To what to attribute Merchants of Moonshine’s quick success depends on who you ask. The fans (a.k.a. Moonshiners) will tell you it is the energetic live show and original songwriting. The band will tell you that it’s probably because they are a group of younger musicians exploring and revitalizing an older style of country.
Singer-songwriter Mimi Betinis has been obsessed with music since early childhood. Growing up in suburban Oak Park, Illinois, the Betinis house was usually filled with the sounds of his mother’s imported Latin, Greek and classical records. “Everything from Mariachi to Vivaldi,” says Mimi, when asked about his early musical influences. “I even loved Eydie Gorme and Trio Los Panchos.” The British Invasion of the mid ‘60s impacted Mimi forever though–especially at age 12, when his Mom took him and his sister (in the family’s Pontiac Bonneville) to see the Beatles play live at Comiskey Park. “The year 1966 was ‘the year’ for me,” he says today of the experience. Within a few short months, he’d seen the Yardbirds (with both Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page on guitar) at Chicago’s Civic Opera House–and the Jimi Hendrix Experience play there as well. Soon after, Mimi taught himself to play guitar and keyboards, and began writing his own three-minute pop-rock songs.
Ed Anderson and Scott Tipping have been making music and mayhem together since the late ’90s, when they hosted an open mic featuring drunken jazz artists, angry poets and puppeteers. Ed moved on to found roots rock trio Backyard Tire Fire in 2001. Through the 2000s, the band toured relentlessly, recording 5 albums and 2 EPs. Scott went on to become a mainstay of the Chicago music scene, playing and touring with bands like Mighty Blue Kings, Peter Himmelman, The Steak House Mints and Dayna Malow. Their paths crossed again in 2008 when Ed asked Scott to join Backyard Tire Fire on tour to round out the band’s sound. BTF’s album Good To Be, produced by Steve Berlin, saw them touring the country, headlining shows and opening for the likes of Los Lobos, Buddy Guy, ZZ Top and Cracker. In back alleys, dank hotel rooms and a van that at least once tried to kill its masters, a new music partnership was formed, and when Backyard Tire Fire decided to take a break from touring, Scott and Ed chose to bring together some of their favorite Chicago musicians to work on new songs: Steve Gillis (drums), Scott Stevenson (keys and vocals) and Matt Thompson (bass). The new project features songs by both Ed and Scott, staying true to the rock-and-roll tradition of BTF while transitioning into a more dynamic, harmony-oriented sound.
Gifted new artist Devin’s debut full-length album, Romancing, is out now on Frenchkiss Records. The video for the album’s first single, “Masochist,” recently premiered on NME and can be seen here: youtube.com/watch?v=6CycE_JJPhc KCRW declares “Bold. Brash. Boisterous. Teeming with hooks and spilling over with attitude. If this is how you prefer your rock n’ roll, you have a new hero for 2012. He goes by the name Devin.” Time Out New York describes Romancing as a “hip-thrusting, beer-sloshing record that fairly drips with swagger—a fine contrast to all of Brooklyn’s indie-pop sighs and whispers.” Devin’s three-song EP for Frenchkiss, You’re Mine, received critical acclaim from Rolling Stone and earned him comparisons to David Johansen and Jack White. Named one of NME’s “20 Acts That Will Matter in 2012,” Devin is receiving airplay on the BBC’s Radio 1 and was included in The Guardian’s “Guide to the Next 12 Months.”
“Welcome to the art-punk renaissance”, declared Rolling Stone magazine last year, triumphantly heralding Crocodiles’ debut album. It was all just deserves for a San Diego duo who’d spent years kicking against the mundanity of their sprawling military town.
Death cover set
Misfits tribute band
Combining musical versatility, instrumental prowess, beautiful vocal harmonies and a superb rhythm section, the Easy Star All-Stars have established themselves as one of the top international reggae acts since their live debut in 2003. Thanks to their best-selling tribute album releases, Dub Side of the Moon (2003), Radiodread (2006), and Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band (2009), the remix album Dubber Side of the Moon (2010), as well as original releases Until That Day EP (2008) and First Light (2011), the Easy Star All-Stars have built a growing, dedicated fan base throughout the world, bringing together fans of reggae, classic rock, dub and indie rock into one big family.
