FRENCH HORN REBELLION
We are two brothers who enjoy photoshopping French horns onto things they shouldn’t be photoshopped on.
DEATHFROMTHELEFT
Four men who share the same convictions when it comes to playing raw, unforgiving Rock n’ Roll. If you like your music fast and loud, DeathFromTheLeft will Rock your ass off!
MAGATHA TRYSTY
Up-and-coming indie rockers Magatha Trysty are a power-pop force to be reckoned with. Based in Chicago and founded in 2009, this four-piece outfit is making its mark with narrative songwriting, undeniable hooks, and sweet boy/girl harmonies – delivered with a kinetic punch.
Their exuberant live shows – featuring manic guitar riffage, tasteful keyboard color, witty lyrics, in-your-face delivery and bombastic rhythmic energy – bring their solid set of original music to the next level. The husband-and-wife team of Christopher David (lead vocals/guitar) and Catherine Louise (lead vocals/keyboards) front the group, share lead vocals and songwriting duties, and exude an enthusiasm and connection that goes beyond the music.
The commanding stage presence provided by Christopher and Catherine drives the infectious aural assault, and hometown rock veterans Billy Blastoff (bass) and John Monaghan (drums) round out the foursome, putting the “power” into this power-pop extravaganza. Taking their cues from artists both old (Big Star, Cheap Trick) and new (The New Pornographers, The Decemberists), the band’s debut album, “Your Clothes Will Wear Themselves,” was released in Summer 2012.
JACK & THE BEAR
In the midst of what could be the largest movement in folk-rock music since the 1960’s, revolutionary sounds from bands such as The Avett Brothers, Deer Tick, Arcade Fire, The Felice Brothers, and Mumford & Sons open new doors. With a similar sound and an admirable aspiration, Jack & the Bear were birthed in the downriver town of Monroe, Michigan in the summer of 2010.
Named after an inspirational figure in lead singer Brandon James’ life along with the initials of the founding members of the group, the five-piece band hit the ground running with the writing of their first self-titled EP, which received a self-distributed release in the spring of 2011.
With the core of the group being made of two sets of brothers, an outlier family friend and a sister collaborating comes comfortably and naturally to the band. Writers Brandon James and Reginald (Ryan) Servis provide a unique blend of two musical backgrounds; traditional guitar styling’s of artists such as Bruce Springsteen and Glen Hansard meet new-wave cascading instrumentals found in songs of Fleet Foxes and Beirut. The use of four part harmony and instruments such as banjo, mandolin, trumpet, and accordion in many of their songs set the group aside from many others.
More recently the group just set foot with their second EP release “The Stranger Amongst the Loyal” which was produced/engineered entirely by the bands drummer Adam Schreiber. Adam recently opened up his own studio, “White Wagon” and is take on new projects along with handling Jack & the Bear releases.
Jack & the Bear started off attempting to form a sound like many folk rockers around today but ended up walking into a new sound all their own. They have been compared to artists such as The Waterboys, Springsteen, and even Tom Waits. Their live show is another story that is completely unique to them; something that is a must see for any fan of live performance. They’ve shared the stage with acts such as Deer Tick, Hayes Carll, Nicole Atkins, Dr. Dog, The White Rabbits, Langhorne Slim, The Felice Brothers, Soja, Jessica Lea Mayfield, The David Mayfield Parade, and countless other national acts.
The group set off on their first tour of the East Coast in the summer of 2012 to reach out to new fans. They returned home with lots of inspiration, new songs, new friends, new fans and loads of success which included licensing negotiations with MTV’s Music Integration Department.
Now consisting of seven members (and manager Jake Nielsen) the band has matured and carried on to a whole new level with the addition of another female violinist Elizabeth Burroughs. With the release of their third EP “The Trade,” the band is now looking toward recording their first full-length album at Prairie Sun Studios with Grammy Award Winning producer Oz Fritz.
Fritz has produced a number of albums with the legendary Tom Waits, including 1999’s critically acclaimed “Mule Variations.” Given this information it should be obvious that Fritz is a man that understands the unique dynamics of Jack & the Bear. Undoubtedly, the band is looking forward to building a working relationship with Mr. Fritz and hope to release their debut LP in the summer of 2013.
WALSHER CLEMONS
Walsher Clemons is a Chicago based band formed in 2007. Our music is a unique combination of rock and jazz with a focus on both composition and improvisation. Our shows consist of both original material and a wide variety of popular music by artist such as Led Zeppelin, Steely Dan, Marvin Gaye, and other popular classics.
FACETIME
Tony Barba is a veteran Chicago/NYC based tenor saxophonist (Youngblood Brass Band, Brooklyn Qawwali Party) that has straddled the boundaries of many musical styles throughout his career. Tony has always fought to find a balance between his desire for experimentation while also appealing to his pop sensibilities, and his new album is no exception. “Facetime,” which includes Patrick Mulcahy (District 97) on electric bass, Conor Elmes (Youngblood Brass Band, Thought) on drums and Tony on tenor sax, bansuri and effects, explores the tried and true format of the jazz saxophone trio with a contemporary angle. Drawing influences from Indie Rock, World Music, Pop, Punk, Free Jazz and Electronica, this band looks to the future with a range of sonic motion and an aggressive approach.
PEVEN EVERETT
Peven Everett is an artist and voice of the generation. He was Born in Harvey,Il. outside of Chicago to a musical family. He was a toddler when he began playing objects as instruments and shortly there after acquired a drum kit from his mother. In grammar School he began playing music in the band under the direction of Sherman, John Weber,and David Eanes. He helped his band earn titles maintaining first chair in multiple instruments. He also Student taught to pupils in grade levels his senior and played with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie and Betty Carter.
Having gotten a perfect score on his exam at Merit the Carl Fischer Music Academy, Peven was awarded a full Scholarship to The Berkley school of Music at the age of seventeen. He played his first professional gig at Carnegie Hall and subsequently moved to New York to join Betty Carter performing and acting as her music director over seeing other musicians his senior. New York also gave Peven the opportunity to play with Wynton Marsalis appearing in his documentary Marsalis on Music as well as featured in the book by the same name. He toured with Buclshot Lefonque Brandford Marsalis’s band. It was at this time that Peven was featured in the NEW YORK TIMES magazine in an article entitled ‘The Next Miles Davis May Be On This Page” written by Stephen J. Dubner.
AHYMNSA
Ahymnsa is a world/groove jam trio based out of Central Illinois. Since coming together in 2010, Ahymnsa – an English adaptation of a Sanskrit word meaning “showing love through actions” – has brought positive, energetic performances to joyfully receptive audiences.
SHAHID MUSTAF
(BAD MUSIC FOR) BAD PEOPLE
playing the music of The Cramps til your head splits open
ERIC LAMBERT & FRIENDS
Eric Lambert has been pickin’ and grinnin’ his way into people’s
hearts for over 40 years. Specializing in the fiery art of flatpicking, he has built a distinguished career writing, performing, recording, and teaching Americana music in and around Chicago, IL and beyond. Traces of rock, folk, bluegrass, country, and blues can be detected throughout his music, delivered with energy, soul, and inspiration. His voice, presence, and precision moves audiences to their feet, while his playful spirit and warm sense of joy makes people feel right at home.
Eric’s music resonates the old school philosophy of the groundbreaking musicians who inspired him; music should know no boundaries. Influenced by Duane Allman and Dickey Betts at an early age, Eric discovered country and bluegrass music through the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band album, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” Raised on Chicago’s south
side, he cites diverse influences as catalysts in shaping his unique roots music sound. His original voice was crafted by blending the bluegrass approaches of Tony Rice, Clarence White, and Norman Blake with those of his main influences such as B.B. King, Bob Dylan, Jerry Garcia, and Old & In The Way.
