For more than a hundred years, bedtime stories have warned children of the wandering pack of gypsy clowns who travel from town to town, stealing away naughty youngsters and raising them as their own, schooling them in the arts of musical vaudeville and playing for ragamuffins and royalty the world over. However, unlike Krampus or the Bogeyman, the idea of these roving carnies seems to attract almost as many children as it frightens. Far from scaring such children into obedience, many have run away from home in hopes of finding and joining with this sinister crew from faraway, mythical CANDY TOWN.
“Part band, part neo-vaudeville thingamjig…a finely honed retro aesthetic…building (their) board-walking empire from the vintage shoes up.” -Chicago Reader
From the case-books of the Chicago Police Department: Officers Amble and Bilge apprehended the White City Rippers, the devilish duo who have held the World’s Fair in the icy grip of terror with a chaotic combination of cacophonous musical performances, bizarre electronic devices, and a string of grisly murders. Mr. W, a thoroughly rum-soaked rogue, was quoted as saying, “A sharp blade is a safe blade,” before collapsing in a paroxysm of laughter. Mr. M, who has the unhinged, psychotic temperament of an Irishman, responded, “My razor goes ‘likkey-likkey-likkey’ then it goes ‘shhhhh’!” The two escaped custody, leaving pools of blood and slices of fingers and toes strewn about their holding cell. Amble and Bilge have gone missing and it is surmised that the Rippers flayed them and used the skins to disguise themselves. The Rippers are rumored to have two accomplices named Mr. Varbelli and Mr. Seeburg. These may be an accordion and a machine used to reproduce the sound of drums, but this has not been corroborated. If you have more information on their whereabouts, please report them here:http://www.facebook.com/pages/White-City-Rippers/134468189935120
Wednesday 13 is a horror punk band, fronted by Wednesday 13 of Maniac Spider Trash, Murderdolls, Frankenstein Drag Queens From Planet 13, Bourbon Crow fame. The group formed in 2004 and continue to play. The genre of music is a mix of death rock and punk with lyrics heavily inspired by horror movies.
VAMPIRES EVERYWHERE has taken the alternative music scene over in the past year. From touring with the likes of Black Veil Brides, X-Japan, Alesana, Brokencyde and more to being featured in Alternative Press’ ‘100 Bands You Need to Know’, VAMPIRES EVERYWHERE have already made thousands of die hard fans and 2011 is set to be the year when they truly ignite the music world with their brand of rock that blends elements from electronic, metal, screamo and alternative rock.
The story of VAMPIRES EVERYWHERE! starts with fearless leader Michael, who formed the group influenced heavily by Joel Schumacher’s 1987 cult classic ‘The Lost Boys’. “Like the characters, I have also always considered myself lost and trapped within a world that only embraces its own. This movie embodies everything I stand for: anarchy, vampires, youth, love and revenge,” Michael reveals. This notion led Michael to search for those who he could relate to. This search brought forth the other lost souls who would form the brotherly coven Michael had hoped for: Aaron Graves, Philip Kross, Alex and David Hernandez. Together, sworn to a dark oath, they formed VAMPIRES EVERYWHERE! and created one of the most wildly exciting bands in recent memory.
Since forming, VAMPIRES EVERYWHERE! has spread their bloodline all across North America. Legions of fans showing their undying support for these twisted individuals have arisen across the country and made their presence known. Whether purchasing albums and merchandise, attending live ceremonies or forming their own hordes of supporters in their respective cities, this legion is quickly becoming larger and spreading the new gospel of VAMPIRES EVERYWHERE! far and wide. This was made evident by the incredible fan fare surrounding the release of their ‘Lost in the Shadows’ EP through Hot Topic last year.
Then, as the band began unveiling their live ceremonies, the fandom of VAMPIRES EVERYWHERE! truly exploded. Copies of their EP flew off the shelves, selling through more than 9,000 copies of this limited edition EP, available only through Hot Topic. VAMPIRES EVERYWHERE! then hit the road for their first full tour across the nation, in support of Black Veil Brides, giving covens their first chance to meet the gentlemen who have masterminded this movement. Since then, fan support grew more and more thanks to not only the band’s heavy touring schedule, but due to the genuine bond that has formed between VAMPIRES EVERYWHERE! and their fans – recognizing that you don’t have to conform to society and that being yourself will lead you to the people who will truly accept you.
