THE EFFIGIES
THE ELECTRIC BOOGALOO
THE ELECTRIC MESS
THE CHROME ROBES
THE CIRCLE VIEW
The Circle View is a captivating band charting new territory in the modern rock genre. The quartet hails from Chicago and hypnotizes fans with their amazing ability to combine melodic, eye-popping hooks, with a straight-ahead rock vibe. This combination allows the band to cast a wide net, capturing the imagination of fans and competitors alike.
With the release of their new album, The Love Rebellion, The Circle View is getting set to launch a nation wide tour. These innovative shows will showcase their new music which is sure to excite the fans old and new.
The Circle View is Lance Ayers on vocals guitar & keys, Tom Howell on guitar, Chris McKenna on bass, and Joey Williams on drums. The members bring their unique backgrounds together, creating a refreshing and distinctive sound that is uniquely T.C.V.
Joell Hayes of Phonology Studio in Chicago states, “From the very first time I heard his music I knew he was special. Now he has the right group of guys with him. It’s only a matter of time for a guy like Lance.”
The Circle View brings together the influences of the various members, including Jimi Hendrix, Foo Fighters, Rage Against The Machine, Radiohead, Pearl Jam and Prince…. just to name a few.
THE CITY STREETS
THE CLEAROUT
THE CLERGYMEN
THE COAL MEN
THE COBAINS
THE CODE KIDS
THE COLLAPSED
THE COLOR MORALE
Natives from Rockford, IL, this melodic post-hardcore 5 piece has opened for the likes of Taking Back Sunday, Chiodos, The Used, Four Letter Lie, and Greeley Estates, and Misery Signals. Musical influences range from Misery Signals, Beloved, Life in Your Way, Glassjaw, and Poison the Well to name a few among many more. Having signed to Rise Records, they have released two albums to date. “We All Have Demons” in 2009 and “My Devil In Your Eyes” in 2011.
THE COLUMBINES
The Columbines play songs about love, songs about anger, songs about angry love and lovely anger; songs about the devil you know and the devil you don’t.
THE COMPANY
THE CONGREGATION
Classic soul meets rock and roll in this dynamic eight-piece collective from Chicago. The Congregation features Gina Bloom, a singer whose raw and powerful vocals are underscored by Charlie Wayne’s dynamic guitar riffs, the band’s rock and soul rhythms (Dan Wendt on drums, Chuck Sansone on keys and Steve Schuster on bass) and the lively call and response of a three-piece horn section (Justin Amolsch on trumpet, Erik Eiseman on sax and Nick Nottoli on trombone). When it comes to the songwriting, you won’t find any sugarcoated love songs here–you’ll get a little bit of longing and a whole lot of wronging.
While the release of Right Now Everything marked the band’s full-length album debut, The Congregation has been steadily gaining steam since the release of its seven-song EP, Not for Sleepin’, in late 2010. The band was named by the Chicago Tribune as one of “11 Bands to Watch in 2011”, and was recently featured in Paste Magazine as one of “10 Illinois Bands You Should Listen to Now”. The Congregation’s stop-and-take-notice sound earned the group the opportunity to share a triple stadium-bill with Grammy-winning band Wilco and critically acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird as well as another all-star ballpark lineup with the Flaming Lips and Garbage in the summer of 2012. In 2013, The Congregation appeared as an official showcasing act at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, TX and appeared on an episode of Through The Wormhole with Morgan Freeman.
THE CONNIPTION FITTS
THE CONTROVER SEA
THE COOL KIDS
THE COOL TABLE
THE COOP
The Coop is the concoction of drummer/producer Jake Barinholtz, guitarist/producer Danny Biggins, and bassist/producer Cason Trager. Formed in 2004 in Chicago, The Coop quickly broke into the jam-rock and electronica scene, and with the addition of keyboard virtuoso Joe Re, the band’s sound and versatile abilities stretched into uncharted territories.
Capturing the modern unification of organic and future sounds through the fusion of electronic production and traditional instrumentation, The Coop consistently takes the listener on genre-bending aural adventures. The synchronization of breakbeat, dub, jazz, and jamband rock drive their core sound, resulting in dynamically flowing original tracks and live performances.
Between their debut album, Internalize, and their EP, A Fleeting Glimpse, The Coop proves that originality and popularity can coincide. With numerous headlining shows and major festival slots under their belt and many more on their upcoming schedule, this four-man sound system’s journey to the top is only just beginning.