Eric excels at every style of music he performs, moving through them with an uncanny ease and smoothness. The richness of diversity in his influences is evident in his playing and throughout his vast career, which spans 10 countries as a solo artist and as a band member. Some career highlights include playing with Virgil Kane along with Alabama and George Strait, and being a front man in bands such as Big Shoulders, Heartsfield, Valerie Smith Band, and most recently Chicago’s award-winning Henhouse Prowlers, being featured on their latest album release, “Verses Chapters and Rhymes.” He has also appeared in Flatpicking Guitar Magazine.
Music education continues to be a mainstay in Eric’s life, fulfilling a dream and supporting his mission of helping others learn how to play the guitar, and utilize a variety of guitar styles and techniques. For the past 35 years, he has been professionally teaching music, including the art of flatpicking, which is a style he has become known for. “It is the excitement of the style that originally drew me in years ago,” he shared. Eric believes teaching music is about more than just giving lessons; it should be a full musical education experience. Even further, he knows music can transform lives. His embrace of this ideal led him to teach music therapy to industrial workers for 15 years. The summer and fall of 2012 will be full of new and exciting ventures.
Some things to look forward to include a new album being recorded, his TrueFire classroom being opened to students, Eric Lambert & Friends performances, and much more! We invite you to join us on this exciting journey in person and online, and fill every day with a smile and a song.
PANCAKES AND BOOZE ART SHOW
The LA based event originated in 2009 and has since popped up more than 500 times in 35+ cities around Europe & North America. Batter sizzles, beer foams, and canvas lines the walls from ceiling to floor as hundreds, sometimes thousands, of revelers indulge in endless pancakes. This is no stuffy wine-and-cheese, pretentious, someone-gag-me art event. It’s an innovative reimagining of the art show concept. A welcoming vibe for up-and-coming artists to sell and strut their stuff in a free verse, anything goes environment.
SILVER LOVES MERCURY
Loud, destructive, seductive. Silver Loves Mercury, rock and roll with a gothic vibe, is a perfect mix of Angel and Devil. The band was founded by Kitty V.(guitars,drums, bass) and Roxi V. (vocals) as a studio project.
After overwhelming fan response to their first live performance,Silver Loves Mercury decided to cater to their growing fan base and take their spectacle on the road. In four short months Silver Loves Mercury grew their fanbase to over 20,000 on Myspace alone after playing regionally in half a dozen major markets. Their debut record, Treasures of Gomorrah (2010), was produced by grammy nominee JT Longoria and has garnered the attention and support of the likes of King Diamond, Izzy Straddlin, and Glen Danzig. After being in the top 80 on Jango Music for nine straight weeks after its inception and gaining extensive regional and international press with Lit (U.S.), Black Velvet (U.K.) and several others, the band, in less than a year, is already in the mix stage of their follow-up E.P. and in preproduction for their new full-length L.P.
“In a short time Silver Loves Mercury has proven themselves one of the most musically adept acts in Dallas…” – Lit monthly April 2010 FEATURE Full color half page
“‘Treasures Of Gomorrah’ is definitely a little treasure” “Silver Loves Mercury is a perfect mixture of angel and devil.” “…a tumultuous rebel with a rabid tone that you will want to turn up so loud the folk in the next road will get headaches.”
– SBV, Black Velvet 5/10
“Well-crafted lyrics only add to the violent dreamscape.” “powerful, commanding and natural.” “The music is not only good, but it eclipses the eye-candy aspect and forces the audience to take new notice.” “..Silver Loves Mercury delivers the full spectrum of the Periodic Table.”
– Mark Beneventi, Lit Monthly
“SLM is a focused, polished killing machine. With an arsenal songs mixed with a potion of vocal and visual euphoria” “What a complete package this band is. Nothing is out of place. Everyone in the room was touched by the sound and power of SLM.” “..everyone that hears the material is stunned by the shear power of this music.”
-Gary Long, Mastering Engineer – Izzy Stradlin, King Diamond
HIP-HOP ENSEMBLE
R&B ENSEMBLE
POP ORCHESTRA
BIG BROTHER SMOKES
Hailing from Hemlock Michigan Big Brother Smokes paints a musical sound scape with their unique blend of influences. The boys have been playing together for just a short time and have already had great success with their self titled debut EP. Big Brother Smokes plays music for the soul reason to have fun and allow others to join in the festivities. Big Brother Smokes has a dynamic sound headed up by lead vocalist Matt Wardin. Matt’s smooth smokey vocals remind many of the classic days of rock. Lead guitarist Travis Wardin brings a new edge to the bands sound with electric solos sweeping the mix. Holding down the backbone of the rhythm section you’ll find Joe Balbaugh on the bass guitar and Ross WIlkin on percussion. Together Big Brother Smokes unites to form a strong and diverse sound for all to enjoy.
TIM POLECAT
The names Slim Jim Phantom, Jonny Bowler and Tim Polecat are synonymous with rockabilly hits. They have secured their place as true rock n roll icons. Phantom, as the legendary drummer for the Stray Cats, Tim Polecat, lead singer of The Polecats and Jonny Bowler bass player for the Guana Batz ,they are part of the select few who were instrumental in reintroducing rockabilly into pop culture, providing the prototype for the modern rockabilly style and sound.
Slim ,Tim and Jonny have previously worked together with their band 13 Cats which garnered critical acclaim, they have also written songs for feature film soundtracks.
Tim has worked as a visual designer for top names in music. He also released a ground-breaking, solo album titled ‘Virtual Rockabilly’ and has produced several albums for other neo-rockabilly bands including the The Quakes and Wrecking Ball.
Tim continues to tour, record, and work as a film and soundtrack composer, his most recent film composing project is for the feature film “Isle of Dogs” to be released in US theaters in February 2012. Tim Polecat continues to be regarded as one of the best, live, front-men on tour in the rockabilly community
This three pronged frontal assault goes up to make “The Whammy” a formidable force of Neo- Rockabilly .
JONNY BOWLER
The names Slim Jim Phantom, Jonny Bowler and Tim Polecat are synonymous with rockabilly hits. They have secured their place as true rock n roll icons. Phantom, as the legendary drummer for the Stray Cats, Tim Polecat, lead singer of The Polecats and Jonny Bowler bass player for the Guana Batz ,they are part of the select few who were instrumental in reintroducing rockabilly into pop culture, providing the prototype for the modern rockabilly style and sound.
Slim ,Tim and Jonny have previously worked together with their band 13 Cats which garnered critical acclaim, they have also written songs for feature film soundtracks.
Jonny Bowler hails from the English town of Southampton and is an icon of the U.K Psychobilly scene , known for his early work with Get Smart and the Guana Batz Johnny has gone on to play with many artists in the USA such as Lemmy , Nick 13 and Levi Dexter .
This three pronged frontal assault goes up to make “The Whammy” a formidable force of Neo- Rockabilly .
SLIM JIM PHANTOM
Slim Jim Phantom has secured his place as a true rock-n-roll icon. As the legendary drummer for the Stray Cats, Phantom, alongside band mates Brian Setzer and Lee Rocker, spearheaded the neo-rockabilly movement of the early 80s. With a love for 50s rock-n-roll the Stray Cats took inspiration from that bygone era and mixed with their youthful energy and aggression produced the updated hard-edged rockabilly sound that saw them conquer London, Europe and later the U.S., gaining fans among the likes of Keith Richards, Mick Jagger and Robert Plant along the way.
