Jackanape: 1. A conceited or impudent person. 2. A mischievous child. 3. Archaic: A monkey or an ape.
4. “We’ll fuck up the world!”
Brought together by their love of whiskey and electricity, the Jackanapes brothers have decided to make the kind of music they like to listen to. Some have called them “dirty nerds,” but they prefer the label “angry chimps.”
Regardless of your taste in dance music, Ghosthouse knows your sign. The electro-funk trio provides a party anthem for the new scene. While embracing DJ culture, Ghosthouse prevails with live instrumentation and a dynamic stage show, which balances analog ideals and digital reality.
Deep V is a record guaranteed to have you dancing in the club or romancing in the tub. On April 30, 2013, Hot Dog Records brings you Ghosthouse’s funkiest, most diverse, and polished EP yet, featuring local heroes and international up-and-comers. Its disregard for genre fuses funk-soaked synths to fresh pop arrangements and searing guitar solos. Ghosthouse is synthesized but never synthetic.
Chuck New’s reckless vocal range bears the influences of classic mid-west R&B and British new wave. Jimmy Con’s swagger and presence on stage—and his ingenuity and vision in the studio-produced new heights for Ghosthouse this time around. Their evolution accelerated with the addition of drummer Dylan Hyde Castle, who acts as beat conductor and industry liaison.
Ghosthouse doesn’t apologize for the versatile array of singles on offer. Deep V is a taste of things to come, offered in anticipation of a future full-length release. Building on more than seven years of collaboration, the trio has moved massive festival crowds at North Coast and Wavefront and sold-out venues like Lincoln Hall, Bottom Lounge, and the Metro, consistently earning them recognition as one of Chicago’s best bands.
Logan, a 19 yo artists from Chicago’s Pilsen/ Little Village neighborhood. Started rapping a few years ago back in high school, but started taking it serious as a profession in August 2013. Being raised by a single mother doing her best, when it came to music he didn’t have much. He started off simply with industry beats, a mic in the closet, and a talented upcoming director J.Krown. Staying pursuant him and his director ended up being scouted by a talent manger/ consultant (Von Harris) and producer (Flight). Since the four have linked Logan has been professionally recording, and humbly making a stamp and paving a lane of his own within the industry. When you hear his music you hear his struggles, you’ll witness his growth as an artist, and you’ll hear a story from a perspective that doesn’t really have a voice at the moment. Logan is constantly honing his craft, steady learning, and passionate about becoming the best artist he can be. With a full sea of fish, the proof is there Logan will stand out from your average. 1636 coming soon.
Mihailo Ivanovic- Vocals, Guitar
Devin Foster- Bass, Vocals
Zach Batteiger- Drums
Japanther is an art project established circa 2001 by Ian Vanek and Matt Reilly while attending Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.
The duo have often been known to collaborate with a variety of artist including but not limited to: Penny Rimbaud, Dan Graham, Eileen Myles, robbinschilds, Dawn Riddle, Claudia Meza, Ninjasonik, Anita Sparrow and Spankrock.
Japanther was featured in the 2006 Whitney Bi-Ennial as part of the Don’t Trust Anyone Over Thirty puppet rock opera.
Japanther have since made a name for themselves in unique performance situations. IE along side synchronized swimmers, a top the Williamsburg Bridge, with giant puppets, marionettes and shadow puppets. Out of the back of a moving truck in SOHO, with giant dinosaurs and BMXers flying off the walls.
Cynic’s New Year” professes an ending but welcomes Horse Feathers’ fans with the promise of something new. To be sure, old friends return. Wrapped around the warmth of Justin Ringle’s vocals and sparkling guitar, fiddles dance in the spaces between, above the smoky banjo and woven through the foundation of the lower strings. The lyrics traverse familiar themes from natural disaster to the deeply personal, each through Justin Ringle’s uniquely American linguistic lens. New vistas, new stories, are explored with deep insight and fresh intimacy, always with an abiding respect and affection. The universe rises to threaten, inspire and sometimes punish, but always to teach a valuable lesson. Souls, lost and found, embark on thoughtful emotional journeys.
The single, “Fit against the Country”, renders a nation where working men and women shoulder their careworn lives with neither apology nor surrender. These are words that need to be held close, owing their poignance as much to the savor of their pure sound as to their meaning. “Where I’ll Be”, another single from this brilliant collection, has an infectious rhythmic cadence that marks it as one of the great train songs, and a compelling sentiment that belies the gray landscape it travels.
Justin’s melodic wizardry transcends without discarding the group’s post-folk harmonic vernacular. The skillful instrumental arrangements remain true to their acoustic roots but bring some surprising new voices to the circle. Horn, woodwind and brass appear and fade, lending broader timbral texture to the sonic canvas. There is a light hand on the reins of this music. By turns sweet or playful, it can unexpectedly rise to a swelling muscularity that never pushes, but steadfastly lifts the spirit.
Again joining Justin is instrumental coconspirator, Nathan Crockett, accompanied by a gathering of gifted Northwest musicians including Dustin Dybvig, Victor Nash, Justin Power, Catherine Odell, Jedadiah Bernards, Cory Goldman, Jenn Rawling, Adam Thompson, Scott Magee, Brandon Johnson, and sound engineer Skyler Norwood.
