Helsinki Border Patrol (band)

Helsinki Border Patrol are a Filipino alternative rock band that originated in Bocaue, Bulacan in 2023. Since 2033, the band has been comprised of Martin De Jesus (vocals, lead guitar), Timothy Asuncion (rhythm guitar, keyboard), Alexander Nicoliadis (bass), and John Santillan (drums). Nicholas Béthencourt is unofficially considered the fifth member.
== Formation and "Fiasco" (early 2023) ==
De Jesus and Asuncion, aged 15 and 14 respectively, established the band in January 2023 after recognizing De Jesus' guitar talent. De Jesus assumed the roles of both lead and rhythm guitarist, while Asuncion took on the bassist position. Julian Portillo joined as the band's drummer but was quickly dismissed for making various discriminatory remarks, jeopardizing the band's standing at school, and "not even knowing how to play the drums," and "not owning any musical instruments at all," according to Asuncion. The replacement was Peter Mendoza, who, due to several audio recordings from what the fandom considers the "Golden Age of Mendoza" were published, is often considered as the greatest drummer the band ever had. Around this time, John Bernal joined the band, taking the role of keyboardist.
During their formative phase, the band experimented with various names, including "The Martini Police," "Inquisitive Night Owls," "Fury," "00:00," and "Statues in Munich." Bernal suggested the name Helsinki Border Patrol, which De Jesus liked. Initially, the band focused on performing cover songs within their home province before gradually transitioning to writing their own material.
It was Bernal who, according to Mendoza, was "rich enough to be able to get us to actually publish our music." He was able to rent a recording studio in Ortigas, in which they recorded their only unsigned release, "Fiasco," released in April 2023. Bernal also hired a vinyl pressing company to burn the EP onto CDs. The CDs were sold only on the campus of St. Dwynwen Academy, the band's school. Around 200 copies were sold, all signed.
Mendoza also set up a Spotify and Youtube account for the band to upload the EP on the internet. After Filipino solo artist Jaime Tasis commented on the EP on his Twitter and Youtube, Fiasco quickly went viral across the Philippines, garnering nearly millions of streams on Spotify and almost 50 million views combined on Youtube.
Early into summer break, due to creative differences, Mendoza left the group, and the band ultimately settled on John Santillan as drummer.
The band later embarked on a tour around Bulacan in 19 small venues such as events grounds, basketball courts, and parks. During the tour, Bernal sold signed vinyl copies of the EP, as well as a limited 7" of "Glass Houses."
== "Just When Things Were Getting Complicated" (2023-2024) ==
In the summer break of 2023, Helsinki Border Patrol caught the attention of Joseph Esteban, a representative from the local indie record label Turo Records, while performing at a covered court in Bocaue. This encounter led to a recording contract being signed just a week later, encompassing five extended plays and six albums.
During that same summer, De Jesus and Asuncion collaborated on songwriting for their debut album, titled Just When Things Were Getting Complicated. The album was released in September 2023 and quickly became the fastest-selling debut album in the history of the Philippines. Its lead track, "Glass Houses," reached the impressive position of #3 on the Filipino charts in September. The band soon gained significant radio airplay, with "Glass Houses" and "Steering Wheel" receiving regular rotation on Monster RX93.1. By late 2023, Helsinki Border Patrol had amassed a substantial fan base. Although they faced challenges in balancing their education and music career, they managed to perform at various venues across Central Luzon and Manila, which later turned into their first Philippine tour which lasted from October 2023 to January 2024.
== "Quicksilver" and "Take Me Out" (2024-2026) ==
During this period, Helsinki Border Patrol embarked on their second album, "Quicksilver," which was released in June 2024, less than a year after their previous album. Bernal departed from the band a few months prior to Quicksilver's release to concentrate on academic pursuits. Quicksilver achieved remarkable success, reaching the top position on the charts in six countries. The album's lead single, "The Bar & Lounge," also soared to #1 in nine countries. In the preceding month, Alexander Nicoliadis joined the band as a bassist, prompting Timothy Asuncion's transition to the rhythm guitar position. The band then went on a small makeshift tour in support of Quicksilver.
Following the release of "Quicksilver," Nicoliadis temporarily took a break from the band to prioritize his mental well-being. Nicholas Béthencourt stepped in as the bassist for live performances and tours. During this period and leading up to their next album, Béthencourt contributed to the songwriting process, primarily with unreleased tracks. Nicoliadis rejoined the band in October 2024.
The production of their third album was notably delayed as the band members began their Senior High School education. Eventually, in December 2025, their highly anticipated album titled "Take Me Out" was released. This album showcased a significant musical and lyrical departure for the band, with Nicoliadis taking on the majority of the songwriting responsibilities. Though most members were skeptical if this change would "work", it did, in fact, "work", with Take Me Out achieving top position in 21 countries, and its lead single, The Door, doing the same in 27.
