New Missionaries was formed in the fall of 2012, the night that Randi Russo, a recent transplant from New York, performed live at Transistor Chicago, the gallery/shop/performance space owned by drummer Andy Miles. Miles was so impressed by Russo’s solo set he offered to be her drummer and put the rest of a band together. Charlie Crane (Airline-X, Feature Flick) joined the following week on lead guitar, with bassist Eric Gannon, another recent transplant from New York, joining in March of 2013. They plan to begin recording their debut EP in the spring of 2013 with a release date planned for the summer.
Provinces are a Chicago based rock and roll band who like to emphasize the roll over the rock. Fronted by former traveling circus ride operator and award-winning poet, Brandon Seyferth, Provinces is also comprised of former members of the Lollapalooza-featured Skybox. To complete their lineup the group added biomedical engineer Matt Perich, who fills out and texturizes their sound with melodic noise. Brandon has performed and collaborated with such acts as the Violent Femmes, Clyde Stubblefield (the most sampled drummer in hip-hop), and Jackson Browne, while rhythm section members, Aurelio Damiani and Christian Fields, have shared the stage with the likes of Ben Folds, Man Man, various members of Fun, and Tally Hall to name a few. Provinces will be playing Reggie’s on Saturday, May 25th.
Stripped down upbeat Rhythm & Blues, Country, folk and a pinch of Rockabilly, The Gold Hope Duo is a joint effort between front-persons Lara Hope and Matt “The Knife” Goldpaugh. Lara strums the guitar while Matt slaps the Upright Bass or picks the 5 String Banjo. They share percussion duties with their fast feet and live by the motto “If you can’t do it, kazoo it!” Their powerful voices intertwine, harmonize and amaze.
A duo sure to make you dance, laugh, drink and grab your partner’s behind. They’re made of fun!
A bunch of cardboard, duct tape, a trash can, a couple buckets, a busted ass skateboard and a bunch of hollerin’ and you have the White Trash Blues Revival.
Chicago native Calvin Evans comedy career began during his time at the University Illinois Champaign-Urbana. While obtaining his degree in Sport Management, he fell in love with stand up comedy and would put his business aspirations on hold. He took his talents back to Chicago and was quickly named Chicago’s Next Big Comic. Calvin received a Puma Scholarship to attend the famed Second City Training Center. Upon completing their Improv Conservatory program; Calvin was awarded a Bob Curry Fellowship. With stand up as his focus he traveled the country performing at colleges and clubs. In 2017 he recognized as a New Face at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. In 2018 he was one of 8 finalist in the nationwide NBC Standup competition.
After learning and playing music together for years as kids growing up in Genoa, IL, brothers Jake and Zach Schweitzer have tackled multiple instruments, different styles of playing, and managed to find extended-family members in Graham Young and Kevin Koreman who complete the group’s effortless melodic folk DNA.
Zach, Jake and Graham began writing together in September of 2012 and The Wild Family was born from their soft, crooning melodies complimented by intense guitar parts and bold lyrics that deny their young age. With Jake on vocals and guitar, Graham with lead guitar and vocals, Zach with backing vocals and bass guitar, and recent addition, Kevin Koreman on drums, their lofty vocal harmonies intertwined with the heavy drive of an electrified rock set up, encourage a significant amount of movement and dancing to ensue.
After only a year together, their style and apparent talent continues to unfold as they perform heavily around the Chicagoland area. Recorded by Jonathan Alvin at Chrome Attic Studios, their debut self-titled EP will be released on February 4th, 2014.
Original music, including some uniquely spun Trad Jewish music in a neo-psychedelic, world-influenced rock and acoustic-rock environment. Snippets here and there of of MidEast/modal textures. From electric violin, bass, sax, passionate vocals and outrageous drums to some seriously fly guitar. Extremely different, infectious songs.
Ovadya has been playing before diverse audiences for over ten years—from opening for Eric Burdon & the Animals to Piamenta (the “Israeli Jimi Hendrix”) & benefits, to clubs to live radio, from festivals to synagogues to benefits to intimate coffee houses. Their music has been featured on radio nationally and locally (WXRT, WNUR, WBEZ, WNUR, WLUP and many more), charting in CMJ and grabbing major (Polygram) label interest and indie lable offers. Press on Ovadya and its music includes Chicago Sun Times affiliates, Chicago Tribune, Illinois Entertainer and many other newspapers / periodicals.
