The Brains have never been a band to follow the rules. In fact, they’ve made a point of utterly destroying every one of them with each album they release and every show they play. These hardworking road warriors have brought their eye-popping live show to the four corners of the globe. The band has played packed houses throughout Europe, Canada, Mexico and the United States, alongside acts like Rancid, Mad Sin, Nekromantix, The Offspring, The Reverend Horton Heat, and many more. They stand out as a group to watch, by constantly striving to increase proficiency in their craft. It hasn’t been enough for The Brains to earn countless awards and secure number one spots on music television programs; they are now hell-bent on world domination. Raise your glass and join them in their battle cry for MORE BRAINS!
The Break is your new favorite band. Homegrown real sound straight out of Chicago. A true to form great rock band. The next hook in your head. The Break has played every major venue in Chicago to a constantly growing fan base and despite their youth, wants to buy you a beer and sing you a song.
The Brokedowns started a long time ago in the hills around Elgin, Illinois. What began as friends jamming in Jon’s parent’s basement morphed into four out-of-shape Midwestern working-class dudes who love playing music together and soaking their livers.
The Brokedowns are:
Kris Megyery: Guitar, vocals Jon Balun: Vocals, bass Eric Grossmann: Guitar, vocals Mustafa Daka: Drums
The Bronx formed in 2002, releasing their self-titled debut album the following year. Over the Los Angeles-based band’s 19 year career, The band has released six original albums as The Bronx, and three albums under their alter ego, Mariachi El Bronx. Both iterations of the legendary SoCal outfit have been hailed for harnessing the “unleashed cries of youthful blue-collar anguish” (Los Angeles Times), and for writing “hard-hitting and catchy hard rock tracks” (Loudwire). The Bronx is Matt Caughthran (vocals), Joby J. Ford (guitar), Ken Horne (guitar), Brad Magers (bass) and Joey Castillo (drums).
The Brothers Gross have been involved in music for over 10 years now. After a few attempts with other projects, the Brothers decided to do their own thing. In the Spring of 2008 The Brothers Gross arrived, taking their vast musical knowledge of all things ROCK N ROLL and mashing it up to create their original tunes. Their number one goal is to put the excitement back into music, amidst all the other over-done, watered-down crap that’s out there nowadays. They are total supporters of DIY as well. The Brothers write, record and produce all their music (videos too) from a tiny room in the middle of nowhere Indiana. Currently, they have a 7″ release out on Silly Girl Records and are in the process of recording for another release. They’re planning to have more videos and songs, originals and covers, posted all the time on the myspace so be sure to check back for new updates…
Founded in Chicago in 1996, The Arrivals are the Jam meets Dillinger Four in sound and spirit (they have shared a member with the latter since 2005); something like Naked Raygun trying to revisit The Kinks. They play a kind of working-class punk rock that’s not patriotic, not overtly populist, but thoughtful and authentic. The songs are artfully written and delivered with urgency and forthrightness, with well-informed lyrics that center on the lives of lower-class Americans and general disillusionment with civilization. The Arrivals is real modern music from the urban Midwest. It’s rustbelt realism at its best.
In the later part of the 2000s, The Arrivals evolved into their own species of punk rock animal, in the way that the Clash did as the ’70s became the 80’s or Jawbreaker did during the early ’90s. And their last album to date, 2010’s “Volatile Molotov” (their fourth full-length), tops all. With classic rock and punk references strewn throughout, they’ve called it their “love letter to their favorite music.” Todd Congelliere of their label, Recess Records, says it “listens like a classic novel.”
Since 2012, The Arrivals took a bit of a break — focusing on their home lives and starting an array of musically-adventurous side projects. When the band has come together to play, as they did in 2016 for Awesome Fest in San Diego and this past January at the Ian’s Party festival in Chicago, they explode from the stage with enthusiasm and a pure love of playing music together. As such, Arrivals shows have become highly-anticipated events that see fans traveling from far corners to join the group in their celebrations.
Down & dirty hip-shakin old school rock/ R& B; like a combination of the Cramps and 50s R&B/rock – sort of like Little Richard if he played the guitar, and if someone had rubbed Tabasco on his genitals. From Chicago.
