DARK SPECTRUM
BROTHER ALI
I’ve lived and loved the culture of Hip Hop since I was in grade school, 1985. I use to study and memorize the greats like Melle Mell, Slick Rick and Whoodini. When KRS-One, Rakim and Public Enemy came out in the late 80’s it blew my mind. I started writing and recording my own songs in Jr. High. By High School I was battling in cyphers everywhere I went and rockin’ school dances.
I met the Rhymesayers crew in the late 90’s and learned the next level of DIY music. Ant and I started working together in ’02. We made Shadows On The Sun and I started touring in support of Atmosphere (my label-mates and big brothers).
We toured constantly for the next few years with comrades like Brand Nubian, Immortal Technique and Rakim. The Champion EP dropped in 04 and we kept it moving.
Our last major release was The Undisputed Truth in Spring of ’07. I had a great couple of years because of that record. My crew and I did our first headlining tours in the US, Canada and Australia. I was featured in The Source Magazine’s “Hip Hop Quotable” and Rolling Stone’s “Artist To Watch” columns. I played on TV a few times including Late Night with Conan O’Brien (Mint Condition backed me up for that one). I did a US tour with Rakim and Ghostface Killah of Wu-Tang Clan. I was also blessed to tour Europe and Australia several more times with Atmosphere.
This past March we released the final chapter in the Undisputed Truth movement. “The Truth Is Here EP/DVD is a collection of music that ANT and I made during the few precious breaks we had from our tour schedule. The DVD is my sold-out homecoming show from The Undisputed Truth Tour.
Ant and I just released our latest full-length album “Us”. Whereas my last projects have been strictly autobiographical, this album opens the lens to showcase the amazing and sometimes tragic lives of my friends and loved-ones who have shaped me as a man. I hope that by illustrating these stories that are so dear to my heart, I might shed some light on how similar we all really are. Society makes us think we’re in different worlds because of our race, religion, class, sex etc. I tried to make something that shows how alike we really are.
CHASE THIS CITY
THE BEGGARS
Meet the Good Boys of Rock! They’re knocking loudly on your door but they look so cordial. You’ll wanna let them in even though you know they’ll bring the house down. The Beggars can do rowdy, they can do outrageous and they do all the reckless valiant theatrics of everything you thought you loved most about Rock n’ Roll – but the Beggars edge is in their endearment – the swagger of the greats without the sleaze of the stereotype – a pure energy burst from a wholesome (yes, wholesome) love for the legends (and the legacies) of rock.
They cruise with a heavy chugging 70’s fuzz style that loopde-loops up like a rocket of spacier psychedelia, only to parachute down into the eye of the party’s storm, cool as cucumbers with a soulful swagger of jazzy bass and danceable beats, spurred ever forth by crowd-crazy incitements from a quintessential frontman. The Beggars, good boys that they are, understand that rock is equal parts demolition derby as it is vaudeville theatre, let’s have a good time.
They formed in 2003, just north of Detroit, MI, founded by drummer Joe Senac and guitarist Jonny Wilkins, based on a commitment to rock-solid showmanship. Singer (and ProWrestling School drop-out) Steven Tuthill joined in 05, inspired by Wilkins’ and Senac’s spirited show, inspired by seminal soul/blues-influenced rock n roll.
Wilkins and Tuthill kept the band going as various players of comparably blistering talents and styles came, partied, rocked and rolled on their way, off to join bands like The Electric Six, The Sights. Drummer Jim Faulkner continues to hold the beat down while Pookie Grech provides the soulful, psyche-blues bass grooves under Chris Krez’ flavorful guitar firestorms. Wilkins’ wields his wailing ax masterfully under the highflying antics of Tuthill, belting the Beggars’ anthems with breathless enthusiasm.
KEITHEN TERRELL BANKS STORY
MANHATTAN MURDER MYSTERY
“MMM are inheritors of postpunk who don’t pander to its legacy, they extend it”-WebInFront.net
BURLESQUE- SCARLETTE & THE DEVILETTES
DATING GAME HOSTED BY COLDCOCK JONES
MIKE GALLAGHER AND ZZAJE
APPLES FOR ARCHERS
THE MINOR LEAGUE
KOSHA DILLZ
Kosha Dillz is a world class improv artist that has recieved major attention for his dedication to success. He has played every kind of gig,ranging from shows with Rza of the Wu Tang Clan and Matisyahu, to the Legendary Yo gabba Gabba childrens show. He is most known for his ability to improv in front of thousands of people an rap in hebrew and spanish combined.
CHRIS WEBBY
Originally from Connecticut, Chris Webby is an American rapper best known for his versatile flow, creative punchlines, pop culture references, and love for cartoons. He is also the founder of the independent record label, EightyHD Music.
KIDD RUSSELL
Alternative Hip Hop artist, Backyard Hero, Paying it forward, Never Fade, North Avenue Productions, No Fans Just Neighbors. Pulaskiville, IL. In the studio with Cisco Adler of Shwayze. Rocked shows with Shwayze, Modsun, The Flobots, G Easy, Common, The roots, Uncle kracker, The Deans List, Oncue, Rockie Fresh, Chris Webby, AER and more…
ELFAMAIL
WORLD WAR 10,000
Founded in 2011, World War Ten Thousand finds its influences in punk, rock and black metal as well as beer and whiskey. With sonic guitar riffs and driving drum and bass lines, their sound can best be described as skinbeam. The band has played numerous Chicago clubs over the past 10 months.
