Editor’s Pick: ‘Hard Rock Calling’ State Finals

Bands face off for shot at festival gig

Star-Bulletin Staff
features@starbulletin.com

It’s a battle for Honolulu rock supremacy tonight at the Hard Rock Cafe when Friends of Adam and Phoenix Rose face off for an opportunity to play at the British music festival Hard Rock Calling.

The two bands each beat out three others last week to secure a spot in the Hawaii finals; the winner’s performance will be filmed and submitted to Hard Rock corporate to determine if the band will advance to the national finals.

While preliminary rounds were judged by a panel of contest sponsors, the finals will be a little more legit, thanks to input from Easy Music Center’s Peter Dods, Pimpbot’s Eric Lagrimas and Quadraphonix’s Shree Sadagopan.

>> Where: Hard Rock Cafe, 1837 Kapiolani Blvd.
>> When: 9 p.m. April 16
>> Cost: Free
>> Call: 955-7383

Hard Rock ‘Battle of the Bands’ returns Friday

Courtesy Lucky 13

Round two of the Hard Rock Cafe’s battle-of-the-bands competition begins again Friday night, with the winner joining last weeks winner, Lucky 13 (pictured), into the finals on May 1.

This weeks qualifying bands consist of Hauna Ahi, Amity Street, The Sidewinders and Stillborn Skies.

After the May 1 final, the overall winning band will go on to be judged by a panel of artists and music industry professionals led by Steve Van Zandt of Bruce Springsteens E Street Band who will choose the finalists from all of the Hard Rock contests.

The final stage of the competition will then be turned over to the fans, who will be able to vote for a favorite at hardrock.com between May 25 and June 6. The winning band will win a spot at the Hard Rock Calling festival in London, running from June 26 through 28.

>> Where: Hard Rock Cafe, 1837 Kapiolani Blvd.
>> When: 9 p.m. Friday
>> Cost: Free
>> Info: 955-7383 or visit www.hardrock.com