PRIMER 55 was formed in 1997 by vocalist / guitarist Bobby Burns, and former vocalist J-Sin, whose groundbreaking fusion of Hard Edged Metal/Hardcore and Hip Hop earned the band a handful of hit singles including the omnipresent LOOSE, still a staple on Rock radio playlists today.

After the release of their self-titled debut on the independent Propellant Transmissions label, Primer 55 signed to Island/Def Jam and released their landmark major label debut, Introduction to Mayhem, co- produced by Burns, which featured appearances from Incubus␣ Chris Kilmore and Hed PE frontman Jared Gomes. The band toured relentlessly in its support, including an appearance on the 2000 Ozzfest alongside Soulfly, Ozzy, Pantera, Incubus, Queens of the Stone Age, Black Label Society and (THC labelmates) Slaves on Dope. In fact, from 1999-2003, Primer 55 did over 200 shows a year.

In 2001, P55 released their third studio album, (the) New Release, which peaked at #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and #102 on the Billboard 200. The album’s single, “This Life” peaked at #37 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. In 2002, the band performed as the opening act at the 2002 Gathering of the Juggalos.

In 2003 Primer 55 took a hiatus, while Burns soon joined Soulfly as their bassist, a position he held until 2010, (also lending production to the album Conquer) when he left to focus on Primer 55 full time.

Gaining the majority of her industry experience writing and touring with other artist as a background vocalist. Chicago’s Alt/Rocker Esh makes a splash taking center stage. With her dynamic, emphatic delivery, Esh moves hearts and hips; with her glam/punk rock sartorial style. One must not forget Esh’s four piece band that packs hard-rocking compositions with powerful guitar-, bass-, and drum-driven punches. Just enough sauce to allow the pint size rocker the freedom to stir up a host of emotions from the affectionate to the aggressive. If Esh’s upcoming EP is any indication of that which is to come from her first album, it will be a big year for her. Shes already one of new artists to watch in 2012.

” Chicago’s aboveandbelow are a band who play whatever the hell they feel like. Beit grunge, psychedlic, punk, indie, or anything in between, this trio refuses to be defined, which is a refreshing middle-finger to the microgenre-bending gymnastics that dominates the musical landscape.” -The Empty Bottle

The seeds to aboveandbelow have been sewn a few years back when Joe and Eric’s former band, The Memories, was winding down. Joe embarked on a, still, successful solo project, while Eric went on to play in other bands.

Those two have played together in various forms, and have had great luck in working together. They were always trying to figure out a way to work together more.

Fast forward to 2011 when Eric met Melanie while playing together in the shoegaze inspired bliss.city.east.

As bliss.city.east went on hiatus, Eric and Melanie still wanted to play some more. Eric contacted Joe about starting a project again. They all got together to jam, and things clicked. They began writing songs, and things were good.