Upon switching their name from Xecutioner to Obituary, the career of one of the most successful and influential Death Metal bands began. Hailing from Florida and featuring John Tardy (vocals), brother Donald Tardy (drums), Trevor Peres (guitar), Allen West (guitar), and Daniel Tucker (bass), the band signed to Roadracer Records, a now defunct division of Roadrunner, for the recording of their debut album—the immense and immeasurably heavy “Slowly We Rot” (1989). The album was engineered by the legendary Scott Burns at Morrisound Studio, which would come to be the most sought after facility for production of albums during 1990’s rise of the Death Metal genre. Unlike much death metal preceding it, the album had a sludgy feel and integrated devastatingly slow passages along with obliterating overtures that reached far beyond any point of mayhem that metal had yet to reach; the result was a carnal pleasure for doom, death and thrash fans alike coupling the adrenaline of a speedball with the slow, degrading measures of a sewer at dusk. Like them or not, Obituary was unlike anything anyone had heard before.
Chicago-based black metal band Broken Hope was formed by singer Joe Ptacek, guitarist Jeremy Wagner and drummer Ryan Stanek following the dissolution of their previous band, Crypt; adding lead guitarist Brian Griffin and bassist Ed Hughes, the group’s early demos soon earned a contract with Grindcore Records, and in 1991 they issued their debut LP Swamped in Gore. Jumping to Metal Blade, Broken Hope resurfaced in 1993 with Bowels of Repugnance; replacing Hughes with ex-Sindrome bassist Shaun Glass, the band next issued 1995’s Repulsive Conception, followed two years later by Loathing. – Jason Ankeny (All Music Guide)
Closing In formed in Streamwood, IL in 2009. The band has released 3 EPs: Z, Campfire Stories, and Archives/Transitions. Today, Closing In consists of Dan Gasik, Alex Rackow, Luke Zimmer, and John Perrin. The band is working on writing their first full-length album and will be playing shows extensively in 2012. Make sure to check out a show soon!
The Cryptics blend of melody & classic punk rock influence has allowed them to create their own channel of individuality. Since 2008, this New Hampshire based trio has been making their mark. Spanning from a more abrasive sound in earlier years to a more structured tone, the band has set itself in a solid foundation. On March 1st, 2012 the “Face The Day” 7” EP was co-released on P.I.G. Records & Overdose On Records, and marks the group’s first release in nearly 3 years! It is presented as a pre-cursor to a long-awaited full-length LP that is currently in the works. In spring ‘12, the bandl embarked on a 5-week, 36-show national tour in support of this EP. This 3-piece is more active than ever & will continue to strike pavement all over with no exception. The new EP reflects the bands musical growth & remains a seed planted for what’s ahead. Come aboard & stay tuned!
Along with X, Black Flag, Fear and the Circle Jerks, the savagely satirical Angry Samoans rode the first wave of Los Angeles punk. Formed in Van Nuys, California in the summer of 1978, the band was founded by singers and guitarists “Metal” Mike Saunders and Gregg Turner, a pair of erstwhile rock critics who previously teamed with fellow writer Richard Meltzer in the group Vom. After considering names like the Egyptians and the Eigen Vectors (a mathematical term—Turner later became a math professor), they settled on the Angry Samoans, enlisted Saunders’ brother Kevin on guitar, bassist Todd Homer and drummer Bill Vockeroth, and initially set out as a Dictators cover band.
They barged into the room like they owned the place. They were fast, loud, and rude, with something vaguely seedy about them. The tall one*, quiet and brooding, took a seat at the back. The other two stood restlessly, like they couldn’t be bothered to slow down. The one on the left** was the loose cannon, making faces and fidgeting. The one on the right*** was intense, but with a sly smirk and a quick mouth. It was clear that they had been hired to start something. They were the Private Instigators, and they’re starting something soon.
I am Mia LeBlon, a quirky girl with a stormy voice. I bang on keys. Please don’t mind my cussing or random thoughts that make no sense. My musical partner in crime is Joe Corley, but you can just call him The Bear if you’d like. He doesn’t talk, but he does everything else. You’ll hear our original tunes inspired by 50’s & 60’s Soul, Americana, and Country. Cool, doncha think??
Born in the heart of Kentucky, FOTF has torn up shows all over the country. Their recent album Ashes & Angels (produced by Shooter Jennings) made its way onto the Billboard Country charts, a rarity for a record without Auto-Tune or a truck song(s). The band has toured with Shooter Jennings, George Thorogood, Unknown Hinson, and Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, and has shared the stage with the likes of The Marshall Tucker Band, Wanda Jackson, Lucero, and Jason Isbell. Their songs are an effort in American Music, owing equally to blues and country, good times and bad times, whiskey and wine.
