JOHNNIE GUILBERT
My name is Johnnie Guilbert and all I do make videos ^__^
JORDAN SWEETO
Singer/Musician/Songwriter/Gamer/Youtuber ✨ Music, Love songs, Nintendo.
DAYE JACK
There is no longer such a thing as a “typical” rapper. From Drake to RiFF RAFF to Childish Gambino, we’ve seen and heard it all. Still, Daye Jack is a unique case. He was born in Nigeria, grew up in Atlanta, and now he studies computer science at NYU. He’s 18-years-old. He listens to James Blake and the title of his first mixtape, Hello World, was inspired by a computer program.
Being different can be a good thing, though. While ATL continues to spawn trap rappers who hop on the latest trends, Daye Jack has no trouble standing out. His ability to combine complex song structures, vocal melodies, and soulful production gives his music a weight that so many of the artists making the club bangers of the month will never achieve. Will it ever catch on in a major way? That’s still to be determined, but weirder shit has happened.—Jacob Moore
PELL
“PELL — born and raised in New Orleans but forced, at 13, to relocate with his family to Jackson, Mississippi when Hurricane Katrina hit and destroyed their home—has been praised for fusing precise lyricism and soulful singing into an eclectic sound, entirely his own. Turning to music both as an emotional outlet and a way to make friends in a new city, he pursued it through high school, college, and while working day jobs; including his first, at the local Dollar Store—a place he eventually paid homage to in the first track on his debut album. Pell rose to prominence following the release and subsequent critical acclaim of that very album: Floating While Dreaming.
FWD has, to date, amassed more than 19 million streams on Spotify, and more than 7 million on SoundCloud, as well as garnering him spots on Complex’s “Top 25 Rappers to Know” and Pigeons & Planes’ “Top 10 Rappers To Know Before They Blow.” In May, he was named Spotify’s 2015 “Emerge” Artist.
Pell’s also been active on the live front: he performed at this year’s Lollapalooza, Buku, and SXSW festivals; along with appearances at the U.K.’s Reading & Leeds, and recently wrapped up a completely sold-out, nationwide tour opening for R&B/pop sensation Kehlani.”
STACY MCMICHAEL TRIO
YOUNG AND IN THE WAY
YAITW (Young and in the Way) are a blackened metal/crust hybrid from the shadows of North Carolina. Over the last four years YAITW have evolved through multiple releases from vicious monster to multi-headed beast. With each offering melding a vicious metal speed and hypnotic atmospherics with a bleak hardcore/punk spirit.
“When Life Comes To Death” is the newest album from YAITW. It is their eleven song war between the pain of living and the magnetic pull of death. Each song is as dispirited and vitriolic as the next. Embattled opener “Betrayed By Light” emerges from darkness first, setting an ominous tone with haunting buzz-saw guitars, vicious vocals, and crushing d-beat drumming. While YAITW embrace demon speed and emotional dynamics in nihilistic hymns “Be My Blood”, “Take My Hand”, “We Are Nothing”, and more. All leading to closers “Shadow of Murder” and “Embrace Extinction”, that together play as an aural eclipse of truly epic proportions.
TAAKE
Taake is a Norwegian black metal band, formed in 1993 in Bergen by Hoest (then-known as Ulvhedin) under the name Thule. “Taake” is the old spelling of the Norwegian word “tåke”, meaning “fog”.
FLAMINGO
Flamingo is a 5 piece genre-blending rock outfit from the midwest. We welcome any opportunity to share our music with people. We are in the process of producing multiple studio albums will have an official ep release soon. Flamingo loves you.
ZANDER SCHLOSS
Zander Schloss is an American musician, actor and composer. He is known as bass player for The Circle Jerks and The Weirdos and for his contributions to independent feature films.
