BandWorks Pro

Ready to take your band to the next level?

At BandWorks Pro we take existing bands who want to get out of the garage and help propel them onto the local scene. We offer professional production help with your original songs as well as a la carte services like CD recording, booking gigs, and creation of a press kit/demo package.

BandWorks Pro bands have played Roosters Road House, the DNA Lounge, Ashkenaz, the East Bay Express Best of the Bay Party at the Oakland Museum, the Chabot Space and Science Center, the Piedmont Jazz and Blues Festival, the Solano Stroll and at other venues, events and festivals.

Audition required.

BandWorks Pro Artist Roster:

Rikoché - (also on myspace)
Room 19 - (www.sonicbids.com/Room19)
The Vat - (also on myspace )

Rikoché - Band Bio

Rickoche

Rikoché is an up and coming teen band out of the East Bay, members hail from Berkeley, Orinda, Piedmont and Oakland. The band was conceived and continues to rehearse with the East Bay BandWorks program. In fact they have become one of BandWorks top representative groups and the latest stars of the program. Despite only playing together for a few years, their talent and taste have helped them put a new and flavorful spin on classic rock. Their original sound and exciting stage presence has helped them develop a devoted following and led to more offers to play live. Rikoché has already played at a handful of Bay Area venues and events including the Solano Stroll, the East Bay Express’ Best of the Bay Party, San Ramon's Art and Wind Festival, Chabot Space and Science Center, Larkspur Landing, Rooster's Roadhouse in Alameda, San Francisco’s DNA Lounge and most recently at the Bohemian Grove in Monte Rio California. Rikoché recorded their first EP of five original songs the past summer. Rikoché consists of Sam North (guitar), Miles Essert (guitar), Matthew Barber (vocals), Max Hirtz-Wolf (bass), and Leo Grossman (drums).

Listen to: "Born Ready to Die" - Rikoche

Listen to: "Wanderer" - Rikoche

Listen to: "Rise Up" - Rikoche

Room 19 - Band Bio

Room 19 is a classic rock band, in the tradition of Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and The Beatles with a decidedly blues influence. Comprised of Ben Yasemsky (lead guitar and vocals), Adam Lang (guitar and vocals), Graeme Greenwood (bass guitar), and Ben Zell (drums), the band has evolved impressively over the three years they have been playing together into an increasingly sophisticated group with a unique sound of their own. Original music, conceived through the collaborative process of music-making, is at the heart of their performances. Principal songwriter, Ben Yasemsky, states “I try to write songs that express a kind of story or emotion. Not too complicated, yet pleasant and catchy to the ear. My influences come strongly from the blues but, at the same time, I try to incorporate the best of other styles too.” Besides performing regularly as part of the Bandworks showcases at Ashkenaz in Berkeley, Room 19 is now performing at various other local venues. Upcoming shows include two dates at the new El Cerrito High School theatre and an exciting Battle of the Bands being held this year at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco. To listen to their professionally recorded original music and find out more information about Room 19’s upcoming performances, check out the band’s website at www.sonicbids.com/Room19.

Listen to: "Sailin' On" and "I Knew" - Room 19
Room 19 - Official Site

The Vat - Band Bio

The Vat is an advanced teen band with diverse roots. They have been performing together with Bandworks since they were 9 and 10, and are just getting ready to enter the local music scene. The Vat has been an a group for around 4 years, covering various rock tunes with Bandworks with the occasional outside gig. After a few lineup changes, they’ve settled with a 6-person group. Members are from Berkeley, Albany, Point Richmond, Walnut Creek, and Pacifica (guitarist Isabel and instructor Deirdre make the long drive every weekend).“We were just doing covers for a long time, and we didn’t take it to the next level until somewhat recently, “ says guitarist Maria Siino.
Maria says that she pushed for the band to write original material, and “it’s really working out great.” The Vat has a wide variety of influences from Progressive, Psychedelic, Hard Rock, Punk, Grunge, and Funk music.“We each have different tastes, but we can usually find some common ground in Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, and others. Our funk influence mainly comes from Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jeff Beck,” says Maria. Now in their teens (13-15) and writing their own material, they’re getting ready to record a demo. Check out their youtube page (http://www.youtube.com/user/vatdbuilder ) for some live videos and visit their Myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/thevatband ) for some live recordings and updates on shows.

Check them out on their The Vat Myspace Page

Listen to Original Songs by The Vat on Youtube