The deadbeats

Photos from the Deadbeats CD Release Party at the Republik, on Friday, Nov. 23. - Honolulu Pulse - Star Advertiser

Photos from the Deadbeats CD Release Party at the Republik, on Friday, Nov. 23. - Honolulu Pulse - Star Advertiser

Classifying the Deadbeats into one genre of music is like trying to make a nymphomaniac your girlfriend--the labels and commitment are short lived. You can't make a 'ho' a 'house wife' and you can't define the Deadbeats' sound in one word.

According to the bass player and backup vocals, Brett Robinson, even the band has a hard time naming their unique brand of hip-hop.

"That's the problem we're having right now," admits Robinson. "We can't classify ourselves in one or two genres. We usually say, 'hip-hop, funk, jazz,' but we'll nail it down to a hip-hop band."

At first listen this Honolulu-based band gives you the vibe of an Asian-offshoot of the Roots with organic hip-hop. The Black Thought of this Honolulu-based group is Harumi Ueda - the charismatic, Japanese front man of the Deadbeats. He is the emcee and lead vocalist for the band and blurs the lines between spitting and singing a rhyme.

"I primarily rap," admits Harumi of his contribution to the Deadbeats. "There are moments where I attempt singing and I leave it at that. Vocalist is probably the best way to describe me."

Harumi is a natural performer and keeps the audience constantly engaged at live shows. His raps and street-wear style help classify the Deadbeats as a hip-hop band, but that single definition doesn't do their music justice.

Their debut self-titled album features 11 original songs that transcend multiple genres. Songs like "Hand Job" and "The Getaway Song" best display the band's versatality.

The Deadbeats play weekly on Wednesday nights at Jazz Minds - a nightclub located between an adult store and strip club on Kapiolani Blvd. While the seedy location might weird out the newcomers, fans of the Deadbeats regulary pack Jazz Minds to max capacity.

"[Jazz Minds] is a comfortable spot once you get past all the naked ladies," says drummer Micah Mclaughlin of the Deadbeats weekly Wednesday gig. "Once you get inside it's all positive vibes."

Playing in a venue that has "jazz" in its name definitely corners the Deadbeats into that genre, but there are also heavy funk, R&B and neo soul influences in their sound. This probably comes from the improvisational saxophone solos from the Deadbeats' Matty Wong. He is a part-time student, model and pro surfer - equally adept with a saxophone and surfboard Wong is the prey of many "she wolves" at the Deadbeat's shows.

"I enjoy playing with the Deadbeats so much because it's expressive and the music is so dynamic," says Matty. "It's great to see people enjoying music on a different level. The Deadbeats are real music for the Hawaii scene and a breath of fresh air from just 'one drop' reggae."

Dig deeper into their music and you can find hints of some reggae and Latin music, making it even more difficult to nail down a definition of the Deadbeats. It really doesn't matter what you name their music as long as they're creating music in a unique way.

"We pretty much play all originals," says the band's keyboard player Ethan Capone. "It's a live band and we try to cover a lot of different styles. Some songs we're playing Latin stuff, then we might go to another song that's very jazzy, then we might play something funky. So I always say, "hip-hop fusion' because that's the only thing that makes sense."

Their sound will always be problematic to define because it transcends so many genres, but that is the most charming aspect of the Deadbeats - original, modern music that has yet to be categorized by a single label. - Contrast Magazine

Classifying the Deadbeats into one genre of music is like trying to make a nymphomaniac your girlfriend--the labels and commitment are short lived. You can't make a 'ho' a 'house wife' and you can't define the Deadbeats' sound in one word.

According to the bass player and backup vocals, Brett Robinson, even the band has a hard time naming their unique brand of hip-hop.

"That's the problem we're having right now," admits Robinson. "We can't classify ourselves in one or two genres. We usually say, 'hip-hop, funk, jazz,' but we'll nail it down to a hip-hop band."