“Cynics New Year” is anything but cynical, but does not fail to deliver something beautiful and new. It navigates a thoughtful, thought-provoking expedition from the wide sky and rolling ocean to the most private corners of the human heart. I hope this “Year” is only one of many, many more to come.
Slick, catchy rap verses punctuated by glittery pop hooks are the trademark of New Deal Crew. What started as a side project, has now become a solid trio of artists and producers, eager to make New Deal Crew a household name. Paul Gulyas or “Cutta”, who is responsible for most of the bands beats, offers smooth lyrical support to frontman Chris Crack’s cut throat raps, with harmonious hooks and strong guitar. While Carvel Snow, adds extra emphasis on what “space life livin'” is really all about. With a playfully raunchy sense of humor (lyrics like “she don’t love me, she only love me for my sex game”) and sampling some untouched classics like “Time Of The Season” by the Zombies, this crew is taking over playlists throughout the CHI and beyond.
We’re a jam-oriented band formed in the Chicago area back in 2010.
atomic space punk
The Doleful Lions came together in Chicago in 1996, Jonathan Scott at that time was playing in the post hardcore band Cinco De Gatos and acquired a 4 track for Christmas 1995. Jonathan was starting to lose interest in the music he was playing in Cinco De Gatos and was becoming more influenced by bands like Big Star, Teenage Fanclub, The Byrds, R.E.M. and Guided By Voices whose album Bee Thousand was a huge influence on Jonathan and his recording on 4 track. He eventually left Cinco De Gatos in 1996 to do Doleful Lions full time and recorded a 6 song demo with his brother Robert at Soto Sound Studios in Chicago, Jonathan sent the demo to any label he could get an address for and Parasol Records signed the band in 1997 and released a 45 of two songs off the Doleful Lions demo. A move to Chapel Hill NC in late 97 and the formation of a functioning, playing live Doleful Lions recorded their debut with R.E.M. producer and Let’s Active’s Mitch Easter with additional recording and production by the dB’s Chris Stamey. Motel Swim was released with great acclaim with a few journalists even saying it was the best debut album of 1998. Various band lineups were commonplace throughout the history of Doleful Lions with already close to 25 members coming in and out since the first album with Jonathan Scott the only constant. Doleful Lions have released 8 albums, 7 of which were on Parasol and the most recent Let’s Break Bobby Beausoleil Out Of Prison! on Wild Kindness Records. Doleful Lions also maintain a Bandcamp page with many other semi-official releases. The band is currently Jonathan and his younger brother Robert who has been a constant in the band since 2006 and whose production work especially on the band’s album “7” remains a major influence on the direction the band has currently taken.
Donoma is a band with propensity for blending alternative rock with tribal and classical sounds, delivered with a dramatic flair which lyrically examines the human condition.
Disraeli Gears is the second album by the English rock band Cream. It was released in November 1967 and went on to reach number 5 on the UK Albums Chart. It was also their American breakthrough, becoming a massive seller there in 1968, reaching number 4 on the American charts. The album was #1 for two weeks on the Australian album chart and was listed as the #1 album of 1968 by Cash Box in the year-end album chart in the U.S. The album features the two singles “Strange Brew” and “Sunshine of Your Love”.
PERFORMED BY: Badge
Badge is a Cream rock music tribute cover-band that hails from Hanover Park, Illinois (suburb of Chicago) and is made up of veteran rock musicians Rich Dahl on lead vocals & lead guitar, D.D. Dierking on bass guitar and Dean Johnsrud on drums.
Band of Gypsys is the eponymous live album by the blues rock band that was formed by Jimi Hendrix after the dissolution of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Hendrix is backed by Billy Cox and Buddy Miles. Songs were recorded at the Fillmore East on two separate nights (December 31, 1969, and January 1, 1970), totaling four concerts, with songs from the final two appearing on the album. Produced by Hendrix and released just six months before his death in 1970, this was the last album he authorized, and the only Hendrix-authorized album to be released on Capitol Records.
PERFORMED BY: Charles Shaw & The Electric Gypsy Band
THE ELECTRIC GYPSY BAND IS A JIMI HENDRIX TRIBUTE BAND Featuring (CHARLES E. SHAW) Lead Guitar & Vocals,” (CARLOS MASON) Drums & Percussion,” & (DAVID TYLER) ”Bass Guitar,” ”THE ELECTRIC GYPSY BAND Is the Mid-West’s ”BEST” JIMI HENDRIX TRIBUTE BAND From the Chicago Area!” ”ELECTRIC GYPSY BAND is Known for it’s high energy & ”electrifiying ” ”Performances!”
Showoff was a pop punk band from Chicago, Illinois led by vocalist (and auxiliary guitarist) Chris Envy.
Showoff was formed in 1997 in Villa Park, Illinois. The band consisted of Chris Envy(vocals/guitar), Daniel Castady (drums), Graham Jordan (guitar), and Dave Envy (bass). In 1998, Showoff signed with Maverick Records while it was owned by Madonna. Their self-titled debut album was released the following year in 1999, and was produced by Goldfinger’s John Feldmann. The single “Falling Star” reached No. 36 on the Billboard Modern Rock charts that same year. A few line up changes occurred over the years. Magoo took over guitar duties from Chris, who then focused solely on vocals. Dave and Graham left the band to be replaced by Nick Piljay and Kyle Lewis.
