In late 2005, the first song was written. By late 2006, the skeleton for the first record was laid out and scratch recordings were underway. In February of 2007, the first show was played to a small room of around 150 people and Old Southern Moonshine Revival was born. In October of 2007, Old Southern Moonshine Revival released their self-titled debut album to a sold out Ziggy’s crowd in Winston-Salem, NC…
Flash forward five years to 2012. With their second full-length album debuting its first few weeks inside iTunes Top 100 Country Albums, Old Southern Moonshine Revival is touring in support and is turning heads everywhere they go. “It has been a ton of hard work, but we love what we do. We have to do this. It’s not something we can turn off.” says lead vocalist Marcus Kiser.”These songs hit close to home for us, and we are finding that they hit close to home for a lot of people. That’s a pretty special connection between the artist and the listener. We don’t take that sort of thing lightly.” Neither do the fans. Old Southern Moonshine Revival has shipped music or merchandise to 40 different countries around the world, have 45,000+ online friends/fans/followers, and “The Revival”, as they call it, is still growing. “We love our job. We take it very seriously, but it is hard to not have fun playing music for a living” explains lead guitarist Brent Lain. “We enjoy the hard work side of this business. It is gratifying to see our hard work come together into something way bigger than ourselves.”
Old Southern Moonshine Revival has a unique sound and a unique approach of making that sound heard. “Passion. Above all else. Passion.” adds bassist Jamie Shaver. “People know when you’re faking it. They know when you don’t believe in what you’re doing. Passion breeds followers. I am a perfect example of that.”
No one knows what the future holds, but if Old Southern Moonshine Revival has anything to do with it, The Revival is going to keep right on spreading. Around your town. In every state. Everywhere there is an ear to hear, The Revival is coming…
Useful Jenkins is a contemporary acoustic band with a foundation rooted in bluegrass, and readily taps into other genres, such as folk, funk, rock, and hip hop. Their music generates emotion and sends a message to a wide range of listeners, giving them an eclectic group of followers from all walks of life. The band is a 4 piece at its core (bass, lead acoustic, rhythm acoustic, mandolin) and has currently been integrating the violin as a fifth melodic layer. 4-part vocal harmonies accompany the wall of stringed instruments, leaving listeners with a strong, clean, and unique sound. Useful Jenkins thrives on energy; they flourish in the moment and have an unmatched resonance with the crowd. While frequenting Minneapolis, MN, the band was established in, and currently resides in Mankato, MN.
Formed as a 5 piece band in 2007, Useful Jenkins remained under-the-radar during their first few years performing. Open mic’s and campfire jams were their source of inspiration, which allowed them to form a strong and intimate bond between band members and fans alike. As their message grew, so did the network of friends who supported their direction. In February of 2009, the band released their first full-length album “Fast Eddie” which was the catalyst for their initial, and continued success in the Minnesota music-festival scene. Their second album, “Festival Express,” was released in September of 2012. It provided a more dynamic sound by capturing the raw bluegrass elements of “Fast Eddie” and combining them with funk and soul. Useful Jenkins continues to write and create music, on pace to release their third album in the spring of 2015.
The best way to experience Useful Jenkins is live in concert. Whether you are barefoot at a festival or standing shoulder-to-shoulder in a theatre, you will undoubtedly feel the pulse of their music and leave the show with a smile on your face. Their songs are memorable and easy to relate to, leaving them stuck in your head long after the performance. So if you are a sucker for acoustic music with a strong message, do yourself a favor; call up a group of your closest friends, clear your calendar, and go see Useful Jenkins. It’s a moment you will not soon forget.
Out with the old and in with the new as Voodoo Boogaloo chants, sings, and dances for you. This imaginative band entertains with their flavorful and intentional compositions. It’s change the world music. As this duo embraces the sonic arts, they remind all of us that magic is real and that fun is a creation to be shared.
This is a band for the ages. This is a band for your heart. This is a band of the New Way. Come and get your cup filled.
A stripped down, brazen rock and roll band from Colorado, accompanied by overdriven acoustic guitars and a trap kit. Inspired by Whitman’s promise to “sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world,” the Yawpers have created a sound that is equal parts frenetic, earnest, and menacing, all while bringing together disparate pieces of the American musical lexicon. Though less than three years old, the Yawpers have played over 350 shows on both coasts, and everywhere in between, and have shared the stage with: the Reverend Horton Heat the Heartless Bastards, the Black Angels, Cracker, the Nadas, the Supersuckers, the Delta Spirit, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, the Stone Foxes, Joe Buck and many others. Following the release of an EP in 2011, their critcally well received LP, “Capon Crusade”, released in late 2012, debuted at #1 on the Colorado Music Charts, and is now in its second printing.
The boys in the Madison-based metalcore quintet Look, I’m Burning are proof that dairy is not the only notable export coming out of Wisconsin.
Aside from keeping their feet in the roots of breakdown metalcore, Look, I’m Burning prides itself on crafting creative chords over an intelligent and relentless rhythm section. This produces a more full sound and provides an opposite and more melodic side to their music. Throw in mind blowing tapping, sweeping and solo riffs and Look, I’m Burning starts to round out its sound. His brutal lows, guttural mids and piercing highs mix extremely well with Matt Tyler’s angelic singing.
Drawing from numerous influences,this five piece creates music that appeals to all fans of heavy music. With this wide variety of musical influences, Pangaea experiments with combining progressive yet crushing breakdowns and technical melodic riffs with colorful vocal harmonies that tastefully complement dynamic underlying guitar passages.
Burning Streets is a punk rock band from Boston, MA. Founded late in 2007, current members include Andrew Juliano, Mike Juliano, Steve Zarba, Dave D’Elia and Thanos P. Burning Streets have leveraged their passion for music and commitment to friendship to keep the flame burning. Perhaps this flame will help them carry the torch of East Coast punk rock.
Since the day they turned the key to start an old, yellow GMC van they have learned to cultivate the passions and attitudes that are synonymous with this lifestyle. Burning Streets has spent the last few years motoring across the country, North, South, East and West. Their music has given them the power to penetrate the borders of Canada and Europe.
The band has released two full lengths to date, “Is it in Black and White?”-2008 and “Sit Still”-2011 were released on Sailors Grave Records (US)/I Hate People Records (EU).
