RUMKICKS
Rumkicks (Korean: 럼킥스) is a punk rock band from Seoul, South Korea, formed in 2018 by Jeong Yeawon and bassist Choi Seun. Rumkicks. Yeawon of Rumkicks performs at Boojik in Gwangju, Korea, 11 February 2023.
GUTTURAL
~Hail the new era of Metal Music~ Welcome to Guttural
PSYTHON
Heavy ass psych metal from Chicago
RIOT DOGS
THE VENEMOUS PINKS
Whether you’re looking for the slick musicianship of shredding guitars, pounding bass and thunderous drums or the oft-inspiring message of a band capable of bringing generations of punk rockers together the Venomous Pinks are very much what the present and future look like. These ladies will rock your world in every room of the house, clear out to the parking lot. While their energetic stage performance exhibits a “work hard and play harder” mentality, this tight, punchy three-piece’s unapologetic style will ravage your ears with their mix of punk, rock and metal. Produced by Cameron Webb (Motörhead, Social Distortion, NOFX) with their album ‘Vita Mors’ and major tours with bands like Dead Kennedys, Less Than Jake, and The Bouncing Souls, they seem destined to erupt on a global scale sooner than later.
SCHOOL OF ROCK (PARK RIDGE)
Musicians Made Here… We perform to teach – Bass Drums Keys Vocals Guitar Song Writing
FRANK ZUMMO
📕Frank Zummo “UNBREAKABLE RHYTHM: My Journey Through Music, Wellness, and Mental Strength” with Jason Pettigrew (BOOK OUT NOW)
REALMS OF DEATH
Realms of Death is a Death metal inspired crossover band.
JANKY LIMO
For more than a decade and hundreds of shows, the current members of Janky Limo have been throwing parties and solidifying their sound. Blues, Rock, Funk, Reggae and Bluegrass all combine to make Janky Limo fans move their feet. With its roots planted by Indiana party outfit “The All Good Things Band”, Janky Limo branches out into more original territory without losing the respect they have for the audience to hear the songs they know and love. A casual listener might not even notice Janky Limo weaving their catchy original music into a show with classics by Paul Simon or The Talking Heads or Phil Collins. Come check out a show and see why folks are lining up to take a ride with Janky Limo!
Janky Limo is part fancy, part funky and always a good time! You’ll hear the songs you know, songs you think you know and songs you’ll want to get to know better. Like the jukebox at Burt Reynolds’ house.
THRIFT STORE HALO
Formed in 1994 by bassist/lead vocalist/songwriter Frank Gradishar and drummer Scott Proce, and joined by Cory Hance (ex- Box-O-Cars and The Cells) in 2022, Chicago indie pop-rock stalwarts, Thrift Store Halo (“TSH”), could easily be compared to local contemporaries such as Material Issue, Fig Dish, Local H or Urge Overkill, as well as more well-known acts such as Suede, Teenage Fanclub, Sugar, The Wallflowers, Gin Blossoms and Velvet Crush. The common thread among all: well-crafted, hook-heavy, radio-friendly, guitar pop-rock buzzing with loud, crunchy riffs, big drums and earnest, yet unpretentious lyrics and vocals.
The band’s 1998 LP, “World Gone Mad” received strong local radio and press and featured the tracks ‘If I Go’ and ‘Crashing In’ which featured on hit 90s TV shows (the former featured on Smallville and Pensacola Wings of Gold while the latter appeared on Party of Five.) Several placements on MTV shows followed, as did a runner up finish in the Disc Makers Best Unsigned Bands of 1998 contest. The resulting traction almost netted a coveted “big deal” with A&M offshoot, Almo Sounds (Garbage, The Pulsars). But, when the deal went south, Gradishar and Proce took an extended hiatus to, as the pair jokes, “earn money from real jobs to pay off the self-funded recording of the record and numerous bar tabs” at a slew of Chicago’s top venues the band frequently played in 90s.
In 2012, the band was invited to play a one-off support slot for the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame members and former British Invasion chart-toppers, The Zombies, before slipping away again until a full reunion was mounted in 2016. Since then TSH has released four “EPs”, a “double A-side” single, a surprise Christmas track, and contributed tracks to the Pop Aid benefit CDs (Kool Kat Musik) – all with the loyal backing of venerable Chicago indie label and publisher, Pravda Records.
