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FLAME SHARK

DARLING

A ROCKET TO THE MOON

ORNERY LITTLE DARLINGS

Chicago Tribune January 20, 2011…. Once again, we have that elusive, impossible to define but you know it when you hear it Chicago sound, in the form of Ornery Little Darlings. And not only does this band have one of the best names in the history of rock ‘n’ roll. It grabs your attention with that moniker, then keeps it with a bottom-heavy, reverb-saturated aural assault that is much like a Chicago version of punkabilly. You fans of The Cramps will feel right at home with the Darlings. It’s smart, draws upon many influences including some operatic howls. And like so much Chicago rock, it’s amazingly well-played.

THE STEEPWATER BAND

Diamond Day Records is very excited to announce the release of The Steepwater Band’s 6th full- length studio album SHAKE YOUR FAITH. The LP features 11 brand new TSB tracks, and is slated for release on Friday, April 1st via Double 180 Gram Vinyl, Compact Disc and Digital Download. The album was recorded last winter at Crushtone Studios, in the shadows of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, in Cleveland, Ohio. Shake Your Faith was produced by the band along with seasoned rock studio veteran Jim Wirt, who has also worked with the likes of Fiona Apple, Incubus and the Buffalo Killers. As with most TSB albums, the sound and songwriting on Shake Your Faith has grown and expanded, yet retained the true nature of the band. It’s the first TSB studio record in over 4 years and the first to include “new” guitarist Eric Saylors.

With the additional band member, the songwriting approach for this record was different than it was on past TSB albums, when they were a 3-piece. Singer/Guitarist Jeff Massey comments on the TSB songwriting process…“Each song was different. I had a few totally finished songs, or Tod would bring a complete piece of music that would need melody & lyrics. And there were also a bunch of other musical ideas coming from both Eric & Joe, which we would all hash out togeth- er.” Drummer Joe winters states “Everyone really brought ideas to the table, collaboratively, more so with Shake Your Faith, than with any other of our records. That really created a special vibe around the songs.”

The arctic Lake Erie air made for a secluded and quick session, as it was all recorded and mixed within 12 days. “What better circumstances to record in?” says Eric Saylors, “There weren’t any outside distractions!” The band entered the studio with a group of songs, but with very loose ar- rangements. Bassist Tod Bowers elaborates, “It really allowed everyone in the band to be inspired by the moment. Sonically inspired by what sounds you were hearing coming out of the speak- ers… what was happening in the room, musically between the 4 of us. And you can hear that in the recording.”

Shake Your Faith has a wide range of sounds from straight ahead rock n roll to a psychedelic samba, and lyrical direction that extends from love to murder. This album is the true meaning of just that. An album – a collective piece of music that’s meant to be heard front to back. Saylors adds “The way the whole record flows, it’s like one long song… takes you on a little journey.”

The Songs: Shake Your Faith – Mama Got To Ramble – Be As it May – Break – Bring On The Love – Jealous Of Your Way – I Will Never Know – Walk In The Light – Gone Goodbye –
Last Second Chance – Ain’t Got Love

CERTAIN STARS

Forwarding the melodic sound and powerpop of bands such as Superchunk and Big Star, Certain Stars’ songs are catchy and full of melodic hooks and rock drive. Certain Stars has great conviction and energy, live.

They’ve got two full length CDs, an EP, and a vinyl single under their belt, with a new full length release expected in early 2019.

HEMMINGBIRDS

Hemmingbirds is an indie pop rock band based out of Chicago, IL. The band began as a solo project of singer/guitarist/violist Yoo Soo Kim in the fall of 2009. The name is loosely inspired by Ernest Hemingway and a Fleet Foxes track that sings about hummingbirds and meadowlarks.

The recordings from Yoo Soo’s solo project expanded into what would ultimately become the band’s debut Death Wave released May 2010. Joined by members Zach Benkowski, Timothy Cap, and Matt McGuire, Hemmingbirds released its second LP “The Vines of Age” that draws more soul and dance into their folk-tinged sound.

From the “The Vines of Age” release in 2012, the band has been featured in Alternative Press as an AP&R Band of the Day, charted #47 on CMJ’s Top 200, and picked by Indie Rock Cafe as a band to watch. They’ve also received radio play on Chicago’s NPR station, 93XRT, and opened for the emerging band Buke & Gase.