Post by Hurricane on Nov 28, 2010 19:32:44 GMT -5
Juke Kartel
Juke Kartel is an Australian rock band currently living every rock group's dream, becoming a staple on the infamous Sunset Strip and around LA's club scene, befriending rock greats such as Slash and touring relentlessly to spread their music worldwide. But it wasn't always that way for the soulful rock band who draw influences from bands such as Led Zeppelin, U2, INXS and Guns N Roses. They made their start in Melbourne, Australia in the early 2000's, playing small clubs and bars for quite a long time before becoming underground music hits in the city, allowing them to move around to other areas of the state and even playing the Taste of Chaos tour in 2005 alongside bands such as The Used, Killswitch Engage and My Chemical Romance, which led them to gain a legion of fans. This newfound fame allowed them to play alongside Nickelback on their Australian tour. Still, after this, they were merely considered underground hits and radio/video programs continued to neglect them.
Their first major break came, ironically, when lead singer Toby Rand put the band on hold in 2005 to head to USA to try out for Rockstar: Supernova, a music-based reality TV show, much like American Idol, but for rock musicians. He made it through auditions and was in the running to front a band also featuring musicians such as Gilby Clarke (Slash's Snakepit, Guns 'n' Roses), Jason Newsted (Metallica) and Tommy Lee (Motley Crue). This chance put him in an international spotlight, but at the same time threatened Juke Kartel's existence, as if he had won the competition they would be forced to go on hold for a prolonged time. He became a hit on the show, winning challenges that allowed him to play songs live with the superstars of Supernova. He eventually came third on the show, and the spot would go to his good friend Lukas Rossi (Rise Electric).
Toby Rand on Rockstar: Supernova performing original song "Throw It Away"
Toby's exposure on Rockstar: Supernova began an explosion in fans who wanted more. Juke Kartel returned and answered the call with several well-recieved gigs on the Sunset Strip, which pushed Supernova to ask them to open for them on their world tour. This was still not enough, as fans in Australia were going crazy, demanding more from the homebred boys. They answered once again, opening for huge Australian artists such as Shannon Noll (who came 2nd on the first ever Australian Idol) and Noiseworks, as well as a plethora of headline shows and support spots for international bands such as Seether.
This newfound mainstream attention led to Juke Kartel's first studio album release "Nowhere Left to Hide" in 2009, which featured a collection of the bands songs from the past several years. The album was recorded in Seattle, Washington by Rick Parashar (Nickelback, Pearl Jam, Three Doors Down and Bon Jovi) and the lead single, "Save Me" was released amidst a huge national tour by the band to support it. "Save Me" recieved extensive radio play in Australia, and the video would recieve airplay on programs such as Rage and Video Hits. This success brought on two more singles, "December" and "If Only", which also recieved airplay and TV time, as the band performed "If Only" live on the Warner Brothers Kids Show. They toured the album relentlessly, performing all around the country and gaining spots on huge festivals such as the Fire Benefit concert in Traralgon, Australia in which other huge bands such as Bodyjar and Evermore also performed, as well as a live spot at the Rugby World Cup Semi-Finals, and an opening spot for The Who.
Juke Kartel's music video for "Save Me"
The band announced soon after that proceeding the "Nowhere Left to Hide" tour, they would move permanantly to California, USA to further their career, feeling that they weren't reaching what they were capable of in Australia. This move proved successful, as they reconnected with Rockstar: Supernova winner Lukas Rossi to perform numerous joined shows throughout the Hollywood area. They also became well-aquainted with Slash, who would go on to invite the band to play several shows with him around the Los Angeles area. In May 2010, it was announced that Carved Records had picked up Juke Kartel as the newest band on their label. With the signing, the band released an "Acoustic Sessions" album, featuring several songs from their debut album as well as brand new song "Canvas Satellite" and so began the recording process for their follow-up album "Levolution", which was to be their first major USA release. The album was released in Fall of 2010, with six brand new songs and six remastered songs from their debut album. The album was well-recieved in USA, allowing many very well-recieved shows around the Sunset Strip and a huge return tour of Australia supporting Slash and Myles Kennedy around the country.
Juke Kartel's "If Only" video.
