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Support Law Rocks Tour

Friday and Saturday, March 10 and 11
Whisky A Go Go
$253,529.67 in total fundraising, a new single-event record!

Friday Winner: The Big Wheels for Operation Birthday
Friday Judges’ Choice Award: Doughboys for Slave 2 Nothing
Friday Hustle and Heart Award: The Big Wheels for Operation Birthday

Saturday Winner, Judges’ Choice, and Hustle and Heart Award: Privileged Communications for The Access Project

What a weekend! 13 bands of legal rock stars battled it over two nights for local nonprofits. The competition was fierce, the sets were awesome, and the Whisky was packed with fans.

The weekend raised $253,530, breaking the previous fundraising record for a single event. This tour date was the first featuring the new Hustle & Heart award which donates a bonus $5,000 to the band with the highest number of unique donations to their chosen nonprofit. The Big Wheels rocking for Operation Birthday took home the award for Friday with 118 unique donors, and Privileged Communications for The Access Project took home the Saturday win with 101 unique donors.

Emmy award winning host, comedian, writer, and producer, Paul Costabile hosted the two night event, keeping the crowd engaged and donating. The Rock Panel of Judges for Friday night included Mark “Kaz” Kasprzyk, lead vocalist and lyricist of the rock band Redlight King; Kathleen Wirt, owner and operator of the legendary 4th Street Recording Studio; Matthew Umhofer, Law Rocks veteran and managing partner at Umhofer, Mitchell & King; and Chris Laffoon, SVP & Chief Counsel, Corporate & Securities for Live Nation Entertainment. Saturday featured judges Elli Moore, LA-based singer, songwriter, and recording artist; Britt Lightning, lead guitarist for the band Vixen; Patrick Alan Stone, vocalist for the band Budderside; and Anthony Bozza, eight-time New York Times bestselling author and former Rolling Stone staff writer.

NIGHT ONE: FRIDAY, MARCH 10

First up was Confidential, featuring legal talent from Buchalter; Travelers and rocking for Music Will. Playing an energetic set from the 70s and 80s with songs by Bob Dylan, Stone Temple pilots and a pumped up song by New York band, Vicious Angel.

Making their second Law Rocks appearance was The Grind. Featuring legal talent from Grindr; Domb Rauchwerger; Law Offices of John Given, they were fundraising for the Transgender Law Center. The Grind had the audience singing along to an electric set of songs by Queen, AC/DC and more.

Next up were fan favorites, The Doughboys with legal talent from Pillsbury and rocking for Slave 2 Nothing Foundation. Pristine vocals and bouncy beats lifted the room with songs by Beyonce, Joan Jett and Alanis Morisette. Always upbeat and always fun, The Doughboys brought the crowd to the stage to dance the night away.

Newcomer The Big Wheels with talent from Wheeler Bio, Allen Matkins, and Stealth Bio rocked for Operation Birthday and covered a mix of rock and pop with songs by The Weekend, Kings of Leon and The Strokes with the audience singing along.

Lodestar was next with legal talent from Glancy Prongay & Murray and rocking for Kids In Need of Defense. Channeling rock gods like Robert Plant and Eddie Van Halen, the lead singer expertly performed rock classics by Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, with the drummer showing impressive skill during a cover of Limelight by Rush.

Newcomer Gaba Groove closed the night with a reggae-meets-punk rock set of songs by Bob Marley, Green Day and even an original song by the band, available on Spotify. Gaba Groove features legal talent from Gaba Law and rocked for Music Movement.

NIGHT TWO: SATURDAY, MARCH 11

Recipients of the new Music Matters grant, Heart Of Los Angeles (HOLA) brought three bands of young musicians to open the show with a special performance, including one original song written by the newest HOLA band, The Blisters. The audience cheered and celebrated the bands for showing so much talent at such young ages.