Bloody Mary is a Chicago-based all-girl punk and rock influenced band which began in 2010. Today, three of the original members remain and there have been recent minor membership changes in the positions of bass guitar and band management. The current Bloody Mary came about in March 2012 and is comprised of Rickee Divine on rhythm guitar/vocals, Ana Apollo on lead guitar/vocals, Kat Cannon on drums/vocals, and Casey Icky on bass/vocals. The band has worked tirelessly to develop a unique sound and an impressive array of original music, in addition to an eclectic mix of high energy covers.
Bringing to anyone who wants to listen some kickass music filled with energy and power! We gig mainly around the Chicago suburbs, but hope to someday tour the world! …Or at least another state. We have a 9 song LP on the way, which features our cover of ‘Gun’ by Soundgarden. It’ll be recorded at Kronic 9 Studios with our good friend and promoter, Mike Arnott, so keep an eye out for it! Our main influences include, but not nearly limited to; Black Sabbath, Soundgarden, Metallica, Coheed & Cambria, Heaven & Hell, Alter Bridge, The Living End, 3, Foo Fighters, Mastodon, Van Halen, Clutch, Volbeat, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and Dream Theater.
Saving Haven is an alternative rock band, forming in January 2010. We had our first show in September 2010 as well. Coming from Streamwood, Illinois, we are unsigned but released our first EP entitled “On The Moon” in June 2011, having a very good friend Moises Hermoises join us as our Lead Guitarist before he left. We would like to thank all of our friends and family for supporting us so far, and we hope to keep playing.
Dead Horses is a 5 piece folkgrass band from Oshkosh, Wi. Sarah Vos is featured with lead female vocals backed up by four more vocalists with instrumentation of mandolin, guitar, fiddle, string bass, and banjo.
Energetic rhythms and captivating melody , Jacobs Green brews bona fide homegrown music. Blues singer/songwriter with a twist, Jacob Green , becomes “OneManGreenBand ,” stompbox under foot, harmonica upon neck, strumming instruments tirelessly touring the country. Whether Green plays guitar, banjo, dobro, or ukulele, he forms rhythm, percussion, and lead simultaneously transforming into “OneManGreenBand”. Green’s harvests a resonance of the modern day gypsy, awakening original roots and blues folk songs . The once “down-trodden” old-fashioned blues lyrics to positive riffs of change and “be green”. His versatile homegrown, organic, original songs bring a fresh approach to old-school roots and blues folk music.
Green self–records and produces all of his music under Growth Productions , newly releasing his first of trilogy series, Roots Revival. Green produces music of natural acoustic sound, with reverberations of numerous genres, and encourages messages of being kind and conscious of self and the environment. Growing and seeking supporters with a desire to hear original music with a feel good organic sound.
From classic rock to punk, blues to hip hop, rockabilly to country, hippy to backwoods musicians , all have a seed in growing Green’s desire to craft quality music. Green’s passion for music does not go without admiration for singer/songwriters, such as Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, John Lennon, Todd Snider, and one man band performers, like Xavier Rudd. Music came easily to him early in life. With interest in making rap music, playing violin in middle school orchestra, and playing guitar in high school punk band. In adulthood, he was drawn to acoustic singer/songwriters and raw sound . He began to lead bands, such as “Green n’ the Grit”, a rock n’ blues band, “Infinite Nature”, featuring tones of hip hop and reggae groove, to “River Water Tribe”, a gypsy-grass band with punk and blues influence . Playing in bands or solo, Green continuously writes and records new material from a rambler’s point of view, bringing a newfound narrative of “go green” and respect one another are lively notes from Green’s highway, byway, back road blues.
The Sideshow Tragedy burns up stages with blues-damaged garage rock and roll…ancient resonator guitars played through an array of effects boxes backed by a kick ass kit master and percussionist, topped with R&B drenched vocals and dark, poetic lyrics.
Handeagle is Kevin (keyboards/vocals), Chris T. (guitar), Chris U. (drums), and Eddie (bass/vocals). They like to play loud music as long as it doesn’t bother their downstairs neighbors, Hugh and Margie, who have a pre-teen son that needs to get to school in the morning. Handeagle likes to think this is common courtesy and how most bands should act. Thank you, Hugh and Margie, for your patience and understanding.
CUTTHROAT SHAMROCK
Cutthroat Shamrock combines the speed of bluegrass with the drive and energy of punk rock and then tops it all off with alittle celtic influence. -Fronted by dual vocals and backed by solid bass lines, the momentum gained by two drummers make this a combination to wake up any size of room. -Each song sounds different from the last yet some how familiar. train like rhythms are traded in for finger picking and the rockabilly slaps of the upright bass are replaced with long dark notes played with a bow. instrumental breaks introduce jigs and reels into almost every song, with guitar leads that would seem more at home on a fiddle or penny whistle.
