COACH N COMMANDO

YEEEEE-HAAAW! COACH N’ COMMANDO come up with Kids’ll Lose Their Heads. Twangy shit kickin’ country punk duo couldn’t be anymore redneck than ifin’ these boys had married their sisters, likin’ their pappys did, n’ their pappys ‘fore ’em. -NY Waste

TMAS

I like to think of myself as a warrior, Im just a kid from the south
suburbs of Chicago making my way into the music industry that’s full of
competition and choices. Growing up, I had 2 major influences that lead me
to music. I was inspired by the lyricist that is Eminem and still look up to
him and his work. And I would listen repeatedly to material by Tech N9ne
because of the wordplay he uses. Because of those two guys, I try to be as
intricate as possible and sound unlike anyone else. I write all types of
songs. I do the party songs, but I feel my best material is my up-close and
personal tracks. I switch up the subject and points I’m trying to get across
for every song because I want to have songs that everyone can relate to.

I got a movement that’s called “RidgeReppin”, and its growing day by day.
“RidgeReppin” stands for unity. Teamwork makes the dreamwork and Im just
trying to give back to the people that were there since day 1.  I want to be
the person that turns his dream to reality.  Im all about connecting with
fans, and I like to make my presence known every time I hit the stage.  I
like to bring the energy and to get the crowd going, that’s what I’m all
about. I’m doing everything I possibly can to get this music to where it
needs to be, and in 2014 I’m going to put in the work.

-TMAS

LILY KERSHAW

Sometimes a song is more than just a song. Sometimes a song can be a mirror to the world, or to the hidden selves we are or want to be.

Lily Kershaw’s debut album, Midnight In The Garden, explores emotional landscapes and heart clutching melodies that say the unsaid things we struggle to say ourselves. The album takes root in the titans of folk music…those classic songsmiths who weave tapestries of sound with fingerpicking and tales of often unspoken truths.

In song, Kershaw is an old soul, but in person, she’s a kinetic 22 year-old, a “nearly life-long Los Angeleno,” she says. She’s ebullient and lively, quick with a joke and an infectious smile. Raised adjacent to the Hollywood machine, Kershaw offers an antidote to the long-mythologized Los Angeles glitz; she’s authentic, and honest, self-effacing and, above all, she is herself. She may not tell you this, but she’s conduit, a nexus of the experiences of the world around her. She feels the weight of the world, she says, but through song, she wears it as an emblem of who she is. Like the day-glow dreams of Los Angeles noir, she reveals the darkness that coexists with sunshine.

“It’s all about death,” she laughs, while describing her music. “I’d love to say most of my music isn’t about death or heartbreak but, well, it is.”

It comes as no surprise then, that in 2012, her single “As It Seems” provided the backdrop to the long-running CBS drama series, Criminal Minds. Her voice lilts and flows, as the guitar leans gently into minor keys, and she sings:

Well I knew what I didn’t want to know,

and I saw where I didn’t want to go,

So I took the path less travelled on,

And I’ll let my stories be whispered when I’m gone.

The song caught fire, broadcast around the world. “People wrote to me saying, ‘This is the song I want to play at my funeral,’ it was unsettling at first,” she says, “but it felt good to know that my song connects with people.”

Almost a year later, her song “Ashes Like Snow” appeared on the show with similar effect, wrapping audiences up in the meandering piano and her skyward arcing vocals. It was a song born from serendipity, nearly ten years in the making. “One day when I was at my parents house,” she says “I found this poem that I had written right at the time of the September 11 attacks, when I was just a young kid. I took some of those words and added the perspective from where we are today, in the long aftermath of war and struggle, looking back.”

Kershaw is a compulsive creator, she jots down melodies and lyrics as she’s wandering through her days. She sings melodies into her phone while sitting in traffic or secretly hums a tune into a voice recorder while out at shows, capturing any inspiration that she can channel back into her music. Her debut layers lush instrumentation over the stark skeleton of her sketches, sauntering between swaying somberness and playful uplifting anthems. Like the subtle beauty of a black rose, Kershaw’s music shores melancholy with a sense of hope and catharsis. And like she sings, her stories — her songs — are whispers or echoes, messages in bottles, cast out into the world.

SCOTT PEMBERTON TRIO

Many master guitarists find their homes within a specific genre, perfecting the ins and outs of their chosen musical realm until their names become synonymous with the very art form.

Portland’s Scott Pemberton is not your average guitarist. He’s a musical nomad. His home isn’t in one comfortable bubble, but rather spread across genres. One moment, he’s shredding through the blues. Then next, he’s living in a classic rock world, or drifting melodically through an ethereal psychedelic plane. Maybe he’s leading a dirty funk jam, or experimenting with something heavier, or sitting back on a jazz odyssey.

Regardless of genre, though, Pemberton’s musical journey is marked by two unmistakeable realities: You always know when you’re hearing a Scott Pemberton song. And you’re always going to be captivated.

A Portland native, Pemberton and his guitar have been inseparable since the musician was in his teens, and he quickly established himself as an integral to the city’s musical fabric, sitting in on studio sessions, becoming a fixture at jazz and rock clubs, and taking guitar teaching positions at Lewis & Clark College and Reed College at age 21. So much a part of Portland’s fabric is Pemberton that the city’s famous Voodoo Donutes gifted him a custom guitar-shaped donut for his birthday.

Beyond stages both local and international, his music has found its way into various movies, television programs and advertisements (Nike, Coke, Jaguar, and NASCAR ads have been propelled by his distinctive melodies), and his funky guitar work has led to collaborations with legendary drummers such as Motown’s Mel Brown and Bernard Purdie, AKA “the world’s most recorded drummer.” He’s played prime spots at major festivals across the U.S. and Canada, hit #4 on Billboard’s Tastemakers’ charts and ranked among the top performers on Jambase, peaking at #2 during the High Sierra Music Festival, where he stormed the stage.

Even more remarkable than Pemberton’s quick ascent to a superhero on the axe, though, is his second act. Most musicians are lucky to find their talent in the first place. For Pemberton, his love affair with his guitar received a rebirth following a bike accident that nearly ended his life and caused a traumatic brain injury, a life-changing event that would have grounded most artists. For Pemberton, it only fueled his musical drive. During rehabilitation, the guitarist rediscovered his gift, and emerged with a strong new vision as an artist.