Hailing from the suburbs of Chicago, North of Eight has built their reputation as an honest, hard working, blue collared rock band. With histories deeply rooted in rock, blues, country and pop they have blended past and present to create a sound that is unique to their own. There are no smoke and mirrors. They present you with catchy riffs, attitude and lyrics inspired by love, loss and the ghosts of their pasts. In a world driven by the next big thing, North of Eight reaches towards the past striving to bring everything that is pure and genuine about Rock and Roll into one package that you can connect to.
Chuck Uchida is also of I love Rich, the Defoliants , and No Empathy. He was also a key producer for Bloodshot Records. Stacy Sargent was also in Camp Cholo, Josh Isaacs was in Intelligent Dennis with Benjamin Gates he was also in Mega Super Ultra. Benjamin Gates has also been in Intelligent Dennis , The 24 HR expiramental Truckstop, The Cursid Bird ensamble , Lux Klinker, R.O.T.A. , and Dr. Jr.
Chicago has a rich tradition of breeding some of the most soulful and prolific singers, songwriters, and producers. From the times of Curtis Mayfield, Chaka Khan, and Quincy Jones to the present day reign of Kanye West, Common, Lupe Fiasco, R Kelly, and No ID, the legacy has continued. There is a new addition to this elite class that many esteemed industry professionals already know about – Kaye Fox.
Herego is the old quilt on your mother’s couch in the house that you grew up in. Like an old familiar friend, it curls around you with an odor reminiscent of gingerbread and perfume. You know Herego; it has been a part of your life for as long as you can remember. Indeed, it has been a bud in the mind of this folk duo for as long as they’ve known what the calloused feel of guitar strings against the pads of their fingers is. It was in the beginning of a New England autumn that neither had experienced before that Erin and Chris met and began a journey that spanned broken strings and broken relationships to connect to first form a solid friendship, and then a brilliant musical duo. Like the cold nights of October, Herego is the wool sweater you pull on before walking amongst the reddened, dropping leaves; intense, yet caressing, commanding and promising.
These group of friends met while playing music around the Aurora area. The collaboration really came together after a series of shows promoting the Made in Aurora vol. 1 album.
The Kevin Trudo is a singer, songwriter, and musician from Aurora, Illinois who hates singers and songwriters. The idea of a passionate and sensitive writer sharing his songs with an acoustic guitar is nowhere to be found here. Yes, he writes insightful and occasionally heartbreaking songs; those songs have been hummed into a few thousand hearts over the last 15 years and of course he’s a sensitive artist and passionate performer – but ask Kevin and he’ll tell you that it’s supposed to be fun, it’s supposed to rock, it’s supposed to make you move.
The singer/songwriters stopped where they should have started. You take that Great American Song and you give it legs: you make it dance. For that job Kevin brings Meathawk – a ridiculous name for an entirely unsafe rhythm section with Chad Watson on bass and Justin O’Connell banging on a drum kit. These three have played from NYC to LA and from Minnesota to Texas. They’ve opened for the Flaming Lips and been featured on Woodsongs. They’ve played pubs, clubs, colleges and auditoriums. They’ve played basements and day care centers. They are ready.
CattleProd! is a brand new trio featuring Chad Watson on bass/vocals, Justin O’Connell on drums/concussion and Greg Boerner on ELECTRIC guitar/vocals. The boys love blues, rhythm & blues, soul, classic country, cool, hip instrumentals, singer/songwriters, classic rock, Southern rock, rock-a-billy, roots rock, etc. — but won’t be playing any of it.
Jane Rose and The Deadend Boys is a Nashville-based rockabilly/hillbilly/rhythm & blues band. They have been together only for a year, but Jane (power house vocalist and front lady) has been performing this style for over five years. Jane is also the primary song writer/composer of the band and plays rhythm guitar. After moving to Nashville, she met up with banjo picker and rubber chicken-chucker Clayton “Doc” Miller and the two decided to create a unique blend of sounds that is as American as a hot two dollar pistol! Jane brought in her old friend and upright “dawghouse” bassist Johnny Fargo and they found a drummer with decades of experience, Jefferson “JD” Dorsey. When these cats get together it’s sure to get you moving!
The Drexel Project is a fearless collective of Chicago’s best emerging improvisers. The group draws on its collectively vast cross-genre musical experiences to take on continuously new music with precociousness and reckless abandon. Whether its electronics, emo, 11th century chant, jazz, or french impressionism, no musical stone is off-limits. The group is led by bassist and composer, Kurt Schweitz, who has received multiple grants to write music for this group.
