CLARKAIRLINES
A multi- tasker and innovative artist, ClarkAirlines began his career as a fledgling rapper at the age of fifteen years old. After watching Eminem’s, 8 Mile, he gained the confidence to melodically tell his life story, and become the brain power behind the movement that is TCUIMG (The Come Up International Music Group). Born Jarvis Clark, he was raised in the middle- class, south suburb, Matteson, Illinois- where his family moved, when he was eleven years old. The oldest of three children, his father introduced him to the diverse sounds of Janet Jackson, Jamiroquai, Lenny Kravitz, and occasionally sneaking in some of hip hop’s greatest- Tupac, Eminem and Kanye West. ClarkAirlines’ diverse music selection is also reflective of his interests as an adolescent. On a regular day, one could either catch him practicing the saxophone, tumbling with classmates, or in the neighborhood playing basketball. During his high school years, ClarkAirlines made a name for himself on the court, but dreams of becoming a professional basketball player, were soon overpowered by a stronger desire to become a recording artist.
FITZ FONZARELLI
What makes Fitz different is that he is a lover of soul, not an abuser. In his music there is an appreciation and an ode to his love of soul, not just a bunch of mixed samples. What makes him different is his intelligence, and his versatility. Soul is always the beginning, his beginning.
SCORPION CHILD
No matter where they play, when The Child take the stage they bring the noise. Their sound heralds back to early 70’s hard psych-prog (Sir Lord Baltimore, Lucifer’s Friend, Night Sun, BANG) with a modern twist of metal and doom. For those who have witnessed the band’s live set words like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and James Gang spring from their lips. Layering high-energy, heavy twin-guitar riffage over a pounding rhythm section with a singer that’s a cross between Robert Plant, Ronnie Dio and Blind Melon’s Shannon Hoon has built the group a passionate, dedicated and rapidly growing fanbase.
Scorpion Child are from lots of different places, not only logistically but musically. “We’re from St. Louis, Austin, Wichita, and Houston,” says lead singer Aryn Jonathan Black describing the band’s roots. “Our influences are diversified as classic rock and 80’s thrash metal to old school southern delta blues along the lines of Blind Willie Johnson, Lemon Jefferson and Willie McTell.” The five-piece call Austin, Texas home since forming in the summer of 2006. The music world may be crowded, but there’s always going to be room for The Child’s frenzied freakouts and dark melodies,that flashback to the boneyard of classic rock.”
LIL CHAMP FWAY
KAMI DE CHUKWU
VANISHED
Nick Rynott- Vocals, Guitar
Nick Reuille- Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eric Plancon- Bass, Synth
Dominic Gaddini- Drums
TO LIGHT A FIRE
To Light A Fire is a hardworking indie/alternative trio from Birmingham, Alabama. With their intimate melodies and harmonies, To Light A Fire is often compared to popular indie bands such as Beachhouse and Low backed with the musical complexity of Radiohead and Sigur Ros. The group is quickly becoming known for embracing organic simplicity in an age of complex electronic music and elaborate backing tracks.
TIM SEISSER QUINTET
Tim Seisser is one of Chicago’s premier bassists and band leaders. His group “TS5” is a contemporary jazz group that mixes feel good grooves with improvisation and high level musicianship. They have performed at the taste of Chicago, martyrs, the green mill, and many other great Chicago area venues. Joining Tim are his usual lineup of Jonathan marks on drums, Matt Nelson on keys, rich Moore on tenor sax and Luke Malewicz on trombone.
THEMES
THEMES have a grandiose sense of musical scope. These Anthemic Sound-Smiths have laid a respectable claim to the sonic stomping grounds they call home. They create a fractured form of Post Rock that is unspeakably dark, with a haunting, smoky collection of slow-paced torch burners that swallow listeners whole.
SWGGRBCK
SWGGRBCK is the Chicago based DJ/Producer David Chang. Drawing influences from electro house, dirty dutch, moombahton, and dubstep, SWGGRBCK has been able to make a name for himself in the Chicago club circuit and underground dance scenes alike. SWGGRBCK’s ever-evolving mix of electronic genres fuels his DJ sets with high octane energy and surprise. SWGGRBCK has showcased his talent along side a wide range of international artists such as Hardwell, Kids at the Bar, Le Castle Vania, Downlink, Cenob1te, Foreign Beggars, Bare, Dieselboy, Porn and Chicken, Hey Champ, and Keys N Krates.
PHNM
A fresh member to the Rad Summer record label roster, Colin Rebey better known as PHENOM has hit the ground running in Chicago Illinois. In just over a year, Rebey has moved quickly in establishing residencies at some of the most highly populated clubs in Wicker Park, Wrigleyville, and downtown. He currently maintains 5 weekly residencies playing all genres and fulfilling the needs of any of his crowds whether it be the upscale downtown dinnertime crowd at Hub51 for his Friday residency or something a little more full throttle such as his 10pm-5am high energy sweat soaked Saturday night residency at evilOlive, one of Chicago’s most talked about venues.
DAVID HEARTBREAK
Globally known, Brooklyn-born DAVID HEARTBREAK remains accredited as the innovative leader of the EDM genre. With a future-forward disposition, Heartbreaks sonic creations draw inspiration from such names as Toddla T, Timbaland, Afrojack, Skrillex, Datsik and many more. The leading ambassador of the genre, Heartbreak began in hip-hop but translates his eclectic evolution of sound to his love of traveling. Inspiration comes from hearing different art form and music…abroad, being around different talent, I learn what they do and add to myself.
Incorporating this ethos into the EDM realm, Heartbreak goes knee-deep into the world of global music bass, trobal, kuduro, dutch house, and dancehall. Weaving a wide range of elements, Heartbreak proves to be a mastermind at infusing each track with both with the unique beats considered a staple of the genre and his own Midas touch of genius as well.
No doubt a growing force, Heartbreak has collaborated with the most renowned names throughout the entire EDM realm. Collaborating with Laidback Luke, Diplo, Brodinski, Skrillex, Annie Mac, Toddla T, to name a few, Heartbreak remains committed to the movement, with music itself at the forefront of his creations.
Im a cool dude… Im down to work with anyone big or little I am all about
making good music, he notes.
Unparalleled in his dedication to the EDM movement, Heartbreak has captured the attention of both established and aspiring artists, along with a wide range of fans he lovingly labels as his, EDM fam. Consistently giving back, Heartbreak has released 12 free incredibly well received EPs, including a 3-part compilation Moombahsoul series featuring both original signature tracks and top international EDM pioneers.
Featured multiple times on the high-profile BBC Radio 1 and several Top 40 Denmark radio sets, the onslaught of adoration has only continued as Heartbreak continues to gain attention and recognition everywhere from the blog world to the Washington Post Undoubtedly, Heartbreaks unique vibe and unparalleled influence is on the rise.
