Jackie Rocks
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Jackie Rocks

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The best kept secret in music

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"Rock Show"

{ Saturday - 1 p.m. Don Quixote’s, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $10, $20 per family with adult, 603-2294 or www.donquixotesmusic.com }

By GRAHAM HAWORTH
Sentinel correspondent

Rock ’n’ roll has no age limit. On one end of the spectrum, you’ve got Mick Jagger and Keith Richards still prancing around huge stages well into their seventh decade of life. And on the complete other end of the spectrum, you’ve got the four bands playing Saturday afternoon at Don Quixote’s in Felton: Crimes of Passion, Jackie Rocks, He’s Dead Jim and Billy the Kid.

None of these kids are old enough to vote and maybe a couple of them are old enough to drive, but rock ’n’ roll is all about teen angst, right? If that’s true, then these musicians are closer to rock than Jagger and Richards are these days.

San Jose’s Crimes of Passion, just by pure MySpace plays alone, seems to be the most popular of this fresh crop of tomorrow’s rock stars. With a whopping 172,000 plays, Crimes of Passion (or COP, as they’re fond of calling themselves) features scorching lead guitar, a la Randy Rhoads, from Juliana (these kids are smart; they already know that having only one name is much cooler in the rock world — see Bono, Edge, Slash, Prince), Jesse on vocals, Brandon on bass and Brian on drums.

Juliana is a true face-melter in the making. From pinch harmonics to wild guitar screams and whammy bar dive bombs, she’s the real deal. Think Black Sabbath and old-school Ozzy Osbourne, throw in some Misfits, a touch of the Clash and Black Flag, and you’ll be on the right path.

Crimes of Passion recently finished in the top four under-18 bands during KFOX’s Last Band Standing competition. Check them out at www.myspace.com/crimesofpassionband.

One of the biggest talents performing Saturday has to be Jackie Partida, guitarist and songwriter for Santa Cruz’s own Jackie Rocks. These kids are barely out of middle school, but Partida’s songwriting chops are well beyond her years. She counts Sheryl Crow, Avril Lavigne, the Cranberries, Heart and System of a Down among her main influences. You’ll also hear some Joan Jett and the Donnas float through some of her tunes.

Rounding out the group are Wesley Chan on guitar, De’Andre Warren on bass, Ty Wallace on guitar, Imelda Meza on bass and Will McDougal on drums. Check out the band during open mic nights every Monday at the E3 Playhouse in downtown Santa Cruz. Hear some of Partida’s songs online at www.myspace.com/jackierocksband or at www.jackierocks.com.

And to prove that classic rock is still "in" with the kids, there’s He’s Dead Jim, from Fremont. With Jordan Kane on guitar and vocals, Travis Strohl on guitar, Jessica Kane on bass and David Hess on drums, He’s Dead Jim plows through covers from the likes of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Ted Nugent, the Beatles, AC/DC and many more. The band also finished in the top four of KFOX’s Last Band Standing, under-18 category. Visit them online at www.myspace.com/hdjband5.

And last, but definitely not least, comes the pop punk of San Mateo’s Billy the Kid. One listen to their tunes at www.myspace.com/btktheband reveals instant Green Day influences, fantastic lyrics and positively snotty punk rock vocals. Johnny Villar on guitar and vocals, Robert Boscacci on guitar, Dante Bertana on drums and Owen McInnis on bass clearly have learned their instruments together.

So rest easy, Mick and Keith. Rock ’n’ roll is in good hands with these youngsters.

Contact Graham Haworth at graham@haworths.org.
- Santa Cruz Sentinel


"Christmas Tree Lighting"

The Mid-County Post > News

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Capitola and Aptos Christmas Tree Lightings
Giving Neighbors a Chance to Get Involved


By Elizabeth Giuffre
The Capitola Christmas Tree Lighting was a funky, spirited cup of cheer. It was held in the parking lot of Quality Market, while some people, oblivious to the occasion, came out of the store with bottles of beer and cartons of milk. The school-aged kids gathered and talked while the grown-ups chatted and videotaped their children.

The Shoreline Middle School Band entertained the group. Even on a cold evening, some of the musicians wore shorts and flip-flops.

Only in Capitola!

A preschool boy in puffin slippers and a red sweat hood kick-danced to the generous bass in the Christmas music.

Then an elf, or in this case Shoreline's new band director with elf ears and hat, introduced the next act, while the director's expecting wife glowed with pride.

The next act was Jackie of the Jackie Rocks band
(check out her website: www.jackierocks .com).

Wearing a pink sequined Santa hat, the Shoreline Middle School guitarist sang a Christmas song that would, no doubt, impress Joan Jett. Meanwhile one young man walked around with a cardboard sign that read "More Cowbell."

