Plastic Crimewave (Steve Krakow) is a Chicago-based illustrator, writer, avant-garde musician and music historian. He is the editor of Drag City-published magazine Galactic Zoo Dossier, eponymous front man for Plastic Crimewave Syndicate, founder of the Million Tongues Festival, and Vision Celestial Guitarkestra. He writes and illustrates the “Secret History of Chicago Music” comic in the Chicago Reader and co-hosts WGN-AM’s Secret History of Chicago Music series. He runs the Drag City imprint label, Galactic Zoo Disk.
Embracing a multicultural language, while investing in a variety of disciplines within the music itself, Mexican born, and Chicago based composer, bandleader, drummer and lyricist Gustavo Cortiñas continues to surpass himself in the breadth of his work. “Cortiñas’ music is uplifting, robust, melodic, and gets your body moving; it’s an exciting blend of the artist’s musical influences from jazz and Latin America, including his native Mexico” (DOWNBEAT). This can be heard on his four records as a leader, “Snapshot” (2013), “ESSE” (2017) “Desafío Candente” (2021), “Kind Regards / Saludos Afectuosos” (2022) and “Live in Chicago” (2024), “the culmination of a decades worth of music” (The Arts Fuse). “Cortiñas and band revel in a live setting. They not only demonstrate their intimate knowledge of the compositions, but express their evident joy at melding their musical skills with Cortiñas’s continuing commitment to encouraging social change through music.” Cortiñas gives life to music that attempts to build bridges and understanding in times of borders and ignorance; words that focus on our feet and the dust on which they walk, instead of the stars under which they dream. Through his participation in more than 30 discographic productions, “Cortiñas’s deft touch reaffirms his status as one of the great drummers in the City’s new guard.” (ChicagoReader).
A graduate of Loyola University New Orleans (BM Jazz, Minor in Philosophy), and Northwestern University (MM Jazz), Gustavo Cortiñas has developed a successful career in the US for over a decade, leading and accompanying ensembles in renowned stages and festivals in North America, South America, Asia, Oceania, and Europe. During his time in Chicago, Gustavo has become one of the most sought out drummers, performing and recording with Javier Red’s Imagery Converter, Matt Peterson, Kitt Lyles, Erik Skov, Emily Kuhn, Michael Hudson-Casanova, Chuchito Valdés Trio, Roy McGrath, Kyle Madsen, and the Carla Campopiano Trio, among other ensembles. Cortiñas is a member of the Chicago Jazz Composer’s Collective, performing regularly for their monthly residency at Chicago’s very own Green Mill. Gustavo Cortiñas is a proud endorser of Canopus Drums & Bosphorus Cymbals, and has been recipient of grants from the Mexican National Endowment of the Arts (FONCA), the Illinois Arts Council (IACA), the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), and Pathways To Jazz. His album Desafío Candente, a sprawling meditation on Latin American life and struggles, earned a well-deserved spot in Jazziz Magazine’s list of the 2021’s Best Releases, and was listed among the Jazz Journalist’s Association Top Latin Jazz Albums of 2021, among other critical praise.
Born and raised in Mexico, son to a Uruguayan university professor and a Mexican elementary school teacher, Cortiñas grew up surrounded by books of all kinds, ranging from religion and philosophy, to history, economics and art. Music was just as diverse: be it through voice of Chavela Vargas, Wagner’s operas, the revolutionary cry of Rock en Español, or the soothing songs of Edith Piaf, music of all kinds was always there. At age 10, he fell in love with the drums, and was soon seduced by the syncopated and improvised beat of Jazz. This love inspired a journey far from home. First traveling to New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, and later Chicago, the place he now calls home. This journey set the foundation for his work: Latin American folklore, classical music, and jazz; philosophy, religion and the Latin American cry for justice. These experiences and streams of inspiration forge the unique voice of an expansive artist who will continue to defy categorization in many years to come.
Cortiñas has relased four albums as a leader, in which he acts as drummer, composer, arranger, bandleader and producer. “Snapshot” (2013), “a Smörgåsbord of the moods and nuances that make up the human experience,” (Jazziz); “ESSE” (2017) “a fascinating musical realization, exploration, and distillation of the works of Hegel, Aristotle, Descartes, Plato, and other brilliant minds” (AllAboutJazz); and “Desafío Candente” (2021), “a musical palimpsest that carries the weight of the history of colonialism and neocolonialism of the entire southern part of the Americas” (LatinJazzNet). On his latest release, “Kind Regards / Saludos Afectuosos”, Cortiñas takes on the role of lyricist in a bilingual song set that focuses on building bridges of empathy and understanding, in times of border walls and ignorance. “Kind Regards triumphs both as a bearer of a message that can’t be heard enough and as purveyor sophisticated acoustic pop of arresting beauty” (LATINO MAGAZINE).
