Juke Kartel

Juke Kartel is a rock band based in Melbourne, Australia. The band formed in Melbourne, Australia in the early 2000's, and since October 2007 their line-up has consisted of vocalist Toby Rand, lead guitarist Todd Burman, guitarist and back up vocalist Dale Winters, drummer Jason Pinfold with bassist and back up vocalist Tommy Kende. Lead vocalist Toby Rand, brought fame to the band after competing in American singing competition Rockstar: Supernova, a T.V show broadcast worldwide on CBS television - he finished third.

History

Before Rock Star Supernova

Before Toby appeared on Rock Star: Supernova, Juke Kartel were just beginning to make a serious impression in their home town of Melbourne. They were originally famous in Melbourne's underground music scene. Most notably Juke Kartel opened for Nickelback in April 2006 and performed at such shows as the Taste of Chaos Tour in October 2005.

Post-Supernova

Following lead vocalist Toby Rand finishing third in the Rock Star Supernova series in September 2006, Juke Kartel signed to major international management company Sanctuary, who were negotiating with several record companies to finalize Juke Kartel’s first label deal. In the meantime, they played some well-received shows at LA's famed Viper Room as showcase gigs.

The band was home in Australia for a short break in the later stages of October through until early November in 2006, before returning to the US to tour. In early 2007 they were invited to join the Rock Star Supernova US tour in North America. In January 2007 they joined the huge Tour of the US and Canada, supporting Epic recording artists Rockstar Supernova. Juke Kartel performed alongside former Mötley Crüe drummer/vocalist, Tommy Lee, and fellow Rockstar Supernova band member Lukas Rossi, who beat Rand to claim the vocalist role in Supernova. In March 2007 they featured as the tour’s special guests for shows in Australia and New Zealand.

Juke Kartel's return to Australia heeded two landmark performances for the band, at both the 2007 Astra Awards and the Australian 2007 MTV Video Awards. Their energetic live rendition of "Throw it Away" at the Australian 2007 MTV Video Awards received a positive reaction from pop star, Fergie.

On November 30 2007, the band announced that their 2004 song, "Save Me", would feature on the upcoming series The Biggest Loser 5 in the US.

In late 2007, Juke Kartel did a number of gigs in their home town of Melbourne, including an unplugged performance on November 23, 2007, to open a show at the Palais Theatre in Melbourne, for Australian Idol season one runner up Shannon Noll. Also a performance at the Ferntree Gully Hotel in Melbourne's eastern suburbs alongside Australian band, Noiseworks, was declared a "sellout" by the bands website.

Signed

The band were unsigned as of December 2007, though they were negotiating with several record companies so they could get their first label deal. They were also working with Los Angeles producer Mark Weinberg, in recording their eagerly anticipated debut album. They have signed with local Australian music management company, HJM and well known music manager Glenn Wheatley.

On February 1, 2008 Toby Rand announced on his myspace blog that Juke Kartel had signed a record deal, saying "we signed a record deal this week" and "we are very excited". So, the band is now signed with Emporium Music, an Independent Label out of Australia. The band has relocated to the United States and will be recording their debut album in Seattle, Washington, in London Bridge Studios. The debut album will be produced by Rick Parashar who has worked with acts such as Nickelback, Pearl Jam, 3 Doors Down and Bon Jovi.

The title for the upcoming debut album was confirmed recently on their website, Nowhere Left to Hide is set to be released on October 25, 2008.

Their website is now advertising their upcoming Australian Tour for Oct/Nov 2008. The single Save Me is scheduled for release on October 4. They recently shot the music video for Save Me in New York City in the Union Square and Central Park areas.

Australian television appearances

On return to Australia from touring, in early 2007, Juke Kartel's new found fame led them to performing on two Australian morning television shows. 9am with David and Kim on Network 10 and The Today Show on the Nine Network. Toby also made a cameo appearance on Channel 9's show, 20 to 1.

On November 2nd, 2007, Rand appeared as a co-host on Channel V program, whatUwant.

Musical influences

Juke Kartel's influences came from many Australian bands such as INXS, AC/DC, and Midnight Oil, as well as other bands including Led Zeppelin, Guns N' Roses and U2.

Band members

Toby Rand - Vocals
Tommy Kende - Bass/Backing Vocals
Todd Burman - Lead Guitar
Dale Winters - Guitar/Backing Vocals
Jason Pinfold - Drums

Drummer replacement

Juke Kartel announced on 11 October, 2007 on their website that Eddie Murphy "is no longer playing drums in jk (Juke Kartel)". Subsequently, Murphy was replaced by South African born Jason Pinfold. Pinfold also spent time in New Zealand prior to "landing in Oz" and eventually take the role as drummer for Juke Kartel.

Discography

Date of Release	Title	Label
2003	Tarko EP	??
2006	Juke Kartel EP	??
2007	Throw It Away (single)	iTunes Release

Trivia

Juke Kartel main support for Nickelback's "All The Right Reasons" tour, sharing the stage with one of the world's biggest rock bands, and playing to a full house at Rod Laver Arena in April 2006

Juke Kartel were winners of the Coke Live 05 compilation CD, with their track Firesign featured side by side with some of Australia's premier artists including Dallas Crane, Jebediah and Magic Dirt.

Juke Kartel were apart of the Taste Of Chaos shows that swept through Australia in October 2005, supporting such bands as The Used, Story of the Year, Coheed and Cambria and Killswitch Engage.

Juke Kartel have five tracks that are featured on three Eastern Surf Film DVDs. Heavy rock tracks Sunday Nights and the omnipresent Intra have been regular additions to Eastern Film soundtracks, including the video for Sunday Nights which was shot on location at the MCG.