Born in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City, Jim grew up listening to his parents’ jazz records and by the age of ten took up the drums. Immersing himself in the art of drumming and the world of music, Jim took lessons with Mousie Alexander (who played with Benny Goodman), which included the study of jazz and working through books by Jim Chapin and Ted Reed.
By the late 70s Jim was playing in bands with school friend and bassist Lee Rocker and they soon joined forces with guitarist Brian Setzer. The rest, as they say, is history. The Stray Cats had numerous hit singles in the early 1980s, their classic album “Built for Speed” went double platinum, and their song “Rock This Town” is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of “The Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.”
BIIKO
Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, Biiko is an experimental pop act that’s as much Bonobo as it is Beach Boys. Formed with a combination of live instrumentation and electronic manipulation, his music manages to keep a strong, base sense of melody while boldly venturing into the realm of the new. On one end of the musical spectrum exists a land of simple, lilting pop melody, music that’s at one time both pleasant to the ears and almost groundbreaking in its simplicity. On the other is a much more involved category, that of electric weirdness; that commendable ability to take literally whatever ideas or sounds you can fathom and smash them together. Somewhere in the middle, fully aware of both pulses, exists Biiko.
THE WHAMMY
The names Slim Jim Phantom, Jonny Bowler and Tim Polecat are synonymous with rockabilly hits. They have secured their place as true rock n roll icons. Phantom, as the legendary drummer for the Stray Cats, Tim Polecat, lead singer of The Polecats and Jonny Bowler bass player for the Guana Batz ,they are part of the select few who were instrumental in reintroducing rockabilly into pop culture, providing the prototype for the modern rockabilly style and sound.
Slim ,Tim and Jonny have previously worked together with their band 13 Cats which garnered critical acclaim, they have also written songs for feature film soundtracks.
Beyond the Stray Cats Jim has worked with some of the world’s top artists and has played a part in many successful groups; notably Phantom, Rocker and Slick featuring guitarist Earl Slick which produced two popular albums, The Head Cat featuring Lemmy and Dead Men Walking an all-star affair which boasted original members of The Sex Pistols, The Cult, The Damned and The Alarm among the line-up. Jim also enjoyed a stint playing with The Killer, rock n roll originator, Jerry Lee Lewis. Over 25 years and millions of record sales later, Slim Jim Phantom continues to inspire and excite audiences worldwide. With a sound, style and image that remains as fresh today as it ever was Phantom has cemented his place among rock royalty. Considered by many as the coolest drummer in rock n roll, Phantom’s influence is still clearly felt on today’s music scene with countless rockabilly drummers imitating his pioneering stand-up style.
Tim has worked as a visual designer for top names in music. He also released a ground-breaking, solo album titled ‘Virtual Rockabilly’ and has produced several albums for other neo-rockabilly bands including the The Quakes and Wrecking Ball.
Tim continues to tour, record, and work as a film and soundtrack composer, his most recent film composing project is for the feature film “Isle of Dogs” to be released in US theaters in February 2012. Tim Polecat continues to be regarded as one of the best, live, front-men on tour in the rockabilly community
Jonny Bowler hails from the English town of Southampton and is an icon of the U.K Psychobilly scene , known for his early work with Get Smart and the Guana Batz Johnny has gone on to play with many artists in the USA such as Lemmy , Nick 13 and Levi Dexter .
This three pronged frontal assault goes up to make “The Whammy” a formidable force of Neo- Rockabilly .
CROQUET
Croquet is Chaetan Newell’s inexorable right to do whatever he wants. This includes aiming a blow dryer at various woodwinds, playing four different instruments at once, and providing handmade stage backdrops for ambience, not to mention surprise hip-hop shows. Beginning in 2007 by way of Boston, this project’s live show has spanned from one-man performance art to solid indie-pop quartet, from ethereal jazz improv to balls-to-the-wall psychedelic rock, and two things bind it all together: subtle complexity and raw, concentrated emotion.
Part of noise pop label Should Be Flowers’s catalog, Croquet’s first release in November of 2007 was a split LP with Steve Wood, a homeless man dying of AIDS who claimed to be the original singer for The J. Geils Band. This has yet to be proven or disproven. This texturally diverse 29 track album flows seamlessly back and forth between experimental yet catchy analog bliss and the sound of a man against great odds singing his heart out across Massachusetts Avenue. Two years later, Newell finished the Sodomize the Silence EP leaping out of the bedroom and onto the drum kit with fuller instrumentation and more passion and sincerity than ever.
A common fixture of premier Boston venues (TT the Bear’s, The Middle East, Great Scott, etc.), Croquet has also toured as far south as Athens, Georgia maintaining a strong presence in Newell’s home state of North Carolina (this is explains the airplay on multiple college radio stations as far as Tennessee). It was here that Newell began his training as a musician, picking up a new instrument every few years. After playing upright bass with various orchestral groups including The North Carolina Symphony and obtaining a Bachelors of Music with guitar, it should come as no surprise that he has worked with members of notable groups such as The Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, Helium, Pele, Victory at Sea, Dumptruck, Bang Camaro, and even legendary Motown group The Chairmen of the Board. In fact, Newell lists the verbal thumbs up he received from iconic artist Thalia Zedek as a high point in Croquet’s existence thus far.
After playing lead guitar with St Helena (“every indie enthusiasts dream” according to The Noise Magazine), Newell relocated to Chicago in 2010 with plans to further conquer the world and has since played out with much success joining David Baker’s new group Variety Lights on drums. Is the world ready for such methodical madness? We can only wait and see.
MORE GORGEOUS
Members:
Alex Brittain
Ace Valentine
Taylor Wells
Peter Binggeser
THE CECY SANTANA BAND
THE FISHERMEN
The Fishermen are an Old Timey inspired Hard Grass band. From different cities, and with different musical backgrounds, the band formed in chicago and have a unique, energetic sound. Who knew songs about death could be so fun? They perform with all manner of stringed instrument, and aren’t afraid to switch things up.
TOM THE MASON
Classic Rock power trio sounds from Tom the Mason!
DAVENPORT ED
In the 40’s, Ed Kregor was courting his later to be wife, Nellie, of 65 years in the Quad Cities. They didn’t have a lot of money, so Ed would take Nellie out to the bars in the Quad cities where he would literally sing for their food and drinks (there were lots of drinks). His frequent performances made him a local celebrity, earning him the nickname of Davenport Ed. Being the grandfather of 3 members of the band, it only seemed appropriate to name a rock band after this great man.
The spirit of the 90’s rock scene is alive and well in Davenport Ed. The lead singer/songwriter, Johnny Perona, is a product of 90’s adolescence. Growing up, he was heavily inspired by the likes of Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, etc. This musical upbringing is very present in DavEd’s tunes. With a voice that falls somewhere within a vocal lovechild of Ben Ottewall (Gomez), Chris Cornell, Chris Robinson and Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Johnny commands the listener’s attention.
