PAPER THICK WALLS
Orchestral indie rockers Paper Thick Walls began on a green carpet with an acoustic guitar, piano, and a few stories crafted into melodies. The songwriting talents of Eric Michaels and Kate Schell create a truly genre defying sound that “is a sweet miss-mash of influences from Wilco to Sufjan Stevens,” with “a bit of Cursive’s dramatics and a dash of the boldness found in bands such as Broken Social Scene and Arcade Fire.” (Loud Loop Press). The past two years have combined the talents of band members Jacques Rene, Roger Sherman, and Andrew Sabo to add lush orchestral instrumentation behind the profound lyrical imagery.
Following the successful press reception of Paper Thick Walls freshman album, “A Thousand Novels”, the band spent the year touring over 50 cities in the US and Canada to move more than a thousand records with their own hands, playing with touring bands such as The Lumineers, Company of Thieves, Drive by Truckers, Joe Pug, and Smoking Popes.
With such an infectious live show, it’s not hard to see why Paper Thick Walls have been named one of the top five emerging artists from Chicago by The Deli Chicago and Chicago Magazine. The band’s 2011 debut record “A Thousand Novels” claimed numerous “Best of 2011” lists and over 150 positive reviews. The band played key music festivals including NXNE, CMJ, Mid-Point Music Festival, and Summer Fest.
This year, the band is set to release a new EP that will showcase five new songs that further utilize the many instruments in the five piece group to further explore what TimeOut Chicago calls their, “anthemic folk rock”sound.
In addition to the rigorous touring schedule of 2012, lead members Eric Michaels and Kate Schell performed the principal roles in a full-length feature film premiering in 2013 entitled,WE GREW UP HERE The film, directed by Kevin Pickman and produced by 15 in the Dark Collab, will also feature a soundtrack composed and performed by Eric
and Kate.
DELANEY DAVIDSON
Part man part wheel, Delaney Davidson is part wandering minstrel, part travelling salesman. One hand holds a small brown suitcase, his trade, his ghost orchestra, the other holds his guitar. One foot firmly in the Blues Trash corner of the ring, the other on the road, you could say Delaney sees music as he sees geography, and that although he has certain preferences, in fact all territories are up for grabs.
POSSESSED BY PAUL JAMES
Fans of singer/songwriter and one man band Possessed By Paul James my be surprised to find out that playing music is not his only passion. Though he somehow finds the time to make appearances all over the US and Europe throughout the year, down in the Texas Hill Country he’s in charge of an elementary school special education classroom, teaching children with intellectual disabilities. And you may think that with juggling so many responsibilities between music and work that he wouldn’t have the energy or the time to excel at either one. But Possessed by Paul James is not your average musician, or teacher. – Saving Country Music
WHISKEY WAR MOUNTAIN REBELLION
WWMR comes from the heartland of America, otherwise known as Missouri. Bringing their own brand of blues/rock, it is a show that you will not soon forget
BRETT NEWSKI & THE CORRUPTION
THE MISSION: Spending six homeless months in rural Asia gives a man a lot to think about. Brett Newski wandered Bangkok to Hong Kong to the Philippines and everywhere in between before moving to Saigon, Vietnam on a whim. Here Brett Newski & the Corruption was formed with drummer Mean Matt Green (Great Britain), & bassist Jeffro Gantner (Saskatoon, Canada). The band remains based in Saigon, but tours internationally whenever humanly possible.
MAMA’S LOVE CHILD
Mama’s Love Child is a trio composed of Mr. Dan Turner, Shawn Tuthill, and Monroe Stinson. Dan and Shawn started the group in June of 2010 and Monroe joined in spring of 2011. MLC is known for its acoustic blues and upbeat rhythm. Dan Turner is known for his smooth, soulful voice while he lays it out on the acoustic guitar. Shawn keeps the groove lock in with playing the djembe, bongos, and sometimes throws out a whistle or two. Mr. Monroe lays down the bass flawlessly and keeps the groove sexy…
STEELY DAN “GAUCHO”
BAD SNEAKERS ORCHESTRA will be playing Steely Dan’s GAUCHO front to back, LIVE~!
Stevie Robinson-Lead Vocals
Paul Martin-Bass, Musical Director
Pat Fleming-Guitars
Neal Alger-Guitars
Kent Wehman-Keyboards
John Erickson-Keyboards
Neal Wehman-Drums
Scott Burns-Tenor/Alto Sax
Tim McNamara-Bari/Tenor Sax
Michael McLaughlin-Trumpet
John Mose-Trombone
Pam Bradley-Background Vocals
Sandy Caulfield-Background Vocals
Maggie Bynum-Background Vocals
THE MARK LAVENGOOD STEEL GUITAR ENSEMBLE
The Mark Lavengood Steel Guitar Ensemble focuses on original music steeped in tradition and repertoire from the 40’s and 50’s, the heyday of the non-pedal steel guitar. The musical soundscape is set by the straight steel guitar, vibraphones, electric guitar, mandolin, solid vocals upright bass, and trap set. From Santo & Johnny tunes to Leon McAuliffe mixed with some blues and western swing, the Mark Lavengood Steel Guitar Ensemble is a crowd pleaser for all audiences!
LABORS
Born of a mutual appreciation for jazz, country, good bourbon, & black coffee, Labors’ songs owe just as much to Chet Baker as they do Hank Williams. Labors’ brand of sad-bastard music is Midwestern to the core. The Chicago-based quartet started out as an outlet for the songs of Kansas City native Zechariah Melton. After relocating to Chicago he was joined by bassist Jacob Hand, drummer Addison Ashbaugh, and guitarist Alexis Dionissopoulos.
MERCHANTS OF MOONSHINE
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.
MIMI BETINIS
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.
MAGIC BOX
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.
DEVIN
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.”
CROCODILES
“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.
SYMBOLIC
Death cover set
WOLFSBLOOD
Misfits tribute band
THE ORGAN CRUSHERS
EASY STAR ALL-STARS
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.
THE GLORYHOLES
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
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.
SONIC PULSE
MORBID SAINT
Band Members:Pat Lind-Vocal, Jay Visser-Guitar, Bob Zabel-Bass, Randy Wall-Drums
DELIVER US FROM EVIL
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
“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
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.
THE RIFT
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.
DJ DAVE ROBERTS
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!
DJ PETER PROPAGANDA
NIGHTCAP
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.
COURTESY DROP
The finest punk from Nashville, TN
THE FIRESIDE SILHOUETTES
MARISOLYTERRA
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 RAILS
THE AESTHETIC
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.
VY LORD
DEPREMACY
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
DAMIEN THORNE
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
DEATH BY MERCURY
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.
MISS HAZE
INTEL VS TREW
BLACK LION
DJ BELLY VS RUCKUS
DYING FETUS
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.
SIX FEET UNDER
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.
THE LOLLIES
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
STUCK LUCKY
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
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.
DUCK
TUMBLING BONES
“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.”
BENTON HARBOR LUNCHBOX
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.