Showoff disbanded c. 2002, following a change in ownership of the label from Madonna to Fredrick DeMann. This restructuring, along with increasing friction within the group, led to the dissolution of the band without any indication of reforming. They left an unreleased album with producer Mark Trombino.
In late 2005, Chris Envy re-formed Showoff with all new members. They included Nate Envy, (lead guitar), Carl Kusch (bass), and ex-August Premier Mickey Molinari (drums). Rhythm guitarist Lance Tamras was added shortly thereafter. They recorded and released Waiting for you, an EP that was produced by Marc McClusky. Showoff broke up again in late 2006.
In late 2013 Chris, Dave, and Dan officially announced they were going to start playing shows again in 2014. The three are the only original members in the lineup. Rumor has it that Graham and Magoo both considered returning but ultimately turned it down. With the core of Chris, Dave, and Dan, they are currently booking shows all over the country. When asked if they would continue as a band beyond reunion shows Dave said (via a live Facebook Q&A) “I am hopeful we can continue as a band as long as the people will have us”. He also touched on subjects such as new Showoff recordings, full tours, new merch, etc., stating that “everything is on the table” and that he “wouldn’t rule anything out at this point”.
If there’s one thing that can be said about Bremerton stalwarts MxPx, it’s that the perils of being career musicians will never outweigh the joy they’ve found in truly doing what they love, because no matter how many pitfalls are thrown in their path, “There is a song in there somewhere,” says lead vocalist/bassist Mike Herrera. Plans Within Plans, the trio’s ninth studio record, was released in 2012.
The result of these struggles is Plans Within Plans, a two-decade career coming to grips not only with aging as a band, but also the harsh reality that they are still on a steep upward climb toward their collective goals. Always sharing an endearing commonality with their diehard fans, the album has its throwback moments while still managing to employ a few surprises.
Doom from Rhode Island, USA.
Spirit Caravan was a Maryland doom/stoner metal band featuring the legendary guitarist and vocalist Scott Weinrich (aka: Wino) formerly of The Obsessed and Saint Vitus. The band had a lyrical emphasis on spirituality (though not necessarily religion) and global politics.
Other band members were Dave Sherman (bass and vocals) and Gary Isom (drums). Weinrich credits them for encouraging him to join the band and become active musically again, after he had abandoned his music career.
P&C are a Philadelphia/Chicago duo that creates upbeat punk rock indie jams. Peter & Craig have been playing their drum/guitar rock tunes since 2005. This performance will be a special one, fresh off the first installment of Chicago’s TWO PIECE FEST!
Hot Bagels are a fuzzed-out, lo-fi, garage punk rock band. The band released Toasted this month digitally and on cassette via Be Happy Records (vinyl coming in February). The 15 mind melting tracks on Toasted range from 43 seconds to just over 3 mins in length and were recorded in “cars, basements, apartments, and practice spaces” around the city over the last three months. Hot Bagels is the essence of DIY and a band to watch and experience in 2014.
Monokino has toured extensively across China, the Netherlands, Canada and the USA. Monokino weaves ear-piercing synthesizers, cleverly arranged guitars and pounding drums with a highly-exceptional voice to produce futuristic sounding, awe-inspiring pop. In the course of a minute, you may hear Soft Cell, New Order, Kraftwerk, Associates, Cabaret Voltaire and Freur. There’s a good line in angry guitar too, nodding a bit to Hook & Albrecht.
Producer Tony Visconti mixed the acoustic version of Monokino’s song “New Kid”, sang by American singer/songwriter Kristeen Young (known for her work with David Bowie en Morrissey). Their brand new album “Fake Virtue” (Konkurrent, Modern Sky Asia) is produced by Dutch neo-psych/baroque pop artist Jacco Gardner, Press about the album:
“Fake Virtue is an album mixed in electric love and pop wonder. I was unsure about whether or not I was going to enjoy this album but I was proved wrong very, very early. The Amsterdam based band are quite the delight, a treat for your very ears and a lightening bolt to your senses. Fake Virtue got me excited about whats potentially out there in the world. You mean, not everything is shoegaze? (Dingus)
“These guys remind me of a band that escaped with their creativitynontraditional melodies and voice flirting with electronics and a noir-new wave feel” (Muziek.nl)
This trio puts down a very unique and idiosyncratic sound, primarily due to the voice of George van Wetering. We hear various influences, OMD, Placebo and even snatches of Joy Division. (LiveXS)
Ever since Monokino was signed by Modern Sky China in 2008, they have frequently toured China. Highlights of Monokino’s shows abroad were performances at the World Expo in Shanghai (China, 2010), Strawberry Festival in Beijing (China, 2010). SXSW (United States, 2009), NXNE (Canada, 2011),Sled Island (Canada, 2012) and Guangzhou China Pop Festival 2008. Monokino just finished a successful tour through China with highlights including two shows at the Strawberry Festival in Beijing and Shanghai (with Travis and Deerhoof). The songs of Monokino’s new album “Fake Virtue” were greatly received by many festival participants. They instantly became popular search terms on various Chinese download websites.
