Born in 93, Vic Mensa is an independent recording artist from Chicago, Illinois who released his mixtape INNANETAPE online last year to critical acclaim. Vic has toured North America with J Cole and Disclosure and Danny Brown on his recent European Tour. Vic is also the leader and co-founder of the SAVEMONEY collective.
Chance encounters in the frozen foods aisle and at a going away party for a friend of a friend first brought the group together. Mike Medina, Dann Morr, Philip Robbins, and Sarah J Wille were a combination of new acquaintances and old friends; veteran sidemen to many Chicago artists and newcomers to the Windy City music scene. Their common interests in folk and roots music plus the enjoyment and challenge of learning to play new instruments inspired them to collaborate on a sound of their own. The result of this collaboration is Guest House, Wells-next-the-Sea’s debut album.
Hüsker Düdes is the planet’s only Hüsker Dü tribute band. It’s composed of Dan Fanelli, Eric Mahle and Geoff Greenberg.
Formed in Chicago in 2010, The Limbos began as a two piece with only Keyboards/Vocals and Drums/Vocals under the name “Stu Benedict.” Shortly thereafter Maccabee Kelem joined Ryan Miera and Drew Current adding a bass and back up vocals. Ryan and Drew met studying improv in 2003. Maccabee had met Ryan when they played in a previous band named “Off the Radar” in 2008-09. All three being band veterans began rehearsing weekly at Music Garage in Chicago. Still do in fact. A year after forming, they met Ryan Imboden who jumped on board playing trumpet becoming the fourth full member. The Limbos have two albums titled, “Mmmm..” and “Rodeo Ballet.” They are both available on iTunes, at live shows or at Reckless Records’ locations in Chicago.
One time, Eric had a wrestling pay-per-view party at his parent’s house when they weren’t home. He was 24.
The Opposition Party is a ten-piece Chicago musical collective, centered around performance of polyrhythmic music, particularly the cross-pollination of African music, Jamaican reggae and dub, and American funk and jazz. Heavy grooves and high-energy rhythms come alive in a catalog that features music from artists like Mulatu Astatke, Fela Kuti, Tony Allen, Thomas Mapfumo, Jackie Mittoo, and originals that stir up all these influences and bake them into something new.
Fronted by the fearless, and occasionally lucid M. Incroyable, The Peculiar Pretzelmen have been kicking, stomping, screaming, and destroying stages, equipment, and minds since 2006. The outfit exists as anything between a two to a ten piece band pounding away at every type of tablescrap instrumentation they can cobble together.
Two full length albums, four EP’s, and hundreds of shows, and tens of thousands of miles have cultivated a band unlike any other. The ethics and musicality of pre-World War II blues and jazz men ignited by the “post-everything” DIY mentality of artists too broke to buy into preconceived notions, and too angry to be convinced this mayhem could possibly fail.
Chicago Rock and Roll
“Stoner Americana Thunder… like Slim Cessnas Auto club formed a side project that was part Black Flag part Black Sabbath..” Motif Magazine, Providence,RI
Rich Neier—Bass, Vocals
Often compared to the likes of Geddy Lee (ok, so it’s usually for the way he throws back Canadian beer and hangs out in the North Woods…), Rich brings his over 15 years of gigging and songwriting to the band, while still maintaining a “happy puppy” devotion to his craft.
Erik Olson—Keys
The man who makes the golf clubs (sheet music) work so that the rest of the band doesn’t have to think – which is a good thing, since his is the best mind of the bunch. Erik’s influences go back as far as Beethoven and track forward to Porcupine Tree. Betcha can’t wait to hear how THAT sounds!
Larry Crawford—Drums, Vocals
Larry is a bald-headed bundle of energy that makes Animal the Muppet look tame in comparison. A must-see powerhouse of sound.!
Juliann Salinas—Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Once told that she was “completely folked up,” (at least that’s what she thinks he said) Juliann now puts her story and soapbox-stance songs to “da boyz’” rocked-up riffs.!
Pete Rosenberg—Lead Guitar, Vocals
With a voice that could make both Barry White and Freddy Mercury jealous, and licks that Hendrix would die for (oh, wait…) Pete writes, sings, leads and weaves a head-spinning myriad of tunes.!
