The results from the western regional semi-finals are in, and the winning band is FA/KE (pronounced FA-KAY). The foursome from Phoenix, Arizona, includes singer Shawn Alan Murphy, guitarist Luke Rosenberg, bassist J-T Hallett, and drummer Perry Thomas. Rabid fans should be advised that the band’s original name when competing at Harrah’s Rincon was The Happy Kleenex, but the group changed it to sound more hardcore.

In that vein, the band would like me to add that FA/KE was raised by wolves and adopted by Vikings. That’s how hardcore they are.

So hardcore, in fact, that they kind of won twice at Rincon.

Did I mention the wolves and Vikings? Picture courtesy of Cena.

The facts, as they were reported to me, are these: the band played a fantastic round of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Give It Away Now” (a personal favorite of the Blogmaster) and racked up around 1.8 million points. Thinking their win was in the bag, the band started in on the celebratory cocktails just like any victorious Rock Banders would. All was well until someone pointed out that Perry the drummer had used his own drumsticks during the song, which is totally against the fine-print rules. So, soaked in what can only be described as the bitter martini of bewilderment, the guys had to perform the song once more.

Doin' it, and doin' it, and doin' it all over again.

And they won. Again. A slightly lower 1.6 million score, but still a solid win. Cena’s Corner posted some great coverage of the event; go check it out.

FA/KE will be joining the winning bands from the three other regions to compete in the finals in Atlantic City on May 8. The Blogmaster is looking forward to meeting their adopted Viking parents, who will no doubt be on hand to cheer for their young charges.

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