The band is a 6 piece outfit that features 2 rhythm guitars, a lead guitarist, a bassist, a pedal steel, and a drummer. Alongside Johnny on rhythm is the producer/engineer/mixer of the DavEd records, James Scott. James has played with numerous other bands in his career (Matthew, Paulina, and The Visitor to name a few). For DavEd, he brings haunting, George Harrisonesque guitar melodies to each song. On lead guitar is Jim Perona. Classically trained, but brought up as a shredder, it provides a unique spin on the modern rock guitarist. It’s not to be missed when he unhinges and lets it fly on a solo. Tom Perona lays down entrancing bass lines that are as melodic as they are in the pocket. He also provides a counter to Johnny’s aggressive vocal style by creating and producing the majority of the harmonies for the band. Mike Racky adds to the cacophony of sound by creating, and somehow making fit, pedal steel parts to these rock tunes. During aggressive live jams, he’s been known to leave his seat, while making full use of his effects. It’s a steel sound you never thought you’d hear, pretty much. Holding it down on the drums is Tim Rimbos. To round out the sound, he plays as aggressive as he needs to, creating an extraordinary sense of energy that translates into one hell of a live performance.
Come catch Davenport Ed, the band with the weird name that will rocking your f’ing socks off if given the opportunity.
ANCIENT VVISDOM
A dark, enlightening foresight into the future of humankind dictated by singer/songwriter Nathan Opposition.
Ancient VVisdom was founded in Austin, TX in late 2009 with the order consisting of Nathan Opposition , writer and vocalist, Justin “Ribs” Mason on acoustic guitar, and Nathan’s brother, Michael on electric guitar.
In 2010, they recorded and released a split 12” EP with Charles Manson entitled “Inner Earth Inferno” (Withdrawal Records), which garnished praise from critics and cultists alike.
The band spent the rest of the year sharpening their blackened craft, using acoustic guitars to give the music an organic connection to the nefarious rites they beget. Writing well over an albums-worth of material, they chose the most appropriate songs for their debut LP ” a godlike inferno” to record at The Bubble, a local, vvorld renowned studio in Austin, TX. For the recording , they enlisted additional instrumentation by
Alex Hughes (Hatred Surge, Iron Age) to play the bowed stand-up bass, Wade Allison (Iron Age) machete percussion and guest guitar lead on “lost civilization”, Chase VVarlow on bamboo percussion and Jason Buntz (engineer and co-producer) on select guitar and synth.
Not unlike early death rock and neo-folkore sound, Ancient VVisdom incorporates electric guitar effects, synth sounds, vocal harmonies and abstract percussion to create a deeper, ethereal quality to their minimalist arranagements. Nathan’s powerfully honest voice is complimented by lyrics ranging from mysteries of the occult, paganism, satanic philosophy, and forbidden knowledge.
PALLBEARER
Mind Burns Alive finds Pallbearer navigating the space between disquiet and serenity with a singular intensity. At times poetic and blistering, their fifth full length is a heartfelt meditation on isolation, trauma and mental breakdown, framed by the possibility of redemption and the quiet, aching beauty of escape.
Musically and lyrically stripped bare and vulnerable, Mind Burns Alive deals in universal themes of loneliness and the feeling of emotionally drowning in a world turning upside down. Bassist/vocalist Joseph D. Rowland describes the album as “an exploration of fate; when you are deceived by your own instincts and internal voice.” Guitarist / vocalist Brett Campbell furthers, “These songs are vignettes which tell the stories of people who deal with myriad sicknesses of the spirit. These are illnesses communicated by the world we live in, and the subjects are the symptoms of its disease.”
While the band’s earlier catalog leaned on walls of guitar, massive distortion and piercing vocals, they achieve more on Mind Burns Alive by stripping everything back. These six songs offer a singular perspective into the pain that lies at the heart of everyday experience. Mind Burns Alive is not simply an exposition on those complex feelings. It is the musical intersection where struggle collides with the will to carry on.
ENSLAVED
Enslaved was formed in 1991 by Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson, and did their first demo “Yggdrasill” in the summer of 1992. Enslaved released the legendary mini album “Hordanes Land” in 1993 (this was released also as a split-CD with Emperor’s s/t MLP). Enslaved’s debut album came during the spring of 1994, while the historically successful second album “Frost” was released already late 1994.
“Eld” in many ways marked the opening of a horizon-widening era for the band in 1997 – the following year saw the release of “Blodhemn”; perhaps surprising some with its fury and blacker edges. “Mardraum (Beyond the Within)” was released in 2000; this aural nightmare of an album sent shock waves through the Extreme Metal scene with its experimental, innovative approach. The band followed up with “Monumension” in 2001; and again the band was shocked to see the positive response to their “no rules” approach to Extreme Metal.
Many see an important, if not the important milestone being “Below the Lights” – where the progressive yet darker Enslaved emerged – released in 2003; it presented the perfect blend of power, tradition, progressive elements and dark Psychedelia. A new line-up was put together after the recording of “Below the Lights”; introducing scene veteran Cato Bekkevold (Red Harvest founder), Ice Dale and Herbrand Larsen.
In short, Enslaved started climbing new heights with their live performances, adding strong visual elements in the shape of video art and more. The new line-up released the album “Isa” late 2004. The album put Enslaved at the very forefront of contemporary Extreme Metal; both as a recording and live artist. Enslaved received both the Norwegian Grammy and the independent Alarm Price for “Isa”, topping it off with the release of acclaimed live-DVD “Return to Yggdrasill”. The critically acclaimed “Ruun” was released in 2006, and received numerous great reviews from fans, magazines and websites worldwide. Www.blabbermouth.com concluded that “The metal world needs more bands this willing to throw out the rule book and go wherever their mad Muse takes them.” Early 2007 Enslaved sat out on tour in USA and Canada, and “Ruun” was rewarded with another Norwegian Grammy for Best Metal Album 2006. At the end of the year, “Ruun World Tour part II” commenced all over Europe and the North-American continent.
Whilst building a reputation as one of the very finest live-acts around; there was found the time and power to create Enslaved’s greatest piece in seventeen years of existence: “Vertebrae” was recorded during the first months of 2008 – then mixed by sinister mastermind Evil Joe Baresi (Tool, Queens of the Stone Age) and mastered by the legendary George Marino in Sterling Sound. Produced by Ivar Bjørnson, Herbrand Larsen and Grutle Kjellson themselves, “Vertebrae” comes across as one of the strongest album to emerge from the Extreme Metal scene: sound, songs and atmosphere marks a great leap for the band and genre as a whole.
KENNY NEAL
Kenny Neal, born in New Orleans and raised in Baton Rouge, began playing music at a young age. Learning the basics from his father, singer and Blues harmonica master, Raful Neal. Kenny is known as a modern swamp-blues master and multi-instrumentalist, that draws musically from the sizzling sounds of his native Louisiana.
JESSE BOYKINS III
Jesse Boykins III has a timeless sound. He shares a point of view that crosses all genres, generations and cultures. Every note and each word in all his recorded works, to his live performance is skillfully crafted evoking emotions that can move any listener across the world to examine and acknowledge those feelings within themselves.
CREATURE FEATURE
Creature Feature is the deviant brain child of two sinister composers from Lost Angeles known only as Curtis Rx and Erik X. Formed on Halloween of all days, these two maniacal groundskeepers in the torture garden of auditory delight have taken it upon themselves to draw from their twisted childhoods and invent a band that becomes everything that frightened you as a child, a band that becomes Halloween 365 days a year, a band that forces you to remember why you used to sleep with the lights on and fear the bumps in the night.
Pulling their influences from classic horror films, soundtracks, Halloween memories, carnival calliope music, cartoons, classic video games, and the terrifying writings of Edgar Allen Poe, H. P. Lovecraft, Ray Bradbury, and Edward Gorey, Creature Feature creates a wildly unique sound that seems like it’s been ripped from a the moldering celluloid of a forgotten horror film or a long lost episode of The Twilight Zone. The kind of music that paints a picture in your mind of dancing skeletons, evil carnivals, flesh eating ghouls, grim hauntings, body snatchings, premature burials, and kidnappings most foul. The mad monster party doesn’t stop there, add in an unhealthy dose of frantic rock guitar, haunted mansion organ, bone-chilling synth, electronic heart-pounding bass, creature voices from the beyond, and manic vocals reminiscent of early Oingo Boingo era Danny Elfman. Mix them all together in a poisonous cocktail and you have Creature Feature, a Saturday morning spook-show belting out creepy music to awaken the monster in all of us.
