ROOM 1202 is a concept that dates back to 1995 when Omar and
friend, John Beare 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, which 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, CA. 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 demo 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. However, 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, almost 100 close friends and fans that had not
forgotten attended the show.
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.
2001 also saw the release of two
compilations of unreleased demos and live tracks, titled Outtakes and Oddities
Volumes I and II, and in 2002, an album of experimental instrumental tracks
penned by Omar titled .exit music for the lost and found. These collections were
heavily purchased via download and were indeed very popular.
2003 saw the
band performing sporadic shows, culminating with the band's debut at the
historic Whisky A Go-Go in Hollywood, CA. The success of this show led to
another need for change, and the family of ROOM 1202 began to grow. Aaron
Messmer returned to the band to bring some sonic depth, and Robert Modica was
added on guitar, adhering to the desire of John to return to his bass playing
roots. Tony Trujillo departs, and Michael Buchanan is brought in as the new
keyboardist.
2004 the group continues to work with its new format. Much
time is spent re-working old and some new material, as well as many shows
including opening for ORGY on their Southern California tour, and
sharing the stage with CAUSE AND EFFECT. The band released "Compendium
1998-2003: The First Five Years" a compilation highlighting the bands
achievements so far of their career. Mid year brought unexpected changes resulting in long time
member John Beare to leave the group to pursue his own musical ideas. With John
not a part of 1202, Omar is left with the decision as to where to lead the band.
It is then decided to continue working on new songs in hopes to gather enough
material for an EP highlighting the collaboration process with 1202’s new
members. Michael Buchanan leaves the band due to personal reasons. Tony re-joins
permanently.
2005 the band wins the “Best Electronic Rock†award at the
Inland Empire Music Awards. Michael Buchanan returns. The band continues to work
on new material, however is frustrated with result of the collaboration process
brings another shift, asking guitarist Robert Modica to leave the band. Now a
four piece, they will continue with an electronic format.
2006 the band
is nominated for “Best Electronic Rock†category for the Inland Empire Music
Awards, and starts recording the new EP titled “Movement.†Exhausted in working
with several engineers and producers, it is decided that ROOM 1202 will produce
themselves. This is the first recording using live drums, as well as using
utilizing two studios, one for recording, and one for mixing. Michael Buchanan
leaves again due to personal reasons, and the band continues recording and does
sporadic shows for the rest of year as a three piece. Hopes to spark interest in
ROOM 1202, Omar accepts collaboration remixes for the song WEAK from Beau Baker,
keyboardist and drummer for Los Angeles based Depeche Mode Tribute band
VIOLATOR, as well as from synth-pop/darkwave band CARVED SOULS. ROOM 1202 decides to
release a new single in over two years available for the first time on iTunes in
the early part of 2007.
2007 the band is nominated for “Best Electronic
Rock†and “Best Instrumental†categories for the Inland Empire Music
Awards.
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.
Be sure to check www.room1202.com for more information..