Heymoonshaker are the unlikely pairing of two art forms that are decades apart; Grit-your-teeth, raw, blues guitar and expansive, heart-pounding beatboxing. Urbanizing blues music now for nearly 2 years, Andy Balcon and Dave Crowe are extremely talented at their craft but what impresses most and has made their commitment to Beatbox Blues so successful is the indescribable chemistry these two have on stage. The musical sparring of Crowe’s powerful beats versus Andy’s possessed vocals forge together like two pieces of iron, creating an inspired piece of creativity and originality.
Meeting as street performers in New Zealand in 2009, Andy and Crowe began fusing their interests in the blues and electronic bass music in front of the passing crowds of the south island. After separating to take different travelling routes, the boys re-met back in the Northern hemisphere in Sweden where they began taking their jams to the stage. As their show developed and their touring routes became more extensive, so too did their sound mixing features from heavy rock & roll, roots music and dubstep. But their love and appreciation for the blues is something that stays true throughout their writing and the driving force behind their music. Taking huge inspiration from the likes of Led Zeppelin and Muddy Waters, Heymoonshaker’s big riffs, loud rhythms and howling vocals have impressed in small intimate basement venues to festival main stages.
Last year Heymoonshaker were invited to support Ghostpoet, De La Soul and Baxter Dury at Marseille’s Marsatac Festival, with Rolling Stone Magazine describing their performance as “Dazzling”. This sparked major interest in the band in France and over the past 12 months Heymoonshaker have appeared at some major French venues such as Bataclan in Paris where they supported Walk Off The Earth, and Le Divan Du Monde where they sold out their headline show in May this year.
Not surprisingly, Heymoonshaker’s unique and energetic take on the blues has also been snapped up by festivals around the world. This summer has seen them perform at Printemps de Bourges & Cognac Blues Festival (France), Festival d’Été (Canada), Fusion Festival (Germany), Paléo Festival (Switzerland), WOMAD & Glastonbury (UK), Sziget Festival (Hungary), plus countless others.
Still finding pleasure in hitting the streets with their custom made suitcase, fitted with car speakers and battery, and camera in hand, Heymoonshaker have amassed a huge YouTube following with their official YouTube channel at a staggering 20 million views and rising.
In March 2013 Heymoonshaker released their first EP ‘Shakerism’. This extended 8 track EP contains songs from previous recordings and recent unreleased material, compiled to illustrate the journey of the band’s ever growing sound. This autumn the band re-release the EP as ‘Shakerism (Definitive Edition)’ which includes the track Colly Drop from their recent gritty film-noire music video and a solo beatbox piece recorded late last year in a studio in France. The duo also head out on tour in Europe covering France, Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic and UK.
Brandon Caskey is an American rapper, better known by his stage name Caskey. After releasing mixtapes independently including No Complaints (2012), Caskey signed to Birdman’s Cash Money Records and Republic Records in August 2012. He is currently prepping his untitled debut studio album.
SaveMoney representatives Joey Purp and Kami De Chukwu have joined forces for a side project of epic proportions? The name of the group? Leather Corduroys. Trust that you’ve never seen or heard anything like this.
After the three of them moved to Chicago to start school at Columbia College Chicago, Stefan, Julian and Jordan’s fates all intertwined. Jordan and Julian were roommates and they both eventually met Stefan through their good friend, Austin. Stefan plays guitar and Julian plays drums, so they began to jam and look for a bassist. Jordan played bass, so it was a natural decision for him to join the band. The music writing process began under the name The Elevators until the name was changed due to unoriginality. We are now Pearls & Bones and we’re here for your entertainment.
The Mound Builders are a sludge rock quartet based out of Lafayette, Indiana. Rooted in heavy metal, hardcore, stoner rock, and punk, they have spent the better part of nine years traveling the Midwest and distinguishing themselves to audiences everywhere with their heavy, ear-splitting, high-energy live performances!
“Second Chance For Prometheus is a progressive metal band from the Chicagoland area. The band was inspired by the story of Prometheus, who is considered a symbol of human progress. They try to write songs and stories that will make you think and look at the world differently. The members of the band all come from different musical backgrounds and have worked hard to blend them together under one musical vision, making it very difficult to label the band under one genre. They promote self-reflection, community, and the elimination of our fears and vices.”
Cow Punk/Pop Punk band from Louisville KY. moonshine, whiskey, drink tickets, bourbon, getting weird, oogles, compliments, condiments, g-stings that don’t snap, motivation, old milwaukee, old english, high life, low life etc
Smokestack Relics can only be defined as a dirty swamp rock band.The two brothers sing about livin’, lovin’, dyin’ and the hell down below. The band is stripped down to her bare essentials creating a raw roots feel. When they’re not playing in Denver you may find them playing throughout the grand ol’ South and Midwest, scrapin up enough cash to make it to the next show with coffee and cigarettes in hand.
Acoustic guitars, electric amps, broken strings, broken drum heads, stomping, jumping, kicking, beating, screaming, aggressive, loud, heart felt and soft. Rock? Country? Punk? You tell us. We are The Drunken Cuddle… can we stay with you tonight?
