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Thursday, May 2, 2024
The Chapel
$189K fundraised!

Overall Winner: The Cee Gees of Cleary Gottlieb for George Mark Children’s House
Judges’ Choice Award and Hustle & Heart Award : Morgan Lewis & ROCKius of Morgan Lewis & Bockius for Child Advocates of Silicon Valley
Music Matters Recipient: Bay Area Music Project

Thank you San Francisco! It was a night that put the fun in fundraising, as six bands took to The Chapel stage, rocking and raising over $188K for local nonprofit organizations.

Special guests The Recusals started the night off with a rousing set of crowd-pleasing classics. Let’s just say they rule more than the courtroom - their set was high energy and tons of fun. The 13-piece band, starring a whopping ten federal judges, featured talented instrumentalists on the trumpet, saxophone, and flute, as well as multiple lead singers taking their turn on the mic. The band covered favorites like “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” and a mash-up version of “La Bamba” and “Twist and Shout” that had their fans dancing and singing along.

Continuing the theme of stacked bands, the 8-piece R-23s came out strong, wielding a variety of instruments from flute to harmonica. Three talented lead vocalists led a great set of fun classics, including Love Shack and The Beatles “Money,” and had us all moving and growing to Sam and Dave’s “Hold On, I’m Coming.” Their high spirited performance continued throughout the set, taking it to the next level by even inspiring a little mosh pit during a great performance of “I Fought The Law”.

Magnum PI set the tone for their set with a playful intro video by heavy metal band GWAR. They shredded the night away with awesome guitar solos and a rocking bass line, not to mention two lead singers! The band was clearly vibing with each other throughout the set, and we appreciated their diversity of genres, from ZZ Top all the way to Due Lipa. Their rock-infused cover of 00’s throwback “That’s Not My Name” by the Ting Tings had everyone on their feet dancing and singing along.

When defending champs Morgan Lewis & ROCKius took to the stage, things got very funky indeed. From “Brick House” to “Play that Funky Music”, the impressive 12-member band certainly had the audience dancin’ and singin’, and movin’ to the groovin’! Featuring a stellar horn section, the band shone on dance-worthy covers of “Uptown Funk” and “Good as Hell” while their dual lead singers’ style and charisma set the tone for a set that was not-to-be-missed.

We knew we were in for a treat when the The Cee Gees walked onstage with dual sequined lead vocalists! A truly international band with members flying in from Valencia, Brussels and Rome, they captivated the neon-lit crowd. The setlist took us all on an emotional journey, starting with a beautiful a capella intro of “Feeling Good” into a mashup with the euphoric Black Eyed Peas “I Got a Feeling.” They then gave us goosebumps with an emotional rendition of Shallow.

Rounding out the night, The Latent Defects killed with a set that appealed to the millennial spirit. They started off with an homage to the lead singer’s Vegas roots with a rocking performance of The Killers “Somebody Told Me,” and continued on with alternative classics from Alanis Morisette and Garbage, with a little emo spirit from Fall Out Boy for good measure. The band had a minor setback in the form of a broken guitar string, but in the spirit of the night, a competing band loaned them their guitar for their final song. The Evanescence cover was well worth the wait!

Law Rocks wouldn't exist without the support of all the bands and firms - major thanks to every participating band! Many thanks to The Chapel team; the Rock Panel of Judges: Jack Friel; Lorrie Murray; Kate Ramsey; Trixie Rasputin; and Julie Zielinski; our host Morris Knight; and our nonprofit guests. The evening was made possible thanks to our tour sponsor Secretariat; top sponsors Cleary Gottlieb; Walkup Melodia; and Lieff Cabraser; and the additional generous sponsors who helped make the night possible. We are thankful for each and every one of you!

Please consider making a contribution to support Law Rocks World Tour and ensure we keep rocking the globe for years to come!

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Featured

Special Guests - The Recusals

Special guests starring legal talent from The Northern District of California Federal Court

The only band in the country featuring 10 federal judges (along with some other real musicians).