The first competing band of the night was Side Hustle, featuring legal talent from Latham & Watkins; Doll Amir Eley and rocking for The Posse Foundation - Los Angeles. Side Hustle featured two incredible singers, one who brought serious glam to the stage, who alternated songs and genres. The crowd was feeling the energy, dancing along to a mix of classic and modern rock, pop and soul.

Down By Law was up next featuring legal talent from Reed Smith; Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete; Seals Phillips for and rocking LACBA Counsel for Justice. The lead singer, channeling the rich vocals of Janis Joplin and Cass Elliot, belted across a variety of songs from Melissa Etheridge, Joan Jett, Fiona Apple and more.

Ocean Park Sound System, featuring legal talent from Raines Feldman and Kaiser Permanente rocked for Communities in Schools Los Angeles and brought their groovy sound to an enraptured audience with songs by Pattie LaBelle, Tina Turner, and an expertly performed cover of “ My Lovin’ ” by En Vogue.

The JDRF Troubadours with legal talent from Stealth Biotech and Wheeler Bio rocked for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Their beautiful harmonies echoed through the venue with a sing-along set of popular alt-rock and punk rock hits from Sister Hazel, Green Day, and Jimmy Eat World.

Privileged Communications of Perkins Coie rocked for The Access Project. Songs by Chicago, Grass Roots, and Blue Swede were taken to a new level with a three-piece horn section. Keeping with tradition, the returning champs ended their set with a Doors song, “Touch Me”.

Next up was The Nuisance of Latham & Watkins; Buchalter; Doll Amir & Eley; Allen Matkins who rocked for Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA). They brought their unique gritty sound to put twists on popular songs by Neil Diamond, Miley Cyrus, Rod Stewart and more. Hands were up and people were jumping along to this high energy set.

Featuring legal talent from Michael Sullivan & Associates and rocking for Olive Crest, Whisky Kick closed the night. Playing an energetic set of iconic rock songs by Guns n’ Rose, Billy Idol and Rage Against the Machine, they ignited the crowd into dance frenzy.

MAJOR THANKS

Law Rocks wouldn't exist without the support of all the bands and firms - major thanks to every participating band! Thanks also to the team at the Whisky a Go Go, the Rock Panel of Judges, and our nonprofit guests. None of this would be possible without our sponsors, making the show possible - thank you to top sponsors Buchalter; Michael Sullivan & Associates, and Perkins Coie and additional sponsors Allen Matkins; Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, Echo Investment Capital; Glancy Prongay & Murray; Life Science Partner; Pillsbury; ProSearch; Robinson Park Investments; That’s Nice; Wheeler Bio; Cooley; Fisher Phillips; Nationwide Legal; Project Farma; Synthace; Veritext Legal Solutions; Charles River, and GableGotwals.

A special thanks to our tour sponsors StoneTurn and Secretariat.

Thank you Los Angeles, we'll see you next time!

OUR SPONSORS ROCK!

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The Big Wheels

Featuring legal talent from Wheeler Bio, Allen Matkins, Stealth Bio
Rocking Friday for Operation Birthday

The Big Wheels’ members have been raising money with Law Rocks for nearly a decade and have amassed over 11 Law Rocks appearances in New York City and Los Angeles since 2014. This year, the band is teaming up with the amazing folks at Operation Birthday at the world-famous Whisky a Go Go on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip on Friday March 10, 2023. Operation Birthday was founded on the simple principle that all children deserve a birthday celebration. Its mission is to ensure each child feels special on his or her birthday by providing parents in need with Birthday Kits they are not otherwise able to afford. Please support The Big Wheels’ fundraiser by making a donation today!