While the past seems to be what has made them who they are, Burning Streets is more reliant on the future to define them. After an emotional 2013, the band has recovered and rebuilt. In March 2014, they took to the studio to begin recording their third full length. Inspired by their hometown, the promise of change and the guarantee of confusion, the band are recording their most powerful and heartfelt record to date…and are more excited than ever to hit the road supporting their next release.
With rifle sights already set on multiple U.S. and Canadian dates this year, as well as a third European tour this fall, the band is gearing up for an explosion. It’s time to put gas in the tank, miles on the engine, and fists in the air.
Lux Deluxe had a very specific goal for their new album, It’s a Girl, out April 15 on SpiritHouse Music. It’s the second LP from a group that has clearly hit its stride, and at an enviable age: the oldest of them is just 22, and they play with rare self-assurance. It shows on It’s a Girl.
“What we wanted it to be, more than anything, was a coherent piece of art you can listen to all the way through,” says bassist Jacob Rosazza, who is one of the band’s two primary songwriters, along with singer Ned King.
It’s a Girl is certainly that. Lux Deluxe wanted the album to reflect their combustible live performances. To get there, they spent the better part of two years honing their songs and their sound, merging the divergent personalities of the musicians — three cousins who have been playing together for a decade, and two friends — into one distinct band identity that reflects the strengths they’ve been developing since joining forces in 2009 in Northampton, Mass.
“This record is a lot more about the band than the songs,” says Rosazza. “You really get the vibe of the band.”
That’s not to downplay the songs. It’s a Girl features 10 smart, catchy tunes that evoke Lux Deluxe’s influences — think revered veterans like the Beatles, Dire Straits and NRBQ, along with latter-day favorites including Wilco and Dr. Dog — while moving the band out from under their shadow. You can hear it in King’s easy drawl over a tight bassline and swirls of keyboards from Gabe Bernini on opener “So Far Away,” or in the way “The Last Volunteer” builds from a looping keyboard line and King’s vocals to thick ropes of noisy guitar from Caleb Rosazza uncoiling over a rock-solid beat laid down by drummer Jake Edwards. The lush sound of strings sweeps through the synth-centric “What You Need,” while a tangle of punchy, in-your-face guitars leaps out of “Talk to Her.” On every song, there’s always something more to discover, which was very much by design.
“When I listen to a record, I like to hear stuff I didn’t notice the first time,” King says.
The band’s attention to detail is a valuable asset, especially in a place like Northampton: it takes more than luck to stand out in a western Massachusetts scene that is home to a wide array of acclaimed musicians, including members of Sonic Youth, the Pixies and Dinosaur Jr.
“You want to earn the respect of those people, you want them to notice you,” King says. “Becoming a serious band here means earning your place. It’s a high bar, but it’s a good bar to set for yourself, to always be better.”
It’s a Girl is the work of a decidedly serious band, and with it Lux Deluxe has earned a place among the ranks of acts well worth paying attention to.
TS3 (Timothy Seisser Trio) is thrilled to announce the release of their debut album, “It’s Just O.K.”. This new project from Chicago based Electric Bassist, Timothy Seisser, is a unique sonic mashup of Jazz/Rock/Fusion, featuring Seisser’s dazzling virtuosity on the 6 string electric bass. He is one of the best kept secrets in the Bass world, but sports a performance/recording history as a sideman that puts him at the top of the list in the Chicago Bass world. Ready to take on the leader role again, Tim started this new trio at the onset of 2020, after a chance encounter with legendary Bassist, Tim Lefebvre. The trio is rounded out by longtime friends and fellow Chicago collaborators, Drummer Jonathan Marks (Hey Champ, Monakr, Dessa, Liquid Soul, Lupe Fiasco) and Keyboardist Andrew Lawrence (Bonelang, Bonzo Squad, District 97).
TS3 is joined on this record by some of the jazz/improv world elite, including Donny McCaslin, Fareed Haque, Howard Levy and Tim Lefebvre. The production work and added electric bass work of Lefebvre is especially notable. The collaboration between Bassists makes for a truly unique sounding project, especially when finished with the stellar mixing and mastering work of top L.A. engineer, Marc Nelson. Lefebvre’s endorsement on the project will surely make some in the bass world step up, and discover Seisser’s unique approach to the Electric Bass.
Though they met in middle school, it wasn’t until their high school graduation ceremony in their hometown of Sedona, AZ that Jenna & Daniel Watters first sang together. Performing as a folk duo for many years while battling long distances between travel and school, they decided to join forces permanently, moving to Denver in 2009 to start a band. After immersing themselves in the Denver music scene, they began dating (and eventually married) while shaping a unique sound with their 5-piece ensemble. “The Oak Creek Band” began touring the Rocky Mountains and Southwest restlessly in 2011 and 2012, logging over 32,000 miles in their beloved van, “Justin Beeper”. Having played concerts, festivals, dive-bars, weddings, private-parties and even the Daytime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, they have been winning over fans as diverse as the events they have been apart of with their high-energy performances and beautiful vocals. After releasing two EPs in the span of two years, they have crafted an eclectic mix of Americana, Rock, and Indie-Pop that feature addictive melodies and soaring harmonies. The band relocated to Nashville, TN in February 2013 and they are currently producing their debut full-length album in Music City USA.
Taz Rashid (DJ TAZ) brings a high vibrational energy to any room instantly by mixing the beats and rhythms of Love, Ancient New World, House, Kirtan, Devotional, and all the cosmic sounds. His vision is to be a channel to cause the expansion of all those around by tapping into the creative wisdom of the body and allowing them to feel, let go and awaken.
He has been producing and part of creating conscious events in the midwest over the last few years and as a musician, he plays guitar, keyboard, Native American Flute, didgeridoo and hand percussion. He takes these instruments and connects to the Divine and what comes through has the ability to move his crowd to connect to their Divine higher selves. Recently he has been performing and DJing at events such as Bhakti Fest, Serendipity Festival, Denver Chant Fest, Lightworkers Midwest Conference, Greenheart Transforms, Bodhi Spiritual Center and many more conscious gatherings. In Chicago, he and his team produce Club Divine a monthly spiritual dance party with high vibrational DJs, healers, body workers, artists and amazing musicians.