Brando Little (Harry Manhole) met Rod Henson (Tri-POd Rod) while working at the pumping station. Both felt a connection, but couldn’t put a fingure on what it was until Augie Lopez told Rod, Brando Plays guitar in a punk band called Lazy Affair. Augie then informed Brando that rod was a musician as well and he thought “Finally!!! I can start a gay band!” The next time Rod saw Brando at the pumping station, all he said was, “We need to talk.” Brando replied, “Yes, I believe we have business to discuss.” A week later The Gloryholes were a band, and found Adam Richards (Gaycy “The Go Go Boy” Slater) through mutual friend Harry Koniditsiotis, the frontman of The Angel Sluts. Now they were ready to gay up the Memphis punks, and haven’t slowed down since. With high energy music and lyrics that would make a sailor blush, The Gloryholes have been taking over the Memphis punk scene.
The Murder Junkies is an American punk rock band, best known for having been GG Allin’s final backing band before his death. They perform songs from Allin’s back catalog as well as their own original material.
Band Members:Pat Lind-Vocal, Jay Visser-Guitar, Bob Zabel-Bass, Randy Wall-Drums
DELIVER US FROM EVIL is a fully functional metal band from Southern Indiana that has already set itself apart in the Midwest. Armed with brutal guitar riffs, technical percussion, thick bass grooves, and throat shredding vocals, all at lightning speeds and stupefying precision, DELIVER US FROM EVIL is a force to be reckoned with.
“Two Ton Anvil is an original rock band from the Chicago area. Their sound combines different elements of rock and metal in a heavy but memorable format that rocks on command, but yet is “easy” to listen. That, along with the not-so-common practice of having dual lead singers in a band and very clever songwriting, has given them a different and somewhat unique sound that has definitely caught the public’s ear in their time together.”
Hammers of Misfortune was formed in the mid-1990s under the name Unholy Cadaver. At the time, the only members were guitarist John Cobbett and drummer Chewy Marzolo, both of whom shared vocal duties. Enlisting the help of other musicians, among them Mike Scalzi of The Lord Weird Slough Feg, they recorded a full album’s worth of material in their rehearsal space. However, only three of these nine tracks were included on the band’s aptly titled Demo #1, and the majority of the material remained unreleased until 2011, when Shadow Kingdom Records released the entire recording as the Unholy Cadaver LP. Unholy Cadaver’s output laid the groundwork for what would become Hammers of Misfortune’s signature style, but it also contained elements of death metal that would be phased out in future recordings.
Raw young talent at its best. This is a young group that has the direction and outlet to create something special. You will be shocked that this is 16, 17 and 18 year olds creating unique Indie music that works. They will turn heads if you give them the chance. They have performed on big stages like the Rave in Milwaukee, Congress Theatre and will be playing the House of Blues at the end of the month.
Chicago’s best New Wave dance night — since 1994! DJ Dave Roberts spins New Wave, Punk, Ska, New Romantic & more. Every Saturday night till 5am at Late Bar!
The south side of Chicago is pretty rough, especially Blue Island. It reeks of drunks, gun powder, crime, exhaust, and weed. For the sake of not confusing the reader, Chicago pedigrees NIGHTCAP wouldn’t have it any other way. When not making runs to Miska’s Liquor Emporium and the infamous Harold’s Chicken Shack, these Blue Island locals are sawing through their set all over the Midwest.
The finest punk from Nashville, TN
Marisolyterra, is a musical group from Chicago, made up of six individuals with an enticing yet redefined sound. Formed in 2009, their love for music, hard work ethic, and character is what sets them apart from many bands. Their live performance is astounding. Members Judd, Zack, Kevin, Markian, Gio, and Anthony want to share with you their inner most thoughts and life changing experiences through the music and lyrics of Marisolyterra.
The Aesthetic is an alternative rock band from Chicago, IL. Started by singer-guitarist Jesse Christenson in the spring of 2010, it has since grown to include Pierre Allison on bass and vocals, Andre Miller on guitar and vocals, and Duane Harris on drums.