The band’s songs have charted over 650 times on various indie radio charts, including 40+ total weeks in the Radio Indie Alliance Overall Top 75, and have been played on over 125 radio stations around the world. In total, TSH songs have been streamed over 487,000 on Spotify and in total, the band has amassed approximately 500,000 streams across all platforms as of 3/1/2026.
DECRESCENT
Black Metal from the Midwest
UNHOLY ALTAR
Formed in 2021 in Philadeplhia, Pennsylvania, raw black metal quintet Unholy Altar is a prime example of ritualistic chaos compelled by nature. You can feel their obvious love for the second wave Norwegian bands.
EXPO’76
After more than a dozen years as an entity, Expo’76 rolls on — impossibly fresh in each performance, their reputation as the Chicago area’s most reliably potent and unpredictable cover band firmly established. Their secret all along has simply been remaining true to themselves, playing the music they want to play. Their set list is a far-flung assortment of hits, forgotten classics and deep cuts, that careens effortlessly across all genres and politely sidesteps old warhorses.
When singer/guitarist Dag Juhlin (Poi Dog Pondering, Sunshine Boys) put out a call to his longtime friends, keyboardist Kenny Goodman (The Service, New Duncan Imperials) drummer John Carpender (Outronaut, The Real Pretenders) and bassist Ralph Baumel (The Real Pretenders) in 2009, his only guideline was that the band just focused on being great, and that the rest would take care of itself. It worked. Expo’76 began their monthly residency at Simon’s Tavern in Chicago in early 2010, and within a few months the room was packed out and they were on the cover of The Chicago Sun Times arts section.
Along the way, they’ve played hundreds of gigs beyond that residency: street fairs, dances, weddings, private parties, swanky fundraisers and more, in every possible setting. They’ve been joined onstage by notable singers and assorted show folk like Robert Cornelius, Kelly Hogan, Joel Murray, Syd Straw, Frank Orrall, Michael McDermott, Jack McGee, and an up and coming singer from Evanston named Eddie Vedder.
Being bolstered by the ferocious and rightly in-demand Total Pro Horns means the Expo’76 catalog has even more depth and power, and the Pros wholly share the band’s irreverent but musically razor-sharp approach to performance.
A night of Expo’76 is an unforgettable experience: songs that unlock memories or invite further exploration, performances that dazzle, and overflowing good vibes, delivered with a generous serving of world class banter. There’s no one else like them.
TOM KENNY & THE HI-SEAS
Tom Kenny & the Hi-Seas is a high energy 12 piece band “RocknSoul” party band.
Performing songs from artist such as Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke,The Shangri-Las, The Righteous Brothers, Gary US Bonds, the band has gained a reputation for raucous live performances in venues from Los Angeles to Atlanta to Tijuana, Mexico.
HOT STOVE JIMMY
Hot Stove Jimmy formed in the early 90s ska movement and released their second cd Salute in 1996. This is perhaps their best release and it was pumped out only a year after their 1995 release called Take Your Time.
SOVIET SHISKA
SOVIET SHIKSA is the amalgamation of late nights watching horror movies, apathetic stand up routines and an ever evolving roster of personal heroes that may or may not be dead already. Screams fill your ears while gasoline and sweat permeate the air. Evoking thoughts of murder, wet dreams, and an overwhelming sense of doom.
SOVIET SHIKSA is a Southern Gothic Terror. Pure and simple.
DGNR8ERS
OUX
“oux is the project of multi-instrumentalists, singer-songwriters, and producers indigo finamore and manae solara vaughn…you could call their music “experimental pop,” but that hardly does justice to the profusion of genres and ideas they weave into their songs. four years in the making, oux’s debut full-length, “necronym”, balances prickly idiosyncrasies with sleek earworms, and unraveling its layers is part of the fun.” – jamie ludwig, chicago reader
as a duo, they self-released their “honeymood” EP in 2019 which was re-released in 2020 via chillwavve records. in 2021, bassist arya woody and drummer vita cleveland joined oux. in 2022, vita departed on hiatus and alaska jules (she/her) drummed from 2022-2024 and contributed to necronym before vita returned in 2025. on necronym, oux etches hyper-personal lyricism into maximalist productions indicative of the chaos that boils under the narratives of reason, etching their names into a hypnagogic tryst that relishes in the depths of death and renewal.