Jeff Janulis and Mike Cohen are WhatEverly Bros…along with Carl Lubicz (bass), James Hurley (drums) and Rich Maisel (guitar)
The Bros cover the Everly Brothers’ halcyon days of rock’n’roll and dabble in music from whatever floats their boat at the time…to a load of rockabilly and other things ‘twang’.
We are a Folk Rock band that has many different influences. Music is very important to each of us for different reasons and we love sharing our love of it with others by playing together to an audience. Our music background is very eclectic and it shows. We have roots in rock n’ roll, grunge, post-rock, oldies, punk, psychedelic, and Irish folk. We have brought these different elements to our music.
A fusion of Funk, Blues, Rock & Jazz fueled by moments of pure improvisation and unique arrangements.
“ Rockin’ blues group covering Clapton, Rolling Stones, Allman Bros. and blues standards.”
In a small amount of time, Sicko Mobb, composed of Lil Trav and Lil Ceno, have found themselves at the forefront of Chicago’s bop movement. Birthed from the fledging drill scene, bop cuts straight to the pop core in drill and leaves nothing behind. Most bop songs are composed of only a few essential elements – some footwork like snare/bass work, a one finger melody, rapping that hews closer to singing than traditional rap – and almost nothing else.
Ty Dolla Sign is an American singer, rapper and producer from Los Angeles,California. He is currently signed to Wiz Khalifa’s Taylor Gang Records and Atlantic Records.
Relentless and uncompromising, a punk rock mentality with no apologies, this is Cody Jinks. Growing up on traditional country, classic rock, and heavy metal, Cody has been around and seen it all. Cody’s latest studio album “30” stayed on the Texas Country charts with its first single “We Get By” for six months in 2012 and has no signs of slowing down in 2013 with the second single “Glad to Say”. There is no formula for good music, it just is or isn’t’ and there should never be any punches pulled. Cody pulls no punches and has survived in this business because of that very reason, life has no sugar coating and neither does Cody. If nothing else it’s real and that’s all it should be.
5th Wall Concept (5WC) is a band based out of Deadtree Studios in Livonia, Michigan. Having performed their debut show and releasing their first album, “We Broke It”, in May of 2012, 5WC has quickly become one of Detroit’s most sought after acts. Taking to the stage with a commanding 125 shows in their first year, 5WC is truly bringing the “LIVE” back to the “live music scene”. Priding themselves on bringing a professional, high-energy party to the stage and putting butts in the seats, 5WC has set a new standard for the local music scene and is quickly becoming known as the standard in live Rock N’ Roll today.
5th Wall Concept expresses the idea that no artist should be forced within the confines of a box or label. Music should be a free-flowing organism that can morph into anything. People listen to every style of music out there. The “Concept” is that one band is willing to take the plunge into the unknown and bring an eclectic sound, spanning every musical avenue that one could enjoy, 5WC is a wall of sound; breaking the four walls that leave us all trapped in the paradigms set forth by mainstream music..
Martin Luther is a dynamic soul singer with a heavy rock sound. Martin has continued to release music on his own label Rebel Soul Records and is now ready to release his third studio LP entitled ‘Love Is The Hero’. He has toured with The Roots as a member of their ensemble and has shared stages with the likes of Jill Scott and Dave Matthews and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and many others. He made his cinematic debut as a lead in Julie Taymor’s Beatles tribute film ‘Across the Universe’ and has made cameos and appearances on both the large and small screen.
The three iconic rock stars in Blue Coupe are the angry orphans of Blue Öyster Cult and the Alice Cooper group, and they’re out to prove something to the world with show-stopping performances and a wall shaking sound that keeps their legion of fans calling for more.
Blue Coupe’s multi-talented entertainers include Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Dennis Dunaway bassist of the legendary Alice Cooper group, along side multi-instrumentalist, Joe Bouchard who founded Blue Öyster Cult with his brother Albert Bouchard master of the drums. These revolutionary originals were the heartbeat of several of the best known songs in the history of rock. And note for note, their full-throttle expertise hits you over the head and grabs you by the heart in Blue Coupe.
With the original Alice Cooper group, Dennis co-wrote smash hits including “I’m 18,” “School’s Out,” and “Under My Wheels” while Albert and Joe were co-writers and arrangers of many of Blue Öyster Cult’s biggest hits including “Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll,” “Hot Rails to Hell,” and “Astronomy” (covered by Metallica). Joe, Albert and Dennis have sold over 15 million albums and have been awarded over 30 gold and platinum records worldwide.
In 1973 Blue Öyster Cult opened shows for the Alice Cooper group on a record-breaking tour of outdoor festivals and sold-out arenas that made the cover of Forbes magazine for the highest grossing tour of the year. As Alice Cooper became world famous with hits like “No More Mr. Nice Guy” and “Elected”, Blue Öyster Cult continued with their own sold-out tours with hits like “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” and “Burnin’ For You.” BÖC also pioneered their own groundbreaking stage show with rock’s most elaborate lazer light show with pryotechnical explosions and a ginormous Godzilla.
But Blue Coupe have found continuing glory with their highly acclaimed album, Tornado On The Tracks, which has multiple Grammy considerations in 2011 and 2012, including “Angel’s Well” featuring Robby Krieger legendary guitarist for The Doors. And Blue Coupe continue to tour North America and Europe with such illustrious shows as the Halloween Parade in New York City where they were seen by more than a million people.