“Heartbreak is an originator and bringing EDM out.” – Diplo
“Heartbreak is definitely innovative” – Skrillex
“Heartbreak is a bad man.” – Toddla T
“Heartbreak does just that: breaks hearts with his moombahsoul records, and breaks chests with his moombahcore jams. David is an all-time all-star producer and DJ. Full support.” – Dave Nada
“Heartbreak is amazing, so refreshing! love his music he is one of my favorites in 2011, he makes me travel into the groove!” – Brodinski
UNIVERSE CONTEST
It’s rare for a band to be great and be the first band its members are in. Not to say that the bands that the guys from Universe Contest have been in weren’t damn good, but something is going on with this incarnation that never quite clicked completely in the way it does now. The press has been universally (pardon the pun) positive in its praise of the band. Fans in the crowd have been rowdy, smiling and singing along, and the band has found itself in a position of having multiple songwriters that can bring something to the table, creating an infectious sound that varies from discord to harmony within the same song in a way that always keeps the listener enthralled.
The lineup includes Tim Carr (vocals, guitar), Joe Humpal (vocals, guitar), Brenton Neville (drums, vocals), John Freidel (keys,vocals) and Bonehart (bass, vocals). They’ve been compared to Modest Mouse, MGMT and Dismemberment Plan, yet a most recent review said “Take away the Modest Mouse overhang and they’re harder to pin down. As the name implies, they’re spacey, but not shoegaze spacey or Bowie spacey. Spacey like a group of Midwestern hillbillies who got ahold of a stack of Popular Science magazines and figured out how to build their own spaceship from abandoned grain silos, Case tractors parts and the cockpit from a hollowed-out ’73 Maverick. I can see them now sitting on the launchpad in their overalls, their hippie hair sticking out of their gold-painted football helmets. 10.9.8.7…” (Lazy-I, Omaha)
OSG
BAD MASHADI
Bad Mashadi is an Iranian-Semitic-Gypsy music project started by Persian vocalist/percussionist Ehsan M. Its current members are bass player Joey Spliberg, guitarist/oud player Alex Wing, and electronic artist Ronen Goldstein. Their style resembles wedding music of Middle East with the exception of lyrics that focus on the current cultural and religious conflict and war between East and West.
THE LUCKY JUKEBOX BRIGADE
The Lucky Jukebox Brigade was formed in October 2010 from a hopeful craigslist ad. Since then, it has grown into a rock and roll circus of gypsy folk pirates who storm Albany’s local music scene and beyond with original music and Vaudevillian antics. The Lucky Jukebox Brigade is ready for you to “take off your fancy shoes” and dance, clap, sing, ramble, roll, jump, rattle, and shake till your heart’s content.
The eight-piece ensemble engages an eclectic crew of instruments including bass, drums, viola and violin, a 3 piece horn section, a second drumkit featuring djembe, conga, guira and more, fronted by Deanna DeLuke and her baritone ukulele. Their debut album “Pretty Well Damned” was released on May 18th. Their near future plans include a summer tour, a second record, and eventual world takeover. Also, they love you.
PATRICK COSMOS
ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD
Before they even hit a chord, Royal Southern Brotherhood have your attention. In the US South, where music is religion, two rock ‘n’ roll bloodlines tower above all others. In the saloon bars from Mississippi to Maryland, mere mention of the Allman and Neville Brothers casts a magic spell. Conversation falls silent. Pool balls stop rolling. Ten-gallon hats are tipped in respect and beer-bottles raised in salute.
These aren’t just bands, they’re gods, and with a lineup comprising both the iconic Cyril Neville and Devon Allman, Royal Southern Brotherhood come pre-loaded with expectations. Don’t worry: they can match them. The family tree might be auspicious, but this new band trades on talent, not genealogy. It’s not about rock history: it’s about the here-and-now. Right now, the buzz is all about Royal Southern Brotherhood’s debut album, bottled with producer Jim Gaines in Louisiana. But let’s rewind to the summer of 2010 and the stifling heat of New Orleans: the city that both hosted the Allmans’ early residence as house band at The Warehouse, and provided the backdrop to the pivotal meeting between Cyril, Devon and Mike Zito. Talk turned to forming a new breed of blues-rock band, and when jams began at a secluded studio in the city’s Garden
District, the fizzing chemistry was too strong to deny. A fistful of demos hinted at the project’s potential, and the web buzzed as a volley of teaser videos hit YouTube, but Royal Southern Brotherhood truly arrived when they broke cover in the flesh at
their debut show at New Orleans’ Rock ‘N’ Bowl last September. This was southern rock, but not as we knew it, as tumbling three-part harmonies and hickory-smoked guitar riffs weaved together both families’ styles with added rocket-fuel. The crowd reaction said it all: Royal Southern Brotherhood had crashed the rock scene like a wrecking ball.
This lineup has talent to burn. You’ll already know Cyril Neville: poet, philosopher, percussion master and perhaps the South’s last great soul singer. At 63, this is the latest chapter in a career that began with 1970’s debut solo single, Gossip, and his touchdown in the lineup of older brother Art’s funk outfit, The Meters, who had already hit big with 1969’s immortal Cissy Strut. Cyril lent percussion and vocals to classic albums including 1972’s Cabbage Alley and 1975’s Fire On The Bayou, and when über-
fan Mick Jagger invited The Meters to open the Rolling Stones’ stadium tour of 1975, he suggested Cyril took vocals (they agreed). Post-Meters, he’s been key to the rise of The Neville Brothers, created alchemy with Bob Dylan, Bono and Willie Nelson, toured with funk act Galactic, led his solo band Tribe 13, and made TV appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and HBO’s Treme. It’s one hell of a CV… but he’s only just getting started. Likewise Devon Allman. As the son of Gregg Allman, the 36-year-old has rock ‘n’ roll in his DNA, but he’s always walked his own path. Growing up apart from his father in St Louis, MO, and refusing to trade on his celebrity surname, Devon’s formative influences took in everyone from The Beatles to KISS, while his early bands ran the musical gamut rather than echo the Allmans. In 1999, he hit the radar as leader of Honeytribe, whose fearless albums announced him as a next-generation guitar hero, but by his thirties, the pull of his Southern heritage couldn’t be denied, and he willingly fell into the soul-drenched blues-rock style that recalls his key influences, Carlos Santana and his uncle Duane Allman, while making his own mark.
In the last seven years, Devon has plotted an old-school ascent, crossing 14 countries on tour, blowing the roof off a new venue each night, and watching as fans and heroes alike fall under his spell. There’s been a Top 10 hit in Spain with Javier Vargas, albums alongside Jack Bruce, jam sessions with heavyweights like Les Paul and Billy Gibbons, even the launch of his own signature amp with Fuchs Audio Technology. When Devon takes the stage – either with Honeytribe or during cameos with his father and the Allmans – fans are wowed by a guitarist who can be smooth, savage or seismic, but it’s in Royal Southern Brotherhood that you’ll hear this modern master playing at full-throttle.
