Blackbird Blackbird (formerly Bye Bye Blackbird) is the moniker/musical outlet of San Francisco, California wunderkind Mikey Maramag. His reverb-laden musical collages tend to lean towards anthemic, inspirational, and dream-driven themes. Maramag’s influences range from various ends of the musical spectrum. Blackbird Blackbird often tweaks nature-samples and mixes electronic textures with organic instrumentation (guitar, drums, synths, vocal-harmonies). Ghostly female vocals are chopped and screwed, spun around a paint-splattered collage of sound. Maramag’s deep, textured, and hypnotic pop songs pay homage to the psychedelic pop that the Beatles could have imagined but cannot make today. Blackbird Blackbird’s music is made with the warmth of analogue instrumentation spliced with digital bells and twinkles. Blackbird Blackbird’s debut album “Summer Heart” was self-released by Maramag in July 2010, and is really just a collection of his past EPs: “Happy High” and “Let’s Move on Together”. His standout singles “Pure” and “Hawaii” received the most attention, and his single “Ups and Downs” helped Mikey capture the ears of Pitchfork, Transparent, Prefix Magazine, The Fader, Brooklyn Vegan, and other musical tastemakers.
Jack Scratch was a band that featured ex-members of The Effigies and Bloodsport. Based on show dates and records released, they were around from at least 1989 to 1993.
Rising up for the dust of the long, hard trail, the Lawless Brothers wield an eclectic mix of songs speaking to the Old West, the New West and the new world. The Lawless Brothers bring their many years of musical experience to a new level. Hard rocking music, an esoteric edge and dynamic vocal and instrumental prowess combine with lyrics that are both amusing and amazing.
We create the music that we love, and we love creating it. Our goal is to not sell ourselves or push anything on you but to create an opportunity to connect with you, the listener. Have a listen…
The Tosspints’ style of music has been influenced by 3 lifetimes of living through the school of hard knocks, brought to bear from war, loss, degradation, and hard drinking. A band created entirely by a family who has had to make it through life the hard way and use their experience to create songs about the more distressed side of being human… Their fast paced no nonsense stage show drives songs straight into the audience one after the other, pushing their own style of up tempo minor chord melodies out with the highest possible energy level. Their powerful stage presence and unending barrage of music from the beginning of their set to the end of the dark, yet high energy show has earned them spots on stage with iconic underground rock heroes such as The Tossers and Murder by death, and earned festival showcases from The Michigan Irish Music Festival, the Crispy Music Festival, and the George Killians Irish Red Ruckus.Their songwriting skills have been recognized in the 2011 John Lennon Songwriting Contest where they earned a finalist position.
Freddy French Guitar, Lead Vocals. At the age of 14 Freddy started playing in honky Tonks on a flat top in Nashville. At 20 he started his first tour with NY very own Dirty water Dog’s. Playing the Punk/Rock clubs for over 20 Years recording on lab rat records and, many others. Opening for greats like Dick Dale M.X.P.X and many others. Tony Drums , He lays down The back bone. Tony Oncken has been playing drums for 15 + years. Shane Spina on the bass,Vocals. laying down that bass line of L.F.G Shane has been playing Bass for over 25 years he is a Schooled Jazz Bass player just moved here from Australia from down under.We found him Fighting Kangaroos and immediately asked him to join the band!!
FLY OVER STATE is a post-dance-punk fueled alternative/indie band rocking the famous Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago since 2009. Equal parts Blondie and Blonde Redhead, the songwriting team of Jess and Jim has been leading the band to a disco-rock sound that now crystallizes as the debut album Fly Over State. Establishing a strong musical identity through performances at Chicago venues such as the Metro and an appearance on Fearless Radio, Fly Over State is releasing their self-titled effort in 2012.
DREAM JOB, is exploding on the Pittsburgh scene. Three musicians, Ricardo Iamuuri, Barrett Black, and David Neuhart make up this dynamic trio. In less than a year together, the band is already winning over audiences and building a loyal following across the region.
Girl Detective is a Chicago duo creating original alternative and experimental music with a lush and cerebral 80s / postmodern / altrock sound. Consisting of Rani Woolpert and Jason Oppman, the band formed in May 2010 when Woolpert, a visual artist and singer, was looking for a guitarist for another band and found Oppman on Craigslist. Oppman, a composer and songwriter since the mid-‘90s, had been seeking a collaborator who shared his musical influences—‘80s bands Depeche Mode, New Order, The Cure, Cocteau Twins, The Smiths, Joy Division, and others—to add to the numerous songs he had written. After hearing his music, Woolpert realized his songs had the sound she was looking for, and suggested they work together on a new project. The collaboration started with sending tracks back and forth—Oppman providing the music and Woolpert writing lyrics and recording improvised vocals on first listen. The duo began meeting weekly in Oppman’s home studio in late summer 2011 to build the live sound, while also continuing to write collaboratively in the original manner.