Confidential

Featuring legal talent from Buchalter; Travelers
Rocking Friday for Music Will

Confidential is a rock band straight out of Irvine with a splash from south of the border. What started as a four man "Dad" band is now a five piece rock n' roll all night good time show comprised of: Jason Goldstein (Bass Guitar, Shareholder, Buchalter), Bob Dato (Lead Guitar/Mandolin, Of-Counsel, Buchalter), Abram Rodriguez (Lead Singer, Teacher, Mayfair High), Patty "Snaps" Oceguera (Drums, Legal Interpreter) and Matty West (Rhythm Guitar, Teacher, Coach, Author). There always remains a chance of one or more "special guests."

The Confidential set list offers a broad range of appeal for music aficionados - from the novice to rock diehards like us. And remember, no matter what happens before, at or after a Confidential show: "Your Secret Is Safe With Us."

The Doughboys

Featuring legal talent from Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman; Cloud Kitchens; TikTok
Rocking Friday for Slave 2 Nothing Foundation

Don’t let the name fool you. The Doughboys rock it hard. Mashing millennial pop and spitting OG lyrics, they are as deft with a mic as they are with a memo. The Doughboys are nine strong, and ready to rock with quality you can taste for In-N-Out Burger’s Slave 2 Nothing Foundation.

Gaba Groove

Featuring legal talent from Gaba Law
Rocking Friday for Music Movement

Gaba Groove is a Reggae Punk Rock band from Orange County, California, spreading the messages of love and life through music.

The Grind

Featuring legal talent from Grindr; Domb Rauchwerger; Law Offices of John Given
Rocking Friday for Transgender Law Center

The Grind is committed to the full expression of our most authentic selves, including all sexual orientations, gender identities, and genres of music. The Grind is Bill Shafton (General Counsel, Grindr), Zack Domb (Partner, Domb & Rauchwerger Employment Law Group), and John Given (environmental law solo practitioner), Gary Binford (Grindr's VP of Finance), Sean Henry (Grindr's Director of Product) and AJ Balance (Grindr's Chief Product Officer) and featuring special guests The Trans Chorus of Los Angeles. The Grind proudly supports the Trans Law Center, the national trans-led organization advocating self-determination for all peoples.

Lodestar

Featuring legal talent from Glancy Prongay & Murray
Rocking Friday for Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)

This is Lodestar’s 5th year playing a Law Rocks’ event supporting Kids in Need of Defense (KIND.) Lodestar focuses on delivering high energy Rock and Roll. Lodestar’s members promise that their 2023 performance will be the most fun, high energy set ever. Lodestar is: Guitarist and lawyer, Marc Godino; lead singer and lawyer, Gary Younes; vocals, percussionist and lawyer, Michael Ackerman; badass bassist, Dan Cubert; and Tom (the madman) Zevin on drums.

SATURDAY BANDS

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Down By Law

Featuring legal talent from Reed Smith; Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete; Seals Phillips
Rocking Saturday for Counsel for Justice

Down By Law has been rockin' since 2016. Though the lineup has changed from time to time, the core that was formed out of desperation to convince their kids that they are cool remains. Inspired by Jim Jarmusch, SNL's "More Cowbell" sketch, Iggy Pop, and Karen Carpenter, DBL rocks to benefit Counsel for Justice (www.counselforjustice.org), and to answer the eternal question: "Is she really going out with him?

The JDRF Troubadours

Featuring legal talent from Stealth Biotech; Wheeler Bio
Rocking Saturday for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)

The JDRF Troubadours have been raising money with Law Rocks for nearly a decade and have amassed over 11 Law Rocks appearances in New York City and Los Angeles since 2014. This year, the band is proud to be again raising money for JDRF at the world-famous Whisky a Go Go on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip on March 11, 2023. The group has evolved over its years with the Law Rocks organization, with many friends and colleagues joining the group over time and playing under the names of Doc McCool and the Fools, the Rocke Lords, the Wolfpack, and CellarSonic. The JDRF Troubadours bands together friends and family from Connecticut, Oklahoma, and Kansas to try make a difference for JDRF!