HUNTER VALENTINE
Cutting edge rock band, Hunter Valentine, have been commanding attention for over a decade with their memorable, hard-hitting tunes. The all-girl outfit has captivated audiences with four successful releases, unparalleled energetic live performances across the world, and their unforgettable personalities on VH1’s Make Or Break: The Linda Perry Project and Showtime Network’s The Real L Word reality shows. They have cultivated a loyal legion of fans over the years, and it’s to those fans that the ladies of Hunter Valentine are announcing their indefinite hiatus. In early 2016 the band will be launching their EP, The Pledge, and embarking on the So Long For Now Tour for a last hoorah with their unwavering supporters. They’ll be releasing new music and videos in the coming weeks alongside exclusive tour experiences and must have merch bundles
POCKET CANDIES
Pocket Candies is an indie rock band with electronic, industrial and jazz influences, based out of Ann Arbor, MI–where they like to get funky
ANDY TIMMONS BAND
As guitarist for pop-metal band Danger Danger, he toured the world opening for Kiss and Alice Cooper, sold over a million records worldwide, and had two #1 videos on MTV, plus amassing a discography that includes 7 solo releases that range from blazing guitar instrumentals, to blues, and even a Beatles/Elvis Costello-inspired collection of pop tunes.
As a session player, he’s been highly featured on CDs by drumming legend Simon Phillips, a live CD with Olivia Newton-John (Andy has been her music director/guitarist for several U.S. tours), two internationally acclaimed CDs by Kip Winger, recording sessions for Paula Abdul, Paul Stanley, and countless radio and television jingles. He has also played alongside many of his heroes such as Steve Vai and Joe Satriani (as a regular guest on their G3 tours in Dallas), Eric Johnson, Steve Morse, Mike Stern, Ace Frehley, Ted Nugent, and Pierre Bensusan, as well as some of his fave ’60’s singing stars such as the Beach Boys, Lesley Gore, and Gordon Waller (of Peter and Gordon fame!)
Andy’s musical career began in his hometown of Evansville, Indiana at the age of 13 with his first band, Taylor Bay. “Early on, I realized that making it in a rock band was such a long-shot, that I better figure out other ways of making a living playing guitar. I began reading about players like Steve Lukather and Larry Carlton who made their living as session musicians. This really appealed to me, since I really loved a wide variety of musical styles.”
The decision to pursue the studio scene led him to more serious music studies. He studied classical guitar for two years before moving to Miami to study jazz guitar at the University of Miami (largely because the Dixie Dregs, Pat Metheny, and Jaco Pastorius had all gone there). He eventually ended up in Dallas where he was very fortunate to get a foot in the door of a very good studio scene. In 1988, the Andy Timmons band was formed and he quickly gained a following in Texas. Around that time, Epic recording artists Danger Danger recruited him to finish their debut record, film several videos, and begin touring.
After 4 years in New York with Danger Danger, Andy returned to Dallas in 1993 to resume his studio career and the Andy Timmons Band. His first solo release, ear X-tacy, was released in 1994 to critical acclaim followed 1997’s ear X-tacy 2. He then released Pawn Kings (1997), Orange Swirl (1998), The Spoken and the Unspoken (1999), and And-thology 1 & 2 (2000). In 2001 Andy signed with Favored Nations and released his first international record, That Was Then, This is Now, a compliation of the first two ear X-tacy records and and five new tracks. Resolution (2006) marks Andy’s first full-length new release for Favored Nations.
Andy has been consistently voted a “Top 20 Favorite Guitarist” in most of Japan’s rock music magazine’s reader polls, as well as being voted “Musician of the Year” four years in a row in the acclaimed Dallas Observer Music Awards. He also has become one of the most respected and sought after clinicians representing Ibanez Guitars, touring the world on their behalf.
JENNIFER BATTEN
The buzz on Jennifer Batten rose from the guitar underground, and the guitar magazines promptly began chronicling her savvy musicianship and highly original approach to the electric guitar in print.
At one point Batten was in 6 different bands, playing everything from straight ahead rock, to metal,fusion, and funk. A major turning point came when she was selected from over one hundred guitarists to play in Michael Jackson’s highly skilled band which toured the world for one and a half years playing for over four and a half million people. Jennifer wasted no time after the” Bad” Tour’s grand finale, diving into work on her own album with renown producer (and Stevie Wonder guitarist) Michael Sembello. The stunning results can be heard on “Above, Below, and Beyond”, the title appropriately describing the interesting diversity within. With this debut release, the world at large learned what all the excitement was about.
Shortly after the record’s release in the spring of ’92, she was asked again to join Michael Jackson for his upcoming “Dangerous Tour”. In January ’93, she joined Jackson to partake in Superbowl XXVII’s half time entertainment which aired to one and half billion people in 80 nations. It was the largest audience in television history.
