First and foremost we of 82FIFTY are very flattered and entertained by these "craigslist" posts that were left about us entering the Mai Tai Rumble...
We are flattered that people think we are some top notch, pro band, with tons of money that we use to promote our band... We are flattered that people actually took the time to write about us... We are flattered that people actually think we're a signed band with a huge following... We are flattered that you think we are up there with Hawaii's top recording artist, such as OOKLAH, AND FIJI... Wow, we never knew this about ourselves... THANKS!!!
Sure we've actually been nominated for a Hoku Award, which we did not win by the way (it went to some dude who doesn't not even play rock music, no offense). Sure we have A CD out for more than a year, that we did INDEPENDENTLY, went INTO DEBT for because we took out our own loan to pay for it, and only now we're getting recognized. Sure we have dope flyers and photos, that our friend Sheena Marie does for us... she says thanks by the way for thinking that we spent a ton of money to make them... we actually didn't spend any money... AT ALL.
If there is anyone who knows how you people feel about Battle of The Bands, it would be us. We've been through so many battle of the bands under our former name, Speedlimit, against so many bands with multiple CD's out... and we've never cried about it. We didn't want to enter this Mai Tai Rumble because of our beliefs about Battle of the Bands, it wasn't even on our agenda... BUT because we were asked to enter the contest under the "open mic" division we said "what the fuck, lets do it" why not take up this opportunity to have our music heard. And now because we've entered and actually won just the 1st round people think we're greedy, selfish, jackasses, etc.
We have been through so much bullshit as a band, we have worked so hard to get to where we are and we still don't believe we're "up there", we've paid our dues... and we're still paying them, not to mention we're still broke as fuck! Its not about winning, its not about the money. All we really want to do is play OUR music, and hopefully change Hawaii's music scene. This is our art, our passion... its in our blood. Those who know us personally know what we stand for, and know what we've been through. We constantly strive to push our song writing. We write our own shit, and we don't steal. We stay true to our style and don't plan to sell-out for anyone. We support original local music... always have, always will. Originality and creativity its what we live and breathe by. We don't ever hate, we always congratulate... if your shit is good, and not borrowed.
So props to PHOENIX ROSE. You guys did awesome! Much respect, no bad blood!!! The "Haters" don't know we've played shows together... and are planning on doing more in the future, right guys?! And props to all the other local rock bands out there doing their thing. We've all the got the same purpose, and we're all in this together trying to get Hawaii to change its music scene.
THANKS TO ALL OF OUR FRIENDS AND FANS WHO CAME OUT TO SUPPORT US AT THE MAI TAI RUMBLE, WE LOVE YOU GUYS!!! (Apparently to our "haters" you are the reason we won, not because of our music)
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR FRIENDS WHO HAVE BEEN THERE SINCE THE BEGINNING, THE ONES WHO ARE AT EVERY SHOW EVEN WHEN THERE IS NO ONE THERE, THE ONES WHO HELP US OUT AND HUSTLE WITH US. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!
OH AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR "HATERS"... YOU ACTUALLY MAKE US FEEL LIKE WE'RE SOMETHING GREAT. WE APPRECIATE IT!!! Instead of hating, why don't you come to our so called "packed" shows and come talk to us, have a drink, have a smoke, and enjoy the music... cause in the end, thats what it SHOULD BE about, right?
Anyway, we will proudly take this win... and we will not apologize for the misunderstandings of our so called huge success that led to a so called "juiced" contest. We are amongst any other up and coming local band out there who is serious about their love for music. If you like our music and you feel you can relate to it, then that is awesome!... that is what we want. If you don't dig it, then thats fine too. We'll still continue to do our thing and do what we know best.
Like BIGGIE says... "If they hate then let um hate and watch the money pile up" ...and we're soooo hoping that money piles up!!!! Cause we need it to make more flyers!!!
82FIFTY