Artist description Synthesizer and Rhythm Driven Alternative with Melodic Structures.

Music Style Electronic Alternative

Musical Influences Depeche Mode, New Order, Recoil, The Cure, Meat Beat Manifesto, Electronic, Massive Attack, Portishead

Similar Artists Depeche Mode, New Order, ROOM 1202

Artist History ROOM 1202 is a concept that dates back to 1995 when Omar and John were in a band called PRIMARY. Primary was a three-piece band that also included drummer Nick Whittaker. Together since 1989, they performed stark, moody music, mainly written by John, that blended driving bass lines with layers of lush keyboards. The band made two demo recordings and achieved moderate local success. Primary broke up in December 1995, and the three members went their separate ways. John made a pilgrimage to Wyoming, while Omar began conceiving his own musical ideas. Over the next two years, Omar composed several songs, some of which found their way onto a tape. John returned to California and listened to some of Omar's ideas. After several months and much discussion as to what Omar would do with these songs, it was decided in December 1997 that he and John would resume their musical partnership under the name ROOM 1202, which was the name Omar had given to his project. The first songs were Omar's electronic synthesized keyboards, to which John added bass guitar on some, and guitar on others. In January 1998, John composed his first song for the project, which was to be included on a four-track demo that Omar had already been working on. By February, the project was completed and compact discs were produced. On Feb. 6, 1998, ROOM 1202 made its live debut opening for a local band called Juno Scenario at Boyce's Billiards in Hesperia, Calif. In just two months, the ROOM 1202 had enough material to perform for 45 minutes. From there, the repertoire of the band grew along with its reputation. Playing local pool halls, garage parties and other nearby clubs, the band started to gain a respectable following. The initial run of 500 CDs sold out quickly, and by the end of 1998, ROOM 1202 had performed over 70 live shows. Along the way, they decided to experiment with a live drummer. Aaron Messmer, the drummer for Juno Scenario, played drums during ROOM 1202s live shows between September and December. But his departure to the military resulted in another personnel shift for the band. Enter Tony Trujillo. Tony has been more or less a roadie for the band, always available to lend a hand when needed. His keyboard experience and drive to be in a successful project landed him a spot in the band as live keyboardist. 1999 and 2000 saw the band add another dozen or so songs to its repertoire, which was enough to enter the studio and concentrate on making a full-length album. With the September 2000 release of Afterimage, ROOM 1202 continued to solidify its place within the local music scene. With its combination of dark electronic textures and melodic guitar work, Afterimage became a huge local success, quickly selling out initial pressings and receiving airplay on local radio stations. However, due to personal obligations involving individual band members, promotional interviews and shows were not scheduled and ROOM 1202 was not able to fully capitalize on their seeming imminent success. Early 2001 was quite an inactive period for the band as a whole, with Omar continuing to compose music and John writing songs for his own solo project. Omar began an online campaign promoting ROOM 1202 on various MP3 sites in an attempt to bring the music to a much larger audience. By late summer, ROOM 1202 had become one of the most downloaded bands in the Victor Valley Area. Reinvigorated by this, plans were made for new shows and on October 19, 2001, the band reunited performing a show celebrating Omar and John's 10th anniversary in music. Even after a year out of the collective local consciousness, the show was attended by almost 100 close friends and fans that had not forgotten. In mid 2001 Omar also began corresponding with 80's electronic music icons RED FLAG, who helped ROOM 1202 land a spot opening for them at the world famous Troubadour in Hollywood. This show on December 29, the first in Los Angeles played before an audience that did not know them at all, was an enormous success. Promotional copies of Afterimage were snatched up in seconds and the band received an excellent ovation. It was an outstanding way to close out the year. As 2002 begins, ROOM 1202 has big plans to bring the music to the people. Afterimage, which is sold on the website of the band and given out at shows, continues to be popular. Included among the plans of the band are recordings for a new album, a recording for a movie soundtrack and its first music video. ROOM 1202 has proven that it is a band to watch, if for any reason because you never know where they will pop up next. Not the end...

Group Members Omar Quinones- keyboards, programming, vocals. John Beare- guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals. Anthony Trujillo- keyboards, sound design.

Albums Afterimage, P.M.P. Records 2001 Compilation, Outtakes and Oddities, Outtakes and Oddities Vol.2, Two Different Things (Single), Sail Any Ocean (Single), Who Are The Skulls? (Remix Album for RED FLAG) Available Now @ Tower Records Nationwide and other fine record stores, Trinity (In association with Darkcell Digital Music, Hidden Sanctuary, and Starvox...Available @ www.darkcelldigitalmusic.net and fine record stores across Europe...Available Now, Afterimage (UK Release)...Available Now @ www.darkcelldigitalmusic.net/room1202, .exit music for the lost and found., Make Up Your Mind (Single), inside out --- 2 disk special edition (DEC 2003)

Press Reviews The songs, the chords, the guitars and the basslines melt together into a very enjoyable and melancholic album. The hoarse vocalist seems to be at the bottom of his range now and then and looses some power, but he knows what he's doing and carries the melodies nicely. The boys from ROOM 1202, in the Hotel of Dusk, has made an album that just gets better everytime you listen to it. -Mean Street Magazine. ~~~~~~~~~~ The result of cross-pollination among Goth sounds of the 1980's, ROOM 1202 mixes a harsher version of The Cure's guitar atmospheres with the dark Synth Pop of Depeche Mode. -Listen.com ~~~~~~~~~~ What do you get when you combine the sounds of Depeche Mode and The Cure? The answer can be found in ROOM 1202, a veteran band that is redefining a new genre of music. Omar Quinones, on vocals, bass, and keyboard accompanied by John Beare (guitar, bass and vocals) and Tony Trujillo (live keyboards), have shown they what it takes to make it big in the music industry. Having played over 70 shows, from Orange County to the High Desert. ROOM 1202 is looking forward to adding their performance on the 29th of December at the Troubadour in Hollywood to their repertoire. ROOM 1202's ambient sound combined with a melodic rhythm was enough to get this journalist to nod his head in cadence. Oddly enough this band lacked one key feature that I've noticed in a lot of accomplished musicians, an ego. As charismatic off stage as their sometimes funny antics on stage portrays, when you attend a show of ROOM 1202, you are suddenly transformed from an audience member to a friend at an informal jam session. ROOM 1202 isn't afraid of opening their doors and allowing their "friends" to see a little of themselves, and doesn't mind having a little fun in the process. As Omar Quinones puts it, "If it isn't any fun, why do it?" -The Natural ~~~~~~~.exit music for the lost and found. is the most brilliant album from ROOM 1202 I have ever heard. ~~~~~~~~OC Weekly~~~~~~~~ ROOM 1202 creates a fine mix of Darkwave and Synthpop electronica. The 12 song CD "Afterimage" contains driving beats with solid bass lines, clear, focused vocals and enough synthlines to make Gary Numan blush.~~~~~~~~Ampcast.com

Additional Info info@room1202.com

Location Victorville, CA - USA

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