FEVER CHILLS
Fever Chills blends pop, rock, jazz, r&b and dance into a sound that’s inspired as much from modern music as it is from the classics. It’s all about the feel.
THE WOODS
We are a rock trio from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music.
MODERN VICES
Self-proclaimed dirty doo-wop, Modern Vices are Alex, Peter, Thomas, Patrick, and Miles. They hail from Chicago. Noir in tone, their sound resides somewhere between late ’50s croon and wet garage rock snarl. Their self-recorded, eponymous, LP drops in October via Los Angeles’ Autumn Tone Records. A romantic revolution.
STUFY
As children, many people gave life to their stuffed companions, bestowing upon them names and personalities. As these children grew, their sincere attachment to their inanimate comrades often dwindled or disappeared completely…but little did the world know that the conglomeration of these imaginary personalities would be made manifest in the form of a wandering dream-being collectively imagined by everyone.
And he’s a shithead.
ULTRA NADA
Ultra Nada is a 3 piece punk band from Chicago. We originally started in the summer of 2013 and been consistently performing all around Illinois area since. We recently recorded our first EP and a full album is in the works.
CHRIS DE SALVO
Chris De Salvo is a Chicago-based musician. He lives in Logan Square & records in West Logan Square with the sonically- gifted Tim Joyce. Together, they’ve braved a dastardly grueling winter to create the EP “Glimmer.” Chris wrote it, and Tim made it sounds as shimmery as they both hope you find it to be.
MARMALETTA
Marmaletta formed in the spring of 2014 in the city of Chicago. The band was initially created in support of lead singer/guitarist Joey Cantacessi’s solo project, All My Friends, but budded into something much bigger than expected. More than a band, Marmaletta is an idea, a flowing energy between 5 best friends expressed through spacey, psychedelic infused jam-based music. The group is comprised of members Joey Cantacessi (vocals/guitar), Ryan Flynn (keys/synth/percussion), Stuart MacFadyen (bass), Cole Hawking (keys/synth/percussion), and Evan Weinstein (drums).
TALL DOUG
MIKE DIXON
SONGBURD
Songburd ~ your gal-friend who migrates across the globe singing; pairing the arts & social media to share life’s stories with many cultures.
JAZZ FOR KIDS
Here at Jazz for Kids, we aim to offer you only the greatest selection of quality JAZZ. As we have recently partnered with Jazzy J’s JAZZ Emporium, our prices are competitive and we are sourced from organic, free-range JAZZ cultivators right here in America. We also sell used JAZZ and boast a variety of international JAZZ from England, Japan, Brazil, Zimbabwe, and many other JAZZy countries. Here at Jazz for Kids, we care about JAZZ. But, above all, we care about you.
*not affiliated with the Jewish House for Orphan Jazz
SOMETHING IS WAITING
We have separately been kicked out of every band we’ve ever been in.
We are no longer allowed to talk about music in public or comment on the songwriting and/or riff writing and/or live performance of your band. We cannot play a show with “your band.”
We are not a band. We can not have our pictures taken together. We are not allowed to rent our own, or share a practice space with another group. We each show up separately to “shows.” We do not have band van. We do not have a band fund. When we play “shows” we, “send any money the touring band’s way.” We are allowed to “support local shows” by attending and/or booking them, as long as we do not comment on the songwriting and/or riff writing and/or live performance of your band.
We are allowed to DJ a local psuedo-Metal club and/or hole in the wall-bar that will let us DJ on an off night if we “draw out a few friends” as long as we do not answer “What band” this is when you come up to us and ask us when said band’s song is blaring and can barely be heard over, before you respond, “I thought this sounded familiar.”
We once played with Electric Wizard (because somebody made us).
We are not allowed to be “thrown on the list,” even if you were to say to us, “Hey man, what are you doing this Wednesday? Come out to the show. I’ll throw you on the list.”
The previous owner of our Bassist’s Emperor Bass cab was THE WAR ON DRUGS.
NECROPHAGIA
Necrophagia was one of the first death metal bands. The band was assembled in Wellsville, Ohio in 1983. Their name derives from the act of cannibalizing, or eating a corpse. The word derives from the two Greek words nekron (corpse) and phagein (to eat).
Necrophagia was a popular group in the underground “tape trading” scene of the early-to-mid-1980s. Featuring hard-driving metal and growling vocals, Necrophagia became a pioneer in the fledgling extreme metal genre. Their first full-length album, Season of the Dead, was recorded and released in 1987.
The band then split up due to musical differences, and lay dormant until 1997 when frontman Killjoy reformed the band with then Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo (under the pseudonym Anton Crowley) on guitars, Wayne Fabra on drums and Dustin Havnen on bass. This lineup released the album Holocausto de la Morte and the EP Black Blood Vomitorium. Havnen was then replaced by Jared Faulk, with Gorelord mainman Frediablo also joining as a second guitarist and Opal Enthroned (then Anselmo’s wife) joining the band on keyboards. This line up released the Cannibal Holocaust EP in 2001 before splitting up leaving Killjoy & Frediablo as the only members for a short time.
In 2002 Killjoy announced the new Necrophagia line-up. Joining him and Frediablo would be Frediablos brother Fug on guitar, Iscariah (formerly of Immortal) on bass, Titta Tanni on drums and Mirai Kawashima of Japanese avant-garde black metal band Sigh on keyboards. This proved to be the most productive time for Necrophagia, with all members concentrating on the band rather than treating it as a side project. They released the albums The Divine Art of Torture and Harvest Ritual Vol. 1, as well as the Goblins Be Thine EP.
On June 6, 2006 Necrophagia released Slit Wrists And Casket Rot, a live album from their “Harvesting the Dead” tour.
Frediablo left the band in early 2006 to concentrate on his other band Gorelord, and has been replaced by Undead Torment.
On 22 December 2007 Necrophagia announced that Death Trip 69, will be released before Summer 2008, followed by a major tour, but the release of the album has been delayed.
VENOM INC
After more than 20 years and for reasons that will become apparent, along with repeated fan requests, we introduce …
VENOM.INC – IRON & STEEL
Following on from the much acclaimed Prime Evil album era and in the great tradition of VENOM, the three protagonists continue to brew the cauldron……
MANTAS – THE DEMOLITION MAN – ABADDON
Are BACK!
With a launch appearance at the highly respected ‘Keep It True festival’ in April, followed by live dates in China, Japan and Taiwan in July, a full European tour in September… and a full South American tour as well as festival appearances and North American dates planned…. with a FULL and CLASSIC VENOM set.
Followed by a brand NEW album
This absolute powerhouse of metal are set to bring you all that was/is and will be Venomously brutal and exciting. It is time to set the record straight and give back what was lost.
Welcome to the beginning of the end….!!
MR. CONSTANT
Mr. Constant is a three-piece psychedelic/hard rock/funk band founded in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. Originally formed from an improvisational standpoint, the group’s focus has shifted towards tighter songs that emphasize the mix of different genres that they forge. This collective melting pot of genres is what they call Mr. Constant, for the only constant in music is change.
RDGLDGRN
After a brief hiatius, RDGLDGRN (pronounced RED GOLD GREEN) is back and gearing up for the release of their second EP. Slated for release in Fall 2015, the band leaked their first single, “No Pixar,” to kick off the summer early. Amassing over 100,000 streams in 48 hours—the song received resounding feedback from critics and fans alike, and signals an ambitious progression in the band’s sound. The video to their follow up track “Runnin Away,” also met with glowing reviews and gave new fans a view into the band’s energetic live show and eager fanbase.
With a distinctive go-go drumbeat native to Washington D.C. serving as the backbone to the band’s sound, RDGLDGRN represents the best of the city’s musical heritage: influenced by punk, hip-hop, jazz, indie rock, and soul. The result is a trio that could be the lovechild of The Neptunes and Arcade Fire—excelling as a live indie band and as a hip-hop group and production trio. To put it simply, this band, while deeply rooted in D.C.’s sonic landscape, also manages to transcend it.