At first listen this Honolulu-based band gives you the vibe of an Asian-offshoot of the Roots with organic hip-hop. The Black Thought of this Honolulu-based group is Harumi Ueda - the charismatic, Japanese front man of the Deadbeats. He is the emcee and lead vocalist for the band and blurs the lines between spitting and singing a rhyme.

"I primarily rap," admits Harumi of his contribution to the Deadbeats. "There are moments where I attempt singing and I leave it at that. Vocalist is probably the best way to describe me."

Harumi is a natural performer and keeps the audience constantly engaged at live shows. His raps and street-wear style help classify the Deadbeats as a hip-hop band, but that single definition doesn't do their music justice.

Their debut self-titled album features 11 original songs that transcend multiple genres. Songs like "Hand Job" and "The Getaway Song" best display the band's versatality.

The Deadbeats play weekly on Wednesday nights at Jazz Minds - a nightclub located between an adult store and strip club on Kapiolani Blvd. While the seedy location might weird out the newcomers, fans of the Deadbeats regulary pack Jazz Minds to max capacity.

"[Jazz Minds] is a comfortable spot once you get past all the naked ladies," says drummer Micah Mclaughlin of the Deadbeats weekly Wednesday gig. "Once you get inside it's all positive vibes."

Playing in a venue that has "jazz" in its name definitely corners the Deadbeats into that genre, but there are also heavy funk, R&B and neo soul influences in their sound. This probably comes from the improvisational saxophone solos from the Deadbeats' Matty Wong. He is a part-time student, model and pro surfer - equally adept with a saxophone and surfboard Wong is the prey of many "she wolves" at the Deadbeat's shows.

"I enjoy playing with the Deadbeats so much because it's expressive and the music is so dynamic," says Matty. "It's great to see people enjoying music on a different level. The Deadbeats are real music for the Hawaii scene and a breath of fresh air from just 'one drop' reggae."

Dig deeper into their music and you can find hints of some reggae and Latin music, making it even more difficult to nail down a definition of the Deadbeats. It really doesn't matter what you name their music as long as they're creating music in a unique way.

"We pretty much play all originals," says the band's keyboard player Ethan Capone. "It's a live band and we try to cover a lot of different styles. Some songs we're playing Latin stuff, then we might go to another song that's very jazzy, then we might play something funky. So I always say, "hip-hop fusion' because that's the only thing that makes sense."

Their sound will always be problematic to define because it transcends so many genres, but that is the most charming aspect of the Deadbeats - original, modern music that has yet to be categorized by a single label. - Contrast Magazine