Depremacy is a Melodic Black Thrash Metal band from Joliet, Illinois who has shared the stage with national acts such as Iced Earth, Warbringer, D.R.I., Kittie, Dirge Within, Diamond Plate, Firewind, Arsis, White Wizzard, Nightrage, Blackguard, Bonded by Blood, Abiotic, Vale of Pnath, and Enfold Darkness and has also played with out of state bands such as Mortifier, Vanlade, and Acidic Assault. They have played in both Illinois and Indiana stages and are expected to expand their horizon across America
Founded in 1983, Damien Thorne consistently packed venues, and astonished crowds with their powerful and aggressive style of Heavy Metal. After two hard years of proving themselves to be among the elite on the Chicago club scene, the band landed a recording contract with CobraA&M/RoadRunner Records. Following the release of their debut album: (The Sign of the Jackal) in 1986, the band set out on a successful tour playing with bands such as NUCLEAR ASSAULT, FASTWAY and many others. Heavy radio airplay and strong record sales in Europe, Canada and Asia ensured the band’s success, along with a very favorable response in the U.S. Unfortunately, during the recording of Damien Thorne’s second release (Wrath of Darkness) in 1987, the band was forced to leave their record label due to legal matters. Leaving what could have been their breakthrough album sitting unfinished on the shelf. Refusing to die, the band packed their bags and left Chicago and moved to Los Angeles in search of a new record deal. But times were changing in LA, and with the sudden rise of Alternative music, Damien Thorne was once again forced back into the underground. After taking a few years off, the band moved back to Chicago where they belong, regrouped and locked themselves in a rehearsal studio to prepare for their next studio release. 2004 has seen the re-release of both “The Sign of the Jackal” and “Wrath Of Darkness”, In 2005 the band released their 3rd full-length studio album entitled “Haunted Mind” with Joe Martin on vocals
Formally under the name of Stang Stomper, Sha-Boom! is the same lineup with a new singer. Brought together with the love for 50s Rock N’ Roll (the only kind there is) and 70s Punk, with the hatred of modern Pop Culture. The band returns to the roots of 3 chord Rock N’ Roll and Punk with a touch of Doo Wop. Singing about Lust, Love and Fast Cars. Just as real is music used to be, Sha-Boom! writes about actual events in their lives. Ready to rock the house, Sha-Boom! is a band ready to take on this tough tough world.
Self-reliance and musical integrity are two principles which Dying Fetus have always lived by. The band formed in 1991, during the height of the death metal explosion of the early ’90s, and have matured into one of the premiere extreme death metal/grind-core acts ever to come out of the massive global metal underground. The band is recognized worldwide as a prime example of songwriting perfection, combining an innovative mix of technical virtuosity and catchy song structures to create the ultimate blend of death metal, hardcore, and grindcore. Intensity unparalleled, and musical power unrivaled, they are the leaders of the new generation in extreme music. Their sounds and lyrics are a brutal response to the everyday stress and pressures of reality in our age, while also providing the ultimate escape from it.
Tampa, FL’s SIX FEET UNDER (SFU), featuring legendary godfather of death metal vocals Chris Barnes, has been delivering unapologetic death metal since 1993. SFU continue to do what they do best; delivering bludgeoning slabs of metal that leave fans hungering for more. Legendary death metal vocalist Chris Barnes, along with guitarist Steve Swanson continue to follow the dark and demented path that merges what Outburn Magazine calls “tried and true death groove” with stomach-turning lyrics and themes.
Punk Rock from New Orleans Simple. On Point. Fast. & Melodic. These four fellas come from the community records home base of New Orleans, Louisiana. Franklin Ave. to be exact. They have been working daily on perfecting their tunes, practicing 5 or more times a week. The extra effort has led to them finding a sound that they can call their own & an ambition to take on the world with free music & touring as much as possible. If you’re a fan of abrasive, singable, well-crafted pop-punk, you will be happy you found these tunes
Punk Ska from Nashville Stuck Lucky is dirty and they have really gross dining habits, but they make some friggin’ kick ass music. They come from the territory known as Tennessee. Stuck Lucky has one goal: put on great live shows, they play with their hearts in front of 400 people or 4 drunk moms who have no idea how they got to the show
The Weather Underground is a Chicago group with strong ties to the sounds of 60s Garage-Rock. Hitting the scene in the Spring of 2012 with a new sound there certainly a group to watch out for.
“The twenty-somethings who make up the trio – Peter Winne, Jake Hoffman, and Sam McDougle – have been callousing their hands and pushing their vocal chords for years as they’ve toured, recorded, and breathed traditional folk music. Their lucid take on old American music has taken them them from street-performing in Copenhagen and Berlin to venues along the east coast to an acclaimed 2007 performance on NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor. Their debut album Risk Not Your Soul (2011) reached the top ten on the Roots Music Report’s folk radio chart, and they recently finished tracking a second record set to release in June.”
A Benton Harbor Lunchbox is amateur-radio parlance for a transmitter/receiver made by the Heathkit Co. of Benton Harbor, MI, in the early 1960s. Brilliant in its simplicity, intuitive, and fully functional, it harnesses the power of the airwaves to bring all the lonesome souls together.Inspired by the rudimentary technology that is their namesake, this Chicago-based group makes music with a similar purpose: To transmit and receive the collective consciousness, sometimes emotionally, sometimes cerebrally, and sometimes viscerally, like a kick to the crotch. Their literate, unpretentious, and undomesticated homage to the American underground speaks for itself– and hopefully to you.
