Police, Eagles, Steel Pulse, Aswad, Sublime, James Brown, Tower of Power, 311, LBDAS, NOFX, The Cure, Pennywise, Black Uhuru, Marley's, Hoaikane, Incubus, Nate Dog, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, NWA, Ook Lah the Moc, Less Than Jake, Skankin' Pickle, Hepcat,
Neken,
like most young bands started off jamming at house parties, playing covers
of songs by groups whose music they enjoyed: Incubus, Sublime, 311, Long
Beach Dub All-Stars, Blink 182 and others. They realized they shared
similar tastes back when all were attending Castle High School in Kaneohe,
taking music all four years. After graduation, they started to consider
trying to make a career of the profession that bass player Ambrose Rapis
calls a "great liberation of the spirit." They chose their
name, wrote their first original song, Grote Road,
and played their first real gig in February 2003. Other original songs
soon followed, Triumphant Land, Liquid
Throne, Stay, and Flip
Side, just to name a few.
The lyrics are well known to their many fans on the East Side of Oahu. By June
2003, Neken played at the 1st Annual Kona Music Festival, opening for Pepper,
Natural Vibes, and B.E.T.. After tying for 1st Place at the KPOI Van's Triple
Crown of Surfing at Hard Café, they continued to expand their audience
in new venues. In 2003-2004, they opened for international stars such as Don
Carlos, Fishbone, Yellowman, and War. They continue to play at varied locations
such as East Side Grill, Hard Rock Café, Boardriders, as well as special
events such as Bayfest.
They are working on their first CD, to be released at the end of this year. Band
members are Jarrod Bonser (guitar), Ambrose Rapis (bass), Wayne Santos (drums),
and Jace Faufata (vocals). Jarrod, Wayne, and Ambrose write Neken's original
songs collaboratively, with each contributing their ideas and instrumental ability.
Often songs are written with Jace's unique vocal style in mind. Neken is constantly
experimenting and trying to incorporate different influences into their sound.
Favorites include Tower of Power, Steel Pulse, James Brown, Temptations, Kalapana,
NOFX, Sublime, and the Eagles. For Neken, "it's about constantly trying
to improve musically, taking risks, and trying to have an original, distinctive
style."
Come check me out bartending down at the Venus Lounge Bar on Friday Night from 10pm-1:30am. $2 drink specials till 1:00am, pretty much everything but top shelf. No cover, 21 & over, just relax and chill. Hope to see you there, come early to get in on the drink special action.
It all starts next week. Artist Groove Network is starting 2 crazy partys. Sept 3 @ Venus +18 welcome! And the Sept 5@ Epic for first fridays! 21+
go to ArtistGrooveNetwork. com for more info!
Here we go Artist Groove Network's monthly +18 and over party CONTAGIOUS is this fri.
Drink specials, gogos, hottest djs, sexxy people, and the craziest party vibe that is Agn! This fri we are Celebrating the b days of Artist Groove Network's own Frankie P and MMA champ Jared IHA
get at me now for guest list or go to
..