Haunting, emotional, honest, technical, heavy – all are words that can be applied to Grand Rapids hard rockers Life Size Ghost. Since the band’s formation in 2007, founding members Talitha Snowden (vocals/keyboards), Curtis Hendershott (guitar), Erik Ryden (lead guitar), Brian Thomas (drums), plus recently-added bassist Jeremy DeHaan (also of Lansing band Herd), have been wowing crowds in their hometown, in Michigan, and beyond.
Odd Folk are a group of young Midwesterners who strive to make exciting, engaging, and just plain good folk music. Bridging the gap between new and old, (both in the sense of musical influences and their audience) Odd Folk blends styles and instrumentation creating a sound that seems familiar, but is still something you can’t pigeonhole into one genre. Founded by Paul Cherewick in the spring of 2012 while studying music composition at Columbia College Chicago, Madelyn Strutz, Monte Weber and Alex Brettin joined the band soon thereafter.
Since then they have independently released their first EP, Die Young, on cassette and toured the Midwest. They have opened for acts such as Laura Stevenson & The Cans and Frontier Ruckus.
Odd Folk is inspired by their own life experiences, creating relatable music that has a real feeling behind it. Odd Folk is currently working on their second release and is planning summer tour 2013
At only 20 years old, Travi$ Scott’s music has already taken him
quite a few places, even if he isn’t famous enough to be recognized in
any of them yet. He’s lived on the east and west coasts, as well as the
“third coast” of his native Houston, Texas, but has seen exotic locales
while traveling with the most famous of his early fans, Kanye West.
Since meeting early last year, the two have spent countless hours in
the studio, the fruits of which can be heard on “Sin City,” Scott’s
standout contribution to the G.O.O.D. Music compilation album, Cruel
Summer. In his verse, Scott paints a vivid picture of a girl caught up in
the allure of the fast life: She stepped into hell, cause when it got
cold/Don’t look in her eyes, you might see straight to her soul/Don’t
say yes to that good cause you’ll never know/Cause we lost in the city,
where sin is no biggie! he raps. The charge is something Scott himself
can identify with, his music career having taken flight at an
astronomical speed over the course of just a few short years.
Travi$ Scott grew up in Houston the son of a drummer and
grandson of a music scholar, bitten himself by the music bug after
witnessing the showmanship of late 90’s rap videos from Mase and
Diddy and then later on, experiencing the revolutionary production of
Kanye West and Pharrell Williams. Scott began making beats when he
was just 17 and sought out the tutelage of the local names he had
access to, who just so happened to be dirty south hip-hop legends N.O.
Joe and Mike Dean. It wasn’t long after that he would venture out to
New York to see what he was actually made of. “I’m really into
depicting what’s in my life,” Scott says. “Anything I say in these
verses, that’s who I am. Those are real stories.” Things didn’t quite
take off the way he imagined in New York, Scott having to couch surf
when money got low, so he bounced to Los Angeles for another fresh
start. The leap of faith paid off with Scott catching the ear of the “King
of the South” himself, T.I., who signed him immediately through his
GrandHustle/Epic imprint. With Scott working with T.I., it wasn’t long
before Kanye West got wind of him, both superstars still utilizing the
young prodigy whenever possible.
And though he continues to work on music with his mentors,
Travi$ Scott’s own Owl Pharaoh EP is soon to set the world ablaze,
Scott using everything he’s learned from his forefathers to make the
project he’s sure will satisfy a rapidly growing fanbase. “People are
gonna feel the imagery, what my life consists of, what the world of
Travi$ Scott is,” he says. “What is this kid thinking? Who is this kid?
What is he trying to tell us? That’s what they gone feel through these
songs.” So far they’ve had only morsels to chew on, but the demand
grows with each leak like “Blocka,” the song he co-produced with
Young Chop and raps on with Pusha T, or the super-stylized “Quintana”
video or the riot-inducing, Mike Will-produced, “Pus$$y,” which
features Chuck Inglish, Fredo Santana and Gunplay. Travi$ Scott has
collaborated with some of the biggest names in rap and he hasn’t even
released his EP yet. “It’s like becoming friends,” Scott says of his
music. “Once people get to hang around you more and more, they’ll
start to understand you. They’ll either catch on or they’ll get left
behind.” And soon enough, the world will know what so many of our
favorite rappers already do: That Travi$ Scott is the future.