Is it possible to make an entire band your boyfriend? Wait, I already know the answer to this: I’ve been dating The Deadbeats for over a year now. We’re not exclusive, duh, but it’s been an amazing journey with them. It started a long while back when I saw front-man Harumi Ueda sliding past everyone bootie-shaking and grinding on the dance floor at The Living Room very late at night on a Saturday in, like, 2005. I was squeezed in a table with a bunch of strangers, experiencing the whole chilled-Crown-with-Pineapple-back thing for the first time when a tall skinny Japanese kid with a hoodie over his head walked by our table. That was before it was cool to dress down to go out, and he totally stuck out like a sore thumb. There was so much confidence coming out of him as he lazily swayed around the dance floor, throwing in some quick moves that made it obvious he was better than anyone out there. I was instantly intrigued and couldn’t stop staring. He grabbed a microphone from the DJ booth and started free flowing. Oh, he was a MC! And, whoa, a good one at that. I could understand every word speeding out of his mouth. He was delivering speeches about politics and life and philosophy that I wouldn’t be able to write in three days, let alone say in 30 seconds. It’s like his brain is some kind of water faucet–and he can make it rhyme too? Jeez. Of course that night I was all up on him, getting his name and his number, never really trying to see it through. I was more interested in just crawling into his brain. I would see him around over the next few years, but it was just for hellos (and silent obsessing from across the room). Then Jake the Snake was promoting a show at thirtyninehotel and there’s Harumi the Hymn’s grin on the Myspace bulletin. Oh, he’s formed a band. Awesome. I was there, front row, loving the vibe. Jazz and hip-hop go together so amazingly–hello, The Roots, The Spacifics, even De La Soul. Those fundamental sounds meld at this basic, classic level where you’re nodding your head like it’s second nature. Anyway, the next time I saw The Deadbeats in its Wednesday home at Jazz Minds was mind-blowing. The band’s keyboard player looks like a surfer/college kid with an angel face that’s all laid back and smiley. Then he gets behind the keys and just destroys it, better than some legendary professional types I’ve seen. I just sat there drooling. Add equally young surfer-looking Matty Wong on the sax and a bassist who’s obviously more rock-influenced, seeming very much at home with Rage Against the Machine-sounding rapper K-Love from Know Black Box when he jumps on the stage. God, these guys rule. Since the first time I’ve seen them, they’ve headlined shows in Chinatown, stolen hearts at Pipeline (opening for Mos Def) and continued to pack the place for their regular Wednesday gig at Jazz Minds. This weekend they’ll be back at Loft opening for Blue Scholars. If you missed their show this past weekend, consider going. The Deadbeats have all the right stuff to warm up a crowd, and, I don’t care who you are, the new Blue Scholars album is something you can really move to. If you’d rather spend the $20 on drinks, see The Deadbeats any Wednesday at Jazz Minds. Everyone I’ve ever taken has walked out of there totally in love. And that’s OK–I can share.
- Social lite - Honolulu Weekly

Is it possible to make an entire band your boyfriend? Wait, I already know the answer to this: I’ve been dating The Deadbeats for over a year now. We’re not exclusive, duh, but it’s been an amazing journey with them. It started a long while back when I saw front-man Harumi Ueda sliding past everyone bootie-shaking and grinding on the dance floor at The Living Room very late at night on a Saturday in, like, 2005. I was squeezed in a table with a bunch of strangers, experiencing the whole chilled-Crown-with-Pineapple-back thing for the first time when a tall skinny Japanese kid with a hoodie over his head walked by our table. That was before it was cool to dress down to go out, and he totally stuck out like a sore thumb. There was so much confidence coming out of him as he lazily swayed around the dance floor, throwing in some quick moves that made it obvious he was better than anyone out there. I was instantly intrigued and couldn’t stop staring. He grabbed a microphone from the DJ booth and started free flowing. Oh, he was a MC! And, whoa, a good one at that. I could understand every word speeding out of his mouth. He was delivering speeches about politics and life and philosophy that I wouldn’t be able to write in three days, let alone say in 30 seconds. It’s like his brain is some kind of water faucet–and he can make it rhyme too? Jeez. Of course that night I was all up on him, getting his name and his number, never really trying to see it through. I was more interested in just crawling into his brain. I would see him around over the next few years, but it was just for hellos (and silent obsessing from across the room). Then Jake the Snake was promoting a show at thirtyninehotel and there’s Harumi the Hymn’s grin on the Myspace bulletin. Oh, he’s formed a band. Awesome. I was there, front row, loving the vibe. Jazz and hip-hop go together so amazingly–hello, The Roots, The Spacifics, even De La Soul. Those fundamental sounds meld at this basic, classic level where you’re nodding your head like it’s second nature. Anyway, the next time I saw The Deadbeats in its Wednesday home at Jazz Minds was mind-blowing. The band’s keyboard player looks like a surfer/college kid with an angel face that’s all laid back and smiley. Then he gets behind the keys and just destroys it, better than some legendary professional types I’ve seen. I just sat there drooling. Add equally young surfer-looking Matty Wong on the sax and a bassist who’s obviously more rock-influenced, seeming very much at home with Rage Against the Machine-sounding rapper K-Love from Know Black Box when he jumps on the stage. God, these guys rule. Since the first time I’ve seen them, they’ve headlined shows in Chinatown, stolen hearts at Pipeline (opening for Mos Def) and continued to pack the place for their regular Wednesday gig at Jazz Minds. This weekend they’ll be back at Loft opening for Blue Scholars. If you missed their show this past weekend, consider going. The Deadbeats have all the right stuff to warm up a crowd, and, I don’t care who you are, the new Blue Scholars album is something you can really move to. If you’d rather spend the $20 on drinks, see The Deadbeats any Wednesday at Jazz Minds. Everyone I’ve ever taken has walked out of there totally in love. And that’s OK–I can share.
- Social lite - Honolulu Weekly