We are Creature Feature and you’ll dig us like a grave.
IT IS WHAT IT IS
Inspired by a love of vintage music and modern effects, IIwII has developed an energy-laden sound infusing electronic elements over a drum-heavy rock foundation. They call it Club Punk: retro rock remixed and reinterpreted with cutting edge studio programming fit for the street and dance floor. IIwII is also an acronym for It Is What It Is.
KEM
JAILBREAK
Ladies and Gentlemen, Please allow me to introduce to you Jailbreak! The Midwest’s ONLY Tribute to Thin Lizzy.
From the opening chords of Jailbreak to the sing along chorus of,
The Boys are Back in town, These boys will have you Dancin in the Moonlight !
With their dedicated attention to detail, these 4 Thin Lizzy fans will take you back in time.
BRIAN ALDRIDGE
Already with two television appearances under his belt and no doubt more to come, Brian is a rising comedy star. His sarcastic delivery and sharp wit will have you rolling with laighter one minute and asking yourself “did he really just say that?” the next. A Chicago native, Brian got his start opening for great comedians like: Dave Chappelle, Carlos Mencia, Chelsea Handler, Bill Burr, Damon Wayons, and others who will undoubtedly be offended now that they weren’t mentioned. A veteran of countless comedy festivals and headliner of great comedy rooms all over the country, Brian is set to soon be a household name. Don’t miss the chance to see this talented, good looking man!
FRANK ROCHE
JACK WARREN
I am a writer/Comedian, traveler, adventure seeker, etc…
MIDNIGHT MASS COMEDY
Open Mic!
OF WOLVES
Of Wolves are masters of overt catharsis. On Balance, their long-awaited sophomore full length, this caustic crew delivers a devastatingly intense blend of crusty punk, sludge, post-hardcore, gritty stoner doom, and enough noise rock experimentation to keep the listener perpetually on their toes. Their raw approach demonstrates an omnivorous application of genre, and every sound contained herein is employed as a vehicle for release. Nominally for fans of Melvins, High on Fire, Unsane, 16, and Gojira, Balance will, frankly, sit quite well with any fan of extreme music who needs a soundtrack to facilitate the release of their pent-up frustration and rage.
ROOFTOP VIGILANTES
We accidentally became a band, now we tour and record records. oops!
MOUTHBREATHERS
“Dirty and sludgy garage punk from this bunch. A lot of low end in the sound, which I like, and my neighbors don’t. The guitar sound is thick and near-syrupy, though there’s some biting distortion to give it more of an edge. The vocals sound like they’re sung through a bullhorn, usually annoying, but it works here…” –Razorcake
KILL THE CIRCUS
Kill the Circus exploded onto the Chicago rock scene in 2012, gaining an instant fan-base with their single, Everything Will be Alright. They continued to fuel their popularity with a number of tours throughout the Midwest. Their genre-defying EP, Stress Sessions, boasted the collaborative efforts of Maxwell Steger, and created a solid following for the band with its release in January of 2013. In the following months, their undeniable charisma and stage-presence earned Kill the Circus new fans with every live show.
Entirely at home on a stage, lead singer Mark Wendell has devoted his life to music since age fifteen. He considers Kill the Circus to be his crowning achievement, and dedicates himself to the music with a passion that can only be described as religious. Wendell made the decision to form Kill the Circus when he noticed the raw talent of drummer Sean Fagan, while the latter was only seventeen. Along with guitarist Adrien Lestat, Cody Carpenter on bass, Kill the Circus proved their intuitive chemistry on Stress Sessions. Since their inception only a short time ago, the band has continued to produce music that eludes categorization without sacrificing natural appeal.
As Wendell himself says of the band’s sound, “When we started writing for the EP, we were inspired by so many different artists.” Their music blends together rock influences with hints of alternative and punk rock influences. Kill the Circus stands out with their commitment to an authentic sound, described by fans as one of the most addictive up-and-coming bands around. Kill the Circus is emerging as a force to be reckoned with in the rock music scene.
Though Stress Sessions highlighted not only Wendell’s skill and diversity as a songwriter, but also the band’s natural cohesion and talent, Kill the Circus has really found their footing through writing their new EP, to be released in early Summer 2013. With an already impressive influence for such a new band and unmistakable potential, it is hard to ignore the passion and drive of Kill the Circus. Their pure love of music comes through in every song, making Kill the Circus a powerful new addition to rock n roll.
FUNBRELLA
Funbrella is a breath of fresh air in the Jam Band scene. With an extensive catalogue of original material, as well as covers from the likes of Phish, the Grateful Dead and The Band, Funbrella bridges the gap between modern Jam Bands and their folk roots.
KWESI DARKO
Kwesi Darko of B-Boards Intl
DUANE POWELL
FAMILY ORDER
THE KREUTZER SONATA
Hailing from Chicago,IL, comes a hardcore punk rock outfit, writing songs of love, despair, overcoming hate, and creating your life in your own fashion. We do not hold back, and we sing honestly. We are The Kreutzer Sonata.
THE DESERT VEST
In the Summer of 2010, Lucas Price (vocals/guitar) found Mike Hanzelka (drums), Aaron Kramer (bass), and Tom Mooney (guitar). though a bulletin website. In the start of 2012, Aaron left the band and Tom switched to bass. Following a strong DIY ethic and through being part of the Minneapolis network of bands connected by zines and Internet band networks, they eventually came into contact with Merritt Benton, who mixed their 2012 record, Name To Be Determined.
BLASTOFF
For our Heroes: Giorgio Tsoukalos, Erich Von Daniken, Dr. Jessup.
Sep 12, 2011 in the First Level Human Dimension
European astronomers have announced the discovery of more than 50 new planets beyond our solar system, including 16 that are just a notch above our own planet in mass. They say their record-breaking findings suggest that more than half of the stars like our sun possess planets, and that many of those worlds are less massive than Saturn.
The pick of the litter is a planet that’s already been in the spotlight: HD 85512 b, a world at least 3.6 times as massive as Earth that’s located 36 light-years away in the constellation Vela. HD 85512 b is the only one of the 16 super-Earths on today’s list that is located in its star system’s habitable zone. That’s the area around a star where scientists believe water could exist in liquid form, which would make a rocky planet potentially livable.
HD 85512 b’s status came to light a couple of weeks ago in a paper submitted to the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics, but the team behind the discovery provided more details about that super-Earth and the dozens of other worlds in papers presented today at the Extreme Solar Systems II conference in Wyoming.
The findings came from the team behind the High Accuracy Radial Velocity Planet Searcher, or HARPS, which is installed at the European Southern Observatory’s 11.8-foot (3.6-meter) La Silla Observatory in Chile.
“The detection of HD 85512 b is far from the limit of HARPS, and demonstrates the possibility of discovering other super-Earths in the habitable zones around stars similar to the sun,” University of Geneva astronomer Michel Mayor said in today’s news release from the ESO.
Super-Earths, which range from Earth’s mass to worlds 10 times more massive, are of particular interest to planet-hunters because it’s thought that they could be even more conducive to the development of life than our own planet. When the search for extrasolar planets began more than 15 years ago, the telescopes used for the task could only detect giant planets like our own solar system’s Jupiter. Since then, the techniques and tools used for the search have become much more sensitive.