The earliest beginnings of what would come to be The Obscene Kiss manifested in the late summer of 2011. Michael X. Christian and Dorian Starchild were the founding members of this industrial metal act from Chicago in which they began by rehearsing Marilyn Manson covers and a handful of songs written by MXC. The band’s first performance was at a bar called Horseshoe on March 24th, 2012- they opened for Lockjaw at a release party for Ministry’s album, Relapse. The Obscene Kiss went virtually inactive over the following summer but during this time, a goal was set for recording a set of professionally produced songs. The group amicably parted ways with bassist, Zack Shirtum who had expressed a desire to pursue other avenues of creativity. This opening led to the inclusion of instrumentalist and producer, Nikk Skum on bass. Following a return to regular rehearsal, The Obscene Kiss found themselves sharing the stage with Pound of Flesh and Project 44 at The Bottom Lounge and with them again, along with W.O.R.M. at Martyr’s in early 2013. This return to the stage served to usher in the band’s new material and subsequently new sound. With the Human Extinction EP currently in the works and more shows lined up for the Spring and Summer- The Obscene Kiss is poised to burn the human species in the coming year…
This project began as a need for eXpansion using whatever tools were necessary to EXpound the boundaries, to break the rules, to tear down the walls, to bear witness to and communicate, to eXcommunicate and embrace all which is life, the chaotic visions, the landscapes and prisons, all which binds us there; we, catapulted into the controlled madness of fear, joys, toys and tears.
Meet The Radio Creeps: the bloody meat-puppets, cavorting upon their strings, chains that dangle, chains that break, musical vista’s that shake and hesitate, singing, speaking, growling, sounds/capes that escape, as they proliferate; fulfilled, yet deprived on the roads of Rock-N-Roll and all things adorned, between and beneath, until their existence is marked by a stone, by a wreath.
Come and eXperience that which is the Radio Creeps if you have the strength, the courage, the mind, to face the truths, the love’s, the lies that are some time’s hidden within us all…. somewhere deep inside.
Epitasis is a death metal band hailing from Chicago, IL. We hope to deliver slamming blackened riffs, devastating solos and brutality to a town near you!
Mr. Mayor and the Highballers met as students at the Old Town School of Folk Music, where they decided to take their mutual love for jug band and old time music beyond the classroom and onto the mean streets of Chicago. This seven-member ensemble brings high energy to the genre, performing mostly raucous, playful renditions of jazz and blues songs from the 1930’s and ‘40’s. However, their influences (and respective dates of birth) extend well beyond these decades, and there’s no limit to the tunes they are willing to incorporate into their repertoire. They’ve performed at such diverse venues as bars, farmer’s markets, and venerated rock club The Empty Bottle.
Cave Art which consist of Joe Padovano (Guitars), Jonathan Padovano (vocals/guitar, Andrew Kremer (Bass) and Sam Garvery (Drums), was formed in Chicago in the summer of 2010.
After the break-up of The Hellacopters in 2008, Andersson started to work on a solo album, recording all instruments of eight songs by himself, however Andersson changed his mind and decided that it would be better to form a band. Andersson recruited Dolf de Borst, Tobias Egge and Thomas Eriksson, all of which he had worked previouly with in Cold Ethyl, a cover band he formed shortly after the break-up of The Hellacopters. During the recording of the bands self titled album Andersson also enlisted help from several old friends, including Dregen, Anders Lindström, Robert Pehrsson, Neil Leyton and others. While Andersson insists that Imperial State Electric is a band and not a solo career or a side project he also acknowledges the fact that the band might have a revolving line-up of members including himself on drums instead of guitar.
Personnel:
Nicke Andersson: vocals, guitar
Dolf de Borst: backing vocals, bass
Tobias Egge: backing vocals, guitar
Thomas Eriksson: drums, percussion
Welcome to the new fan-page of previously known Dj Ruckiss who now goes by the name of Dj Mr. Shaw. “Change is Epic and change is something that will keep the music game likeable ” says Mr.Shaw as he plans to lift off to greater goals and aspirations in his life with the new name.
Booking close to 50 shows a year and around the nation, “Your Music Mag” has named Mr.Shaw as the the golden musical prodigy of the next generation. Sahaj Shah started his musical endeavors at the ripe age of 4 years old. His natural inclination and affection for music would always have hiim listening to the radio or watching music videos on tv. By the age of 6, you could see the makings of a musical artist as he could make complementing rythmic beats to songs with anything he could get his hands on such as spoons, pencils, sticks etc.
As production landed second, first was the passion of DJing which started to grow at the age of 12. As a DJ, he has learned to adhere to various types of sounds and beats and incorporated them into his live performances. As knowledge of music began to grow, so did his passion for it.