It happened about 10 years ago, when radio station KIKI-FM still presented Brown Bags to Stardom as a statewide high school talent contest. One of the young bands made such a good impression that a journalist covering the contest gave them his business card and said, If you ever record something, let me know.
Fast-forward to the present, and the duo has evolved into a quintet named the Deadbeats. The band built a name for themselves via the local club scene and will celebrate the release of their self-titled debut album this weekend.
With the help of several tech-savvy intermediaries, we reconnected with one-half of the promising duo, the artist now known as Billy Seshman, to learn more about the Deadbeats and their music.
Click here to read the rest of this story. - HiLife: Star Bulletin

It happened about 10 years ago, when radio station KIKI-FM still presented Brown Bags to Stardom as a statewide high school talent contest. One of the young bands made such a good impression that a journalist covering the contest gave them his business card and said, If you ever record something, let me know.
Fast-forward to the present, and the duo has evolved into a quintet named the Deadbeats. The band built a name for themselves via the local club scene and will celebrate the release of their self-titled debut album this weekend.
With the help of several tech-savvy intermediaries, we reconnected with one-half of the promising duo, the artist now known as Billy Seshman, to learn more about the Deadbeats and their music.
Click here to read the rest of this story. - HiLife: Star Bulletin

The Deadbeats are the 2011 Hawaii state champions in the Hard Rock Cafe’s “Hard Rock Calling” battle of the bands competition.
After being forced to postpone due to the recent tsunami, the band fronted by MC Harumi the Hymn returned to Waikiki to face off against Any Given Chance in the finals on Thursday. With 30 minutes to impress a panel of judges that included Star 101.9's Deejay Maleko and Oahu Concierge Magazine publisher Pam Davis, they got the Hard Rock Cafe crowd jumping with originals like “Neva Know,” “China Boppin” and “The Getaway” (see video below).
As part of the contest rules, the Deadbeats were also required to perform a Bon Jovi cover — and did a serviceable job with “Runaway.” But their strength was obviously their original material, much like 2010 winners Friends of Adam.
The Deadbeats now advance to one of four regional semifinals, with judges determining the finalists who will compete online for one of four slots at “Hard Rock Calling” in June at London’s Hyde Park. Of the four winning bands, the one with the most votes received on the Hard Rock website will get to open on the main stage; the other three bands will perform on the festival’s second stage.
——— - Honolulu Pulse - Star Advertiser

The Deadbeats are the 2011 Hawaii state champions in the Hard Rock Cafe’s “Hard Rock Calling” battle of the bands competition.
After being forced to postpone due to the recent tsunami, the band fronted by MC Harumi the Hymn returned to Waikiki to face off against Any Given Chance in the finals on Thursday. With 30 minutes to impress a panel of judges that included Star 101.9's Deejay Maleko and Oahu Concierge Magazine publisher Pam Davis, they got the Hard Rock Cafe crowd jumping with originals like “Neva Know,” “China Boppin” and “The Getaway” (see video below).
As part of the contest rules, the Deadbeats were also required to perform a Bon Jovi cover — and did a serviceable job with “Runaway.” But their strength was obviously their original material, much like 2010 winners Friends of Adam.
The Deadbeats now advance to one of four regional semifinals, with judges determining the finalists who will compete online for one of four slots at “Hard Rock Calling” in June at London’s Hyde Park. Of the four winning bands, the one with the most votes received on the Hard Rock website will get to open on the main stage; the other three bands will perform on the festival’s second stage.
——— - Honolulu Pulse - Star Advertiser

“I like this band,” Nikki Tully, who was on a vacation on O?ahu as a present from her parents for graduating from the University of South Florida with a degree in advertising, said as she listened to the deadbeats perform at Lulu’s Restaurant and Bar in Waikiki.