New Oceans is a grunge rock band in Chicago. They deliver a gritty, distorted sound reminiscent of music coming out of Seattle in the early 90’s. John Kehoe plays drums, Rob Miller brings the bass, and David Downs offers guitar and vocals.
Formed in Summer 2010 in Chicago, The Newburys are working to bring back that 80’s jangle sound reminscent of The Smiths, REM and The Housemartins. Original songs are heavily influenced by the musical composition and meaningful lyrics that made such music appealing to the college demographic. Lead by the writing and clean chorus tone of guitarist Peter with Jon’s unique sim-drum and Chuck’s walking bass, The Newburys create a full, brilliant sound. Ruthie’s high powered voice adds tonic dimension to the sound.
The Geneva Convention is a Chicago-based band playing good time music with a feel for the blues. Powered by the dynamic singing and irresistible stage presence of their vocalist Geneva, this driving 6-piece always rocks the house.
Featuring covers from the Mississippi Delta to Maxwell Street and the Chicago Gin Halls, as well as original tunes reflecting more modern blues cross-over sounds.
The Vinegar Strokes are a three man powerhouse that brings a stripped down yet in your face rock n roll experience. If you like music about drinking, redemption and out running the devil then you will find a home with this band. Currently recording their first full length album and booking shows. Keep your glasses filled and your dancing shoes close The Vinegar Strokes are coming and they are here to stay.
ALL CHOCOLATE
GREAT GRAY BUILDINGS
The right combination of pressure and heat can turn coal into a diamond. An equally intense fusion of raw vocal energy, bipolar instrumental dynamics, and literary-poetical muse has improbably yielded Chicago’s newest underground gem: Great Gray Buildings. A shouting match between the keyboard slams of frontman Kevin Whelan (The Pipes, Bransen) and guitarwork of Daniel Hawthorne (The HT Renegades), is chopped to firewood by the clockwork percussion of Matt Tanaka (HKHC) — then lovingly stacked and set ablaze by the trio’s warm and earnest vocal harmonies. But a bonfire howl-at-the-moon this is not. Rooted in the hooks and swap-patterns of modern rock, Great Gray Buildings wanders and experiments without straying from the logic of their pop-oriented predecessors. If they do strike you on the one cheek, you can expect a kiss on the other — which is to say it’s worth the listen. -IndieMonday.com
The New Old Cavalry is a young, energetic, and dynamic bluegrass group that has tore out of Bloomington, IN reaching as far as the west coast in only a few short years. While maintaining the format of a traditional string band, NOC sends astral bodies of loose psychedelia and jazz inspired improvisation crashing like an asteroid into the mountains of Appalachian harmonies and traditional bluegrass. Armed with a monstrous and diverse collection of original music, The New Old Cavalry has positioned itself as a late-night fan-favorite at festivals of all varieties, such as SummerCamp Music Festival, Tall Tree Lakes, and much more. In 2012 NOC will release its first feature album Carry Me Out This Way produced in San Francisco by Nat Keefe of Hot Buttered Rum. Onwards and Upwards, The New Old Cavalry
Rock band 20 Shades was founded by frontman James Pergolatti in 2010. The band brings a diverse new sound that is a mix of classic metal and modern day Rock with a positive message.
Since forming, the band released 2 Pergolatti penned demos Faith and Animal which successfully caught the ear of fans, radio stations, and producers. Internet sensations, 20 Shades has already sold significant downloads and CDs, and has almost achieved 1,000,000 profile hits!
Van Halen is the debut studio album by American rock band Van Halen. Released on February 10, 1978, the album initially peaked at #19 on the US Billboard Albums Chart.
Demons and Wizards is the fourth studio album by British rock band Uriah Heep, released May 19, 1972 by Bronze Records in the UK and Mercury Records in the US. The album was a success and has sold 3 million copies worldwide.