Blue Coupe have wrapped up their second album, featuring Tish and Snooky from Manic Panic, Ross the Boss from Manowar and the Dictators, Buck Dharma from Blue Öyster Cult and Goldy McJohn from Steppenwolf as special guest stars. The album was recorded at the Carriage House Studios in Stamford CT and was mixed in LA by Jack Douglas (Aerosmith, John Lennon, Cheap Trick, Alice Cooper, BOC, etc.) and Warren Huart (Aerosmith, The Fray, James Blunt, etc.)
Rachel Hanson is an alternative-country singer, songwriter and guitarist from Northwest Wisconsin. Her music is blatantly honest, oak-strong and country honey-sweet, taking hints of inspiration from every piece of her relatively short story. Barely 22, Hanson’s unforgettable croon and relatable yet dominant songwriting style are rapidly gaining her footing in the midwest music scene.
In 2010, Hanson moved to Stevens Point, Wis. to attend college and within six months Back Alley Blossoms was formed. She was lead singer and guitarist for the Blossoms, an all female folk/bluegrass band, from their beginning in 2011 until their final show at Winona’s Boats & Bluegrass in September 2013.
Hanson has shared the stage with or opened for William Elliot Whitmore, The Giving Tree Band, Joseph Huber, Cory Chisel, and Now, Now among many others. She plans to release her first album in the Summer of 2014.
I Played Guitar on a Chain Gang or, things you might want to know about my fuckin’ rock band by kevn kinney
“We are a band that’s like your record collection.”
–That’s a quote from me in one of the first articles ever written about drivin’ n’ cryin’ back in the Eighties.
THE ’80s
We released our first album Scarred But Smarter in 1986 on 688 Records. 688 was the center of the underground Atlanta rock scene in the 1980’s. Bands as diverse as Hüsker Dü, Rank and File, Lords of the New Church, The Residents and a week-long stint by Iggy Pop graced the hallowed walls of that now-defunct nightclub. If you drive down Spring Street today, there’s just a doc-in-a-box where the punk rock used to be.
I met Tim Nielsen just after I moved to Atlanta from Milwaukee. One night I was playing in a pickup band with Die Kreuzen, my good friends from back home. (Check out their Touch and Go records produced by Butch Vig.) They were staying on my floor, just passing through on tour. We played a lot of shows together a couple of years back when I was in a punk band called The Prosecutors, so we figured what the fuck? Let’s see what happens.
Tim was there that night. He played in the big 688 band The Nightporters and was a rock star in Atlanta. He pulled me aside after the show and asked me if I lived down here. I told him that I had just moved to town and was working at the sewage plant, retired from the music world for good at age 24.
Tim stopped by my apartment one afternoon a couple of weeks later and TOLD me he was gonna find me a band to be in. My music was on the folk side of Dylan at the time but I decided I was up to playing just for the fun of it. He got me practicing with a few guys but it wasn’t really happening, so eventually he decided we’d just start our own damn band.
Tim quit The Nightporters and stole their drummer and we played our first drivin’ n’ cryin’ show at 688 in October 1985. A little over a year later, I’m sitting in my living room with an album, a real, freakin’ 12-inch vinyl LP record called Scarred But Smarter.
I wanted to be in a band that would be unafraid of changing genres, mostly because I’m easily distracted and change subjects mid-sentence. “Needs help with self control,” read every report card after fifth grade….smartass…underground comic-readin’ journalistic wannabe…too lazy to write a complete story….I settled on the song format…it’s perfect…a short poem…with its own soundtrack. At 24, I wrote:
“Nobody said it would be fair
They warned you before you went out there
There’s always a chance to get restarted
To a new world, new life
Scarred but smarter”
At that time, I had restarted myself. I come from an industrial land of things that used to be: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, class of 79…a town, back then, that encouraged you to leave high school, get a job in a factory, get injured and then get workers compensation while picking up a side job at a liquor store or record shop where you got paid under the table.
The band released its first album for Island, Whisper Tames The Lion, produced by Anton Fier, in early 1988. The album peaked at No. 130 on the Billboard 200. College radio success (and some commercial) accumulated with airplay of the songs “Can’t Promise You The World” (for which the band filmed its first video) and “Powerhouse”.
1989 marked the release of some of the band’s most memorable songs on the Mystery Road album, such as “Honeysuckle Blue” and “Straight To Hell.”
THE ’90s
In 1991 the more hard-rocking Fly Me Courageous ended up being the band’s most commercially successful album, with the album being certified gold. The next few years the band toured with artists such as Neil Young and Soul Asylum. In 1993, DNC released another album produced by Geoff Workman, entitled Smoke, which peaked at No. 95 on the Billboard’s Top 200 album chart. This album was another all-out rocker, marked with guitar assaults, but it failed to catch on with the public as had its predecessor.
Lotsa touring, lotsa recording, lotsa people, lotsa stress, lotsa change, lotsa lotsa.
