Fusion Beat

Fusion Beat, a south Orange County retro band, was the public's favorite at the OC Music Awards in March, taking the 2012 People's Choice Award.

The Lake Forest band, made up of teens ages 13 and 16, has performed more than 50 shows, including performances at The House of Blues and Pechanga Resort and Casino.

Lake Forest-based Fusion Beat won the 2012 People’s Choice Award at the OC Music Awards in March.

The OC Music Awards win at The Grove of Anaheim was another milestone for Fusion Beat, which also took first place at the Taste of Ladera talent contest and St. Timothy's Spring Fling Battle of the Bands.

Fusion Beat is fronted by vocalists Mary Desmond, brother Mark Desmond and Sean Walsh. The band features Jason Campbell on lead guitar, Robert Guzman on rhythm guitar/percussion, Michael Gall on keyboards and the rock solid rhythm section of drummer Tyler Kong and bassist Zach Olshan.

For booking information: fusionbeatband@ymail.com or 949-887-4321.
- OC Register

2012 OC Music Award Winners

Best album: Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes, Social Distortion
Best song: “Cough Syrup,” Young the Giant
Best new artist: Jeramiah Red
Best pop: the Aquabats
Best rock: Thrice
Best alternative: Young the Giant
Best indie: Kiev
Best blues: Jeramiah Red
Best country/Americana: Nicole Vaughn
Best folk: Micah Brown
Best club DJ: DJ Thrifty Lips
Best electronic: Free the Robots
Best hip-hop: Blok
Best jazz: Nancy Sanchez
Best Latin: Boogaloo Assassins
Best metal: Railroad to Alaska
Best punk: the Adolescents
Best surf: the Growlers
Best world: the Dirty Heads
Best live acoustic: Allensworth
Best live band: Railroad to Alaska
Best music video: “Cough Syrup,” Young the Giant
Best youth: Ugly Paint
People’s choice: Fusion Beat
Orange County Impact Award: Thrice
Lifetime Achievement Award: Rodney Bingenheimer, aka Rodney on the ROQ
- OC Music Awards

On Saturday the Brea Jazz Festival kicked off its last day with family fun, music and fine arts and crafts.

The City of Brea is celebrated its 9th Annual Jazz Festival by blocking off the Downtown area on Birch Street for a block party which featured live jazz music.

During the day many vendors set up their booths one last time to sell their handmade merchandise. There was a wide variety of things ranging from handmade hats and headbands to water color paintings and even candles.

The attendees were also entertained by youth band Fusion Beat where the members range from 12 to 16 years of age. The band got their start by performing for the community. It wasn't until they played at a charity event for brain injury patients that the band struck gold. They have since played at the Orange County Fair and continue to play for a wide range of charities.

Once the sun set people began to fill the street to take part in all the activities. For the children there was rock climbing and face painting. For the adults there was dancing, drinks and food.

There were people pilled into every space available to enjoy the sultry renditions of Motown classics and jazz music from the high energy group Derek Bordeaux. Once the music started the dance floor began to move like an ocean as the band played hit song after hit song.

The Jazz Festival takes place every year in the month of September and is great fun for all ages. - The Hornet

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA – Hundreds flocked to the Lago Santa Margarita Beach Club for SAMLARC's Star-Spangled Spectacular on Monday.
The family-friendly event included fun games, contests and activities throughout the day. Live entertainment included a performance by the local band Fusion Beat, and an appearance from Uncle Sam.

Many escaped the summer heat in the cool waters of the lagoon at the Lago Santa Margarita Beach Club on July 4.

Many cooled off from the summer heat from in the cool waters of the lagoon. The night was capped off by a spectacular fireworks show above the lake.
Check out the slideshow for photos from the July 4 celebration.
- The Orange County Register/Kristy Chu

Fusion Beat was the winner of this year's Battle of the Bands at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church's third annual Spring Fling.

The church was the site of the showdown Saturday as some of the area’s top teen performing bands competed.

"We're going to have a nice week reflecting on this great experience and everyone we've met along the way in our 15-month history," the band said in an e-mail. "The excitement was exhausting and exhilarating, and unfortunately we had to have a seven-hour practice the day after to prepare for a double gig. Our dream is to fuse our talents together and create a sound that inspires people with a positive message of well-being, thoughtfulness, spirituality and social responsibility."

Members of Fusion Beat include Mary Desmond, Jason Campbell, Robert Guzman, Mark Desmond, Zack Olshan, Tyler Kong, Michael Gall and Sean Walsh.

Who Judges

Four church members from St. Timothy’s judged the battle. Clare Einsman—the Simon Cowell of the group, as many called her–was the lead judge. Also judging was Ashley Meyers, a singer in the St. Timothy’s choir, and Robby Clark and Dave Graves, both guitarists. Each band was judged on planning and preparation, originality, interaction with the audience and overall presentation. Each category was worth 45 points, for a grand total of 180 points.

Fusion Beat has a collection of the some of youngest members who performed in Battle of the Bands. The eight-person teen band has been together for one year and plays classic '80s rock. The band was the winner of the 2010 Taste of Ladera and previously played at Disneyland. The group earned the highest score of the day, 125, and clearly blew the judges away.

To listen to Fusion Beat's music, or to learn more about the band, visit its MySpace page, myspace.com/fusionbeat.

- Laguna Niguel Patch