With T1D, a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin—a hormone essential to turning food into energy. The daily life of someone with T1D brings a multitude of challenges, including insulin injections that need to be carefully balanced with eating and activity, disruptive glucose monitoring, sleepless nights—and wishing for a tomorrow where the struggle doesn’t exist. Living with T1D means there are no days off and there is no cure. But there is hope. Your generosity will help JDRF fund life-changing breakthroughs to remove the incredible daily burden of this disease—until it no longer exists. Please support The JDRF Troubadours’ fundraiser by making a donation today!

The Nuisance

Featuring legal talent from Latham & Watkins; Buchalter; Doll Amir & Eley; Allen Matkins
Rocking Saturday for Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA)

The Nuisance has participated in Law Rocks since 2014 and this year takes the stage with numerous Law Rocks veterans and long-time supporters of the Law Rocks mission. The Nuisance puts a new gritty spin on rock classics, from Neil Diamond to U2.

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Ocean Park Sound System

Featuring legal talent from Raines Feldman; Kaiser Permanente
Rocking Saturday for Communities in Schools Los Angeles

Ocean Park Sound System creates analog, organic groove music. Think retro-funk, reggae and dance rock for your head and your body. A decade ago, OPSS came together out the surf lineup at Ocean Park to create a true community vibe. With members from Raines Feldman LLP, OPSS plays out all year at events, dive bars, festivals, and parties. OPSS loves taking it to the stage at Law Rocks

www.oceanparksoundsystem.com

Privileged Communications

Featuring legal talent from Perkins Coie
Rocking Saturday for The Access Project

Privileged Communications comprises partner Michael Wise on lead vocals, partner Joe Hamilton on guitar, partner Lara Dueppen on keyboard and partner Oliver Gold on drums, with firm friends Niall Fordyce on bass and Steve Smith on guitar. While Privileged Communications does not have any available recordings currently, the group is in contract discussions with several large record labels and expects to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime Show within the next few years.

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Whisky Kick

Featuring legal talent from Michael Sullivan & Associates
Rocking Saturday for Olive Crest

Born in a suburban garage during the grueling boredom of the Covid pandemic, Whisky Kick features legal pros and close friends of Michael Sullivan & associates. We draw inspiration from our rock heroes of the 70s, 80s, and 90s... Although we may not look as good in tight leather pants. We're stoked to be pursuing the rock star dreams of our youth under psychologically favorable and financially stable conditions.

New for 2023, Law Rocks is awarding the Music Matters grant in each city to benefit a local organization that supports music education, particularly for underserved youth. The first ever recipient of the Music Matters grant is Heart of Los Angeles! Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) gives underserved kids an equal chance to succeed through a comprehensive array of after-school academic, arts, athletics, and wellness programs. We were honored to have three bands of young musicians from HOLA open our Saturday night concert.

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Host - Paul Costabile

Paul Costabile is an Emmy award winning host, comedian, writer, and producer. He hosted the iconic revival of Beat The Clock on Peacock, appears daily on NBC's New York and CA Live and can be seen on his travel series and podcast, Pop Up with Paul. Paul also recently wrote and starred in ClickUp’s “Declaration” Super Bowl Ad.

Paul has hosted for Netflix, iHeartRadio, E!, Animal Planet, CBS, ABC, The CW, The Grammys, The Oscars, The Hollywood Reporter & Billboard.

When he's not telling dad jokes to his two daughters, you can catch him hosting live events and performing stand-up comedy in clubs across NY and LA.

Rock Judge - Elli Moore

Elli Moore is an LA-based singer, songwriter, and recording artist. Responsible for co-founding LYRE Music Group, a female led songwriting and production development team, Elli has been working professionally in the music industry for over a decade. Her writing style spans many genres of music, but Elli is known for her success in the K-Pop space. Elli has been a part of several #1 Billboard charting albums and has worked with artists such as ITZY, Red Velvet, Kenzie Ziegler, Lexi Jayde, Fall Out Boy, Jo Yuri and more. Elli is signed as an artist to an independent label and is focusing on releasing music all throughout 2023. While her infectious pop tracks will have you hitting the replay button, it's Elli's raw vulnerability that makes listeners feel as though she's not only their best friend, but also that she's telling their stories just as much as her own.