In 1994, the band decided to move away from the heavy guitar sounds of the previous two records and brought in keyboardist Joey Huffman to replace Buren Fowler. That same year the band left Island Records and found a new home at Geffen Records. The band’s first and only Geffen album, 1995’s Wrapped In Sky, featured newly added keyboard sounds and a return to the band’s original sound. 1997 brought along a self-titled album, followed two years later by a live album, The Essential Live Drivin’ ‘N’ Cryin’.
THE ’00s
2009’s (Whatever Happened To The) Great American Bubble Factory (the first recording of new material in 12 years!) was the perfect crescendo to a long twenty-plus year career of drivin’ n’ cryin’. I think we found the true essence of what we started to build back in 1985. It’s the truth as we see it set to a soundtrack fueled by music we love, everyone from The Ramones, The Clash, The Seeds, Iggy, Dylan, Patti Smith Group, R.E.M., Thin Lizzy, The Rolling Stones. You get the point.
The song title for (Whatever Happened to the) Great American Bubble Factory hit me one afternoon when I was at the dollar store getting some bubbles for the neighborhood kids. As I was standing in line, I looked down at the “made in” label and noticed that those bubbles were made in China…..China!! That’s a long way for a bottle of freakin’ soap to travel. Come on, maybe we can’t make TVs or refrigerators or cars here anymore, but bubbles?
In my world, the first step to a renewed America and our deliverance from an unspeakable disrespect of the American workforce would be the opening of THE GREAT AMERICAN BUBBLE FACTORY. They would come from miles around to see the Willie Wonka of the New Deal….There’s hope again!!! If you can make it here, why don’t you make it here…
We started demos for this record back in 2001 on September 10th. The next day the world was upside down and traitors were everywhere, underneath every coffee cup. Joe McCarthy was back and I just didn’t feel like I was ready to tell the story of the blue-collared optimist…
“She said, ‘Son, you’re dreamin’
Well, ma, if I’m dreamin’
Just don’t you wake me”
That record weaves in and out of the “Midwestern Blues” to the Flannery O’Connor South of “This Town” to the industrial grind of “Detroit City” to the optimistic anthem (and Dictators cover!!) “I Stand Tall” to the genuine pining for home in “I See Georgia.”
I wanted you settled in, riled up, loaded for bear and somewhere out there on the road in search of the great American dream…..
The ’10s
Cut to 2011/12: the Georgia General Assembly commended Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ in a house resolution for the band’s achievements.
Sadler Vaden joins the band (replacing Mac Carter on lead guitar), we cut a deal with Redeye Distributors to keep our records out there in the public eye, we sign on with the William Morris Endeavor to book our shows, and a new record release concept comes to mind…!
A couple months ago I was writing in the morning and my wife was listening to a record. She said I should record that song and I said ‘well, I did.’ It was the last song on the last record ! It dawned on me then that most people that listen to records don’t usually listen past five or six songs, so I’m going to make a record with only five or six songs on it. In fact, I’m going to do four… Or five… Or maybe the rest of them this way!!!! This solves a lot of problems for drivin n cryin. I love the fact that we have never shied away from the fact we are influenced by so many different sounds. But sometimes combining them on one record can be somewhat disconcerting to a particular group of fans. I love that. I love the psychedelic element of challenging the listener. I mean it’s all based on a library of music from our past… THE KINKS and THE WHO meet the RAMONES and THE COUNT FIVE at a little bar owned by BOB DYLAN and JOHNNY CASH… But the opportunity to focus on a specific genre or subject is exciting to me…. Also an opportunity to record with all the people we have been looking forward to working with is almost limitless… We would love to work all over the country with our friends and the five song format means we only need a few days of their time… I think people will be excited when they own a few and can contrast the different sounds and producers… We released number one, Songs From The Laundromat, on June 12, 2012. Paul Ebersold produced number two: Songs About Cars, Space And The Ramones (released Oct 1, 2012) – a tip of the hat to The Ramones, Stooges, MC5. So we toured all over for those 2 EPs and then headed in the studio again to work on number 3… Songs From The Psychedelic Time Clock.
Now jump to 2013: Songs From The Psychedelic Time Clock is released April 16, 2013. The band hits the road (again!) in support of all 3 EP releases, starting the tour in Atlanta with 2 sold-out nights at the legendary Star Community Bar (2 NIGHTS! NO HITS!) and capping it with a very cool show at Atlanta’s Music Midtown Festival, sharing the stage with Journey and Phoenix. Work begins on a super secret TV project for Fox’s FX Network to air January – April 2014. (more on this at a later date!) On days off between tour dates, the band convenes in Nashville TN and Memphis TN with producer Paul Ebersold to work on EP4 Songs For The Turntable.
2014 ushers in great new things including new lead guitarist Aaron Lee Tasjan. Tasjan was honored by ASCAP at the Kennedy Center in 2013 as one of America’s great songwriters of the next generation. A much sought after guitarist, he has played lead guitar with The NY Dolls, Alberta Cross, Everest, Todd Snider, collaborated with Sean Lennon in the band Operation Juliet and had his songs recorded by Jack White and Pat Green.
Season 5 of F/X Network’s hit TV show ‘Archer’ features 12 songs produced by Kevn Kinney (8 of which are Kinney-penned songs, including a complete re-working of DNC hit ‘Straight To Hell’).