Gustavo is extremely thankful of all the great musicians, mentors, and human beings he has been privileged enough to learn from along the way. Some that stand out are Gabriela Fouilloux, León Cortiñas, Andrés Cortiñas, Andrés Suárez, Agustín Yela, Anne-Marie Garas, Santiago Fortson, Rodrigo Jiménez, Hernán Hecht, Wayne Maureau, Johnny Vidacovich, John Mahoney, Tony Dagradi, Janna Saslaw, William Horne, Victor Goines and Willie Jones III.
Cortiñas is invested in giving this back and sharing what he has learned. He started as the drum set instructor at the Edron Academy in Mexico City in 2004. Since then, Gustavo has had an extensive private studio, and also taught master classes in Mexico, Puerto Rico, China, Ecuador, Argentina, and around the US. He has been teaching at Flatts & Sharpe Music Academy since 2014, and has been a guest artist with the jazz small ensembles at Northwestern University. From 2019-21 Cortiñas worked as a Jazz Director at the Midwest Young Artists Conservatory. Since 2018 Gustavo has been an assistant conductor of the jazz combos and jazz orchestras at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire. IL and currently teaches drums at the prestigious Chicago High School for the Arts.
Born and raised in Chicago, Harold started doing Comedy in 2022. Co-hosts a weekly open mic on Tuesdays where the audience members can write roasts about the comics on-stage. He performs all over Chicago and surrounding suburbs and has done stand-up in Austin and Memphis with those good ole folk.
Courtney is a local Chicago Comedian and co-host for Chicago’s longest running open mic: Power Hour! Her highlights include opening for Maria Bamford and Andrew Santino. She’s been seen at Zanies, Laugh Factory, and Roast Battle.
Camden, New Jersey’s own Sol ChYld, may be relatively new to the game but is already making her mark on hip-hop through inventive rhymes, throwback beats, and all the remarkable determination of the greats.
Blazing her path, Sol moves with a razor-sharp tact and intelligence well beyond her years, following in the footsteps of fellow Garden State rap icons like Rah Digga, Queen Latifah, and Lauryn Hill; after releasing her debut album, “For the Sol,” in 2019, Sol took the road to promote the release – independently routing a series of shows and open mics throughout the East Coast. After 2022’s sophomore effort, “Eyes Toward The Sun,” with a 14-city, 24-show tour to reach thousands of new fans in person, she continued on this highly ambitious independent musical crusade.
Spending her time in 2023 focused back on content creation, Sol saw massive online growth due to a series of viral TikToks that helped take her budding career to the next level. Proving that good music can indeed go viral, 2023’s “NBC” launched her third album effort, “Something Came To Me,” one of the best underground releases of the year – garnering support from Dissect Podcast, Annabelle Kline, Team Dreamville, and many more for carrying on the mantle of elite, lyrical female hip-hop. This meteoric rise was hardly overnight but certainly will not be the last you hear of the flows of New Jersey’s Sol ChYld.
“Cinematic metal from the Depths of Chicago, Illinois. Incorporating progressive styles, Nu-Metal, Metalcore, Black Metal, and many other infused elements. Creating a unique sound with no boundaries, no limitations, and a one-of-a-kind exhibition. Alenia, fighting against all odds and defying the laws of nature with a raw and merciless energy. Delivering a powerful message of brutality, empowerment, and survival through the sounds of metal from an ethereal point of view. Made from something different, and made from something real”
“H1Z1 is a Milwaukee-based nu-metal band with a wide range of influences, incorporating early 2000’s nu-metal, thrash, groove, and rap to create an exciting, high energy sound that is a creation all their own. H1Z1 is: Marq Pointer on lead vocals, Patrick Gunderson playing guitar, Jake Fromkin on drums, and Leaf Wruk on bass.”
Introducing Super Tease–a funk-inspired pop band spreading groovy melodies and great vibes all over the Midwest. From classic crowd favorites, like Stevie Wonder and Beyonce, to catchy original tunes, Super Tease brings a captivating experience to every audience looking for a great time.
Based in Chicago, Super Tease comprises Alora Rose on lead vocals and keyboard, Brandon Marshall on guitar, Christian George on bass, and Miro Hernandez on drums.