Listen to her on Spotify.

Rock Judge - Patrick Alan Stone

PATRICK ALAN STONE formed BUDDERSIDE following stints fronting Adler’s Appetite and working as a roadie for Lemmy/Motörhead. The band was supported by Lemmy who personally signed BUDDERSIDE to Motörhead Music and kickstarted their career.

BUDDERSIDE bridge the gap between the sexy swagger of the Sunset Strip and the soulful depths of Seattle. The Hollywood, CA-based quintet conjure high-energy alt-rock anthems. Armed with the best elements of every vital decade of hard rock history, BUDDERSIDE excels in sonic storytelling- with Songs built for relatability, to empower listeners to endure and thrive.

Their sophomore album Spiritual Violence was released in 2021 via Motörhead Music/ Silver Lining Music and was recorded by legendary producer Jay Baumgardner (Bush, Godsmack, Papa Roach) while being mastered by Grammy Award-winning engineer Howie Weinberg (Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage) with guest appearances from Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell and Butcher Babies vocalist Carla Harvey.

BUDDERSIDE have since announced plans for a fourth album due via oneRPM in summer of 2022 which was recorded with producer Matt Good (Asking Alexandria, Hollywood Undead). The group have released multiple singles off the album including the track “Too Far” which marked their first-ever appearance in the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts at #81.

BUDDERSIDE has toured extensively in the U.S. supporting acts including Motörhead, Slayer, Anthrax and L.A. Guns as well as being featured on international festivals including Rocklahoma, Wacken Open Air, Motörboat, Malmö Festival and the Monsters Of Rock cruise.

Listen to BUDDERSIDE here:

Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

For more information on BUDDERSIDE, please visit:

FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

Rock Judge - Britt Lightning

Britt Lightning is the lead guitarist for the legendary all female 80's rock band Vixen and is featured on the 2018 live album "Live Fire". Britt is also the Musical Director for Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp, an immersive and life changing musical experience that allows people to live out their fantasies of jamming with their musical heroes such as Roger Daltrey (The Who), Paul Stanley (KISS), Slash (Guns N' Roses) and Alice Cooper, among other iconic figures.

Britt has toured with 22-time Grammy Award winning artist Alejandro Sanz in his stadium-level world tour. Lightning is featured in Sanz’s "La Musica No Se Toca – En Vivo" CD/DVD and joined Sanz at the 2013 Latin Grammy Awards. Britt has performed with top pop artists Jason Derulo and Rachel Platten, promoting Rachel’s single "Fight Song" which charted at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and performed on national TV shows including Good Morning America, the Today Show, Live with Kelly and Michael, VH1, the Teen Choice Awards, Nickelodeon, America's Got Talent and more. Britt performed and recorded with Alejandra Guzman, an iconic Latin artist who has sold over 30 million records, and is featured on her latest live album and DVD, "Live at the Roxy".

Britt graduated Summa Cum Laude from Northeastern University with a degree in Music Business and has a guitar performance degree from Berklee School of Music

Rock Judge - Matthew Umhofer

Matthew Umhofer has embarrassed himself repeatedly as a ten-time LawRocks “performer” and is best known for an acoustic rendition of Despacito that nobody ever asked for. To everyone’s great relief, Matthew will not be taking the stage this year to fill fans’ ears with feedback, and instead will be getting his Simon Cowell on, which is the closest he’ll ever come to being a judge. He’s a former federal prosecutor and Skadden survivor who recently secured a $3 billion settlement requiring the City of Los Angeles to increase the amount of shelter and housing available to those experiencing homelessness. He also once sprinkled several Taylor Swift puns into a civil complaint against Calvin Harris.