DJ PHILIP DE LA MORA
Philip De La Mora, a Chicago based event organizer and dj for over 15 years with a love of the classic synth and new wave sound of the 80s. A past resident of the iconic Exit Bar on North Ave. among other Chicago Alternative clubs and bars. Always staying within the New Wave, Dark Wave, Alternative Ebm and the like genres.
GUACAMAYO
GELATINOUS CUBE AND THE AMBIGUOUS WRECKS
Gelatinous Cube and the Ambiguous Wrecks have unleashed our debut record! We recommend listening to it on full volume on repeat until your ears start bleeding.
WILD ZERO
Wild Zero is a DIY alternative/rock band based in Chicago, IL, often characterized by a high-energy, gritty sound reminiscent of punk and rock-and-roll. They are active in the local scene, playing venues like Cole’s Bar and Cubby Bear, with upcoming performances scheduled in early 2026.
MELLOW HONEY
Embrace the psychonautic cerebrum-space pioneers, Mellow Honey! Tune out the dreary noise of the fluorine-powered mind campaign cast upon you by the pressure of the elite. Join us in our exposition of human nature, the endless cycle of the work routine, and the modern day emotional anesthesia.
SOVIET SHIKSA
SOVIET SHIKSA is the amalgamation of late nights watching horror movies, apathetic stand up routines and an ever evolving roster of personal heroes that may or may not be dead already. Screams fill your ears while gasoline and sweat permeate the air. Evoking thoughts of murder, wet dreams, and an overwhelming sense of doom.
SOVIET SHIKSA is a Southern Gothic Terror. Pure and simple.
T. L. WILLIAMS
Multi-hyphenate star T. L. Williams has been quietly and steadily building his legacy with a catalogue spanning over a decade. Williams began his career as a musician and producer, creating records for Chicago Hip-Hop titans such as Rhymefest, Syleena Johnson, & Twista, His 2015 hit, Gettin Mo Money Than You, reached #1 in Adult contemporary radio markets in several countries including the US and UK. Starting in 2016, TL began touring regularly with notable festival performances including SXSW, the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival, & Symphony Sound, receiving praise from Grammy-winners such as j. Ivy, Cody Chestnutt & filmmaker John Singleton. Williams followed that up with a recurring musician role on the hit TV Show Empire, a string of critically-acclaimed albums and growing production credits including Raheem Davaughn and Keyshia Cole. 2023 Saw the release of his 7th LP Self Care, including hits like the red-hot remake of James Brown’s The Boss. Adding to an independent catalogue worthy of its classic status with over 7 million streams and counting.
STEEL WOLF
Steel Wolf are Lithuanian-American recording artists
from Long Island, New York. Described as playing “music
to incite a riot”, Steel Wolf took their name from
Lithuanian folklore in 1982 and is still active today. Aside
from archetypal venues, they have performed annually at
the NYC Marathon and the north east Lithuanian camp,
Giraite. Their releases not only contain music with “bar
brawl-ready song titles” but also tracks like “Himnas 2010”
– a version of the Lithuanian National Anthem. As Long
Island Good Times magazine put it “Steel Wolf blends punk
anachronisms with Lithuanian mythology.”
KICKED BY A HAND
Kicked By A Hand is queer ska punk from Midwest, U.S.A. The ensemble being the size of Streetlight Manifesto, music akin to Less Than Jake, and yet lyrics somewhere between emo, pop punk, and Homestar Runner. Originally a solo project, Kicked By A Hand has quickly grown in size and following after the release of RJ Ramanauskas’ debut album Thanks To Friends Of Friends (available on stream and CD). Having made a home in Bridgeport and expanding north to The Cubby Bear, and back south at HAZ Studios, and now Reggies, the spread of LGBTQ friendly ska is ever expanding. New originals and new covers coming out constantly during live performances. Featured on WXAV radio, The Ska Show with Beefy, and Dissonant Waves on YouTube. Enough talking, let’s get to rocking with Kicked By A Hand!!!
STEELY DANE
Reelin’ in the Years, Do it Again, Peg, Aja,…all the hits and deep cuts. Winner of multiple awards for best tribute band, Steely Dane is dedicated to not only faithfully reproducing the Steely Dan and Donald Fagen songbook, but to bringing an energetic live-show experience to the crowd. Some of the Midwest’s best jazz and rock musicians have banded together around their passion for Steely Dan music, playing in the same configuration as the Steely Dan touring band including a four-piece horn section and two background singers. Shows consist of hits and deep cuts and sometimes even complete albums and are sure to have you out of your seats singing along.