She completed her second solo record “Jennifer Batten’s Tribal Rage~Momentum,” just before she was again asked to join Michael Jackson for his 2 year world tour supporting his double album “HIStory” in 1997.
Jennifer’s Tribal Rage project took a much different direction than her first record and is heavily influenced by world music. It is a hybrid of rock and very exotic sounds, including African percussion, Australian didgeridoo, Caribbean steel drums and Scottish bag pipes.
In the spring of 98 Jeff Beck asked Jennifer to join his band. They joined forces for 3 years on the CD’s “Who Else”, and “You Had It Coming” which were both supported by world tours.
Other guest appearances include CD’s with Carmine Appice, Michael Sembello, Carl Anderson, Carina Alfie and several rock tributes.
Jennifer has authored two music books and has just released her third solo CD/DVD entitled “Whatever”. With this 3rd effort, she’s ventured into electronica, vocal samples, and film. She’s supporting this release with a multimedia one woman show, playing guitar in synch with films projected onto a giant screen. The companion DVD includes over 90 min of art films, previously unreleased music videos, interviews, commentary, and an innovative guitar lesson.
CARL VERHEYEN
In his 40-plus years of playing the instrument, Carl has created a wildly successful, multi-faceted career. He is a critically-acclaimed musician, vocalist, songwriter, arranger, producer and educator with 11 CDs and two DVDs released worldwide and is commonly regarded as a guitar virtuoso capable of playing any style of music with remarkable mastery and conviction. He has been one of LA’s elite “first call” session players for the past 25 years, playing on hundreds of records, movie soundtracks and television shows. Carl has graced the pages of countless industry publications and been the subject of numerous articles chronicling his rise to the forefront of the modern day guitar scene. Carl has won numerous polls and musical honors in the US, Germany, France, Italy and the UK.
A member of the smash hit British rock group Supertramp since 1985, Carl has played to millions of enthusiastic fans in sold out arenas worldwide. As the creative force behind The Carl Verheyen Band, he has released an impressive and eclectic discography that showcases his endless talents across a wide array of musical genres.
A much sought after studio musician, Carl plays on other artists’ CDs whenever his busy schedule permits. He has recorded and played with a virtual who’s who of the music industry. His vast collection of movie soundtrack and television credits are enviable. Carl was heard by 67,000,000 people as a featured soloist at the 2009 Academy Awards. He will also be heavily featured in the forthcoming film documentary about the electric guitar, Turn It Up!
On the educational front, Carl has produced two instructional videos called Intervallic Rock Guitar and Forward Motion as well as various on-line lessons. He also has a book/CD detailing his unique “intervallic” style called Improvising without Scales. Another book entitled Studio City is a compilation of all the columns Carl wrote for Guitar Magazine between 1996 and 1999. He has written a monthly column for Chitarre, Italy’s #1 guitar publication as well as Guitar World and Guitar Jam Daily, a website devoted to serious guitarists. He currently writes a monthly column for Guitar Player magazine, contributes to other guitar publications and blogs regularly for GuitarPlayer.com and his own site. Carl also lectures and teaches at clinics regularly when not on the road.
As if that weren’t enough, working closely with Dean Markley Carl developed a line of signature strings for the electric guitar that perfectly balance the tremolo bridge of the Fender Stratocaster, the Carl Verheyen “Balanced Bridge” Helix electric string set. He also helped design the LsL Instruments “CV Special” and “CV Studio” signature guitars, in addition to his numerous existing endorsements.
“Best Guitarist 1998” LA Music Awards
Chosen as one of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of all Time Classic Rock Magazine 9/09
“ Best Studio Guitarist” Guitar Player Readers’ Choice Awards
2005 release Rumor Mill nominated for four DVD Entertainment Awards (“Best Musical Performance,” “Best Audio Presentation,” “Best Dual Disc,” “Best Authoring Design”). Win for “Best Dual Disc.”
“Best Additional Features” Surround Sound Award for Rumor Mill
Featured in dozens of magazines: Guitar Player, Guitar World, Rhythm, Vintage Guitar, Gig, Guitar Shop, Musician, Premier Guitar, 20th Century Guitar, Jazztimes, Chitarre, Jazziz. Cover of 1998 Guitar Techniques with his long time idol B.B. King. Cover of Axe Magazine twice.
