The Orange County Music Awards was a night full of collecting swag, contacts, and memories. The highlights of the night were undoubtedly watching Humanlab’s bassist rock the upright bass, rocking out to Japanese Motors, meeting ½ of the Vandals (who, by the way, rocked Bamboozle Left to the max yesterday), and watching Corey Case – “Musician,” as it states on his business card (Musicians have business cards? Apparently) – perform, then later meeting the fine young gentleman. Overall, the night was a success despite modern technology doing its best to ruin the night. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening and would like to congratulate all of the winners, one last time.
Saturday night, my buddy Tyler and I set out on a journey to the Yost Theater in Santa Ana for the Orange County Music Awards Best Live Band Finals. It was an epic evening of music, hugs, delay pedals, and accessorizing hipsters. Everything I would expect from downtown Santa Ana. I should have worn my brown (fake) leather vest, damnit!
in May 2008. Since then they have started to gain more and more recognition with OC showgoers every time they play a note. Their live performance comes off as creative, and fun, but most importantly natural. They’re not up there acting cool; they just are cool. They’re not acting super friendly after the show; they just really are super friendly! Both of these characteristics plus the actual musical talent of the four lovely Costa Mesa roommates makes for a killer combo. The New Limb is Joey Chavez, (vocals and guitar) Dan Perez, (back up vocals and lead guitar) Lauren Salamone, (back up vocals, keys) and Adam Chavez (back up vocals, drums). These four pack their “Allude to the Sounds EP” with inventive and haunting melodies accompanied by equally impressive harmonies. Their musical vision does not get lost in transition from recording to live performance as proved to all in attendance at the Yost Saturday night. They did a great job entertaining the crowd by creating an atmosphere of sounds as diverse as the lightest of guitar and key harmonies to the heavy crunch of Dan’s guitar solos. The New Limb performed in front of a homemade art-house style video of lights, shapes, and mirrors. All of this produced an amazing performance from which I’m sure lots of new faces will be seen at one of the many future performances of The New Limb coming up this month and next. So do yourself a favor and catch this lovely foursome real soon!
But Saturday night was not just one bands show. The Union Line really made the night a collective party. This was my first time seeing The Union Line, a band I have heard so much about, and I can only describe my feelings during their set as a collection of joy and amazement. They took control of the stage with little struggle and kept it tightly in their grip till the house music came back on. It is no surprise to me that at the nights end this outfit of young men won the title of Best Live Band in Orange County. With songs as infectious as “Mama Don’t Care,” it is nearly impossible to sit still while controlled mayhem is unleashed in front of you by a ragtag looking team of musicians. By all accounts the sound of The Union Line will testify that these guys know what they are doing, and they are taking music seriously. Yet, on stage, they’re witty; and casual conversations between songs, for example joking that they are from Orange County, Florida, say to me that they aren’t taking it too seriously. They aren’t over thinking it. This is a confidence that eludes even the most successful bands. Maybe this is what allows them to let loose and go nuts on stage, changing instruments and dancing around like they are being attacked by hundreds of bees. Whatever it is, whatever they are doing, it is working and I hope they continue doing it for a long long time. You will definitely be seeing me at their future shows. Congratulations to them for winning Best Live Band in Orange County!
2009 marks the 8th consecutive year for the 
the academy was chosen as one might think… These people are the most influential and knowledgeable in the OC music scene. The academy is made up of managers, promoters and talent buyers from many of the best local venues and record stores, music critics and writers from local publications and one DJ from the KUCI radio station. Who better to nominate and select the winning bands and musicians from all around OC? As Ashley Eckenweiler (Marketing, Partner Services, Booking for the 
Allen also has a lot to say about the difference between the LA and OC music scenes. He portents that “LA is oversaturated… there are a million bands trying to do the same thing on Sunset strip.” He claims that if a band or artist hasn’t already made it, they become a needle in a haystack, or just one artist in a sea of faces.