Most people agree that tree lightings must have two important components: free hot cocoa and cookies, and smiling, happy lighting-goers.
Capitola offered both these and more.
- Mid County Post


"Love Your Local Band"

Jackie Rocks (JR) may be one of this town’s hardest-working local
bands. Having played more than 90 gigs since they first formed in
February of 2006, there’s no doubt that the six members of JR are
serious about their commitment to their music. They are also all in
middle school. Wait a minute—what? “Our biggest fanbase is
probably elementary school,� says Jackie Partida, the band’s
frontwoman, founder and vocalist, who just turned 13 last month.
Partida took to music early, finding her voice at age 3 and later,
picking up the guitar at the ripe old age of 8. “I taught myself the
guitar,� says Partida. “My dad had a few chords that he knew, so
he showed them to me and I took it from there.� A love of music
and an increasing desire to perform drove Partida to form JR at
age 12. Less than a year and a half later, Partida and her band
have played the gamut of Santa Cruz venues from intimate coffee
shops to outdoor festivals to the cavernous Catalyst. If you’re
wondering about stagefright, Partida says it’s not an issue. “I love
the whole idea of performing in front of a lot of people,� she says.
“It makes me feel free. I feel at home on stage.� With its growing
repertoire of originals, all penned by Partida, JR’s music
seamlessly folds the effervescence of pop into the badass attitude
of rock ‘n’ roll, achieving a perfect synthesis of hope and angst.
“Rock On� captures the unaffected euphoria of youth, with its
upbeat instrumentals and lyrical tour of some of Santa Cruz’s most
beloved, bohemian hangouts. “Sinking Star� kicks off with an
ominously chromatic guitar and bass line, a perfect prelude to its
heavy lyrical exploration of apathy and dissatisfaction. A source of
inspiration to so many young minds, Partida offers this advice for
her fans: “believe in yourself.� - Good Times


"Relay For Life"

Smiles and Tears Mix as Relay For Life Fights Back Against Cancer
By Linda Fridy

Part celebration, part memorial and all heart, this year's Relay For Life
Santa Cruz raised nearly $100,000 for the American Cancer Society to
provide patient services and fund cancer research.

The event centers around teams, whose members solicit donations and
take turns walking the Cabrillo College track for 24-hours to symbolize that
cancer never sleeps. This year, 42 groups participated for an estimated
400 walkers. They spent their time cheerfully pitching tents for the night,
running games, selling goodies and putting their feet to work to make a
difference.

Cabrillo College president Brian King welcomed the crowd of cancer
survivors, families and caregivers at Friday night's opening ceremony. King
is a 16-year survivor himself, and he was joined on stage by daughter and
birthday girl Celia, who was born after his successful treatment for
testicular cancer.

Nearly 200 local survivors took to the track for the opening lap, wearing
signature purple shirts. As the walking began in earnest, the rest of the
crowd enjoyed a spaghetti dinner, carnival-style games and live
entertainment, which continued the next day.

New to the event was teen Jackie Partida, who not only
recruited a team but also brought her band, Jackie Rocks,
to reenergize the crowd on the surprisingly sunny
Saturday. Other teams came from business sponsors. In
addition to the business donation, employees formed
teams and did their own fundraising.

Proceeds from Relay For Life help fund patient programs, such as Look
Good, Feel Better that provides wigs and cosmetics to women going
through chemotherapy treatment, and Workplace Solutions, a free
wellness program for businesses. Among the researchers whose work
ACS currently funds are three scientists at the University of California Santa
Cruz. - Mid County Post


Discography

CD: Jackie Rocks 2006
CD Single: Clone/Angels In Heaven 2007

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

The Jackie Rocks band consists of four kids from Santa Cruz, California who play hard rocking original songs. The band was formed in February 2006 by lead vocalist/lead guitarist Jacklyn Partida at the age of 11. Bass player De'Andre Warren joined the band in March 2006 and drummer Jeanne Baldzikowski joined the band in September 2006. Tara Sjarif joined on guitar in October 2007. Jackie is the songwriter for the band, and her songwritting style and vocals have been influenced by the likes of Sheryl Crow, A.F.I, Avril Lavigne, Heart, Linda Ronstadt, and System Of A Down. This has resulted in songs that sound familiar, yet fresh at the same time.

They are a very active, working band and are currently in the studio recording new songs to be released as a full length cd in summer 2008. The band has recently designed T-shirts that are sold on their myspace website, and will soon introduce a custom line of t-shirts for girls. Current promotional items include stickers, guitar picks, their first cd which was released in December 2006, and a new two song sampler cd. On December 10th 2008 they began an 8 week engagement performing at Margaritaville in Capitola California.

To date the band has played more than 120 shows. The performances have included several school carnivals, county fairs, night clubs, private parties, music festivals such as Rock in the Park, Kid Fest, and Hometown Holidays. They have also had four appearances on local music television shows. They performed every Monday night at the E3 Playhouse in Santa Cruz for nearly one year, and finished a three month winter stint at Margaritaville in Capitola in February 2007. They also performed at the prestigious Catalyst night club in Santa Cruz in February 2007 and there again in Your Music Magazine's Rock Wars battle of the bands. The band has recently branched out of their home town and are performing more often in the larger market city of San Jose, California.

With a strong following of elementary, middle, and high school fans, as well as adults impressed by such a young band, the demand for appearances has grown. The band is more than willing to accomodate performances for schools and charitable organizations. The band members easy going demeanor and flexibility has also made them a favorite of club owners and booking agents.

What started out as a bunch of kids saying, "Mom, Dad, can I join a band? Sure, as long as you keep up your grades!" has turned into something quite a bit more than any of the parents could have expected.