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| "Beatnik Jr." Wins Hard Rock's Ambassadors of Rock On Thursday, April 23, 2009, Los Angeles-based experimental rock band, Beatnik Jr., appeared in a special live performance at the Hard Rock Café at Universal CityWalk, in Universal City, CA. Their performance was part of the Final Battle in the Hard Rock's Ambassadors of Rock Battle of the Bands contest, which is being held at 21 Hard Rock locations across the U.S., as well as the Hard Rock in Toronto, Canada. Beatnik Jr. triumphed over another local band during the Final Battle, advancing to the next stage of the contest - judged video voting - in which they'll be representing the Los Angeles Hard Rock location. The Hard Rock's Ambassadors of Rock Battle of the Bands contest has bands competing to win the ultimate title of the "Ambassadors of Rock", and a grand prize including the chance to perform on stage at Hard Rock Calling 2009 in Hyde Park, London, which takes place this year June 26-28. The festival is one of the U.K.'s most-anticipated concert events and the kick-off to Hard Rock's 2009 Ambassadors of Rock Tour. The Hard Rock Calling 2009 festival's confirmed performers include headliners Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, as well as The Killers, The Kooks, The Pretenders, Dave Matthews Band, Fleet Foxes, Ben Harper & Relentless 7, Seasick Steve, and The Gaslight Anthem. The Los Angeles leg of the contest, held at the Hard Rock Café at Universal CityWalk, is in partnership with local radio station KROQ (106.7 FM). One winner from each Hard Rock Café location moves on to the second round of the contest, where a video recording of each winner will be judged by a panel of music industry insiders, led by Head Judge Little Steven of the legendary E Street Band, and Darryl "DMC" McDaniels. Once the video voting is complete, the contest's remaining bands move on to an online voting phase, where fans from all over the world will be able to cast votes via the web - these votes will eventually determine the ultimate contest winner. Los Angeles-based Beatnik Jr., an alternative mix of electronic and experimental rock, began playing together just over a year ago, in late 2007. To date, they have played a multitude of shows in cities and venues all over Southern California, as well as appearances in other locales across the nation. The group, which is known for incorporating elements of electronic rock into their unique sound, has built quite the following in the past year, appealing to a varied demographic - from other emerging local and national acts, artists and musicians, to seasoned music industry veterans who hale Beatnik Jr.'s musical talents, feats and nuances. At the helm of Beatnik Jr., is John Maro. John, a Philadelphia native, has been making music his entire life, which is now devoted to heading up Beatnik Jr. He sings and writes, plays guitar and keyboards. Jordan Vernik, also from Philadelphia, is both lead guitarist and producer, molding and focusing the band's live and recorded sounds. Collin Winner, new to Los Angeles from Connecticut, is the band's bassist. And hailing from Virginia, drummer Drews' unique creativity lays down the Beatnik Jr. rhythm. Fans have referred to Beatnik Jr.'s music as sounding similar to Radiohead, The Faint, The Postal Service, Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, and even The Beatles. Prior to their April 9 and April 23 performances at the Hard Rock's Ambassadors of Rock Battle of the Bands contest, Beatnik Jr. appeared as part of the legendary Sunset Strip live music venue, The Viper Room's, Soul Satisfaction Mondays lineup. Beatnik Jr. also recently performed at Fat City, in San Francisco, on April 18. The band goes on to play two scheduled dates at the House of Blues Sunset Strip, in late May/early June, as well as another special appearance at The Viper Room, on May 3. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Jazz News :: home page |