Exploding back into the public consciousness stronger, sharper and more dedicated than ever, Pemberton released his eclectic debut, Sugar Mama, produced by Los Lobos sax player Steve Berlin and featuring a bevy of guest performers including legendary bluesman Curtis Saldago.  Amazingly, Sugar Mama manages the difficult task of capturing Pemberton’s wildly ambitious live persona, jackknifing across genres with ease, using the frontman’s intricate musicianship as a glue that holds it all together.

A master showman who draws amazed stares when audiences realize he’s shredding without a guitar strap, Pemberton’s unique musical gifts and infectiously positive attitude come exploding to life, making the axe man and his band’s legendary shows on stages small and large come vibrantly to life. The music is hypnotic in its infectiousness — consistently challenging listeners while grounding it all in a familiar foundation of rock. Music is Pemberton’s domain. The stage is his home. And his door is always open.

 

KAYO DOT

Boston, Massachusetts, United States (2003 – present)

Kayo Dot is an avant-rock group originally from Boston, Massachusetts, United States (now based in Brooklyn, New York) that was formed in 2003 by Toby Driver after the disband of maudlin of the Well.

The music of Kayo Dot can not be accurately described by the limiting contemporary genre nomenclatures. Their songs involve complex instrumentation (composed by singer and front-man Driver), generally without refrain. They are substantially longer than typical rock songs, often ranging from 8 to 15 minutes in length.

 

SONREAL

SonReal is a new school leader. With a 2013 Juno and MMVA nomination, this young artist has independently put all eyes on him through consistently putting out interesting innovative material. Notorious for releasing mixtapes that have an album feel, it is easy to see why SonReal is at the forefront of not only Vancouver’s hip hop scene, but the Canadian music industry as a whole.

With a number of successful releases under his belt, SonReal began 2012 with the release of the final two singles from 2011’s Where’s Waldo?. Both reaching 100,000 views within their first few weeks online, SonReal kept the buzz alive with the release of an 18 track mixtape titled, Words I Said in April 2012. Directed at the promotion of his summer release, Good News, Words I Said spread across the Internet quickly. With support from some of the largest hip hop blogs such as, 2dopeboyz.com, NahRight.com, HipHopDX and more, Words I Said developed an awareness and anticipation for SonReal’s upcoming Good News. Up Up Up was the first single from Good News and the driving force leading into it’s release. A video accompanied the single and was an instant smash once Much Music awarded it “heavy rotation” on their TV network. Good News was released July 25th and has been labeled the largest stepping stone in SonReal’s career.

After turning many heads in the industry, the Vancouver rapper signed a recording deal with the independent label, Black Box Records responsible for emcees, Shad and Classified. His first release via Black Box would be a collaborative project with fellow Canadian rapper/producer, Rich Kidd. The Closers was recorded in seven days in a private Hollywood studio. SonReal and Rich Kidd had united East and West and made an 11 track album the country could stand behind. Fans did exactly that. October 16th, The Closers debuted at #3 on iTunes Canada’s hip hop charts, next to Macklemore and Kanye West. The Closers then went on to be nominated for Rap Recording of the Year at the 2013 Juno Awards. SonReal and Rich Kidd celebrated their newfound success by embarking on a nationwide tour in promotion of the project and shared stages with such artists as, Down With Webster, Mac Miller and more.

With Summer on the horizon, SonReal has began working on new solo material due for a fall release. With plenty of visuals in store and plans to be performing on a stage near you, 2013 looks like it will be the introduction of SonReal to an audience greater than he has ever reached before.

KIST

Starting in July of 2000 the founding members of KIST set out to launch a band worthy of the moniker “a tribute to Kiss.”

The time is now and that initial vision has arrived in full force. After years of diligence, including a nation-wide talent search, KIST has attained it’s initial goal and continues to strive for a show that keeps the fans asking for more.

Basing it’s stage show on the unrivaled Kiss shows of the 1970’s, KIST performs in the “Alive II” costumes and derives it’s set-list mostly from the make-up era catalogue.

Visually, the band prides itself on members that physically “fit” the part. Sonically, countless hours of study and rehearsal has helped hone the band’s razor sharp edge. A KIST show brings all the fire and magic one would expect at a Kiss show.

Keeping true to form that this is indeed a tribute to Kiss, KIST defers focus on their personal identities, in favor of stage names. This ensures that the spirit of Kiss is the main priority which helps create the time capsule effect that KIST seeks. In other words, KIST wants the fans to come in, close the door and travel back in time for a recreation of the band that helped form Rock history.

Now let’s meet the band:

Lead guitar/vocals— Jon Lightning

Rhythm guitar/vocals— Mikal Paul

Drums/vocals—French

Bass guitar/vocals—The Demon

PINQY RING

Every flashy money-making rapper brags about it in songs. Every mafioso gets theirs kissed out of respect and honor. Each shines its own shine; bright, unique and magnificent. A flashy pink diamond don of her time has come knocking on the music industry’s door. Armed with intelligence, word ridden rhymes, a sick style and Latina flavor, Pinqy Ring is a veritable five foot force to be reckoned with.

Born and raised in Chicago, Marisol Vélez always had a flair for writing. She first shook hands with the mic at the age of 15 during her Sophomore year at Lane Tech High School, when her love for learning Hip Hop songs turned into a curiosity to try it for herself. By her Senior year she became the first female student to rap at her school’s talent show, and the ovations were standing. She vowed she would allow herself to feel the rush of constructing music and performing her own songs for the rest of her life. A wreck of a car accident in 2004 left Pinqy in a coma with a contusion on her brain, broken teeth and several scars. When she came-to, however, her feet hit the ground to run fast with her rap dream held tightly in hand. The tragedy provided incredible inspiration, and today she remains alive and breathing the air of Hip Hop dreams and aspirations. Her hand has been shaking every opportunity presented ever since, like an ambassador.

Being an Honors graduate from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a poet, a proud Puerto Rican, a journalist, an educator and a philanthropist has put Ms. Ring in her own league of urban song writers. Nothing is deadlier than an educated emcee, and this woman’s quick wit, sense of humor, passion, ambition and Spanglish word-play will knock you out!

Pinqy prides herself in being a crowd-pleasing performer; No hype man, no gimmicks, no nonsense. In a male dominated field, Pinq has proven in pink pumps that she can out run the boys in their own race, effortlessly. Her aspiration is to inspire the youth of Chicago to find who they truly are, and that is a story that must be told. Pinqy Ring isn’t a made man, but she definitely made herself into a woman of musical taste and class. Building an empire based on hard work and real music, Ms. Ring is an inspiration to women who refuse to settle for less.

Her diamond is shining and there’s no denying: This rapper, poet, writer, student, teacher and jack-of-all trades clad in hot-pink shades is next in fame!