The idea of Terranaut was formulated deep within a great forest preserve in Chicago around late 2007. Nieko, the band founder, conjured the idea of establishing a Black Metal band writing half a dozen songs and partnering with Keith, a close friend, on the songwriting. The band’s humble beginnings was held under the banner of Dark Sodomy, though thoughts of going in a more serious direction lead to adopting the name of Terranaut in 2008. The name Terranaut became a fitting representation of the Earth-oriented and indigenous motifs found in the lyrics and art of the band.
After a period of inactivity in 2013/2014, original vocalist Alan rejoined the band and also acquiring a new member for bass duties in Patrick. Unfinished tracks became the focus of the band and are set to release an EP/Full Length in 2015.
Hardcore veterans, Terror, joined the Victory Records roster with a bang, unleashing Live By The Code in April of 2013. The lyrics, paired with the album’s extensive layout laid out to music fans worldwide what it meant to truly live your life by “the codes” of hardcore. Supporting the genre community, sticking to your roots, and delivering the truth – these and much more illustrated what it really means to be in the hardcore family.
For centuries we lived without fear of repercussion, as our greed and depravity has driven us to our collapse. We have lost all compassion for our fellow man and abused everything in sight. The 25th Hour is upon us.
Terror formed in 2002 as a direct reaction to what was occurring in the underground musical scene that they called home. Disgusted with what was being presented and passed off as hardcore, they attempted to reclaim the bastardized genre by playing the music as it had originated; in it’s most raw, honest and angry form. Immediately, there was a connection with likeminded people across the globe, and led the band to continually play shows all over the world. Terror started as an idea, but quickly turned into a crusade. Terror captured the ferocity that the genre had been missing, and with their amazing work ethic and nihilistic approach to touring, they became the hardcore flag-bearers of this generation.
Terror’s last few albums created movements immediately upon their release. The titles summed up the current climate of hardcore music and served as a rally cry for all its believers. Their new album follows this same suit. The current incarnation of the band, which features the longest tenured lineup in their history, assembled last fall with one intent: to act defiantly in “The 25th Hour”. If this is truly our potential climax, all would be stripped away and we would return to our most basic form. Terror consciously mimicked this urgency, and returned to their roots on their newest release. They acted without a producer, and cumulatively crafted The 25th Hour together. If it was too long, it was trimmed down. If it was too slow, it was sped up. If it had nothing to say, it was thrown away. Every song was deliberately manifested to exude the desperation, immediacy and passion of the early days of the band. Once recorded, the album was then mixed by Tom Soares, who had engineered or mixed some of hardcore’s most influential artists such as Judge, Leeway, The Cro Mags, Agnostic Front, Sick of It All, and Killing Time. This put the final critical touches on Terror’s latest musical statement. With the album now completed, Terror will go back to what they do best – performing live. They plan to continue their 13-year legacy of decimating all stages they come in contact with and spread their truth to all corners of the world.
Is our doom imminent, or can we reverse the savagery that lies within our DNA? Is it too late to create change? Will we rise or fall when “The 25th Hour” strikes?
When Thao was in kindergarten, misguided kids called her TOWEL…
Willis Thompson and Thao Nguyen met in a re-enactment in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. We found Adam Thompson one summer at a Richmond delicatessen, gingerly slicing. We got in a van together and stopped every night in different places. We got out, played music (often for real live people) and then got back in and rambled to the next town.
We recorded one album, drove around and flew to and fro, and then we recorded another. Both albums document the musical collaboration of many friends and colleagues and the efforts of one Thao to understand human interaction at all, ever.
When the band is on tour we stop at rivers and skip stones competitively. On days off, Adam bakes bread and prepares dinner while Willis builds percussive instruments using only bottle caps and intuition, and Thao awkwardly lifts the one 10-pound weight she has brought along to stay in shape for shows. Everyone watches the Food Network and the Discovery Channel together for dessert. The three of us share many hopes; most center around getting co-starring roles in a Mentos commercial and sleeping in separate beds while traveling.
We are very grateful for our musical lots in life and will always try our best to act accordingly. We thank you, very sincerely, for your ears, and your time, and your penchant for showing up and dancing.