PIXIES “COME ON PILGRIM”
VIOLENT FEMMES “VIOLENT FEMMES”
Violent Femmes is the debut album by Violent Femmes. Mostly recorded in July 1982, the album was released by Slash Records on vinyl and on cassette in April 1983
THE UNIPHONICS
The Uniphonics have created waves of excitement across the United States since forming out of the Iowa City music scene in 2007. Their jam band approach to hip hop has led them to performances at countless major festivals and venues across the country. They’ve played on bills with some of their biggest influences, including George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Rusted Root, Karl Denson, The Roots, and Primus.
MICHAEL SCHAEFER-MURRAY PRESENTS
THE ROCK STAR POETRY PROJECT
THE HEPSOUNDS
VO ERA
Recording Artist Vo Era is a very soulful passionate vocalist, musician, and composer……
He was born and raised on Chicago’s South side. He hit the music scene with a song in his heart and a guitar in his hand. With the love and support of his eclectic audience, Vo has performed at venues such as Reggie’s Music Joint, The Wild Hare, Winestyles (SOLO), The Underground Wonder Bar, and many clubs in the Chicago land area. Vo Era’s unique sound fuses poignantly simple lyrics with funky soulful guitar rhythms. He knows how to musically take a common phrase and paint the most colorful and extraordinary picture of life’s most common occurrences. You can identify his acute skill and life experience within his music. He’s currently a New York native and rapidly expanding in the BIG APPLE. So far he’s graced the stage at Sugar Bar, Billie’s Black, and Village Underground. He has a new hot single entitled “Honey” that’s now available in all digital stores. His debut album entitled “Honey” as well will drop August 13,2013. This is only the beginning of Vo’s Era!!
CHEER UP MOON CAT
In Feb. of 2010 we began to play rock ‘n roll music. Since then, we have recorded multiple albums and have played many shows (give or take a few). Our songs range from poppy and melodic to eerie and bluesy. I reckon those feet will be a tappin’
SHAPELESS
THE PARTY FOUL
WEYE
FATHOMS
POVERTY HASH
THE MOSE WANTED BAND
SONIC AVENUES
WASHBACK RAVEN
SUN AND MOON
RABBIT CHILDREN
ZZAJÉ®
MENDELSSOHN
STEPHANIE TONNEMACHER
SWEET RAY LAUREL
WILSON
OVREVOLT
Ovrevolt (pronounced over-volt) is the culmination of a twenty-plus year songwriting and performing partnership between guitarist John Menich and vocalist Brad Reamer who, in various formations of the band, have performed with such heavies as Ronnie Montrose, James Young (Styx), Anthrax, Randy Jackson (Zebra), and most recently, REO Speedwagon. In its current formation, Ovrevolt is powered by the potent combination of drummer Gary Kouba and bassist Michael Strack, both veterans of the Chicago music scene and accomplished musicians in their own right. Drawing inspiration from their surroundings, Chicago’s Ovrevolt uses the blues as a jumping off point, just as the English architects of rock did forty-some years ago, and meld it with unlikely influences to create something very heavy and unforgettable. Ovrevolt connects the dots between late 60’s English blues, early 70’s hard rock, Middle-Eastern devotional music, and 90’s grunge to form a cohesive sound that isn’t afraid to go off in tangents but never forgets the melody.
WEINLAND
THE REX COMPLEX
Led by accordionist/vocalist Rex Hussmann and drummer Jeremy Gustin, Brooklyn-based The Rex Complex pounds roots ruckus songs into people’s nervous system often resulting in a joyous shock. According to the Boston Phoenix the band “specializes in voodoo psych-blues tantrums (with a smidge of Primus).”
RAILBIRD
Railbird is an experimental pop band from Brooklyn. Their debut album, No One was self-released March 2011.
GABRAHM VITEK
JACKSON BAILEY
ARMY OF INFANTS
They’re not an army (there’s only two of them) and they’re not infants (although they are young), but Army of Infants still has a lot going for them — like their bluesy guitar riffs and ’90s-style grunge singing that would make Kurt Cobain put down his needle and take notice.
TRAPHICK JAMM
SCATTERGUN
Since its inception, Scattergun is a rock band that has simply played what it likes, making for sets that may wander down both familiar side streets and those less explored – typically ending up at a place where both the audience and the band can have a good time.
ALT COUNTRY BUFFET
MOON FURIES
DON PRESTON AND BUNK GARDNER OF ZAPPA’S MOTHERS OF INVENTION
PHOTOSIDE CAFE
COSMIC RAILROAD
EMILY HENDERSON
KATELYN EPPERLY
HARRIS & THE MOOD
GRAHAM PARSONS & THE GO-ROUNDS
TIN LYNOTT
ROBBIE GOLD
RATTLERS
GRAVESIDE MANNER
QUESTIONS OF MADNESS
After leaving The Chasm in 2003, bassist Alfonso “Poncho” Polo (left) felt that after almost 20 years of playing in different bands, the whole “music thing” began to feel more like a chore or a job. Rather than quitting the music business for good, Poncho decided to take a break from music completely. But in the spring of 2009, Poncho’s love for his music resurfaced but rather than just joining a band, he decided to work on his own project. Harnessing musical inspiration from bands like Root, Candlemass, Mercyful Fate, Solitude Aeternus, Trouble, Black Sabbath, My Dying Bride, Cathedral and Bolt Thrower, Poncho incorporated lyrics based on reality, fantasy and personal experiences into his songs. After forming the basis of the sound he was after, Poncho named the project Question Of Madness.
MOBILE DEATHCAMP
Based out of Toledo, Ohio, MOBILE DEATHCAMP has been sawing clubs in half, and leaving crowds with their collective jaws on the floor since the band’s inception in 2008. Formed by Todd Evans at the end of his 6 year stint as Beefcake The Mighty with the legendary shock rockers, GWAR, and joined in aural battle by Boe Skadeland and Chad Smith, this musical terror pocket has been consistently leveling venues across North America.