“As anyone who has seen bassist Kurt Schweitz in action live as a side man around town will attest, Schweitz is one of the best young players on the scene. Don’t let the baby face fool you, this cat is a monster on the bass. Now with the release of the excellent Mulitvalent – his first album as a leader – his additional talents as a composer and band leader are made quite apparent… The quirky ‘Open Air’ offers yet another example of Schweitz interesting writing… The album-ending ‘Savory Morsels’ is one of my favorite tracks of the year.” – Brad Walseth, JazzChicago.net, (March 20, 2009)
Shawn and Hobby Band is one of Music City’s most popular country-rock bands. Led by Nashville-based recording artists Shawn Lacy and Hobby Weiss, the 5-member band plays over 250 shows a year, primarily in the city’s downtown entertainment district on Broadway at iconic Honky Tonk venues. The group has also shared stages with legendary performers Merle Haggard, David Allen Coe, Phil Vassar, Pat Green, and The Guess Who, among others. Performing original music inspired by rock legends Tom Petty and Credence Clearwater Revival, The Shawn and Hobby Band showcase their use of powerful harmonies, thumping rhythm and styled guitars to create a completely original and unique sound that can be described in three words. Classic Fused Country.
He was formerly in one of Animal Collective’s favorite bands of the present, called Prince Rama who signed with Paw Tracks, played All Tomorrow’s Parties, and is now working with Animal Collective and Ariel Pink. He is now on a pilgrimage to resurrect his grandest vision in the shadow of his greatest former accomplishments. We are blessed by him coming back.
“There is something about Teaadora Nikolova’s music that you won’t find anywhere else these days. Driven by an ethereal and otherworldly beautiful voice, her slow-burning experimental folk songs never entirely step out of the darkness, there always remains something very unsettling about them despite a blooming surface.” No Fear of Pop (Berlin Blog)
On this special tour she will be touring with bass, cello, and her voice/guitar, in support of her newest record “A Jamais Vierge” LP.
“Modern Man’s influences are many, they all revolve around a taste for rich sonic textures, making Walk Away an absorbing listen with a litany of complexities to explore.” – FreeTimes SC
“There is a reason why it seems like no matter where you are in SC you’ve probably heard of Greenville’s Modern Man. The band has played out of town almost religiously since it’s inception and are now starting to see it really pay off …. Anyone who has been paying attention to the SC music scene in the past year has probably passed crossed paths with indie-rock band Modern Man, and knows what a stir this quartet has made in such a short amount of time.- WeAreTheUpstate.com
“The Ovetones are comprised of guitarist Anthony Scarpaci and drummer Christian Spigos, who have played together in different groups for over 8 years. This time, they have come together as a duo to play heavy blues and roots music. Due to the improvised nature of their sets, one thing is for sure, you will never see the same show twice with these guys”.
ROYAL SON OF A GUNS
Bare knuckle, bar stool smashing rock and roll. Taking the stage like Bela Lugosi on a mechanical bull, Royal Son of a Guns belt out rip snorting roadhouse acid folk blues with heavy doses of surrealism. These bar stool smashing miscreants take Americana on a psycho-cathartic hayride through the thorny nettles of the American roots music underbelly with primitive guitars, relentless rat-a-tat washboard and a bedrock of bass guitar that will rattle your teeth. Dig.
Caustic was created in 2002 by Madison, Wisconsin’s Matt Fanale. Like “Trent Reznor is Nine Inch Nails,” Matt Fanale is Caustic.
Caustic live consists of a rotating band of freaks, depending on the city, but Caustic’s main line-up consists of Brian/darkNES and Katja/DJ :EYG of THE GOTHSICLES, and Eric Gottesman of EVERYTHING GOES COLD.
Caustic has performed over the years with dozens, if not zillions, of other artists/bands, including ATARI TEENAGE RIOT, MY LIFE WITH THE THRILL KILL KULT, COMBICHRIST, KMFDM, THIS MORN’ OMINA, GRENDEL, GOD MODULE, APOPTYGMA BERZERK, FADERHEAD and many, many more. He’s also done dozens of remixes.
In 1997 Andy LaPlegua established the project, Icon Of Coil, which was primarily a concept built around a logo, graphic design and music. Soon after the inception, the music soon turned out to be the most important part of the concept and LaPlegua invited Sebastian Komor, who he had worked with before on the project Sector 9, (now called Moonitor) in 1996, to work with him on the project as a live member. After just a couple of gigs and the release of IOC’s first single, “Shallow Nation”, Seb became a full-time member.