A guitar player, a drummer… that’s all. Magical groove, original feeling and sharped sense of rowdy rythm make The Inspector Cluzo the funkiest rock duet in the world… or the opposite? Fishbone lead singer Angelo Moore and bass player Norwood Fisher agreed with that and got involved in their first LP, produced at Jet Studio in Brussels by Stephane Kraemer (Yann “Amelie Poulain” Tiersen, Jack The Ripper, Watcha, Pleymo…). That’s the most surprising thing with Inspector Cluzo, besides that they are only two guys and make more noise than a big orchestra : it’s an unique mix of high-voltage rock’n’roll and fresh funky groove. Their first record is amazing, full of these little pieces of snapshot hits (Mad, or the acoustic Change) that never let the listerner take his breath…
Makahiya was formed in early 2004 by Steve-Guitar of “Torg,” Rob-Bass of “Gravelbone” and added drummer Brian Hulse in 2011. All three members are based out of Chicago. The band started working together as a fluke, as session after session lead to more sound experimentation. Metal riffs, thunderous acid-funk, driving rock rhythms manifested into psychedelic infusions. The band focused on collaboration, constantly working on new sounds in the studio and performing live. ..
HURRAH! A BOLT OF LIGHT!
“triumphant, heartfelt, sweaty. . .an unrivaled energy that will have you shouting along to choruses you just heard for the first time.” -UnveiledArts.com “It’d be difficult to stand motionless during one of their sets unless you are in a body cast.” -QRO Magazine “Hurrah! A Bolt of Light! traffic in anthemic and melodramatic material.” -The New Yorker
Necrodemon DOES NOT and WILL NOT follow trends, fads, or fakes. Ripping Black Death forever! Necrodemon are sworn to metal. Hence the title : Allegiance to the End. Those who are Elite understand. They stand on their own. Necrodemon began in late 1998 from the ashes of Lordes Werre. From 1999’s “Deadly Demo” to Necrodemon’s current dark dominion, the band has focused in on dark hatred and has broke alot of ground as far as musicianship and writing. Rageful and pissed off metalheads! …And so Necrodemon are blasting out a path of their own! Bands like Necrodemon who stand out and do not sound the same on every song and every album should be something to respect. Necrodemon has been misunderstood, hated, and deceived yet still stand proud and unchanged. They are waging war against false metal! Ripping Black Death!
The Living Deads take Do-It-Yourself to a new level. From living full time in their RV, designing and printing their own t-shirts, to booking their own tours, this band takes it all upon themselves and they are still ready for more………
With Randee McKnight on drums/vocals and Symphony Tidwell on upright bass/vocals, they have made a name for themselves across the U.S. and Canada by “Kidnapping” various guitar players after their guitar player quit on them at 3 am as they were leaving town for their tour.
This rockabilly duo set out to turn the tables on the traditional way things are done in a band. Normally, it is the guitar player/singer who makes the calls. The Living Deads. Would rather throw a burlap sac over the head of tradition and start making demands.
They have kidnapped Danny B. Harvey, of The Head Cat; Chuck Hughes, of The Hillbilly Hellcats; James Hunnicutt, of the Revolvers; Hank Hays and many more.
There is no telling who they will have next in their burlap sack, so don’t even think about missing a show when they come to your town!
Zach Myers was born November 7, 1983. He was both born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. Zach began playing guitar at age thirteen. By fourteen he had a manager, a record deal, and began touring the world. He released two records under the band name Zach Myers Band. Zach also played with bands such as Fairwell, Saliva and Breaking Point. Zach Myers joined Shinedown in 2005. He has played both bass guitar and lead guitar. With influences such as Jimi Henrix and Jimi Page it’s no wonder Zach has provided fans an experience like no other.
Rising Lion is roots reggae, urban and dub artist based in New York and Florida. “Feelin Irie” the first single from the upcoming Changes album was released on May 18, 2010, on Klem Records, with worldwide distribution by L G N Entertainment Distribution Inc. It can be purchased on i-tunes, CD Baby, Amazon.com and at www.risinglion.com. Changes is the fourth R L album and is scheduled for release in early 2012. The band has a proven touring track record and has appreciated successful sponsorships with Budweiser, Jagermeister and now Candy Rocks, a division of H.O.W. Inc. With a remarkable mix of Roots Reggae, R&B, Rock, Blues and Hip-Hop in his sound, Rising Lion has a reputation for bringing good vibes to every show. His uplifting message, fiery guitar and soul stirring music will make your body groove and your feet want to dance.
JuxTApose is a four piece blues-rock band hailing from various places in Michigan. Making Grand Rapids their home in 2008, they’ve been vigorously carving out their niche in musical style ever since. With various covers from Kings of Leon to Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson and even Muse being reflective of their original material, it’s no surprise their ability to live up to their name of juxTApose. All of the band being natural born story tellers, the subject matter of their music is as interesting as the music itself, and with songs like Drone that span the planes of time signatures, keys, and musical styles, to the catchy horn pop/blues riffs found in T-Dog World of Trouble, the band has no limits in adaptability and skill. With each member constantly growing as individuals and within the band, juxTApose is a force to be reckoned with.
