Butch Walker

Butch Walker recently toured the states promoting the July 2006 release of his album “The Rise and Fall of Butch Walker and The Let’s Go Out Tonites. Walker is a self-aware cool guy with an organic 70’s rock beat. His writing style is cheeky, and you can almost feel his eye wink as you listen to such hits as his latest “Hot Girls in Good Moods”. The lyrical content in “Ladies and Gentlemen” is all sex and drugs wrapped up in a swanky, naughty beat. He makes wisecracks on his myspace page questioning modern punk bands’ thick use of disco beats when historically punks hate disco. He’s an observant, sarcastic guy who could be viewed as pompous if he didn’t have the talent to back up such brazen observations. Fortunately for Walker, and his fans, he does have the musical chops to make such statements. He has the image of a fun rock n’ roll guy out to have good times while inviting you along for the ride. While his solo career with his backing band The Let’s Go Out Tonites is fairly new, Walker is seasoned in the music biz. He has written as well as produced hits for a wide genre of musicians, from Hot Hot Heat to Avril Lavigne. He has also appeared as a judge on the second season of network hit "Rockstar: Supernova", and will produce the created band’s first album. Walker is currently enjoying his own fame fronting his band and continuing his production career. In an era where the alternative has become the mainstream, Walker seems to have stuck to a laid-back style of rock with consistently good beats with a fresh point of view. He has grown from tunes such as "Freak of the Week", which he released with his band at the time Marvelous 3. He’s part flashy, part scruffy, and all about the music. -Julia Charvat

Mandi Perkins

Don’t let Mandi Perkins’ relaxed style of tank tops and low-slung corduroys deceive you. She isn’t another cute singer/songwriter strumming her guitar for the entertainment of coffeehouse regulars. She is a rocker chick with music of substance not to be used as background fluff for latte lovers. Her flowing blonde hair and Joss Stone looks probably have people staring at her before she even opens her mouth. Yet when she does begin singing, the Canadian born musician belts out vocals reminiscent of powerhouse Natalie Merchant. Perkins’ Berkeley education honed her songwriting skills, which is evident in the EP’s title track “Broken Window Pane”. Perkins’ standout single "Why" starts off slow and pretty, then takes off into a crescendo of questions as it rocks out. Her sound is a bit Avril Lavigne mixed with the depth of Evanescence. She moved to Los Angeles to make her music happen, and she can be seen playing at venues like the Roxy and The Viper Room. She is a self-made talent who has developed her own words, sound, and vibe. “Fallen Under” is an angry rant about being trapped in a controlling relationship. In the song she is defiant against being suppressed – fitting for a woman whose independence shines through her strong voice. And people are taking notice, her music has been licensed for use on MTV shows Road Rules, and “Why” is currently being played on radio stations around the country. Perkins’ promises a full-length album in the beginning of 2007. To hear Perkins’ for yourself, check out her myspace page or her website at mankiperkins.com.