Rock Judge - Anthony Bozza

Anthony Bozza is a New York City-based author and journalist. He was a staff writer at Rolling Stone for 8 years. In 2002 he left the magazine to write Whatever You Say I Am: The Life and Times of Eminem, which was born of the unparalleled access and hours he had spent with Eminem while working on his Rolling Stone features and beyond. The book was a New York Times bestseller and an international bestseller, topping lists in England, Germany, France and South America. He then co-authored numerous autobiographies of artists including Slash, INXS, and Tommy Lee. He’s since written 7 additional NYT Bestsellers, including books on AC/DC and Artie Lange. His latest book, “Not Afraid” is a follow up to his first book on Eminem and will be released Nov 5.

Rock Judge - Kathleen Wirt

Kathleen Wirt has worked with hundreds of bands in the 33 years she has owned and operated 4th Street Recording, a boutique studio in downtown Santa Monica. In the early years, her tireless scouting and well- placed spec deals helped to launch major careers including Fiona Apple, Incubus, Hoobastank, and The Neighbourhood. In all, over 40 bands have scored record deals out of the studio, which continues to draw artists with its vintage analog gear and creative vibe.

Some of her studio’s gold and platinum record awards include The Beach Boys’ “Kokomo,” No Doubt’s Tragic Kingdom, Fiona Apple’s “Shadowboxer,” Nelly Furtado’s Folklore, Weird Al Yankovic’s Straight Outta Lynwood, Hoobastank’s self-titled first album. Incubus’s S.C.I.E.N.C.E., Jack’s Mannequin’s Everything In Transit, and The Neighbourhood’s I Love You, which features the 5 x Platinum “Sweater Weather.” Most recently, the studio celebrated a #1 Billboard Album with Weezer’s Van Weezer.

Kathleen often speaks on Industry event panels and shares with the community through Women In Music, mentorships, sponsorship of homeless artists, hosting recording programs for at-risk and incarcerated youth, and by promoting young women’s careers in music production through workshops and the studio’s internship program.

Rock Judge - Mark “Kaz” Kasprzyk

Formed in Hamilton, ON by Mark “Kaz” Kasprzyk, REDLIGHT KING made waves in 2011 with the release of their debut album SOMETHING FOR THE PAIN on Hollywood Records which included the #3 Billboard Mainstream Rock single “Bullet In My Hand” and a reimagined version of Neil Young’s “Old Man” of which Young approved the band to use a sample from his original song. Their second album, IRONS IN THE FIRE, followed in 2013 and featured the single “Born To Rise” which is heard in the end title credits for the Lionsgate sports drama blockbuster Draft Day. Additional music from the band has been featured in movies and tv shows such as The Avengers, Iron Man 3, The Italian Job, FOX’s ‘Malcolm In The Middle’ and CBS’ ‘Person of Interest’ in addition to being licensed across sports networks including ESPN, Nascar, NFL, CFL, NHL, NBA and MLB.

For their third album MOONSHINE, REDLIGHT KING went back to basics and recorded a very analog traditional rock sound with songwriter and producer Jimmy Messer (Foreigner, AWOLNATION) who released it on via his independent label, Parts & Labor Records.

The Canadian-American rock outfit REDLIGHT KING signed to German rock/metal label AFM RECORDS in 2022 who will release the band’s fourth full-length album IN OUR BLOOD on March 3.

Find REDLIGHT KING online at:

FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER

Rock Judge - Chris Laffoon

Chris Laffoon is a securities lawyer with over 20 years of experience in the music and entertainment industries and in private practice. He currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel, Corporate & Securities, for Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., the world’s leading live entertainment company. A graduate of the University of Southern California School of Law, he began his career doing mergers and acquisitions and securities work in the Century City office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Chris lives in Manhattan Beach, California with his wife, Liz, and their two sons, Elliott and Collin.