The SONS OF MARY is the brainchild of singer/songwriter Donald Bond Moreland. The band has had many formation with different members but always with its core Donald and his Brother Dallas. Proficient in an array of styles of music and songwriting the band covers almost every genre in the spectrum. While Blues/Rock is the main influence they feel comfortable in any situation. Never afraid to push the boundaries you will here folk,reggae and hip hop peppered into everything. With recently added Bassist and long time friend John Strand and Santino Carbonaro on rhythm guitar the band feels poised to make a mark on an industry filled with mediocrity.
The experimental sound of the four-piece powerhouse known as SPREAD has no boundaries. Formed at SIU Carbondale in 2008, the band has been creating energy-filled musical experiences ever since. SPREAD has made many appearances throughout the region, including festivals such as Summer Camp. Combining originally composed material with a mass of spontaneous improvisation, SPREAD hopes to deliver a unique and interactive engagement with its audience.
“Although the members of Stay Golden hail from Texas, Indiana and Illinois, the band have become a force on Chicago’s pop-punk scene, thanks to local shows and gigs with groups such as Fireworks, The Graduate and You, Me, And Everyone We Know. Buoyed by the success of their self-released album, Three Day Weekend – which received plenty of positive feedback after hitting iTunes earlier this year – Stay Golden are already hoping to release a new record in early 2012.” – Alternative Press
A Lancaster, PA native, musician Stephen Paul Smoker began his career at an early age, honing his craft as a touring musician and hired gun. After releasing Violent Sun / Violent Fun, Stephen enlisted musicians Michael Kostal (Guitar), Bethany Smoker (Keys/Vocals/Percussion), Evan DePue (Bass), and Jamie Dull (Drums), to play in his band. Ripe Fruit is the first collaboration involving the full band.
Simply put, Superbig stands out. In a city constantly in search of whatever musical movement is next, the polished, pulsating pop/rock sonic landscape of Superbig married with their mission statement is the result of desperate living, failed relationships and obvious bad life choices. It’s astonishing how fluid and potent their delivery and studio work remains. The band paints a radioready picture that keeps its heart on its sleeve and the hooks coming a mile a minute.
Lead Singer, Guitarist, Jim Fountalas was born and bred in Chicago. As a songwriter and recording artist Jimmy’s objective is to connect his songs with the history behind them and share universal experiences of life and love that connect us all. Producer Chris Steinmetz of Stonecutter Records says “Jim Fountalas has a voice that not only draws you in, but captivates you. His ability to please your ears while he engages you in the lyrics is apparent from the first hypnotic listen. He truly brings his multi faceted background to each performance and leaves one wanting more. He is an elusive wordsmith with the skills and ability to connect emotionally powerful lyrics with colorfully commanding melodic phrases.” Where Jim is the brainchild of Superbig, Drummer Dan Hill, Bassist Chip Znuff, Guitarist and Background Singer Pat Serorsky, and Violinist Heather Boehm lend their talents to create traditional Pop/Rock through a powerfully lush live sound that is unrivaled in the Chicago scene.
Hailing from Indiana, TESTIMONY was formed in late 2009 by drummer Taylor Lambacher who later went on to draft guitarist Michael Gawel, his older brother Derek Lambacher on bass and vocalist Adrian Harris. With their line-up cemented, TESTIMONY set out to create complex, challenging metal music that, while rooted in tradition, has a quality and sound all its own.
With influences that range from musical genres like jazz and funk to legendary metal bands such as Death, Voivod, Iron Maiden, Metallica and Megadeth, TESTIMONY combines elements of thrash and progressive metal, yielding a sort of spacey travel through time that rips like any other band from the ‘80s, but has an artistic flair of its own. In January 2012, TESTIMONY released their debut EP, Transcending Reality. The six track album puts a twist on the classic thrash sound that came out of the 1980s with its dazzling and sometimes drawn out technical performances that truly capture the minds of listeners.
Transcending Reality was a hit and almost overnight the name TESTIMONY began to spread like wild fire amongst the legions of underground thrashers around the world. The album’s success opened new doors for TESTIMONY and soon after Transcending Reality was released TESTIMONY went on to share the stage with national acts like D.R.I., Lazarus AD, Vektor and Revocation. While TESTIMONY was enjoying their new found success the band never once lost focus or let things go to their head, instead TESTIMONY remained hungry, diligently taking notes and learning as much as they could from bands that were on the “next level” while constantly looking to improve on every single song, riff, fill and solo.