HARPS, for example, can detect the slight gravitational wobble caused by planets as small as Earth, if they have incredibly close-in orbits. HARPS’ observations of 376 sunlike stars has led the team to conclude not only that more than half of such stars are surrounded by planets (maybe as many as 70 or 80 percent), but also that about 40 percent of sunlike stars have at least one planet less massive than Saturn.
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One of the team members, Lisa Kaltenegger of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy and the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, told journalists today that the latest round of findings marked a new age in the search for habitable planets.
“We are actually entering an incredibly interesting time in our history,” she said.
Keeping track of the habitables
ESO’s Markus Kissler-Patig said the discovery of HD 85512 b could be one of the first entries in “a good catalog of habitables” marked for further study. Kissler-Patig is the project scientist for the ESO’s European Extremely Large Telescope, or E-ELT, which is slated to be built over the next decade at a cost of 1 billion euros ($1.4 billion).
HD 85512 b “is in the zone where we can directly image it,” Kissler-Patig said, and that means astronomers could theoretically analyze its atmosphere for the signatures of life, such as the presence of oxygen, methane and water vapor.
The HARPS team members were able to figure out the minimum mass and orbital characteristics of HD 85512 b, but they couldn’t determine its density, composition or the nature of its atmosphere — which means astronomers will have to wait for the completion of E-ELT or similar high-resolution observing instruments to confirm that the world is truly habitable.
Francesco Pepe, a colleague of Mayor’s at the University of Geneva, said that the HARPS team’s discoveries include 10 worlds described in papers submitted to Astronomy and Astrophysics, including HD 85512 b, and 49 planets reported today at the Wyoming conference. Eight of the new planets were detected as part of the Swiss-led CORALIE search effort in Chile, he said. The ESO says this is the largest number of extrasolar planets reported at one time.
Pepe said the findings pointed up a fresh mystery for planet-hunters to ponder: the existence of a “planet desert” between low-mass worlds and gas giants. Relatively few planets have been found at a level around 30 times the mass of Earth. “It may point towards different formation mechanisms” for planets like Earth and Neptune vs. planets like Jupiter and Saturn.
HARPS isn’t the only instrument engaged in the search for extrasolar planets: Two space telescopes, NASA’s Kepler and the European Space Agency’s Corot, are detecting planets by looking for the telltale dimming of their parent stars. Kepler and Corot can determine how big a planet is, but they can’t tell how massive it is. In contrast, HARPS can determine the mass but not the size.
Unfortunately, Kepler can’t be used to confirm HARPS’ discoveries, nor can HARPS confirm Kepler’s. The good news is that the William Herschel Telescope in the Canary Islands is being outfitted for a HARPS North instrument that will begin operation next year and facilitate the follow-up of Kepler detections.
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Today’s revelations bring the official tally of extrasolar planets to 645.
Other findings from the Extreme Solar Systems II conference:
• Over at the “Dynamics of Cats” blog, Steinn Sigurdsson quotes Kepler team members as saying they have identified 1,781 candidate planets, with up to 27 of those confirmed. Among the reported candidates are 123 potential worlds that are less than 1.25 times as wide as Earth, and 121 that are in the nominal habitable zones of their parent stars.
Jon Lomberg
• Astronomers say they have observed brightness changes on a failed star, also known as a brown dwarf, that may indicate a storm grander than any seen yet on a planet. The stormy brown dwarf is known as 2MASS 2139.
“We found that our target’s brightness changed by a whopping 30 per cent in just under eight hours,” the University of Toronto’s Jacqueline Radigan said in a news release. “The best explanation is that brighter and darker patches of its atmosphere are coming into our view as the brown dwarf spins on its axis.”
Radigan is the lead author of a paper being presented this week at the Extreme Solar Systems II conference.
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Since you read this entire post here is its significance, the same day we read this article we formed this group of musical expression. That’s synchronicity at its finest. If you can appreciate the information above, then you are family.
JORDAN-MORGAN LANSDOWNE
You might find that a definitive artist could be hard to find in an ocean of carbon-copied musical swarm, over saturated with glitz and glamour, driving the listener to focus deeply on the utmost punctual proverbial outrage consisting in today’s media. It has come to the attention of thousands that if an artist isn’t accepting approval in magazines, blogs or radio waves, then there could be no chance at success. If this were true, millions of artists would not have been, or still be discovered.
In this case, Jordan-Morgan Lansdowne, an American Singer/Songwriter hailing from Hot Springs, Arkansas showcases a platinum craft in the indpendent undergound.
Exceeding expectations, Jordan has been honing his craft for 12 years with some exceptions of playing under various monikers that have reached the attention of radio and record industry folk alike, including a studio collaboration which landed on MTV’s The Real World. Garnering attention from No Depression magazine readers to being noted as “Americana’s New, Cool Younger Brother” in 2011, Jordan was touring and recording under the name Parker Roads with Sony Music Entertainment affiliate label, A-Reaction Music Group and had experienced an uplifiting swoop of clear-channel radio play, extensive touring (150 shows in 2011), to magazine, radio, and television interviews.
In December of 2011, Jordan wanted to test the waters and his faith by announcing his real name and his musical career endeavors. Jordan’s new calling had been pursued and had been proven by signing with a bigger Sony Music affiliate, 7 Spin Music. The goal was to start a band using a new name called, Embers Of Brave, which was immediately reported on magazine websites such as HM Magazine and Indie Vision Music. The group had scheduled a promotional tour which landed dates in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Shortly after the tour began, the members of the group had disbanded and Jordan finished the dates performing solo acoustic. With much demand and urgency, Embers Of Brave was set to record with producer Daniel Webb and had recorded its album in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Shortly after the recording, Jordan received heart-breaking news that his Grandfather passed away.
Showing a quick response to this news, it was decided that Jordan was to return as a solo artist, setting out to write and record a record under his name and dissolving any attachments to the previous name. This decision almost became noticed as unstable and nearly ended his affiliation with 7 Spin Music but given the heartfelt circumstance, Jordan was able to renegotiate his contract and continue with a release with his label. Jordan had stated in online posts that he wasn’t dropping the Embers Of Brave name completely but that he also had no intentions or plans at pursuing the project until further notice.
“I feel I’m on the right path,” Jordan states, “There is no band right now so why carry on with a band name? — Good things are on the rise and I’ve got to continue doing what I’m doing. This is a time of reflection for me, a time to be myself. I take this as a way to start over and (take) a new approach to doing things the way they should have been the whole time. I don’t want to confuse myself or anyone else. I need to focus on this right now.”
As an up-and-coming independent musician, Jordan has encountered his fair share of obstacles and resistance through countless phone calls, emails, touring, tragedy, to being stranded in the middle of nowhere in hundred-degree-weather. Despite the setbacks, Jordan has never lost his passion for music.
PISS FACTORY
Rising from the bowels of hell (inner city Chi Town) comes PISS FACTORY- A tribute to Alice In Chains.
Blending the classic grunge metal sound and dual vocals of A.I.C, the group plays a mix of hits and deep
cuts including “Them Bones”, “Man In The Box” and others from the legendary Seattle band’s studio albums.
Expect a special spooky Halloween set full of zombie madness and detuned guitar jams to make your blood curdle!
