SweetKiss Momma's rebel rock is something that resonates from the Deep South, through their home in Puyallup and beyond. When you listen to the grit of dirty guitar, down-home lyrics and whiskey-licks, it's irresistible.

Don't just take my word for it. SweetKiss Momma is now in The Final Four competition of the Seattle WAVE Radio Jammin' Challenge Battle of the Local Bands held Saturday, Nov. 16 at The Hard Rock Cafe in Seattle.

"We've been extremely busy as a band over the last year," explains SweetKiss Momma front man, pondering what edge the band might carry into the final competition. "Gearing up to do a proper release of the new album (A Reckoning Is Coming), playing more on the road than we ever have before, and getting involved in opportunities that have caused us to focus on nailing a specific performance. ... I realize that may not sound all that sexy, but at that moment when all the writing, rehearsing and preparing is done, and you have given all you have to the effort of creating, you have to believe that you are bringing your absolute best."

He pauses.

"And you have to trust that the other guys are feeling the exact same way. I feel like we are just hitting our stride. We are comfortable together and confident in what we do. If we have an edge, it's that we really are, as Adam McKinney put it, ‘comfortable in our own skin.'"

Another winning factor is that Eric Robert - keyboard player for Vicci Martinez, and current touring key player for Michael Franti & Spearhead - will sit in with the band for their set Saturday at the Hard Rock.

"He's played a couple of shows with us over the last few months, and we are looking forward to having him as our secret weapon," says Hamel.

SweetKiss Momma will be playing for more than $16,000 in prizes, including the opportunity to perform at Play It Forward 4 early next year. Last year's Play It Forward concert included members of Heart, Yes (official), John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band and Spike from Spike & The Impalers.

SWEETKISS MOMMA, 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 16, Hard Rock Cafe, 116 Pike St., Seattle, $7, hardrock.com/seattle

See Also

SweetKiss Momma named Best Band in 2013 Best of Tacoma issue