John Paul Keith, the brilliant singer-songwriter and blistering guitarist who exploded out of a self-imposed musical exile in Memphis with 2009’s critically acclaimed Spills and Thrills and 2011’s The Man That Time Forgot, returns with Memphis Circa 3AM—his most accomplished and moving collection of songs yet.
The Truss, is a Chicago based band that is said to be related to Incubus and The Dave Matthews Band. Their original sound is crafted by mixing powerful melodic and vocal content with tight rhythmic grooves. With a strong focus on the “Live Show” experience they are becoming one of the top rock acts in Chicago.
Pushing the envelope. Experimenting with sound. Exploring the art of production and songwriting. Meshing the genres, yet appreciating them all. There isn’t one kind of music that has totally influenced Mike Gallagher. Alternative Rock is at the core of his new album “The Edge of the Dream.” He’s three-dimensional: guitarist, keyboardist, and vocalist. A versatile artist educated by everything from books to the Blues. Audiences can hear remnants of country, R&B, and soul to accompany the compilations of sound. “I must remain true to the characterization of the song. I know what instruments I hear lyrically.” The stakes are aimed high and his quest for success is a common thread that knits us all universally. Mike has been enlisted to perform with many of the industry’s most notable performers. This repertoire of artists range from different genres of music: Yolanda Adams, Bebe Winans (gospel), Roy Ayers (jazz), George Clinton (funk), Kindred and the Family Soul (R&B), Carole King (folk), M.C. Lyte, Rhymefest (hip-hop) Rick Nielsen {Cheap Trick}, Jim Peterik {Survivor} (rock). A melting pot of melody, harmony, and acoustic sounds accompanied by the song – the story. Mike Gallagher is the ladle that stirs all these influences and creates a style all his own!
Elder is Nicholas DiSalvo, Jack Donovan, Michael Risberg and Georg Edert.
Elder is a genre-pushing rock band that melds heavy psychedelic sounds with progressive elements and evocative soundscapes. Formed in a small coastal town in Massachusetts in the mid aughts, the band has reinvented their sound over the course of five albums to grow from a stalwart of the stoner/doom scene into one of the most unique voices in the rock underground. Their long-scale compositions unfold as journeys, running the gamut of styles from the 70’s to the present within a single song with a penchant for “sheer gatefold-era grandeur” (Rolling Stone).
By continuing to incorporate new elements to their sound, Elder’s output has repeatedly set benchmarks for their peers. Beginning with 2008’s Elder and 2010’s Dead Roots Stirring, Elder made ripples in the stoner rock scene with their uniquely melodic approach to the genre. In 2015 they surprised again with Lore, a watershed moment in the band’s career (recently crowned “Album of the Decade” by The Obelisk) which brought in elements of post-, prog- and space rock into the Elder sound. Despite several years of heavy touring surrounding the album, Reflections of a FloatingWorld was released just two years later, earning a spot at the top of many best-of lists including Rolling Stone (#5, 20Best Metal Albums Of 2017), Stereogum and others.
In 2019, a tour pitstop in Berlin, Germany yielded the experimental EP The Gold & Silver Sessions. Recorded live based off ideas largely crafted while on the road, the release showcased Elder’s softer side; motorik beats, lush keyboards and sparse compositions replaced the usual colossal riffs and dense structure. Almost a decade and a half after the first sludgy riffs were recorded and the first demo pressed, the door for Elder stylistically remained wide open.
Elder’s 2020 album Omens answered any speculation about new directions with affirmation: evolution or extinction. Lush, intricately interwoven melodies grow and dissolve into spaced-out jams; massive riffs thunder down into a churning sea of psychedelic sounds and unpredictable grooves carry away the listener. Elder paint pictures with their music, and Omens shows the band experimenting with an even more colorful palette – with good reason. After thirteen years, this was the first full-length recorded with a new lineup including guitarist Michael Risberg and new drummer Georg Edert, along with guest performances by Fabio Cuomo on Rhodes piano and synthesizers.
During the pandemic of the early 2020’s, Elder continued work on new music despite having their wings clipped at the beginning of a new album release. Channeling the surreal and bizarre everyday developments into music, a body of work quickly came together that would become the band’s newest album Innate Passage. Recorded and mixed at Cloud’s Hill Studio in Hamburg, Germany during two sessions over the course of 2021, this new album shows the band’s ever-expanding musical vocabulary and joy for sonic exploration as never before.
2024, dispite being planned as a year to work on new music, was busier than anticipated with Elder being invited to open for Tool on their US tour in January/February. The first support tour the band had done in almost a decade was a big one with performances in arenas from Madison Square Garden to the (former) Staples Center. A few months later the band unveiled its latest offering, a the live album Live at BBC Maida Vale Studios. Recorded while on tour in summer of 2023, the album showcases the band’s powerful live performance on that tour.
As of now, Elder are working on their next album, roughly scheduled for release in 2025.
Kings Destroy, NYC’s hybrid of stoner rock, doom and hardcore, unites musicians from many of the genres’ most prolific bands. Hailing from the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn, KD features guitarists Carl Porcaro and Chris Skowronski from legendary, 100k album selling ‘Killing Time’, vocalist Steve Murphy from ‘Uppercut’, drummer Rob Sefcik formerly of ‘Mans Ruin’, ‘The Begotten’, ‘Uppercut’ and ‘Electric Frankenstein’ and bassist Aaron Bumpus. With influences like The Melvins, Yob and Cro Mags, KD describes their sound as “brutal Sabbath heaviness with hardcore outbursts and disturbed vocals verging on the demented.”
Surely one of the most unsung bands in the history of American hard rock music, BANG released three full-length albums for Capitol Records in the early 70′s, that criminally sank without a trace. Capitol artist development at the time just did not know what to do with the band that was often called America’s answer to Black Sabbath.
BANG‛s first significant break came when the Philadelphia band gate-crashed a Rod Stewart show in Orlando in 1971 convincing promoters to put them on as the warm up act. With the interest of the major concert promoters of the day, East Coast Concerts and Concerts West, the band soon became major contenders in the hard rock arena.