Audiences seemed to enjoy Icon Of Coil’s energetic and melodious sound fused with Andy’s hypnotic voice and the band’s success grew. One Nation Under Beat debuted in the top 20 on the DAC-chart (Deutsch Alternative Chart) for eight weeks and peaked at number three.
In late spring of 2000 at a gig in Uddevalla, Sweden, Christian Lund joined the band as a live-member and went on stage with Andy and Seb for the first time. Along with being the vocalist for his En Route project, Christian had a background from a melodious EBM Fredrikstad-band called Elected By Fear where he played together with Fredrik Hansen from Echo Image (who also played at that gig) and Marius Johnsen from Centravibe.
After the release of IOC’s first full-length Serenity Is The Devil in November 2000, which reached number three on the DAC-chart, the band went to Germany together with Beborn Beton. With nine gigs, positive feedback from the audience and very good reviews on the debut album, IOC gained a following in the synth/industrial scene.
Shortly afterward, the album crossed the Atlantic and was released in North America by Metropolis Records. On March 29th, 2001, the band itself followed and boarded a plane to Chicago. They were on their own in a foreign country and on a tight budget. The band flew from city to city, slept in hotels and sometimes even in the homes of their promoters. The song Situations Like These from the (then) forthcoming Seren EP was played live for the first time to an incredibly enthusiastic and energetic American audience, which made the tour a big success. Then after playing at Slimelight and Astoria II (Electrofest) in London, the guys had a short break before they faced a festival-filled summer in Europe.
Situations Like These became a big club hit and the band was ready for a second tour (this time in a Nightliner touring bus) of North America with VNV Nation. The leg began in Chicago on the 16th of November at a packed Vic Theatre, which set the standard for the rest of the 19 shows. Icon of Coil, VNV Nation and the rest of the crew continued up to Canada, down the east coast to Florida, through Texas to the West coast and Hollywood, where they did their 15th show in front of about 900 people at the Palace. The four-week tour ended in Edmonton, Canada with a great show and a huge after-party.
During their tours, the band found the time to write material for their April 2002 sophomore album, The Soul Is In The Software, which stayed at number one on the DAC for a several weeks. IOC then performed at two more festivals: The Dark Jubilee Festival in London; and later as the Sunday-headliner for Synthpop Goes The World in Toronto, Canada, which turned out to be a very good but warm weekend and concert.
Icon of Coil came a long way in a short amount of time. For 2004 their third album, Machines Are Us, continued the trend with pummeling beats, sympathetic vocals, anthem-like melodies, and sweeping synths. Careful not to be outdone or forgotten, Icon of Coil released UploadedAndRemixed, which featured brand new mixes of songs from their first two records and two exclusive tracks at the tail end of 2004. No speaker is safe from Icon of Coil’s bombastic onslaught.
Death On Two Wheels makes rock ’n’ roll dangerous again, with slurry-blurry lyrics, half-cocked dreamspeak of portents and regret, and a formidable guitar attack that recalls the nasty duels Allen Collins waged with Gary Rossington before Skynyrd’s final plane ride. Following the same bumpy trail as Kings of Leon, this Atlanta foursome seems to be in pursuit of darker mysteries on the band’s self-released debut. And unlike the Kings, they have more range and a greater reverence for ’70s classic rock, not to mention the eccentric bite of vocalist Trae Vedder. Could he really have been christened with such a propitious rock name? No matter, he has the same grit and red clay in his voice that Chris Robinson had before he got famous and complacent—but there’s something even more disturbing in Vedder’s delivery that almost veers into goth. Especially on a song like “Bobby Havis,” which shudders with psychedelic anxiety. It’s a song so haunting it could’ve been penned in Rose Hill Cemetery next to Duane Allman’s headstone.
– Jaan Uhelszki, Paste Magazine
“Jack come back/bring back with you the America even outsiders loved/ the America of open highways/the America of boundless forests/the America of sunsets by the river-pier/ an America generous of spirit.” – Jack Kerouac, ‘Gentleness’
The American rock n’ roll of the ‘50s and ‘60s ran on raw, unfiltered emotion, and was driven by ardent soul. The muscle cars, steel mechanics, and never ending highways were the image, but the spirit was inherit in the far reaching melodies and layered vocals — the ideal at the heart of American Thunder, Harrison Hudson’s third full-length album. Behind the languishing spacious guitars and the overall smooth vibe there is Hudson himself, sharing the best moments of the American rock radio that lavished his childhood.