RDGLDGRN initially gained widespread recognition after self-releasing the song, “I Love Lamp,” on YouTube, a song that landed them in the studio with Dave Grohl and Pharrell Williams, with whom they collaborated on their debut album, RDGLDGRN LP. Williams co-wrote and co-produced the standout track “Doing the Most,” which showcases the breadth of the group’s capabilities and their willingness to defy convention.
However, while the singularity of their music demands attention, it is their live performance that has boosted the band’s reputation and built them a diverse and loyal following. The band’s ability to engage with their audience—combining audience participation and irreverent ad-libs and mash-ups to accompany their high-energy performances—has established RDGLDGRN as a must-see live act, sharing stages alongside Outkast, The Killers, The Foo Fighters, 311, Lauryn Hill, Talib Kweli, and AWOLNation. With each performance, RDGLDGRN delivers the kind of energy that could jump-start a stadium, as they did opening for (Foo Fighters July show), with the kind of audience connection one would expect at a private club.
With their upcoming sophomore EP, RDGLDGRN promises an evolution in their sound, as the group fuses its genre-bending musicality with a sly wit, honesty, and truly global worldview. In “No Pixar,” the group confronts the trials of forging their own path and establishing their own sense of identity and morality—a move that not only has The Source calling them “the rap game’s Disney,” but signals the band’s willingness to step into the void. Not content to be the product of their myriad influences, RDGLDGRN continues to stake their claim as the new musical vanguard.
JARED JAMES NICHOLS
It really doesn’t take much…
With nothing more than a Gibson Les Paul slung over his shoulder, a warm amp turned all the way up, and a hot microphone on and ready, Jared James Nichols churns out the kind of rock that rips, roars, and rolls without filter or apology. The Wisconsin-born and Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist delivers a one-two punch of gritty vocals straight from the gut and incendiary fret fireworks. After earning widespread acclaim from the likes of American Songwriter, Guitar World, Relix, and more, tallying millions of streams, and packing houses at countless shows, he showcases every side of himself on his 2023 self-titled third full-length offering, Jared James Nichols [Black Hill Records].
“You have to strip yourself back so many times to figure out what you’re trying to do,” he observes. “For me, it was quite simple. As an artist, music is freedom; music is whatever you want it to be. So, I see it with the bumps, the bruises, the crashes, and everything intact. The album is a day in the life with the ups and downs, but it musically rings true to who I am as an artist.”
Back in 2015, Jared emerged with his debut Old Glory & The Wild Revival. On its heels, the 2018 follow-up Black Magic yielded the fan favorite “Honey Forgive Me,” piling up over 3.8 million Spotify streams and counting. In between showstopping solo shows, he performed alongside icons a la Slash, Billy Gibbons, Zakk Wylde, and even the late Leslie West, to name a few. Guitar World attested, “If you’ve never witnessed Jared James Nichols onstage, let us say right now: you’re missing out, big time.” Following the 2021 fan favorite Shadow Dancer EP, he collaborated with both Maggie Rose and Joe Bonamassa in 2022 for revised versions of his song “Threw Me To The Wolves.”
Along the way, Gibson formally welcomed him as an official ambassador, plotting the release of several signature Jared James Nichols guitars. Blackstar Amps followed suit and Seymour Duncan also designed a signature pickup to his specification—due out in 2023.
Officially partnering with Gibson was a huge moment in the guitar aficionado’s life. Nearly a decade ago, a Les Paul literally landed into the yard of a fan during the biggest tornado ever to impact Washington, IL. The fan shared a picture of the guitar with Jared. “It was one of the earliest known Les Pauls ever created from 1952,” he explains. “It was battered and bruised with a broken neck from the tornado, but it was still salvageable.” The fan offered to give it to Jared to restore and play. He sent it to one of the world’s best luthiers, Joel Wilkins.
“It is a very important piece of musical history as it is a prototype—1 of 25—to the most important electric guitar shape in the world, the Gibson Les Paul,” he smiles. “It is one of the most perfect instruments I have ever played. I play it every day, take it on tour, and make music with it all over the world. It’s the best way to honor its legacy. I named the guitar ‘Dorothy’ after the tornado experience.”
Fast forward to present time, and after weathering the Pandemic, Jared’s long-awaited return to the road would be unceremoniously derailed. About two weeks into a tour with Black Stone Chery in the fall of 2021, he tried to help his band pack up the stage and upon grabbing a road case, he felt a pop in his right arm. What he thought might be a pulled muscle wound up being bone scraping inside his arm. Whisked away to the emergency room, the x-ray showed a chipped humerus bone due to longtime stress fractures. The only solution proved to be emergency surgery with a chance he might never play guitar again or even use the arm.
“After surgery, I found myself with a plate and 16 screws in my arm, completely sidelined, and back home in bed,” he sighs. “I did not let this hold me down, and I found myself re-working how to use my right arm to play again within days. If anything, breaking my arm forced me right back to square one and to rebuild into the best possible version of myself I could be.”
Busting his ass to restore a semblance of normalcy, he pushed forward and regained use of the arm and his storied guitar proficiency. Going into the next season, Jared made a decision to track his next body of work live, reflecting the spirit of his show on tape like never before. Joined by producer Eddie Spear, the album proudly preserves all of the grit and gusto from the rooms in Blackbird Studios and Sienna Studios where he first cut the tunes.
“It was made live with intention and zero fucks given,” he notes. “It wasn’t like we could fix the tempos. We didn’t use a click track. I wrote a batch of songs to capture everything I’m about. I didn’t hold back. I thought of what I listened to growing up, whether it was grunge or blues. We got a little heavier. I made a record to serve as the menu for the live show. There’s an element of excitement and danger. It’s my version of rock ‘n’ roll with a little more humanity.”
Speaking of, he paved the way for the record with the 2022 release of the hypnotic and hyper-charged “Hard Wired.” Born from a jam session with Tyler Bryant and Graham Whitford, the single bulldozed a path for Jared James Nicholswith no shortage of raw and raucous six-string bravado.
“Sometimes, a song comes out of nowhere and basically writes itself, and that is exactly what happened with this one,” he says. “I immediately knew it was going to be a song I wanted to incorporate into my live set and cut for this record. Lyrically, it comes from a place of self-destruction. You know something is bad for you, but you continue to do it anyway even though the result will be tragic. It’s like a stick of dynamite ready to blow, and it encapsulates the mood and tone of this entire record.”
On the follow-up single “Down The Drain,” vulnerable vocals snake around melodic guitar in ominous fashion. Baring its fangs, it snaps into a chantable chorus punctuated by a wailing lead.
“It’s easy to get addicted to a shitty relationship,” he reveals. “You know it’s going to end wrong, but you can’t get out. You’re going down the drain. The concept is relatable to everyone, whether it’s about a friend or a romantic relationship.”
From the jump, the record kicks into high gear with the bluesy wallop of “My Delusion.” In between steady tambourine, distortion roars as he confesses, “Your body is my temple, and your heart is my ruin.”
“‘My Delusion’ kept evolving,” he recalls. “It was like water starting to boil. By the time you get into the solo and the riff, it’s ready to go off the rails. When we stopped after the second take, we were sweating head-to-toe. We knew we got it!”
On “Hallelujah,” a flurry of drums gives way to a thick and heavy battering ram of a blues riff only to crash into a rickety bass line and atomic shredding.
“It was recorded balls to the wall,” he remembers. “We were like, ‘Let’s go’. I was channeling all of my heroes. Obviously, the first riff I ever learned was a Black Sabbath tune. It’s a fist in the air song.”
“Good Time Girl” pays homage to “going out, drinking, partying, and having a good time” over a hummable guitar groove. The record culminates on the emotionally charged “Out Of Time.” Jared’s Les Paul practically cries out as he says goodbye to his old man with a heartfelt and tearful tribute.
“I lost my dad, and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever dealt with in my life,” he admits. “I wrote ‘Out of Time’ when I was thinking of him. It’s a heavy song. I was crying when I was doing the vocals. It’s a different vibe, but it’s impactful for me.”