The Split Livers is a collaborative project between two of the most influential musicians in the alternative/acoustic punk bluegrass scene. Danny is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and genre-bending artists of his craft, Barnes’ musical interests are both varied and adventurous, and he incorporates that versatility into a progressive approach to an instrument that is musically polarizing and steeped in tradition. Although he demonstrates an appreciation for the history of the bluegrass, country, and folk music from which the banjo’s reputation was born, his inventive take is what truly separates him from his contemporaries…using the banjo as his ‘weapon of choice’ to play non-traditional music like rock, fusion, and jazz with electronic percussion and loop elements. Wayne and Split Lip Rayfield have carved out their own genre of music with their unique sound and instrumentation. Often described as a mix of bluegrass and country with an accent of metal Split Lip Rayfield has been a pioneer on the music scene, bending musical genres and crossing countless boundaries of musical expectations. Together Danny and Wayne bring you an experience like nothing else – Danny and Wayne are joining forces to bring you some classic songs from each of their band’s repertoire while also blazing new trails (expect a to see an album release in the near future) that will change the face of music, yet again.
Chris is a Chicago musician spreading a message of positivity through his music. His’ songwriting blends soul/blues/pop with the likes of John Mayer/John Legend, and the guitar playing of Jimi Hendrix/SRV. Check him out… Chris has appeared on WGN’s Morning Television show and continues to play many venues throughout Chicago including House of Blues, Metro, Double Door, Martyrs, Subterranean, Beat Kitchen, Elbo Room, Reggies and Festivals including Stompkee Festival, Hertiage Fest & Woodridge Jubilee. Chris has recently released his second record, “Continue To Continue” … check it out! You can also hear Chris’ first release, “Spiritlike Essentials” recorded and produced by Alan Evans of Soulive.
One Season spawned from the late-night lasagna basement musings of gig-buddies Chris Harris and Tim Bernard, both avid song-writing vocalists and guitarists. In late 2011, recorded an EP “As Bad as It Gets” at Rax Trax Studios, sighting that they just wanted to get together and record some music at a time when the state of the world felt like things couldn’t get any worse.
Using “As Bad as It Gets” as momentum to find like-minded musicians and play shows around the Chicago area, One Season eventually rounded out the lineup with drummer Chris Close and bassist Scott Tooredman. Channeling inspired outbursts of songwriting, comedic episodes, and uncanny jams, One Season has honed a sound that is influenced by a wide variety of sounds.
One Season is “Omni-Rock”, an eclectic concoction consisting of a blues-rock and alternative-rock foundation that’s salted with soul, funk, and pop sensibilities. Contributing to this sound is a duo of dynamic lead singers, big harmonies, inspired guitar-work, and undulating vibrations from the rhythm section. A One Season performance is a rousing experience that leaves crowds chanting for one more song at the end of their sets.
The band is so dedicated to the music that they will play through smoke, fire alarms, hustling & bustling farmers’ market crowds, and biker rallies to keep the Omni-Rock alive. One Season has continued to light up cornerstone Chicago venues, including Metro, Double Door, Subterranean, the Cubby Bear, Lincoln Hall, and even the House of Blues and the Hard Rock Cafe, since emerging onto the local music scene with a take-no-prisoners attitude. So, whether it’s a one-show tour to New Orleans, a wrestling gig in the suburbs, a naval base performance, a Six Flags all-day event, the open mic around the corner, or a revered music venue, One Season is sure to give fans a genuinely sensational experience.
One Season recently released an EP in October 2014 entitled Man on a Mission, which can be found on iTunes, Google Play, Pandora, Spotify, CD Baby, etc.
Riding the fine line between obnoxious skatepunk and sodden metal, Murphy’s Law came out of New York City’s mid-’80s hardcore scene and formed in Astoria, Queens, around vocalist Jimmy G. The group’s self-titled debut, released on Profile in 1986, contained the usual ’80s subjects (boredom, alienation, weed, beer, etc.), but the songs were definitely there, and Murphy’s Law improved even more with their second album, 1989’s Back with a Bong! The band was on the Profile-associated Combat Records for 1991’s The Best of Times, but recorded little during the early ’90s. In 1995, Murphy’s Law came back with the EP Good for Now, and the full-length Dedicated arrived the following year. Best of Times/Good for Now was issued in 2000; The Party’s Over came next in the spring of 2001.