An old Morningwood photo.

Morningwood featuring East L.A. Taiko on
Jimmy Kimmel Tonight!!

When: Tuesday, October 27, 2009
What Time: Midnight
Where Channel 7 – ABC

East LA Taiko founding members, Fredo Ortiz and Maceo Hernandez, are featured on the new song “Best of Me” from Morningwood’s new album Diamonds and Studs. The song is currently being played as a theme song on a VH1 reality show. They will be performing it tonight. The new album is also being released today.

Hernandez has played the Japanese drums known as taiko since his teens. He toured overseas and lived in Japan with the group Zendeko. He also plays with the club rockin’ CAVA. Ortiz has worked with a variety of artists including Tenacious D, The Offspring, Money Mark and he was also the drummer for Morningwood. Currently he is preparing to tour with the Beastie Boys in January. You might have seen him on previous Beastie tours. Together, these local musical heros founded East LA Taiko and performed their unique blend of music for President Bill Clinton at the Presedential Gala in 1996.

L to R: Maceo and Fredo. Taiko drums in the back.

Tune in tonight!! Channe 7, ABC at midnight!

If you’re interested in attending this event go to:
http://www.1iota.com/events,4396,Jimmy-Kimmel-Live-MORNINGWOOD-mini-indoor-concert.html

Here is some more info on Morningwood and an event description that I took from the the 1iota website :

Morningwood Event Description:
Their debut album, Morningwood, was produced by Gil Norton, known for his work with Pixies, the Foo Fighters, and Echo & the Bunnymen. Singles from the album include “Nth Degree”, “Jetsetter” and “New York Girls.” They toured with Mindless Self Indulgence, Head Automatica, Gang of Four, Kasabian, and The Sounds on various legs of their US tour in 2006.

Fredo during a previous visit to the Kimmel Show flanked by Guillermo (L) and Uncle Frank (R)

Their song “Nth Degree” has been used in several Mercury vehicle commercials, featuring actress Jill Wagner. Another of their songs, “Nü Rock,” was used in the video games Burnout Revenge, SSX On Tour, Thrillville. A demo version of a Morningwood song called “Warrior” was used in a Payless shoes TV spot. Morningwood received national exposure in the United States as a finalist in December 2005 Yahoo.com’s Who’s Next. They appeared three times on The Late Show with David Letterman, twice on Last Call with Carson Daly, once on The Tonight Show, once on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and twice on CD USA. They played live at the MTV Studios at midnight for the Human Giant 24 hour marathon. In 2008, the song “New York Girls” was used in the popular Sex and the City movie.

Morningwood’s lead singer Chantal Claret is famous for commanding audience members to take off their clothes, typically when the song “Take Off Your Clothes” is performed. A brave spectator will often climb atop the stage and strip.

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Rafael Cardenas can be reached at eastsiderwriter@gmail.com