The 1971 self-titled debut album “BANG“ is considered an important forerunner to the early Doom Metal genre. This was followed by the monumental “Mother/Bow To The King” album in 1972 which should have exploded. Changes in personnel at their record company and an externally forced line-up change led to frustration and bewilderment before releasing their swansong 1973 album “Music“.
Undoubtedly the heaviest of America‛s ‘proto-metal’ bands from the period, BANG also had a strong sense of melodic power, which should have led them to much bigger things as chronicled in the BANGstory.
Highly regarded as a cult act by many for years, it‛s now time for this truly amazing rock band to be enjoyed by a new audience. As can be heard, the versatility and songwriting skills of BANG were (are) second to none.
Radio Moscow is a hard rocking psych power trio. They have five albums on Alive Records and have toured USA, Europe, So. America and are heading your way.
Inspired by the simple, poignant struggles of the “every man” these are working class songs from a working class band living in a disaffected, commercialized world.
Ned Hill writes music that simply and quietly suggest his small town, country background without running up the flag pole for a prize.
The brass kicks are a rock and roll 3 piece from Joliet IL. The group released their first EP titled ‘Barn Salon’ in 2014 and after years of fine-tuning the band’s first full-length E.P. is set to release Spring, 2018. Members include Marco Palandri on lead guitar and vocals, August Bryan on kit, and Ben Sweetnam on bass and backup vocals.
Chuck Prophet shapes his restless career with inimitable subtle flair: a vivid parade of razor-edged one-liners camouflaged in a slack-jawed drawl, songs about heartbreak and everyman heroism, drenched in twisted lines of rude Telecaster.
When the early stages of a financial melt-down coincided with a rare San Francisco heat wave in the summer of 2008, with the window open wide and Dwight Twilley, Iggy, Thin Lizzy and the Knack blaring out the hi-fi, Prophet wrote a collection of political songs for non-political people. Later, in April 2009, he journeyed to Mexico City, where, in the clutches of a Swine Flu panic and earthquakes, he recorded ¡Let Freedom Ring!, his most incendiary record, every bit as urgent as the title demands.
Habit of Force is a three piece Metal band from Chicago. Having many influences, HoF delivers a wide spectrum of styles in an attempt to keep their fans guessing and satisfied. Inspired by life, Habit of Force draws a positive and motivational line with their music. Always striving to achieve the next level, HoF gives you their all in the studio or on the stage. Always looking to have a good time and tear it up, Habit of Force is coming for you!
Stuart Richardson, Mike Lewis, Lee Gaze, Luke Johnson and Jamie Oliver have joined forces with former Thursday frontman, Geoff Rickly, to bring a common love of post-punk and epic melodies to life.
NANCY TRANSIT is a “post-punk” trio from Vienna, Austria. They connect alot of different roots, genres from psychodelic garage tunes, over spheric kraut-rock, to surf or rockabilly and heavy, trippy blues. NT is a very recent project, they released one debut Single & Video and now released their debut album “FANTASY – LP” in July 2014.
FOUR STAR BRASS BAND
There ain’t no party like a Four Star Party. We are a professional Chicago based New Orleans Style brass band ready to play any party. From festivals and stages to weddings and crawfish boils, we are bringin’ the Louisiana sizzle to you all night. Come fuel the excitement as the FOUR STAR BRASS BAND becomes the hottest and hardest hittin’ Brass Band of their generation.
Selling England by the Pound is the fifth studio album from the English progressive rock band Genesis, released on 12 October 1973 on Charisma Records. It was recorded in August 1973 following their tour supporting Foxtrot (1972).
“A prolific home-studio musician in the tradition of the Magnetic Fields–he claims to have written and recorded 300 songs to date–Osvaldo Paese is an earnest young singer and songwriter with seemingly boundless ambition and a wildly diverse set of influences. Though he’s clearly enamored of the Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Neil Young schools, he describes his musical goal as evoking “Leonardo the Ninja Turtle singing the songs Britney Spears will be writing in the year 2169.”
Nothing I’ve heard on his new seven-song demo, D.I.Y. album “Definitions” or the online jukebox on his MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/osvaldopaese) is quite that far out. But my favorites in his catalog–“We Dot Com,” “Whatever You Want Done” or “If You Had Nothing”–do sport a fascinating Beck-like love of psychedelic surrealism colliding with sudden clear-eyed social observations. “If you had nothing would you start living instead?” he asks amid the otherwise cheeky wordplay in the latter tune.
A versatile multi-instrumentalist particularly adept at Jimi Hendrix-meets-Syd Barrett electric guitar freak-outs, Paese performs solo acoustic at open-mike nights around town. Though he doesn’t have any dates listed at the moment, he does offer a bounty of homemade videos on his YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/osvaldopaese), which means you can see him perform without even leaving the couch.”
Jim Degrogatis (author, music critic for Chicago Suntimes)
Eric Gales grew up in a musical family with four brothers, two of them who learned to play the guitar upside down and left handed in the same fashion that Eric does. Eric’s brother Eugene Gales played bass in the Eric Gales Band and his brother Little Jimmy King had a thriving career as a blues artist before his untimely death. Eric released his first record at Age 16 for Elektra records to an amazing response from the media and music fans around the globe. Guitar World Magazine’s Reader’s Poll named Eric as “Best New Talent,” in 1991. After recording a second record for Elektra, all three brothers teamed up for The Gales Bros. “Left Hand Brand” which was recorded for the House of Blues label in 1996.Through the years, it would not be unusual to look out in the audience and see artists like Carlos Santana, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, B. B. King, and Eric Clapton, looking on with interest as Eric took his God-given talent and worked crowd after crowd into a frenzy. The new Millennium presented new opportunities for Eric and he was signed to a deal with Nightbird Records which was affiliated with the Hendrix family and distributed through MCA/Universal. Under this deal, Eric recorded the critically acclaimed record “That’s What I Am” in 2001 and hit the road, mesmerizing fans around the world with his uncanny connection to his guitar. In 2006 Eric recorded the critically acclaimed CD “Crystal Vision” for Blues Bureau and set the stage for his incredible Blues Bureau follow-up, “The Psychedelic Underground.” in 2007. Eric followed sharply in 2008 with “The Story of my Life” and in 2010 hit a new stride altogether with the incredibly successful album “Relentless”. That album combined with his latest studio album “Transformation” released in 2011 set the stage for his upcoming Double Live Album/DVD due in October of 2012.As both an African-American left-handed guitarist of extraordinary ability and an expressive vocalist, it is natural for people to compare Eric to Hendrix but Eric has developed a unique hybrid blues/rock sound that also draws upon influences as diverse as Albert King and Eric Johnson. A unique amalgam of styles, Eric Gales stands head and shoulders among other guitarists in his genre.”
