Show Preview: Sunset Strip Music Festival 2013 – Hollywood, CA – August 3, 2013

The Sunset Strip Music Festival (SSMF) is a non-profit event that began in 2008 and has since donated its’ proceeds to musical education; drug and alcohol treatment facilities, and children’s cancer foundations. 

What is unique about this year’s SSMF is the addition of Mike Shinoda’s original piece to the Gibson Guitar Town as well as Joan Jett being named the SSMF 2013 honoree for her years of musical contribution in her 30+ year career.

In addition to the various visual artistic triumphs of the SSMF is the wide array of musicians performing at the 2013 edition of the event. Those musicians include but are not limited to: Julien-K, Orgy, Warren G, Finch, Asher Roth, Slick Rick & Doug E Fresh, Awolnation, Wale, and Linkin Park.

All the bands featured in this year’s SSMF offer a different musical experience for the listening pleasure of those lucky enough to attend.

Julien-K a band that is based out of Long Beach, CA and features members of Orgy are one such band. Established in 2003 Julien-K was developed as a side project of Amir Derakh and Ryan Shuck from Orgy and has since gained notoriety as an electronic music tour de force. Their Facebook page puts their career eloquently in this quote “We brought electronic music back to the billboard top ten for the first time in 10 years – since Depeche Mode even. We became ‘pop’ by simply doing what we do – making electronic music rock in a modern way. Nothing's changed and yet: everything's changed. Funny how that happens.”

Orgy is a band that has been playing their signature Alternative Metal music with a hint of Electronic flavor since 1994. However, 1998 proved to be Orgy’s breakout into mainstream musical taste with their album release entitled Candyass. With hits like “Blue Monday,” “Stitches,” and “Dissention” that were all featured on Candyass. Currently the band is fresh off of a recent tour, and is slated to play at the Whisky during the SSMF. Look for the band to perform their latest single “Grime of the Century” as well as many of their other musical hits.

Warren G will be heading the Roxy stage at SSMF. He is collectively known for songs like “Regulate,” and “This D.J.” Warren G has been active as a Rapper since 1992. Warren G has worked with artists like MC Breed and 2Pac, but his big break came when his vocal collaboration with Mista Grimm, on the track "Indo Smoke", appeared on the Poetic Justice soundtrack in 1992. Look for Warren G to bring his artistic experience and signature West Coast Rap style to the festival.

Finch, from Temecula, CA that was established in 1999 is typically regarded as a Post-Hardcore band. Though the band has experienced a stretch from 2010 to 2012 where they were regarded as being split up, they have currently emerged as a band that is touring with possible intentions of developing new material. For those not familiar with the bands take on Post-Hardcore musical style Finch tends to take the genre in a direction that does not rely on a heavy bass like other bands classified in that genre do,

Asher Roth will grace one of the Outdoor Stages at SSMF with a Rap performance like no other. Roth hales from Morrisville, Pennsylvania is currently on sporadically touring schedule and has recently released The Greenhouse Effect Vol. 2. Asher Roth experienced booming success with his debut single “I Love College” in 2009 and has since followed up that success with tracks like “G.R.I.N.D.” and “Last Man Standing” that featured Akon. Look for Asher Roth to bring his signature Rap style to SSMF. There is no doubt that Roth’s performance will complement the likes of Warren G as well as Slick Rick & Doug E Fresh who will also be performing at SSMF.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slick Rick & Doug E Fresh will be bringing a distinct old school Rap style to SSMF. Known as “Hip-Hops greatest storyteller” Slick Rick began his career as a Rapper in 1983 and has since inspired many artist to take up the microphone and Rap their way to stardom. Doug E Fresh will join Slick Rick on stage at SSMF. Also known as “The Human Beat Box” Doug E Fresh has had a career that has included Rapping, acting, and sound effect work. Look for them to take the stage and show the audience how they helped define Rap as a musical genre.

Awolnation is an Electonic Rock band from Los Angeles, CA. As one of the headliners for this year’s SSMF Awolnation has some “big shoes to fill” with past performances at the festival that have included many great acts; Awolnation seems more than up for the task of filling the aforementioned foot wear. The band has experiences massive critical success since beginning in 2010 and will no doubt bring their fresh and widely popular musical style to SSMF.

Wale, a Rapper from Washington D.C. began his vibrant career in 2005 and has since reached high levels of fame amongst Rap fans all around the word. In 2008, Wale signed to Interscope Records and in 2009 released Attention Deficit and experienced early success with his singles: “Chillin,” “Pretty Girls,” and “World Tour.” Currently Wale is touring and will bring his own brand of Rap to the Outdoor Stages at SSMF.

Linkin Park will be headlining the SSMF as has thrown all their notoriety behind the charitable event. With promotions of the event organized by Chester Bennington (Vocalist for the Band) and the artistic endeavors of Mike Shinoda (Producer and Vocalist for the band) Linkin Park has indicated they will leave nothing behind in their performance for 2013s SSMF.

Sunset Strip Musical Festival is one that brings artist from many generations and across many genres. Ranging from Rap to Rock and all styles in-between SSMF has a little of something for everyone in attendance. This is an event that you do not want to miss.
For more information and tickets - GO HERE

 

-Ryan Redondo-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

Check out more show previews HERE

 

Send your comments to the editor HERE