Nashville based soul singer-songwriter Jed Harrelson has found a way to fuse sounds of Soul, Rock and R&B. Music connects and he carries that into the center of his work, leaving both a euphoric and familiar presence. While he’s independently released 10 songs in the last two years, he is working on a debut project right now. All of his music is recorded in house with his brother Hank as the audio engineer.
Being from Texarkana, Arkansas instilled a drive to hone in on his craft though the lack of music scene caused him to move where he could really express his artistic message which took him to Fayetteville, Arkansas. This is where he cut his teeth in the Northwest Arkansas music scene. Now living in Nashville since January 2020, Jed is independently touring the country with his band in a gold van called ‘The Loaf”.
By achieving and producing what feels good in his art, Jed just might help listeners do the same.
The Ska-punk nom de plume of audio engineer/multi-instrumentalist Joey Weisenritter, Dang!t calls on their listeners to live with empathy and compassion, fueled by skanky guitars, walking bass, synthesizers, and gang vocals.
Joey releases all of Dang!t’s music DIY, Writing, arranging & recording everything himself. To hear what he’s released so far, check out a streaming service, youtube, or “The Shape of Ska Punk to Come Vol. II” by Bad Time Records (featuring the track “Kind of Life”).
Stacked Like Pancakes (SLP) is a hugely energetic ska-punk/rock band.
Beginning in 2007, Stacked Like Pancakes was founded on an idolization of artists like Reel Big Fish, Streetlight Manifesto, and Less Than Jake. Following the 2011 debut ska album We’re Not Insane, SLP has since proven to maintain a thick sonic texture through a synthesis of inspirations including Reel Big Fish, Blink-182, Green Day, Foo Fighters, Cage the Elephant, twenty one pilots, and Less Than Jake.
Stacked Like Pancakes found their niche in music festivals beginning with a supporting role opening for Kid Cudi at Towson University’s Tigerfest in 2012. In 2014, SLP won the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands competition, earning their first appearance on the Vans Warped Tour. The following year began with a sold out Baltimore show for their fan-funded 2015 sophomore album entitled This Is Us. In 2016 SLP hit the road on their first official nation-wide tour with ska idols Reel Big Fish.
The Pancake Nation community fanbase is hungry for their band to grow. Their unwavering support includes three successful crowdfunded albums. The most recent of which raised over $100,000 to work with multi-platinum record producer Matt Squire for the release of Strange Creatures in 2019.
Stacked Like Pancakes epitomizes a tough DIY band despite a meaningless band name, and are rightfully on the rise to claim an international stage of their own.
Sometimes planets align. Sometimes planets collide…
MarsVenusMoon proves that both are true with an explosive union of seasoned Chicago music scene veterans. Comprising Dan “The Fox” Edwards (The Krinkles, The Millions) on lead vocals and guitar, Matt “Sal” Favazza (The Krinkles, The Bama Lamas, The Goldstars) on drums and backing vocals, and Johnny Million (Big Hello, The Millions, Convoy) on bass guitar and backing vocals, this trio showcases a profound dedication to their craft.
MarsVenusMoon unites the future and past of Rock and Roll into a magnetic blend of hard rock, power pop, glam, and garage. Their music is a fusion of raw emotion, infectious melodies, and energetic stage chemistry.
As they continue to explore the uncharted territories of their musical universe, MarsVenusMoon invites you to join them on their journey. Prepare to be moved by the sonic mastery of a band that takes their art seriously and leaves an indelible mark on the world of rock.
The Tracies bring a storm of Latin-Rock-Psychedelia everywhere they go. Hailing from the suburbs of Chicago, the four lifelong friends keep things fresh and nuanced while still remaining familiar to the ears of all lovers of everything heavy, dirty, funky and melodic.
Cellar Dwellar is an art-rock band from Columbus, Ohio. Born and bred out of the DIY house show scene, the band is now expanding into new sonic territory having just released their sophomore LP, “In the Shape of a Swan” which takes inspiration from classic sci-fi and various accounts of esoteric “high-strangeness” The sextet aims to play with as much conviction as possible, spreading their message through ritualistic performance to both shock, awe & inspire their audience.
Hey, howdy! We’re Constant Headache, a Folk Punk band from Chicago! We released our first official EP ‘Greetings From’ back in September of 2022, and since then this project has grown beyond what anyone could have imagined. Now bolstered by a roster of seven musicians, performers, and friends, we pride ourselves in our ability to always put on an energetic show brimming with emotion! We can’t wait to meet you and scream and dance and party together!!!