Formed in 2005 in Atlanta, GA Harrison Hudson began as a songwriter backed by a band. In 2006 his debut Angel On One Side…And the Other On The Other displayed a dark shade, a monument of Hudson’s life at the time, but by 2008 Harrison Hudson had become a full band, a trio that found a new home in Nashville, TN releasing the no-frills, full volume, Blood, Sweat, and Sweat. As soon as recording was finished Hudson began writing again, 70 songs that would be sliced down to an integral 12 of pop hooks and rock twist free of overbearing romantic gestures, the shape of American Thunder.
In one aspect American Thunder can construed as one love story, one that goes bad as the girl just must leave, but that’s a stretch as even the hyperbole romantic gestures of the more light-hearted songs (Bookstore Girl, Indie Rock N Roll Queen) can’t take the sarcastic cynical voice that lies in the punch line of other tracks (Stay, Fire and Fizzle Part Two). This voice is the grounding point of the album, the reality of relationships brought to the front.
“It’s the kind of thing where you see a beautiful girl and she’s definitely the answer,” Hudson describes the voice. “When she turns out to be just another human being like you, you resent her for it because she’s is not perfect like you expected–and no one is.”
To keep the spirit of the gritty early days of Rock N’ Roll without ending up with a throwback record the band entered a modern studio with Kevin Dailey and Micah Tawlks behind the boards. To jump into an old rock studio of AM radio glory in Nashville would have been easy, but the end album would have been a plastic design. The old idea lost in a chase to recreate.
American Thunder accomplishes the goal. The spirit of the old days of Rock N’ Roll radio have been captured and embraced, not re-manufactured.
The road is family—the disciplining father, the nurturing mother; exist as shadows at each stop to any band betrothed to relentless touring without a safety net. With miles behind and miles ahead, life in a van will change a band; and All Get Out are no exception. From the wasted days stranded, to the desolate moments of doubt, to the nights where immortality stretches through bended notes, two-hundred and fifty shows a year has shaped the band known for their attitude and angst on display through high woven volume into a refined framework fusing gambled moments and glossy catchiness.
“We sound like we’ve been on tour for three years. We’ve been smoking and driving, and we don’t smell too good,” Nathan Hussey, singer and guitarist, defining the coming of age sound on their full-length debut, The Season.
In 2007 the foursome from Charleston, SC found themselves with two EPs, stumbling into regular weekend tours of the South. Soon three days became a month and a month became six. A play-anywhere-for-anyone ethic kept All Get Out on tour for three years. A loyal fan base that has been equally enamored and entertained with their big ditch, bigger valley sound has grown with them, anticipating when the band would enter the studio again.
Acting as a centerpiece to an album with running themes, the title track for The Season puts all the moments that have shaped the members square into the light. “While touring is fun and a dream, there were times where all of us wanted a wall to punch and cry and wished we were home, or had a home.” Hussey explains. Writing in the moment, truly unfiltered, each verse displays specific moments of disarray the band found themselves in: broken friendships, fights, and empty wallets. In the end The Season is about moving past it all so you can keep on driving.
Just as All Get Out accidentally ended up spending the formidable part of their ‘20s counting mile markers, so did The Season unintentionally transform itself into a pop record when the band began tracking with producer Matt Malpass (Lydia, Copeland). Still visceral and soul-bearing as before, The Season stretches All Get Out into the frequencies beyond reactionary abrasions.
Rather than discard older material that dated back to 2007, when a much younger All Get Out wore relationship dirt all over each melody, the songs were kept for nostalgia, giving everyone a chance to hear how the band grew. Songs like My Friends, Son of Mine, Don’t Let Me Go and Girl Gun display an innocence, but the rest of the album shows a band aware that the horizon holds more than can be comprehended. Even Hussey has taken himself out as the protagonist of each song, changing his voice into a character that meanders in, saying “hello”, as the much bigger story unfolds.
“It’s a book on the history of our band,” Hussey says of album. “Now we start another Season.
Malt Liquor plays unstylish trash rock without regard to trends or excessive persperation. Founded in 2012, the group pounds out primitive, fuzzed-out anthems featuring the bashing and crashing of Jake Pope (ex-Swampass), the thudding bearded-ness of Cliff Strangler (Soy City Stranglers) and the speaker-wrecking chords/tongue out of cheek lyrics of Tommy Rue (ex- Swampass, Spankwagon). The hip shimmy/shake garage punk emenating from the band bucks against pretention and over-analysis. For Malt Liquor, music drives feet and hips. Rock and roll does not judge or analyze the group and they graciously return this favor. This mutual respect results in frenetic live shows around the greater Midwest and a sonority that challenges the limits of magnetic tape. Their debut 7 inch record will be available in August 2013 on Cavetone Records.