Kaustik is a heavy metal band from Southern California generating exceedingly heavy, hook filled music influenced by numerous genres including: classical music, classic rock, jazz, punk, almost every metal sub-genre old to new, and even rap. This amalgamation of diverse ideas gives them a fresh, unique sound to be enjoyed by music fans from all walks of life.
Kaustik has released a self-titled album in 2011, and an EP, entitled “Forged in the Bones of Our Freedom”, in 2014. October 2016 will see a tour with thrash legends D.R.I., accompanied by the release of their politically fueled compilation EP, “Fuck Politics” on Black Voodoo Records, which will include music from both previous releases as well as two songs from their upcoming full length slated to be out in the spring of 2017.
Kaustik has played countless shows touring the country, most notably the southwest, performed at major music festivals such as Mayhem and Knotfest, and has shared the stage with some of music’s most legendary artists such as: Judas Priest, Rob Zombie, Korn, Nile, Twisted Sister, Gwar, and many more. Kaustik is now a prominent band who metal fans are talking about, are excited to see, and are anxious to hear what’s next.
Kradakis is a metal band from the South side of Chicago. Made up of Patrick Manthey, Ronnie DiCola, Fred Full, Mike Madrigal and Vanessa Victory, these guys bring a traditional sound of old school metal with a modern day style, sort of Maiden meets Mastodon. You ll enjoy for sure.
IanJ is an 18-year-old Hip-POP artist from Louisville, KY. Ian first made noise in the music industry in April of 2011 with the release of his first mix-tape, Summer Lights. Since than he has released two mix-tapes, Pop Culture and Happy Birthday as well has toured all over the US. He looks forwards to releasing his first album in early 2012.
The history of the Cro-Mags is integral to the history of Hardcore, its evolution from punk and the development of alternative music genres such as hardcore, cross-over, thrash metal, post punk and grunge to name a few. Numerous iconic bands from Metallica to Green Day, and individuals such as Dave Grohl have credited Cro-Mags with having had a primal influence on their development.
Born out of the violence and depravity of the Lower East Side of New York in the late 70s and early 80s, the Cro-Mags was the brainchild of a very young Harley Flanagan (at the time 14 years old) when still playing with the Stimulators. By 1982/83 he wrote and recorded the very first Cro-Mags demos consisting of 4 songs that would become the blueprint for the seminal 1986 “Age of Quarrel.” He wrote all of the music, played each instrument and sang. Before long he connected with Parris Mayhew and the two started writing music and auditioning band members.
After several line-ups, 5 studio albums (beyond the original demos) and 30 + years of tours around the world, Cro-Mags remains one of the most iconic hardcore bands with arguably the greatest reach beyond the genre.
Cro-Mags
“In the Beginning”
Why now? In Flanagan’s words: “Lemmy came to me in a dream and said, ‘Take it back mate, it’s yours, you started it.’ The fact is, I never legally lost the name Cro-Mags, others were using it without my permission, while I was raising my kids. An agreement was struck with the previous members and I regained full control over the name worldwide.Now with an amazing line up and 2 record deals I am moving forward. I have a great team of people behind me; I have never felt stronger, better or more creative.”
In 2019 Cro-Mags signed with Victory Records and Arising Empire and released the “From the Grave” single, consisting of the tracks: “Don’t Give In,” “Drag You Under,” and “No One’s Victim.”
Flanagan: “These lyrics are meant to inspire and kick you in the ass when you need it. Some might not take them that way, but that’s my intention. Sometimes you need someone to tell you to man-the-fuck-up, or woman-up, cause life ain’t easy and you will get crushed if you don’t. I wrote them more for myself than anyone else, cause sometimes I need to hear these things, as I think we all do.”
“Some of them were inspired by loss, the loss of friends, by suicide, cancer, struggling with depression, mortality and ultimately the beauty of life. You have to be able to recognize it, even when you’re suffering and struggling. Although we all fight our own personal battles, and they vary, none of us are alone in the fact that we have to fight our battles, and many of them we must fight alone. In that way, we all have something in common, besides needing basic things like food water and shelter. We also must learn how to cope with struggle and mortality. Some rise to the top while others crash and burn.”
“I feel like I crashed and burned enough times that I somehow managed to rise back to the top. I feel stronger, happier mentally, spiritually and physically than I have in years; and it did not come without a struggle or cost. But that is life; you have to fight for what you want, and you also have to know how temporary it all is.”