THE COPYRIGHTS
The Copyrights play a stripped-down version of pop-punk in the tradition of fellow Illinois bands like and , with old-school punk and pop influences ranging from and to Sound Affects-vintage and the first couple of albums. Formed in the small southern Illinois city of Carbondale (much closer to St. Louis, MO, than Chicago) in 2002, the Copyrights originally consisted of bassist and primary lead singer Adam Fletcher, guitarists/vocalists and Ken Clifford, and drummer Luke McNeill. Signed to the Washington, D.C., indie Insubordination Records, the Copyrights released their debut album, We Didn’t Come Here to Die (produced by Illinois pop-punk legend Mass Giorgini), in 2003. It was subsequently followed by two EPs, 2004’s Button Smasher and 2005’s Nowhere Near Chicago (both through It’s Alive Records). Replacing the departed Clifford with new guitarist Nick O’Neil, the Copyrights returned with their second album, Mutiny Pop, in May 2006. Not wasting any time, various shows followed before the guys (now with Jeff Funburg on board in place of O’Neil) were back in the studio by the start of 2007 to commence recording their next album; Make Sound surfaced that spring via Red Scare. ~ Stewart Mason, Rovi
THE CORDUROY
THE CORTLANDT HOMES
THE COURTNEY JANES
THE COVERT EMPIRE
THE COVERUP
THE CREEPERZ
THE CRINN
THE CROSSING
THE CROWN AND TWO CHAIRMEN
THE CRUXSHADOWS
Independent dark electronic band from Florida, Cruxshadows went on to become one the premier indie electro-pop bands throughout the 90’s and 2000’s, redefining gothic into something less stereotypical. Founded by frontman Rogue, The Cruxshadows created a hybrid sound of synthesizer based music countered by electric violin and guitar. Known for their exciting live performances (which include choreographed dancers singing backup vocals), their positive message, and their deep hook filled club songs and anthems, this is a band that has made a career of thinking outside the “music industry box.” Their popularity and accessibility has allowed them to generate a sizable worldwide fan base and a large international appeal.
THE CUTE LEPERS
THE DALEY MACHINE
THE DAMAGES
THE DAMN CHOIR
THE DANGLERS
Self proclaimed Heavy Wooden, The Danglers consist of Jason Loveall (Electric Violin/Vocals) , David Gelting (Upright Bass/Vocals), and John Sparrow (Drums/Percussion). The trio exudes a Punk and Heavy Metal semblance, accompanied by a Classical, Avant Garde, and Jazz songwriting style often including improvisation. Individually each musician has contributed their skills for world tours and acclaimed recordings for artists such as; Violent Femmes, The Tossers, and Heidi Spencer and the Rare Birds. The Danglers have shared the stage with Derrick Trucks (Allman Brothers), Tony Levin (King Crimson), Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers), Trey Gunn (King Crimson), That One Guy, and Andrew Bird’s Bowl of Fire to name a few. “…this certainly isn’t commercial lightweight psychedelia or average Prog-Rock playfulness.” -Andy @ Mojophenia.com “A voyage through an album of The Danglers music is a journey through the history of the key acts in the development of progressive and experimental music.” -John Toolan (Alternative Matter.net) “…reminds me at times of an Appalachian version of King Crimson. Dark folky violin melodies merge with jazzy rhythms and angular contrabass riffs into strange waltzing tunes – interesting stuff…” -Crucial Blast Records “Another remarkable thing is their feeling and expression extracted from the instruments played, which sometimes contributes to create an intense sound chaos.” – Limbo Do Rock.com (Brasil) “Experimenting with sound like this is fun for any drummer to try every so often; Sparrow makes an art of it” -Modern Drummer Magazine “It’s hard to tell how Milwaukee trio The Danglers keeps up the near-constant suspense of its live shows, until folks notice that the members are simply playing the fuck out of their fiddle, double bass, and drums.” -The Onion “The Danglers often sound like they could have given King Crimson, circa “21st Century Schizoid Man,” a run for the stage.” – Shepherd Express
THE BUILDERS AND THE BUTCHERS
THE BUNGDOONS
THE BUSINESS
Official lineup for The Business:
Original Members— Steve Whale, Stephen Kent, and Micky Fairbairn
Michael Brands of Arch Rivals- vocals
John Pearce of The Last Resort- Bass
The year was 1980 and Great Britain was then weathering a social and political maelstrom, that bridged the mid-seventies and eighties entire. It was a chaotic and tumultuous time in which to be young. The confusion and anger of having to face escalating unemployment, suppressive officialdom and exploitive pariahs had goaded an angry backlash. Firstly with the original wave of punk in 1977 and then again three years later with the second wave of streetwise bands of which The Business are quite plainly the market leader.
From the early days and their legendary single “Harry May” (the story of a hit man) to more lamentive feel of the current LP track “Always Isn’t Always” The Business never seem to lose that elemental connection to the local environment. In this way their songs have been as much about social documentation, as highlighting a reactionary point of view. It’s the living and breathing voice of south London working class experience.
