June 21, 2010
Bandwarz Cup Holders… HOTEL ROYAL!
Eight bands from across Durham Region paraded their best show for judges at the Bandwarz 2010 final showcase on Sunday, June 13th at The Music Scene , with Whitby’s own HOTEL ROYAL winning the Bandwarz Cup at the 17th annual battle-of-the-bands contest, consisting of Chris Hepburn(vox/guitar), Andy Hepburn(drums/vox), Nicky Pahman(piano/organ) and Johnny Gregson(bass/vox).
"Playing bandwarz was a great experience for all of us, there is a great number of local talent, and it's a great way of bringing bands together. We want to thank everyone who came out to see us play at this year’s bandwarz, without the support, this would not be possible"said lead singer Chris Hepburn
As Bandwarz 2010 champions, Hotel Royal received $1000 in cash, recording package from The Music Scene, a photo package from D.D.P Studios, a merch package from Shift Blank, and gift certificates to Lost Anchor Tattoo.
HOTEL ROYAL will also benefit from publicity, including being featured on the Bandwarz 2010 television show, which will be broadcasted on Rogers TV on Saturday, June 26th with additional show dates TBA. The show will also feature performances and interviews with the other seven contestants in the Bandwarz 2010 final showcase: 2nd Place winners The Kardiak Kids, 3rd Place winners Viva Mars, 4th Place winners The Joint, Escaping Anxiety, Kings in Vain, Wake The Fallen, and Shark Week.
Bandwarz is Durham’s original rock music contest for bands looking to make their mark on the music industry. The contest offers independent and unsigned bands the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of music industry representatives and booking agents.
For more information on Bandwarz, visit www.bandwarz.ca
About Hotel Royal:
Hotel Royal lives by a simple philosophy: they play what they enjoy playing, and enjoy playing for people who enjoy them playing what they enjoy playing...
If you can imagine a dim lit bar that plays a mix of garage, rock and roll, blues, a little punk and a dash of swing, then Hotel Royal would be the house band. With a "Hey! Get up and dance!" kind of attitude, Hotel Royal brings enough groove, sweat and just plain high octane energy to their songs, and especially to their live show, whether it's for a crowd of 8 or 8000. Fazer Magazine wrote: "Though I’d never once heard of this band, it took all of a few seconds to gain my full attention. Lead singer and guitarist Chrisy Hepburn, who was completely soaked in sweat by the second song, didn’t seem to care one bit that he was performing for a crowd of less than ten people. Instead, he gave us everything a packed house deserves and more."
Named after the legendary Gentlemen's Club, Hotel Royal derives influence from perhaps the less attractive part of town, where blue collar people gather to escape life for just a little while, and maybe indulge in a little forbidden fruit, without shame and with a smile.
Twin brothers Chrisy and Andy came out of the womb kicking and punching each other, but they noticed right away that their kicks and punches were rhythmic and made a decision to form a band. With Chrisy handling guitar and lead vocals, Andy sat behind the drums. As teens the two typically embraced a post-punk style, however wanted to change it up as they entered their 20s. Enter keyboardist Nicky who hails from the States and brought in a new dimension of electro-synth fused with gritty stylings of 70's inspired piano and organ. Finally Johnny scissor-kicked in the door and rounded out the rhythm section with funky fingers and a big bottom end.
In 2009 the band worked hard writing and releasing their self titled debut EP. Since the release, they have been featured in their regional newspapers several times, appeared on Rogers TV Daytime Talk Show, appeared in Toronto online music trades, packed every local show and have had the privilege of opening for bands such as ill Scarlett, The Creepshow and Sloan, taking their live show all over Ontario, from Ottawa to Windsor and everywhere in between. Exclaim! Canada wrote: "Hotel Royal skipped past the novelties of conversing with the crowd and opted to let their sound do the speaking. They played a well constructed proportion of rock with a bit of blues, pop with a bite and lead singer Chris Hepburn’s Mick Jagger-like mannerisms sealed the deal on the package that is Hotel Royal."
The boys love to rock and roll with rock and rollers, and they are looking forward to nothing more than to see how many rock and rollers are left out there in Canada, the United States, and eventually the rest of the world. See what the fuss is about...
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Hotel Royal
www.myspace.com/hotelroyal
hotelroyalband@gmail.com
iTunes http://itunes.apple.com/album/hotel-royal/id345947617
Hotel Royal ~ Bandwarz Champs!
2nd place Winner The Kardiak Kids
3rd Place Winners Viva Mars
4th Place Winners The Joint
* all photos submitted by D.D.P Studios