Willie Dixon once said, “The blues are the roots and the other musics are the fruits.” As true as that is, it still doesn’t explain the blues, because the blues cannot be explained.
When one thinks of the blues it’s easy to think of Robert Johnson, B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, or Muddy Waters. Connoisseurs of the genre will mention Son House, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and Leadbelly. Others will mention Keith Richards, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Paul Butterfield, and Eric Clapton. All would be correct.
The blues is raw. It knows no culture. Its brutally honest and uncompromising. It’s your worst feelings and your best moments all at once.
The blues will never apologize.
Nor will Frank Bang. And he doesn’t need to. He is the nicest guy you’ll ever meet, but when he picks up a guitar, he’ll slice your throat, woo your woman, make you cry, and might even make you dance. Ultimately, he will just make you feel. Something or everything. The real shit.
Born with the Bohemian Irish name of Frank Blinkal into two generations of Chicago police officers and a mother that often worked three jobs, Frank learned at an early age about the grit and sometimes stark reality of the world he was born into and turned that into his own brand of the blues – weaned from years of trying to learn everything he could by putting himself into the middle of everything that the Chicago music scene had to offer. And it paid off.
In his twenties, Frank found himself working at Buddy Guy’s Legends club, while making a name for himself fronting bands of his own. He was soaking up invaluable knowledge from the clientele and getting an education that not many have a chance to experience. Numerous touring bands came through the club, but amongst the club’s regulars were Junior Wells, Otis Rush, and Lonnie Brooks.
And then he became Buddy Guy’s touring guitar player for five years. No late night conversations with your heroes will prepare you for that, if you don’t have the chops to pull off the gig. You have to work your ass off, which Frank did as an employee of Legends, while working through the ranks.
As Buddy’s guitar player, his work ethic paid off. Hard work is a big part of what makes up Frank Bang, He never stops playing. He never stops honing his craft. And he never takes any bullshit. Some of that was learned from his environment at Legends, but most of it has been ingrained in him since he was born.
With Buddy, he toured the world and shared the stage with the likes of Robert Plant, The Rolling Stones, and Eric Clapton, but that’s only semantics that make up pieces of a scene.
As a solo artist, Frank has released four critically acclaimed albums under the names Frank Bang and the Secret Stash and Frank Bang and the Cook County Kings. He currently has 14 songs in regular rotation on B.B. King’s Bluesville Station on Sirius/XM.
Whether it be dirty blues that sounds like Led Zeppelin through a beautifully blown speaker or the faithful tribute to his hometown Chicago blues, Frank Bang knows how to read a room.
And there’s a good chance that on any given night in America, you might find yourself in a room where Frank Bang is making you feel something. Or everything.
It’s the roots and the fruits. It’s rock and roll. And it’s definitely the blues.
The Children’s Crusade is an electronic/industrial rock band based in Chicago, Illinois that takes influence from bands like Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, Bjork, and Prince. Show-goers have called us “Goth Pop” or “Black Leather Pop.” The Children’s Crusade is a one man project in the studio and a full band in live settings. We have played four shows so far, one at Concept Saves in Humboldt Park, twice at Rat’s Pizza Records’ “Abnormal House” in Bridgeport, and once at The Fallen Log at Kictchen 17 .
Meatbodies is a band born from the mind of Los Angeles rocker Chad Ubovich, a long time fixture on the California garage punk and neo – psychedelic scene. Meatbodies’ guitar-heavy sound is as hard-hitting as the best punk while also brimming with bent, pop-friendly melodies. 2014’s Meatbodies, self titled, is an undying timeless rock ’n roll mosh pit, a sonic experience truly evocative of its creator: unabashed, unrestrained, beautiful and strange. 2017’s Alice is an underrated concept album that vaulted Ubovich into the same realm as his predecessors, and 2021’s 333 expands the group’s reach into new sonic realms while retaining all the punky punch of earlier works. We now reach 2024’s Flora Ocean Tiger Bloom, an album completed by an ironclad will and steely determination. It’s also Meatbodies’ most ambitious, varied, and realized record to date—and possibly their finest hour.
Passion. Hunger. Determined. Consistent. Just a few words that might come to mind when you hear Chicago Rapper “Taco”. Hailing from Chicago’s now defunct LeClaire Courts housing projects, Taco realized his love for music early on. After receiving inspirational feedback, from an open mic performance, Taco began his rapping career at the age of 14. Influenced by a variety of hip hop artists in the game such as J.Cole, T.I, Meek Mill, Kendrick Lamar and more. He started Battle rapping during lunch period in high school and never losing made him want to compete in other areas of music such as creating full length songs.
