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Thursday, December 9th, 2021
Crescent Ballroom
$47,755 fundraised, a new record for Phoenix!

Winner & Judges’ Choice Award: Retro-Active of General Dynamics Mission Systems; Fennemore Craig; Potomac Legal Group

Law Rocks was finally back at the Crescent Ballroom last Thursday night, and it was worth the wait! The evening broke the previous Phoenix record of $29k raised in 2020 and featured extraordinary performances, surprise guests, and an awesome crowd. A huge thank you to all who attended, played, and supported the event. Scroll down for the full recap!

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On Thursday, December 7, seven talented bands took the stage at the Second Annual Law Rocks Phoenix, a special even in support of Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers. The night opened with surprise guest NeanderPaul from KSLX joining his 100.7 morning show co-host Mark Devine to emcee the first half of the show, bringing humor and energy.

First up was the family band, The Hoodlums. Three musical siblings rocked out with mom and dad, just before bedtime. The lights came down as the 6-year old drummer shouted, "One, two, three, four," to cue the band for their first song. The audience loved the classic 80s covers of Eye of the Tiger and Final Countdown, but the best moment was their rendition of Santa Claus is Coming to Town which included a call for the audience to reach deep in their pockets for donations. Adorable banter and well-timed comedy made the Hoodlums an audience favorite.

Second up was veteran band, the knobs, who energized the audience with their 60s and 70s covers. Their lead singer belted songs from his keyboard while a second percussionist added rhythm from his congas. Songs like China Grove and Gimme Three Steps kept the audience on their feet the whole set.

The third band to take the stage was newcomer Guilty as Sin, who performed like a Law Rocks veteran. The lead singer’s soulful voice complimented a Melissa Etheridge tribute for the opening number and she and the guitarist traded off vocals for the remaining covers of classic 90s ballads and energetic 60s pop.

Reigning champs Retro-Active took the stage next, performing popular classic rock hits. The combination of powerful vocals and technical precision impressed the judges, but they went one step further when they performed a mash-up of songs from our Rock Panel of Judges.

Mark & NeanderPaul tagged in fellow KSLX host, Karen Dalessandro to masterfully host the remainder of the show! She introduced our esteemed Rock Panel of Judges: AK of the band Flotsam and Jetsam, Josh Kennedy of the band The Black Moods, and Law Rocks Rock Panel alum, Zeke Roeser. Later, in a heartfelt moment, Karen interviewed a local teen who shared the mission of Alice Cooper's Solid Rock Teen Centers and how the organization has personally impacted her life.

The fifth band of the evening, Several Dudes, reunited during the pandemic after the tragic loss of one of their former bandmates. They channeled their grief to connect via Zoom to write an entire set of original songs virtually, before performing them in person for the first time in Phoenix.

psych 101 followed suit with a set of original songs. The band name perfectly suited their songs that brought on the ethereal head space of Pink Floyd and Deep Purple in their early psych rock days.

The Desert Rangers closed out the show with upbeat 50s and 60s covers that had the audience back on their feet and even brought a member from the audience on stage to play the tambourine for the rest of the set.

After our judges had time to deliberate the scores and fundraising totals were updated, Retro-Active was announced as the overall winner and the Judges' Choice winner for the night, keeping their title intact. The evening raised $47,500 and broke the fundraising record for Phoenix!

Major thanks to the band members, the crew at Crescent Ballroom, our hosts and Rock Panel, our incredible sponsors, and each and every person who came out to rock. See you next year, Phoenix!

Featured

Desert Rangers

Featuring legal talent from Thomson Reuters

Desert Rangers perform cover songs, including oldies, rock, blues and jazz, throughout the Valley. Matt Hoot, from Germany and who just became a U.S. citizen, plays guitar/vocals. Bill Ypsilanti, a semiconductor process engineer from the Bronx, plays saxophone/vocals. Randall Haake, from San Francisco and who has performed in California and Texas bands, plays bass guitar/vocals. Vikram Gosain, an international tax attorney/CPA who moved here from Connecticut, plays drums.