In late 2013, nearly two years after the release of Transcending Reality, TESTIMONY announced they would be releasing a brand new EP entitled “The Beast That Prays” in 2014. Following the success of Transcending Reality, TESTIMONY is more motivated than ever before and looks to put the progress in progressive with The Beast That Prays by creating an album that is more complex, better thought out, and heavier than its predecessor.
Look for The Beast That Prays to be released on Tuesday, September 16th.
There’s a source in rock ‘n’ roll music, born in Mississippi’s delta, distilled in its hill country and raised on the streets of Chicago’s south side. The way The Black Oil Brothers see it,the blues is the truth, rock ‘n’ roll is the way, and outlaw country is the life.
Deep blues and Americana from the city nestled in its heartland, The Black Oil Brothers utilize everything we can beg, borrow or steal, to create music that let’s your ears know there ain’t a damn thing wrong with the sound of a good soul feeling bad.
Such is the blues. Such is the music of The Black Oil Brothers, turning heartbreak into ass shake in the sincere belief that how we live this life is defined by how hard you shake off its troubles. So turn it up, remember no one is guaranteed a tomorrow and shake ‘em off.
Formed in early 2009, The Black Saints have been preaching the glorious intensity and frenetic power of the most classic elements of rock n’ roll and punk in their own delicious and wicked voice. They unabashedly revel in the sound of guitar-drenched rock revival that defines a new generation of independent music listener.
With just over two years in the scene, this hard rock four-piece has toured all over the Midwest and to the East Coast of the United States, playing over 80 shows in that short time. Their artist debut arrived at Summerfest, the world’s largest outdoor music festival, where they have performed every year since the band’s inception. Their high energy live performance has seen them share the stage with the likes of LA’s Steel Panther, founding member of KISS Ace Frehley, The Last Vegas, Gilby Clarke, John Corabi, Sevendust, Blind Melon, and The Dirty Pearls among other established artists.
Their debut EP, All Sinners Welcome, is a blistering collection of six sleazed-up high energy rockers. The record features their hit single Dead Man Walking and has already gotten airplay in Colombia, Australia, Belgium, Japan, South Africa, Canada, and the USA where the band has been featured by the Hard Rock Nights radio show in its ’15 bands to watch in 2011′ list of up & coming artists.
Things continue to look up for this promising young band of rock n’ rollers as they continue spreading their sound throughout the world through touring, airplay, & word of mouth. With the completion of their second tour of the year behind them, The Black Saints are currently in the studio with legendary Jeff Hamilton recording their third album slated to be released in February 2015.
This is rock music as it was meant to be. This is how The Black Saints do it.
As if the warm familiar melody of rootsy porch music has been plugged in and turned up: The Delta Saints are driving listeners from the comforting recline of their porch swings right to the edge of their seats. It’s a fusion of traditional southern soul and funk-inspired power, all layered with furious harmonica lines that simultaneously tie the group together and threaten to unseat it all in one sweep. It’s the unsettling sound of strength. A strength fueled by talent and bridled by a passion to relate to another that catches the attention of passers-by with its language-like quality. You can hear within it a conversation between five men able to speak to one another through their instruments. The essence of the Midwest and the bayou work together to make a sound unique but befitting of Nashville. And the energy that sweats from this gritty howling dynamic is a message heralding love and loss and consequence. And though the songs may end, the intensity generated from the act of something old made new again will hauntingly remain.
Pitched somewhere between the loose revivalism of Jack White and the groove of Alabama Shakes, Rival Sons possess a chimera-like character: a jazz -trained rhythm section that met at Isaac Hayes’ house, a garage-rock fuzzadelic guitar maestro, and a Blues rooted street singer with the powerful raw delivery of rock and the sensitivity of a Laurel Canyon trip.
Though rooted in the past Rival Sons play with awareness and modernity like they’re calling on inspiration through their roots anew, filtering out more of rock’s overblown past and bringing in call-and-response testaments to truth – In their own words, they “want to give the people the rock and roll they deserve by keeping it honest, visceral, and dangerous”.