Anti-Flag is a political punk band, which is obvious from their name alone. But over the course of 12 albums across more than 25 years together, they’ve rarely set their sights on singular individuals in songs. Unlike their punk predecessors in the 80s, who made targets of Reagan and his cronies, Anti-Flag has always opted not to date their work with current references, instead focusing on fighting ongoing oppression and dismantling deeply rooted systems of injustice. But on their new album, 20/20 Vision, the band is drawing a big, fat line in the sand.
“We have actively chosen to not attack Presidents directly, either with album art or songs about certain times in history, because we recognize that the issues we’re dealing with are cyclical,” says bassist Chris #2. “But this record in particular, we kind of said, well fuck that, we need to be on the record in opposition to the policies of Donald Trump and Mike Pence.”
“This record is a warning to people holding neofascist ideas or people who are enabling these types of positions, whether you’re outright racist or you’re enabling racism or sexism or homophobia or transphobia,” adds guitarist Justin Sane. “You need to make a choice at this point. What we’ve seen with this White House is that there’s no grey area anymore.”
Produced by From First to Last’s Matt Good, 20/20 Vision (Spinefarm Records, January 17, 2020) kicks off with a soundbite of Donald Trump speaking at a rally. And while just about anything the man has said over the last few years would make for a fitting sample on a punk record, Anti-Flag were deliberate in their choice. “In the good old days, this doesn’t happen, because they used to treat them very, very rough,” Trump is heard saying over the opening track, “Hate Conquers All.” “And when they protested once, they would not do it again so easily.”
“What I found compelling about that particular Trump sample is that it’s the quintessential move that he pulls, which is: Say the thing into the world early, so that when it happens later, people are already accustomed to it,” says #2, who believes that dissenters like journalists, protestors, and punk bands are not far down on the list of those who will eventually be rounded up and detained. “We’ve always cautioned that if you’re not standing up for the most marginalized and the most oppressed then you’re not truly free.”
“Hate Conquers All” seeks to dissect the lexicon we use around racism to hold ourselves more accountable. “The song is a kneejerk reaction to the idea of Love Trumps Hate and this idea that love can beat back
hatred,” notes #2. “That equates racism with hatred. That’s a false equivalence of what the language should be. If you’re racist, you’re racist. You don’t just hate people. It should be considered a much more vile term.”
Later on the album, “Christian Nationalist” calls out those hiding behind religious zealotry to mask their neofacism, and the chorus makes it clear that these people will be held accountable: “We all know who you are!”
“When you listen to David Duke talk, you’re listening to Donald Trump talk,” Sane says of the track. “These people hide behind the veneer of suits or speaking well and the various ways in which they hide their bigotry, but the reality is that they’re just as bad as the fascists in the 1930s or the segregationists in America.
“I’m not saying doxxing is OK, but I think it is important to let a community know that their neighbor is a racist who was chanting, ‘Jews will not replace us! There has to be accountability.”
On 20/20 Vision’s title track, the band takes a deliberately poppy approach to grappling with a tough pill they’ve had to swallow recently: Seeing elements of the framework that punk bands like Anti-Flag have established over the last couple of decades as it is coopted and used as talking points by the alt-right.
“The roadmap that we created in the 90s, of alternative media and forms of communicating, was a left-wing strategy to bring truth to power,” says drummer Pat Thetic. “The right wing has very effectively taken all those skills we learned in the 80s and 90s and turned them against the left. That’s been a challenging thing for us, to see the strategies that we grew up with being used against us in such an effective way.”
And while the newscycle moves faster than ever before, 20/20 Vision aims to take a step back and stare down the most pressing problems of our time: kids in cages, the fentanyl crisis, rolling back EPA restrictions. It’s a record that at once feels both timely and forward thinking. 20/20 Vision is a work that Anti-Flag hopes will serve as an immediate form of communication with those who are politically engaged as well as a document of our modern times for a future generation.
As #2 puts it: “We hope that when someone trips over this record in the sand of the post apocalypse, they’ll know that there were people who once stood in opposition to all of this.”
Formed out of the ashes of Stray Bullets and Chicago Typewriter (two Boston punk mainstays) in October 2007, Have Nots combine catchy, energetic, melodic punk rock, with rhythmic, almost hip hop-esque vocals, and a smattering of reggae/ska influence.
