A beacon of hope in otherwise dark times, Devastating Karate executed an organic combatant to the local recession throughout 2010. The Venice Beach country-punk band released their new album, The Awesome Depression. Rooted in driving beats, hooky bass lines, twang-punk guitar and snarling vocals, the benevolent trio inspired a surge in revenue at Los Angeles-area clubs and regional music venues.

The Awesome Depression is Devastating Karate’s first album that includes a clear theme or concept. It was produced by Jeff Peters with the assistance of Nels Jensen at Hot Pie Studio in Pasadena (notable projects include The Beach Boys and Flight of the Conchords) and mastered by Joe Gastwirt (hundreds of notable projects). The result is 12 gritty tracks of honky-tonk rock-n-roll. "Riverside Ronnie" is the true story of a teenagers disappearance in Red Bluff, CA. "Johnny Like Thunder" is a reaction to Johnny Cash's death. "4th of July" is a folk story of tragic family trials, and "The Awesome Depression" an editorial on markets/economies taking a shit in 2008.

Reviews of the album included a nomination for an Independent Music Award and the following write-up:

"A tongue-in-cheek, honky-tonk tinged power trio that hoists a brew to everything from Hank Williams' earthy country to hormonal '80s hair metal, this bunch is almost as fun as that one Fourth of July where Uncle Kenny passed out on the neighbors' lawn." -Jason Bracelin, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Support for The Awesome Depression included return trips to Colorado ski-towns and Superhero Kickball. A video for their gastro-intestinal sensation, “Wal-Mart,” is in production and will be posted to the band’s Youtube page soon (www.youtube.com/devastatingkarate).

Devastating Karate currently receives airplay in markets including Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Sacramento, Las Vegas, Tucson, San Antonio, Dayton, Las Cruces, Aspen, Vail, Salida and Breckenridge.