“One of the best if not the best guitarist in the world today.” – Joe Bonamassa
Toronto punk quartet The oOohh Baby Gimme Mores are a guaranteed booty shaking, fist pumping, machine built to make you sweat on the dance floor. Being named to North By Northeast top 60 tip-sheet, playing shows at the Edge 102.1, Afro Punk Festival, Indie Week Toronto, and Canadian Music Week, The OBGMs have shared the stage with artists such as Saul Williams, Janelle Monae and Kathryn Calder of The New Pornographers. Feeding off pure energy and oozing with infectious drums and catchy synth lines: The oOohh Baby Gimme Mores are truly harbingers of the party groove..
Kim Shattuck formed the Muffs with bassist Ronnie Barnett, drummer Criss Crass and Melanie Vammen. After three singles for indie labels Subpop Records, Au Go Go in Australia, and Sympathy for the Record Industry, which generated a large underground buzz, the Muffs were picked up by Warner Bros and subsequently released their powerful eponymous debut album in 1993. Shortly after, Crass left the group and was replaced temporarily by drummer Jim Laspesa for the tour.
In the Spring of 1994, ex- Redd Kross drummer and longtime Muffs friend Roy McDonald joined the group. The Muffs had asked him back in 1990 but he was moving to Dallas and couldn’t do it.
After switching to Reprise Records in late 1994, the Muffs headed back into the studio to record the follow-up, Blonder and Blonder; now a three-piece due to Vammen’s departure.
They toured extensively in 1995 in support of their 2nd album Blonder and Blonder, creating havoc and chaos wherever they went. (Mostly in a good way).
Happy Birthday to Me followed in 1997 and two years later Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow was released by a Fat Wreckords label, Honest Don’s; a rarities collection, Hamburger, appeared in early 2000 on Sympathy for the Record Industry.
After a long break, The Muffs released their new CD Really Really Happy on Oglio Records during the summer 2004 and toured the US and Japan later that year.
January 2005 The Muffs released a limited edition LP of Really Really Happy on Sympathy for the Record Industry.
In September 2005 The Muffs were featured in a series of Canadian Milk commercials that played throughout Canada.
In February 2009 the Muffs tried out new material during a 20 day tour of Spain. It was wildly successful.
Another tour in September 2010, this time of Spain and Italy. Lots of people and lots of fun chaos.
1/17/11 Another b-sides CD called Kaboodle comes out on Cherry Red Records from England!
Currently the Muffs are gearing up to release their 6th studio album July 2014. It will be released in North America by Burger Records and the rest of the world by Cherry Red Records.
When LoNero married groove and melody driven songs with rhythm and verse then focused it all on the audience, Guitarcore was born! Legendary rock photographer Neil Zlozower describes LoNero’s style as, “Mean, intense, nasty, urgent, aggressive, and angry! I am definitely a fan!!!!” Bill Lonero has performed and recorded with Cliff Williams (AC/DC), Stu Hamm (Joe Satriani/Steve Vai), Mike Mangini (Dream Theater/Steve Vai/Extreme), Simon Kirke (Bad Company), Gigi Gonaway (Mariah Carey) and many more. LoNero and his bandmates James Manalili, Mike McKaigg, and Marco Bicca have continued to win over new audiences by supporting the Pat Travers Band and opening for legends Michael Schenker, Uli Roth, and Tony MacAlpine. With recently added a third guitarist Nasser Abdala, LoNero remains true to the Guitarcore principles of creating a real bond with their fans.
In the wake of nu hip hop, Detroit native Denmark Vessey maintains the signature “soft-as-concrete, beautiful/ugly” Motor City sound all too well. From d-boy to b-boy—-armed with quality music production, Denmark makes his presence felt in a lasting matter behind the boards and on the mic.
Triple S S.L.A.N.G. stands for South Side Stoners Slowly Leading A Nowhere Generation. The crew consists of the artists Klim, Loppsyded, Colombian, and Hard Tymes. Plus their sicc ass producer, J Holben Productions. Triple S S.L.A.N.G. was created in early 2010 by Dave Klimczak (KLIM) Ryan Kocanda (Loppsyded) and Tom Kelly (Big T) while smoking a blunt and playing Call of Duty. Klim & Loppsyded are a group and solo artists as well. Klim has been spitting hot 16s for about four years .Loppsyded started about three years ago and engineers all of Klim and Loppsyded’s music. Hard Tymes (Jeffery Cole) has been rappin wit triple since late 2011, Colombian joined the crew in early 2012 but has been rapping for 6 years prior. And our newest memeber is Josh Holben, (J-Holben Prod.) Triple S S.L.A.N.G. originated on the South Side of Chicago and is not a record label but more so an independent movement. Klim and Loppsyded have opened up for Psycho Drama, Project Pat, Busy Bone, Durrough, and many more. Their hit single “Blowin Diesel” was produced by Yo Gotti’s producer, Drumma Drama. Since early 2011 Klim and Loppsyded have been managed by Michael Hoover who has been in the industry long enough to work with Tupac, Bone Thugs n Harmony, Common, DMX, Paul Wall and many more. Some of the artists that have influenced Triple S S.L.A.N.G. are Eminem, Tupac, Biggie Smalls, Tech N9ne and the Beastie Boys.
The B-Side Kings consists of members from several original Chicago bands and numerous guest vocalists covering deep cut tracks from some favorite 70’s acts.
Stephen Neeper & The Wild Hearts play rock ‘n’ roll music.
The Neeper sound represents a coalescence of influences, ranging from Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and The Black Crowes, to Ryan Adams, and Pearl Jam. The Neepers, Stephen and Zeke, started learning the art of guitar picking from their father so long ago that it is a part of who they are. After multiple tenures with various local bands, SNTWH formed through jam sessions in the Neeper garage with other Arkansas musicians, beginning with the addition of drummer Evan Barr in late 2011. Drew deFrance became a part of the Neeper band family as a result of similar late night jam sessions. Since then, the band has shared the stage with the likes of Cody Canada and the Departed, The Wild Feathers, Whiskey Myers, Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown, and The Dirty Guv’nahs.