As small backyard parties started to fade away, Dj Mr Shaw started to make it in the club scene at a very young age spinning the top rated nightclubs in Chicago with some of the best DJs in the Nation. In June of 2012, Dj Mr Shaw Gained the opportunity to enter a DJ battle held in the Windy City in which he placed #2, now being called the #2 DJ in Chicago by BOOM ENT. and Chicago’s #1 Music Station, WBBFM Chicago (96.3). Dj Mr Shaw has been in the dj industry for a strong 8 years now, accomplishing tasks that set him aside from other djs. His scratching and mixing abilities have grown since his first hand on turntables.
Jesse Khan has always been into music at such a young age! Jamming to B96 mixes every night. Messing with Virtual Dj. One day Jkon bought a pair of Cdjs and Behringer mixer it was love at first sight. Jkon started at small house parties and making mixes. He got his first break at Inferno Hookah Lounge. (big ups to Ahmed Khan). He was Infernos Resident Dj for 3 years, and making appearancesall over Chicago Land Area. From SoundBar to Proof. Spinning the hottest music every night Top 40 to Hiphop with some dance music as well.
Arjun is a London-based singer, songwriter and producer. Heavily influenced by the soulful, guitar-based sounds of late 90s R&B, and inspired by the likes of Craig David and Donell Jones, Arjun has developed an organic yet contemporary sound palette that makes him stand out from the current crop of UK R&B artists. Equally comfortable performing solo with acoustic guitar or backed by street dancers, Arjun has become a force to be reckoned with live. He has supported US superstars such as Jagged Edge & Blackstreet, and has performed at prestigious venues all over the world, singing to crowds of over 30,000.
After creating a buzz with his first 4 singles, he has been tipped for success by international media ranging from The Independent (UK) to the Times of India to the LA Times. Arjun’s remix of the Tamil cult hit ‘Why This Kolaveri Di’ racked up over 3 million YouTube views in one month. His remix has since been featured on TV channels around the world, including CNN, NDTV and Star News.
Arjun’s talent was recognized by the Asian music industry last year, when he was nominated as ‘Best Newcomer‘ at the ‘Brit Asia Music Awards 2011’. In January 2012, two of Arjun’s singles made it into the first ever ‘Asian Beats Chart’ on Kiss TV, selected by a panel of key Asian media figures and Kiss TV officials. His song ‘Stargazer’ was voted the number 2 song by an Asian artist (in recent times), beaten only by the legendary A.R Rahman’s newly formed super group ‘Super Heavy’, which comprises the likes of Mick Jagger & Joss Stone.
Arjun was also recently chosen as one of MTV’s Top 20 Unsigned Acts for 2012, out of thousands of contestants (the MTV ‘Brand New for 2012’ contest has previously featured artists such as Jessie J and Tinie Tempah).
Despite being an independent artist, Arjun’s tracks have gained substantial support from Radio DJ’s around the world. He recently did a live acoustic session on BBC Radio 1 and was subsequently featured on the Radio 1 homepage. His videos have been aired extensively on mainstream UK music channels such as Kiss TV, Flava and Channel AKA, as well as a plethora of Asian channels across the world, including MTV India, B4U and Zee TV. These videos have simultaneously racked up millions of view on YouTube, resulting in a sizeable online following.
BLACK DOT is a Chicago based music outfit sporting razor riffs, tribal beats, and fever dream vibe in the vein of PIL, Gang of Four, and Yoko Ono. Hurtling down the mountain like Hawkwind being chased by The Police; this train burns wood, wire, and a heavy dose of improvisation. This is not Uncle Wiggle Hip’s jam band… though it may still bring a smile to his melting face.
Kali Ma is an original hard rock band from Chicago. Founding members Sidd Kakodkar, Jags Singh, Mans Singh, and Ashay Kparker have been playing together since 1992.
“Our favorite feminimalists Lil Tits will have the crowd purring like kittens after a set filled with raw, squealing feedback and high-energy punk.” -LoudLoopPress.com
“Chicago trio Lil Tits call their sound “feminimalism” and there couldn’t be a more accurate way to describe the group’s riot grrrl-influenced punk rock. Lil Tits simplify the raw, aggressive style in which bands like L7 and Seven Year Bitch specialized to serve up some real, balls-to-the-wall rock action.” -LoudLoopPress.com
“Lil Tits unleash a torrential eardrum assault aided by an extremely lo-fi production.” -LoudLoopPress.com
We can double ace any triple cup you throw our way, and we can DIY an IUD like yo mamma wishes she could. WE SAW EVERYTHING!!!
