Raskin

RASKIN began in the fall of 2002 in Matamoros, Mexico (across the border from Brownsville, Texas the southmost city in the state), the purpose back then was to make a tribute song with a comedic theme for a friend that the guys in the band consider a character. The ideas flowed so well, that they continued to share thoughts, songs, insights and experiences. With a lot of words but no music, in late spring / early summer of 2003, they started to mix their ideas with music created with only a sequencer and a guitar, this has defined their sound, which the band calls: "Electronic music made to rock".

In 2004 they reached the TOP 10 in the Overall and Electronica Categories at Broadjam.com, this coincided with a Battle of Bands organized by a start -up local label, MATAPOP Records, they easily got a slot on the label's compilation album and recording deal for MATAPOP Vol.1, soon thereafter work went well in the studio for the compilation and a one LP deal was reached with MATAPOP Records.

Promotional gigs to generate buzz for MATAPOP Vol.1 followed in the last half of 2004, covering northeast Mexico and southmost Texas.

Finally in Feb / Mar 2005, they went into the studio in Monterrey, Mexico, in world-class "El Cielo" Recording Studios. (Famous Quotes from the sessions: "This is some Britney Spears type of luxury shit" & "I/m NOT Rick James, Bitch"). The recording took a little longer than expected, due to the comforting and spacious facilities & spa-like bathroom in "El Cielo" (you can see for yourself in www.elcielorec.com, we miss the massage chair the most).

In the middle of spring '05, Matapop Vol. 1 was released, and promotional shows where held once again in northeast Mexico and southmost Texas. To expand the reach of the band, we signed on for an account on Sonicbids.com to test the appeal of the music to a larger crowd. As a result of this endeavor, we got a spot in NXNE 2005 in Toronto, Canada. Raskin crossed the USA north border into new horizons and played a showcase in Club Oasis on Friday, June 10th. 2005, during the show at NXNE 2005, the response was so overwhelming by the crowd and due to the immigration problem of a fellow band showcasing in the same venue, Raskin got to play another showcase in the most coveted 12:00 a.m. spot.

The NXNE 2005 show, was a wonder experience (famous lines from trip: "Raskin is LA BAMBA!!!", "Descansa!!!", we can explain that one later...), and it also proved to be a great upboost for the band booking shows, a mini-tour covering Houston, Dallas, McAllen in the USA and Monterrey, Victoria, Saltillo in Mexico was done.

The Band's Myspace has also benefited from the jumpstart, their music has reached 20,000 plays in only 6 months, most of all by word of click referral. Myspace.com has also allowed the band to come in contact with the Coachella festival for a possible slot in the 2006 version of the event, Raskin was featured in the Coachella Profile as a TOP 8, in most of the month of October '05.

Due to all the overwhelming response by the public and touring, post-Production and design work is still underway for the self-produced first LP from Raskin, which is hitting stores in early '06. Be ready to dance and groove with Electronic Music made to rock in a town near you.