Guilty as Sin

Featuring legal talent from Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani

Guilty as Sin covers a wide variety of rock classics from the 60s through today. With a unique blend of four vocalists backed by a powerhouse rock band, Guilty as Sin will keep you singing, dancing and rocking all night long.

The Hoodlums

Featuring legal talent from Fennemore; My First Nest Egg

The Hoodlums are a five-piece family band with four musically talented people and a momager relegated to the cow bell. Lailah, the drummer, is 6 years old and the heartbeat of the band. Henry, 10, is the lead singer and lead guitarist. Ellora, 11, is on keys and the band’s stylist. Nicolle, age not disclosed, is a business lawyer and co-founder of My First Nest Egg, a company dedicated to teaching children financial literacy. Sean, a litigator and water lawyer at Fennemore, Arizona’s oldest law firm, has passed his musical talent and love for 80’s rock to his children. Despite his skills of persuasion, Sean’s children vetoed his requests for self-indulgent guitar solos. The Hoodlums are thrilled to support Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers with the hope that every kid will have the opportunity to learn and play music.

the knobs

Featuring legal talent from Stinson, LLP; Pachulski Stang

The knobs have been playing together since 7 December 1941 (noonish), a day on which nothing else particularly noteworthy happened. The knobs are a collection of, let’s say, men, all of whom like playing music their children simultaneously don't know and hate, and none of whom are presently violating parole. Tom Salerno (drums) is a bankruptcy lawyer whose distinctive fashion sense was recently called "quite something" by GQ. Jordan Kroop (piano, organ, vocals) is a slightly more neurotic bankruptcy lawyer who maintains an inexplicable, masochistic fealty to the Baltimore Orioles. Jim Roberts (guitar) is a retired architect who cultivates his own E-strings from heirloom seedlings. His brother, Donny Roberts (lead guitar, vocals), is a life-long professional musician, totally a ringer, and a politics aficionado who's voted for Nipsey Russel in every presidential election since 1952. Paul Hallowell (bass) recently joined the band after spending the last 17 years as a goatherd in Brooklyn (shop steward, Local 76).

psych 101

Featuring legal talent from Miller Kory Rowe LLP; Evans Dukarich LLP

Modern rock band psych 101 is composed of attorneys Jeff Miller (vocals, guitars) and Steve Evans (bass, vocals), architect George Catone (guitar, vocals) and Jerry Gray (drums). All of their songs are original compositions and can be found on the band’s CDs, “Attachment Disorder” and “Bipolar.” The band’s first CD was reviewed in The New Times and described as “danceable dirges” featuring “psychedelic burnout guitar, goth-bop beats [and] snaky bass.” The band was also asked to contribute its song “Wonderland” to The New Times’ annual “Best Of” issue.

Retro-Active

Featuring legal talent from General Dynamics Mission Systems; Fennemore Craig; Potomac Legal Group

Devon Engel – bass
Sean Hood – guitar
Mike Rissman – keyboards
Chuck Leyva – drums
Christi Sartin – vocals
Dave Cass - vocals

Retro-Active is a high energy rock & roll cover band playing in the Valley since 2006. Featuring dynamic male and female vocals (and three Valley lawyers!) Retro-Active set lists are full of the songs that make you jump out of your seat to dance and sing along. From Adele to Zeppelin, Journey to Van Halen, Guns n Roses to Velvet Revolver, Boston to Kansas and Toto, Styx to Stones, the Black Crowes to the White Stripes, Aerosmith to Jet, Blue Oyster Cult to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Heart to Paramore, Alien Ant Farm to Michael Jackson, the Cult to Kravitz, Boston to Bon Jovi, Jefferson Starship to Foreigner, Elle King to Prince, Scandal to Dramarama, Petty to Mellencamp, AC/DC to U2, The Killers to The Knack, Florence + The Machine to No Doubt, Def Leppard to Foo Fighters, Rihanna to Rage Against the Machine, Grace Potter to Greta Van Fleet, Ratt to the Doobie Brothers…you get the picture…

Several Dudes

Featuring legal talent from General Dynamics Mission Systems; Midtown Alliance

Several Dudes got together in the late 80's to write and play groovin' music for a loyal following in Atlanta while most of the dudes were in law school and medical school. Now lawyers, doctors, and musicians on the back ends of productive careers, the band has reformed to honor founding lead guitarist Nick Stevens after his tragic death in a cycling accident. Like back in the day, Several Dudes' new music will move your body and soul. The band will be releasing a tribute album - Our Brother Nick - and playing charity events to raise money for worthy causes including cycling safety. Saddle up!