SHAFFER

Shaffer is a rapper from Chicago IL.

TRUE PRESS

True Press is a Los Angeles (SGV) based band determined to bring their progressive reggae sound to new audiences with grooving warmth and positive vibrations. The message is simple: bring people together, rise up, unite and enjoy life! It has seriously been a crazy ride and above all, one they enjoy… What is meant to be, will be and the music will take a hold…it’s just a matter of time! Look forward to some new tracks and plenty more music comin out real soon! The True Press Tribe is mobbin along looking to link up and spread nothing less than positive vibes with all people!!! It’s a whole movement thing, specifically a TRUE PRESS !!! JAH LOVE

I AM HERESY

I AM HERESY’s sound is an eruption channeling the passionate hardcore/punk fury of early Boysetsfire streaking ferociously down the middle of the metallic-tinged prowess and influences of fellow hardcore giants Integrity and Converge. Imposing. Frenetic. Unrelenting. And certainly unrepentant.

After Nathan Gray (also of Boysetsfire) ended The Casting Out the start of a new era was heralded when he teamed up with this son Simon Gray and a wild bunch of likeminded musicians to form I AM HERESY. They released a self-titled debut album that was followed by the “O Day Star, Son Of Dawn”-EP shortly after in March of 2013. At about the same time they did their first European tour as well as shows on the East Coast of the USA including some with their new label mates of Vattnet Viskar,

Recently the Delaware/New Jersey sextet has inked a worldwide deal with Century Media Records and will release its second full length album THY WILL on March 3, 2014 in Europe/Australia/NZ and March 4, 2014 in USA/Canada.

Nathan Gray (vocals) about THY WILL: “A new ethos is born…Come ye daughters and sons of chaos and mystery! We intend to rebuild and create the archetypes of rebellion and revolution against self induced repression. Reveling in anthemic battle songs of lust, pride and indulgence in order to create a ritual purification from the stagnant impotence of servitude and self denial.”

G-SNACKS

Formed off an 18 hour jam session and armed with a serious passion for making epic music, the G-Snacks unique sound is sure to please a broad spectrum of listeners. With a wide variety of influences, the G-Snacks have very a unique and original sound that could be described as Electronica/Funk Rock/ Jam with the element of Metal coming through in the necessary moments. Between the nasty, heavy funk that reminds you of early Chilipeppers, or the synthesized groove jams that feel like a late night festival set..you never know what you will here next. No matter what, the G-Snacks instense and energetic music is gaurunteed to get everyone in the building moving! If there’s one thing that is apparent when watching them, its their love for playing live music!

JOHNNY WINTER

Voted one of the top 100 guitarists of all time in Rolling Stone Magazine Johnny Winter is a guitar hero without equal. Signing with Columbia Records in 1969, he immediately laid out the blueprint for his fresh take on classic blues with a powerful combination of authentic Texas funk and his own high energy interpretation for the legions of fans just discovering the blues via the likes of Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton. Constantly shifting between primal country blues in the vein of Robert Johnson to scorching electric slide guitar, Johnny has always been one of the most respected singers and influential guitar players in rock and the clear link between British blues rock and American Southern rock ala the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Throughout the 70s and 80s he was the unofficial torch bearer for the blues, championing and aiding the careers of his idols like Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker.

The Johnny Winter story is the stuff of legend. Born in Beaumont, Texas, in a rough and tumble oil town he grew up listening to and then playing Blues and Rock ‘n’ Roll at a very early age. His inclusion in a story about Texas music in Rolling Stone in 1968 ignited a bidding war among record labels for his phenomenal talent. Since 1969 and his self-titled debut, Johnny has recorded almost 40 albums of classic rock and blues and was one of the top arena rock acts in the mid-70s. In the late 70s he produced and played on a stunning series of Grammy award winning albums with Muddy Waters, who affectionately referred to Johnny as his “son.” The recordings served as a “comeback” for his idol while also refreshing his own deep and unwavering love of the blues.

Today Johnny Winter is enjoying an unparalleled resurgence performing to sold out shows worldwide even after a long life full of honors and accomplishments such as a triumphant appearance at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival with Derek Trucks, Buddy Guy and Clapton that has been immortalized on the Emmy award winning DVD. In a ceremony with Slash presenting in Nashville, Gibson Guitars released the signature Johnny Winter Firebird guitar that has been his beloved trademark for years. His Live through the 70s, 80’s, Rockpalast and Live in Japan concert DVDs are a hit as are his Live Bootleg Series CDs which all entered the Top 10 on the Billboard Blues charts. Two unique instructional DVDs and I-Pad App. have been produced by Cherry Lane/Hal Leonard to the gratitude of players around the world.

Always one for special appearances he recently performed with the Allman Brothers at the Beacon Theater in Manhattan on the 40th anniversary of their debut. In addition Winter has been headlining such prestigious events as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, Swedish Rock Fest, Warren Haynes X-mas jam and Europe’s Rockpalast viewed by millions just to name a few. Warner Bros. has now released a 40th anniversary DVD of Woodstock: 3 Days of Love and Peace the Director’s cut featuring, for the first time, Johnny playing his smoking classic “Meantown Blues.” His latest highly acclaimed release “Roots” (Megaforce/Sony) and recent performance on The David Letterman Show has only added to his Texas-sized reputation. Joining him on this CD is his scorching road-tested touring band consisting of guitarist Paul Nelson, bassist Scott Spray, and drummer Tommy Curiale. Performing now with a renewed vigor and fire to say that he is “back” would be an understatement. In fact, he never left. He is just better than ever.

 

AZMATTIC

I am a 21 year old hip-hop artist from Northbrook IL. I love hip-hop music and i try to make that apparent in every song i make. No matter what the radio plays, hip-hop will always live through my rhymes

MURDER FM

-MURDER FM have hit #2 in Dallas,#24 in Nation and #46 Global on REVERB NATION Charts in April 2013!