Motion Pictures : Star Trek, UP, Land of the Lost, The Crow, The Negotiator, Strange Days, LA Story, Gladiator, Blow, Walking Tall, Titan AD, True Lies, The Usual Suspects, Collateral Damage, Scrooged, The Big Hit, Forces of Nature, Mad Love, Idle Hands, Race the Sun, Ratatouille, Speed Racer, Cars 2, Mission: Impossible IV and numerous more.
Television Shows : Cheers, Scrubs, Samantha Who, Frasier, Married…with Children, Larry Sanders Show, Seinfeld, Happy Days, Murphy Brown, The Tonight Show, The Gary Shandling Show, The Martin Short Show and many more.
Performed/Recorded with: Robben Ford, Albert Lee, Joe Bonamassa, Rick Vito, Scott Henderson, Guthrie Govan, Glenn Frey, John Fogerty, B.B. King and countless more.
DETHBEDS
From 2006-2007 we went under the name, ‘Murder Party.’ From 2007-2008 it was ‘Dethamphetamines.’ Now we’re back after 6 long years to bang some fucking heads..
KICKBOX
sXe. your dad’s favorite rock and roll
CUP CHECK
Cup Check is a female fronted Pop Punk band from the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. Thank you for your continued support!
TAKE A BREATH
Take a Breath is a band from Pittsburgh
BRIAN MORONEY
Drums/keys/vocals for Airways. Raised in Chicago.
DOGS AT LARGE
Shit kickers from Chicago, purchasing lightbulbs and eating them since the late 1980s
“A nameless, soundless exploration” – Will Leemkuil
JOHNNY HALFTON
CROSSTOWN
ADOT
NATURAL STATE
TWIN HITS
Twin Peaks + Todays Hits
DUSTIN PRINZ
Dustin Prinz was born and raised in the small town of West Point, Nebraska. Dustin’s take on life and love push the boundaries of current indie pop and produce an intriguing view of his world.
THE GOLDEN RULE
After putting out an acclaimed debut EP and putting a year’s worth of club dates behind them last year, Chicago Modern Indie/Surf-Punkers The Golden Rule are of the city’s busiest bands to date with a brand new EP in tow.
“The first time Malcolm, Rob and I got in a room, it was just f*cking magic. The energy just sparked like a match and the ambiance that came from the music we made together was like fireworks,” says frontman and guitarist, Mohit Mehta. “It’s just something you have to experience live. There is no substitute. The first time we heard the term ‘surf-punk’, we were kind of surprised. Personally, I had never heard the term, and it seemed to pigeon-hole us into a weird subgenre. Pretty much not more than five minutes later I realized ‘surf-punk’ is the most fun music I’ve ever played.”
The Golden Rule started out as a solo project for Mehta in late 2012. After a few one-off gigs and some finely-written tunes, TGR entered Backhouse Productions to churn out a debut EP, “These Shoes” in May 2014. Well-received by critics, the EP was featured on WXRT, WZRD, WLUW, WGN and Fearless Radio among local stations, and was well-reviewed by local press.
Soon after, Mehta recruited Rob Miller on bass and Malcolm Rutter on drums to help him slug it out in the underground rock and roll club scene in Chicago. “We met at a record store north of Lakeview,” Mehta explains about teaming up with Miller. “Yeah they have cool weird shit, like records and art and stuff,” interjects Miller. “I was playing with another group and we had brought all our stuff there, and the owner shut us down for being too loud.”
“Yeah it was lame,” adds Mehta, “but he brought his 70s Ampeg V-4, which was sexy as hell. I thought it was the coolest thing, plus he brought all of his neat pedals.” “Don’t get this kid started on gear,” jokes Miller, “he’s got a borderline obsession of Marshall Amps built between 1978 and 1983.” “My babies,” replies Mehta, with a ridiculously silly smile.
Malcolm “Fancy Hat” Rutter came along by random coincidence alone: “We went to school together, [Mohit] was in business school, I was a liberal arts kid myself,” Rutter explains about both his and Mehta’s time in college together at Loyola University Chicago, in the Rogers Park neighborhood on the north side. “Malcolm and I both had the same circle of friends, probably met once or twice, but never really hung out or anything. It was so random how we got in contact,” responds Mehta. “Craigslist,” explains Rutter, “solves 90% of the world’s problems. It was how we got things started and how I got in the group.”