The Cee Gees

Featuring legal talent from Cleary Gottlieb Steen and Hamilton
Rocking for George Mark Children’s House

Inspired by the skills on display at an all-partner talent show which raised funds for the Legal Aid Society, partners Bruce Hoffman, Adrian Leipsic and Maurice Gindi had the mad idea to form a Cleary Gottlieb house band. Once Chief of Staff Denelle Veny and Partnership Resources Manager Rob Maitner were roped in, that mad idea became reality. An exhaustive talent search brought aboard European partners Marco D’Ostuni (Rome), François-Charles Laprévote and Romano Subiotto (both from Brussels). With the addition of partner Alan Levine and consultant Mike Veny holding them all together with their percussion skills, The Cee Gees was formed and has since performed in Washington, DC, Scotland and The Cutting Room in New York City. The Cee Gees are thrilled to join Law Rocks because they believe there is nothing better than doing good in the world while turning the volume up to 11.

The Latent Defects

Featuring legal talent from Greenberg Traurig; K&L Gates; Troutman Pepper; Morgan Lewis
Rocking for Guide Dogs for the Blind

Formed in 2017, The Latent Defects (f.k.a. Attractive Nuisance) are proud to return at Law Rocks for the fifth time! The band was originally formed as Greenberg Traurig San Francisco’s house band and now includes a Verein of weekend warriors from four different law firms all flying a united banner of rock. This band goes to 11 and they are psyched to be with the people again.

Magnum PI

Featuring legal talent from Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger
Rocking for Bay Area Urban Debate League

From one of the premier personal injury firms in the Bay Area comes a musical ensemble that will compel you to move. If the Battle of the Bands doesn’t settle out of court, this outfit is ready to go to verdict.

Morgan, Lewis, & ROCKius

Featuring legal talent from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
Rocking for Child Advocates of Silicon Valley

Morgan, Lewis & ROCKius brings together musical talent from Morgan Lewis’s Northern California offices, with amazing vocals, guitar, keys, and rhythm with a wicked horn section to lay down a '70s R&B/Motown/funk vibe, with current hits and classic chart-toppers in the mix. At Law Rocks, we’re honored to be rocking for Child Advocates of Silicon Valley to support children in the foster care system. We love playing together, and believe that music makes the world a better place. Join us for a great show—for an even greater cause! #morganlewisrocks

The R-23s

Featuring legal talent from Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein
Rocking for Arc of the East Bay

Lieff Cabraser's The R-23s are veterans of the California legal rock scene who are celebrating their 11th year of musical collaboration -- which makes us one year older than overachiever younger sister Law Rocks-SF! Recent set lists from the band include songs by the Cranberries, the Who, the O’Jays, Sam & Dave, Amy Winehouse, and Chuck Berry. The R-23s features Anthony McDaniel and Liana Harris on vocals, Melissa Gardner on vocals and flute, Phong Nguyen on guitar, Charles Gonzalez on rhythm guitar and vocals, Djuna Gray on bass, Elizabeth Cabraser on drums, and Mark Chalos on piano/organ. We are delighted to be back at Law Rocks-SF, and can't wait to shake the Chapel to the roof and rafters!

Law Rocks is thrilled to be extending our Music Matters grant into 2024! This grant, established in 2023, is presented in each of our US tour cities to benefit a local organization that supports music education. We are pleased to present our 2024 San Francisco Music Matters grant to Bay Area Music Project! BAMP is a non-profit, social change through music in- and after-school program serving the social, emotional, cultural and academic needs of children in grades K-12 in under-resourced communities throughout Alameda and Oakland, California.

Click through to read our blog about Bay Area Music Project, including an interview with Founder and Executive Director, Lorrie Murray.

We are proud the Tenth Annual Law Rocks San Francisco 2024 bands raised funds for the following organizations.

Featured

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Featured

HOST - MORRIS KNIGHT

Morris Knight is a musician/singer/songwriter and released his solo single “Thank You” in 2019. Check out his self-produced/directed music video on YouTube. He also plays bass guitar in a new Bay Area-based rock band called A MILLION MILES AWAY. Fans of bands like The Cure, Siouxsie & The Banshees, and Joy Division will instantly recognize their sound! As a broadcaster, Morris is a 20-plus year San Francisco Bay Area radio personality! He can be heard on the radio weekdays from 9am - 2pm on the South Bay’s Classic Rock - 98.5 KFOX and then every weekday afternoon from 2pm - 7pm on 96.5 KOIT Today's Hits & Yesterdays Favorites!

YouTube
Instagram

JUDGE - JACK FRIEL

Jack Friel is the lead singer, guitarist and main songwriter for SF-local Rock & Roll band Treasures. Born and raised in San Francisco, you can catch him playing or attending local shows or sailing on the bay on weekends.

www.treasures.band
Band Instagram
Personal Instagram

JUDGE - LORRIE MURRAY

Founder/Executive Director Bay Area Music Project

Lorrie Murray is a passionate advocate for arts education and music as a vehicle for social change. In 2013, she founded Bay Area Music Project to enrich the lives of children and their families through accessible, empowering music education.