-REBEL INK MAGAZINE “Featured Artist of the Week” – 9/22/13
-Featured “Showcase Artist” DRIVEN MUSIC CONFERENCE Atlanta,GA – 9/26/13
-First US Band to perform @ “Trashfest” in HELSINKI,FINLAND – 10/5 & 10/6/13
-NOV 2013 US East Coast Headline Tourdates & Ink Life Tourdates w/DROWNING POOL

Toured From US to UK, Seen with HALESTORM, YOUNG GUNGS, KORN,THE USED,BLACK VEIL BRIDES,ORGY,LACUNA COIL,69 EYES THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE,I AM GHOST,THE DEFILED, RED & TRAPT

-Two TOP 10 Requested Videos SCUZZ TV Europe// “As Beautiful As You Are”& “Machine Gun Kisses”
-Won TIME WARNER CABLE’s “Most Watched Indie On Demand Music Video”// “As Beautiful As You Are” – 2009
-“Machine Gun Kisses” Available on ROCK BAND 3 for XBOX 360!
-Vocalist/Guitarist Norman Matthew Remixed HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD Track “Le Deux” & “Shape Of Sound” by CIVIL TWILIGHT
-Worked with Platinum Producer Beau Hill

LORD OF THE LOST

Hamburg based musician Chris „The Lord“ Harms is not only an extremely versatile singer that can easily manage the entire range between heartfelt clear vocals and aggressive death growls, but also an extremely charismatic character and one of Germany’s most prolific musical talents. Chris has pretty much been a musician all his life, taking up cello lessons at age 5 and singing/playing in rock bands since age 12. With Philiae, The Pleasures, UnterArt and Big Boy, he has been a lot of very prominent bands in the Hamburg scene. With this background, it was only a matter of time until Chris Harms’ unbridled creativity would need its own vehicle of self-expression…

Enter Lord Of The Lost! Formed in 2007 as a solo project, Chris quickly realized that his new baby would have to be a full-blown band when he started working on the first demos for his debut album “Fears”. Hence, he recruited the band’s line up from his extensive circle of musician friends and Lord Of The Lost as we know them were born, the group with its unique and dazzling mix of Gothic and Glam Rock, spiced up with electronic and progressive elements. Demos were sent out and the band landed a recording deal with Out Of Line Music whom Chris had been working with rather successfully in UnterART before. The band self-produced a video clip for “Dry The Rain” and the label organized a promo CD containing both the song and the video to be widely distributed at M’Era Luna Festival 2009. Thus, the foundation stone for one of the most energetic and popular bands from the German Dark Scene was laid down.

The debut album “Fears” was released in February 2010 and received very well by the music press. The band filmed a second video clip, this time for “Last Words” and then started what they themselves are referring to as their “never ending tour” which quickly earned them their reputation as being one of the German scene’s hardest working acts. Lord Of The Lost also played the big festivals (WGT, M’Era Luna, Wacken) to a very good audience reception and went on to producing their second album rather enthused.

As a first glimpse, they released the digital single and video clip for “Sex On Legs” in March 2011. The concept album “Antagony” followed in April and marked a massive progression for the group that built upon the debut successful sound while expanding it with a plethora of different and new elements. Rightfully, Sonic Seducer magazine named the release a “masterpiece” and featured Lord Of The Lost with an extensive cover story. The band then filmed their next clip “Prison” and spent a lot of the year on the road, playing a successful tour with Mono Inc. plus a lot of headlining and festival dates, documented in detail on their video log “TV Of The Lost” on the web. They also secured endorsement deals with Cyan, DV Mark, Mark Bass, Meinl und Tama, thus resulting in an altogether very successful year.

The Hamburg-based lads kick into 2012 with the EP “Beside & Beyond” which contains alternative takes on hits, unreleased gems as well as previously unreleased fan favorites (among them a cover version of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” which is very popular live.) In summer, they followed up with the smashing single “Die Tomorrow” (which was accompanied by an extremely laborious video clip which had each of the band members pushing their personal boundaries) and a third studio album of the same name, on which Lord Of The Lost sported an even more versatile musical approach than on their previous outings. This year had the Hamburg-based lads touring even more extensively than in previous years, supporting Eisbrecher on their tour and absolving an almost completely sold out headlining tour with Unzucht.

The young year 2013 was greeted in January with the digital single “See You Soon” and a fittingly moody video clip. To gain a longer time period for conceiving and recording album number four, Chris Harms and his lads decided to see a long time wish fulfilled: after more and more fan requests for a live album came in, they decided to professionally record the sold-out show at Hamburg’s Knust club for optimal reproduction of the band’s live energy. The result is titled “We Give Our Hearts” and captures the energetic performance in a massive sound. The album is also released as a deluxe edition sporting a bonus mini album with new studio tracks that showcase the myriads of facets of Lord Of The Lost’s music. The band is also very active at the touring front, this year, playing every major festival, with another headlining tour and a tour supporting Subway To Sally on their “Eisheilige Nächte” following in autumn and winter.

Lord Of The Lost combine charisma, inexhaustible energy, a gripping live presence and a golden hand for lasting tunes, thus being one of the dark scene’s most unique acts, these days. Straight to the heart and right in your face… or to quote Mono Inc.’s Martin Engler: “Lord Of The Lost will either be really big… or I don’t know anything about music.”

IL TANDRE NEU

My personal musical compulsion turned il Tandre Neu into a burgeoning project from 2003 – 2007. In 2010 I dragged my friends back into my next impulsive set of songs, and now it’s a creature that seems to sustain itself off of all our idiosyncrasies. -J

 

MIDNIGHT MASS

Midnight Mass was formed in the fall of 2000 when Ryan and his father Randy co-founded the project. Original members included Randy McKay on bass and lead vocals; Ryan Cole on guitar and vocals, and a number of exploding percussionists.

In 2003 Randy left the band to concentrate on his full time job and solo projects. Shortly after Ryan was re-introduced to Craig Allen, and old high school who was an accomplished blues guitarist and classically trained musician. The two quickly went into a deep song writing phase spending long nights searching for unique material and co-wrote and produced a number of songs together.

Craig decided to take a break to visit a girl he had met online, leaving their drum machine, Dr. Crank, with Ryan. Tragedy struck and in the early hours of July 15, 2009 Craig Allen was fatally struck by a train. He died as a true blues guitarist at the crossroads.

Afterward, Ryan’s girlfriend April Santos decided to get serious about playing bass. The couple practiced and started recording music together. Ryan’s long time friend Mark Stiburski heard the couple playing and they inspired him to start singing again. With the addition of April on bass and Mark singing and writing lyrics, the band was reformed! Midnight Mass is now back from the dead again.