‘Songs For The Turntable’ is released to great reviews and acclaim. Once again uber-producer Paul Ebersold assumed the helm, working with the band both in Nashville and Memphis, TN. Work begins on compiling the tracks and bonus material for a vinyl box set release.
I don’t have the patience anymore for a two year recording project, a big build up as if you’re JD SALINGER, a tour and then reality again… I don’t like hype… I just want to offer up my art for the fans or soon-to-be-fans. A five or six song recording every three months like a magazine subscription… I want it now!!! And I want it NEW!
Did you know…
Drivin’ N’ Cryin’s Whisper Tames the Lion was the lowest debut in the Billboard Top 200 albums chart the same week that Dark Side of the Moon fell off that chart for the first time since its release.
Did you know…
Minneapolis 60s garage band band The Trashmen (“Surfin’ Bird”) had Tim’s Uncle Gary as a member. They used to practice in his grandmother’s basement.
Did you know…
Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ is the only band to share a stage with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sonic Youth AND Neil Young in the same twelve-month period.
Did you know…
The Violent Femmes’ Brian Ritchie was Kevn’s high school locker partner. They would go to his house after school and Kevn would watch Brian play guitar before they both watched 8mm porn films.
Did you know…
Peter Buck produced Kevn’s first solo folk record MacDougal Blues, which is coming up on its twenty-fourth anniversary. Peter also road-managed and played on the MacDougal tour (which featured our great, late friend Nikki Sudden) on his break from R.E.M.’s Green tour!!…
Did you know…
DNC’s lead guitar player Sadler Vaden was voted Charleston’s Best Guitarist 2011. Other Sadler highlights include playing the White House with The Blue Dogs in 2006 and appearing in the Ben Stiller/Robert Downey Jr. movie ‘Tropic Thunder.’
The Concrete Roots is a collaborative of Chicago artists. Coming from various bands & scenes, they’ve created a unique 6 piece bringing more power to the Chicago Reggae scene than ever before. Combining rootsy vibes with HipHop bass lines, soulful harmonies, and hard hitting drums that separates The Concrete Roots from every other mainstream reggae band. their high energy live show and particular cross genre sound can appease every music lover
One of the songs starts with Jim playing a somewhat busy, muted riff. After the second time through, Marv hits a chord and bends the note. On the third time through the riff, Jeremy does a snare roll and Jay rides a lower Bass note and then…well, you’ll just have to hear it to get the big picture.
Ted Stevens and The Third Rail are a band defined by their songs, at once both fresh and familiar, classic rock sounds underpinned by a modern Indie sensibility. As the name implies, The Third Rail are an electrified band full of loud heavy guitars and boisterous top-of-your-lungs vocals. Inspired and energized by the hard rock on the late 1960’s and the song oriented FM rock of the early 1970’s, their music is rife with hard edged guitars, heavy drums, and power pop hooks.
After spending four years in Glasgow, Scotland as a performance artist, Stevens returned to his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky in the summer of 2011 and released an album of material for sonaBlast! Records entitled “Waiting.” Shortly thereafter the band that would become The Third Rail was formed, featuring the artful and melodic bass of Kirk Kiefer, and the aggressive, dramatic drumming of Tony Gantt.
The band began to craft the songs for their upcoming album, “Music for Cars,” last fall. Written by Stevens, they bear little to no resemblance to those on “Waiting”; gone are that album’s layered synthesizers and stacked background singers, replaced with simple three piece rock and roll arrangements. The band set out to lay down as much as possible live in the studio, working without the restrictions of headphones or click tracks and recording to a vintage analog tape machine. All overdubs were performed by the three band members themselves in order to keep the sonic identity of the record cohesive. The material teems with themes of youth, vitality, excitement, and conversely, the anger and frustration of that youth, along with the desire to take control of life. The characters in the songs struggle with the places they grew up in and how to live a life with consequences. Beneath the drama of the lyrics lay hard rocking, barn burning, tracks rife with musical hooks.
A perfect introduction to The Third Rail and their dedication to the traditions of good rock and roll is the new single “Live Forever” mixed by veteran Austin, TX producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Fastball, Patti Griffin, Heartless Bastards, And You Will Know Us By the Trail of The Dead). Having spent the last year honing their live act at festivals and opening for bands such as What’s Made Milwaukee Famous, Nerves Junior, Stephaniesid, Mobley, and Josh Krajcik, as well as receiving extensive college radio airplay for the songs on “Waiting”, the band is now spending the majority of its time on the road playing around the midwest bringing their dramatic high energy show to new audiences and preparing to unleash their new music.
The Grasstronauts have never fit neatly into one specific genre. While bluegrass may be the basis, it’s clear their sound is anything but traditional. Blending elements of bluegrass, rock, jazz and a number of other influences they bring a high energy sound of their own.
Armed with guitar, banjo, mandolin and bull fiddle, The Grasstronauts create a powerful sound that is constantly evolving. “We’re always trying to work new things into our sets,” says guitarist Lee Syrjanen. “There are songs that have evolved quite a bit since the first time we played them.”
Based out of Chicago, The Grasstronauts have been fortunate enough to play various music festivals, clubs and bars. Their unique sound draws people in quickly and engages them until the very last note. With each member having different backgrounds, The Grasstronauts are able to bend genres and provide an experience unlike any other.