Lorrie's background includes overlapping 15 years as a graphic designer/art director and 25 years of experience as a concert promoter, tour manager, and stage performer in the music industry. While immersed in the Bay Area music scene, she discovered the true power of music and art to unite and uplift a community.

In 2012, Lorrie served as a community liaison and design team member of Maya Lin School, an Alameda arts-integration, inquiry-based public elementary school that offers new approaches to teaching and learning, valuing process over results. Responding to the school's strategic vision and community needs, she created and launched Bay Area Music Project's (BAMP) robust after-school music program serving Maya Lin School. Lorrie launched BAMP to prioritize the growth of young students from lower-income communities through music instruction and composition, supporting their educational and social-emotional needs.

Through Lorrie's leadership, she was awarded the prestigious Jefferson Award for public service in 2023, a 2021 Spotlight on Quality Award from the California Department of Education's Region 4 System of Support for Expanded Learning (SSEL) programs office and the Alameda County Office of Education. Additionally, BAMP and its students have garnered notable achievements, including being named 2017 Outstanding Non-Profit Organization by former California District 18 Assemblyman Rob Bonta and performing with Yo-Yo Ma at the Salesforce Dreamforce Convention.

Lorrie is a member of the Alameda Collaborative for Children, Youth, and their Families (ACCYF) and has presented at conferences and universities, including the Take A Stand Symposium at the LA Phil, the ISTE EdSurge Fusion Conference, and Northeastern University. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Northeastern University, Boston.

JUDGE - KATE RAMSEY

Kate Ramsey is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist (harp, synths, piano, guitar, bass, and flute) who is best described as idiosyncratic, authentic, and unabashedly honest. She is a well-traveled artist who expresses the oddities, woes, and euphoria of life through her music. Her active bands include The Rose Haze (dream pop) and BEACH HEX (ambient experimental). Her solo performances under her real name are improvisational versions of her compositions with a focus on mood and texture. Beyond performance, Kate has recently launched the bay area artist collective Haze Coven to promote the arts, throw an annual festival, give back to the community, and ultimately bring artists together to have fun.

JUDGE- TRIXIE RASPUTIN

Trixie Rasputin is a piano player, singer, and all-around good-time Bay Area entertainer. She began piano at the age of 11, and songwriting in her early teens. The pursuit of music brought Trixie to San Francisco in the early aughts, where some of her very first performances were at the Hotel Utah open mic. Over the next several years, Trixie continued to pursue private vocal and piano instruction, while writing original music for her band Trixie & the Skates. She became a founding member of several rock projects, including The MudLords, Blackmoon, and Tedbaby which helped sharpen her songwriting and performance skills. Today, Trixie is the keyboard player and backing vocalist for the established psych rock band Lazer Beam. She can be found throughout the city playing her solo repertoire on piano, most notably as a featured act at The Beacon Grand Post Room in downtown San Francisco. When not performing, Trixie is actively booking and promoting shows for local and touring bands through her media brand Trixie Rasputin Presents.

JUDGE - JULIE ZIELINSKI

Julie Zielinski is a lifelong artist, musician, and photographer. She spent the first 10+ years of her career as a singer/songwriter/guitarist, playing in various bands, touring, and recording. She then joined the team at Noise Pop Industries, an independent live event production company that is an institution in the city of San Francisco and across the Bay Area, and is currently the Senior Producer. For over a decade and a half she has produced events spanning the Bay Area and beyond that fostered culture, community, and artistic expression. Her programming experience is vast and varied, including music festivals, conferences and corporate events. Specifically, Julie produced the Noise Pop Music, Art and Film Festival for more than a decade. The festival featured over 150 bands each year during a week of shows at many of the top venues in both San Francisco and Oakland. In addition, she was one of the producers of the beloved annual Treasure Island Music Festival.

Beyond Noise Pop, Julie has used her broad array of skills to contribute to some of the nation’s biggest and most well-respected music and cultural festivals. For 10 years she has worked with Outside Lands, one of the largest festivals in California, located in San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Park. Her experience is not strictly limited to the Bay Area. Julie has also been an asset to both the Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee and The South by Southwest Festival in Texas, two of the country's largest annual festivals.