Jake Pope slips into a musical coma and weaves tribal beats and sweaty, tasteful fills into the mix on his drums that will make ya stand up, shake your ass and say “Whoooo!”
All this time, these three were playing in different projects and going to see and lose their minds to each others bands. Finally, one day it clicked and they jammed together. Nothing ever made more sense. Malt Liquor was born and it was home.
The boys just laid down 3 tracks on tape for upcoming 7″ releases on Cavetone Records and are planning to be back in the studio before year end to record their first full-length LP. Catch ’em on the road this summer in the Midwest and rock the fuck out!
So how does a kid from the Back of The Yards neighborhood in Chicago go on a television show, more so, a television show about cooking? It’s simple really, I have a huge passion for food, that’s it. Growing up I didn’t like school. That sounds funny from a person who worked so hard to get his education, but really I hated school. I hated listening to adults, I hated sitting still, I hated the whole idea of it. I didn’t like the confinement of the classroom. I have and always will be a person who stares. I would constantly stare out of our windows. I wanted to be out there with my hands in the dirt, creating something, feeling and almost fumbling my way through life. So what does that have to do with food? Well it’s easy, I used to skip school a lot. We aren’t talking about high school either. I mean I missed school a lot way back in fourth grade, fifth grade, and sixth grade. I would find any excuse to stay home. My stomach hurts, I have a headache, I can’t concentrate, my leprechaun died, our dog is missing, just anything to get out of school. I would miss school and watch WTTW. For those of you that grew up in Chicago in the 80’s you know about WTTW it is a Chicago public broadcast station. Funny thing about WTTW after the kids educational programming, but before the BBC news hour at 3:00 pm there were nothing but cooking shows. It was great. I would stay home watch Jeff Smith, Graham Kerr, Julia Child, Jacques Pepin, Ming Tsai, Martin Yan and the like cook. I admired the way they moved I wanted to emulate what they were doing so I started cooking. Fast forward some years and here I am. Coming off of an amazing experience and hoping to share my feelings about food, my recipes, and my inner workings with our From Fire To Table family. You will hear me say we a lot, and I mean it.
CORMORANT
Cormorant is an American progressive metal band from San Francisco, California, formed in 2007. The group consists of bassist and vocalist Arthur von Nagel, guitarists Nick Cohon and Matt Solis, and drummer Brennan Kunkel. Since its inception, Cormorant has remained intentionally and notably independent, despite reportedly being offered a number of record deals. Cormorant has eluded a specific genre label by incorporating elements of many different styles of music. While somewhat rooted in black metal, the group has been known to incorporate jazz, progressive rock, death metal and folk elements to its music, among others.
The band released their sophomore full-length album Dwellings on December 6, 2011 to critical and universal praise from both critics and fans alike. Highly influential sites such as npr.com, yahoo.com and about.com all listed Dwellings in their end of year favorites list, with NPR citing it as the number one metal album of 2011. “Dwellings is, far and away, the best metal record of 2011: an emotionally and musically complex album which wrestles with our desperate and sometimes violent attempts to secure a place in history.”, says NPR’s Lars Gotrich.
While Heaven Wept is an epic doom metal band based in Dale City, Virginia, USA. The primary writer and overall engine of the band is main man Tom Phillips. Their melodic, classically influenced style could be compared to bands such as Solitude Aeturnus and Solstice (the latter of which Tom Phillips is a former member); however, 2003’s acclaimed Of Empires Forlorn saw the band branching out into a variety of metal and progressive styles. This trend continues on their 2009 album, Vast Oceans Lachrymose.
While Heaven Wept’s lyrics have traditionally dealt with sorrowful matters, namely, personal loss and despondency.
Primordial is a Pagan Folk Black Metal band founded in 1987 from County Dublin. They play a unique style of Pagan an History metal, which can best be described as a blend of black and folk metal with strong influences from their Irish roots. Their music and lyrics deal with cultural heritage, struggle, Celtic.
Primordial started out as a black metal band with some folk influences with their 1993 demo Dark Romanticism and 1995 debut album Imrama. With the 1998 album A Journey’s End, Primordial underwent a strong stylistic change and delivered an album that was more original, personal and darker than anything they had done before. The different musical influences become more intertwined than ever before.