With the trio intact, The Golden Rule started to make a name for themselves as one of the hardest working original rock bands in the Chicago DIY scene. TGR proceeded to take Chicago’s indie scene by storm in 2014, playing 17 dates in the summer alone to support the release of “These Shoes” as well as numerous radio appearances on Chicago’s major stations. “We ended our run at Double Door,” states Mehta. “The Stones played there!” Rutter has to exclaim. “We know. And when we played, it was one big party,” finishes Mehta.
The music for the second EP came almost instantaneously as the group came together. “I brought these songs to the guys and we wound end up putting these incredible tunes together in like 2 hours. Which was fun but not the brightest idea, because we had an ever changing setlist every night we played,” explains Mehta.
The “Crowes” EP releases on March 10th. This is not one to be missed.
JOHNNY LIGHTNING AND THE THUNDER
Johnny Lightning and The Thunder is the most haunted band in the Midwest.
THE SABRES
An American instrumental rock ‘n’ roll combo recreating the savage guitar sounds that ruled the world in the 50s and 60s.
VIVA LA POLE SHOW
Viva La Pole Show (Formerly Rock & Roll Pole Show) features all levels & styles of pole dance set to a bad ass soundtrack
NOW I’M NOTHING
Now I’m Nothing (NIN) is the Midwest’s ONLY Nine Inch Nails Tribute band replicating the sound and energy of ‘90s Nine Inch Nails while covering the entire catalog of music.
NIN was created in 2009 by Mike Reidy, founder and lead singer of W.O.R.M. (Chicago original industrial band.) Since conception, NIN has played in the Chicagoland area at many venues including the Cubby Bear Wrigleyville, Durty Nellies, and Mojoes.
VICARIOUS
Tool Tribute Band
THE CONQUEROR WORM
The Conqueror Worm formed in 2014 organically due to the members mutual love of traditional doom metal. Kneeling at the altars of Candlemass, Trouble, Cathedral and early to mid 90s Paradise Lost, TCW doesnt abide by current trends or any sort of fashion. From Wisconsin, the band features current/ex members of Protestant, Choose Your Poison, Half Gorilla, and more. Metal from the heart, not from the patched up vest.
SABBATH ASSEMBLY
Sabbath Assembly formed in 2009 to share the hymns of the Process Church of the Final Judgment. The band currently records original material in an occult vein.
INTERDEPENDENCE
THE DAMN TRACKS
The Damn Tracks are a punk rock and roll 3 piece from Chicago, IL. The band formed in 2012 releasing their first EP “On Tap” in November of the same year. They’re a mix of 90’s punk such as Face to Face mixed with more new-school influences such as The Copyrights with a sprinkling of good ole fashioned in your face rock n’ roll. They released a split 7″ record in 2014 and recently release their second self-titled album in October of 2015.
TALK TO YOU NEVER
Talk To You Never is a high energy nostalgic pop punk band from the western suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. In it’s 3 years of existence Talk To You Never has played countless shows around the Chicago area. Highlights include headlining shows at the House of Blues and Wire, and opening for bands such as The Millennium, Sleep On It, The Run Around and Marina City.
Talk To You Never has toured the east coast and several cities among the Midwest off of the success of their first E.P., “Don’t Mind Me”. With the release of their second album, “What Are You Waiting For?” the band continues to push for better opportunities and expansion of their fan base all across the U.S. and out to the rest of the world.
DECAPITATED
Decapitated was formed in the town of Krosno, in south-eastern Poland in 1996 by Witold “Vitek” Kieltyka, Waclaw “Vogg” Kieltyka and Wojciech “Sauron” Wasowicz. Band is one of the most popular Polish bands in their genre, who played many tours around the world.
During that time band has released six studio albums and DVD.
BAND MEMBERS Waclaw Vogg Kieltyka – guitar Rafal Rasta Piotrowski – vocal Pawel Pasek – bass Michal Lysejko – drums
DJ HOOP DREAMS
1/2 CEO of Craze Productions LLC. / @CollegeCraze | #CrazeFest | National Show/Tour DJ & #PartyRocker |
DUKE DA BEAST
OVER THE SIDE BAND
Over The Side with Mike, Joe & Quinn consists of Mike Courtney, Joe Pacelli & John Quinn, an acoustic trio formed over 3 years ago during a local Sunday music session at a South Side tavern in our original neighborhood of the Southwest side of Chicago. Since that time the we have been perfecting our craft covering our musical influences such as Will Hoge, Stephen Kellog, James McMurtury, Reckless Kelly and Chicago legend John Prine.