MIKE GASSETT

Mike Gassett is a Chicago based singer songwriter who recently joined up with Ed Novak, Matt Mills, and Dan Mahoney Jr. Mike Gassett’s blend of acoustic, alternative, and folk styles have likened him to artists such as John Mayer, Damien Rice, and Mat Kearney.

the-suicide-shifters

THE SUICIDE SHIFTERS

“The Suicide Shifters” are a modern day throwback to the days when rockabilly ran wild. Drawing their influence from a blend of the iconic and timeless sounds of psychobilly, surf and rockabilly music. These three cats bring an “Amped, Upright, Rockabilly Ruckus” to the stage. All rock n’ rolled up in the era of vintage motorcycles & classic culture of the 50’s & 60’s. “The Suicide Shifters” bring a new spin & twist to the rockabilly music scene through a live performance that features a number of tracks off of their debut CD “Beat the devil around the stump”. Performing tracks like “Hell Hath No Fury”, “Lil’ Fabri-Kate”, “Secret Lock”, “Bloodhound” and many more…So, grab your fuzzy dice and get on out to the show!

BLOODY OL’ MULE

From Hell’s Fringe, located on the edge of Grady County in Oklahoma, Bloody Ol’ Mule was born into Oklahoma’s music scene in 2004 as a one-man-band drenched in traditional honky tonk and hillbilly country, old time mountain music, and hard, gritty blues with just a little drop of madness, grit, and grease.

Bloody Ol’ Mule’s influences are soaked in a greasy bucketful of what he likes to call the “old REAL blues”, preferrably the Hill Country Blues of Northern Mississippi, as well as lots of old pre-1976 country and Honky Tonk, old hillbilly music, and mountain music, the appalachian folk music of Kentucky, and West Virginia and early 1950’s rock’n’roll. The music that drives him, and inspires him ever since he was a boy growing up in the open country side of Grady County and abroad is the music of Hank Williams Sr, Jimmie Rogers, Dock Boggs, Mississippi Fred McDowell, and T-Model Ford.

Bloody Ol’ Mule is a one-man-band and the incarnation of Oklahoma born, and bred Shilo D.L. Brown who started playing music at the early age of 15, and has been playing ever since.

He plays an electric Fender Telecaster guitar, and a variety of acoustic guitars that he thrashes, and beats, and whips his wild rhythms out, making it scream, and jump with that Bloody Ol’ Mule sound that he was honed, and polished to his own liking over the years, as he stomps away on a 3×2 block of wood that he runs direct into a bass amp. His live shows have been known to be anywhere from hypnotic, and dangerous, right on down to tight grooving sounds of greasy juke-joint tempo blues with a sort of possession that seems to take him over as if possessed by some other being, or person, then at the next moment, turning the tables on his listeners with either an old time mountain field holler, or some heart-felt honky tonk country weeper that seems to take hold of the audience, and make them stop somewhere in time, and pull at their heart-strings.

Shilo Brown writes all of his own songs, and prefers to play his original material with all the grit, and horror that one could muster, producing enough original material to play a set all night long with more to come. With a style of his own, Bloody Ol’ Mule’s music is filled with elements of 1950’s rock’n’roll, hill country blues, lonely field hollers, old appalachian folk tunes, as well as anything else that might inspire him to play.

Shilo Brown’s voice at times is gritty, and haunting, and at other times smooth and hypnotic, providing that high lonesome sound that cries out from the roots of rural America, reflecting that utter heartbreak and wanting, as well as pain, and vengeance with a sense of power that takes hold of his audience, pulling them deeper, and deeper into the world of Bloody Ol’ Mule.

Take all of these elements and add a touch of 1950’s rockabilly sunk down into a pool of pure gritty hillbilly blues that is rooted out of the surroundings of Bloody Ol’ Mule’s upbringing in the rural prairie land of Oklahoma, and then you’ll have Bloody Ol’ Mule, the hell-bent honky tonk stomp hillbilly blues one-man-band.

NEW RED SCARE

Fancy, fast, raw, rock ‘n roll from the harbingers of the Whiskey Revolution. Formed in 2011 in the loving arms of Albany, NY and spreading… We are waiting to come to your town…

 

ONLYJAME

Born on December 17, 1994 in Hoffman Estates, Rapper OnlyJame aka Darnell Barrett was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. Influenced by various artist such as Usher, Kanye West, and Biggie Smalls, as a young boy he would perform for his family at holiday events. He was inspired to start his young music career by the name of Nellougze his freshman year in high school. Barrrett Graduated and continued on to Columbia College in Chicago. Where he met his roomates who started calling him by his middle name James, he stayed with it. Making him also change his music name to OnlyJame. With the help of his team, Paperboy Music, Jame creates raw music with various styles of hip hop and rap.

PINNICK GALES PRIDGEN

Composed of King’s X’s bassist/vocalist dUg Pinnick of the progressive metal band King’s X, southpaw blues-rock guitarist Eric Gales (Lauryn Hill, solo) and ambitious ambidextrous drummer and former Mars Volta member, Thomas Pridgen, PGP unites three versatile artists, who demand, as much as share, the musical spotlight.

On the band’s debut, each member of PGP infuses the material with his own set of musical influences, transforming his individual instrument into a lead instrument. The absolutely slamming musicianship frames the recognizable melodies of these songs and catapults the music into the realms of psychedelic blues, hard rock, and progressive soul/R&B.

“This record is three guys, with music in us, who said, ‘Let’s go for it,’” says Pinnick. “It was built upon raw energy.”

Produced Mike Varney, Pinnick Gales Pridgen’s debut contains all the stinging bite and all-out sonic boom of King’s X, The Mars Volta and The Eric Gales Band. In addition, fans of artists as far ranging as Jimi Hendrix , Cream, Living Colour, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tool, The Who, Stevie Wonder and Liquid Tension Experiment might find something meaningful in these meaty, extended tracks.

“I think the record has a combination of all of the good things about our playing,” says Pridgen.

“This is just colossal,” Gales concludes. “This is just some slammin’ [stuff]. When you put a project out like this, man, people will want to hear that [material] live. I know I would.”

 

A STORM OF LIGHT

A Storm of Light is a metal band from New York.

They have been categorized as post-rock, post-metal, doom metal, sludge metal and hard rock, but have moved toward a darker and heavier metal sound. Rock-A-Rolla magazine’s review of Nations to Flames states: “In upping the aggression, intensity and songwriting ability, they are once again overshadowing what’s gone before and giving new reasons to appreciate a band that are already becoming one of the most crucial heavy acts around.

JUNIUS

Junius is an American rock band from Boston, Massachusetts that formed in 2003. The band is composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Joseph E. Martinez, guitarist Michael Repasch-Nieves, bassist Joel Munguia and drummer Dana Filloon. Thus far, they have released three EPs and three full-length albums respectively. The band name is taken after Junius, the pseudonym of a political writer who lived during the late 18th century.