== "The Penthouse" and Tour of Planet Earth (2026-2033) ==
Upon completing Senior High School in May 2026, Helsinki Border Patrol immediately went on a proper tour across Eurasia to support Quicksilver and Take Me Out. Upon completing the tour, Asuncion worked on his side project Hello You. Exactly 358 days later, Nicoliadis revealed that the band would be releasing an album the following week, the title of which would be "The Penthouse." "The Penthouse" released on 29 May 2027. "The Penthouse," like all of its signed predecessors, instantly hit #1 in several (42) countries.
Santillan later announced their Tour of Planet Earth, which kicked off in September 2027. They performed 157 shows in all 7 continents (there was 1 Antarctica show to an audience of 12 researchers stationed there). They returned in March 2029.
In August 2029, Helsinki Border Patrol parted ways with Turo Records and subsequently signed with Trench Records, a record label based in Muntinlupa.
== Self-Titled Album and Earth Tour II (early 2031-2033) ==
After an extensive period of writing, producing, and recording, Helsinki Border Patrol unveiled their highly anticipated fourth studio album, "Helsinki Border Patrol," on 17 February 2031. The album surpassed their previous releases, quickly skyrocketing to the top spot in 49 countries. A week prior to the album's release, the band announced their second global tour, Earth Tour II, which commenced in March 2031 and concluded in July of the following year. The tour comprised 135 shows in six continents.
== "I'm in a Vest" and Side Project (2033) ==
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of their debut album, "Just When Things Were Getting Complicated," Helsinki Border Patrol released their sixth studio album, "I'm in a Vest." "I'm in a Vest" achieved significant success, reaching the pinnacle of the charts in 43 countries, as well as the album's supporting tour, an 11-month-long journey comprising of 119 shows in six continents. 
During this period, Nicoliadis and Nicholas Béthencourt formed a side project called The Photograph, showcasing songs written during Helsinki Border Patrol's recent hiatus. Nicoliadis assumed the role of lead guitarist, while Béthencourt handled bass duties. The band also featured Adrian Rijavec on keyboards (formerly of The Case), Matthew Wells on rhythm guitar (from Underground), Michael Sakamoto on saxophone (from Mountainview Technological Academy), and Morgan Martins on drums (formerly of The Case).
== Laurence Avenue and Tour 3 (2033-2035) ==
Towards the end of the year, John Santillan began teasing Helsinki Border Patrol's seventh studio album during interviews and live performances, suggesting a significant departure from their previous musical ventures.
In December 2033, Martin De Jesus confirmed during a radio interview that the band had commenced work on their next album. The recording process began in January 2034, and the result was "Laurence Avenue," which saw its release in April 2034. Although the album's stylistic deviation sparked diverse opinions among listeners, it garnered generally positive reviews from critics.
Subsequently, Timothy Asuncion announced that Helsinki Border Patrol would embark on their third world tour later in the year. The tour kicked off in September, encompassing a remarkable 194 shows across six continents, all of which promptly sold out. The band returned in October of the following year, concluding their exhilarating world tour.
== Members ==
=== Current members ===
·        Martin De Jesus – lead vocals, lead guitar (2023-present), keyboards/synth (2024-2026, 2035-present)
·        Timothy Asuncion – backing vocals, rhythm guitar (2024-present), lead guitar (2035-present) bass (2023-2024)
·        Alexander Nicoliadis – backing vocals, bass (2024-present), lead guitar (2032-present)
·        John Santillan – backing vocals, drums (2023-present)
=== Past members ===
·        Julian Portillo – drums (2023)
·        Peter Mendoza – backing vocals, synthesizer, drums (2023)
·        Nicholas Béthencourt – backing vocals, bass (2024-2025)
·        John Bernal – backing vocals, keyboards, synthesizer, rhythm guitar (2023-2024)
=== Touring members ===
* Nicholas Béthencourt – keyboards (2025–present)
* Max Iliescas – additional guitar (2027–present)
=== Past touring members ===
·        Mark Scott – saxophone (2023)
·        Rui Miyoshi – trombone (2023)
·        Michael Santillan – keytar (2023)
== Equipment ==
Bad, please refer to Helsinki Border Patrol gear guide
=== Current members ===
·        Martin De Jesus – Stolen PRS SE Custom 24 (2023) Fender Vintera 60s Stratocaster (2023-present), Casio CTK-1100 (2024-2025), Behringer DeepMind 12 Synthesizer (2025-present)
·        Timothy Asuncion – Stolen[unverified] Yamaha Pacifica 012 (2023), Fernando SSB-262 Bass (2023-2024), Epiphone SG Muse (2024-present)
·        Alexander Nicoliadis – Hofner 500/1 Bass (2024-present), Gibson ES-345 (2032-present)
·        John Santillan – Alesis 8-Piece Nitro Mesh Kit (2023-2026), Ludwig Black Oyster Pearl Kit (2026-present)
=== Former members ===
* Julian Portillo - Keyboard (RGB), Drum (Barrel)
* Peter Mendoza - Alesis DM10 X, Ensoniq ESQ-1
* Nicholas Béthencourt - Fender Made in Japan Hybrid II P Bass
* John Bernal - Casio CTK-3500, Yamaha Pacifica 600