Not many guitarists could stand toe-to-toe with him. Step up Mike Zito: the blues ace whose ear for melody provides the counterpoint to his wingman’s rocking tendencies. Nominated in 2011 for the Blues Music Foundation’s ‘Best Blues Rock’ award, and winner of 2010’s Blues Music Award for ‘Song Of The Year’ with the title track of Pearl River (a co-write with Cyril Neville), few stars are rising faster. As former St Louis circuit-mates and friendly rivals, Devon and Mike have history, and while the guitarist has known trials in his life – just listen to 2011’s award-nominated Greyhound album for an account of the addictions that left him homeless in Florida – Royal Southern Brotherhood finds him long-term sober and with soul flowing through his fingers. But like Cyril says, it’s all about making “a good gumbo”, and that’s where God’s own rhythm section comes in. Giving Royal Southern Brotherhood its hip-shaking groove are bassist Charlie Wooton and drummer Yonrico Scott: both heavyweight names in their own right, with Charlie’s bass chops celebrated on the Southern jam scene for his sets with the Woods Brothers, and Yonrico hitting the skins for luminaries including the Derek Trucks Band, Gregg Allman and the Allman Brothers themselves. When these five stellar musicians come together as Royal Southern Brotherhood, the planets align.
They said that rock ‘n’ roll was dead, but they were wrong. Right now, in 2012, there’s something in the air, as Royal Southern Brotherhood drag their thrilling new brand of blues-rock and white-hot musicianship from the Southern States onto the world stage. The South is rising again. Come along for the ride.
BEN HOWARD
I was brought up in Totnes, South Devon.. neatly nestled between the moors and the sea. I travel lots, surf when I can, probably drink too much, definitely think too much, and at 22 still make irrational choices. I like the outdoors and the Autumn. I’m happiest on the road or at home with friends. Musically I started playing and writing as a kid and it’s maybe the one thing that’s never changed. Mum was a big listener to all the greats- the likes of John Martyn, Joni Mitchell, The Rolling Stones, Simon and Garfunkel, Donovan etc so that’s played a big part in my life (Dad was more of a Yes and Pink Floyd man). Our tape collection is pretty good:)
Much love from Devon,
Ben.
BESTFRIENDS
Nick Scalise and Gregory Shanahan are in Bestfriends. The young pair has big plans to push the post-disco envelope as far as humanly possible.
The Chicago-based duo composed all the music and played all the instruments on their self-titled EP, released in early 2012. They also produced, mixed and mastered the six- song album and directed videos for two of the songs.
First meeting in preschool, the multi-instrumentalists met up years later to join internationally touring bands and shared the stage with several of contemporary music’s most popular acts.
The two were drawn into the world of production and song writing when they craved more control and freedom with their own music.
With a live drummer backing their concerts, Scalise (guitar, lead vocals) and Shanahan (keys, bass, vocals) are unique within the indie-electronica-pop-rock world. They create new computer based instruments and combine them with traditional ones for performing and also recording.
DEADSTRING BROTHERS
The Deadstring Brothers’ heart beats with pure rock and roll. Simple and shor ’nuff. Built on a the unshakable foundations of blues, rock country and soul, DSB manages to create something at once totally fresh but totally recognizable. It’s all ragtops and cold beer, seeds and stems, gatefold LPs and foxy girlfriends with tight, flared jeans. You can imagine them walking as a gang down Carnaby street in London in the late 60’s, or tearing up the stage at Cobo Hall in De-troit Rock City or sweating buckets at a Muscle Shoals recording session in the 70’s.
If mainstream radio played music like the Deadstring Brothers, they wouldn’t have to call it classic rock anymore, they’d just call it rock. It’s still here, and it sounds as good as ever.
Fronted by guitarist/vocalist and studio magician Kurt Marschke, the Brothers pound out a sound that, in comparison to so much lo-fi indie rock, is full and rich and sounds GREAT blasting out your car window. Joining Kurt in the band are longtime drummer and fellow Detroiter Travis Harrett, and the brothers Cullum—Spencer (guitar, pedal steel and slide guitar) and Jeff (bass). The Cullums, a couple of London lads, came into the Deadstring fold during a UK tour in 2006. Both were mainstays in the burgeoning Heavy Load scene built around a communal love of all things Stones, Crowes and Allmans. It was love at first jam and the boys joined up and bridged the waters between London and Detroit in time to record their 2nd album Silver Mountain.
THE KINGS
The Kings were formed in Vancouver, British Columbia and Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Original members were David Diamond, lead vocals, bass guitar and songwriter, Sonny Keyes, vocals, keyboards and songwriter, Max Styles, drums, and Mister Zero, guitar and songwriter.
The Kings were originally known as WhistleKing and rehearsed, did club gigs and wrote lots of songs for more than three years before going into Nimbus 9 Studio in Toronto to record their first album.
While recording, world famous producer Bob (Pink Floyd) Ezrin dropped by to visit and checked the band out and liked what he heard. He agreed to mix the tracks The Kings had recorded but soon discovered that the whole thing needed to be re-done. He approached Elektra Records in Los Angeles with The Kings’ tapes and the unknown band was signed to a world-wide deal.
The Kings did re-record the songs and the project was released as ‘The Kings Are Here’. The first single, ‘Switchin’ To Glide’, was put out and did get noticed but the tune was really two songs in one and the band insisted they be released together.
So when the segue ‘This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ To Glide’ was released radio really picked up on it. Even at over five minutes in length, the songs caught on all over the USA and Canada and stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 for over six months. It was named one of the Top 100 U.S. Radio Programmers Picks of the Decade by Album Network Magazine and The Kings were named most promising group by Cashbox Magazine.
An amazing apperance on Dick Clark’s ‘American Bandstand’ helped spread the word as well. The album ‘The Kings Are Here’ went gold in Canada, and since it was re-released on cd as ‘The Kings Are Here and More’, combined sales have passed platinum status.
The second Ezrin produced Elektra effort ‘Amazon Beach’ did not fare as well and the band left the label and signed with Capitol Canada which released ‘RSVP’ which contains the holiday classic ‘This Christmas’ which gets lots of airplay every yuletide season.
The next studio project was called ‘Unstoppable’ and the title track reached the Top 10 in Canada. Always a great live band, The Kings have logged close to 2000 shows across North America.
Then came the most recent full length studio album, ‘Because of You’ which shows the depth and versatility of the songwriting in The Kings.
Now in 2010, there is a lot going on in the Kingdom! The long awaited DVD, “Anatomy of a One-Hit Wonder: The Kings ‘This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ to Glide'”, is finally done and available, this is the ultimate for Kings fans! It features the killer video for “Beat/Switchin'”, as well as the original guys talking about how that segue came to be, and much more. Also includes 15 other songs on video, what a collection
JESS GODWIN
Misfit with soul Jess Godwin is a bit of a conundrum. On stage, this singer/songwriter/pianist has been dubbed “Little Teena Marie”. Off stage? “Nerd Girl”. Instead of trying to figure out how these two meet in the middle, Jess has finally decided to embrace the fact that she is a walking contradiction. She writes pop melodies that stick, but the true star is the lyric. Quirky, funny, and honest, Jess takes jabs at boyfriends and bad dates, but she saves the best digs for herself. Don’t tell anyone, but she secretly loves being the underdog.