JUKEBOX CASANOVA

Springfield IL based Original Rockabilly, Honky Tonk, Americana band

THE HARMALEIGHS

The Harmaleighs is a 3 piece folk band that formed in Nashville, TN. They started when Haley Grant, front woman and songwriter, joined with instrumentalists Kaylee Jasperson and Kevin Buchanan. The three started mixing their musical melting pot in January, 2013.

Each member of The Harmaleighs brought their separate ingredients and cooking supplies to the kitchen in May, 2013 where they spent the month baking their record at Dark Horse Studios in Franklin, TN.

Their first EP ‘People Line Up’ will be released August 6th, 2013. With this Album, The Harmaleighs have concocted a unique recipe filled with sweet rhythms, dark chocolate lyrics, spicy banjo licks, and finished off with rich velvety harmonies.

They are eager for their friends, fans, family, & of course musical foodies to take a bite.

‘Female version of Mumford and Sons’ – Lightning 100

‘Lyrically it was awesome’ – Lightning 100

THIS OBSESSION

This Obsession is a Pop-Punk trio from Chicago, Illinois. With energetic guitar riffs, punchy bass and fast paced drums paired alongside catchy hooks and thought provoking lyrics, This Obsession is sure to have a little something to please everyone’s musical tastes.

 

30 SECOND THEATER

30 Second Theater is an up and coming musical sensation from Chicago formed in the fall of 2007. Since the very beginning, they have been working hard to create their signature sound by fusing together the stylings of The Offspring, Blink 182, Sum 41, and Green Day. Combining the sounds of these great influences, they have created a style of music that is upbeat as well as melodic and engaging.

SOLUTION UNSATISFACTORY

A high-speed Chicago style 3-piece fueled by a passion for in-your-face rock and a disgust for the modern order.

The group, at large, is considered to be armed and dangerous, with catchy punk riffs and unrelenting social and political lyrics, and are described as loud and with a bad attitude. Fronted by Garvey’s satirical commentary and shredding guitar, backed by Jay’s insanely fast melodic bass walks and Pat’s explosive assault on the drums, it’s music you can revolt to.

VICIOUS CIRCLE

Vicious Circle began playing together in the mid 1980’s on the NW side of Chicago by brothers Art and Rudy Guzman. With the addition of Chris Tabor on guitar, the core of the group was established. After solidifying their lineup; Vicious Circle paid their dues starting out at clubs like The Iron Rail and Club Stadola to name a few. They then worked their way up to performing and headling many higher profile Chicago venues such as the legendary rock club The Thirsty Whale and Chances R. This also brought on local talent manager Tom Asay, who guided and directed them to appear with many National Acts locally. He also helped them branch their music to other Midwest locations such as Mabel’s in Champaign, TA Vern’s in Wisconsin, Mickey’s in Indiana; Midwestfest in Central Illinois. This expansion brought on legendary bus trips that loaded hundreds of their fans out to many of these events. Vicious Circle were known to have some of the largest parties at their practice spot behind Smiler Coogan’s; so bringing those same fans on a luxury event bus with them was just the right thing to do!! And the stories and memories live on….

As life changes; so do people and music; and in the early 90’s Vicious Circle decided to part ways. They still remained friends and in contact over the years and as they progressed on with other projects and bands; conversations always reverted back to those historical times of being involved in a great movement.

Fast forward to 2009; Tony LaBarbera; the same promoter that booked the Legendary Thirsty Whale in the 80’s and 90’s; produces one of the biggest local rock events; The first Thirsty Whale Reunion show. Vicious Circle saw this a great oppurtunity reunite and they were one of the first bands to reach out to Tony and was immediately booked. Needless to say; it was a historical event for Vicious Circle and many other bands that attended that evening.

Since then Vicious Circle has written new material to add to their catalogue and have recorded a full length CD. This CD was released in early 2011!

Vicious Circle would like to thank you and many others for being a part of our 2nd journey into yet another phase of great times and music!! Get Metal!!!

SPYDERBONE

Spyderbone promises to take the listener on a journey of inner discovery and joyful exuberance….or maybe we just want to bash your skull into a wall of Marshalls…one never knows…..

SISTER KILL CYCLE

Sister Kill Cycle has created interest all over the United States, as well as abroad, since merging into the music scene with their intense stage presence and sound since 2000. Their live performance utilizes state of the art lighting and a technically choreographed stage production. Experience has dictated that the visual side of the performance is equally important to the sound. Self-described as Alternative Hard Rock, Sister Kill Cycle has crafted their art of genre bending music that is appealing to audiences of all ages and cultures.

After relocating to Tampa, FL in 2003, the band released their debut EP “Massacre The Guilty” selling over 2,600 copies. The EP was self-produced at the band’s home studio and was mixed by Chris Telkes (Noctourne) and mastered by Sara Lee Lucas (Marilyn Manson) and Trace (NIN) at their Master Lab facility in Orlando, FL. The release captured the attention of both local and international fans as well as critics, resulting in a huge fan base growth creating the highest ratings on Myspace in 2004. Sister Kill Cycle has developed a continuously growing fan base with self-promotion, social networking and endless touring with live performances opening for such acts as BILE, ARCH ENEMY, CRADLE OF FILTH, THE CRUXSHADOWS, KMFDM, THE GENITORTURERS, NOCTOURNE, PRONG, MUSHROOMHEAD, SEVENDUST, FILTER, NONPOINT, THRILL KILL KULT AND CC DEVILLE, to name a few.

Sister Kill Cycle won Best Hard Rock Artist Award at the First Annual Hard Music Awards in Tampa, FL in 2006. Through this achievement, the band was invited to attend and perform at Winter NAMM trade show in Anaheim, CA. At this highly visible industry event, Sister Kill Cycle secured product endorsements with MONSTER PICKS, DDRUM, BC RICH GUITARS, KUSTOM AMPS, FLOYD ROSE, ROLAND, EMG, SAMSON and HOSA CABLES. In May 2010, Sister Kill Cycle released their first full length album titled “Redemption Through Rebellion.” It was immediately followed by the “Crash and Burn Tour” with supporting acts Fractured Fairytales and Team Cybergeist. Sister Kill Cycle has continued developing an ever growing fan base throughout the US and in overseas markets in excess of 60,000 fans. Their music and videos have stimulated the attention of industry professionals from markets around the world.

Sister Kill Cycle is currently in the studio working on their new release. Strategic plans are in development to release at least two music videos in support of the new album. A full tour to support the new album and the new music video releases are currently in the planning stages.

