Juke Kartel is a rock band based in Melbourne, Australia. The band formed in Melbourne, Australia in the early 2000s, and since October 2007 their line-up has consisted of vocalist Toby Rand, guitarist and piano 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. On April 3 2009, Juke Kartel released their debut album Nowhere Left to Hide.

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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. Frontman Toby Rand said in an interview that many pranks were played throughout the tour, including Tommy Lee and co. taking the drums from Juke Kartel mid-solo one-by-one, leaving the drummer with only a snare and a hi-hat. He says they got Tommy back by covering his skins with talcum powder, leaving him in a white mist.

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. ^[1]

On 30 November 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 23 November 2007, to open a show at the Palais Theatre in Melbourne, for Australian Idol season one runner up Shannon Noll. ^[2] 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. ^[3]

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 1 February 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. ^[4]

They have done a number of shows supporting the upcoming release of "Nowhere Left To Hide" including an Australian tour supporting the hard-rock/post-grunge band Seether which was a sellout in most cities. They also played at the Formula 1 Grande Prix in front of over 25, 000 people which also billed The Who.

The title for their debut studio album was confirmed on their website to be, Nowhere Left to Hide . It was originally set to be released on 14 March 2009, ^[5] but after being postponed numerous times the album was released on 3 April 2009. The first single from their debut album, "Save Me", was released on 4 October 2008, with a music video shot in New York City. The video received airplay from Rage and Video Hits. After the success of "Save Me", Juke Kartel released two more singles, "December" was the second and it received quite a bit of airplay, the third single, "If Only" was released and has received some airplay, including a live performance of it on the WB Kids show on Channel 9.

Juke Kartel have toured the album successfully all over Australia, from Melbourne, to Sydney, to Brisbane and the Gold Coast and even Perth. They played a huge fire benefit concert in Traralgon that also featured Lee Kernaghen, Bodyjar, Adam Brand and Evermore. Juke Kartel have announced via a myspace blog that after the "Nowhere Left To Hide Tour" that they are permanently moving to California, USA to further their career.

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 ^[6] and The Today Show on the Nine Network. ^[7] Toby also made a cameo appearance on Channel 9's show, 20 to 1.

On 2 November 2007, Rand appeared as a co-host on Channel V program, whatUwant. ^[8]

On March 24 2009, Juke Kartel appeared on Canadian TV - The Electric Playground.

On 10th May 2009, Juke Kartel appeared on the Warner Brothers kids show, performing their single 'If Only'.

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. When asked in an interview, Toby Rand said that if the band could play with any other band, past or present, they would love to play with AC/DC, Pink Floyd, Incubus, INXS and Guns 'N' Roses.

Band members

• Toby Rand - Vocals
• Tommy Kende - Bass/Backing Vocals
• Todd Burman - Guitar/piano
• 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. ^[9]

Discography

Date of Release	Title	Label
2003	Tarko EP	Unsigned
2006	Juke Kartel EP	Unsigned
2007	Throw It Away (single)	iTunes Release
2008	Save Me (single)	Emporium Music
2008	December (single)	Emporium Music
2009	Nowhere Left to Hide	Emporium Music

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.
• Juke Kartel's music has featured in many different formats, such as a telstra commercial and a videogame
• Tommy Kende used to work as an Account Executive at SEEK.com before making it as a rock superstar.

References

1. MySpace Video Posted 30 April 2007, Retrieved 9 December 2007
2. Palais Theatre Promotional Poster Retrieved: 9 December 2007
3. http://www.jukekartel.com/ Refer to News on Home page, Retrieved: 9 December 2007
4. Emporium Music Signs Juke Kartel to Worldwide Deal
5. http://www.jukekartel.com/ Refer to banner on Home page
6. 9am with David & Kim Posted: 22 February 2007, Retrieved: 9 December 2007
7. MySpace Video Posted 16 October 2007, Retrieved: 9 December 2007
8. http://www.jukekartel.com/ Refer to News on Home page, Posted: 31 October 2007, Retrieved: 9 Decembe
9. http://www.jukekartel.com/ Refer to News on Home page, Posted: 11 October 2007, Retrieved: 9 Decembe