We have played throughout the City at places including Joes on Weed, Bub City, Countryclub Wrigleyville, HVAC, Cubbie Bear, Firewater Saloon, Four Shadows, Cork & Kerry, 115 Bourbon Street, Twisted Shamrock, Hartes, Barney Callaghans, Lawlors & Old Crow in Schaumburg as well as Corporate Events.
METAL THREAT FEST
An underground metal fest that was inspired by these other fests in North America: Maryland Deathfest, Martyrdoom, Cathedral of the Black Goat, Defenders of the Old, Messe des Morts, Wings of Metal, and Ragnarökkr Metal Apocalypse.
ATRUM INRITUS
Black Metal from Minnesota.
Vindicaré -Voice/Keys
Eversor – Guitars
Abyssus – Guitars
Cassum – Battery
VIOLENTOR
Violentor is a Metal band from Italy.
Cane – Throat&Guitar
Rot – Bass&Backing Vocals
Iago – Drums
BAPHOMET’S BLOOD
Baphomet’s Blood is Speed Metal from Italy.
Necrovomiterror – Vocals, guitar
Angel Trosomaranus – Guitar
Speed Necromancer – Bass
S.R. Bestial Hammer – Drums
KING NINE
King Nine is a hardcore band from long island, new york
MALFUNCTION
Malfunction is a hardcore band from Buffalo NY.
TAKE OFFENSE
Weathering countless trends and defying all odds, over the past decade Take Offense has established themselves as one of the West Coast’s most prominent hardcore acts. Sonically, Take Offense hits hard, with a sound steeped in late 80’s NYHC tradition, coupled with the distinctively Venice crossover stylings of Suicidal Tendencies and the like. Take Offense manages to both whet the palate of the stodgy old guard, while satisfying the youths’ insatiable lust for hard hitting, mosh riffage. Established in 2005, Take Offense have never been ones to rest on their laurels, and after a handful of EPs, 2011’s landmark full length Tables Will Turn, and a hell of a lot of time on the road with stalwarts such as Terror, Agnostic Front, D.R.I., Trapped Under Ice, Backtrack, Alpha & Omega, and Rotting Out, the band are set to unleash their latest magnum opus, United States of Mind, on the mighty Reaper Records. Though Take Offense are at a point in their lifespan when many bands shrug their shoulders and crank out half hearted riffs and reheated lyrics, United States of Mind proves the group has the stamina and creativity to push their sound forward without losing touch with their roots. In short, Take Offense are one of the most engaging hardcore bands to emerge in recent years, and lucky for all of us, they don’t appear to be going anywhere. All that’s left is to accept your fate and enter: THE T.O. ZONE
FULL OF HELL
On tour forever. Numb your mind.
TOMBS
Tombs front-man Mike Hill is not a man interested in appeasing his existing audience or modifying the music he makes in the hope of luring in a broader one.
HOTSTOP
Hotstop is a high energy rock band based out of Northeast Los Angeles. With influences ranging from Led Zeppelin to Michael Jackson, Hotstop has been creating a unique blend of rock and pop since the band formed in January 2013. Hotstop has 4 members – Bryn William (originally from Ohio), Drü Marshall (originally from Florida), and the Wlodyka brothers: Waldemar and Derek Max.
The brothers were born and raised in the heart of Los Angeles. Derek, the younger of the two, has a street performer background. Waldemar has been classically trained.
Bryn & Drü moved to Los Angeles in the Summer of 2012, meeting through serendipitous circumstances that included chow mein and the Star of David. Once Bryn & Drü got the ball rolling, they met Waldemar who saw their ad seeking a guitarist on Craigslist but did not respond. When roaming Melrose Avenue in search of a Members Only jacket, he noticed a flyer featuring a striking face; it was that of his future drummer and soulmate, Drü Marshall.
Hotstop’s music is loud, fun, and is sure to give listeners of all ages aural pleasure.