Pouring out personal thoughts and feelings that many fans can relate to, Taco released his first mixtape “The Truth” January 27, 2015 on datpiff.com for free. After receiving positive feedback with over 60,000 views from his first mixtape he began working on his next project “The Truth 2” released May 16, 2016 which also was a great success he decided to put this project on a variety of digital streaming outlets such as iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, Google play and More!
“Taco” has been on a mission to share his craft with the world. With a hunger for music, unique style, and versatility in hip-hop, he released his 2017 Album titled “Hot Winter”, which was both captivating and relatable. Highlighting issues plaguing the city of Chicago, such as gun violence and growing up with no father in a poverty environment. You can also grab his other projects which are an EP titled “Never Doubt Me” released November of 2018 and a Joint Album with another Chicago artist G.S titled “Masterpiece” released in December of 2019 on those outlets as well.
Taco had a successful 2018/2019 having 11 consecutive Sold Out Concerts in Chicago in which he Headlined at major venues such as Wire, Bottom Lounge, Reggies, Subterranean, Bourbon on Division ,Club Red , JC Martini Club and even having a concert on the “Summers of George” Boat. Taco also Sold Out his dream venue “House Of Blues” (Chicago) in 2019 with 1300 in attendance. Taco is also set to release a New Album titled “Underrated” New Years Day 2021 exclusively on TacoMusicOfficial.com with the partnership deal he inked with Sony (The Orchard) in late 2020 you can expect some BIG things to come in the future!
Julia Morrison (they/she) is a singer, songwriter, painter who writes approximately a song a week, usually of the folk or psychedelic rock genres. They came out with a second album, Venus this past summer, and are finishing a new album this spring.
Boston based deathrock dealers. A harrowing journey through all things Hardcore, Metal, and Goth, Mourning Moon drags the listener through the dark in 12 thrilling tracks, and drives a stake right into the heart of 2023’s most compelling releases.
24-year-old Indie Pop artist Jenny Scara, originates from Batavia, Illinois while having strong roots in the Bloomington/Normal area of Illinois after attending school at Illinois State University. During Jenny’s time there, she honed in on her sound and began writing and recording her own music. Following her graduation in the spring of 2023, Jenny dove head first into the Chicagoland music scene releasing notable singles, “Bottom of the Ocean” and “Not Again!”, while playing at prominent venues such as The Raven Room, The Bookclub, and The Burlington. Jenny’s debut EP, “Love You Always” was released in February garnering over 3,000 streams in just one month. Following the release, Jenny went on to sell out her next two shows at The Coffeehouse in Normal and Montrose Saloon. Jenny has been able to share the stage with other great talents, such as Parijita (The Voice – Top 8 Finalist) and Bryce Bishop (137k monthly listeners), showcasing her star power and stage presence among more established artists. Jenny has also earned press recognition (Wavy Magazine, Buzzslayers) along with her recent performances and releases.
Mikey Harms is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from the Southside of Chicago.He plays Indie folk and alt rock. To keep it short, you don’t wanna miss this.
Listen to a Transylvanian Rock sound born on the streets of Chicago! Experience a different musical perspective about life through the eyes of a faraway mysterious land overlooking Carpathian Mountains of Romania, where legend, mystery and reality are often found to be part of a daily routine.
Fugu Dugu is a female-led Eastern European gypsy punk rock band inspired by the fields of Moldova, the mountains of Romania, railroads of Ukraine and Russia, with a touch of Klezmer and Americana. Born in Chicago in 2017 and conceptualized by Grammy-winning violinist and lead singer Olya Prohorova and Chicago singer-songwriter Mark Adkison, Fugu Dugu has been performing a combination of original and timeless Eastern European songs across the Midwest. With its style deeply rooted in the folk traditions of Eastern European melodies, Fugu Dugu songs are sung in three languages – Romanian, Russian, Ukrainian and English. Fugu Dugu is often referred to as “female Gogol Bordello.” Originally a duo, in2021 Olya Prohorova and Mark Adkison expanded the band by adding bass and drums. In 2023 the band performed together with the “GodFather of Ukrainian rock and folk-rock music” Oleg Skrypka and he called Olya “a genius violin player”. First band album “Last Lunatic” is released in May 2024
Playing locally and internationally since 1988, it is safe to say, Mike Scharf is a veteran of the Chicago Blues scene.