There’s such a comprehensive feel to the role call of their recordings. Astute observasionalist lyrics that highlight everything from football, stories about local faces, common experiences about dealing with officialdom, life’s general ups and downs, right through to the riots and other events that have sent ripples racing across the social pond and the political cesspool. The Business will always be a force to be reckoned with — enough said!
THE BUSY SIGNALS
THE BUTTS
THE CAIRO GANG
THE CANNANES
THE CASTING OUT
THE CASUALTIES
There are some punk bands that sing about social issues, while others prefer the lighter subjects in life such as drinking and partying. It’s safe to say that New York hardcore veterans THE CASUALTIES can now be categorized as a punk band that sings about both.
THE CATBURGLARS
THE CATCH
THE CATHY SANTONIES
THE CCC JAZZ FUSION BAND
THE CCC LATIN ENSEMBLE
THE CCC POP ROCK II BAND
THE CCC R&B ENSEMBLE
THE CELL PHONES
THE CELLS
THE CHALLENGED
THE CHARIOT
THE CHASM
The Chasm is a death metal band originally from Mexico, and located in Chicago since 1998.
THE CHEMIST VS THE COMPUTER
CHINESE TELEPHONES
THE CHOP TOPS
In 1995, Sinner formed The Chop Tops so he’d have a way to share his love
of rockabilly music – but he also enjoyed other musical styles (like punk, surf,
and psychobilly) and didn’t want to stop playing them completely. So the band
blended all of their favorite music genres together to create their own special
sound. The Chop Tops even coined the phrase “Revved-Up Rockabilly” to
describe their unique combination of rebel music styles. As the band progressed,
Sinner developed his wild style of lead vocals combined with drumming while
standing up. When guitarist Shelby joined in 1999, his talented riffs and high-
energy stage presence were a perfect fit for The Chop Tops. Shelby brought a
wealth of experience from previously playing in many San Francisco Bay Area
bands and jamming with the likes of Chris Isaac. In 2008, Brett became the
upright bassist, having formerly played with several popular Los Angeles ‘Billy
bands. Brett’s string-slapping skills added the finishing touch to the “Revved-
Up Rockabilly” trio. Together, Sinner, Shelby, and Brett have turned The Chop
Tops into one red-hot rockin’ act. The band takes their breed of rockabilly music
across the U.S. to perform more than 200 shows every year. Thanks to their
music’s unique style, blurring the lines between genres, they’ve shared the stage
with the likes of Adolescents, Agent Orange, Alvis Wayne, Angry Samoans, Big
Sandy, The Blasters, Brian Setzer, BR549, Chuck Berry, Danny B. Harvey, Dead
Kennedys, Deke Dickerson, Demented Are Go, Dick Dale, D.O.A., Dr. Know,
Dwight Yoakam Band, Guana Batz, Gene Vincent’s Original Blue Caps, Glen
Glenn, John Lee Hooker (R.I.P.), Lee Rocker, Levi Dexter, Link Wray (R.I.P.),
Los Lobos, Los Straitjackets, Nekromantix, Mad Sin, The Paladins, The Planet
Rockers, Marky Ramone, Ray Campi, Ray Condo (R.I.P.), The Reverend Horton
Heat, Rip Masters, Royal Crown Revue, Rusty York, Suicidal Tendencies,
Wanda Jackson and many more legendary greats! So get in your ride, step on
the gas, and race down to see them play…you’ll be glad you did!
THE CHRIS BECKSTROM BAND
THE BENDING SPOON
THE BIGGER LIGHTS
THE BILTMORES
THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE
After 20 years of outlier success in the music industry, The Birthday Massacre continues to grow their art and their fan base. Millions of streams attest to the legions of fans who are added to the Imaginary Monsters Army daily. From their earliest work, Nothing and Nowhere through their iconic Walking With Strangers,( which has been called the Sgt. Pepper’s of Dark Wave), and 10 other mysteriously fascinating albums, the band defies all attempts to label them. But that is because they came at their music from an Art College perspective and not as a band thing. The band was one way to express their art and it remains that way today. There is both a continuity and an exploration to the music they release. Easily recognizable as The Birthday Massacre but stretching the boundaries within their own mindset, each new release is eagerly anticipated by tens of thousands of very loyal fans. Fans as loyal to the band as the band is to them.
THE BITTER TEARS
BITTER WIGS
Since mid-2008, Chicago’s Bitter Wigs have been committed to carving out the tightest, loudest, rock grooves imaginable. Their dynamic stage performances have garnered them a large cult following around the city, even without the release of an “official” recording. “The Wigs” harbor roots steeped in early 70’s punk simplicity, but always with an eye fixed on the future. Their first studio recording will be available in early 2010. Some of the test versions of those recordings can be heard here now, with the final versions being posted after the album is released. Enjoy.