Full time students at University of Iowa, and Northern Iowa, though always sidetracked by our music ambitions. We all reside from the small town of Clinton, Iowa. Currently we are working on demos, and picking up gigs. We are influenced by: Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, The Black Keys, Surfer Blood, Tapes ‘n Tapes, and The Vaccines. We would consider ourselves Indie Rock with a touch of pop. Differenciating ourselves from other bands is important to us, but we still want to bring you that Rock n Roll feel that we all love (or once loved).
Filled with drunkenness, long nights and debauchery; Whitman’s Weekends is precisely reminiscent of what its title suggests, a whole lot of fun.
The 11-track record features topics ranging from weekend flings (“NW Thurman,”” Manchester by the Sea”), the struggles of touring(“Dead Dog Days”, “Light it Up”) and the joys of drinking and carousing with friends, both close and lost(“Barstools”, “Day Drink Pt. 1 & 2”). Just in case there was any question, Whitman proves they’ve done their rock n’ roll due diligence with influences ranging from The Replacements, Elvis Costello & the Attractions, Wilco and The Hold Steady. All the while, the album never loses touch with the band’s core aesthetic and keeps everything up-beat and energetic; while keeping the listener constantly engaged through singing along, keeping a cold beer in their hand and getting the odd desire to give out sweaty high-fives.
Weekends was recorded by Whitman, produced and mixed by David Dreesen, and Mastered by Bob Weston and was released on Sonora Records on April 17, 2012.
” Los is from Liberty Heights and Garrison in Baltimore, Maryland, a city known for hustlers who get it in the streets. The city has been well publicized on shows like “The Wire” and “The Corner”. Now Baltimore has another conduit to catapult the city to national visibility. The real name of Baltimore rapper Los is Carlos Coleman. LOS has been on his grind since 1999 and showed his hunger in the battles he dominated. He solidified himself in the streets and then signed with Da Bloc in 2001 which fueled his momentum and drastic increase in star power. Da Bloc proved to be the label that could propel LOS to the heights of star status. However, due to a tumultuous time, LOS had to put things on hold while Da Bloc took a hiatus to restructure the company. During that time, the company did not release music or host any events. However, in ‘07-‘08, with back to back mix cd releases, historic events, and endless performances, LOS and Da Bloc made more of an impact on the music industry than prior years!
HATTER’S RIDDLE
Hatter’s Riddle is a “Rock and Roll Mutt”. What started off as LNHRR 10 years ago it turned into a band called Decibel Hogg. Decibel Hogg quickly made it’s mark on the Chicago scene playing a lot of major venues and being branded Chicago’s BEST Original band by The Chicago Rocker Magazine. Decibel Hogg morphed into what is now Hatter’s Riddle. This band has found it’s line up, chemistry and muse. The band has come together and they are livin’ large, making the most of life, drinking beer and lovin’ whiskey. Hatter’s Riddle is well known for their tight rhythmic grooves and unique vocal stylings offering a new experimental twist on the rock genre as you know it. Live shows are energy packed aimed to stimulate the entire audio and visual experience. CARPE DIEM SUCKAZ!!
EVERYMEN
In 2009 the good Reverend Tymmi was introduced to Capt Bobo who was raising hell with Viva Le Vox in the closest part of the country you can get to hell, South Florida. The two quickly became close friends with many shared musical interests. Soon after they met, Capt Bobo departed from Viva Le Vox for reasons including hard drugs and self destruction on his part. After robbing the Reverend repeatedly Bobo decided to put down the needle life and the two held themselves up in a house with a yellow porch for over six days to write a song consisting of three chords. Unable to play guitar like the two had originally envisioned a bass was snuck out of a family members house which the Reverend began to slap away on keeping his “off time ways”. A neighbor of the yellow porch who was threatening the two’s lives daily, for making unlistenable noise finally gave up on getting them to keep quiet and instead embraced them joining on as the Jersey Devil. It was at this point another retired member of Viva Le Vox joined the newly forming band under the alias Jake De La Uke. The four piece decided on the name Everymen due to the suggestion by the Jersey Devil with its meaning coming from old folklore plays. The four piece stumbled around town playing to no one until Bobo was introduced by a mutal friend, Lady Misery, to a man who was traveling through from New York on his way to a better life after a skirmish with a shotgun. The Shot Gun Jew then picked up two broom sticks and a stolen snare drum and the original band was completed.
The deadly twosome consisting of Henry Berger from the band S.S. Web and Mason “Damn” Tinsley from Rickett Pass. Sing whiskey fueled song about all the obvious things wrong with the world, as well as all the irony. Henry come from the great state of Wi while Mason shoots over from the lovely town known as Detroit. We team up to play the songs from both of the bands last album a little slower and a little sexier. It might appear to be more comedy at times than just a concert but hell you came for a show!