Mike has backed many of the premier talents in blues. He has recorded or shared the stage with artists such as Lefty Dizz, Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Sam Lay, Barkin Bill, John Edelmann, Tom Holland, Son Seals, Pinetop Perkins, Jools Holland, Mississippi Heat, Lynwood Slim, Johnny Sansone, Morry Sochat, Mud Morganfield, Mark Wydra, Keith Scott, Dave Weld, The Big Swing, Hubert Sumlin, Shawn Pittman, Johnny Adams, Dave Specter, John Primer, Nick Moss, Bill Lupkin, Jon McDonald, Rick Kreher, Little Mike and the Tornadoes, Studebaker John, Rockin Johnny and other Chicago Blues artists.
In addition to performing at top blues venues throughout the US, Mike regularly tours the globe; playing music in Canada, Brazil, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Spain, Italy, and India
Mike Has recorded for Blues Boulevard, Delmark, Johann’s Face and Parsiful Records
HELLWITCH arose from the depths of HELL in October 1984. Formed by guitarist Patrick Ranieri and drummer/vocalist, Harry Tiyler. The project expanded into a full band set up in February of 1985 with the introduction of current PRECIPICE drummer Dave Silverthrash (Silverstein), replacing Tiyler, and Andy Adcock on bass/guitar. HELLWITCH shared the stage with such heavies as CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, G.B.H., CORONER, DARK ANGEL, KREATOR, DEICIDE, DEATH, MORBID ANGEL, ATHEIST, AGNOSTIC FRONT, D.R.I., ANTHRAX, NUCLEAR ASSAULT and many others.
October of 1989 brought about a contract with Wild Rags Rec. for the debut album ‘Syzygial Miscreancy’, recorded at the renown Morrisound Studios with veteran Thrash producer Scott Burns. In August of 1991 HELLWITCH entered Morrisound Studios once again to cut the three track EP ‘Terraasymmetry’ for Lethal Records.
2009 saw the release of their long awaited sophomore album ‘Omnipotent Convocation’. With the existing line up from 2005’s ‘Epitome of Disgrace’ promo. The second full length CD, ‘Omnipotent Convocation’ , came out in August 2009 on Xtreem Music. This album marked the second coming of HELLWITCH.
The release of the 30th Anniversary, 10-LP (!) box set on Germany’s IRON BONEHEAD Records came in 2016. Currently, the release of the NEW HELLWITCH album on Listenable Records titled,”Annihilational Intercention” is slated for June 2023. The band will tour in June as well as do several festival appearances later in 2023!
The notorious and prolific Cleveland cult, Midnight, have been slaying the metal/punk underground with their own, highly addictive brand of lust, filth, and sleaze dating back to the band’s inception in 2002. Vocalist / guitarist / bassist / drummer Athenar has always known exactly what he wanted Midnight to be, and over the course of countless demos, EPs, compilations, splits and three full-lengths he has stayed true to his roots. Building up a strong reputation and a rabid following in the underground, the band’s trademark blend of speed metal, black metal and punk rock, Midnight’s most recent opus, Rebirth By Blasphemy sounds both fuller and more raucous than ever before.
Longboards Rule! DJ Rogue Wave has been riding the nose, goofy-foot ever since he crawled ashore to shake up this once in a lifetime cocktail of sun, sand and surf for the background vibes at the summer’s hottest performance of Surf Rock. This playlist is available to rock your private beach party. Search: Rogue Wave / Beach Blanket Bingo on Spotify…
THE REAL PRETENDERS
Real Pretenders are four Chicago music scene veterans with a passion for the hard driving rhythms, catchy melodic hooks, soul-tortured lyrics, and back alley sex appeal that characterize the music of the Pretenders. They aren’t a costume act and they don’t play the original members of the band as characters. Instead, these established players with audiences of their own have come together to thread the musical needle between faithfully rendering the Pretender’s sound and joyfully harnessing these timeless and lustful pop rock gems as a means to expressing their own musical identity. Not only do they take on both the band’s classics and deep cuts, they also offer a new take on songs covered by the Pretenders as well as those that perhaps might have been. Real Pretenders aren’t simply a tribute to the music of the Pretenders, they are a tribute to their essential spirit. Do not miss.
The ever-metamorphosing entity that is GONG launches, as ever, into unknown – and unknowing – territory with new tours destined to be talked about, discussed, and argued over, up and down the land.
From its beginnings in a French commune in 1967, through the Virgin Records years, mismanagement, court cases, break-ups and re-joining’s, deaths and rebirths – there has always been a continuous thread of beautiful, dangerous and extraordinary music.