By keeping it simple, Jared remains primed to leave his imprint on rock ‘n’ roll forever.
“I hope you listen to this record and connect to it,” he leaves off. “Rock ‘n’ roll is not always about a throwback. It’s fucking 2022, dude. I’m right here, and I’m ready to rip. I’m not trying to be anybody but myself and play the music I love for today. I’m giving you loud ass guitars and no fucks given rock ‘n’ roll, and I’m loving it.”
JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR
Born and raised in the Black Country, Joanne was originally discovered by Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart as a 16 year old guitar prodigy. Through hard work and near-constant touring, she is now one of the hottest young names on the British Blues circuit. She is admired and respected by many leading blues guitarists including Joe Bonamassa.
Joanne was voted “Best British Female Vocalist” at the British Blues Awards in 2010 and 2011. Her current album, Almost Always Never, was helmed by the legendary record producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon, …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Patty Griffin) in Austin, Texas. Joanne was invited as special guest to Annie Lennox performing at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert in June 2012. Joanne is currently working on her 4th studio album due for release later in 2014.
DOUG ALDRICH
Doug Aldrich is a Guitarist of Burning Rain & Whitesnake, and was in Dio, Bad Moon Rising, Lion…
Guitarist Doug Aldrich is an ordinary guy with an extraordinary talent. This gifted instrumentalist has spent the better part of his life as a dedicated partner to the six string, be it named Les Paul, Jackson, or Fender. A hit maker worldwide, LA- based Doug realized his love for music and the guitar at the age of eleven when he first heard Jeff Beck. “I picked up my sister’s classical guitar and slowly began teaching myself how to play.”…
GLENN HUGHES
Vocalist/bass guitarist/songwriter Glenn Hughes is a true original. No other rock musician has carved such a distinctive style blending the finest elements of hard rock, soul and funk. That astonishing voice is Hughes’ calling card. He’s known as a singer’s singer: in fact, Stevie Wonder once called Hughes his favorite white singer.
Hughes, a native of Cannock, England, absorbed all kinds of influences, including early British hard rock, the Beatles and, most importantly, American soul and R&B. The sleek Motown sound from Detroit and the gritty Stax/Volt sound from Memphis left their mark on him.
The first important band Hughes was a member of that achieved notable success was Trapeze, while in 1973 he joined one of the most popular bands in the world, Deep Purple. The trailblazing hard-rock legends had just weathered the departure of vocalist Ian Gillan and bass guitarist Roger Glover, but guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, keyboardist Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice continued with the addition of Hughes and David Coverdale. Any skepticism was squelched with the 1974 release of Burn. This stunning album rejuvenated the band and stands tall among Deep Purple classics.
In the halcyon days, Purple headlined at the famous California Jam in 1974 in front of quarter of a million people. World tours via Purple’s own jet plane, ‘The Starship’ and two more studio albums later, (the Hughes influenced Stormbringer and Come Taste the Band), Deep Purple finally split in 1976.
Now living in Los Angeles, Glenn’s first solo album Play Me Out was released in 1977. He joined former Pat Travers guitarist Pat Thrall to form Hughes/Thrall, which released an acclaimed self-titled album in 1982. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Hughes made countless guest appearances (both credited and un-credited) as a vocalist, bass guitarist or songwriter on other artists’ albums, in particular he appeared on the vastly underrated Seventh Star, was officially credited as ‘Black Sabbath Featuring Tony Iommi’. Hughes and Iommi remained friends and in the past few years they have released one brand new studio album together.
More commercial recognition came when the KLF dubbed Glenn Hughes ‘The Voice of Rock’, proudly featuring him on their international best selling hit single America- What Time is Love’
Since 1992, Hughes has toured extensively in Europe, Japan and South America in support of solo albums such as Blues, From Now On…, Feel, Addiction, The Way It Is, Return Of Crystal Karma, Building The Machine, Songs In The Key Of Rock, Soul Mover and Music For The Divine.
Soul Mover saw the continuation of the successful creative partnership with Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith that began with Glenn’s live DVD Soulfully Live in the City of Angels (2004). Soul Mover was voted 12th best album of the year by highly influential UK magazine CLASSIC ROCK.
After the release of his last studio album, the successful Music For The Divine in 2006, 2007 saw Glenn make successful tours of Russia, South America, Italy, Norway and Spain, along with solo dates in London – at the prestigious Shepherds Bush Empire – Bulgaria and Greece. 2007 also saw Glenn headline at festival appearances in France and Norway. Glenn also took part in the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp in New York, which was highly successful and he also appeared as a guest presenter at the Classic Rock Awards in both 2006 and 2007. Another highlight of a diverse and colorful year were the 2 sold out solo shows at the famous Whisky in Los Angeles and BB King’s in New York.
2008 saw Glenn undertake another extensive European tour; including a month long trek across Russia, festival appearances, and his first live shows in Belarus, Estonia and Romania. Another highlight was Glenn?s appearance in London at the Childline Charity concert in March 2008 where he performed a short set of Deep Purple classics with Purple drummer Ian Paice. This was particularly poignant as it was the first time the pair had played together since the Purple days. Ironically, in June 2008, Glenn played in Liverpool, England for the first time in over 30 years; a triumphant and emotional return to the city where Deep Purple Mark IV played their final ever concert before disbanding in 1976.
Other highlights of 2008 include Glenn?s live on air performance on the USA radio show Rockline, and his first appearance in New Zealand since 1975 with Deep Purple, when Glenn brought the house down at the G-Taranaki Festival in July.
Glenn’s most current studio album, the 2008 release “First Underground Nuclear Kitchen” is the latest chapter in an extraordinary musical evolution, and is quite possibly the most compelling and positive musical statement in a distinguished career already abundant with highlights and milestones.
Chad Smith again plays out of his skin on the drums, and Glenn has rarely – if ever – sounded more inspired, written with such grace, or sung with more passion.
Another world jaunt accompanied the release, carrying on into 2009 with tours of Europe, Russia, South America and selected shows in the States including sell out shows in LA and NYC.
2010 was one of the most exciting and prolific years in Glenn’s career as it saw him recording and touring in a new supergroup project, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION with guitar star Joe Bonamassa, keyboard player Derek Sherinian (Dream Theatre) and drummer Jason Bonham, son of the late Led Zeppelin legend John Bonham. The band released their debut album on September 20th, 2010. The album went to #13 in the Official UK Album Chart and #1 in the Official UK Rock Album Chart. Produced and mixed by Kevin Shirley (Aerosmith, Iron Maiden, Black Crowes, Page and Plant, Journey etc), this is yet another world-class musical statement that raises the bar for rock singing.
In November 2010, Hughes was awarded the ChildLine Award at Classic Rock’s Roll of Honour.
Glenn and BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION released their second album, “2”, in 2011, followed shortly afterwards, by their debut live tour encompassing the USA, UK and Europe. Their third release, “LIVE OVER EUROPE”, recorded live while on the European leg of their debut tour, reached the Top 5 spot world-wide with releases on DVD, CD, Blu-ray and Vinyl.
Glenn had his AUTOBIOGRAPHY published in 2011, in both hard and soft cover editions. The Number 1 best seller is available at all good retailers, both online and at traditional brick & mortar stores!
In November 2011, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION won the prestigious Classic Rock Breakthrough Artist of the Year award at the Classic Rock Awards in London, with Glenn collecting the award on behalf of the band.
2012 saw Glenn touring Russia as a solo artist and also South America as a member of the Rock and Roll AllStars, featuring his good friends Gene Simmons, Matt Sorum, and Joe Elliot amongst others. Glenn also did solo shows and guest appearances in the UK, Israel, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine, China and Armenia but his main focus in 2012 was the writing, recording and press promotion for the third BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION album, “AFTERGLOW”. Released worldwide in late October 2012, and again produced by Kevin Shirley, the album was another huge success for the band, and is possibly the most Glenn dominated album of the three, with many of the songs written solely by Glenn.