Cokegoat was founded in Chicago during the summer of 2011. A tight knit group of six members feature three riff pregnant guitars that present a strong and progressive idea of what heavy music is. Combined with three very different voices, including a strong female presence, textural synths, dark bong rattling bass lines and adrenalized drums all define Cokegoat. With equal parts heavy, progressive, and beer, 2013 saw the release of the debut album “Vessel.” Invisible Oranges stated, “there is plenty to bang your head to, but the extra elements add texture and give the band an edge.” Open minds allow Cokegoat to push the boundaries of what is considered massive music as they re-enter the studio in early 2015.
Stacks hails from Chicago’s East Side and first hit the studio as a Sophomore in high school as part of a sociology project. While he fell in love with making music that day, it is no coincidence that he ended up in the music game. As a relative of Kilo & Wildstyle of Chicago’s breakthrough 90’s rap group Crucial Conflict and relative of Tone-Capone & G-no of Chi-townz Finest, Stacks says, “Music is in my blood. I work so hard on a consistent basis its becoming easy. I’ll outwork or go bar for bar with anybody.” Releasing his first mixtape, Sincerely Yours, in February 2012, Stacks has a big year ahead of him in 2012.
KOOL A.D. is an American syncretic multimedia artist whose primary medium is the music industry. His projects include BOY CRISIS, DAS RACIST, PARTY ANIMAL & KOOL A.D.
QUEER FEST AMERICA
QUEER FEST AMERICA TO BENEFIT HOMELESS LGBTQ YOUTH
Thursday, July 12, 2012 – Chicago,IL – Queer Fest America, will present a multimedia showcase to benefit El Rescate Independent Transitional Living for Homeless and HIV/AIDS Youth on Sunday, July 22, 2012 at Reggie’s Rock Club, 2105 S. State St., Chicago, Illinois, from 4pm until 9pm. Headlining via Skype are national LGBTQ musician/comedian Jonny McGovern and hip hop artists Elephant. Performing live will be New York City dance-pop artist, Matt Ryanz along with local entertainment. International LGBTQ activist also known as, Ziggy 2000, from Stardust * The David Bowie Tribute Band, Lair Scott, and comedian, Patty Vaccarella, will host and perform.
Chicago bands, When Flying Feels Like Falling, Spherical Banana will be featured along with Lars von Keitz and Julie Herrmann. Other acts include comedians, Thomas Bottoms, Patty Vaccarella, Marc Peurye, Kate Cullen and Darren Marshall.
“We’ll be projecting Jonny and Elephant’s videos on the big screen and then suddenly, they will appear live on Skype” says concert promoter, Lair Scott. “This is a new concept in live entertainment where the talent is able to interact with their fans on a personal level and also have live entertainment along with the event.”
Director for El Rescate, Lourdes Lugo, states “Our mission toward youth is from the streets to the future. We wish to thank Queer Fest America for bringing their poignant message through music and toward a crucial social service needed through-out our nation.” El Rescate opened their doors on March 8, 2012 and is the only shelter of its kind in the Midwest.
Jonny McGovern’s latest release, The Gayest of All Time, which has produced five new smash video hits including Texting on the Dance Floor, Dickmatized and Sexy Nerd now, has millions of viewers. McGovern has starred in The Big Gay Sketch Showon LOGO and his character, The Gay Pimp, was developed to empower LGBTQ kids.The Gayest of All Timeis available on ITunes and Amazon.com.
Elephant’s single, “Queer Nation”, has become the anthem, banned from MTV for its provocative lyrics, for activists around the globe. Their latest single, The Let Goand other tunes can be found on Itunes.
Cover charge is $20.00 and 21 and under (accompanied by an adult) is $10.00 at the door.
El Abuso is a heavy psych rock band from Austin TX, infusing elements of Blues and Latin music with distorted riffs and tribal drums. Lead singer and guitarist, Adrian Acosta has written,recorded and produced music with Novy Mir, Barin Darnew, Bens Jazz Kit, Black Gravity ,Nicole Halleen and has been on multiple tours around the U.S.
Little Barrie are a three-piece band from beeston, nottinghamshire in the uk. They have recently relocated to london. The band consists of Barrie Cadogan (guitar and vocals), Virgil Howe (drums) and Lewis Wharton (bass). Their music has been described as stripped-down soul-infused blues rock ‘n’ roll. They released their debut album We Are Little Barrie in February 2005 on which many of the vocals were provided by their now ex-drummer Wayne Fulwood. A follow up studio album, Stand Your Ground, was released in early 2007.