There are punk bands and then there are punk bands. Then you have Top Shelf Lickers, a band who retains the fun-loving spirit of punk without getting held down by it’s three chord ceiling. A four-piece powerhouse from Chicago, they’ve brought their energy and hooks to countless Windy City staples. The band’s spirit burns brightest on their latest EP “Heartbreak City”
Rocketboat is an American adventure-rock band. Members Collin Magdaz, Marc Adrian, Josh Hanchar, and Andrew Dumaresq produce a sound forged in the embers of punk and post-modern rock that is dynamically rooted in science fiction and video games. Their 12 track self-titled debut album is now available. Rocketboat has ignited in 2012 and is steadily gaining momentum.
Moon Jr. is a four piece indie rock band from Missouri. Although they hail from a small town, they do not have a small sound. Their music combines elements of rock, psychadelia, dance pop, and blues. With intelligent melodies, tight harmonies, heavy groove, and an electric energy, Moon Jr. is capable of captivating listeners of nearly any genre.
Mystic Monsters is a electronic-pop band that formed in August of 2011. Hailing from Riverside California the band has the hopes of spreading peace and love through music.
Inspired by the revolutionary new sounds in Dubstep and Glitch music generated by the likes of fellow metal-head-turned-DJ SKRILLEX, Talon began the BLACKBURNER project, remixing tracks and releasing original compositions through the Cleopatra imprint Hypnotic Records. The project immediately met with enormous success as compilations featuring BLACKBURNER climbed the iTunes Electronic charts and BLACKBURNER tracks racked up over 15,000 downloads. Bolstered by the overwhelming on-line buzz, preparations were made for a full-length album – and now the time has come for BLACKBURNER to make its worldwide launch. Influenced by Talon’s background as a metal guitarist/vocalist, BLACKBURNER combines the heavily twisted and seriously aggressive Bass beats of Dubstep and Glitch with the melodic hooks of Rock, Industrial and Electronica to create daring yet widely appealing new hybrid sound.
Lee Gates was born in Mississippi and moved to Milwaukee as a teenager where he has been playing his brand of down home blues for the past 50 years. Blues legend Albert Collins is his first cousin and you can hear the family influence in Lee’s fluid guitar style and tone. In 1959 Lee migrated to Milwaukee where he found work performing with the house band at Wilson’s Club at 10th and Center Streets for 15 years straight. It is not until 1974 that he met his legendary cousin Albert Collins. “My daddy’s brother had a lot of kids out there in Texas. I never met them a s a child, but we all knew of each other. When Albert came to Milwaukee I showed him around and we did some gigs together. Every time he came to town we would go out and eat supper together, he was a good friend to me.” In October of 2003 Lee called me up and announced that he was coming to Hillsborough. I asked him what for and Lee replied, “To make a CD.” I asked Lee if he wouldn’t mind going down to Alabama to record. Two days later Lee caught a Greyhound to Huntsville, he missed a layover in Nashville and got in early the next morning and went straight to the studio with Ardie Dean. Lee proclaimed the record done in three hours and was soon on a bus heading back home. One must rejoice in the “happening” of this CD, especially the glorious tone of Lee’s guitar. After performing for 52 years, I have a feeling that Lee is just beginning his recording career.
Peewee Hayes is an experienced professional entertainer, musician, performer, and businessperson. He has reached legendary status as a Blues musician and entertainer. Born in Alamo Tennessee, shortly after the great depression in America, and raised in the dust bowl cotton fields of Tennessee he has, by all rights, paid his dues to become one of the best and most true Blues musicians around today. Peewee Hayes originates from a strong Blues environment and lineage. In the early days of his life he grew up around some of Americas greatest Blues musicians such as Sleepy John Estes, Yank Rachell, Washboard Sam, Montel Cox, B.B. King, Little Milton, the original Sonny Boy Williamson, and his father, the late Roland ‘Blue Dad’ Hayes. Many of the Blues greats mentioned above used to have musical get-togethers right in the Hayes family back yard in Alamo, Tennessee. His entire family lineage, going back to the 1800s contains many musicians. Today, Peewee and his brothers Charles and Jojo Hayes are continuing the family tradition of being Blues and Jazz musicians. Peewee has participated in many Blues events and performed with many of Chicago’s popular musicians, including Junior Wells, Lefty Diz, Buddy Scott and the Scott Brothers, among many.