Rival Sons’ 2012 3rd album Head Down scuzzy “blues-rock invades Motown’s backbeat to startling effect”, displaying a range of skill from the eerily insightful Jordan to the breathy summer pop stylings of Until The Sun Comes or Wild Animal, and setting the whole thing aflame with the sprawling psychedelic guitar freakout Manifest Destiny Pt.1. All of this emphasizing how American roots music is now grounded in the 60’s notion of blues and soul.
That’s not to say Rival Sons ignore the straight stuff, drummer Miley “channels John Bonham’s brute force &Tommy Lee’s restless energy” much of Head Down is anchored in fuzzy guitars and soul groove spliced from The Small Faces and The Animals – Rival Sons don’t mess about, but they’re not purists, they’re modern – they splice familiar sounds and forms together but mix them up with the secret ingredient of song-writing skill, that balances story-telling with Scott Holiday’s pugnacious guitar and the beauty of Jay Buchanan’s voice in an explosive reminder that “soul is the key”.
Fizzing with freshness, Head Down honours half a century of classic rock with reverence, respect and the realisation that this music’s still happening, right now. – BBC
Introducing the band in the words of singer Jay Buchanan:
“[Bassist] Robin is an accomplished jazz player, and the guy loves Motown and listens to rap a little too much for my liking. [Drummer] Miley also has deep roots in jazz and Latin percussion as well as rock, and he shares the same birthday as Keith Moon. He’ll be the first to tell you that he listens to Steely Dan a little too much for my liking. [Guitarist] Scott is highly influenced by Billy Gibbons, Jeff Beck, and Keith Richards, and he talks about ninjas and muscle cars a little too much for my liking. I whine and complain into a microphone for a living, and I talk to myself a little too much for my liking.”
Like Jack White or The Black Keys, Rival Sons see the creative process as a snapshot, only spending less than a month in the studio for each album; writing and recording all live under one roof to keep the process raw. The band bear no special allegiance to the didactic needs of retro-rock, their roots are just that, grounding from which they launch using the creative chemistry and the schooling they all possess to create in the moment, capturing a live feel that thrills and delights in often quite unexpected and exciting ways. Witnessing what a band in tune with each other is really like and knowing that what you hear on record as a 1st or 2nd take still comes second to the electric performance you will see on stage.
ROTTEN SOUND are celebrating their 20th anniversary of Grindcore and chaos during the whole year of 2013. This crushing party begins with the release of the “Species at War” EP in January. Afterwards the wrecking will continue with many tours and festival performances all around the globe. 2013 promises to become the most intense year in the two decades of ROTTEN SOUND’s existence: “Our plans are huge and we are aware that some events may not happen, but we are working very hard to bring our music to the ears of as many people as possible”, states frontman Keijo Niinimaa, after returning from the honourable position of lead guest singer at the “NASUM Farewell Tour” in 2012. “We will visit some new places, while continuing to bomb those we have been playing in since the very beginning of the band. We are also determined to arrange one hell of a party before the end of 2013 to celebrate our 20 years of existence.”
ROTTEN SOUND’s opening assault “Species at War” contains 6 brand new tracks, which are attached to each other in order to create one insane ride through aggression and despair with a few heavier passages sprinkled in. Where “Cursed” (2011) went through the curses of humanity, “Species at War” deals with the evil consequences of wars caused by religions and cultures. “We felt that ‘Cursed’ needed a closing chapter both musically and lyrically”, continues Niinimaa. “Therefore we decided to take everything a step further in terms of chaos and heaviness. All lyrics were written during a weekend last summer and I ended up recording them the very next week, when everything was still fresh in my mind. That paid off, because it feels as if this whole release is lyrically just one epic song.
Musically ROTTEN SOUND mercilessly attack, delivering the sonic equivalent of an apocalyptic battlefield with their seventh EP “Species at War”. True to the tradition of classic Grindcore, this stunning inferno is presented in 8:05 minutes. Yet the Finns make every second count. This brutal mind-blowing onslaught of downtuned guitar and bass smashes all resistance. A fierce barrage from the drums pushes relentlessly forward and the vocal growls roll like thunder over the shell shocked ground. Then again ROTTEN SOUND deliver more than just a musical illustration of the horrors of war. A dark but warm streak runs though their Grindcore onslaught enhanced by Death Metal precision, which expresses such unexpected emotions like melancholy, longing and passion. This might serve to explain together with their outstanding technical abilities, why a band with such extreme intensity hits the charts in their native Finland with each release since the mid-2000s.