RAMBLEWOOD
Ramblewood is an indie folk musician based in the heart of Ohio. Drawing inspiration from the scenic countryside and the vibrant music scene of the Midwest, Ramblewood’s music is a mix of heartfelt lyrics, intricate guitar work, and soulful vocals. Growing up in a small town, Ramblewood’s love for music began at an early age. His passion for playing the guitar led him to explore a variety of genres, from blues to bluegrass, before settling on the rootsy sound of folk music. With a voice that is both soothing and powerful, Ramblewood’s music is a reflection of his own life experiences. His lyrics are honest and introspective, exploring themes of love, loss, and the human condition. Whether he’s singing about the joy of a summer day or the pain of lost love, Ramblewood’s music is always authentic and relatable. Ramblewood is poised to make a name for himself in the world of indie folk music. His music is a reminder that sometimes the simplest things in life – a beautiful melody, a well-crafted lyric, and a voice that speaks from the heart – are all that is needed to create something truly special.
LIFE RIGHT NOW
Life Right Now is a Billboard-charting band known for the single Wolfpack. Blending intensity with atmosphere, the band enters a new chapter with “Midnight City,” out January 30th.
TIFFANY GOUCHE
Tiffany Gouché is an Inglewood-based R&B singer, songwriter, and producer known for her soulful, “do-it-yourself” approach, having performed with a live band at venues like the Ace Hotel New Orleans and in Atlanta.
LEON LEWIS-NICOL
A native of Sierra Leone, Leon Lewis-Nicol is a jazz pianist whose musical inspiration, compositions and improvisational voice are deeply rooted in his West African Heritage and Christian beliefs.
ABSTRACT SOUNDS
Abstract Sounds is a 6-piece Alternative Jazz Fusion band from Cleveland, OH. Led by saxophonist Jevaughn Bogard. The band formed in late 2021 from a collection of jazz and dance music lovers.Abstract Sounds mixes deep harmony and dance. If you like a power house horn section this is for you
ALYSSA BERNAL BAND
Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. Discovered by Pharrell Williams in 2010 and signed to Star Trak/Interscope Records. Toured with Lifehouse/Kris Allen in 2011 & performed with Jason Derulo at the AMA’s pre-show in 2012. Independent Artist since 2013.
SINE
SINE’s music style dubbed, “electronic boom”, “ mixes beats, industrial noise, sub-bass, and synths into a dark, lush blend, while their live shows combine synths, drumming, and vocals into a powerful, female-fronted performance that both entertains and empowers.
CURSE MACKEY
CURSE MACKEY is an Austin, Texas-based darkwave industrial artist known for his solo work, and with Pigface, My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, and Clan of Xymox. A distinct voice in the post-industrial world, his live set is an energetic and cinematic must-see for fans of dark electronic music.
LYRIC AND THE NEW BAND
The New Band is a groove band out of Blue Island that stands by 3 structural pillars; Improvisation, fun & connection. There is an equal passion for detail, creativity and spontaneity within the music; playing LIVE, The New Band is instructed to IMPROVISE ALL SOLO SECTIONS… this means every time you see the NEW BAND, you hear NEW MUSIC.
I HATE PEOPLE
BOB SEGER & THE SILVER BULLET BAND (NIGHT MOVES)
Night Moves is the ninth studio album by American rock singer-songwriter Bob Seger, released on October 22, 1976, by Capitol Records. It is his first studio album to credit his backing band, the Silver Bullet Band, although they only perform on five of the nine songs on the album; the other four feature backing by the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section.
JOHN CALE “PARIS 1919”
Paris 1919 is the third solo studio album by the Welsh musician John Cale, released on 25 February 1973 by Reprise Records. Musicians including Lowell George of Little Feat and Wilton Felder performed on the album. It was produced by Chris Thomas.
LASH OUT
Chaotic Milwaukee Punk. Great music for bad people.
Jayke Orvis – guitar and vocals
Kay Jones -vocals
Chris Ellis – bass
Cody Lamb – drums
LEVEE DISTRICT
Built from Chicago’s musical heritage, LEVEE DISTRICT is power pop crying out from a city of writers, fighters, lovers, and Malort.