After two years of trying to conceal the fact that she is, in fact, a trained singer, and does, in fact, have a background in theatre, Jess is throwing in the towel. “Hi…my name is Jess…and I like Musical Theatre. But that doesn’t mean we still can’t be friends!” She attended Vanderbilt University as a classical voice major and finished off at Columbia College as a Theatre major. She had a couple of almost big breaks – she was almost in Wicked…twice. After being thrown off the stage in a production of Carousel, Jess decided to take a breather from theatre and focus on writing her own music. She still does the occasional show every once in a while and continues to make the mistake of dating actors.
Jess currently supports herself (sort of) teaching voice lessons to teens and singing at St. Alphonsus in Chicago. She has a blast doing a weekly tell-all video music blog: www.girlin14g.blogspot.com. Jess’s band keeps up a regular Chicago schedule and makes it out to New York and Atlanta every couple of months. “Come to my show! I’m really super awesome live, I will bake you cookies, and I’ll do push-ups on stage if you bring friends!”
People wonder about the pigtails. People scoff at the pigtails. People stay up at night questioning the pigtails. But a magician never reveals his secrets
JD MCPHERSON
As a visual artist, Broken Arrow, Okla., native JD McPherson is well versed in the process of working within clearly defined formal parameters, and he employs a similarly rigorous discipline with his music. On Signs & Signifiers (Rounder, April 17), McPherson’s seductively kickass debut album, produced by JD’s musical partner, Jimmy Sutton, this renaissance man/hepcat seamlessly meshes the old and the new, the primal and the sophisticated, on a work that will satisfy traditional American rock ’n’ roll and R&B purists while also exhibiting McPherson’s rarefied gift for mixing and matching disparate stylistic shapes and textures.
“There are little subcultures within the roots scene, where people are really into rockabilly, traditional hillbilly stuff or old-timey music,” JD points out, “but there aren’t a whole lot of folks making hard-core rhythm & blues hearkening back to Specialty, Vee-Jay or labels like that. That’s what Jimmy and I really like, and our only intention going in was just to make a solid rhythm & blues/rock ’n’ roll record. But I didn’t want to make a time-machine record, so we tried to make something relevant but with all the things we love about rock ’n’ roll and rhythm & blues and mesh it all together. We both have eclectic tastes; Jimmy likes the Clash as much as he likes Little Richard, and I like the Pixies, T.Rex, hip-hop and all kinds of stuff. So we came up with a couple of weird songs and put them on the record, hoping that it wouldn’t scare off any of our ultra-selective fanbase.”
JD needn’t have worried. It’s highly unlikely that even the most discerning listeners would guess that the arrangement on his cover of Tiny Kennedy’s R&B chestnut “Country Boy” incorporates not only the tambourine beat of Ruth Brown’s 1955 Atlantic single “Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean,” but also Raekwon and RZA’s “abstract, out-of-tune piano loops” on Wu-Tang Clan’s innovative ’93 LP Enter the Wu-Tang; or that the mesmerizing churner “Signs & Signifiers” is powered by an unchanging tremolo guitar figure modeled on Johnny Marr’s part on the Smiths’ “How Soon Is Now.” Then there’s “Firebug,” which JD “wanted to sound as if Stiff Little Fingers had recorded at Del-Fi Records.” And while it may not have been specifically what McPherson and Sutton were going for, the haunting dreamscape “A Gentle Awakening” seems to chart a course from “Heartbreak Hotel” through Terence Trent D’Arby to Amy Winehouse.
VAGORA
Vagora began in 2006 and have played all over the east coast and currently have three releases available. They are a quintet from East Providence RI who take influence from the likes of Green Day, The Smashing Pumpkins, Ignite, NIN, and My Chemical Romance.
TONY MAGEE
JESSICA LEA MAYFIELD
Jessica Lea Mayfield is an American singer-songwriter from Kent, Ohio. She is known for her ominous song writing, with a plaintive minimalist style that draws on both country and rock music.
OH MY GOD
“Oh my god crafts music that employs the unlikely juxtaposition of Krautrock/prog architecture and Midwestern pop sensibilities….This hard-touring band has always been so good live that we’ve counted them as favorites….Onstage the trio sells it to the crowd with such energy, joy and power that we’ve often confused it for an actual noise or punk or hard-rock band–odd, considering that there are no guitars. Or at least there weren’t prior to the band’s latest….what adding an ax really does is emancipate the band’s secret weapon, keyboardist Ig, from having to be a guitar stand-in, allowing him to let his fingers get fantastically freaky and glorious goofy. This development makes oh my god’s live sets even more intriguing, and this pair of record-release shows could be some of the better of the summer.” — Time Out Chicago
LOUNGE MUSIC
Swinging music of the era is also considered lounge and consisted of a schmaltzy continuation of the swing jazz era of the 1930s and 1940s, but with more of an emphasis on the vocalist. The legendary Rat Pack of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., along with similar artists such as Bobby Darin, Jackie Gleason, Wayne Newton, Louis Prima, Sonny King, and Sam Butera are notable examples. The music of Burt Bacharach was soon featured as part of many lounge singers’ repertoires. Such artists performed mainly at featured lounges in Las Vegas casinos.
Lounge singers have a lengthy history stretching back to the decades of the early twentieth century. The somewhat derisive term lounge lizard was coined then, and less well known lounge singers have often been ridiculed as dinosaurs of past eras[3] and parodied for their smarmy delivery of standards.[4] In any event, these lounge singers, perhaps performing in a hotel or cocktail bar, are usually accompanied by one or two other musicians, and they favor cover songs composed by others, especially pop standards, many deriving from the days of Tin Pan Alley.
JAN TERRI
Jan Terri is a rock star. Armed with two self-released albums, “Baby Blues” and “High Risk,” an arsenal of music videos, and even two children’s books to her name, Janice Spagniola, better known as Jan Terri, quietly took the world by storm in the time before the internet reigned king.
Terri caught the eye of one Marilyn Manson, eventually opening for the shock rocker at a few concerts. After her breakthrough performance on The Daily Show in 2000, Jan Terri took an extended break to care for her mother. Christmas 2011 marked Terri’s triumphant return to the music circuit with the ever-funny “Excuse My Christmas,” accompanied by her most professional-looking video yet. Recently, Terri has expressed interest in releasing her shelved third and fourth albums.
DOLLAR TALLBOYS
DUMPTRUCK BUTTERLIPS
Dumptruck Butterlips is a quartet hailing from Lawrence, Kansas that blends a number of genres ranging from bluegrass, soul, country, and folk. The proof of their flexible sound is made apparent when reviewing their touring history: DTBL has opened for a wide array of heavy-hitters in live music, ranging from Keller Williams to Railroad Earth, Beats Antique to Split Lip Rayfield. Few bands could adequately share stages with any of those powerhouses—let alone all of those acts—yet Mustard (guitar, vocals), Ziggy (accordion, keyboard, vocals), Megan (upright bass, vocals) and Surka (washboard, vocals) all securely execute their performances and still draw the audience in towards the great time they are having on stage. In addition to their easy-going stage presence, they are visually stunning. The blend of music, custom-made outfits, and undeniably impressive hula-hooping skills of Surka and Ziggy make them a specifically incredible live band. However; regardless of this attractive display of style, Dumptruck Butterlips still radiates a commendable amount of substance. The band manages to find a niche in their live performances no matter what the crowd, venue, or other artists.
