Thursday, December 5, 2024
Crescent Ballroom
$87,824 fundraised - a new record for Law Rocks Phoenix!
Overall Winner and Judges’ Choice Award: ROCK JUDICATA (Buchalter)
Music Matters Grant Beneficiary: Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers
Our biggest Phoenix lineup to date, eight bands of legal pros got down to business, rocking and raising a record-breaking $87,824 at the Fifth Annual Law Rocks Phoenix. The event brought the local legal community together for a battle of the bands benefiting Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers.
We were honored to have Mark Devine of 100.7 KSLX once again host the show. His energy and on-air expertise set the tone for an unforgettable event.
Kicking off the 5th Annual Law Rocks Phoenix, family band The Hoodlums left it all on the stage. The 13-year-old lead vocalist commanded the stage with sharp, confident vocals during “Separate Ways,” while the band’s 9-year-old drummer knocked her drum solo out of the park causing the crowd to go wild. Their rock rendition of “Can’t Feel My Face,” followed by a powerful performance of “You Give Love a Bad Name,” perfectly showcased the soulful essence of this talented family ensemble. They closed their set with synchronized harmonies on “Wind of Change,” wrapping up with an impressive whistling finale that left the crowd in awe.
Next up was Psych 101. The lead singer's eclectic style foreshadowed a unique set of post-punk to indie rock songs, including a Psych 101 original. Their opening song, “Incinerate,” channeled the spirit of R.E.M., making it the perfect lead-in to their closing track, “Orange Crush.” In between, they performed impressive covers of “How Soon Is Now” and “Monkey Gone to Heaven,” showcasing their versatility and taste. All five members proved to be solid musicians, blending skill with creativity, while the vocalist’s distinctive tone added character to each song.
Crazy Finger was next to hit the Law Rocks stage, and they delivered a performance that truly showcased their talent—something essential in the jam band scene. The keyboard player was fantastic, and the bassist was as solid as he was creative. Their upbeat, rhythmic covers gave festival vibes, with well-grounded musicianship. Highlights included a “Bertha,” complete with a a crisp guitar solo, and a performance of “I Know You Rider” that made the crowd go crazy. They closed their set with a soulful cover of “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” while the audience waved lit phones in unison, creating a magical ending to their set.
Several Dudes brought the funk with the opening original song, “Cherry on Top” and a set of mostly original songs. The lead vocalist dazzled the stage in his sequined jacket and classy fedora with the other members each representing their own personal style. The rhythm section was tight and cohesive, the saxophonist was equally stellar on keys, and the guitarist's chops were undeniable. The crowd went wild as they added a rap-singer to the mix and the band brought the house down.
Next up were reigning champs, Rock Judicata. Opening with “Blinding Lights”, they instantly energized the audience, getting them out of their seats and up to the stage. Their fans brought signs and were the loudest of the night! Fans went nuts when this already flawless setlist switched it up with “Blank Space” and a extra charming rendition of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself”. Such a great variety of source material from U2 to the Beatles, and a medley of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eminem and Hamilton. These reigning champs for both awards of the night left the crowd chanting for more.
Two-time Law Rocks winner Retro-Active was next. The lead guitarist opened with an electrifying solo on “In the Air Tonight,” while the lead vocalist delivered the opening verse from offstage, leaving the crowd wondering where the voice was coming from. This created a dynamic energy that captivated the entire room. The chemistry between the band members during “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” and “Here I Go Again” was undeniable, prompting the crowd to throw their hands in the air and sing along at full volume. No questions on what Retro-Active came to do, after closing out their set with head banging “Colt of Personality” and “Wake Me Up”!
Probustus followed strong, opening with “Roller Coaster,” featuring the bassist’s rapping, and blending into their funky, jazzy vibe. The lead vocalist brought a charismatic energy to “Crazy,” serving as the perfect contrast to the wild, uninhibited style of the guitarist. They nailed the high notes in “Funky Town,” keeping the crowd moving, and closed out their set on a powerful note with a heartfelt performance of “Heartbreaker.”
Closing out an eight-band lineup is no small feat, but The Knobs rose to the challenge, keeping the energy alive with a crowd-pleasing set of covers by The Doors—a fitting tribute to their name. They kicked things off with a lively rendition of “Love Me Two Times,” getting the crowd moving, before transitioning to a moody take on “Riders on the Storm.” The keyboardist shined throughout, while the rest of the band earned huge cheers for their stand-out solos.
The tension was high as the crowd eagerly awaited the results, and while It was a close race, the crowd roared in delight when Rock Judicata was announced as the Overall Winner and the Judges' Choice Award of the night, keeping their title intact.
A world of thanks to our participating bands, the Crescent Ballroom crew, our amazing Rock Panel of Judges: Christian Coma, Stephen Jensen, Ed Masley, Sara Robinson, and Kelly Walsh; our host Mark Devine; and our nonprofit guests. The evening was made possible thanks to Hall of Fame sponsor General Dynamics Mission Systems; our tour sponsor Secretariat; top sponsors Buchalter; Evans Dukarich; Fennemore Craig; and additional sponsors Dyer Bregman Ferris Wong & Carter; HKA Global; Miller Kory Rowe; Silver Cain; Bella Dolce Maltese; LegalWise.ai; Mavacy; and Uncle Sam’s. We are incredibly thankful for your support!
What a show, Phoenix! Let’s do it all again next year!
Please consider making a contribution to support Law Rocks World Tour and ensure we keep rocking the globe for years to come!
Law Rocks Phoenix is a special event benefiting Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers. The Rock Teen Center inspires teens (12-20) to grow through music, dance and art. They provide vocational training in sound and recording, lighting and staging, video production, as well as a computer lab and a cool, supervised facility for the teens to engage with their peers. In a time where public schools are cutting funding for empowering programs like music, dance and art, The Rock cultivates a love of the arts to inspire and challenge teens to embrace artistic excellence and reach their full potential.
Coming soon…