ANDO EHLERS
“Imagine the Tiger Lillie’s on speed. They are already on acid right? Now add a handful of amphetamine. Ando came on the stage like a tornado; stomping his feet, twitching his face, rolling his eyes, frothing at the mouth and singing like he wants you to understand something really important. This was Death Polka! …This was hard core punk with a slice of polka, just enough to keep you guessing.”
-Carmen Ghia – Live Seattle: Music in the Clubs
BIG ONCE
Big Once, the Red Bull 3Style turntablist CHAMP:
In a scene where anyone with a laptop and some software can claim to be a DJ, it is Once’s world-beating turntablist skills, unique live remixes, and energetic stage show that set him apart from others. These qualities have afforded Once to perform alongside everyone from the Z-Trip to Roy Ayers, direct the Vocalo 89.5 FM DJ collective, and record with legends like Pete Rock.
ESPN LIVE REMOTE
ESPN Radio Personalities Live On The Air at Reggies!!
VIBRACAO DO SOL
Soundtrack Presents:
VIBRACAO DO SOL “The Jazzy Lounge Affair”
Hosted By:Kwesi Darko of B-Boards Intl
Resident Sound Curator: Duane Powell
THE-DRUM
Mysterious broadcasts emanate from between the twinkling lights of Chicago, a magic hour sector in slate grays and black asphalt. Ominous yet inviting, these sounds feel like transmissions from a future where man and machine are woven together. Nervous, punch-drunk and… groovy.
This is The-Drum. A production duo made up of Jeremiah Chrome and Brandon Boom, The-Drum has been crafting their delectably queasy brand of R&B since late 2010.
Between their own releases, including this January’s Heavy Liquid EP, and production for artists like Haleek Maul, The-Drum have been attracting an ever growing following in their home town and beyond. We’re happy to announce the release of their new EP, Sense Net, out on Мишка Records right now.
With 4 brand new tracks, as well as remixes from Supreme Cuts and Neuport, Sense Net will transport you to a place that’s part dancefloor and part dream, where smoky synths dip and weave from the darkness and hips shake with seductive malice. Transmission received.
ELEVATION
A triple threat in his own right, ELevation A.K.A. DJ Uncle EL simultaneously wears the hats of DJ, MC and beatmaker. His journey as an artist began sometime around 1995. At this time EL began dabbling in production and recording lyrics with long time friends Scientific and Verbal. They later formed the group, “Manifest Destiny,” in 1997. The group later disbanded around 2000, as each member went on to persue solo aspirations. Moving forward, EL began to focus more on his DJ and production talents. He developed a style which he describes as ” golden era breaks meets futuristic glitch.” His beats combine intricately chopped samples with live instrumentation, to provide the music with more of an organic feel.
ELevation sites such influences as EL-P, Madlib, J-Dilla, Flying Lotus, Anti-Pop Consortium and Dibia$e, just to name a few. When DJing, he can play for just about any type of crowd. From nightclub/top 40 to underground hip hop to abstract beats and downtempo.
Over the years, ELevation has shared the stage with Atmosphere, Africa Bambaataa, Kool Herc, Souls of Mischief, Leo 123, Auburn, Sadat X, Casual, Beans and Shigeto amongst many other notable acts. He is currently working as tour DJ for rapper, Denmark Vessey, of Crown Nation.
Making his name known around the web, EL is a two time, 1st place winner of the LA Sessions sponsored “Microwave Mondays” beat battle. He’s also a respected member of Facebook’s “The Beat Inn” producer community, as well as the most recent addition to Chicago’s Push Beats collective.
Find out more about DJ Uncle EL via his blog atwww.allthingselevation.
SHARDSTYLE
A recent graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he has been involved heavily in a number of musical and artistic endeavors, ranging from booking, promoting, and performing at Join The Studio’s flagship art and music event series in Chicago, The Spectratone Show, to interviewing and documenting emerging talent on Join The Studio’s online zine, performing freeform sound and experimental beat and turntablist sets around Chicago, Austin, and Dallas under the moniker Shardstyle (opening for widely known producers such as Mono/Poly and Samiyam), designing promotional materials and other work for numerous underground musicians and labels and guest editing, designing, and writing for the debut edition of a widely published Austin magazine, Slacker Mag. Sam has been featured in a number of limited-edition zines, the influential SF art-site Fecal Face, and interviewed on the radio and online as a result of this tireless work and investment in emerging experimental scenes.
Sam also makes a point to only rarely talk vainly about himself in the 3rd person.
GIVE BACK
Give Back is quickly emerging on the front line of Chicago’s formidable neo indie-rock scene. The band, just graduating from high school this summer, has been making music together since middle school. Since the band’s inception, Give Back has played over a hundred live shows all around Chicago and the suburbs. The band continues to generate an ever increasing buzz in the Chicagoland area, garnering support from publications such as The Sun Times, The Reader and Chicagoist.com, even receiving radio play on Chicago’s preeminent radio station, WXRT.
THE DRASTICS
The Drastics are modern roots music. Their sound fits as easily in a Kingston dancehall as it does in an artist’s loft-party in the warehouse district. Though primarily classified as a reggae group, The Drastics embrace many styles of music both live and in the studio. This can be heard in their songs which draw from roots Jamaican music, hip hop, hard-bop jazz, afro-beat, dancehall, as well as folk music from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America. Take this powder keg cocktail of styles, add the pulse of gritty everyday urban living and you get one explosive sound. Not playing into any gimmicks or compromising to trends (“The Drastics deserve much credit for moving deep into unchartered territories” – allMusic Guide) The Drastics have been consistantly rocking crowds for three years from NYC to LA and everywhere in between (“dub masters, The Drastics … never fail to put on a killer party” – TimeOut Chicago).
WEARETHESEA
WeAreTheSea is an electro-rock duo from Chicago. They got their start in Detroit banging tin cans together and have since refined their sound to include real instruments. What initially started as a side project has recently developed a life of its own. They combine big beats with poppy melodies and a hint of grunge and lime. Delicious.
BRYAN RASON
With cutting edge of contemporary fingerstyle guitar, Bryan’s playing displays many percussive jaw-dropping techniques that create beautifully textured, groove-laden tracks. His percussion techniques on the guitar can masterfully emulate a full band experience.
THE MEDITATIONS
The Meditations – Ansel Cridland, Danny Clarke and Winston Watson collectively known as The Meditations, recorded their first hit single Woman is Like a Shadow in 1974 at Channel One Recording Studio; followed by Tricked, Babylon Trap Them, Woman Piaba and Running from Jamaica which were included on their first album Message from The Meditations produced by Dobby Dobson. Among other albums were Wake Up, Guidance, No More Friend, For the Good of Man, The Return of The Meditations and Ghetto Knowledge. The groups vocal and harmony style captured the hearts of reggae fans around the world and led to the collaboration of work with Lee Scratch Perry. Scratch, who produced for Bob Marley and the Wailers, asked them to do back up vocals for Funky Reggae Party, featuring Bob on led vocals. Bob Marley was so pleased with their harmony that he went in search for the group to do more back up vocals for him. He found Danny Clarke, one of the groups members, and put him in a taxicab and said, Me nuh wan you come back til you find the other two members. The taxi driver drove Danny to all the studios in Kingston and could not find the other members, until they drove to Idlers Rest, a street where all musicians and singers mostly hang out. When Danny saw Ansel and gave him the news that Bob Marley wanted the group to do back up vocals for him, Ansel thought it was a joke. Still, he and Winston joined Danny in the taxi, which took them to the studio where they added their vocals to Rastaman Live Up and Blackman Redemption. The Meditations did back up vocals on songs for other artist like, Jimmy Cliffs hit Bongo Man Youths Them A Cry; Gregory Isaacs, Mr. Cop and several songs with Junior Marvin and other reggae artist. The Meditations dedication and musical knowledge has helped numerous artist and producers developed their musical careers. In stores now on their own Meditations Music label; “STAND IN LOVE” delivers more passionate stirringly soulful ROOTS ROCK REGGAE from the legendary trio. ” STAND IN LOVE IN STORES NOW!www.meditationsmusic.com..