Currently Sister Kill Cycle is receiving rotational internet radio play on Flying V Internet Radio with three songs. “Nowhere,” “Cruel World” and “No Surrender” are reaching an audience of 1.4 million listeners at any given time. Sister Kill Cycle has recently acquired endorsements with Texas Star Whiskey, Sinister Guitar Picks, Mass Destruction Clothing and Scymtek Cymbals.

NEW YOUNG PONY CLUB

New Young Pony Club (now NYPC) was a four-piece electro band from London consisting of Tahita Bulmer (vocals), Andy Spence (guitar), Lou Hayter (keyboards) & Sarah Jones (drums). Partly inspired by LCD Soundsystem and a chance meeting of like-minded band members intent on establishing something potent, Tahita & Andy formed the band in 2005. In 2013 Tahita & Andy continued on without Lou & Sarah as NYPC.

BURNED OR BURIED

Detroit meets Chicago. Burned or Buried. The eternal question. Calm and submissive, or brazen with no thought of self. Detroit has several ex-pats that have come to meet their match in Chicago. The melding of styles is a good Midwestern one. Former members of Quatre Tête, Chapstik, Dead Electric and Rom have formed a new sound. GarageRock meets angular Chicago rock. Fists clash at the beginnings of this meeting of the rock minds. Burned Or Buried. Decide for yourself. We’re ready to hit you.

GUANA BATZ

The Guana Batz were part of a British wave of psychobilly that sprang up in the early ’80s, around the same time that bands like the Cramps were gaining underground prominence in America, and more straightforward rockabilly revivalists like the Stray Cats and the Polecats were hitting the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. The group was formed in the English town of Feltham, in Middlesex, in 1983, with a lineup featuring vocalist Pip Hancox, guitarist Stuart Osbourne, bassist Mick White (also of the similar Meteors), and drummer Dave Turner; White, an electric bassist, was soon replaced by stand-up acoustic player Sam Sardi. Playing hopped-up rockabilly with the speed and aggression of punk rock, The Guana Batz fit nicely into the British psychobilly scene epitomized by the Meteors, the Stingrays, the Caravans, and other bands who played at the good-naturedly rough Klub Foot in London. As such, the Batz landed a deal relatively quickly, releasing their debut EP, You’re So Fine, on Big Beat Records by the end of 1983. An appearance on the Stompin’ at the Klub Foot compilation netted them a better deal with ABC/ID, which released their full-length debut, Held Down…At Last! (aka Held Down to Vinyl…At Last!), in 1985. A follow-up, Loan Sharks, appeared a year later, and proved an even bigger underground hit (at least in the U.K.) than its predecessor. Live in London (recorded at the Klub Foot) followed in 1987, and Rough Edges continued the group’s annual release schedule in 1988. Following that album, drummer Turner was replaced by Johnny Bowler, who debuted on 1990’s Electra Glide in Blue (recorded for new label World Service). While the band continued to tour the U.K. and Europe (with new bassist Mark Pennington), their initial recording career ended there, and they disbanded during the ’90s. Hancox and Bowler both moved to California, where they settled and started families. The Guana Batz reunited in late 1998, however, and recorded the all-covers album Undercover the following year. The compilation Can’t Take the Pressure was released in 2000, with a competing best-of, The Very Best of the Guana Batz, appearing in 2001.

ANTONY & THE TRAMPS

“We call it American Gypsy, because it wanders but isn’t lost.  Its a tramp, you can’t get lost when you’re in love with where you are.”

Formed in 2011, songwriter/director Antony Ablan began his search for a band–a group of musicians that could handle, with grace, the wildly eclectic and dynamic changes in mood of his writing.  “It was several months of working with all sorts of great players before I found the right fit.  When it clicked it was so obvious to me, I knew these were the right musicians, it finally worked.”

The virtuosic group developed quickly.  “Once it clicked, things moved fast,” says Antony.  The band soon found themselves headlining Chicago’s most notable venues, from Schubas to Lincoln Hall, to The Empty Bottle.  They embarked on their first national tour in the fall of 2011, earning notoriety for their explosive live shows all the down to Texas and back.  Swinging from gentle sunshine ditties to wild soaring epics, to dirty garage floor american gypsy, The Tramps had come into their own.

Upon returning to Chicago, full of fire, they began recording their ambitious debut album.  Over 6 winter months,  the band created a completely independent, full length album.  Its not a studio album, and its not a live record.  Making use of portable recording gear they were able to record anywhere, at any time, with unbound freedom to experiment with sound for their anticipated debut.

“We had two guiding concepts for this album,” Antony says.  “We wanted the texture to be ‘wooden-electric’, and we wanted the narrative and imagery to be a ‘movie for your ears’.    The band brought on engineer Matt Livensparger to realize their vision.  Matt recalls: “When he called me at 4 in the morning to tell me the album needed to sound wooden-electric, I knew exactly what he meant.  Antony came to me with concepts, textures, feeling, scenes for this album, but he isn’t a technical person, so I stepped in to make those ideas into sound–the mic placements, the room choices, and so on.  He’d direct the music and musicians with imagery and emotion, never musical or technical terms.  I was there to capture these amazing musicians performing.”

The band recorded the album like making a movie, choosing locations to suit the scene.  Enormous recital halls, warehouse hallways, cavernous train underpasses, intimate bedrooms, tiny closets.  “We weren’t stuck in the studio trying to fake it, we could choose the room like choosing an instrument, and it affected the musician, it evoked something in us that inspired the music, inspired the scene we were recording,” Antony says.

ERK THA JERK

Erk Tha Jerk is not your every day, ordinary rap artist. In an era where the majority of artists are all sounding the same, looking the same, and doing the same things, Erk stands out as a real one of a kind artist. At first glance, you would not assume that Erk was a rapper/producer/songwriter, but with his trademark glasses, wit, and laid back persona, he brings something that your average music listener can embrace and relate to. He explains, “Being myself is a must. That’s the kind of music I make. Real sh*t. I don’t feel the same everyday. Some days I’m on my get money sh*t, then the next I’m on my chill at home sh*t. I just make sure everybody can relate.”

Erk found that finding credible production to accompany his lyrics would not be an easy task, which led him to start teaching himself the art of making beats. After some time, Erk’s production talents had become quite formidable, and he produced all of his own work, and other artists began seeking him out to produce their work as well.