DTBL’s ability to captivate anyone within an earshot is a testament to their musicianship and repertoire of original music. A number of the songs dwell on drinking, gritty passion in the bedroom, and the everyday shenanigans of being a “gypsy hippie.” Their sound effortlessly changes from bright, funky acoustic to unhurried, deep soul. But no matter what the tempo or message, they give it their all and are utterly devoted entertainers. Dumptruck Butterlips is a lighthearted band that keeps its music fun and sexy. Mustard, Ziggy and Megan are serious musicians who do not take themselves too seriously. They are a talented and comfortable group that has a fast-growing and well-deserved audience.
WHISKEY BUSINESS
Whiskey Business is a loud, drunk, aggressive cocktail. Forming in early 2011,Whiskey Business has already done alot to make a name for themselves. They released their first EP in July 2011… And are currently working on a full length album that will be released summer of 2012. They are a four piece punk rock band from NWI/Chicago… They have played with bands such as the Misfits, Hellbound Glory, The Pink Spiders, Red Hot Rebellion, The Frantic, The Krank Daddies and many more.Drawing influences from all over the musical spectrum, they create a unique form of Punk Rock. Be sure not to miss them if they’re in your area, and odds are, they will be very soon!
Whiskey Business
CHICAGO ALL STAR REGGAE BAND
The CRASB are artists originated from all corners of the island, and Chicago as well. They are also associated with many reggae bands across Chicago, but come together as an all star band to rock many different shows all over the country. They bring to the stage some music culture from Belize, Trinidad, Jamaica, and Barbados! Combined they form one of the of the best quality Reggae bands in Chicago
SLACKY J
Music is my life…I use to DJ all type of different music like house,hip hop,jungle…..I guess I finally found myself doing mostly reggae! I started the reggae vibes show on 88.7FM wluw and we still going strong after 10yrs. Well I haved promoted and open up djing and hosting for some of the biggest name in the music like Barrington Levy,Buju Banta,Elephantman,Singing Melody,Spragga Benz,King yellowman,Capelton, Sean Paul,Damien Marley,Stepehen Marley,Culture are just a few of them. I have also hold residency at numerous club all over town, playing and spreading the message of reggae music. The best way to catch me is to check my site at www.reggaenice. com and please feel free to drop me a note! “Remember the race is not for the swift, neither for the strong,but those who can endure it”….Love and Respeckt ..
PINK FLOYD “DARK SIDE OF THE MOON”
The Dark Side of the Moon is the eighth studio album by the English rock band Pink Floyd, released on 1 March 1973 by Harvest Records. Primarily developed during live performances, the band premiered an early version of the suite several months before recording began. The record was conceived as an album that focused on the pressures faced by the band during their arduous lifestyle, and dealing with the apparent mental health problems suffered by former band member Syd Barrett, who departed the group in 1968. New material was recorded in two sessions in 1972 and 1973 at Abbey Road Studios in London.
Performed by Sonic Currency https://www.facebook.com/soniccurrency
OBITUARY
Upon switching their name from Xecutioner to Obituary, the career of one of the most successful and influential Death Metal bands began. Hailing from Florida and featuring John Tardy (vocals), brother Donald Tardy (drums), Trevor Peres (guitar), Allen West (guitar), and Daniel Tucker (bass), the band signed to Roadracer Records, a now defunct division of Roadrunner, for the recording of their debut album—the immense and immeasurably heavy “Slowly We Rot” (1989). The album was engineered by the legendary Scott Burns at Morrisound Studio, which would come to be the most sought after facility for production of albums during 1990’s rise of the Death Metal genre. Unlike much death metal preceding it, the album had a sludgy feel and integrated devastatingly slow passages along with obliterating overtures that reached far beyond any point of mayhem that metal had yet to reach; the result was a carnal pleasure for doom, death and thrash fans alike coupling the adrenaline of a speedball with the slow, degrading measures of a sewer at dusk. Like them or not, Obituary was unlike anything anyone had heard before.
BROKEN HOPE
Chicago-based black metal band Broken Hope was formed by singer Joe Ptacek, guitarist Jeremy Wagner and drummer Ryan Stanek following the dissolution of their previous band, Crypt; adding lead guitarist Brian Griffin and bassist Ed Hughes, the group’s early demos soon earned a contract with Grindcore Records, and in 1991 they issued their debut LP Swamped in Gore. Jumping to Metal Blade, Broken Hope resurfaced in 1993 with Bowels of Repugnance; replacing Hughes with ex-Sindrome bassist Shaun Glass, the band next issued 1995’s Repulsive Conception, followed two years later by Loathing. – Jason Ankeny (All Music Guide)
ENCRUST
Encrust play power rage with a hint of white thrash. The hunt is on motherfuckers!
CLOSING IN
Closing In formed in Streamwood, IL in 2009. The band has released 3 EPs: Z, Campfire Stories, and Archives/Transitions. Today, Closing In consists of Dan Gasik, Alex Rackow, Luke Zimmer, and John Perrin. The band is working on writing their first full-length album and will be playing shows extensively in 2012. Make sure to check out a show soon!
THE PERVERT PREACHERS
The Pervert Preachers mixed different influences and styles of punk to make a fucked up band about destruction and drugs, sluts and rock N roll.
DEAD CITY RIOT
Dead City Riot is a Punk band from Connecticut influenced by all types of Punk from Hardcore to Ska.
KATIE GOT BANDZ
TINK
THE CRYPTICS
The Cryptics blend of melody & classic punk rock influence has allowed them to create their own channel of individuality. Since 2008, this New Hampshire based trio has been making their mark. Spanning from a more abrasive sound in earlier years to a more structured tone, the band has set itself in a solid foundation. On March 1st, 2012 the “Face The Day” 7” EP was co-released on P.I.G. Records & Overdose On Records, and marks the group’s first release in nearly 3 years! It is presented as a pre-cursor to a long-awaited full-length LP that is currently in the works. In spring ‘12, the bandl embarked on a 5-week, 36-show national tour in support of this EP. This 3-piece is more active than ever & will continue to strike pavement all over with no exception. The new EP reflects the bands musical growth & remains a seed planted for what’s ahead. Come aboard & stay tuned!
ANGRY SAMOANS
Along with X, Black Flag, Fear and the Circle Jerks, the savagely satirical Angry Samoans rode the first wave of Los Angeles punk. Formed in Van Nuys, California in the summer of 1978, the band was founded by singers and guitarists “Metal” Mike Saunders and Gregg Turner, a pair of erstwhile rock critics who previously teamed with fellow writer Richard Meltzer in the group Vom. After considering names like the Egyptians and the Eigen Vectors (a mathematical term—Turner later became a math professor), they settled on the Angry Samoans, enlisted Saunders’ brother Kevin on guitar, bassist Todd Homer and drummer Bill Vockeroth, and initially set out as a Dictators cover band.
