Posted on: Thursday, September 2, 2004

SHOW BIZ
Sudden Rush tunes get new life on TV

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

TUNING UP: Sudden Rush, the Big Island-O'ahu band that mixes hip-hop with Hawaiian, is enjoying new exposure through the licensing of its 2002 CD, "Ea." The Quiet Storm release is being featured on A&E's new Hawai'i-based reality series, "Dog the Bounty Hunter," starring Duane "Dog" Chapman and his partner-wife, Beth Smith.

"Sudden Rush's urban-island sound is truly unique, and with placement in the mainstream media, a wider audience has the opportunity to hear Hawai'i's alternative styles of music," said Eric Lagrimas, Quiet Storm's licensing administrator.

As earlier demonstrated with Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Over the Rainbow," which added a measure of emotional wallop complementing on-screen dynamics on NBC's "ER" and, more recently, in Columbia's romantic comedy film "50 First Dates," Island music can be retrofitted into Island-filmed projects. Which makes one wonder if the four Hawai'i-filmed TV series (NBC's "Hawaii," Fox's "North Shore," ABC's "Lost" and the yet-to-film "Rocky Point" for The WB) see value in the similar placement of local songs (and artists) as part of their soundtracks?

Sudden Rush includes Rob Onekea, also known as Radical Rob; Don Kawa'auhau, aka King Don One; Shane Veincent, aka Kid Dynomite; and Caleb Richards, aka Red Eye. The "Ea" collection of songs, available to the Chapman series, includes collaborations with a variety of guest artists, from the late Gabby Pahinui to Fiji, from Willie K to Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, from Jon Osorio to Natural Vibrations, so there are a lot of choices available. Further, the Sudden Rush-Pahinui "Hi'ilawe" rendering is part of a Universal Music Japan compilation "Tropicalize," which finds Sudden Rush alongside greats such as Jack Johnson, Pepper and Sublime. ...

SIGHT 'EMS: Jason Momoa, complete with signature dreadlocks, was shopping at the Goodwill store in Kaimuki last week, taking his shirt off to try on some old shirts. Must be for his wardrobe on Fox's "North Shore," on which he portrays Frankie, the bartender. ...

Spotted dining at Aaron's Atop the Ala Moana: Joe Moore, KHON-2 anchor, and Bob Sevey, a former news colleague from KGMB-9. ...

Singer Anita Hall booked the private room at Aaron's last Saturday night for an all-wahine bash marking the 50th birthday of singer Sonya Mendez. Both previously sang at Aaron's, when it was known as Nicholas Nickolas. The birthday celebrants included Carole Kai, Maila Gibson and Anna Marie Love. ...

TUBE TALK: Loretta Ables-Sayre just finishing taping a segment for NBC's "Hawaii," expected to air Sept. 8, in which she portrays Nannie Lee, the wife of a judge. It was a reunion with Don Nahaku, a sometimes actor, with whom she performed in the Honolulu Theatre for Youth's "Song of the Navigator" two decades ago. "It was a great reunion and a raucous time in the makeup trailer reuniting with Nahaku, Bryan Furer (makeup artist) and Debbie Rego (hairstylist)," said Ables. With series regular Sharif Atkins, Ables-Sayre also had a grand time. "If I knew we were going to have that much fun, I would have worn a Depends," she said. "I thought security was going to come and tell us to quiet down." ...

Kai Patterson, a fourth grader at Haha'ione Elementary School, was off one school day to learn what he hopes will be a livelihood: acting. Kai landed a small speaking role on "Hawaii" and was able to hang out with the director. His dad, publicist David Patterson, says Kai is more interested in becoming the next Steven Spielberg than the next Brad Pitt. Pretty lofty aspirations, but you can't do it till you dream it. His episode likely will the third, titled, "Lost and Found." ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Ekela Crozier, a friend and fan of The Brothers Cazimero, is pictured on the latest Mountain Apple Company CD, "Some Call It Aloha ... Don't Tell," which won't be at your favorite record bin till Tuesday. ...

John Langan, g.m. of Compadres, has launched the Mexican restaurant's annual Tequila Festival, which started yesterday and continues through Sept. 16, lacing the menu with tequila-inspired items. The nightcap, Mexican Independence Day, will be observed from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 16, when Mariachi Loco will provide strolling music. Sounds like the right moment to be sipping margaritas — and if you've yet to try the one with li hing flavoring, wait no longer and indulge. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.