This Friday, Shakedown is scheduled to headline a Concert in the Park that includes The Kinetics, a traditional Jamaican Rocksteady group, and Syncro, a "Surf/Dutch pop/Shoegaze" band (click on any band's name to visit its MySpace page).

Shakedown has won "Best Sacramento Band of 2007" from former alternative rock radio station KWOD 106.5, and the single "Love to Get Love" has been featured on a GEICO commercial.

"We released the last record (New Sound Delivery, 2007) in haste because we had a lineup change, and wanted to show people what we had," said Shakedown lead singer Mark Kinyon.

Twelve years, four albums and several lineup changes since their debut, the members of the Sacramento six-piece are "buckling down" and making their best record yet.

Adding to a foundation of reggae-rock built by drummer Mike Wilhelm, bass player Garrett Fonda, D.Q. Hayes on sax and lead singer/guitarist Mark Kinyon, their latest album features two new members, Emcee Bles and DJ Mr. Vibe, who give their style more of a hip hop twist.

"We're always going to have a reggae influence, but we're into a little more hip hop and we tried a little more rock and roll in this, too -- not predictable radio rock. We try different rhythms" Kinyon said.

This will be Shakedown's second time playing at Concerts in the Park. During the 2004 show, said Kinyon, the band was able to introduce itself to a new audience due to the family atmosphere.

But that wasn't the only benefit to playing the show.

"We headline many shows, and a lot of people love Shakedown's music, but we usually don't get to go on until 11:30 [p.m.] or [midnight], so we usually go on past people's bedtimes. Last time [at Concerts in the Park] we ended up selling a massive amount of CDs in one day," said Shakedown's producer Rob Farmer.

"We love doing outdoor shows," Kinyon said. "We can have our friends in the beer garden, but we reach a lot of people that wouldn't be able to go out to [see us at] a club."

Friday Night Concerts in the Park take place at Cesar Chavez Park on 10th and J Streets from 5-9 p.m. every Friday until August 14.

Don't forget that your Friday night festivities continue if you show your wristband to one of the following businesses:

Brew it Up! $4 Drafts, Bacardi, Jack Daniels & 3 Olives cocktails, plus half-price appetizers

Fuzio Universal Bistro $3 Drafts, $5 Martinis, plus a selection of $3 appetizers

Marilyn's on K $1 off well drinks, $3 Draft Bud Light

Parlare Euro Lounge $3 Domestic beers, $5 wine, $4 assorted appetizers

Pyramid Alehouse $2 Pints of Curveball

Sofia on 11th $3 drafts, $4 wines, $4 wells and & half-price appetizers

Table 260 Half off appetizer menu, 10 percent off dinner, $5 drink special on Sac Soul

Toppingz Pizza inside Image Lounge $2.50 Bud and Bud Light, $4 Jack Daniels, appetizers starting at $1

Sheraton Grand Hotel's PMB Bar $3.50 Bud and Bud Light (bottle or draft), $5 nachos or artichoke dip

Amourath Lounge at Hyatt $1 off Bud, Bud Light and all appetizers

Citizen Hotel $99/night weekend rate for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights in a deluxe king, queen, or dual-double-bed room. This deal is exclusively for the Concerts in the Park, and for information on how to book the room, call 916-447-2700. 

*Image courtesy Shakedown's MySpace.