PRIVATE INSTIGATORS
They barged into the room like they owned the place. They were fast, loud, and rude, with something vaguely seedy about them. The tall one*, quiet and brooding, took a seat at the back. The other two stood restlessly, like they couldn’t be bothered to slow down. The one on the left** was the loose cannon, making faces and fidgeting. The one on the right*** was intense, but with a sly smirk and a quick mouth. It was clear that they had been hired to start something. They were the Private Instigators, and they’re starting something soon.
MIA & THE BEAR
I am Mia LeBlon, a quirky girl with a stormy voice. I bang on keys. Please don’t mind my cussing or random thoughts that make no sense. My musical partner in crime is Joe Corley, but you can just call him The Bear if you’d like. He doesn’t talk, but he does everything else. You’ll hear our original tunes inspired by 50’s & 60’s Soul, Americana, and Country. Cool, doncha think??
DOUBLE MORRIS
FIFTH ON THE FLOOR
Fifth on the Floor is a rock n roll band.
Born in the heart of Kentucky, FOTF has torn up shows all over the country. Their recent album Ashes & Angels (produced by Shooter Jennings) made its way onto the Billboard Country charts, a rarity for a record without Auto-Tune or a truck song(s). The band has toured with Shooter Jennings, George Thorogood, Unknown Hinson, and Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, and has shared the stage with the likes of The Marshall Tucker Band, Wanda Jackson, Lucero, and Jason Isbell. Their songs are an effort in American Music, owing equally to blues and country, good times and bad times, whiskey and wine.
NORTH OF EIGHT
Hailing from the suburbs of Chicago, North of Eight has built their reputation as an honest, hard working, blue collared rock band. With histories deeply rooted in rock, blues, country and pop they have blended past and present to create a sound that is unique to their own. There are no smoke and mirrors. They present you with catchy riffs, attitude and lyrics inspired by love, loss and the ghosts of their pasts. In a world driven by the next big thing, North of Eight reaches towards the past striving to bring everything that is pure and genuine about Rock and Roll into one package that you can connect to.
RICHARD FEPPORA
Chuck Uchida is also of I love Rich, the Defoliants , and No Empathy. He was also a key producer for Bloodshot Records. Stacy Sargent was also in Camp Cholo, Josh Isaacs was in Intelligent Dennis with Benjamin Gates he was also in Mega Super Ultra. Benjamin Gates has also been in Intelligent Dennis , The 24 HR expiramental Truckstop, The Cursid Bird ensamble , Lux Klinker, R.O.T.A. , and Dr. Jr.
KAYE FOX
Chicago has a rich tradition of breeding some of the most soulful and prolific singers, songwriters, and producers. From the times of Curtis Mayfield, Chaka Khan, and Quincy Jones to the present day reign of Kanye West, Common, Lupe Fiasco, R Kelly, and No ID, the legacy has continued. There is a new addition to this elite class that many esteemed industry professionals already know about – Kaye Fox.
HEREGO
Herego is the old quilt on your mother’s couch in the house that you grew up in. Like an old familiar friend, it curls around you with an odor reminiscent of gingerbread and perfume. You know Herego; it has been a part of your life for as long as you can remember. Indeed, it has been a bud in the mind of this folk duo for as long as they’ve known what the calloused feel of guitar strings against the pads of their fingers is. It was in the beginning of a New England autumn that neither had experienced before that Erin and Chris met and began a journey that spanned broken strings and broken relationships to connect to first form a solid friendship, and then a brilliant musical duo. Like the cold nights of October, Herego is the wool sweater you pull on before walking amongst the reddened, dropping leaves; intense, yet caressing, commanding and promising.
THE NEW AUTOMATICS
These group of friends met while playing music around the Aurora area. The collaboration really came together after a series of shows promoting the Made in Aurora vol. 1 album.
THE KEVIN TRUDO + MEATHAWK
The Kevin Trudo is a singer, songwriter, and musician from Aurora, Illinois who hates singers and songwriters. The idea of a passionate and sensitive writer sharing his songs with an acoustic guitar is nowhere to be found here. Yes, he writes insightful and occasionally heartbreaking songs; those songs have been hummed into a few thousand hearts over the last 15 years and of course he’s a sensitive artist and passionate performer – but ask Kevin and he’ll tell you that it’s supposed to be fun, it’s supposed to rock, it’s supposed to make you move.
The singer/songwriters stopped where they should have started. You take that Great American Song and you give it legs: you make it dance. For that job Kevin brings Meathawk – a ridiculous name for an entirely unsafe rhythm section with Chad Watson on bass and Justin O’Connell banging on a drum kit. These three have played from NYC to LA and from Minnesota to Texas. They’ve opened for the Flaming Lips and been featured on Woodsongs. They’ve played pubs, clubs, colleges and auditoriums. They’ve played basements and day care centers. They are ready.
CATTLEPROD
CattleProd! is a brand new trio featuring Chad Watson on bass/vocals, Justin O’Connell on drums/concussion and Greg Boerner on ELECTRIC guitar/vocals. The boys love blues, rhythm & blues, soul, classic country, cool, hip instrumentals, singer/songwriters, classic rock, Southern rock, rock-a-billy, roots rock, etc. — but won’t be playing any of it.
JANE ROSE AND THE DEADEND BOYS
Jane Rose and The Deadend Boys is a Nashville-based rockabilly/hillbilly/rhythm & blues band. They have been together only for a year, but Jane (power house vocalist and front lady) has been performing this style for over five years. Jane is also the primary song writer/composer of the band and plays rhythm guitar. After moving to Nashville, she met up with banjo picker and rubber chicken-chucker Clayton “Doc” Miller and the two decided to create a unique blend of sounds that is as American as a hot two dollar pistol! Jane brought in her old friend and upright “dawghouse” bassist Johnny Fargo and they found a drummer with decades of experience, Jefferson “JD” Dorsey. When these cats get together it’s sure to get you moving!
WARSAW VICES
“Beer-soaked power pop from Chicago.”
GLENDENNING
THE DREXEL PROJECT
The Drexel Project is a fearless collective of Chicago’s best emerging improvisers. The group draws on its collectively vast cross-genre musical experiences to take on continuously new music with precociousness and reckless abandon. Whether its electronics, emo, 11th century chant, jazz, or french impressionism, no musical stone is off-limits. The group is led by bassist and composer, Kurt Schweitz, who has received multiple grants to write music for this group.