The current holders of the flame have come together over the last eight years; sinuous bass player Dave Sturt joined just as the album 2032 was shown to the world; Ian East (Sax, Flute) was the next to blow in through the portal; Fabio Golfetti brought his guitars from Brazil (after working with Daevid Allen for many years); Kavus Torabi (lead vox and guitars) appeared to Daevid in a vision; Cheb Nettles (drums) just sort of turned up.
In 2015, Daevid Allen passed away. His influence and legacy were honoured on the band’s subsequent album, Rejoice! I’m Dead! (2016). In recent years GONG has performed with the Steve Hillage Band (himself a former member of the 1970s GONG line-up) and released the critically acclaimed album The Universe Also Collapses (2019) and a stunning new live album Pulsing Signals (2022) captures the band at a creative peak with tracks drawn from their 2019 tour. Their new studio album, Unending Ascending, was release in November 2023.
Gong’s musically diverse world includes shades of psychedelia, space rock, jazz, avant-garde, krautrock and surreal soundscapes.
GONG KAVUS TORABI vocals, guitar FABIO GOLFETTI guitar IAN EAST sax, flute DAVE STURT bass CHEB NETTLES drums
DAVID CROSS is an English electric violinist and keyboardist best known for playing with progressive rock band King Crimson from 1972 to 1974. Cross appears on their studio albums Larks’ Tongues in Aspic (1973) and Starless and Bible Black (1974), as well as “Providence”, a live track on Red (1974), in addition to numerous concert recordings that have been released by Robert Fripp’s Discipline Global Mobile label in the decades since.
After leaving the band, David was a senior lecturer in Music Education at the London Metropolitan University and besides several projects and recording sessions, he kept alive his own band since 1994 releasing 10 albums. In recent years David Cross has toured all around Europe, Latin America and Japan with Stick Men (with other King Crimson alumni, Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto, plus Markus Reuter), vexing featured on albums Midori and Panamerica; as well with David Jackson, the legendary sax player from Van Der Graaf Generator. In 2023 David toured with his band all around Europe celebrating the 50th anniversary of Larks’ Tongues In Aspic album. In 2024, DAVID CROSS and his LARKS’ TONGUES BAND will continue touring all around Europe, Japan and North and South America, adding some material from Starless And Bible Back and Red album to the band’s live repertoire.
Hailing from the depths of Long Beach, California, Pythagoras emerged in 2016 as a relentless force in death metal. Founded by guitarist Ian Espinosa and bassist Etienne Bouyer, the band has undergone dynamic transformations in both sound and lineup.
The current roster, featuring guitarist Juan Morales, drummer Dylan Cutler, and vocalist Andy Henriquez, delivers a ferocious blend of old-school death metal and technical intricacies inspired by the likes of Cannibal Corpse, Archspire, Dying Fetus, and Obscura.
Having shared the stage with Psycroptic at Los Angeles’ iconic venue, 1720, on September 3rd, 2023, Pythagoras has solidified their presence in the live music circuit. The band’s sonic journey includes two EPs, “Active Shooter” (2019) and “Killdozer Rampage” (2020), along with their debut full-length album, “Botched Field Surgery,” released in December 2022.
Pythagoras continues to captivate audiences with their unrelenting energy and commitment to pushing the boundaries of death metal. With a history marked by evolution and a relentless pursuit of sonic extremity, Pythagoras stands as a formidable name in the California death metal scene, leaving an indelible mark on those who dare to experience their intense musical journey.
Ever wanted the theatrics of emo and the horror of hardcore to smooch a little? Are you a lil freak boy who desperately wants to be Mommy’s Favorite??? Gross. May we introduce to you, Chicago’s own eerie, dancey, scream-soaked… Carnivore Mommy.
The duo of Niko Kapetan & Bailey Minzenberger – an essential addition to Chicago’s long lineage of forward-thinking indie rock. On Where we’ve been, Where we go from here, their full-length debut release on ATO Records, the band merges elements of post-punk & chamber-pop & experimental rock, magnifying their music’s exhilarating power with a steady barrage of spirited gang vocals. Poetic, explosive, & sublimely raw in feeling, the album brings an equally visceral intensity to brutally heavy anthems & heart-on-sleeve ballads alike, creating an immediate outlet for the most unwieldy emotions. Formed in 2019, Friko soon began taking the stage at legendary Chicago venues like the Metro, Empty Bottle and Schubas Tavern, self-releasing their acclaimed debut EP Whenever Forever in 2022 and making their festival debut at Bonnaroo the following spring. Known for their high-energy live show, Friko aim to deliver a live experience that’s fantastically disorienting in its emotional arc. Mastered by Heba Kadry (Björk, Big Thief) and engineered by Jack Henry and Scott Tallarida, Where we’ve been, Where we go from here embodies a sonic complexity befitting of a band that names Romantic-era classical music and the more primal edges of art-rock among their inspirations. Friko hopes that their music’s emotional potency might have a galvanizing impact on audiences. Niko says, “I want our music to pick people up, so that they can actually go out and do something with whatever they’re feeling.”