In late 2013 he formed a new band called CALIFORNIA BREED with drummer Jason Bonham and guitarist Andrew Watt and in May 2014, the band released their debut self-titled album, followed by Autumn tour dates in the USA (w/ Alter Bridge), Russia, Europe and UK (w/ SLASH).
So make no mistake. The Voice of Rock never left the building.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN “BORN TO RUN”
Born to Run is the third studio album by the American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen. As his effort to break into the mainstream, the album was a commercial success, peaking at number three on the Billboard 200 and eventually selling six million copies in the United States. Two singles were released from the album: “Born to Run” and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out”; the first helped Springsteen to reach mainstream popularity. The tracks “Thunder Road” and “Jungleland” became staples of album-oriented rock radio and Springsteen concert high points.
THE SOAKS
From the gritty, graffiti clad walls of a Tijuana bar, to the sweaty, pulsing crowd in a smoke filled California house party, The Soaks are the fuzzy garage soundtrack to whatever half drunk, inevitably regrettable decisions you made the night before. Equal parts sugar dipped hooks and driving, no frills punk, the San Diego four piece’s frenzied barrage channels timeless Southern California sounds. With the addition of organ, synths and weaving vocal harmonies to “Loser”, the follow up to their self titled May release, The Soaks both expand and define their hard hitting and relentlessly catchy assault. “Loser” will be available this fall via Riot House Records. www.thesoaks.com
BRAIN DEAD
“You guys are everything that is great about heavy metal!” A shared consensus reverberates throughout Brain Dead shows, and attests to the foursomes’ unstoppable drive to make a name for themselves in their scene. Based in Los Angeles, the band consists of Adam Axe (guitar), Rez Peterson (bass), Josh Angel (drums), and Joey Dalo (vocals). The band’s first demo was released in January of 2011 and their unrepentant approach has paved the way for metal domination. In the words of Brain Dead, “We want to melt faces with our music, and we will stop at nothing until it’s heard!”
WARHEAD
Beginning as a fledgling Thrash Metal outfit from Chandler, Arizona, Warhead has evolved into one of the most dynamic, versatile, and explosive bands in the Valley’s metal scene. The band’s vocalist and guitar player Nolan Castles is joined by Sam Bollard on Bass, Cody Bailey on Lead Guitar, and Dane White on drums.
Warhead’s music is the volatile result of the classic metal sound colliding with each members’ unique influences, producing some of the hardest hitting anthems that the scene has ever heard. The band’s music is matched by their genuine look, like a battalion of metal warriors. Fresh off the release of their self funded debut album, “Death Row,” Warhead hit the road for their first tour of the West Coast in May 2013. Crowds were captivated by Warhead’s chaotic live show, and eagerly await their return. Currently, the band is in writing mode for an EP, and planning another tour for mid-September.
This is no retro act. Warhead is not hungry for success. Warhead is four musicians starving for success, demanding attention, and pushing everyone else out of the way. At the end of the day, Warhead lives for music, and everything else is purely secondary.
STU HAMM BAND
Through his innovative work as a solo artist and his contributions as a sideman to Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, Stuart Hamm has firmly established himself as one of the most influential electric bassists of the past half-century. Extending the non-traditional function of the electric bass previously revolutionized by Jaco Pastorius and Stanley Clarke in the 1970s, Hamm helped to reshape the contemporary concept of the bass guitar as an unaccompanied instrument with the utilization of polyphonic, two-handed tapping, slapping and popping techniques, chords, and harmonics. Although Hamm certainly wasn’t the first bass player to debut during the 1980s and employ an unorthodox approach to playing the electric bass, he was undoubtedly at the forefront of his generation who effectively fused the application of these unconventional techniques.
As one of today’s leading bassists, Hamm has released four critically-acclaimed studio recordings. On Radio Free Albemuth (1988), Kings Of Sleep (1989), The Urge (1991), and Outbound (2000), Hamm showcased his unique style of playing the bass as a lead instrument both within a solo environment and various ensemble formats on a genre-spanning spectrum of repertoire that merged rock, jazz, fusion, classical, country, and urban sounds.
Live Stu X 2, the fifth solo project produced by Hamm and his first as a solo artist in nearly seven years, was released in January 2007 and features a diverse compilation of classic tracks recorded by Hamm during his set on the first leg of the Bx3 tour in Philadelphia last April as well as a few previously unrecorded pieces that were captured in San Francisco before a live audience in 2004.
In addition to his barrier-breaking solo sessions, Hamm has been hailed for his recording and touring stints with guitar icons Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. His long-time associations with Vai and Satriani garneredHamm award-winning recognition on a global scale, and as a result, Hamm has received an extensive list of accolades such as being voted “Best Jazz Bassist” and “Best Rock Bassist” multiple times in magazine polls conducted by several major print publications.
Besides his projects with Satriani and Vai, other studio-related productions that have spotlighted Hamm’s trademark style and technical facility include his three collaborations as a member of the trio dubbed GHS with guitarist Frank Gambale of Chick Corea’s Elektric Band and former Journey drummer Steve Smith.
For the past two decades, Hamm has toured as one of the world’s premier bass clinicians. He has also demonstrated his signature techniques and methodologies to avid students through his best-selling instructional videos, Slap, Pop & Tap For The Bass and Deeper Inside The Bass, and a book of transcriptions, Stuart Hamm – The Bass Book, which contains a collection of Hamm’s greatest hits from his first three solo releases. He has also created an introductory course to bass guitar called Bass Basics with the folks at TrueFire.com.
Based on the highly successful G3 tours he was a part of in the 1990’s which featured guitarists Satriani, Vai, and Eric Johnson, Hamm founded the Bx3 tour in April 2006 that has subsequently taken him along with fellow bass pioneers Billy Sheehan and Jeff Berlin from the United States to Asia.
ANTHONY SANDERS (THE ISLAND OF MISFIT TOYS)
Anthony Sanders is vocalist for The Island of Misfit Toys
“Born out of a sudden and intense burst of light in 2010, The Island of Misfit Toys is Chicago’s best and worst kept musical secret.
The ever-shifting line-up for the band has settled on Anthony Sanders (words, music), Julia Bard (acoustic guitar, vocals), Mark Jaeschke (electric guitar, trumpet, vocals), Evan Loritsch (drums, saxophone, vocals), Lui Macataul (drums, percussion, vocals), Mike Nardone (bass, saxophone, vocals), Danny Radovanovic (keyboards, accordion, vocals), Audrey Sanders (flute, vocals), and Ashlee Stewack (bells, keyboards, vocals). A musical tour-de-force, the band flirts sonically between dozens of genres, spanning rock to folk, indie to slam poetry, mellow acoustics to harmonized hymnals, and beyond – however, for the purposes of brevity, let’s call them “folk-tinged indie rock” and let your ears do the categorizing.
The Island live show is, put simply, nine incredibly talented musicians cutting loose with total abandon while performing passionate, raucous music. Equally comfortable playing in both basements and headlining slots, the band has performed over 100 shows since their inception, some of which with bands you may be familiar with (Manchester Orchestra, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, The Veils), a number of festivals you may not be (Pygmalion Festival, Middlewest Fest, Green Fest), three multi-week US tours, and an infamous headlining set at Chicago’s Lincoln Hall. Though these are intensely personal songs on display, guided by frontman Anthony Sanders’ spirited delivery and wordplay, there is an intangible quality to Island’s music that means exactly what you need it to at that precise moment, and captivates you for the rest of their set.
For the time spent between shows, the growing Island of Misfit Toys discography is an equally dynamic tour. Best known for their 2011 full-length “Bear Hair”, the band has also released a six song EP of live and acoustic highlights called “Furiouser & Furiouser”, and a 7” split with Chicago punk trio Nervous Passenger. All of this, however, has been leading up to the next Island of Misfit Toys release, I Made You Something, a sprawling, ambitious record bridging the space between life, friendship, and the afterlife. Currently being produced and recorded by Corey Wills (Inspector Owl, Kid You’ll Move Mountains), I Made You Something is slated for release summer 2014.
