June 24 Wassabi Collective CD Release w/Chameleon Project & Rollin' Cash

[Jay Funk Dawg]

Friday, June 24, 2005

BC's Wassabi Collective CD Release Party

www.wassabi.net

w/Chameleon Project & Rollin' Cash

www.chameleonproject.com

www.djrollincash.com

El Mocambo (downstairs)

464 Spadina (@College)

www.elmocambo.ca

WASSABI COLLECTIVE RELEASES "CATO"

After months of rehearsals and arranging sessions, The Wassabi Collective proundly unveils its' first studio EP., "CATO" in March 2005. Recorded in Kelowna over five busy days, the album documents the band at the beginning of a new era. The five songs take The Wassabi' Collective's creativity to a new level, and are divided by interlude edits for a consistent listening experience.

Originally forming as a loose arts collective in the winter of 2000, jam sessions in a Penticton basement would sow the seeds for what has become one of Canada's best live independent bands today. Over the course of four years, Wassabi Collective has enthralled audiences from coast to coast with a rotating cast of members and a positive message of environmental and social activism.

The latest incarnation of the band is its most potent yet. Longtime members Scott Milne (bass) and Melissa Meretsky (vocals and percussion) welcomed Brent "Gisto" Hongisto (vocals and guitar) to the fold in 2003. In the spring of 2004 the band relocated to Nelson B.C., where they found Jimmy Lewis (vocals and drums). Wassabi's newest member is old friend and dj Rahj "Mahal" Levinson, on keys and guitar.

The new line up remains committed to building on a strong foundation of over 400 live shows played and strong sales of their first and second albums "The Masquerade Sessions" and "Blue". With a series of live shows for sale on their last Ontario tour, sales have been in excess of 6500 units. Within four national tours and numerous regional outings, Wassabi has appeared at the Victoria Folk Fest, Penticton Peach Fest, and Koots Roots Festival in the Kooteneys. In 2003 they recieved wide acclaim for their sets at the North Country Fair in Alberta, Come Together Festival in Ontario, and Evolve 4 Music and Awareness Festival in Nova Scotia. In addition to appearences on Breakfast Television, Global, and a half-hour feature "Inside Pandora's Box" (Chum Television), Wassabi headlined a nationally broadcast New Year's Eve show with Randy Bachman and Hot Hot Heat on the New VI Network.

The winter of 2005 was their sixth national tour, which futher elevated Wassabi's national reputation. Performing alongside Michael Franti and Spearhead, Doc Martin, Simply Jeff, Eccodek, The Electrician, The Phat Conductor Wassabi headlined key underground festivals across Canada including: Om Festival, The Come Together Festival, EVOLVE Festival, and Shambhala Music Festival, which furthered solidified the group as unique Canadian Underground Phenomenon.

Edited June 1, 2005 by Guest