DEVASTATING KARATE

Devastating Karate has been helping bars establish new sales records for over 6 years. The group is currently performing in support of their fifth release, Pajarito Plateau. DK debuted the new material at the 2011 Sheideck Summer Music Fest, announcing the addition of Chris Cohick on lead guitar. The six-song EP shares modern folk stories from the shores of Venice Beach, to the high desert of rural New Mexico, back to the shackles of Tucson's Pima County Courthouse. Recording was completed in two, extensive weekend-long sessions. Production for tracks 3, 5 and 6 was done at Mikael Karlsson's studio in downtown Los Angeles. Kevin Harp recorded tracks 1, 2 and 4 at bassist Pasarell's Marina del Rey apartment. Details for Kevin's setup can be found here: (http://record.apogeedigital.com/2011/02/recording-a-live-band-right-when-space-is-tight/). Pajarito Plateau already receives airplay in many North American markets including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, San Antonio, Tucson, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Calgary AB.
Influenced by groups ranging from Wilco and Kings of Leon, to Devo, Ween and The Pixies, Devastating Karate's "power, energy and sense of humor equip them with a timeless quality that will probably transcend trends and fads" (Terrance Lam, GM, Downtown Records). Compared to the Supersuckers, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and classified as "Desert Americana Boogie" by Duncan Hudson (Music Director, KXCI, Tucson), DK is "A tongue-in-cheek, honky-tonk tinged [former] power trio that hoists a brew to everything from Hank Williams' earthy country to hormonal '80s hair metal, this bunch is almost as fun as that one Fourth of July where Uncle Kenny passed out on the neighbors' lawn" (Jason Bracelin, Las Vegas Review-Journal).
Singer/guitarist Rat Ratliff and drummer Zach Lewis formed the band in the summer of 2005 and they released a self-titled album in late-2005, followed by a Southwest tour in the spring of 2006. Charles Pasarell joined the group on bass for their sophomore effort, Santa Monica Lawn Bowling Park (EP, 2007), which was supported by two West Coast tours and regular performances in the Los Angeles area. After the 2008 release of The Gallery (LP), DK produced their first music video and hit the road for multiple tours and festivals throughout the Southwest. The band received an Independent Music Award nomination for the concept album The Awesome Depression (LP, 2009). CDs and downloads are available at CDBaby.com, iTunes and various online outlets.