“As anyone who has seen bassist Kurt Schweitz in action live as a side man around town will attest, Schweitz is one of the best young players on the scene. Don’t let the baby face fool you, this cat is a monster on the bass. Now with the release of the excellent Mulitvalent – his first album as a leader – his additional talents as a composer and band leader are made quite apparent… The quirky ‘Open Air’ offers yet another example of Schweitz interesting writing… The album-ending ‘Savory Morsels’ is one of my favorite tracks of the year.” – Brad Walseth, JazzChicago.net, (March 20, 2009)
SHAWN AND HOBBY BAND
Shawn and Hobby Band is one of Music City’s most popular country-rock bands. Led by Nashville-based recording artists Shawn Lacy and Hobby Weiss, the 5-member band plays over 250 shows a year, primarily in the city’s downtown entertainment district on Broadway at iconic Honky Tonk venues. The group has also shared stages with legendary performers Merle Haggard, David Allen Coe, Phil Vassar, Pat Green, and The Guess Who, among others. Performing original music inspired by rock legends Tom Petty and Credence Clearwater Revival, The Shawn and Hobby Band showcase their use of powerful harmonies, thumping rhythm and styled guitars to create a completely original and unique sound that can be described in three words. Classic Fused Country.
MICHAEL COLLINS
He was formerly in one of Animal Collective’s favorite bands of the present, called Prince Rama who signed with Paw Tracks, played All Tomorrow’s Parties, and is now working with Animal Collective and Ariel Pink. He is now on a pilgrimage to resurrect his grandest vision in the shadow of his greatest former accomplishments. We are blessed by him coming back.
TEAADORA NIKOLOVA
“There is something about Teaadora Nikolova’s music that you won’t find anywhere else these days. Driven by an ethereal and otherworldly beautiful voice, her slow-burning experimental folk songs never entirely step out of the darkness, there always remains something very unsettling about them despite a blooming surface.” No Fear of Pop (Berlin Blog)
On this special tour she will be touring with bass, cello, and her voice/guitar, in support of her newest record “A Jamais Vierge” LP.
MODERN MAN
“Modern Man’s influences are many, they all revolve around a taste for rich sonic textures, making Walk Away an absorbing listen with a litany of complexities to explore.” – FreeTimes SC
“There is a reason why it seems like no matter where you are in SC you’ve probably heard of Greenville’s Modern Man. The band has played out of town almost religiously since it’s inception and are now starting to see it really pay off …. Anyone who has been paying attention to the SC music scene in the past year has probably passed crossed paths with indie-rock band Modern Man, and knows what a stir this quartet has made in such a short amount of time.- WeAreTheUpstate.com
THE OVERTONES
“The Ovetones are comprised of guitarist Anthony Scarpaci and drummer Christian Spigos, who have played together in different groups for over 8 years. This time, they have come together as a duo to play heavy blues and roots music. Due to the improvised nature of their sets, one thing is for sure, you will never see the same show twice with these guys”.
ROYAL SON OF A GUNS
Bare knuckle, bar stool smashing rock and roll. Taking the stage like Bela Lugosi on a mechanical bull, Royal Son of a Guns belt out rip snorting roadhouse acid folk blues with heavy doses of surrealism. These bar stool smashing miscreants take Americana on a psycho-cathartic hayride through the thorny nettles of the American roots music underbelly with primitive guitars, relentless rat-a-tat washboard and a bedrock of bass guitar that will rattle your teeth. Dig.
CAUSTIC
Caustic was created in 2002 by Madison, Wisconsin’s Matt Fanale. Like “Trent Reznor is Nine Inch Nails,” Matt Fanale is Caustic.
Caustic live consists of a rotating band of freaks, depending on the city, but Caustic’s main line-up consists of Brian/darkNES and Katja/DJ :EYG of THE GOTHSICLES, and Eric Gottesman of EVERYTHING GOES COLD.
Caustic has performed over the years with dozens, if not zillions, of other artists/bands, including ATARI TEENAGE RIOT, MY LIFE WITH THE THRILL KILL KULT, COMBICHRIST, KMFDM, THIS MORN’ OMINA, GRENDEL, GOD MODULE, APOPTYGMA BERZERK, FADERHEAD and many, many more. He’s also done dozens of remixes.
ICON OF COIL
In 1997 Andy LaPlegua established the project, Icon Of Coil, which was primarily a concept built around a logo, graphic design and music. Soon after the inception, the music soon turned out to be the most important part of the concept and LaPlegua invited Sebastian Komor, who he had worked with before on the project Sector 9, (now called Moonitor) in 1996, to work with him on the project as a live member. After just a couple of gigs and the release of IOC’s first single, “Shallow Nation”, Seb became a full-time member.
Audiences seemed to enjoy Icon Of Coil’s energetic and melodious sound fused with Andy’s hypnotic voice and the band’s success grew. One Nation Under Beat debuted in the top 20 on the DAC-chart (Deutsch Alternative Chart) for eight weeks and peaked at number three.
In late spring of 2000 at a gig in Uddevalla, Sweden, Christian Lund joined the band as a live-member and went on stage with Andy and Seb for the first time. Along with being the vocalist for his En Route project, Christian had a background from a melodious EBM Fredrikstad-band called Elected By Fear where he played together with Fredrik Hansen from Echo Image (who also played at that gig) and Marius Johnsen from Centravibe.
After the release of IOC’s first full-length Serenity Is The Devil in November 2000, which reached number three on the DAC-chart, the band went to Germany together with Beborn Beton. With nine gigs, positive feedback from the audience and very good reviews on the debut album, IOC gained a following in the synth/industrial scene.
Shortly afterward, the album crossed the Atlantic and was released in North America by Metropolis Records. On March 29th, 2001, the band itself followed and boarded a plane to Chicago. They were on their own in a foreign country and on a tight budget. The band flew from city to city, slept in hotels and sometimes even in the homes of their promoters. The song Situations Like These from the (then) forthcoming Seren EP was played live for the first time to an incredibly enthusiastic and energetic American audience, which made the tour a big success. Then after playing at Slimelight and Astoria II (Electrofest) in London, the guys had a short break before they faced a festival-filled summer in Europe.
Situations Like These became a big club hit and the band was ready for a second tour (this time in a Nightliner touring bus) of North America with VNV Nation. The leg began in Chicago on the 16th of November at a packed Vic Theatre, which set the standard for the rest of the 19 shows. Icon of Coil, VNV Nation and the rest of the crew continued up to Canada, down the east coast to Florida, through Texas to the West coast and Hollywood, where they did their 15th show in front of about 900 people at the Palace. The four-week tour ended in Edmonton, Canada with a great show and a huge after-party.
During their tours, the band found the time to write material for their April 2002 sophomore album, The Soul Is In The Software, which stayed at number one on the DAC for a several weeks. IOC then performed at two more festivals: The Dark Jubilee Festival in London; and later as the Sunday-headliner for Synthpop Goes The World in Toronto, Canada, which turned out to be a very good but warm weekend and concert.
Icon of Coil came a long way in a short amount of time. For 2004 their third album, Machines Are Us, continued the trend with pummeling beats, sympathetic vocals, anthem-like melodies, and sweeping synths. Careful not to be outdone or forgotten, Icon of Coil released UploadedAndRemixed, which featured brand new mixes of songs from their first two records and two exclusive tracks at the tail end of 2004. No speaker is safe from Icon of Coil’s bombastic onslaught.