The album, often referred to as “The Blue Album”, was released July 25, 1995. The album contained three successful singles, “Don’t Stay Home”, “All Mixed Up”, and “Down”, resulting in the band’s mainstream breakthrough. It has been certified triple platinum with sales over three million albums. The album, unlike the first two, was recorded live, with no instrumental over-dubs. This album is home to some of their most relaxed music (“Purpose”) and also some of their hardest-hitting (“Hive”, “Brodels”). It is also the first album to not feature heavy slap bass, with the only appearance being in a small segment of “Misdirected Hostility”.
YANA RENEA
“Meet Yana Renea, a dynamic performer and visionary entrepreneur hailing from the South Side of Chicago. With a passion for the arts and an unrelenting drive for business, Yana has become a shining example of creativity and ambition. Her talents have captivated audiences, while her entrepreneurial spirit continues to inspire those around her. Yana Renea: a name synonymous with talent, innovation, and the heartbeat of the Windy City.”
With a sound that has been dubbed “a refreshing fusion of rhythm and blues, gospel. jazz and hip hop” and the stage presence of music legends, B. Lilly sings, writes and performs from his soul. Born and raised on Chicago’s west side in the Austin community, he discovered his love for music at Greater St. John Bible Church where he grew up enjoying the band and choir. At 13, he channeled his love into learning to play the piano; then, during his senior year at Chicago’s Providence St. Mel School, he landed the role of Tony in at production of “Westside Story” and fully embraced his love for the stage.
B. Lilly was named a Hurvis Scholar at Lawrence University. There, he received a B.S. in Anthropology; activated his passion for community outreach; and further developed his musical talent. His songs and performance style range from passionate and high energy to smooth and classic — taking his audiences on a soul-filled and soul-stirring musical journey.
B. Lilly also has a heart for people and serves as a school-based mentor with the College Mentoring Experience (founded by his dad, Bernard Lilly Sr. in 2014), where he leads life-empowerment workshops for middle- and high-school youth. He is also a member of CHICAGO 200, a program for emerging leaders whose goal is to enhance the quality of life for residents across the city.
Voice of the community… lover of music… man of faith: B. Lilly is set to take the nation – and, ultimately, the world – by storm.
Chicago Soul Explosion is 10-piece horn show band that plays R&B/Pop/Soul/Motown/Funk. Music directed by Robert Burks, musical director/guitarist for Chicago’s own The Chi-Lites, this band made up of all-star musicians from all over the Midwest who’ve played with many well knows acts including The Jacksons, The Temptations, Prince and The Chi-Lites among others. Chicago Soul Explosion stretches their reach with tunes not many bands usually cover and try to make themselves unique amongst the music community.
Bold, sensual vocalist, Alysha, mesmerizes audiences with the sultry vocal styling of jazz and soul music. Her endearing aura bewitches listeners into the essence of love, individuality and self-actualization. Surrounded by incredible musicians who strive to push their music to an innovative level, Alysha’s creativity and originality continue to ascend upward. An experience with Alysha is striking, genuine and poignant.
Jenise Grandberry who goes by the moniker of Harmoney Chicago is a leader in the new school of contemporary artists. She’s a multi talented
Singer/ songwriter and rapper who was born and raised on the west side of Chicago.
She began her career performing cover songs by artists such as Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan and an array of others on the Red/ Blue line Chicago train platform.
Since a child, she has always had a vast array of musical influences, however; she accredits the pivotal influences in her music to R&B and soul artists such as Fantasia, Missy Elliot, and Brandy just to name a few.
She draws inspiration from her own life experiences while using her music as a vehicle to express her perspectives and tell stories. It is clear that Harmoney Chicago is on her way to becoming a worldwide phenomenon and a musician that will continuously change the status quo of the industry. Harmoney Recently released her latest single “POPPIN” in 2023 and plans on coming into this new year harder than ever. Not only is she planning to release her next single entitled “BottomLine” February 2024, but she also will be releasing her 2nd Mixtape, entitled “ 7 DAYS A WEEK …