Like a grinning basketball coach hollering at his team to give 110%, The Island of Misfit Toys defy restraint and convention. The band intertwines the unique traits of its diverse members and influences into a single, unified, and remarkable whole, and leaves behind one of the midwest’s most powerful and exciting musical experiences.”
– Matthew Nix
BELMONT
A five piece pop punk band from Chicago, IL
Taz Johnson: Vocals
Sam Patt: Guitar
Joey Legittino: Bass/Backing Vocals
Matt Fusi: Guitar
Brian Lada : Drums
OG MACO
OG Maco is an American rapper from Atlanta, Georgia, United States. He is known for his 2014 single ‘U Guessed It’ which peaked at number 90 on the Hot 100.
SuperDuperKyle
KYLE
#BeautifulLoser
Ventura, CA.
Super Duper
SEPTEMBERS REST
Septembers Rest is a alt/hard/pop rock band from Chicago, IL.
Formed from a studio solo project, the power comes from Jonathan Chalabis’ vocals and Bobby Gershaks’ in your face rhythm guitar. The chilling old school leads by Jason Michalik leave you wanting more.
The debut album “Sound Of The Broken” coming soon to all major digital stores, features the single “Survive.” Survive makes you believe in rock again. The heavy hitting drums and groovy hook will keep you singing along long after 3 minutes.
Member lineup for shows Feat
Jonathan Chalabis- Vocals, Guitar
Jason Michalik- lead guitar
Bobby Gershak- bass/cowbell
Kevin Lemonyak- drums
THE HOBOSEXUALS
The Hobosexuals are every dirtbag that has ever spun drunk in a soybean field and fell in a pile of cow shit, every snot rocket that has ever put a dog on it, every heart breakin’, money takin’, tenacious, flirtatious man or woman, every jobless hard workin jerk who loves to be here but has to get away. You too can be a Hobosexual!
Defining their identity through odd ball country, anti fascist lullabyes, outlaw induced rambling, bar fly lamentations, and dirtbag shanties, The Hobosexuals embody a mid-western attitude of self-made life, freedom, oppression, depression, and intoxication. Steeped in that long standing american music tradition,The Hobosexuals draw on Country, Blues, Folk, and Bluegrass.
The Hobosexuals are proudly from St. Louis, Missouri, USA and part of Big Muddy Records amazing lineup of artists!
JUSTIN PAYNE
Raised, lives and works as a coalminer in Boone County, West Virginia.
Born at the height of the “Outlaw Movement” Justin cut his teeth on the console stereo while Willie Nelson was playing on the turntable. That would be the biggest influence on his musical style when he picked up a guitar at age 14.
BABES
when he died i cried for months
he was my best friend
i think about him a lot
now I just dont want to cry so much anymore
lots of horrible things happen to us all
friends and lovers move on or drop dead, everything changes right under our feet, just when you start to understand you realize that you have no clue, it slips away. But all this pain and conflict allows us to come back with a bigger heart, with the ability to laugh in the face of any demon, to expose yourself, literally and metaphorically, to anything and feel good about it and yourself.
Life is shit and if we all wink and laugh then we can enjoy the ephemeral moments that bring us pleasure.
music brings me that pleasure so i try and do it as much as possible in my short and puerile time on this earth ive done a lot writing for pop stars, writing for movies, writing for fun, writing for pieces of shit getting ripped off, getting dropped, getting rejected, kicked out and slammed receiving accolades, receiving love, receiving money, sex, sad sixty nines, connecting deeper and deeper than deep
ive loved all of it. every second. the whole reason for all of this, for myself, is to make music. its not everything, not even close, but its everything to me. ive found something that can be my everything and if i stop i know that is when i really will cry forever.
not to say that this lightens the load in any way, in fact if anything it makes it heavier and more complex in addition to all that im an insomniac with a fluctuating fetish or two, never had any use for sanity, dont have any money, living makes me feel just as bad as it does good, i wish everyone would leave me alone and at the same time i get malignantly lonely. i havent slept in two weeks and im writing this at four in the morning
what am i trying to say? what is this about? i just want to be happy and feel good we play love songs cuz we feel bad and it makes us feel good
babes is
aaron billy leigh
sarah rayne leigh
zach whatever leigh
jeffrey john baird
bryan jeffrey harris
OVERCLOCKED
Starting at Columbia College Chicago in September 2012. Taking influence from Ramones, R.E.M., Green Day, Black Flag, Nirvana and a healthy dose of punk music in general. Overclocked released it’s first EP, “Wound Up” on February 17th 2014. Followed by their debut full length release “Pardon Our Dust” on June 30th 2015.
ROGER THIS
Chicago south-side natives, Roger This, bring you their sophomore EP “Owl Right”. Following their 2013 debut release “All We Need of Hell” the boys are stepping up the game and are mixing in even more genres, tones, emotions, and attitude than ever before. From relaxed surf punk-like songs about human equality like “Fly With the Seabirds” to disdain filled, relationship inspired punk-rock tunes like “Easier Sad Than Dumb” to the smooth blues rock sounds of “Haze”, Roger This is sure to keep you ears’ attention and take you on a musical endeavor like you never embarked on before, owl right?
THE BEATLES “THE BEATLES’ SECOND ALBUM”
The Beatles’ Second Album is the Beatles’ second Capitol Records album, and their third album released in the United States including Introducing… The Beatles released three months earlier on Vee-Jay Records. The Beatles’ Second Album replaced Meet the Beatles! at number one on the album charts in the US.
THE BEATLES “MEET THE BEATLES!”
Meet the Beatles! is the second Beatles album released in the United States. It was the first US Beatles album to be issued by Capitol Records, on 20 January 1964 in both mono and stereoformats. It topped the popular album chart on 15 February 1964 and remained at number one for eleven weeks before being replaced by The Beatles’ Second Album. The cover featured Robert Freeman’s portrait used in the United Kingdom for With the Beatles, with a blue tint added to the original stark black-and-white photograph.
ARCANE FRAMEWORK
Arcane Framework formed as a trio on March 2, 2011, where members Katy, Mickey, and Mike immediately began putting time and energy into writing, learning each other’s styles and techniques, and developing a sound that is their own. They dove into the studio to record with Brad Dausman of AngryMan Productions by summer, and they further evolved into their current line-up later that year in September with the addition of Brian. They released their first self-titled EP to wrap up their first year together, and have been busy focusing on playing shows and writing new material.
The momentum keeps growing – hope to see you out there rocking with us!!!
SCARS OF ARMAGEDDON
Through the wonders of the internet, S.O.A. was formed in March of 2011 by George Lohan. All the other pieces just naturally fell into place after Erik Michael and Jason krieger joined and the sings for the debut wrote themself. After a long search, vocalist David kraus was discovered. After a few lineup changes, the current lineup has remained strong since 2013.
IN THE WEEDS
We are a three piece metal band from Chicago.
SOLID GIANT
Solid Giant is a black doom band from New Orleans, LA
BURIED AT SEA
ABOLISHMENT OF FLESH
Hailing from the High Plains of West Texas, ABOLISHMENT OF FLESH was formed in 2008 by founding member Ramon Cazares. Shortly after the release of their first self-titled release the band started to hit the road. Despite the lineup changes, the band continued to perform non-stop and release additional music.
In the summer of 2011 AOF took part in a two and a half week tour supporting Shawn Whitaker of Insidious Decrepancy. In 2012 they released an EP titled “Decimation”. They followed up this release by headlining the Brutal Alliance Tour which included a full 21 dates of shows. AOF continued performing throughout 2012 at various Metal Festivals and show dates from Texas to California.
In 2013 the band again headlined the Brutal Alliance Tour which now has grown into a full 5 week long tour throughout the summer, including stops nationwide. They continued throughout 2013 with their non-stop touring schedule including stops again across the mid-west and west coast at various metal festivals.
2013 ended with the release of AOF’s second full-length album titled “Creation to Extinction”. They already have a busy touring schedule throughout 2014 in support of the new release.
Abolishment of Flesh’s new music is a blend of death/black and thrash metal. Although their music is primarily death metal, their style is not limited to one genre; instead the band continues to incorporate various heavy metal styles.