STAR TRUCKER
High octane classic rock built for the open road. Fueled by grit, groove, and guitar tones. Based out of Cedar Rapids Iowa. The band consists of Davis Coover and Evan Stock on electric guitars, Zakk Buch on bass guitar, and Greg Taylor on drums.
MATT KEEN & HIS BAND
Chicagoland’s premier guitarist and songwriter blends soulful rock with classic blues influences, and is a prominent figure in the midwest music and festival scene.
IUIO
ONE WITH THE RIVERBED
One with the Riverbed is a five-piece post-metal band from Kalamazoo, Michigan.
BIMBO ROCOCO
noisestar, alpha female, follicular angel of death
ROCCO DESGRES
Rocco Desgres is a Queer musician from Chicago, Illinois, exploring the lo-fi sounds
of the 80s on analog synthesizers. With soaring falsetto vocals, pulsating electron dance beats, and live analog synthesizers. Their two Studio Records, “The Very Very Best of Rocco Desgres” followed by “Rocco Desgres Now in Five Exciting New Flavors!”, are high-energy synth pop songs recorded exclusively on analog synthesizers. Their live electronic sound has classic inspirations from Depeche Mode, O.M.D., and Italo Disco, and modern inspirations such as Holy Wire, Dutch Experts, and Odor Eater. Rocco Desgres has collaborated with many artists such as Recent History, Moving Day, Translucent Industry, and Cosmic Duct Tape. They have been dazzling audiences with their high-energy performances at the best venues in Chicago, most notably, Coles Bar, The Burlington Bar, and the Fallin’ Log. The pulsating electronic dance music and captivating high-energy performance of Rocco Desgres always give audiences an unforgettable experience.
SOUTHSIDE OCCUPATIONAL ACADEMY POLAR PLUNGE
Southside Occupational Academy is proud to support Special Olympics Illinois through participation in the Special Olympics Illinois Polar Plunge, a major public fundraising event that supports year-round Special Olympics programming.
All Southside students participate in Special Olympics events throughout the year, including alpine skiing, snowshoeing, basketball, volleyball, soccer, flag football, and more. Funding from events like the Polar Plunge helps cover uniforms, equipment, transportation, and competition fees—ensuring these opportunities remain available at no cost to families.
TOOTHPICK
SOUTH BEND REAL HC
THE BEST BAND IN THE WORLD
THE DOOMSTOMPERS
Punk-Rocksteady from Queens, NY
JOKER’S REPUBLIC
Ska Punk POWER TRIO from North NJ
Punkerton Records Artist
RUNAWAY RICOCHET
1 cup of ska
5 grams of punk
3 tablespoons of emo (midwest)
and a pinch of progressive jazz fusion
Minneapolis, MN
JOSH BLACK
With over 500k followers on TikTok and millions of views across social media, Josh Black has quickly become one of comedy’s sharpest voices. His viral sketches and stand-up clips have earned him a growing audience. Josh has recently moved from Nashville TN to Chicago.
OZ NOY TRIO
“It’s Jazz. It just doesn’t sound like it.”
This is how virtuoso guitarist Oz Noy describes his intoxicating blend of jazz, funk, rock, blues, and r&b.
Born in Israel, Oz Noy started his professional career at the age of 13 playing jazz, blues, pop, and rock music. By age 24, he was one of the most established studio guitar players in the country.
Since his 1996 arrival in New York, Oz has made a huge impact on the international music scene. His unique and intoxicating style has broken all the rules of instrumental guitar music by focusing on the groove.
ROMAN CANDLE
Hailing from the desert underground of Las Vegas, Piper Ferrari, Jonas Vece, Sergio Lopez ,and Alex Dupuis form one of the most emotionally raw and compelling new voices in modern screamo. What began as a creative spark between Piper and Jonas has evolved into a fully realized four-piece, blending serrated aggression with vulnerable lyricism and a deep sense of place within the current hardcore landscape.
After announcing themselves with the breakout EP Discount Fireworks, Roman Candle spent
the next few years refining their sound and expanding their reach. Their recent run of
singles—“Fire In the Night Sky Forever,” “This Band Has Led Me To Places I Wouldn’t Go
With a Gun,” and “Nothing Is Original”—showcases the band’s sharpened emotional focus
and their ability to balance chaos with clarity. In January 2026, they released “Can We Watch Something Happy?”, a powerful track rooted in Piper’s personal experiences, further
solidifying the band’s reputation for striking, unfiltered storytelling.