It takes timing, dedication and hard work to realize a dream. The biggest ideas take both Time and Sacrifice. Mountains must be moved stone by stone. It takes dedication and hard work to fully achieve a dream, Sometimes you have to say Goodbye to everything you ever called home to finally find yourself where you want to be. The band formed officially in 2008, the line-up has changed frequently, though Greg Jackson Combs and Jeff Brown are the only remaining original members. Since 2008, Goodbyehome has been making themselves known not only in their local Chicago scene but on the national circuit. In 2010 they hit the road to spread their debut album The Troubles(2010) in over 20 states, kicking off in Nashville and ending in Los Angeles. The band received press in the Chicago Tribune following the release. There music has brought them to share bills with acts like Bela Fleck, Dr. Dog, Grace Potter and Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeroes. Goodbyehome’s music has been inspired by a wide variety of artists and styles,. The Troubles(2010) focused primarily on a sound reflecting folk or alternative country, but has since introduced more experimental aspects to their music to be released in their follow up Electric Cowboy Lullabies, including elements of alternative rock, jazz, heavy metal and classic pop. The band plans to release Electric Cowboy Lullabies sometime in the Spring of 2011. The Album will be released on CAU Dog Records.
Led by the powerhouse vocals of Katie Bithos, this fun rock/acoustic/electric band has been rocking our socks off with pop hooks and power like nobody’s business. Since we first saw them at Hiiden Shamrock and Goose Island Wrigleyville, we knew they were something special. CAUDog Records is proud to be presenting this group with a full set of covers and originals. Check out their tasty cover of Adele’s Rolling in the Deep.
Citing influences as diverse as punk, balkan, jazz, metal, nightmares, and wet dreams, Lexington, Kentucky’s The Ford Theatre Reunion creates a sound that defies easy definition. In one moment ethereal vocals drift over flighty clarinet and melancholy accordion, and in the next moment it’s a full-bore, guitar-snarling rock n’ roll assault. It is the perfect soundtrack for a puppet show at a funeral or board game night with some werewolves.
Describing them is complicated. So let’s just call them well-hyphenated.
Despite their disparities, The Ford Theatre Reunion has one particular aspect that never changes: once they catch your eyes and ears, you aren’t going anywhere for the rest of the night. Since 2008, they have been bringing their unique sound and high-energy show to clubs, basements, bars, and bungalows across the US, and they are guaranteed to get even the most stubborn audience moving.
Fists of Rage officially began in the summer of 2008 after vocalist Sean joined the band. With a complete change in direction we have been writing hardcore tunes for three years now. After a brief hiatus in 2009/2010, F.O.R has just finished recording their first full length album, self titled “Fists of Rage”. The album and newly recorded songs will be available for download on Reverbnation, Facebook, Myspace, and soon to come iTunes. These 12 songs will be featured at all of our upcoming shows. We look forward to seeing you there and thank you for your continued support!
Straight out of Chicago Illinois! The Hairlips! Heavily infuenced by 50’s and 60’s rock, surf, doo wop, and of course the mighty Ramones. This group is bringing the feel of the 50’s and 60’s back to the pop punk scene with powerfull songs that will be sure to make you stomp, twist, and shake the night away. Guys grab your girls, and hold on to your hats because here come the Hairlips!
“We are from the southside of chicago. The band was started in feb of 2009. Original members are Tony, Mikey, and Danny. The newer members are the greats Sam and Justin. We all met in high school and now we slap ur face off with our music.”
“Started in 2005 by Josh Ortiz and Zech Pluister, Hometown Heroes is a Pop Punk band from the south suburbs of Chicago, IL. Today they consist of Zech Pluister, Josh Ortiz, Brad Harvey, Kyle Grzejka, and Chase Lombard. They like to play shows, hang out, talk about themselves in third person, and they’re currently writing/recording their upcoming EP! So stay tuned!”
Pork ‘n Beans is an acoustic mix of indie and prog rock. With firey vocals of bassist Shanna Berry combined with Shane Wallace on guitar, Pork ‘n Beans offers a unique sound and plenty of extended solos.
Il gruppo UMAGROSO soul funky music nasce dalla fusione di due band attive nei primi anni 90 i Keydea che proponevano cover italiane e straniere e gli United FreaK OUT gruppo rock che stava lavorando al primo disco autoprodotto. L’invito in sala registrazione alla sezione fiati dei Keydea per una collaborazione fece nascere il progetto che dopo alcuni mesi decollò sotto il nome di UMAGROSO.
FUNK FUNK FUNK MUISC!Born in the 1993 the band was originally formed by 8 elements. Funk music made a breakthrough in the soul of the band due to the discovery of Tower of Power group. Our funky repertory was integrated in time with the most famous songs of soul and R & B music. With a 4 elements brass section the band makes specific arrangements on the most famous songs of Otis Reding, Maceo Parker, James Brown, Ray Charles and Steve Winwood. The energy created by the band strongly affects the audience, wrapping it with the songs that made the music history.
