Soulflower History

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What's New: New CD: 'Alliance' (download mp3's) \|Asia 2002 Tour (view photos)

The History of Soulflower

February 1997	William van Kampen meets Sascha Alexander on Patrick Hakola’s porch, in Kihei, Maui and decide to collaborate on a new musical project
March 1997	The duo records singles "Pounds’" and "Smile" at Tommy Hall Studio, Pukalani
April 1997	Johnny Aitkin auditions and becomes the drummer. Two hours later, the trio plays its debut gig for the Maui Sea Festival
May 1997	After a spirited debate, the band chooses the name "Soulflower"
June 1997	The trio records singles "UFO" and "Poetic Daze" at Renato’s Studio in Kihei
July 1997	Soulflower headlines a concert benefiting Maui cancer victims. Stevan Holt offers to manage the group and play second guitar. A few days later, William moves to Michigan for knee surgery, and is replaced by bassist Cameron Chang. Under Stevan’s management, the band establishes a local following, and plays clubs and events all over Maui
November 20 1997	Soulflower opens for Bush at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. The performance led to an invitation from Marek Lieberberg Productions to play at two music festivals in Germany the following year
January 15 1998	Soulflower begins recording their debut album under the Surf Records label
May 12 1998	"One From Ten" is released. Sold-out party at Hapa's Brew House
May 29 1998	Soulflower plays center stage at the "Rock am Ring" festival in Nuremberg Germany, with Bob Dylan, Smashing Pumpkins, Savage Garden, and others
May 1998	Soulflower performs at the "Rock im Park" festival at the Frankenstadion in Nuremberg. The performance captured the interest of concert promoter Sasha Kahana, who sets up an impromptu tour of Bavaria
June 1998	Soulflower tours in Southern Germany as their song "SOS" climbs the charts in Germany and Italy, making the top 20 on the rock charts in Europe
December 1998	Soulflower plays its first MWR show on Johnston Atoll
January 1999	Stevan and Cameron leave Soulflower to pursue family interests
July 1999	William returns to Maui and rejoins with Sascha and Johnny. Soulflower is reborn! Soulflower returns to Johnston Atoll for an Independence Day celebration with guest vocalist Merika Hunter
January 2000	Someone rolls DAT at an outdoor concert at Kalama Park. After the show the band's tires are found to be punctured and thus the recording receives the name "Tireslasher". Although never officially released, bootleg copies have circulated widely enough to qualify Tireslasher as an unofficial second album
March 2000	After months of label inactivity, Soulflower decides to formally disassociate itself with Surf Records and reclaim independent status
July 2001	Soulflower performs an Armed Forces Entertainment tour of the South Pacific, including the Republic of Palau, the Micronesian states of Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Kwajelein and Johnston Atolls. The group is joined by guest guitarist Arthur Mahoney, from Seattle, Washington
February 2002	Soulflower resumes working with Merika Hunter, preparing to record an album and go on tour together. SOULFLOWER is reborn yet again.
June 2002	Independant release of "Alliance", Soulflower's sophomore album featuring vocals by the beautiful and sensitive Miss Merika Hunter
July 2002	Soulflower performs its second AFE tour, visiting destinations in Asia, the Pacific Rim, and the Indian Ocean, including: South Korea, Singapore, Diego Garcia, Japan, and Okinawa.
October 2002	Sascha leaves Hawaii to attend film school in Italy.
March 2004	Will and Johnny record Katzmaq concpt CD on Maui.
April 2004	Angie Carr begins recording with Sascha on Maui.
June 2004	Johnny persuades Merika and Sascha to rejoin the group because he believes big things are going to happen
August 2004	The group is reformed, including all original members, and featuring Merika Hunter on lead vocals and Angie Carr on keyboards!! SOULFLOWER is reborn yet again!!