The Album: “In the Beginning”: The full length has 13 tracks including the 3 from the first single. The songs draw on the past and break new ground musically; the lyrics as always, are based on personal experiences, mixed with advice and reality-based themes and topics ranging from personal struggles, striving to succeed against the odds and issues that we are all challenged with in one way, shape or form.
The singles and album feature, along with Harley Flanagan, Gabby Abularach (Gil Evans Orchestra, amongst many other projects) who played on Cro-Mags’ “Alpha Omega” (1992) and “Near Death Experience” (1993); Rocky George (formerly of Suicidal Tendencies and Fishbone) who played on Cro-Mags’ “Revenge” (2000); and ” Gary “GMan” Sullivan (who has played with everyone from the B-52’s, Berny Worrel of Parliament Funkadelic, TM Stevens etc.), who joined Cro-Mags in the 90s.
“In the Beginning” will be released June 19th worldwide on LP, CD and all digital platforms. The band was set to support the album through release shows and festivals in both Europe and North America, but due to the Corona virus, all shows were postponed or cancelled. Harley was one of the first to put together a live stream event which aired online March 19th and has been viewed over 100,000 times and received coverage from CNN and all major press outlets. A free download of the track, “The Final Test,” was then given to fans shortly thereafter.
Bassixx is an exciting dynamic fusion group playing music by Jill Scott, Soulive and Chic Corea. The band features a horn section and a wonderful vocalist,Brittany Thompson.
Briar Patch is a pop rock band featuring 3 great vocalists and a superb rhythm section. The group performs tunes from 60’s British Pop to the contemporary sounds of Allison Krause and Rascal Flatts.
White Mystery is brother-sister rock’n’roll duo Miss Alex White & Francis Scott Key White from Chicago. The siblings tour worldwide, earn rave reviews from MTV, VICE, Sound Opinions, Pitchfork – and currently represent the Levi’s #equipped campaign. Their fourth full-length DUBBLE DRAGON is available on double vinyl and iTunes now.
Soon after Mad Professor launched the now legendary Dub Me Crazy series featuring “Beyond The Realms Of Dub” “Escape To The Asylum Of Dub” and “Dub Maniacs On The Rampage”, the series became on top with the variations of sounds and effects. Whilst all the music was flowing, Mad Professor was gradually developing the studio and by the mid Eighties a 24 track 2 inch state- of the art studio with its own unique sound, Sandra Cross and Pato Banton had No. l hits, Macka B. joined Ariwa and had hit album “Sign of the Times”. By the end of the Eighties, Macka B & Kofi scored No. l with “Dread A Who She Love” and Intense with “Mellow” & “On My Mind”. The Nineties kicked of with another hit from Macka B & Kofi “Proud of Mandela” and Intense – “You are the One”. In 1991, Professor met U-Roy and recorded the classic “True Born African” which topped the charts in August of that year. By 1992, Professor slowed down the output of the label and concentrated on the touring circuit resulting in successful tours of Germany, Holland, France, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Ireland, Spain, Austria, Italy, Yugoslavia, USA, Canada. The tours are usually under the banner of the label. By Spring 1994, The Ariwa album catalogue increased to 104 LP’s recent productions being “Heritage” Sharifa, “Mr Government” – Peter Hunningale. “Black Liberation Dub” Mad Professor was the launch of a new dub series. Also the studio was updated to 48 track or 24 – 24 recording. The Professor has new acts waiting to break the surface under the banner ARIWA – the Yoruba word for communication, artistes such as Kofi, John Mclean, Vitality, Lorna G, Peter Hunningale, Danny Red, Lindy Layton, Tracy Spencer, The Boom, Massive Attack, Jah Shaka, Sade, Brilliant, Clementine and The Orb have benefited from the Mad Professor’s touch, the Nineties also have brought the Prof, into the realms of the remix market.
Founded by singer, guitarist and songwriter Patrick Walker in early 2009, 40 Watt Sun is an alternative rock band based in Devon, England. Diverging from dynamic yet minimalist arrangements to sparse acoustic songs, the music is characterized by down-tempo rhythms and soaring melodies, and marked by Patrick Walker’s introspective lyrical themes and poignant vocals.
Evergrey is a progressive metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden. The band was founded in 1995 and released its debut album, The Dark Discovery, in 1998. After a minor hiatus the band returns with its ninth album Hymns for the Broken on 26/30 September 2014.
