Local bands take notice: KRAB Radio wants to give you exposure.
Bakersfield’s heritage Active Rock station, 106.1 KRAB-FM, is compiling its first ever CD consisting of nothing but local bands.
The CD, “KRABland Bands Vol. 1,” is scheduled for release on March 10 and features 12 local bands that are currently making a mark on Bakersfield’s music scene.
Danny Spanks, program director of KRAB and host of the Sunday night show, “KRABland Bands,” explains that it was a long labor of love.
“It was something that we’ve always wanted to do. In the past we have done battle of the bands, and this is a different avenue to hype local bands,” he said.
“It’s good for them, it’s good for us. It should have been done sooner.”
Perhaps it was the decision-making process in choosing all 12 bands for the album that took so long.
Among the bands on the CD are The Filthies, Swag 667, Ridicule, Karmahitlist and Myndsick.
Spanks explained the methods that were used to decide which bands would be included on the album.
“We did an on-air solicitation encouraging bands to drop off their CD,” he said. “Me and a bunch of fellow KRAB jocks got together and listened to everything that was submitted … (and) narrowed it down to a wide variety of bands.”
While the CD will be initially released at Montgomery World Plaza, it will also be sold at many other places.
The price of the album will be around $5 and almost 1,000 copies will be made.
The sales volume of the first CD will determine whether a second album will be released.
Spanks and his KRAB radio station colleagues hope the album will be a success.
“The idea is for the proceeds off of this CD to finance Volume 2,” Spanks said, “We’re optimistic that we’re going to sell out.”
Not only will the CD be sold for a low price, but copies will also be sent to members of all 12 bands and to certain record executives affiliated with KRAB. This will be done to give the bands exposure.
“The most important thing for a local band to do is to be heard, and that’s something that the CD will help with,” Spanks said.