On Friday, May 17, Tully, her two childhood friends, and an eclectic mix of approximately 70 tourists and locals alike watched the deadbeats perform during dinner. Lulu’s was lit by surf videos playing on the flat screen televisions surrounding the bar and gently flickering candles on the tables. By the energy driven by the music, you’d expect the place to be lit by a fire.

“We love to play music for people, we love to make people dance, and we love being stupid—and trust me we are really stupid,” Brett Robinson, Bassist, vocalist, and manager for the deadbeats said in an email interview. “We don't take ourselves too seriously and our shows reflect that.”

Not many at Lulu’s expected what the deadbeats had in store. It is rare that MCs are backed by bands, especially good ones, so the crowd was taken off guard by the deadbeat’s musical mix of jazz, funk, hip-hop and rock. The music was strange, yet it made sense and, most of all, it was fun.

Around midnight, the energy was ecstatic. The crowd grooved and the band progressively became more energetic. Harumi, the band’s front man, had a comical wit and liveliness that was infectious, and he danced himself till he was soaked in sweat—and those that danced followed suit.

The deadbeats, established around July 2007, have been playing amongst the B-boys, jugglers, poets, belly dancers, and signers at their home venue, Jazz Minds, for over the past two years, according to Robinson. Jazz Minds has been the deadbeat’s vehicle to fulfill their vision, “We really encourage free expression, whether it's in the form of poetry, freestyling, breakdancing, photography, graffiti, or any artistic outlet,” Robinson said.

The band pulled their musical styling’s from various genres. “Good Hip Hop, Jazz, Funk, Rock, R&B, and soul music inspire us,” Robinson said.

The band’s members include: Harumi the Hymn-MC, vocalist, professional dancer; Brett Robinson a.k.a. Billy Seshman-bass, vocals-the businessman; Micah McLaughlin-drums-comedian/mood lightener; Ethan Capone-Keys-local soundman/giggler; and Matty Wong-Sax-promoter, go getter, according to Robinson.

On May 21, the deadbeats opened for Mos Def. At the time that this article was written the deadbeats were stoked and preparing for the opportunity. “We all grew up listening to Mighty Mos, and Blackstar, it is definitely a big step for us,” Robinson said.

Opening for Mos Def was a step on in the right direction for the deadbeats. “Musically we want to continue to develop our sound and come up with some really unique stuff,” Robinson said. “The main goal is to get our music out to as many people as possible.”

Over the past couple of years of playing at Jazz Minds, the deadbeats have acquired a core following. “The deadbeats are pretty good, brah,” Gaura Sherreitt, 26, fan of the band said. “They really put in their work. I figure they are going places, brah.”

However, it wasn’t music that won Sherreitt’s respect for the band. “They are all upstanding guys which is important to me.” Sherreitt said. “You can just grab a microphone and get down with them. Brahdah Bret will take you to Hale after the show and party.”

Others like the deadbeats because they are a fun band. “They are good to dance to,” Delys Recca, 23, said. “You gotta listen to them. They don’t sound like anybody else.”
- The 808 Scene Zene

“I like this band,” Nikki Tully, who was on a vacation on O?ahu as a present from her parents for graduating from the University of South Florida with a degree in advertising, said as she listened to the deadbeats perform at Lulu’s Restaurant and Bar in Waikiki.

On Friday, May 17, Tully, her two childhood friends, and an eclectic mix of approximately 70 tourists and locals alike watched the deadbeats perform during dinner. Lulu’s was lit by surf videos playing on the flat screen televisions surrounding the bar and gently flickering candles on the tables. By the energy driven by the music, you’d expect the place to be lit by a fire.