SNTWH has garnered attention from the press as well. In the Arkansas Times, Robert Bell wrote, “It’s hard to convey the extent to which this band has swaggering, blues-steeped Southern rock down cold….frontman Neeper is a shred-meister extraordinaire… and the rest of the band members are stone-cold bad-asses, too.” SNTWH guarantee one thing: a rockin’ good time.
Rebuilder is a Boston based band with a modern punk sound and old school roots. Formed in January 2013, Rebuilder has already cultivated a following in their hometown and across the country – opening for Dropkick Murphys, The Dead Milkmen, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Diarrhea Planet, Frank Turner, Stiff Little Fingers and performing on Warped Tour and Pouzza Fest. Members Sal Ellington (guitar and lead vocals), Craig Stanton (lead guitar and vocals), Daniel Carswell (Bass), Rick Smith (Electric Piano and Organ), and Brandon Phillips (drums) are all friends with the common goal of creating their own fresh and invigorating take on punk rock music. Rebuilder just released their self-titled EP on their label Refuse, Rethink, Rebuild Records and is ready to take over the world.
After 12 years in punk band Midget Fan Club, Jason Guy Smiley has struck out on his own. Jason is now covering his favorite punk rock songs and writing new original material.
All of 25 years old, Mike Zabrin is already considered to be a bass phenom, featured in Bass Player Magazine, No Treble Magazine, and WGN to name a few. Mike grew up touring across the United States with Chicago blues artists, playing behind some of the best names in blues music at places like Allstate Arena, House of Blues, Chicago Blues Festival, and Bonita Springs Blues Festival.
In May 2014, Mike left his nightly side-man club gigs to become producer and band leader of soul infused, funk driven powerhouse, Mike Zabrin’s Funktastic. His 2014 debut record, Funktastic, features collaborations with members of Kool & the Gang, Fishbone, and Kendra Foster of Parliament Funkadelic. Opening for renowned artists like Fareed Haque, his energetic live shows along with his insanely talented musicians is what keeps MZF one of the most working funk bands in the Chicagoland area.
Outside of performing, Mike is a band ensemble coach and bass instructor at Terra Sounds Music of School & Arts in Glenview, IL.
Sam Llanas (pronounced yanas), formerly of the BoDeans, will release his new album The Whole Night Thru November 18th. Determined and confident, gloves are off on this guitar-driven collection, produced by longtime collaborator Gary Tanin featuring nine new Llanas originals.
With a career spanning decades, Llanas is continuing his solo pilgrimage after 25 years with the band he co-founded. His 12th studio album and third major solo effort, The Whole Night Thru, blends the roots-rock style that was a signature sound of his former band with Llanas’ own genre-bending musical influences.
Work on the new record started in 2013 occurring over a few weeks time. With the majority of the basic tracks recorded, Llanas began completing The Whole Night Thru at Daystorm Music in Milwaukee with producer-musician Tanin, who had also worked on the singer-songwriter’s previous solo efforts, A Good Day To Die, 4 A.M. (The Way Home) and 4/5 Live – Vol. I. Milwaukee musicians Sean Williamson, Matt Turner and Ryan Schiedermayer contributed guitar, bass, drums & percussion respectively, while Tanin supplied the string arrangements, piano and mellotron on the new recording.
Llanas’ new solo opus reveals a new found clarity, “I view The Whole Night Thru as my first ‘official’ solo record. Though I previously released two solo studio records, I had always been very careful to not compete with the BoDeans sound. But now that I’m no longer in that band, the gloves are off and this is a record that has many elements that fans of my former band love. If fans are looking for that BoDeans sound, it comes from my voice and it’s all over this record.” The result is a mix of Johnny Cash’s fiery fervor and Otis Redding’s nostalgic soulfulness, without limitation– stylistically or by genre classification.
“I’ve always been influenced by what I heard. In the ‘60s, when radio was wide open, you would hear the Beatles and the Stones, Motown Soul and Atlanta Soul, Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding and Southern Soul. You’d hear Tom Jones, The Carpenters, Glen Campbell and country artists, you’d hear Johnny Cash and folk. Those songs were all really well-written and well performed.”
In asking about his departure from the band he co-founded Llanas clarifies, “I think people have this misconception that I left The BoDeans to pursue a solo career, but that’s just not the truth. I never wanted the break up of the BoDeans. It broke my heart.”
Going solo at this point in his career, however, has allowed Llanas to combine the experience of a seasoned professional with the passion of an emerging artist. It is a need for deep self-exploration and expression that drives him to create his music and continue to perform. As Llanas admits, “I think the best part about being solo has been that I get to express myself completely now. I never got to sing half of these songs, and I always wanted to. I love being able to have that freedom.”
On The Whole Night Thru Sam Llanas embraces his new found freedom revealing a unique musical style that is simultaneously invigorating, passionate, inspiring and a surprising place of calm.
Sam Llanas’ The Whole Night Thru will be available on digital and CD formats November 18th via Llanas Music (distributed by OARFIN).
Spawned in France by guitarist/vocalist J.B Le bail, Svart Crown was born in 2005 with the idea to push the boundaries of extreme music, and create a new dimension of brutality and blackness. Following numerous tours in his native land, Svart Crown released its first album, Ages of Decay in early 2008. The band has been promoting this first effort since then, with countless shows and two European runs.
Around J.B. Le Bail, guitarist C. Frandrois, bassist L. Veyssière and drummer G. Barthélemy (also known for his works with Diabolic, Drowning, Balrog and Antaeus) complete the line-up.
Svart Crown has now finished the new album: Witnessing The Fall marks a new and significant step in the history of the band. The sulphurous and oppressive atmosphere are emphasized by an organic sound crafted by Sébastien Tuvi (Antaeus, Hell Militia, Aosoth) and Francis Caste (Kickback, Arkhon Infaustus, Phazm) at St Marthe Studio.