TRICK SHOOTER SOCIAL CLUB
The Trick Shooter Social Club is a place tucked just behind the beat.It is a tiny dusty corner of the world where music is timeless instead of soulless. It is a belief in the power of story and the sublime hip sway of a well placed middle eight. It is cat gut, and pick guards, and hand scribbles, and nods across the stage when it’s time to go to the bridge. It is acoustic… and electric… and reverent to its heroes… and of the now. It is a collection of artists, gypsies, showmen, shaman, and curious travelers trying to get it right. But most of all… it is an invitation. Join us… won’t you?
SAINT ANYWAY
One year in the making, Saint Anyway’s third album is a banjo-fueled bonfire of north-country grit and unfettered exuberance. While the Minnesota trio’s previous releases (2009’s Paper Town and 2010’s Two) played it safe with chiming banjo/guitar arrangements that were never raucous nor out-of-time, Here On The Ground delivers a boot-stomping spirit previously saved for the group’s hell-raising road show. Tempering the fiery (“Burnin’ Down the House”, “How To Prove You Love Someone”) with the introspective (“Sunday Blue”, “Till The Wheels Fall Off”) this latest effort marks a coming-of-age for Minnesota’s most exciting new alt-grass ensemble.
Saint Anyway is Jamie Kallestad (Guitar/Vocals), Tony Petersen (Banjo/Vocals) and Dane Levinski (Bass). Together the three longtime collaborators composed, recorded, and produced Here On The Ground entirely independently, lending the finished work an undeniable home-spun cohesiveness. All songs are original, with the core instrumentation of banjo, guitar, and bass recorded live in the sanctuaries of two re-purposed churches in northern Minnesota. (Sparta Sound, Sparta and Sacred Heart Studio, Duluth) To add color to their blistering rhythm tracks, Saint Anyway called up musician friends from across the country to contribute to Here On The Ground. Most notable among the diverse contributions is Ben Cosgrove’s screaming organ, a wild swirl that veers the onetime string band into oncoming lanes of rock-a-billy, soul, and rock-and-roll. With other additions of fiddle, dobro, and even (forget bluegrass) a brass section, Saint Anyway’s new sound is bigger and more un-classifiable than ever before.
Throughout December and into the new year, Saint Anyway will be touring the country in support of Here On The Ground. December will take the group to back to Colorado where they have been steadily building a fan base since 2008. Plans for 2012 include tour stops in Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, North Carolina and a second run through the northeast corridor. Here On The Ground is currently available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and in independent music stores throughout the Midwest.
TANGLEWEED
For generations, practitioners of that uniquely American art form known variously as old-time or string-band music – progenitor of country, precursor to bluegrass – have labored in obscurity, their talents unrecognized, their provenance maligned. The men of Tangleweed are proud to uphold that tradition.
AMERICAN WOLF
JAGOFF
Equal parts Detroit & Chicago, JaGoFF is the musical intersection of wherever waste dumps & abandoned factories meet the $5 lap dance and HAM radio. It is lo-fi. subversive, sweet soul polluted by lost weekends of sweaty booty, downtempo breakbeats and massive bass. Perversely honest, strangely beautiful and badass funky.
TIRES
Tires is an energetic, danceable electronic/instrumental rock band hailing from Des Moines, Iowa. The band has consisted of Phillip Young on guitar and electronic sound manipulations and Jordan Mayland on drums and synthesizers since its formation in 2011. Chris Marshall joined the fray as a full time drummer in 2012, freeing up Young and Mayland to round out Tires’ massive wall of sound with more deliberate focus.
They dubbed themselves Tires before they had even written a song. Young and Mayland came across a mound of old tires behind a club in Des Moines while waiting for a show. Friend and photographer Tony Galloro snapped shots of the two posing in the tire pile. They jokingly made a pact to adopt the Tires moniker if they ever formed a two-man band together.
Young and Mayland later became roommates in Ames, Iowa — and the convenience of living together and their shared hunger to constantly create music didn’t allow their pact to remain a joke for long. Young soon locked himself in his studio and began piecing together the parts and pieces that would lay the foundation for the band’s repertoire.
Tires applies the do-it-yourself ethos that was instilled in them through their work in other Central Iowa bands such as The Wheelers, Nuclear Rodeo, The Volcano Boys and Mantis Pincers to every aspect of their music and live performances. They’re constantly perfecting their own lighting assault — which they often operate themselves at their shows.
The band has played with the likes of Xiu Xiu, Neon Indian and Antlers as participants in the Maximum Ames Festival, KURE Fest and Iowa City’s Mission Creek Festival. Tires’ body of recorded material can all be streamed or purchased at tires.bandcamp.com/. Their latest EP of original material, The Girl Who Gets a Charge Out, is even available there to download free.
There’s no letting up in sight for Tires in the foreseeable future. The band is bringing 2012 to a close with a slew of shows throughout the Midwest. They’ll keep the pedal to the metal as they ring in 2013 with a sprawling tour that swings through the East Coast.
AIRACOBRA
Airacobra is a Horrorpunk/Heavy Metal band that combines dark imagery and themed lyrics with Rock n Roll hooks and a touch of theatrics to produce a high energy, mind-numbing, hair-raising show. Drawing influences from both traditional rock acts and contemporary metal, they combine it all together and what comes forth is Apocalyptic Sleaze Metal: The Soundtrack to the End of the World.
With 4 talented instrumentalists fronted by the whirlwind force that is Dusty Raymer, Airacobra is nothing short of an audible punch to the mouth.
GABRIEL AND THE APOCALYPSE
Minneapolis industrial rock outfit, Gabriel and the Apocalypse are here to surprise and inspire. “Longevity comes from doing something different and having artistic integrity” says vocalist, Lindy Gabriel. “We want to take the mainstream and add our own artistic qualities.” The result is Gabriel and the Apocalypse- creative, original, visual, artistic, strong and here!
Gabriel and the Apocalypse released “Into the Afterglow” a full length album in 2009, to much acclaim. Their single, “Hey You” was voted #7 song of 2009 on Minnesota’s 93X “Loud and Local”. “Hey You” was also published for use on MTV/Microsoft’s Rock Band Network. In 2010 the band continued to play and expand their fan base playing shows throughout the midwest with National Acts such as Flyleaf, Otep, American Head Charge, Mushroomhead, Combichrist, We are the Fallen, Soil, Lords of Acid, Ventana, Pearl, Thrill Kill Kult and many more. In addition, the band has recently been featured on the Jesse James Off Road DVD series and in 2010, GATA signed with Artist Devolopment and Management Firm, The Inner Light Agency. Damon Moreno of iLA says “Gabriel and theApocalyspe has real originality and unique sound. They’ve proven they are ready to work hard and that music is they’re life. Still, the best is yet to come! This band has so much to give and it’s truly awesome.
Most recently GATA has finalized a distribution deal with In Grooves/UMG.. The band recently released their third full length record entitled “new World disAsteR”. The first single released was entitled “LIKE GoD” featuring Rick “ST1TCH” Thomas of Mushroomhead/Ventana. GATA launches the album in Fall 2011 with a fullscale midwest tour alongside American Head Charge. .