Even though his status as a producer was growing, his heart has always been in his raps. In late 2007, he dropped “The Hood Nerd” mixtape, which created some buzz around him as an artist, and got the streets talking. The song “Don’t Need Em” became a favorite of DJ’s and listeners, and has been getting significant plays on 106.1 KMEL. In order to capitalize off the building buzz, Erk released “The Hood Nerd EP” exclusively on iTunes featuring the hit song “Don’t Need Em”, which is a precursor to an upcoming album, which is in the making. In June 2008, Erk released “Im So Dumb” which is a witty, comedic song satirizing the “Hyphy Movement”, and effectively pronouncing it dead. The song has been receiving praise from all over the region for its blunt honesty, and has been considered a long overdue message by many of the most powerful figures and artists in the local scene.

In 2009, Erk collaborated with Bay Area Legend Too $hort on the single “Plane In The Air”. Also in 2009, Erk struck gold by dropping his HIT Single “Right Here” which quickly shot to the number 1 spot on 106KMEL’s playlist. “Right Here” became one of the biggest records for the Bay Area from a Bay Area Artist the region has seen in years, further establishing his ability to make hit songs. Recently charting on Billboards top 100 and recognized by MTV as having a “Regional Hit.”

His lyrical talents and vibrant personality are evident in the song, and has every one talking about Erk Tha Jerk. You can expect Erk to do what he does best, “Make hit music for real people.”

 

BLADERUNNER

“John Zorn is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, producer, saxaphonist and multi-instrumentalist with hundreds of album credits as performer, composer and producer across a variety of genres including jazz, rock, hardcore, classical, surf, metal, klezmer, soundtrack, ambient and improvised music. Zorn has stated “All the various styles are organically connected to one another. I’m an additive person – the entire storehouse of my knowledge informs everything I do.” For Zorn “Composing is more than just imagining music—it’s knowing how to communicate it to musicians. And you don’t give an improviser music that’s completely written out, or ask a classical musician to improvise. I’m interested in speaking to musicians in their own languages, on their own terms, and in bringing out the best in what they do. To challenge them and excite them.”

“Bill Laswell ranks among the most prolific of modern musicians, being involved in hundreds of recordings with many collaborators from all over the world. Laswell’s music draws upon many different genres, most notably funk, various world music, jazz, dub and ambient styles. He has also played or produced music from the noisier, more aggressive end of the rock spectrum, such as hardcore punk and metal. Some of the acts Laswell has worked with include Method of Defiance, The Golden Palominos, Praxis, Massacre, Material, Buckethead, Painkiller, Ashes, Tabla Beat Science, Iggy Pop and Herbie Hancock.”

“Dave Lombardo is a Cuban American drummer and a co-founding member of the American thrash metal band Slayer. He performed with Slayer on seven albums, including their groundbreaking 1986 release Reign In Blood and their 2006 release Christ Illusion, for which he received critical praise. Lombardo’s music career has spanned more than 25 years, during which he has been involved in the production of 29 commercial recordings extending over a number of genres with bands such as Grip Inc., Fantômas, Philm, and Testament in addition to Slayer. Lombardo is most widely known as a very aggressive and exceptionally skilled heavy metal drummer. His use of the drums have been called “astonishingly innovative” and earned him the title “the godfather of double bass” from Drummer World. Over his career, he has had a significant influence on the metal scene and has inspired many modern metal drummers, particularly within both thrash metal and death metal.”

THE MAHARISHI

A Chicago based band influenced by indie rock and aspiring to create something new for the world’s ears.

UNLIKE ANIMAL

As the cosmos intertwined, and The Pillars of Creation formed lightyears away, three beings only a few decades apart were assimilating. Brad, with his gut-screaming bass. Grant, with his mechanical electrical guitar, and Gar, with his stream-line finesse drumming. This tri-factor split the Earth’s atmosphere, landing in the West Loop of Chicago. Thus creating the instrumental group… Unlike Animal. Where they prevent the Earth from natural disasters like glacial melting, hurricanes, and Justin Beiber.

THE FIGBEATS

All four members are veterans of rock bands from Chicago or other parts of the country. The sound melds early punk, 90’s indie, and classic garage rock into a unique power-pop experience befitting slam-dancing and sing-a-longs

MISS SIXTY SIX

Miss Sixty Six is a new 4 piece Rock band that is Heavy w/a Southern sway. Eclectic influences & personas resonant throughout.

OMNITRON DIABOLICUS

Chicago based rock group incorporating metal, classical, and electronic styles.

Bernie & The Wolf

BERNIE & THE WOLF

Indie rock duo Bernie & The Wolf is taking you back to school with smooth grooves and good old-fashioned songwriting.

PORNO MAGS

Porno Mags is a garage rock band from Chicago. These guys dig The Stooges, Television, The Kinks, The Real Kids, Black Lips, pizza, beer, tacos and some other stuff too. The band has recently self-released their debut single “Get on Top b/w Early Bird” and will follow with their self-titled full length album in February 2014. Porno Mags features members of WitchFeet and Seafarer.

 

BROTHER JACOB & HIS BLUES CREW

Jacob “Brother Jacob” Schulz is a 21-year old Blues Singer from Chicago, Illinois. He was introduced to the Blues, at an early age, by an elderly babysitter. When he was little, his babysitter used to play Pervis Spann “The Blues Man” on WVON-AM. By the time Jacob was 9, he was calling Spann at the station, requesting his favorite Muddy Waters and Koko Taylor tunes.

In 2004, Jacob made his official debut as a Blues Singer at the Chicago Blues Festival. He appeared in affiliation with the Blues in the School Programs. Their instructor was the internationally-known Blues Legend, Deitra Farr. As time progressed, he became more active in the Blues world. Sitting in at open jams and becoming acquainted with the legends he admired the most. These legends supported and encouraged him to continue singing the Blues.

He believes “It is imperative that we keep the Blues alive. I want to sing the Blues because it’s just always been a part of me.”

In October of 2013, Brother Jacob released his debut CD “Blues From Below” with special guests: Deitra Farr, Katherine Davis, Toronzo Cannon and Matthew Skoller.

 

GLENN RUSSELL

You may have seen Glenn Russell riding around Chicago on a Kick start Vespa P200 in an iridescent green suit and a white flat top in the early 80s.

He played records all over Chicago crankin New wave gems at clubs like Neo and the Octagon.

Later he could be spotted on a Black 1200 cruiser cycle playing Punk and early Batcave anthems at places like Exit on wells, The orbit room and The Alter.

An unintentional vinyl freak that bought records daily as new sounds emerged. “I always tinkered with lo fi electronics and experimental music himself. I especially enjoy the early days of machine music and German electronics before the sound became formula. I plan to share some killer tracks I have collected over the years at Reggies where all kinds of Music are welcomed and appreciated.

 

FEZZIWIG

Premier houseband of Victorian England serving exile in Chicago