MELVIN SMITH
Melvin has been playing bass guitar for over 25 years in venues from small clubs to large international festivals. His career has had him performing in bands with such luminaries as Koko Taylor, Lurie Bell and Billy Branch. He has also performed with Carl Weathersby, Big James and the Chicago Playboys, Jimmy Johnson, Phil Guy, Lefty Dizz, Melvin Taylor, Charlie Love, Jimmy Burns and many others. Melvin is one of the most sought out bass men in the Chicago blues scene today.
MARTY BINDER
It’s been 30 years on the Chicago Blues scene, as well as playing other styles of music. I’m proud to have played with Junior Wells, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy and many others. Recorded with Dave Specter and others for Delmark records. Recorded for Blind Pig Records and Severn Records. I’m teaching private lessons for drums and guitar. I do most of my gigs with Brother John, The Special 20s and Professor John.
Growing up in the shadows Chicago’s blues mecca, Theresa’s Lounge, had a lasting effect on Toronzo Cannon. As a kid, Toronzo would listen to the raw, soulful sounds of legends like Junior Wells, Buddy Guy and Muddy Waters. “It wasn’t just the music that got me, but the effect on the people. I knew right then, that was what I was gonna do.” These experiences led him to pick up his first guitar as a teenager and begin to learn to sing and play the sounds he heard. Inspired by the three Kings (Freddie, B.B. and Albert), a little Hendrix and some 70’s R&B/Soul, Toronzo soon developed his own sound. “If I wasn’t gigging I was hitting every jam session I could find. I couldn’t get enough.” It was during this time that he developed his own powerful, gospel-flavored vocal style and electrifying stage presence.
After playing rhythm guitar with local artists like Wayne Baker Brooks and Joanna Connor, Toronzo decided to form his own band, The Cannonball Express. He immediately was in demand, playing some of Chicago’s greatest blues venues like Buddy Guy’s Legends, House of Blues, Kingston Mines, B.L.U.E.S, Blue Chicago, Lee’s Unleaded as well as shows from Kentucky to Delaware and Iowa to Indiana. He also became a popular festival attraction, playing The Chicago Blues Festival for 8 consecutive years and the 2008 San Jose Blues Festival with other local young guns Chico Banks and Mike Wheeler. Internationally, Toronzo has been flown into Latvia as a featured solo artist three times over the past few years and has just completed a successful tour in Mexico, Durban South Africa and France 2011.
UPDATE: Upcoming 2nd cd with the legendary record company DELMARK RECORD Successful tour in France and fest Amsterdam and Chicago 2013
Born in Sweden in the late 1940’s. Jimmy immigrated to Chicago after the death of his parents and began working in Chicago Blues bars that laid the groundwork for his sultry mid-western blues-swedish style. Not the prototypical blue-eyed fair-skinned Swede, Jimmy has found a home in the Chicago blues community.
KENNY “BEEDY EYES” SMITH
Kenny Smith is one of today’s top greatest blues drummers. he is an honored Grammy award-winning drummer, The son of the legendary Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith.
Have Bass Will Travel…. I was born in South East Missouri in a small town Haiti, where I lived on a farm. I moved to Chicago in 1955. I lived in the back of a night club on the West Side, where Howling Wolf and Muddy Waters played. It looked like they were having a lot of fun and I made up my mind that what I wanted to do was play music. I got married at an early age and I used to watch my brother-in-law play music. His name was Johnny Ferguson and he and JB Hutto had a band they called the Twisters. They were working on 39’th and State Street in Chicago and I would carry them to work every night and watch them. Then at home I would try to teach myself to play. My cousin Ralph Ramey said that we should start a band and we did just that. We got my brother (John Stroger), who played the drums, to learn the songs we knew and in four months we were making some noise. We went to a club and played two songs and the man said we had a job. It was one of the better clubs, where musicians like Memphis Slim worked. The owner wanted us to wear uniforms but we had no money to buy them, so we got black tams and put a red circle in the top and called the band the Red Tops and that was the way it started. We got so good that they wanted the band to travel, but Ralph’s wife did not wont him to travel. so my brother formed a band with Willie Kent and myself and called it Joe Russel and the Blues Hustlers. We played together for a while,but eventually I decided to move on, because i wanted to travel more and see the world and I found out you can make money doing this. I joined a jazz band and played with Rufus Forman for about 3 years, but we were doing very little work. Then I met Eddie King and we talked. I told him I was in a jazz band and we needed a guitar player that could play blues. He sead OK and joined our groop, and we started playing blues and RB and things took off. We called the band Eddie King and King Men, and we stayed together for 15 years. Then we split up for about 2 years and later we started the band up as Eddie King and Babee May and the Blues Machine and we stayed together until Eddie King moved out of town. I quit playing for 2 years becouse we were so close I did not want to play with anyone but Eddie. Then I met Jessie Grean when I was playing with Morris Pejo and he liked the way I played bass and one night Otis Rush need a bass player, so Jessie said come and work with him. The rest is history. I have been playing music for 39 years and I am still having fun.