The name Abolishment of Flesh is a concept of how we as humans are our own enemies and will be the eventual cause of our own demise. Lyrical contents include war and violence, disease, corruption, anti-religion, and disasters that have impacted mankind’s way of life. Although AOF’s violent and grim nature of their lyrics is serious, their main focus is about metal music and creativity. Taking their music out on the road, they strive to not only put on a performance but a show as well.
Melodic Texas Death Metal!
WOO PARK
Psychedelic soul quintet and assault from all sides, Woo Park, has been unleashing an aural assault upon audiences since the year twenty-thirteen. A fiery rhythm section with near clairvoyant rhythmic flexibility consists of polyrhythmic champion, Luke Swaggermans, and self-proclaimed bass god, Parker Grogan. The undeniable groove exists in tandem with a lush atmosphere of ethereal soundscapes fit for even the most heady of new age souls to bask in; Christian Zwit, aural chemist and knob tinkerer, wields keyboard and synth alike while Brian Sanborn’s playing transcends guitar with his singing melodies and cloud-like chordal textures. Emily Nichols’s alluring voice floats effortlessly atop of the controlled chaos and forms a cohesive narrative. The music ebbs, flows, and bends to their will with each instrument’s role extending beyond tradition. In performance, each member constantly engages in improvisational soul-searching within the confines of their elaborately crafted compositions. Their EP, “Smokes”, is their formal musical introduction.
EL FAMOUS
El Famous is a band. We play music.
We enjoy Capri Sun and Blade.
COLD BEARDED KILLERS
Chaz Baker (Funeral Nation), Scott Davidson (Rebel Radio, Stonehenge, Dizmal Daze & X-Earthen Grave) & Nefarious (Macabre) & Mike Le Gros (Disinter, Earthen, ex-Novembers Doom & ex-Nachmystium) got together to form Cold Bearded Killers
JACOB HORN TRIO
A ill-named narcissistic band from Chicago.
MAD CONDUCTOR
Mad Conductor’s ability to consistently create highly original, captivating music while touring extensively in the United States, Canada and also Europe, has earned them a devoted cult following around the world. The independent release of their second full-length album, “MC Rises”, in summer 2013 has legions of fans reeling with excitement and many newcomers being drawn to their fresh sound.
Formed in 2005 in Center Valley, PA by song-writer/ vocalist MC Devlin and studio engineer/ pianist Dan McKinney, the duo combined hip-hop, funk, reggae, blues, jazz and psychedelic rock to forge a unique, innovative sound. Devlin and Dan’s 20 year age difference also spawned a textured variety of hip-hop that tore down generational barriers, this coupled with Devlin’s imaginative, “clean” lyrics created a fun and inviting new genre attracting listeners of all ages. After releasing their first EP, Mechanical Claw, on Christmas of that year, Devlin formed a live band and began touring heavily the following spring. During this time, the band was also writing and recording, and in June of 2007 self-released their first full-length album, “Renegade Space Rock”, which has proven to be a timeless masterpiece.
The band continued touring, and after releasing a two song EP titled “Members Only” in February of 2008, Devlin moved to New Orleans where he planned on writing a new album and returning to Pennsylvania to record after a three month stay. Instead, upon arriving in New Orleans, he put his musical efforts on hiatus and spent the next three years dedicating himself primarily to Kung Fu training, meanwhile releasing only an obscure four song EP titled “Central America” in January of 2010.
After receiving a black belt in the spring of 2011, Devlin once again assembled a live band line up, this time of New Orleans musicians and returned to the concert circuit, debuting his six-piece outfit at the New Orleans Block party in 2011. Currently the Mad Conductor live band consists of MC Devlin as lead vocalist with five players mainly stationed on keyboard, bass guitar, electric guitar, saxophone and drum-kit, also offering back-up and lead vocals, with several members platooning between baritone saxophone, synthesizer and hand percussion and utilizing a myriad of effects to capture Mad Conductor’s inimitable studio sound in a live setting. The band has steadily been touring the United States and Canada, headlining premiere venues and performing at national festivals with a European tour coming in the near future, with Devlin continuing his Kung Fu training in between tours and also on stage during the band’s performances – MC Devlin, known for his lyrical creativity is also gaining a reputation as a daredevil performer, often climbing up walls and swinging over the crowd from rafters during concerts, and showing off with handstands and aerial kicks while rapping his songs with the band.
JETPACK HOTLINE
After cutting their teeth in the Chicago punk and rock music scene, writing and playing with multiple bands, Mike Spinelli and Randy Daniels decided to do something completely different. Floating tracks and ideas back and forth, they labored in their studio, attempting to create an adventure and new sound, neither had experienced before. In 2012, they posted a few tracks on Soundcloud, and immediately started to gain a following and positive feedback from other artists, and at that moment knew they were on to something. They hit the studio, committed their time, and founded Jetpack Hotline. It’s a mix of pop, edm, punk, and funk…all rolled into one ambitious sonic experience. They teamed up with Dan Robb on bass and Joe Precup on drums to create a high energy and laser light filled show, coming to a city near you. Come check us out, you might even see a dancing robot.
TAYLOR MALLORY
LILI K
“This jazz aristocrat has the kind of chops that stop you in your tracks.” – VIBE Magazine
Singer and songwriter, Lili K, is known for her smooth-sultry vocals and eclectic mix of musical genres, including Jazz and soul. Lili’s self-produced and highly acclaimed debut album, Ruby, was recorded with The Lili K Band. Visuals for the album were premiered on Saint Heron and Life+Times. Upon the release of Ruby, Jay Z’s streaming service, Tidal, named her their first ever-Tidal Rising Artist. This led to her headline appearance at the Tidal Stage at Made In America 2015. Ruby is available for purchase on all music streaming services.
Originally from Milwaukee, WI, she began performing in her early years through church and elementary school choirs. By the time Lili turned ten, she began writing her own original lyrics. Following her completion at Milwaukee High School of the Arts where she was trained in classical, opera, and jazz, Lili graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management from her alma mater, Columbia College Chicago. It was during her time at Columbia that she made her entrance into the Chicago music scene.
With performances at Made In America, North Coast Music Festival, SXSW, Lollapalooza, Pitchfork, Summerfest and CMJ, Lili has shared stages with R.Kelly; Chance the Rapper, BJ The Chicago Kid, Vic Mensa, Jidenna, Musiq Soulchild, The Suffers, and Dwele. She was listed ‘Best of 2013’ in Rolling Stone, NPR, and Complex for her feature work with Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa, and has since been recognized by the Huffington Post, Karen Civil, and VIBE for her solo material.
Lili and the Lili K Band are currently working on their second studio album, entitled Planet of Flowers. It is slated to release in early 2017.
Vocals / Lili K
Guitar / Cullen Bogan
Keyboards / Phil Patterson
Bass / Matthew Skillz
Drums / Myron Cherry
DEE WILSON
ERTHE ST. JAMES
A native from the Westside of Chicago. This Modern Soul singer has obtained the ability to intertwine genres to create his own unique blend of Soul, Jazz, & Funk.
Playing Chicago venues, with his band, The ErtheTones, such as City Winery, Untitled Supper Club, House of Blues, Navy Pier, The California Clipper, The Promontory, and opening for artist such as Erykah Badu, Estelle, Mali Music, SUCH, Rudy Currence, Conya Doss, Tye Tribbet, & Nikki Giovani.
£rthe has been featured on the albums, R.O.E’s “LIVE in Chicago” [2015], Lili K’s “Ruby” [2015], The whoEVERs?’s “Marathon” [2016], Tovi Khali’s, “French Quarter Style” [2017], Neak’s “KWESBAAR” [2019], R.O.E’s “Radiant” [2020], Flowers For The Living’s “Bouquet of Beautiful” [2021] and on the 2017 documentary, “Got The Love: A Soul Music Documentary”. £rthe has also been featured on Chicago’s WGN Mid-Day News.
£rthe can be seen on supporting vocals as a member of Sam Thousand & The Soul Vortex and also apart of Harold Green’s , Flowers For The Living [FFTL] Collective.
