Entertainment at Hot Rods for Kids 2012

Los High Tops

Surfabilly from Santa Cruz!

Original Surfabilly From Santa Cruz!

“Texas Radio” on Nervous Records available at CDBaby, iTunes, Android or Amazon.

They’ve played with with the best from Deke Dickerson to The Chop Tops to Three Bad Jacks and The Quakes, from Viva Las Vegas to LA to San Francisco with a trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in between.

Annoying you since 2004 with those “Hotwire.com” TV commercials that played everywhere.

Fascinating Creatures Of The Deep

Santa Cruz, CA’s newest Surf/Instrumental band

We’re not going to tell youabout all the ass-kicking bands we’ve been in before because that’s boring, sentimental and in some cases, may be incriminating: you were either there or you weren’t.

That said, here are three nice guys you should get to know:

Guitarist and songwriter Adrian Cavlan has a long history in the San Jose/NorCal punk scene. His guitar style has evolved a bit over the
years, but one look at an FCotD live performance will show that without any doubt, the fire remains intact.

Bassist Mic Jennings is the very definition of professionalism, competence and artistry on the bass guitar, which has made him a first-call player in the Bay Area since the early 1980′s.

Drummer Dave Shankland, a.k.a. “The Hard-Knock Kid” is just a straight-up badass: shredding Santa Cruz surfer, Niners & Giants fan, motorcycle builder & rider and the best damned reefer repair guy in town. His rhythmic sense and creativity are a driving force in FCotD.

So – we hope you enjoy our music! And if you don’t… well, we’ll do so for you.

Almost Chaos

A classic rock/reggea/funk/folk band from Santa Cruz, CA.

At just 15 and 16 years old the members include Jose Picazo, Derek Mather, Mac Hesson and Liam Gillespi. They were voted one of the top ten teen bands in the United States by “School Jam USA” in 2010 and 2012, they were invited to play at the 2010 NAMM show in Anaheim Ca.and again in 2012 at the NAMM show in Anaheim, Ca. The four member band came together in 2008 at just 11 and 12 years old, through a community music program called “Be in Your Own Band”. With the guidance of Nat Condit-Shultz the young musicians released their first CD in November of 2009. With seven original songs the band soon began playing at local events. “One gig led to another” says Jose Picazo and soon the band was scheduled for over 100 gigs in 2009-2010. Since then the band has raised over $40,00.00 for local schools and community charities, including “Jacobs Heart”.

Jackie Rocks Band

No frills, just in your face original rock.

This band of working class teens have been performing original, hard hitting music since the age of 12. They have pursued every opportunity to get their music heard, to date having played over 300 shows from backyard parties, nightclubs, festivals, fundraisers, and stadiums.

The bands sound has been described as melodic and upbeat, yet aggressive and heavy. A wide variety of comparisons have been made from Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, The Donnas, Poison, Soundgarden, to My Chemical Romance, AFI, and Cheap Trick.

Blackwood Drifters

A Newgrass / Gypsy-Grass band in Santa Cruz

We started out playing at lunchtime, but soon entered into a Battle of the Bands. Once we got on stage with the cameras and crowd we didn’t want to leave. Now we are looking for any venue where we can play.

Our members include Justin Lunneborg on Guitar and vocals, Aaron Fish on Mandolin and vocals, Mark Wason on Bass, Grae Zimmerman on drums and Casey Monahan on Banjo and Vocals.

Dressed in Roses

A new Acoustic/Indie band from Santa Cruz, CA.

We are a melodic band with lots of vocal harmonies. A bit of 60′s style influences with a modern twist.The band was started by Jackie (AKA Jackie Rocks) and her very close friend, musician and school mate Sophie. Jackie wanted to do something that would also include her younger sister Madeline so Jackie wrote and re-arranged songs to include piano/keyboard for her sister. Sophie is an accomplished violinist and just recently started playing the bass. Together they are Dressed In Roses!

Dedicated to the teaching and guidance of music throughout Santa Cruz County since 1998

Be Natural Music is a music school based in beautiful Santa Cruz, California, and is run by Matthew D Pinck.  Matt offers private music lessons, band classes, band management and music camps and has been teaching music throughout Santa Cruz County since the Fall of 1998.  He offers a creative approach into the world of music by guiding his students through:

  • Basic Music Fundamentals
  • Classical & Jazz Theory
  • Rhythm Notation & Clap Counting
  • Tablature & Chord Recognition
  • Songs, Improvisation & Composition
  • Band Experience & Performance

As well as teaching in the musical styles of:

  • Jazz
  • Classical
  • Rock
  • Blues
  • Folk

Joining us on stage at Hot Rods for Kids 2012 will be:

3 Hole Punch