Gothic Theatre
Audio Karate
Gabe Camacho—Drums
Jason Camacho—Guitar
Art Barrios—Vocals, Guitar
Justo Gonzalez—Bass, Vocals
If one word could describe the last two years of Audio Karate, that word would likely be “evolution.” Since the release of their debut album Space Camp in May 2001, they’ve become a full-fledged touring act, with two trips around the world on their collective passport, not to mention their many US ventures. They’ve encountered the struggles that come from juggling personal relationships with life on the road. Despite dealing with the many exhaustive elements that most touring bands face, this band has managed to remain a step ahead of the game and churn out quality music without losing ground with their fans and peers.
After all their experiences over the last two years, the result is a snapshot of this moment in time in the form of Lady Melody, their second album, to be released June 1st on Kung Fu Records. Produced by Descendents/All drummer (and production mastermind) Bill Stevenson, “Lady Melody” is a bold step out of the land of typical 4/4 pop-punk into the challenging and rarely treaded territory of daring rhythms and new-style guitar riffs. This group of accomplished musicians has raised the bar, avoiding the standard repetition of three or four chords, and replacing them with aggressive, complex and relentless melodies and tones, whisking you away into what should be the chorus, but is likely something else. Think of a catchy version of Radiohead’s hit single “Paranoid Android,” and you’ll be on the right track.
This new form of punk rock is a far cry from the overplayed, generic so-called “punk” polluting the airwaves today. Fans are getting younger and smarter by the day, and they’re desperately seeking something new. While Audio Karate might not top the TRL charts anytime soon, they will fill a void left open by their influences many years ago. Any jaded fan of music will find it easy to get behind this band and their no-B.S. attitude. They may not sport the mohawks and studded jackets, but the mentality and pure punk/DIY ethos is there.
Formed by four childhood friends from Rosemead, CA with a fond passion of 80’s skate-punk and 70’s medieval metal (guitarist Jason Camacho cites Randy Rhoads as his ONLY influence), Audio Karate serve their music much like their favorite local Mexican food joint: properly prepared over time (in this case, two years), and mixed with all the right ingredients (faith, women, life on the road, et.al.), you get the perfect meal in the end, leaving you full, yet somehow still wanting more.
Audio Karate will grace the 2004 Warped Tour with their presence, just in time for some serious touring in the following year. They’ve been on the road with heavy-hitters such as The Ataris, Social Distortion, The Vandals, Tsunami Bomb and many others. They also are pioneers in Warped Tour’s initial trek to Japan, pulling in one of the largest crowds during their set, showing some of the major-label acts how satisfying a die-hard international audience can be.
FREE MP3’s
Jesus is Alive and Well
(and Living in Mexico)
Hey Maria
VIDEO ALERT!!!
“Nintendo 89”
from Space Camp
Also available…
Space Camp