THE RAIN WITHIN
Heartfelt synthwave with its heart in the 80s.
DIE SEKTOR
Die Sektor was founded by Scott Denman and Daniel Gant in 2004 as an outlet for experimenting with dark aggressive electronic music. With the addition of Alan Smith in 2005, Die Sektor released their first album ‘To Be Fed Upon’ on the harsh industrial label Noittek in 2006. After several week of topping the DAC and a handful of shows in the U.S. and Mexico, Die Sektor went on a long hiatus while Scott starting putting together material that would advance and not copy dark electronic music. In 2010 Edwin Alter joined Die Sektor and the album genre bending album ‘Applied Structure In A Void’ was written and conceived. Upon the release of ‘ASIAV’ in 2011 Die Sektor divided audiences and critics. For many fans in the genre of Industrial ‘ASIAV’ raised the bar as far as the quality and songwriting that could be done with dark electro industrial music.
After several shows across the US Die Sektor began to gain a reputation for intense, exciting and powerful live performances. In 2012 Die Sektor released the follow up to ‘ASIAV’ with the extremely emotional and dark album ‘The Final Electro Solution’. With ‘TFES’ Die Sektor continued to raise the bar for the industrial genre and a specific and unique sound that is Die Sektor, began to emerge. Die Sektor set out on a US tour to support the album, gaining fans and raising the craft of electro shows to new levels. Through 2011 and 2012 Die Sektor remixed bands on almost every industrial label and of every industrial style across the globe. Die Sektor has built a strong reputation as one of the top remix producers in the genre.
2013 finds Die Sektor putting the final touches on a new studio album titled ‘(-) existence ‘. The new album has been touted as the final chapter in ‘The Void Trilogy’ made up of ‘ASIAV’ and ‘TFES’. Die Sektor is preparing to unleash ‘(-) existence, claiming it to be their most accessible, experimental, darkest, emotional and complex work yet. (-) existence is a true concept album that follows the protagonist down a path of internal division and self destruction. Look for Die Sektor to bring their live show to your city in 2013 and prepare to enter the void.
EGO LIKENESS
Current line up LIVE:
Steven Archer – Guitar / Programming / Music & Words / Vocals
Donna Lynch – Lead Vocals / Piano / Synths / Words & Music
Mike K. Johnson – Drums
Mindcage Rick (Mindless Faith, Chemlab) – Drums
Studio Members:
Dan Clark (The Dark Clan)- Production/ Co-writer
Ego Likeness was created in 1999 by artist Steven Archer, a DC native, and writer Donna Lynch in Baltimore, Maryland. Taking their name from Frank Herbert’s classic science fiction novel ‘Dune’, the band began as an experimental/ dark trip hop project. A demo called ‘Songs From a Dead City’, recorded on a four track, was released in 1999.
By 2000, Archer and Lynch were moving the project in a darker electronic/ dance direction, resulting in a self-released full-length album entitled ‘Dragonfly’.
Ego Likeness signed with Dancing Ferret Discs for the release of 2004’s ‘Water to the Dead’. This album featured the band’s electronic roots while exploring a heavier rock sound.
2005 saw the band tour Germany, Luxembourg, and the continental US with label mates The Cruxshadows, and their first album ‘Dragonfly’ was re-released on Dancing Ferret Discs.
In 2006, EL toured Germany once again with The Cruxshadows, performed at Dragon*Con in Atlanta GA, and released their third full-length CD ‘The Order of the Reptile’ (DFD), as well as their first video for the track ‘Aviary’ (directed by Lynch, Archer, and late Baltimore photographer Lauren E. Simonutti).
The winter of 2006-2007 saw another US tour with The Cruxshadows and Ayria.
In late autumn of 2007, EL was back in Germany, as well as Poland, and the UK with Alfa-Matrix act Ayria (Canada) and Australia’s Angelspit (DFD). The band also released the first of four limited edition EP’s entitled ‘South’.
In early 2008, they headlined a warm-up tour of the US and performed at Black Sun IV before setting off with Voltaire in the spring for his month-long Maiden Voyage Tour. EL performed once again at Dragon*Con 2008 in Atlanta GA.
In 2009, the single ‘The Lowest Place on Earth’ was released, as well as the ‘West’ EP.
Their fourth full-length album, ‘Breedless’, was released on Metropolis Records in 2010, as well as the ‘North’ EP.
The band continued touring throughout the US in 2010 and 2011, performing a third time at Dragon*Con 2010.
2012 saw the release of the final compass EP, ‘East’, and a second re-release of the now-out-of-print album ‘Dragonfly’. A new single and video (directed by Kyle Cassidy, Lynch, and Archer), ‘Treacherous Thing’, will be released in the fall.
The fifth full-length, ‘Know Thine Enemy’ is scheduled for release in early 2013.
In addition to touring extensively with The Cruxshadows, Voltaire, Ayria, Angelspit, The Ludovico Technique, EL has had the honor of sharing the stage with The Damned, Peter Murphy, Chris Connelly, Collide, Razed in Black, Bella Morte, Das Ich, Rasputina, Iris, Decoded Feedback, The Azoic, More Machine Than Man, In Strict Confidence, Combichrist, Stromkern, New Model Army, And One, Seabound, Attrition, Assemblage 23, Nitzer Ebb, Aesthetic Perfection, Terrorfakt, The Gothsicles, and many others.
EL has performed at festivals throughout the US and in Europe, including Dragon*Con (Atlanta GA), Convergence 11 (San Diego CA), Dracula’s Ball (Philadelphia PA), Ring Con (Fulda, Germany), Balticon (Baltimore MD), Black Sun Festival I (New Haven CT), Freaks United (DC), Eccentrik Festival (Raleigh NC), Reverence (Madison WI), Wicked Faire (Somerset NJ), WTII Mini-Fest (Chicago IL), several Electronic Saviors Benefit shows, and others.
They have appeared on numerous compilation CDs, including Electronic Saviors 1 and 2, several Asleep by Dawn and Hot Topic releases, and ‘Where’s Neil When You Need Him?’ (a tribute to the work of author Neil Gaiman, DFD 2006); released remixes for The Cruxshadows (Cassandra-Fortress in Flames), The Last Dance (Terribly When- Reflections of Rage), Thou Shalt Not (Inside of You, In Spite of You- The Projectionist), Black Tape for a Blue Girl (Tarnished- Scarecrow), Information Society (This Way Tonight- Synthesizer), Angelspit (Vena Cava- Krankhaus, Girl Poison- Black Kingdom Red Kingdom , Ditch the Rest- Carbon Beauty), and many more, and have been remixed by acts such as Komor Kommando, Bella Morte, Angelspit, Terrorfakt, and many others.
Archer and Lynch appear on Voltaire’s album ‘Then and Again’, and Lynch has lent her vocals to tracks on The Dark Clan’s ‘Dance Magic Dance’, Angelspit’s ‘Hideous and Perfect’, and Aiboforcen’s ‘Dedale’.
EL has been featured in publications such as Gothic Beauty, Outburn, ABD, Sideline, Pollstar, Sonic Seducer, and COMA to name a few.
The band works extensively with renowned Philadelphia photographer Kyle Cassidy, one of his photographs of Archer and Lynch appearing as “Photo of the Day” on Wikipedia’s main page in 2012.
THE ICARUS LINE
Sometimes you struggle so hard to feed your family one way, you forget to feed them the other way, with spiritual nourishment. Everybody needs that.
James Brown
“Joe Cardamone slanks in a room like some sick fuck who actually knows how to live on the street, instead of pretending that he still does,” writes Permanent Midnight author Jerry Stahl. “Walking down Vulnerable Hardass Ave – the one where OG rock’n’rollers, the early eat-their-arms screamers and bar walkers that paved the way for posers and haircuts to come, first started screaming out the truth that was eating them alive.”