Learn more at severaldudes.com.

Law Rocks Phoenix 2021 was 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. The Rock Teen Centers are FREE and open to all teens 12-20 years old Monday through Friday from 2:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

Featured

Host - Mark Devine

Aside from co-hosting 100.7 KSLX’s “Mark & NeanderPaul” show, Mark Devine is a husband of 34 years and a father of 2. Arizonans remember him as the host of the “Tim & Mark” show for 16 years on 93.3 KDKB. After KDKB, Mark started and ran a real estate business for a decade before deciding to return to radio. He’s still a licensed real estate sales person, a former realty office owner, a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and guitarist.

Host - Karen Dalessandro

As a multi award winning radio personality hosting shows in Detroit, Chicago and Milwaukee, Karen’s experience includes commercial voice over, on camera work, client endorsements and emcee/public speaking. Her radio career spans 3 decades including 20 years waking up Milwaukee on WMIL FM 106.1. In 2017, Karen had a successful run as afternoon host and music director for 94.5 KTI Country. After the sale of the station and subsequent format change, Karen was immediately hired to join the legendary airstaff at WKLH in 2018. Two years later, KSLX offered her the afternoon show in her favorite place on the planet, Phoenix, AZ. Karen’s longevity can be attributed to her passion for her community and a personal relationship with her listeners. That connection has extended to television as she hosts local entertainment reporting, video programming and client segments.

In 2001 and 2015, Karen was named Country Music Personality of the Year accepting the award in a nationally televised broadcast from Nashville. She was honored with the “Woman of Distinction Award” in 2010 for demonstrating leadership, dedication and excellence by the Women & Girl Club of Southeast Wisconsin.

Karen’s greatest achievement is her 2015 induction into the Country Radio Hall of Fame which places her in an elite group of national on-air broadcasters and her plaque hangs in the Country Radio Hall of Fame in Nashville.

In 30+ years on-air, Karen has conducted thousands of interviews with everyone from Jimmy Carter to Garth Brooks. Her public speaking includes hundreds of concert introductions, on stage interviews, corporate and charity events. Organizers that hire Karen say she is professional yet comfortable, entertaining and very energetic!

As a public personality, Karen has not only recorded hundreds of local and national radio/TV ads but has also endorsed dozens of products including Panera Bread, Ideal Image Hair Removal and Liberty Mutual Insurance. Her personal endorsement enhances marketing campaigns

with the unique ability to represent their brand.

One of the most recognizable voices in radio, generations of listeners have grown up with Karen and think of her as their “best friend”. Karen is aware of the platform she has been afforded and takes pride in making a positive impact in the community.

Rock Judge - Josh Kennedy

Josh Kennedy is vocalist/guitarist of The Black Moods. The Black Moods play raw, amplified rock & roll and are known for their galvanizing live performance which has seen them appear across the U.S. with acts including The Doors’ Robbie Krieger, Shinedown, Jane’s Addiction, Whitesnake, Collective Soul, The Gin Blossoms and The Dead Daisies, as well as appearing on festival stages such as Aftershock and Hops & Hogs.