Svart Crown has successfully mixed an old school feeling with various modern influences. Witnessing The Fall is simply the new face of the band; a black beast, full of anger, a symbol of humanity in perdition.
Beheaded regrouped its writing core and started stitching together the successor to Ominous Bloodline. Along Chris (Drums), Omar (guitars) and Dave (bass) the band welcomed Frank (vocals) and Robert (guitars) to its fold. The new line up which without doubt is one of the strongest since the band’s inception started work on the successor of ‘Ominous Bloodline’ whilst hitting the road once a number of times again taking the stage at festivals such as Neurotic Death Fest, Death Feast Open Air, Mountains of Death.
The Dutch masters of horror are back! On ‘Franckensteina Strataemontanus’, CARACH ANGREN resurrect the gruesome story of troubled soul ‘Conrad Dippel’; the inspiration of Mary Shelly’s novel ‘Frankenstein’.
CARACH ANGREN set out to tell ghost-stories with a set of paranormal cases recorded on the demo ‘The Chase Vault Tragedy’ (2004). This was soon followed by the official release of the ‘Ethereal Veiled Existence’ EP (2005) as a prelude to the haunting ‘Lammendam’ (2008). Their full-length ‘Death Came through a Phantom Ship’ (2010) witnessed the band setting sail to bring their eccentric and capturing live performances to audiences and festivals all over Europe. In the wake of third album ‘Where the Corpses Sink Forever’ (2012), the haunting had reached the US and started to spread rapidly. While firmly remaining in the horror genre, their tales revolve around the evils of war. This mature streak was taken a step further with the fourth full-length ‘This Is No Fairytale’ (2015), which is on the surface a darker variation of the “Hansel and Gretel”, but also deals with a dysfunctional family. With ‘Dance And Laugh Amongst The Rotten’ (2017), the band returned to pure story telling that centred on a girl playing a little too long with a Ouija board.
CARACH ANGREN return with the monster ‘Franckensteina Strataemontanus’, where the Dutch have pushed their unashamedly theatrical style to new heights. Press play and have your soul transferred with this new elixir of life!
Philip Lassiter’s contribution and relevance to the music industry are as diverse and celebrated as he is. The highlights of his impressive career include production and arranging work for seven GRAMMY winning projects with Fred Hammond and Kirk Franklin in addition to working as section-leader, arranger and lead trumpeter for Prince. Lassiter is revered as a sought-after songwriter (SESAC) and Jazz musician whose talents earned him an endorsement with Cannonball Instruments and a recent record deal with GroundUP Records. Lassiter is also the musical genius behind the funk group Philthy.
Two decades of gospel, soul, R&B, funk, jazz and salsa sounds have served as a combined muse for Lassiter. Eight years in Dallas, TX brought these inspirations to life, and all the while under the wing of some of the most talented musicians and producers in the world. Bernard Wright, Bobby Sparks, Keith Anderson and many others opened new musical doors and further expanded his notoriety in the gospel and funk industry. As an arranger with multi-platinum artists including Prince, Fantasia, Kelly Rowland, Jill Scott, Roberta Flack, Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Al Jarreau, Anthony Hamilton, Frankie Beverly, Ledisi, Regina Belle, Donald Lawrence and hundreds of others.
Several years in Nashville further diversified Lassiter’s musical portfolio. While there, he worked with the legendary producer Tommy Sims, performed and arranged the music of former Columbia Records country artist Shelly Fairchild, and performed in numerous awards shows such as the Dove Awards, The Stellars, and performed with My Morning Jacket at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. While in Nashville, Lassiter also formed his funk group Philthy. The talent Philip gathered for Philthy was representative of his working relationships with the best players and performers in both Nashville and New York. Based in DC, he currently leads an 11-piece horn section for Prince, with whom he tours internationally and in the U.S, and is preparing for his long-awaited album release of DreamZzz which is slated for June 10th, 2014.
Detroit has a musical heritage that is rich, proud and ever expanding with no limits or restrictive bounds. That is why Emmy award winning vocalist Jennifer Westwood was able to boldly assemble the Handsome Devils and combine elements of soul, gospel, hill country blues and outlaw country all into one package.
Jennifer Westwood and the Handsome Devils have collected numerous awards in their musical history including Detroit Music, Blue Water Music, Caddy and the aforementioned Emmy awards while compiling nearly 20 albums in their careers. While having toured the country and the world, the members have also had songs featured in ABC’s Nashville, NBC’s Fear Itself, FX’s Sons of Anarchy, MTV’s Nitro Circus and on the Fall Guy DVD set to name just a few.
Jennifer grew up singing gospel in Detroit. She has joined forces with guitarist Dylan Dunbar (Rumpshakers, Whitey Morgan) and bassist JD Mackinder (Whitey Morgan, Deadstring Brothers), she was able to utilize those experiences and combine it with her devil’s talents and create a Hill Country Outlaw Swamp band that is unique in style and yet familiar to the ear all at once. It’s dirty, greasy and foot stomping. It’s Jennifer Westwood and the Handsome Devils.
Buddha Blue is an eclectic mix of Blues, Funk, Soul, and Rock. Buddha Blue “Buddha-fies” everything they do, resurrecting your favorites…infusing new life. Each member brings his/her individuality and artistic genius to the stage. Collectively, the band commands your attention and leaves you wanting more. Leave your worries + stress behind and come out for a guaranteed good time!
In the last days of 2005 STUPIDITY was formed in Stockholm, Sweden by former members from the bands Eager Beaver and The Cool Jerks. They took the name “Stupidity” from the great Solomon Burke song. The band’s first recording was a four song demo in september 2006 and they also played their first gig in november the same year. In February – March 2007 they started recording new songs and doing a number of gigs. In April-June 2007 they went back into the studio and recorded the rest of the songs for the coming album. The album titled “I need you…like a hole in my head” is now available to buy here, just click on the album-cover and links to our distributors on the left! In June 2008 Stupidity toured the USA for two weeks, doing shows and radio in three states. After the tour Stupidity was discovered by Little Steven Van Zandt (from Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band & The Sopranos) who in August named their song “Girl Named Moe” the coolest song in the world on his radio channel The Underground Garage. The album “Illegal U-Turn” was released in June 2009. The new album “Move” was released in June 2011 and Stupidity did a tour in the U.S. during June & July 2011 promoting it with shows and radio. And once again Little Steven picked a song, “Move”, to be the Coolest Song in the World on the 4th July! In fall 2013 Stupidity toured the East Coast for the 6th time in a row and later that year the single, “King Midas”, was the Coolest Song In The World. On the 13th Dec Netflix released the serial “Lilyhammer 2” and “King Midas” appears ion the soundtrack of episode 6! More dates in Sweden and Europe are coming up during the end of 2014! So check the blog and the calendar here and on Myspace and Facebook for the latest news and coming gigs! See you & rock on! Miss Anna, Tommy Boy, Erniz & PA. .