And so begins the next chapter in Juke Kartel, as they begin to crack into the mainstream American music scene. With new song "Brightest Star", which was created in honour for drummer Jay Pinfold's mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer soon to hit airwaves, and current American single "If Only" making waves, the boys from Australia are looking to take their soulful, energetic brand of rock to the USA and beyond!
by Josh McLaughlin
Juke Kartel is an Australian rock band currently living every rock group's dream, becoming a staple on the infamous Sunset Strip and around LA's club scene, befriending rock greats such as Slash and touring relentlessly to spread their music worldwide. But it wasn't always that way for the soulful rock band who draw influences from bands such as Led Zeppelin, U2, INXS and Guns N Roses. They made their start in Melbourne, Australia in the early 2000's, playing small clubs and bars for quite a long time before becoming underground music hits in the city, allowing them to move around to other areas of the state and even playing the Taste of Chaos tour in 2005 alongside bands such as The Used, Killswitch Engage and My Chemical Romance, which led them to gain a legion of fans. This newfound fame allowed them to play alongside Nickelback on their Australian tour. Still, after this, they were merely considered underground hits and radio/video programs continued to neglect them.
Their first major break came, ironically, when lead singer Toby Rand put the band on hold in 2005 to head to USA to try out for Rockstar: Supernova, a music-based reality TV show, much like American Idol, but for rock musicians. He made it through auditions and was in the running to front a band also featuring musicians such as Gilby Clarke (Slash's Snakepit, Guns 'n' Roses), Jason Newsted (Metallica) and Tommy Lee (Motley Crue). This chance put him in an international spotlight, but at the same time threatened Juke Kartel's existence, as if he had won the competition they would be forced to go on hold for a prolonged time. He became a hit on the show, winning challenges that allowed him to play songs live with the superstars of Supernova. He eventually came third on the show, and the spot would go to his good friend Lukas Rossi (Rise Electric).
Toby Rand on Rockstar: Supernova performing original song "Throw It Away"
Toby's exposure on Rockstar: Supernova began an explosion in fans who wanted more. Juke Kartel returned and answered the call with several well-recieved gigs on the Sunset Strip, which pushed Supernova to ask them to open for them on their world tour. This was still not enough, as fans in Australia were going crazy, demanding more from the homebred boys. They answered once again, opening for huge Australian artists such as Shannon Noll (who came 2nd on the first ever Australian Idol) and Noiseworks, as well as a plethora of headline shows and support spots for international bands such as Seether.
This newfound mainstream attention led to Juke Kartel's first studio album release "Nowhere Left to Hide" in 2009, which featured a collection of the bands songs from the past several years. The album was recorded in Seattle, Washington by Rick Parashar (Nickelback, Pearl Jam, Three Doors Down and Bon Jovi) and the lead single, "Save Me" was released amidst a huge national tour by the band to support it. "Save Me" recieved extensive radio play in Australia, and the video would recieve airplay on programs such as Rage and Video Hits. This success brought on two more singles, "December" and "If Only", which also recieved airplay and TV time, as the band performed "If Only" live on the Warner Brothers Kids Show. They toured the album relentlessly, performing all around the country and gaining spots on huge festivals such as the Fire Benefit concert in Traralgon, Australia in which other huge bands such as Bodyjar and Evermore also performed, as well as a live spot at the Rugby World Cup Semi-Finals, and an opening spot for The Who.
Juke Kartel's music video for "Save Me"
The band announced soon after that proceeding the "Nowhere Left to Hide" tour, they would move permanantly to California, USA to further their career, feeling that they weren't reaching what they were capable of in Australia. This move proved successful, as they reconnected with Rockstar: Supernova winner Lukas Rossi to perform numerous joined shows throughout the Hollywood area. They also became well-aquainted with Slash, who would go on to invite the band to play several shows with him around the Los Angeles area. In May 2010, it was announced that Carved Records had picked up Juke Kartel as the newest band on their label. With the signing, the band released an "Acoustic Sessions" album, featuring several songs from their debut album as well as brand new song "Canvas Satellite" and so began the recording process for their follow-up album "Levolution", which was to be their first major USA release. The album was released in Fall of 2010, with six brand new songs and six remastered songs from their debut album. The album was well-recieved in USA, allowing many very well-recieved shows around the Sunset Strip and a huge return tour of Australia supporting Slash and Myles Kennedy around the country.
Juke Kartel's "If Only" video.
And so begins the next chapter in Juke Kartel, as they begin to crack into the mainstream American music scene. With new song "Brightest Star", which was created in honour for drummer Jay Pinfold's mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer soon to hit airwaves, and current American single "If Only" making waves, the boys from Australia are looking to take their soulful, energetic brand of rock to the USA and beyond!
by Josh McLaughlin