“We love to play music for people, we love to make people dance, and we love being stupid—and trust me we are really stupid,” Brett Robinson, Bassist, vocalist, and manager for the deadbeats said in an email interview. “We don't take ourselves too seriously and our shows reflect that.”

Not many at Lulu’s expected what the deadbeats had in store. It is rare that MCs are backed by bands, especially good ones, so the crowd was taken off guard by the deadbeat’s musical mix of jazz, funk, hip-hop and rock. The music was strange, yet it made sense and, most of all, it was fun.

Around midnight, the energy was ecstatic. The crowd grooved and the band progressively became more energetic. Harumi, the band’s front man, had a comical wit and liveliness that was infectious, and he danced himself till he was soaked in sweat—and those that danced followed suit.

The deadbeats, established around July 2007, have been playing amongst the B-boys, jugglers, poets, belly dancers, and signers at their home venue, Jazz Minds, for over the past two years, according to Robinson. Jazz Minds has been the deadbeat’s vehicle to fulfill their vision, “We really encourage free expression, whether it's in the form of poetry, freestyling, breakdancing, photography, graffiti, or any artistic outlet,” Robinson said.

The band pulled their musical styling’s from various genres. “Good Hip Hop, Jazz, Funk, Rock, R&B, and soul music inspire us,” Robinson said.

The band’s members include: Harumi the Hymn-MC, vocalist, professional dancer; Brett Robinson a.k.a. Billy Seshman-bass, vocals-the businessman; Micah McLaughlin-drums-comedian/mood lightener; Ethan Capone-Keys-local soundman/giggler; and Matty Wong-Sax-promoter, go getter, according to Robinson.

On May 21, the deadbeats opened for Mos Def. At the time that this article was written the deadbeats were stoked and preparing for the opportunity. “We all grew up listening to Mighty Mos, and Blackstar, it is definitely a big step for us,” Robinson said.

Opening for Mos Def was a step on in the right direction for the deadbeats. “Musically we want to continue to develop our sound and come up with some really unique stuff,” Robinson said. “The main goal is to get our music out to as many people as possible.”

Over the past couple of years of playing at Jazz Minds, the deadbeats have acquired a core following. “The deadbeats are pretty good, brah,” Gaura Sherreitt, 26, fan of the band said. “They really put in their work. I figure they are going places, brah.”

However, it wasn’t music that won Sherreitt’s respect for the band. “They are all upstanding guys which is important to me.” Sherreitt said. “You can just grab a microphone and get down with them. Brahdah Bret will take you to Hale after the show and party.”

Others like the deadbeats because they are a fun band. “They are good to dance to,” Delys Recca, 23, said. “You gotta listen to them. They don’t sound like anybody else.”
- The 808 Scene Zene

The life of a musician is not an easy one. The Deadbeats, one of Hawaii’s most popular bands, explains just what kind of sacrifice is involved to make it to the top of the heap – and what it takes to stay there in this issue of the Herald, in stores now. - The Hawaii Herald

The life of a musician is not an easy one. The Deadbeats, one of Hawaii’s most popular bands, explains just what kind of sacrifice is involved to make it to the top of the heap – and what it takes to stay there in this issue of the Herald, in stores now. - The Hawaii Herald

The Deadbeats have advanced in the Hard Rock Cafe’s national battle of the bands and are now one step closer to performing at a huge music festival in the U.K. later this year.