DEATH ON TWO WHEELS
Death On Two Wheels makes rock ’n’ roll dangerous again, with slurry-blurry lyrics, half-cocked dreamspeak of portents and regret, and a formidable guitar attack that recalls the nasty duels Allen Collins waged with Gary Rossington before Skynyrd’s final plane ride. Following the same bumpy trail as Kings of Leon, this Atlanta foursome seems to be in pursuit of darker mysteries on the band’s self-released debut. And unlike the Kings, they have more range and a greater reverence for ’70s classic rock, not to mention the eccentric bite of vocalist Trae Vedder. Could he really have been christened with such a propitious rock name? No matter, he has the same grit and red clay in his voice that Chris Robinson had before he got famous and complacent—but there’s something even more disturbing in Vedder’s delivery that almost veers into goth. Especially on a song like “Bobby Havis,” which shudders with psychedelic anxiety. It’s a song so haunting it could’ve been penned in Rose Hill Cemetery next to Duane Allman’s headstone.
– Jaan Uhelszki, Paste Magazine
HARRISON HUDSON
“Jack come back/bring back with you the America even outsiders loved/ the America of open highways/the America of boundless forests/the America of sunsets by the river-pier/ an America generous of spirit.” – Jack Kerouac, ‘Gentleness’
The American rock n’ roll of the ‘50s and ‘60s ran on raw, unfiltered emotion, and was driven by ardent soul. The muscle cars, steel mechanics, and never ending highways were the image, but the spirit was inherit in the far reaching melodies and layered vocals — the ideal at the heart of American Thunder, Harrison Hudson’s third full-length album. Behind the languishing spacious guitars and the overall smooth vibe there is Hudson himself, sharing the best moments of the American rock radio that lavished his childhood.
Formed in 2005 in Atlanta, GA Harrison Hudson began as a songwriter backed by a band. In 2006 his debut Angel On One Side…And the Other On The Other displayed a dark shade, a monument of Hudson’s life at the time, but by 2008 Harrison Hudson had become a full band, a trio that found a new home in Nashville, TN releasing the no-frills, full volume, Blood, Sweat, and Sweat. As soon as recording was finished Hudson began writing again, 70 songs that would be sliced down to an integral 12 of pop hooks and rock twist free of overbearing romantic gestures, the shape of American Thunder.
In one aspect American Thunder can construed as one love story, one that goes bad as the girl just must leave, but that’s a stretch as even the hyperbole romantic gestures of the more light-hearted songs (Bookstore Girl, Indie Rock N Roll Queen) can’t take the sarcastic cynical voice that lies in the punch line of other tracks (Stay, Fire and Fizzle Part Two). This voice is the grounding point of the album, the reality of relationships brought to the front.
“It’s the kind of thing where you see a beautiful girl and she’s definitely the answer,” Hudson describes the voice. “When she turns out to be just another human being like you, you resent her for it because she’s is not perfect like you expected–and no one is.”
To keep the spirit of the gritty early days of Rock N’ Roll without ending up with a throwback record the band entered a modern studio with Kevin Dailey and Micah Tawlks behind the boards. To jump into an old rock studio of AM radio glory in Nashville would have been easy, but the end album would have been a plastic design. The old idea lost in a chase to recreate.
American Thunder accomplishes the goal. The spirit of the old days of Rock N’ Roll radio have been captured and embraced, not re-manufactured.
ALL GET OUT
The road is family—the disciplining father, the nurturing mother; exist as shadows at each stop to any band betrothed to relentless touring without a safety net. With miles behind and miles ahead, life in a van will change a band; and All Get Out are no exception. From the wasted days stranded, to the desolate moments of doubt, to the nights where immortality stretches through bended notes, two-hundred and fifty shows a year has shaped the band known for their attitude and angst on display through high woven volume into a refined framework fusing gambled moments and glossy catchiness.
“We sound like we’ve been on tour for three years. We’ve been smoking and driving, and we don’t smell too good,” Nathan Hussey, singer and guitarist, defining the coming of age sound on their full-length debut, The Season.
In 2007 the foursome from Charleston, SC found themselves with two EPs, stumbling into regular weekend tours of the South. Soon three days became a month and a month became six. A play-anywhere-for-anyone ethic kept All Get Out on tour for three years. A loyal fan base that has been equally enamored and entertained with their big ditch, bigger valley sound has grown with them, anticipating when the band would enter the studio again.
Acting as a centerpiece to an album with running themes, the title track for The Season puts all the moments that have shaped the members square into the light. “While touring is fun and a dream, there were times where all of us wanted a wall to punch and cry and wished we were home, or had a home.” Hussey explains. Writing in the moment, truly unfiltered, each verse displays specific moments of disarray the band found themselves in: broken friendships, fights, and empty wallets. In the end The Season is about moving past it all so you can keep on driving.
Just as All Get Out accidentally ended up spending the formidable part of their ‘20s counting mile markers, so did The Season unintentionally transform itself into a pop record when the band began tracking with producer Matt Malpass (Lydia, Copeland). Still visceral and soul-bearing as before, The Season stretches All Get Out into the frequencies beyond reactionary abrasions.
Rather than discard older material that dated back to 2007, when a much younger All Get Out wore relationship dirt all over each melody, the songs were kept for nostalgia, giving everyone a chance to hear how the band grew. Songs like My Friends, Son of Mine, Don’t Let Me Go and Girl Gun display an innocence, but the rest of the album shows a band aware that the horizon holds more than can be comprehended. Even Hussey has taken himself out as the protagonist of each song, changing his voice into a character that meanders in, saying “hello”, as the much bigger story unfolds.
“It’s a book on the history of our band,” Hussey says of album. “Now we start another Season.
MALT LIQUOR
Malt Liquor plays unstylish trash rock without regard to trends or excessive persperation. Founded in 2012, the group pounds out primitive, fuzzed-out anthems featuring the bashing and crashing of Jake Pope (ex-Swampass), the thudding bearded-ness of Cliff Strangler (Soy City Stranglers) and the speaker-wrecking chords/tongue out of cheek lyrics of Tommy Rue (ex- Swampass, Spankwagon). The hip shimmy/shake garage punk emenating from the band bucks against pretention and over-analysis. For Malt Liquor, music drives feet and hips. Rock and roll does not judge or analyze the group and they graciously return this favor. This mutual respect results in frenetic live shows around the greater Midwest and a sonority that challenges the limits of magnetic tape. Their debut 7 inch record will be available in August 2013 on Cavetone Records.
Jake Pope slips into a musical coma and weaves tribal beats and sweaty, tasteful fills into the mix on his drums that will make ya stand up, shake your ass and say “Whoooo!”
All this time, these three were playing in different projects and going to see and lose their minds to each others bands. Finally, one day it clicked and they jammed together. Nothing ever made more sense. Malt Liquor was born and it was home.
The boys just laid down 3 tracks on tape for upcoming 7″ releases on Cavetone Records and are planning to be back in the studio before year end to record their first full-length LP. Catch ’em on the road this summer in the Midwest and rock the fuck out!