With a significantly lower cost of living than San Francisco, the East Bay Area has become a Mecca of sorts for members of the arts and music community who can more affordably live here while pursuing their passion. That means East Bay residents are surrounded by many of the Bay Area’s most dedicated, talented, and diverse musicians in Northern California. Lucky us.

From the international populations of Oakland and Richmond to the ideological differences between Berkeley and Walnut Creek, our music community is full of diverse voices and stylings. This is, after all, the place that launched both Green Day and Toni Tone Tony, both Tower of Power and Too Short. But even if they make very different types of music, East Bay musicians are united by their passion, creativity, and love of the region. That's why, East Bay, it's finally time to come together and ROCK!

During the month of February, nearly 80 Bay Area bands are hard at work on their full length albums, and they have our full support. We applaud every band who stepped up to meet the RPM challenge, whether they be regularly gigging bands or musicians who haven’t picked up an instrument in years. We know they’re up to the challenge, and we can’t wait to hear their tracks. Rock on East Bay!

-- East Bay Express

Bay area RPMers, make sure you make two copies of your RPM CD! One copy goes to RPM HQ, postmarked no later than March 2, and the other goes to the East Bay Express for the listening party! Here are the addresses:

copy #1:

RPM HQ
10 Vaughan Mall, Suite 1
Portsmouth, NH 03801

copy #2 (feel free to drop it off in person!):