Fold Zandura
Fold Zandura is an alternative rock band from California. They released four albums between 1995 and 1999 plus one white 7" vinyl. Each album was released under a different label. The two premier members also founded the industrial band Mortal. Their songs are "love songs and praise songs"...
. He was the main songwriter and lead singer for both bands. He first used his pen name in 1988 on a demo tape but spelled it "Gyro" until the release of Fathom where it became Jyro. He is married to Carla Joy Phillips. The title track from Mortal's 1995 album Pura is dedicated to her.
In 1988 he, Jerome Fontamillas
Jerome Fontamillas
Jerome Earl Fontamillas is a Filipino American musician. Jerome has played in several bands notably with industrial rock band Mortal and Fold Zandura, with long time musical partner Jyro Xhan. He currently plays with alternative rock band Switchfoot as a guitar and keyboard player.In 1985...
, Ray Tongpo and Wilson Peralta released a 6 song demo called Wish Fifteen as Mortal Wish. Four years later they signed with Intense Records
Intense Records
Intense Records was an independent record label whose releases were mostly in the metal genre. Intense was bought out in 1989 by Frontline Records and became an imprint of that company...
and released Lusis and changed their name to simply Mortal. They released six albums with Intense Records. Their last album with the label was called Pura. According to the liner notes of Pura, Solamente is inspired by Tonight I Can Write by Pablo Neruda
Pablo Neruda
Pablo Neruda was the pen name and, later, legal name of the Chilean poet, diplomat and politician Neftalí Ricardo Reyes Basoalto. He chose his pen name after Czech poet Jan Neruda....
and is cited as Jyro's favorite poet. Serena by Fold Zandura also references this poem. In the summer of 1995 he and his friend Jerome formed Fold Zandura with drummer Frank Lenz
Frank Lenz
Frank Lenz is a drummer from Southern California who has done work for many bands and artists, including but not limited to Starflyer 59, Daniel Amos, Crystal Lewis, Duraluxe, Map, Charity Empressa, Kevin Max, Cush and The Dingees.-Biography:Frank Lenz started taking drum lessons when he was eight...
. They released three more albums until 1999. Fold Zandura has not officially broken up according to their website, but they have not released anything since King Planet.
In 2000 he worked with Crystal Lewis
Crystal Lewis
Crystal Lewis is an American contemporary Christian/Gospel vocalist, songwriter and author.-Early years:Lewis grew up singing in her father's church...
on Fearless and co-wrote Satisfied. In early 2002 he released a side project on Crystal Lewis' record label Metro One Music called Juggernautz without Jerome. In October 2002 Jyro released a new Mortal album on Tooth & Nail Records
Tooth & Nail Records
Tooth & Nail Records is a record label founded by Brandon Ebel in the U.S. state of California in November 1993. The label later moved to Seattle, Washington, where it is situated today...
called Nu-En-Jin. They did not tour to promote however since Jyro has stated that Mortal could continue to exist albeit only as a studio band. He is currently working for Metro One Music as a producer, engineer, keyboard and guitar player for various bands.
Jyro is currently "director/dj/guru" in Immersion
Immersion
Immersion may refer to:* Immersion therapy overcoming fears through confrontation* Baptism by immersion* Immersion Games a developer of video games...
a musical collective that meets every month for event style art.
Jyro has also surfaced as the leader of the band LCNA (formerly Lucena) under the initials JFM. Their debut, Mercury Light, is available through iTunes and the band is at work on a full-length album. LCNA announced on their myspace site that they broke up on December 30, 2009, but would reform under a different name in the near future.
He did a cover in 2002 of Forever, written by Chris Tomlin
Chris Tomlin
Christopher Dwayne "Chris" Tomlin is an American Christian Contemporary Music artist, worship leader, and songwriter from Grand Saline, Texas, United States. He is a former staff member at Austin Stone Community Church and is signed to EMI's sixstepsrecords. Tomlin also leads worship at many...
Discography - Major Releases
LCNA (Lucena)Vocals, Guitar
- Mercury Light EP (2007) Ten Ten
Juggernautz
Vocals, Guitar, Programming
- Juggernautz (2002) Metro 1 Music
Fold Zandura
Vocals, Guitar, Programming
- Fold Zandura (1995) Xhan Records
- Return (1997) Sub•Lime Records
- The White 7" (1997) Velvet Blue MusicVelvet Blue MusicVelvet Blue Music is an independent record label founded in 1996 by Jeff Cloud . They are a label that has prided itself on a completely independent nature and DIY ethics while also living up to these same qualities...
- Ultraforever (1997) BEC RecordingsBEC RecordingsBEC Recordings is a Christian rock record label that is a subsidiary of Tooth and Nail Records. The label was formed in 1997 in partnership with the EMI Christian Music Group....
- King Planet (1999) Nowhere Music
Mortal
Vocals, Guitar, Programming
- 1992: Lusis (Intense RecordsIntense RecordsIntense Records was an independent record label whose releases were mostly in the metal genre. Intense was bought out in 1989 by Frontline Records and became an imprint of that company...
, Reviews: Cross Rhythms, CCM Magazine) - 1993: Fathom (Intense Records, Review: Cross Rhythms)
- 1993: Intense Live Series Vol. 5 (Intense Records)
- 1994: Wake (Intense Records, Cross Rhythms, CCM Magazine)
- 1995: Pura (Intense Records, Review: Cross Rhythms)
- 1996: Mortal (5 Minute Walk5 Minute Walk5 Minute Walk is an independent record label founded by Frank Tate in April, 1995. Their operations were based in Concord, California in the back offices of "The Screem", a live alternate music club operated by Tate. They only carried Christian bandsDryve: Yeah, that was like the first thing...
, Reviews: The Lighthouse, CCM Magazine) - 1998: Godspeed (KMG RecordsKMG RecordsKMG Records was a Christian record label. The label was established in 1997 by Buddy Killen as a subunit of the Killen Music Group / Buddy Killen Enterprises and sold in late 1998 to Cal Turner III, who is related to the Cal Turner of Dollar General stores...
, compilation, Review: HM Magazine) - 2002: Nu-En-Jin (Tooth & Nail RecordsTooth & Nail RecordsTooth & Nail Records is a record label founded by Brandon Ebel in the U.S. state of California in November 1993. The label later moved to Seattle, Washington, where it is situated today...
, Reviews: Cross Rhythms, The Phantom Tollbooth, [ Allmusic], HM MagazineHM MagazineHM: The Hard Music Magazine is an American bimonthly publication focusing on both Christianity and hard rock. Articles include news, album and festival reviews, posters, artists to watch, indie artist reviews, devotionals and interviews with Christian artists...
)
Mortal Wish Vocals, Guitar, Programming
- Wish Fifteen (1988) Blue Genius
Jyradelix
- Invincible (1992) Myx