Born in the Arizona desert, the band delivers a fresh, fiery update of a timeless sound. The trio—consisting of Josh alongside drummer CHICO DIAZ and bassist JORDAN HOFFMAN—share a story of success and growth despite a global pandemic and amidst all odds working against them. Refusing to postpone the May 2020 release of their critically acclaimed sophomore album SUNSHINE, The Black Moods went full steam ahead, marking several career highlights along the way including their first-ever Top 20 Billboard Active Rock charting single, title track “Sunshine” (#16) and a cover feature with their hometown local weekly newspaper, Phoenix New Times (May 7, 2020). The album, recorded at a makeshift studio in the band’s rehearsal space with Grammy-nominated producer Johnny K (Disturbed, 3 Doors Down), generated three additional album singles which made the Top 30 charts including “Bad News” (#24), “Bella Donna” (#29) and “Whatcha Got (#30). The Black

Moods also released a fiery cover of their idol Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ 1978 track “I Need To Know,” which received airplay on SiriusXM’s Tom Petty Radio show.

While live music was at a halt, The Black Moods packed up their studio and moved it to the Ozarks, hometown of KENNEDY. The band reenlisted Johnny K. along with remotely recording a track with legendary producer Eddie Kramer (Led Zeppelin, The Beatles) for their third full-length album which is due out in Spring 2022.

Image credit Jim Louvau.

Rock Judge - Eric AK

Eric AK is the singer for FLOTSAM AND JETSAM. Heralded as “the most under-rated metal band on the planet,” Arizona thrash legends FLOTSAM AND JETSAM are set for world domination once again with their 14th studio album, “Blood in the Water,” set to be released on June 4th via AFM Records. In 2019, when the band released “The End of Chaos,” fans questioned whether or not their idols had released their swan song. Quite the contrary…this beast that is Flotzilla still has plenty of life still left in him!

Guitarist Michael Gilbert explains, “We weren’t really sure what we had in the tank, as we put so much work, sweat, and blood into the Chaos album. As it turns out, we had plenty left to say. With everything that’s happened in the world, the friends we lost this last year, and not being able to perform or tour… you hear all of that in our music. It’s angry, it’s aggressive, and our emotions pour out all over this album.”

When asked about why the band’s sound has evolved throughout the last albums to a much heavier output, Gilbert motions: “I don’t want anyone feeling that we are getting fucking old. As long as we continue doing this, we’re gonna bring it. Our sound changed through the years influenced by many factors, but what you are listening to now is who we are and will continue to be.”

It’s been 35 years since FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, formed in Phoenix, Arizona released their landmark debut, “Doomsday for the Deceiver,” the only album to ever receive a 6K rating from the influential British magazine Kerrang! Bassist Jason Newsted would jump ship to Metallica while the band released the unstoppable “No Place for Disgrace” in 1988. “Cuatro” (1992), “Drift” (1995), “High” (1997), and “My God” (2001) all still rank extremely high in heavy metal circles. But it was the first part of this unofficial trilogy in 2016’s self-titled “Flotsam and Jetsam” that a certain rejuvenation and reset was clearly felt.

Fast-forward five years to a planet that was forced to its knees. While spending most of the past year in a holding pattern like the rest of the world, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM made the best of a struggling situation and just let those creative juices and angst flow. What emerged was twelve brand new blistering tracks under the moniker “Blood in the Water.” Are you ready to brace for the impact?

“We really had a hell of a time figuring out which songs to actually include in this album, because we don’t feel we had any fillers,” describes Steve Conley about the twelve new songs clocking in at nearly 55 minutes of thrashing glory.

Rock Judge - Zeke Roeser

Zeke Roeser is 5'8" and 160lbs of diamond-hard rock 'n' roll. He is a trial lawyer and the principal of Roeser Law Firm, a personal injury practice in Washington, DC. He litigates primarily in DC and Maryland, and has successfully represented thousands of DC-area residents.

Mr. Roeser's interest in music and entertainment is hard-wired. He was born to an acting teacher and the founder and lead guitarist of a venerable, white-shoe classic rock band from New York City. He will not say which, but he will advise that he has attended 100+ Blue Öyster Cult concerts from the age of fetus through his present 40th year. He believes that life begins at rock 'n' roll.

Mr. Roeser is a member of the Trial Lawyers Association of Washington DC, the Maryland Association for Justice, and the secretive Federalist Society.