The Deadbeats perform during the Hawaii finals of the Hard Rock Cafe's battle of the bands. (Star-Advertiser photo by Jason Genegabus)
The local rockers are one of 40 acts from around the country vying for one of four opening slots at “Hard Rock Calling 2011,” a multi-day festival at Hyde Park in London, England that will attract thousands of fans and some of rock’s biggest names, including Bon Jovi, Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks.
“We were just stoked to win it for our region … (and) that was my main goal from this whole experience,” said the Deadbeats’ Brett Robinson earlier this month when the news was first announced. “I just wanted to play the Hard Rock Waikiki.That place is pretty awesome. And then we won, so I’m pretty stoked.”
Following regional battles at 68 different cities in 24 countries, a panel of judges that included musicians Steven Van Zandt and Pete Wentz, Live Nation vice president Toby Leighton-Pope, Hard Rock chief marketing officer John Galloway and radio exec Clare Baker chose the 40 finalists. Voting took place earlier this month online, and the final four finalists will be announced on Thursday; if the Deadbeats make it that far, they will need your help getting the votes necessary to serve as the opening act on the “Hard Rock Calling” main stage.
“I don’t want to get my hopes up, but it will be great if people who don’t even know us want to send a band from Hawaii to London,” Robinson said. “I think the worst thing would be to get our hopes up and then it doesn’t happen.” - Honolulu Pulse - Star Advertiser

The Deadbeats have advanced in the Hard Rock Cafe’s national battle of the bands and are now one step closer to performing at a huge music festival in the U.K. later this year.

The Deadbeats perform during the Hawaii finals of the Hard Rock Cafe's battle of the bands. (Star-Advertiser photo by Jason Genegabus)
The local rockers are one of 40 acts from around the country vying for one of four opening slots at “Hard Rock Calling 2011,” a multi-day festival at Hyde Park in London, England that will attract thousands of fans and some of rock’s biggest names, including Bon Jovi, Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks.
“We were just stoked to win it for our region … (and) that was my main goal from this whole experience,” said the Deadbeats’ Brett Robinson earlier this month when the news was first announced. “I just wanted to play the Hard Rock Waikiki.That place is pretty awesome. And then we won, so I’m pretty stoked.”
Following regional battles at 68 different cities in 24 countries, a panel of judges that included musicians Steven Van Zandt and Pete Wentz, Live Nation vice president Toby Leighton-Pope, Hard Rock chief marketing officer John Galloway and radio exec Clare Baker chose the 40 finalists. Voting took place earlier this month online, and the final four finalists will be announced on Thursday; if the Deadbeats make it that far, they will need your help getting the votes necessary to serve as the opening act on the “Hard Rock Calling” main stage.
“I don’t want to get my hopes up, but it will be great if people who don’t even know us want to send a band from Hawaii to London,” Robinson said. “I think the worst thing would be to get our hopes up and then it doesn’t happen.” - Honolulu Pulse - Star Advertiser

The Deadbeats are a funky, jazzy hip-hop band that currently reside in Honolulu Hawaii. The Deadbeats have been voted "the best up-and-coming local group" by The Honolulu Weekly. The Honolulu Bulletin said " There's attitude, there's irony and there's imaginative vocabulary" "worth hearing" and "The deadbeats' album positions them as potential winners in at least two categories at the 2010 Hoku Awards." the Deadbeats have opened for The Elevaters, Eric Hutchinson, Mos Def and soon to open for Blue Scholars. When it's all said and boiled down, The Deadbeats are here to entertain... Because life should be spent smiling. - myxer.com

The Deadbeats are a funky, jazzy hip-hop band that currently reside in Honolulu Hawaii. The Deadbeats have been voted "the best up-and-coming local group" by The Honolulu Weekly. The Honolulu Bulletin said " There's attitude, there's irony and there's imaginative vocabulary" "worth hearing" and "The deadbeats' album positions them as potential winners in at least two categories at the 2010 Hoku Awards." the Deadbeats have opened for The Elevaters, Eric Hutchinson, Mos Def and soon to open for Blue Scholars. When it's all said and boiled down, The Deadbeats are here to entertain... Because life should be spent smiling. - myxer.com

With their funky beats and bizarre dance moves, this hip-hop/funk/jazz band has become a staple of Honolulu's music scene. - Metromix Magazine

With their funky beats and bizarre dance moves, this hip-hop/funk/jazz band has become a staple of Honolulu's music scene. - Metromix Magazine