In a time where The Frontman (let alone The Rock n’ Roll Band) is all but extinct, Joe Cardamone and his gang, better known as The Icarus Line, are still here fighting the good fight for all of us poor souls without a proper voice. You can call them the last rock n’ roll gang, or one of the last good authentic rock bands; either way, they are one of the last true originals, still making rock n’ roll relevant. The Icarus Line fill a sonic void that is just as important and American as apple pie. The Icarus Line have been deep in the rock n’ roll trenches since their debut album Mono in the late 90s, yet sound more significant now than ever. Compromise and giving up are not part of their story: sentiments that are (sadly) extremely rare for contemporary rock bands today. What is part of their story is continuing to survive as visionaries, despite the odds stacked against them. No one in this group came from a home of privilege. Crime or dead end life were both much more a distinct reality then say art school. In between chaotic bursts or cathartic orchestration you will find an aching sense that comes when the invincibility of your 20s fades away. Obstacles have been overcome and a visionary record was born despite living on the edge of poverty, original member Alvin DeGuzeman being diagnosed with cancer this year and various other members disappearing into the ether. The struggle is real, and from that place of uneasy discomfort this band has learned to thrive!
Over the years The Icarus Line have proved to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable live bands around, again and again. Their performances are explosive, dangerous and sexy all at the same time. Being in the front row of an Icarus Line show is an exhilarating experience, you never know what is going to happened. Sometimes it’s damaged gear, maybe a dive into the crowd, blood, sweat or a swinging mic buzzing your ear. You want to be close just to see what might happen next, like passing a beautiful carwreck. But yet not too close, cuz a guitar could take your head off at any moment. Unflinching and unchoreographed, The Icarus Line live are like a wild animal set free in their natural environment. This ain’t a trip to the zoo folks.
For their eighth studio album, All Things Under Heaven (October 02 / American Primitive / Agitated Records) , The Icarus Line have refined a sound that they’ve been calling “American Primitive.” Recorded and arranged live as a g0up in Cardamone’s studio, Valley Recording Company in Burbank, the sessions “were very private and conducive to conjuring,” the frontman describes. “If you are lucky, you can capture something before it dies. I feel like all great music is a fleeting inspiration. You only have so much time to capture it before it either turns into routine or it turns its back on you.”
The album features a guest appearance from legendary outsider artist Joe Coleman who helped coin the album title. Also appearing is Bad Seed / Grinderman/ Dirty Three band leader Warren Ellis who helped pen the track “Bedlam Blue” with Cardamone. All of this follows the band’s most productive streak yet: Slave Vows (2013) and companion album Avowed Slavery (2014).
Art work for All Things Under Heaven was found during the making of the record. Veteran news photographer Randy Taylor was receiving attention for some works of his that were created out of destruction. During the Sandy hurricane his archive was flooded and many of his photos were “destroyed”. Out of that mess came some of the most beautiful fine art of our generation. The pictures that would make up the record’s sleeve were simply a document of a 4th of July cookout but after the waters of Sandy they became the american dream in a car crash with mother nature. The perfect visual to compliment a document about a melted american dream.
All Things Under Heaven packs the kind of swagger, raunch & ascent that would make Iggy Stooge and Sun Ra proud parents. It is a record that expands the vocabulary of what rock music can be without sacrificing the critical spirit that makes it Rock N Roll. The Icarus Line have summoned up the demons from the past, paid their homage and taken the sound in an entirely new direction; because this band are never ones to be caught on their knees. The album is a sprawling sonic landscape that has a timeless quality about it as it traverses between low valleys, towering skyscrapers and all the dirty alleyways that connect them. It’s a record that’s as sprawling as the city of Los Angeles to which The Icarus Line have always called home. It’s a fuck you to the bite size society that has become music consumption. Life is bigger than that. And just like LA, this is a record that from the opening hollow echo swallowed pounding drums of “Ride Or Die” to the final free jazz funeral lullaby of “Sleep Now” is all its own world.
He would baulk at the compliment but The Icarus Line’s frontman/founder Joe Cardamone is one of the key figureheads of the 21st American underground. Where other contemporaries have come and gone – often crashing and burning while chasing the fast buck – he has never sold himself out. He has seen trends come and go. Joe Cardamone sings, screams, truth tells and virtually tries to claw his way out the speakers into your soul for refuge. His vivid lyrics paint a picture of a 21st century man trying to make right in a bleak post-apocalyptic record industry world full of lowlifes, broken promises, love lost and every kind of sickness imaginable. This is the sound of a band refusing to give up. This is the sound of a band refusing to be silenced. This is modern day tortured soul music. This is the perfect prescription for your acute adult pain.
“’Giving up on doing this’ just doesn’t need to be part of my vocabulary,” adds Cardamone. “There’s a very narrow spread of reasons, as to why I do this music. Almost all of those are personal, and do not depend on the outside world for corroboration. It’s like asking someone why do you breathe? I just do, because if I didn’t, I wouldn’t exist anymore.”
THE CLAP
THE CLAP – Formed in 1978 in Catasauqua ,PA. Cool raw punk, powerful & snotty, and still melodic. Great if you’re into Killed by Death type stuff. Had a rare single in 1982.
MENACE
Featuring: Noel Martin – drums, vocals; Finn Panton – guitar Vocals; Rob – bass, backing vocals. Charlie Casey (bass) and Steve Tannett (guitar) will join the band for as many gigs as possible through the year so keep an eagle eye on the news.
Menace are an English punk band formed in London in 1976. They are notable for being one of the immediate forerunners of the ‘Oi’ sound later adopted by skinhead bands.
EL CLAN
Legendary and mysterious Rock band that impacted the Mexican rock scene back in the 90’s, a band who were 2nd place in the notorious national Battle of the Bands II contest from Mexico City, after this event took place EL CLAN was given support and numerous comments from the press and media, EL CLAN was labeled for many people like the first band who started and represented the Dark scene in Mexico.
In 1994 EL CLAN released a first album titled “ Sin Sentir” it was well received and successfully sold out, later after the release of this album EL CLAN was given an award by the National Arts Institute for best video clip “Las Brujas” .
Years after performing at many underground clubs and venues along with famous American bands like The Last Dance and Human Drama, in 1998 EL CLAN released a second album “Sigue soplando el Anima” with the mastering of the notorious musician Johnny Indovina from the L.A. band Human Drama and Sound Of The Blue Heart.
In 1999 EL CLAN participates with the song “Sera por eso” in a compilation album tribute to the famous Mexican band Caifanes.
In 2005 EL CLAN releases a live album “Distante al Ultimo Latido” recorded in some of the most popular Mexican clubs like Hard Rock Café and Dada X.
2007 EL CLAN releases a rare album “Cronología de el Embrujo” álbum that includes rehearsal old recordings, never released songs and some live sessions from 1991 to 2007.
In 2008 EL CLAN releases a third studio album “Nadie esta mejor muerto” produced by Gerry Rosado from Intolerancia Records and invites to participate in this recording some notorious musicians from the Mexican music scene like, Jarris Margallis, Sabo Romo and Alex Otaola.
In 2009 this album is reviewed by the Rolling Stone Magazine Mexico as one of the top 10 best in Latin America. This same album was given an outstanding article by the known British reporter and writer Mick Mercer. The song “ Embals-amame” from this album was given first place in the IV Macabro Festival and event organized by the Radio Mexican Institute.
In that same year EL CLAN was invited to be part of the many bands that performed at the massive festival “Vive Latino” a yearly 3 day event similar to Coachella Festival.
In 2011 EL CLAN releases an experimental EP including only two songs, “En mi libro” and “Painkillers” this last one in English.
In 2012 EL CLAN decides to celebrate a tribute to the very first album “Sin Sentir” event that takes place at one of the most popular Clubs from Mexico City “Rock and Road” after recording this live album EL CLAN goes on tour all around Mexico, after this tour EL CLAN alternates at the World Trade Center Mexico City with the British band The Mission and continues performing at many other venues.
2013 EL CLAN is on the process of recording a new album and planning touring the USA and Europe.
EL CLAN has been considered in the Mexican music scene as an underground band that transforms and adapts to the challenges of time and generations, never loosing the essence of its music and unique performance.