MICHAEL AVERY
When your mother plays nothing but the blues in the house, your cousin is blues titan Magic Sam, and you grow up in the same building with him on the west side of Chicago, you have little choice but to be firmly rooted in the blues.
As a teenager, Mike remembers all the backyard barbecue parties that Sam hosted. ‘’Man, he loved to barbecue. He used to have them all the time. And I remember all kind of blues musicians and singers like Otis Clay, Tyrone Davis, Betty Wright used to come around. Sam would cook and play blues on the back porch every chance he could. You could smell the barbecue clear down the street and all way at the end of the alley…’’ Already a singer in his teens, Mike soaked up as much as he could from his cousin, Magic Sam. In the middle seventies, Mike started singing at the Majestic Lounge on 14th and Pulaski with house blues bands, Scotty And the Rib Tips and Johnny B. Moore. He remembers, ‘’It was something, man, back then The Majestic was the after-gig joint. A lot of musicians would go there after their shows and just hang out. People like Lee Shot Williams, Mac Thompson, Johnny Dollar, Mary Lane. It was like a big family.’’ It is easy to understand how growing up so close to such R&B and soul singers as Otis Clay and Tyrone Davis could lead Mike down the path to R&B and soul music where he has focused much of his career. ‘’I’m not on the blues circuit, but that’s where my roots are. I couldn’t deny it if I wanted to. Giving me a good blues tune to sing is like taking me back home.’‘
BILLY FLYNN AND FRIENDS
Billy Flynn is an American Chicago blues and electric blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. The Chicago Blues SuperSession is Bob STROGER (Bass and Vocals) Billy FLYNN (Guitar and Vocals) Oscar WILSON (Vocals) Dave KATZMAN (Guitar) Kenny SMITH (Drums) Omar COLEMAN (Harmonica and Vocals) Amy LOWE (Vocals) Melvin SMITH (Bass) Roosevelt PURIFOY (Keyboards) Marty BINDER (Drums) John KATTKE (Keyboards and Vocals)
Eddie Shaw on tenor and alto saxes and harmonica is a very talented singer,songwriter,musician,arranger, and band leader. He was Howlin’Wolf’s personal manager for five years. Eddie is one of the most respected blues musicians alive today. Originally from Benoit, MS, Eddie now lives on Chicago’s South Side. Band Members include Eddie Vaan Shaw Jr. , Eddie’s son, is one of the best guitar players in the blues business. Vaan has music of his own , CD’s, MORNING RAIN and THE TRAIL OF TEARS. Lafayette” Shorty” Gilbert, has been Eddie’s bassplayer for over 20 yrs. Strong vocalist , his version of ” Rainy night in Georgia” brings tears to your eyes. Tim Taylor on drums, is son of the late Eddie Taylor . Since Howlin’ Wolf died in 1976, Eddie Shaw has kept the Wolf Gang name for his band, which currently features Shaw as lead vocalist and sax; Lafayette “Shorty” Gilbert, who’s earned the most seniority in the band after 20 years; pianist and Chicago fixture Detroit Junior; drummer Tim Taylor, son of the legendary guitarist Eddie, who has eight years of his own in the Wolf Gang; and son Eddie “Vaan” Shaw on guitar. Shaw’s family abounds with showbiz talent. Another of his sons, Stan, has acting credits in films diverse as Harlem Nights, Fried Green Tomatoes, Daylight with Sylvester Stallone, and Cutthroat Island, the Geena Davis pirate flick. Eddie Shaw can compose, arrange, and write music. He worked the Delmark studios managing weekly sessions for the label with fellow studio fixture Jimmy Dawkins in the ’60s. In the ’90s he recorded for European and Japanese labels as well as for Rooster Blues in Clarksdale, Mississippi, which released In the Land of the Crossroads. “On Land of the Crossroads I did mostly Mississippi bayou type blues because I stayed down in that part of the country,” Shaw says. “Well, times change too. You go in with more modern equipment and you go with more up-to-date ideas. . . . Every time you do a new album, you’re looking for better quality, you’re looking for better compositions, you know, to upgrade everything. You want everything better than it was the year before, so hopefully that’s the case now.”