ROTTEN SOUND were formed on one insane night of July 1993, during the aftermath of a VOMITURITION studio session. The band recorded a bunch of EP’s and splits before they released their first two full-lengths, “Under Pressure” (1997) and “Drain” (1998). After the “Still Psycho” MCD (2000), which was also their first proper release in North America, the Finns started to tour more actively. This took the band to a higher level and when “Murderworks” was released in 2005, media and public recognized and praised the massive new force in Scandinavian Grind. Following this success, ROTTEN SOUND’s sound evolved on “Exit” (2005), the “Consume to Contaminate” MCD (2006) and the “Cycles” album (2008), which added more heavy parts and some of the forgotten Crust elements from their early years. Their latest full-length “Cursed” shook the world on impact in 2011.
Playing live has always been a high priority for ROTTEN SOUND and their journeys led them to share stages with CARCASS, EXHUMED, VICTIMS, DISFEAR, PHOBIA, MISERY INDEX, NASUM, PIG DESTROYER, NAPALM DEATH, DOOM and many other leading bands of the extreme music scene, which they shaped in union with the Finns. Now 2013 will be more than just another year for shaking the foundations of live venues and assaulting people with deadly Grindcore. ROTTEN SOUND are also planning to re-enter the studio in order to record their next album straight after the extensive touring is done. Yet first it’s time to get on the road and to have the final anniversary party heralded by “Species at War”. “Keep your eyes peeled, follow the news and join the Grindcore party in a city near to you!”, finishes Niinimaa. War is here!
ROTTING CHRIST have reached another peak in their long career that now spans over more than three decades. The Greeks have literally stood the test of time. With a steady core line-up and their well-honed live delivery, ROTTING CHRIST are filling concert halls and reap enthusiastic crowd reactions wherever they go. This demonstration of love from their followers is not just driven by nostalgia as the band has managed to evolve and grow, while staying relevant beyond the classics with their highly acclaimed latest albums such as ‘Aealo’ (2010), ‘Κατά τον δαίμονα εαυτού’ (2013), and ‘Rituals’ (2016).
Now, with the new offering ‘The Heretics’, ROTTING CHRIST are opening a brand new chapter. With confidence and skills derived from experience, each song represents its own sonic universe. Guitarist and vocalist Sakis Tolis in collaboration with his brother Themis on drums achieve a perfect balance of amalgamating their classic and unique style of riffing and rhythm with exciting new elements sprinkled in to keep their material exciting and fresh. The experienced is enhanced by Jens Bogren’s equally clear and transparent yet also massive as well as sombre mix and mastering at his widely renowned Fascination Street Studios (AMORPHIS, BORKNAGAR, MOONSPELL, DEVIN TOWNSEND, and many more).
Buckle up for a fascinating musical ride through the woes of religious wars, Zoroastrianism and the eternal war between good and evil. Metal at its best!
S. Joel Norman first began playing music at age four at the piano. “Mom probably got sick of me pounding on her antique piano as a toddler, so she put me in lessons,” he says. Hailing from the south suburbs of Chicago, Norman got his musical start playing and composing gospel music in the church. “Some of the guys who played were also working musicians, and after playing a couple Sunday mornings, they asked me to come play on Saturday nights with them. I was only in junior high.”
He went on to study and graduate from Wheaton Conservatory of Music, where he began composing and arranging pieces for orchestra, chorus, and jazz ensemble.
He’s toured worldwide with a variety of artists and played alongside jazz greats Ira Sullivan and Marquis Hill, as well as rock and roll heroes Billy Ozzello (Survivor) and Chip Znuff (Enuff Znuff), and went on the road playing keyboards with Eddie Money. Joel was the resident artist at some of Chicago’s finest venues, including Soho House, The Hoxton, and Tack Room at Thalia Hall, as well as residencies in Manhattan and the Virgin Islands. He’s led worship at the largest RCA church in the world, and scored plays for Arena Theater and The University of Chicago’s Shakespeare program. Produced and performed hundreds of tracks for fellow artists and he is currently writing and recording music for upcoming albums, commercials, film, and television.