Onstage, the band operates with total commitment. Piper’s commanding vocal presence,
Jonas’s tense and dynamic guitar work, Nico’s driving low end, and Bryson’s explosive
percussion combine into a live experience that feels both communal and cathartic. Their
sold-out Las Vegas show in October 2025 served as a defining moment—evidence of a band
whose hometown support has swelled alongside their national attention.
With new music underway and a full-length album on the horizon, Roman Candle stands firmly at the forefront of a new generation of screamo artists—raw, intentional, and resonant in a way that cuts straight to the bone.
SPIRITWORLD
“With, Helldorado, the third installment of SPIRITWORLD’s death-
western trifecta, chief hombre Stu Folsom takes the listener deeper
into a world where the hot desert sun beats down on his singular
vision of the American West as a gateway to hell. “It’s a different
album than the past two,” says Folsom, of the thematic and sonic
journey that began with the Las Vegas band’s 2020’s Pagan
Rhythms LP and continued with 2022’s Deathwestern. Now, the
story rides on in a cloud of dust and a spray of blood with his latest
offering. Helldorado blasts the Mojave-born bloodlust and
stomping, tomahawk riffs SPIRITWORLD won their brutal, horrific
vision of the old west with while riding straight into macabre
Americana
CAM MARTIN
I’m letters in your soup
NICK BROWER
Cellist/songwriter based in Chicago.
NEW FOUND POWER
Five-piece Crossover/Thrash band from Chicago.
SKINLAB
Our new single ‘Flesh Wounds’ is OUT NOW!!
SCHOOL DRUGS
New Jersey hardcore punk
EXTINCTION EARTH
Extinction Earth progressive metal band
SILK & NIGHTWIND
Frequently called “Chicago’s best kept secret”, Silk and NightWind prides itself on the fulfillment of its mission statement…”music people have heard in a way that they have never heard it, and music people have never heard. Being a collaboration of singer/songwriters and producers, Silk and NightWind have abandoned the desire to just “cover music” but to interpret the popular songs of various era’s and present their own creativity thru their own original songs and arrangements. Their genre? “Contemporary Soul, House and Jazz Pop”.
Nuff said.
BLIND EQUATION
:: experience digital bliss ::
KARTIKA 55
Kartika 55 is a Chicago-based hardcore punk band known for intense, heavy sound, featuring tracks like “A New Dawn for Our Kind,” “Weep, Savior,” and “A Just Barrage”.
WOONDS
Somos emo🩸
HOVERBOARD
Aggressively dreamy band originally from Baltimore/Philadelphia, now based in Chicago.
SOMETHING EASY
Something Easy is four dudes from Chicago’s South Side who’ve been making noise together for over 10 years. Our sound is shaped by a lifetime of listening across genres, pulling influence from Nirvana and Korn to Spanish rock, pop, and rap—and everything in between.
ZACH MAMA
Zach Mama is a French-American stand-up comedian & jazz drummer.
Known for his rhythmic storytelling and raw vulnerability, his stand-up clips have earned him over 50 million views across social media.
Originally from Paris, France, Zach studied jazz in Philadelphia, New York and New Orleans.
In 2022, he started filming an improvised documentary about stand up while couch-surfing through all 50 U.S. states.
THRILLING BRILLIANCE
Chicago-based rock outfit Thrilling Brilliance isn’t here to play it safe — they’re here to Thrill your Brilliant minds.
Their latest EP, An Eclectic Mind, is a five-song jolt of bluesy swagger, old-school heart, and 80s-inspired rock theatrics wrapped in modern attitude
CHANDELIER
Bound to make yall hear! It’s Chandelier! 4 piece band bringing hits from genres Classic Rock, Funk, Hip Hop, Psychadelic Blues, R&B, and Soul!
IREPONSIBLE
Had a bad breakup with your ex? Start a band. That’s exactly how this Chicago-based rock band came to be. Fueled with high energy and the weight of their collective past traumas, Iresponsible pours out raw emotion into every note, every lyric, and every performance.
BURIAL OATH
Rising from the depths of Cleveland, Ohio, Burial Oath began as a burgeoning 3-piece, consisting of JV, D and Sean Deth (Osi & the Jupiter) whose first album, Beyond the Vale of Shadowlands, was released worldwide in 2017 on Vendetta Records followed by a regional tour.