White Radio is a high energy hard rock band blowing up the Chicago club scene. White Radio has an original yet familiar sound. Their influences are as diverse as 70’s heavy rock and 80’s metal & hardcore punk to 90’s grunge and 2000’s indie rock. White Radio fits well on all hard rock, metal, punk, and indie shows. Ockam’s Razor’s show is lively and dynamic. They “bring it ” every show, every time.
With radio play on stations regionally like 94.7 The Razor, 95.1 Wiil Rock, 105.5 The Kat, 103.9 The Bear, 94.1 WJJO & 97.3 The Rock, White Radio’s regional following is building fast. White Radio has also shared the stage with bands like Black Stone Cherry, Saving Abel, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, The Lovehammers and Anthrax, and has played or is currently booked at premier venues like House Of Blues(Chicago, 1300 capacity),The Hard rock Cafe'(Chicago capacity 690), Reggies Live(Chicago 500 capacity), The Rave/Eagles Ballroom(Milwaukee Wi. 3500 seat venue),The Brat Stop(Kenosha Wi. 1200 capacity) MoJoe’s(Joliet,1200 seat venue), The Back Bar(Janesville Wi.capacity 400) and more. White Radio has also played a number of outdoor music festivals like The Bash On Wabash(Chicago 6000 attend) & The Galena Music Festival(Galena Ill/Dubuque Ia)
With their self titled debut EP selling more than 3000 copies in total White Radio has recently finished recording their first full length album with producer Jon Lawhon(Black Stone Cherry) and will be mixed by multi-platinum producer/engineer Sean O’Keefe(Hawthorne Heights, Fall Out Boy, Plain White Tees). The album will be released this spring. In addition, Bassist Connor James is a Warwick Bass endorser/artist and drummer Dominick Cappetto is The Sunset Island Music Radio 2014 Drummer Of The Year 2014.
“It was surreal,” says the Chicago composer and performer Liam Hayes, about appearing in the forthcoming Roman Coppola film A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III. “I haven’t played many gigs on a beach with a Hammond organ, you know?” Hayes, who has made music under the name Plush since the early ’90s, was contacted by Coppola after the director became a huge fan. “I just got so absorbed by his music,” Coppola recently told GQ (UK) about Hayes and Plush.
The result of this appreciation was Hayes and Coppola making a soundtrack out of Hayes’ music. “It evolved,” says Hayes. “When we met to discuss the project we talked about possible songs. We talked some more, added a few more songs, and I ended up doing the score.” Hayes also appears in the film performing the tune “So Much Music.” It isn’t his first time onscreen: In 2000 he appeared in High Fidelity performing his song “Soaring and Boring”. His imaginative, atmospheric, cinematic style is well suited to movie soundtracks, and his Charles Swan soundtrack is made up of songs from Fed, Bright Penny and the forthcoming Korp Sole Roller along with music written specifically for the film.
Hayes has been making critically acclaimed pop records since 1994, when he released the single “Three-Quarters Blind Eyes” b/w “Found a Little Baby”. Considered by many to be a pop classic, it helped to establish him as a songwriter. In 1998, he released More You Becomes You, a spare, stripped-down collection of his intimate tunes. In 2002, he released Fed, a lush, orchestral album. 2009’s Bright Penny, an ode to pop music, was released under the name Liam Hayes and Plush. Although he emerged from the Chicago indie-rock scene, Hayes is often compared with artists such as Jimmy Webb, Brian Wilson, Laura Nyro, Burt Bacharach and Harry Nilsson. Like some of the best folk-pop or soft soul from the 1960’s of 1970’s there is a timeless quality to his music.
Hayes is not the kind of artist who spends all day interacting on social media. He doesn’t reveal a lot in interviews. He’s not trying to be cagey or eccentric or elusive, he would just rather keep the focus on his songs. And let’s face it, mystique is underrated in this era of over-sharing.
Liam Hayes and Plush plan to announce new releases in 2014.
Dead on TV is a Chicago based outfit that has stroked audiences all over the country with their brand of masturbatory new wave garage punk narcissism which, coupled with the smash and grab disruption of ADHD lead singer Dan Evans, the brutal machine-like ineptness of drummer Vince Mcaley, the pounding low end of synth player Mike Bradberry and a complete and heinous disregard for the life of guitar player Corey Devlin has resulted in some of the most epically offensive shows ever removed from youtube for violation of community standards.
When broken on the sidewalk, their debut EP, “Fuck You, I’m Famous” seems to somehow cut deeper than other plastic-coated CD releases. “Fuck You, I’m Famous” has garnered the attention of the FBI and college radio stations across the US.
Dead on TV is currently working on the follow up to their debut and sharing the stage with the biggest names in modern rock, like Skillet, to classic hardcore punks Fang and The Vibrators.
Dead On TV is available for Bar-Mitzvahs, Bris ceremonies, birthdays, concert engagements, race riots, Internment facility brush ups, Large scale uprisings, local revolutions, executions, opening engagements for national acts, Environmental deforestations, church functions, fetish parties and corporate management training seminars. Dead on TV does not trust fall.
General Zod is a Chicago-based fusion band with the core members being Katherine Andrick (violin), Zoey Witz (guitar), Chris Clemente (bass), Paul Mutzabaugh (keys), and Frank Alongi (drums). Having violin as a lead instrument, General Zod is able to give their unique take on the compositions of the likes of Jean Luc Ponty and The Mahavishnu Orchestra. They also are known to throw down on everything from Tony Williams to John Patitucci, as well as originals from the band members. With such a stellar cast of musicians, General Zod does not disappoint when throwing down on a set of face melting fusion!