No Clean Singing called Burial Oath’s debut album a “sulfurous and savage [with a] ferocity more than matched by the appeal of its dark melodies and the dynamism of its rhythms and energies,” and Cvit Nation cites the album as “one of the most compelling and thought-provoking black metal albums of the year.”
The band returned in 2018 with their 2nd full length, Subjugation of the Bastard Son which was heralded by even the most critical in the press w/ Angry Metal Guy sharing, “This is black metal at its most unencumbered, effortless and simple…Subjugation of the Bastard Son contains no bad songs”.
5 years later, Burial Oath are back with a refreshed line-up, adding MOR GRISH and R to the fold, and are ready to share their new album, The Cycles of Suffering, this time, with the help of Redefining Darkness Records! Decibel Magazine premiered the music video for Pagan Fires and shared, “Burial Oath are going to bring us catchy, blackened, groovy metal and we can’t wait to hear more.”
The band will be out supporting the record on their Territorial Damnation Tour in October and November with another US tour planned for the Spring of 2025.
WITCHTRAP
A Power Trio band that plays Metal as close to the glorious early days in Metal.
SUPREME MYSTIC
Supreme Mystic is the intersection where stoner rock and post hardcore collide into a unique blend of heavy music. A new venture comprised of fixtures from the Hardcore / Punk world embarking on a stylistic departure; while simultaneously drawing from a lifetime of musical warfare. Their debut offering ‘Kala Rupa’ is a thematic journey blending relatable contemplations into eastern mysticism.
In the industrial belly of Detroit, where machine noise & rebellion pulse in equal measure, a new sound has emerged. It is furious, transcendental, and carries something older than anger and louder than distortion. That sound is the untameable heavy music force Supreme Mystic. Defying categorization, their sound, described as Mo-Metal / Def Roc is a bold hybrid. Comprised of heavy stoner rock, post metal grit, spiritual mysticism, and raw Detroit power.
VULNIFICUS
Formed in October 2021, VULNIFICUS was created with the intent of reclaiming death metal’s early brutality while delivering the precision and intensity of a modern production. Blending old-school savagery with contemporary extremity, the band quickly established itself within the brutal death metal underground.
VULNIFICUS released their debut EP, INNOMINATION, on November 26, 2021. The record was recorded, mixed, and mastered at Demolition Studios, with vocal recording and mixing handled by E. Browne at BWNTWN STN. The release drew comparisons to genre staples such as Cannibal Corpse, Condemned, Defeated Sanity, and Mortician. Shortly thereafter, the band signed with New Standard Elite and released their debut single, “Induced Rampage.”
In December 2021, VULNIFICUS returned to Demolition Studios to record their second EP, INVOCATION, which was released on June 10, 2022. The five-track release further refined the band’s sound, combining relentless blast-driven aggression with crushing groove and technical precision. INVOCATION was met with a positive response and solidified the band’s standing in the brutal death metal community, supported by the singles “Coerced Into Compliance” and “The Incredulous Invocation.”
Following the success of INVOCATION, VULNIFICUS released an exclusive tour tape compilation titled INEXPLICABLE through Denses Records in Indonesia in August 2022, limited to 100 copies and quickly selling out. Although the band’s first tour was ultimately canceled due to lineup changes, demand led to a digital release of INEXPLICABLE in December 2022. This expanded edition featured demo versions of previously released material along with four unreleased tracks. The compilation later received a digipak release via French label Percussive Spectre, earning favorable reception.
After restructuring the lineup, founding member Eston rebuilt VULNIFICUS by recruiting Jamison Parker (Prophecy of Suffering) on guitar and Evan Daniele (Dead and Dripping) on drums and guitar. This lineup introduced a revitalized and more focused sound on the band’s third EP, INEXTRICABLE, released on November 3, 2023.
Mike Jones (Utter Scorn) joined the band on bass. VULNIFICUS completed a week-long tour with Unique Leader artists Cordyceps in support of INEXTRICABLE and made their festival debut at Gulfcoast Deathfest 3 in Houston, Texas. The band then entered Backroom Studios in Rockaway, New Jersey to record their debut full-length album, with Scot Moriarty handling drum recording as well as mixing and mastering. Vocal duties once again being handled by E.Browne at Superlative Sound.
With Jason McLean joining as drummer, VULNIFICUS performed their first show with the completed lineup at Arkansas Deathfest, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response. Shortly thereafter, the band announced their signing with Comatose Music and released their debut full-length album, INCLINATION on October 10, 2025 marking a significant milestone in the band’s evolution. After four years and three EPs, it is finally time for the debut album to be unleashed and for the true extent of VULNIFICUS’ power and pestilential sickness to be revealed.
TO VIOLENTLY VOMIT
NATION OF PAIN
Created in 2022 after playing early thrash metal shows together, back in the 80’s & 90’s!
Scott Rothschild – Vocals/Drums
Scott Nyquist – Guitars
Gary Modica – Bass
*Rothschild (formerly MORTAR)
*Nyquist (formerly WRATH)
*Modica – (WRATH)
PAIN!!!
DIABOLIC OATH
Birthed in contempt, MMXVII.
ABYSMAL LOWS,
UNHOLY THUNDER,
PROFANE PESTILENCE
DEAD VOID
Through the tempestuous and suffocating chaos of the void emerges a dual-tongued spectre of dread, as the enigmatic Dead Void unleash their mercurial visions of the deepest, darkest depths of psychological terror, inner torment and heavy, warped and wild Death Metal upon those who will bear witness.
Dead Void has worked in obscurity under the surface for nearly a decade, crafting their unique sound from their own obscure blueprint, eschewing norms and creating Death Metal at its darkest and most heavy and weird. Following a many-times reprinted and sold out demo tape in 2018, the band’s debut album, Volatile Forms, was released in 2022 on Dark Descent Records and Me Saco un Ojo Records, quickly making an impact in the underground press with its unique, unrestrained and unpredictable sound.
Manifesting in current times as a two-piece, this bicephalous form of the arcane and shapeshifting entity that is Dead Void brings extra wildness and intensity while simultaneously being heavier than ever.
Brace yourself for further forays into Cranial Devastation this spring, as the band now finalises their new album scheduled for release before their performance at Maryland Deathfest.
“Volatile Forms is the heaviest album I’ve heard this year… the album resides completely in a world of Dead Void’s making. And there’s something almost indescribably special about that world.” – yourlastrites
“Unpredictable and shapeless, like a formless cavern with no exit” -metalutopia
“A bleak, liminal portrayal of conjuration and merciless aggression resultant ‘Volatile Forms‘ is likely to end up the, or among the, heaviest death metal records released in 2022.” -grizzlybutts
“This music crawls below the surface of your skin, festering, rotting you from the inside out… A sadistic listen that will penalise surface-fan culture and reward true maniacs seeking the diabolical and dark arts of Death Metal.” -nattskog
“Dead Void’s got enough songwriting chops to open a Burt Bacharach-themed steakhouse.” -yourlastrites
Check out this interview with No Clean Singing:
THE HANDSOME DEVILZ (Tribute to the Cure)
“The Handsome Devilz have now taken the journey even further, paying tribute to The Cure since 2022!”
FAKE PLASTIC TREES
Fake Plastic Trees is a dedicated Radiohead tribute band based in Chicago, known for performing intimate, high-quality renditions of the band’s discography.
STRANGE LOUNGE
Strange Wave “weirdly seductive” Description- “like watching a David Lynch movie”
WEIRD PALS
The world’s premier “Weird Al” Yankovic tribute band.
Nashville, TN
CORY SHANE
VICEROY
Viceroy is a band to watch!”
–Jim DeRogatis, Chicago Sun-Times
IRON MAIDEN “IRON MAIDEN”
Iron Maiden is the debut studio album by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released on 11 April 1980 by EMI Records in the UK and Harvest and Capitol Records in the US. The North American version included the song “Sanctuary”, released in the UK as a non-album single. In 1998, along with the rest of the band’s pre-1995 releases, Iron Maiden was remastered with “Sanctuary” added in all territories. However, 2014 vinyl reissues, 2015 digital releases and 2018 CD reissues use the original track listing across the globe. It is the band’s only album to feature guitarist Dennis Stratton.
SAVATAGE “HALL OF THE MOUNTAIN KING”
Hall of the Mountain King is the fourth studio album by the American heavy metal band Savatage, released in 1987 under the direction of producer Paul O’Neill. It is their first album produced by O’Neill, who was assigned to the band after the tour in support of Fight for the Rock. O’Neill’s influence pushed Savatage to adopt a conceptual style beginning with this album.
GHOSTBELLS
A glowingly dark movement of new wave and EBM music.