BOTTOM BRACKET
Emo music from Illinois singing about riding my bike all the way to your house.
THE RETINAS
Like their namesake, the band’s music unabashedly reveals something so often overlooked. In your face and heartfelt (in the best of ways), The Retinas are pure rock ‘n’ roll. They’re the real deal. Without an ounce of pretentious bullshit, the best buds always know how to have a good time
ALMOST THERE BUT NOT REALLY
Latinx/Latino Indie (+ Ben) from the Southside of Chicago playing sad — sometimes political songs — with chimey Fender guitars, syncopated rhythms and ambient trails.
ATBNR released their self-produced Demos EP in May 2021 and are beginning to build a devout following in the local Chicago music scene.
DREW DELNEKY
Alternative acoustic Rock
HXRY
HXRY is a songwriter and producer incapable of being boxed in. His music transcends genres as he speaks from place of authenticity and vulnerability. HXRY invites you into his world as he carves his own lane and genre. You can call him sexy, funny, ambitious, swaggy or even Mr. Freeze. Just don’t call him Henry.
NOISELAND
james: lead guitar, communist rhetoric
max: guitar, vocals, hand-wringing
mitch: bass, Guerilla PR
HEAVY SEAS
Heavy Seas are from Chicago IL, fronted by Jeff Dean (Airstream Futures / The Bomb), his first outing as the front man. “The music and the energy in all of Jeff Dean’s bands has always been great, but there’s something about the chemistry between the players in Heavy Seas that makes it extra-special,”
J Robbins
DUMMY
SPLATTER PATTERN
Splatter Pattern are:
Jesse – vocals
Gilly – guitar
Zack – bass
Clayton – drums
Past members:
Robbie – bass
Chico – vocals
Jarsh – bass
THE RIP UPS
Emerging from the Windy City’s alleys, the Rip Ups are out to tear down the music scene with their catchy garage-a-billy punk tunes that you can both mosh & dance to. Rip it up!
TOMBSTONE EYES
Heavy Psych
Tomstone Eyes is…
Brownstone
John Brown
Mustafa Daka
Jason Sipe
DAMN THE BUZZARDS
Damn The Buzzards is the ultimate celebration of “The Riff”. We’re a stoner/hard rock band out of Chicago obsessed with lol things metal, grunge, blues, rock n roll!!!
MICWABER
Formed in 2007.
Still fucking shit up.
INHUMAN CONDITION
Spawning from chaos, Inhuman Condition came to life with all guns blazing in the fall of 2020. With an album and a half of material from what was to be a new Massacre album, Jeramie Kling (vocals, drums – Venom Inc, Ex Deo, The Absence, Massacre) and Taylor Nordberg (guitars – Deicide, The Absence, Massacre) joined up with Terry Butler (bass – Obituary, Death, Massacre, Six Feet Under) to form a new band and to self-release their debut album “Rat°God” on Kling and Nordberg’s own Listenable Insanity Records on June 4th, 2021. The album was hailed with rave reviews and the group went on to do 2 tours in the United States in support of the record. Wasting no time, the band finished writing and recording their second album, “Fearsick,” which was released July 15th, 2022, once again on Kling/Nordberg’s Listenable Insanity Records.
SABBATHA
Sabbatha Chicago covers material from all eras! Live performances include Black Sabbath’s bible of Ozzy tracks and the orchestral Ronnie James Dio-era tunes! The band’s repertoire combines the darkness of Sabbath and the timeless solo works of Dio and Ozzy– with a killer, female twist!
PRAY FOR DEATH
We like loud music and heavy riffs. Chicago based heaviness since 2021
HYPERVOLUME
HYPERVOLUME is a heavy metal experiment being conducted by two humans whose talents have been forged in the crucibles of Chicago’s heavy music scene. These expert alchemists blend sludge, doom, death, and thrash metal with elements of psychedelia and punk to create a uniquely intense experience.
THE CREEPERS
Hardcore Chicago Punk
Fish-guitars/lead vocals
Karl-guitars
Snatch-bass/vocals
Pony Boy-drums
PROGRAMMABLE ANIMAL
Programmable Animal’s latest release “One Step to Hell”, has been produced/mixed by renowned Producer Sean Beavan (Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, Slayer, 3TEETH, & No Doubt). While writing the record, the group also recorded with Producer Chuck Macak (Born of Osiris, Fall of Troy, & Letlive.) Following the completion of the album, Programmable Animal signed with label Negative Gain in 2020.
TOY DYNAMITE
Indie Folk/Alt Country duo from Chicago.
Playfully perilous, like a paper tiger stalking a paper gazelle through the maze on the back of a cereal box. Toy Dynamite can brighten your day or break your heart. It’s all a matter of where you place your attention.
On their 2022 debut EP, “Sour Sugar,” they’ve perfected this recipe. 1 cup of alt country, 8 oz of indie folk, 3 tbsp of art pop, a pinch of jazz, twee and shoe gaze. The blues to taste. Plate and garnish with some parsley.
Multi-instrumentalist, Shawn Connors (Last False Hope/The Dirty Generals) & Ukitarist, Debbie Jean McGovern (Blue Ribbon Glee Club) make a wonderfully complimentary songwriting duo. Their voices blend together like adult beverages with tiny umbrellas. Make it a double; pun intended.
ODDYSSEYS
“Boston born Chicago based based post-punk collective Oddysseys are making a big splash with the release of their brand new album titled “Odd Behavior”.
The four-piece consists of Christian Treon, Paul DiRico, Josh Corbin, and Mark Pangilinan. The group’s sound is a dark, bleak mixture that is intriguing and mystifying when you first take a listen, as the band’s uses a combination of creative musical measures to keep the audience’s attention span at bay here.
They seem to be making a deep impact when it comes to wowing the listeners. While the band’s sound doesn’t have flashy melodies or catchy hooks, the band’s creative resolve will definitely come into play when creating your impression on this local group, which is blossoming into something very special. An intriguing group that is well worth of taking a deeper listen to.”
– Music Box Pete
SUBHAH AGARWAL
Subhah Agarwal has brought an honesty to her comedy that will leave you saying “I didn’t need to know that.” Subhah has written for the “Plan B” movie on Hulu,” and The Jim Jefferies Show”on Comedy Central, amongst others. You can also catch her jokes live at stand up comedy clubs across the country. If you don’t want to leave your couch, you can see her late night debut on NBC’s “A Little Late With Lilly Singh.” She’s also appeared on season three of HBO’s “Westworld”, on TruTv’s sketch comedy “Friends of the People”, and as herself on MTV2, Comedy Central, and Gotham Comedy Live.
BOSS HOOLIGAN SOUNDSYSTEM
JOE SIB
Joe Sib, co-founder and co-conspirator of Side One Dummy Records for 25 years, has continued to climb up the ranks of the comedy scene. Joe released his first comedy record, Joe Sib Nowhere Near the Top, in April 2017 which debuted #3 on the Billboard’s Comedy Chart. From the 1980s punk scene to millennium parent, Joe’s comedy takes you on a manic, ride from growing up in the era of “safety last”, and into the present, as he tries to helicopter parent without a license.
After throwing himself into the punk and skate underground of his California hometown, Joe’s band Wax was signed to a major label as part of the early ’90s breakthrough of punk rock into the mainstream. He co-founded an indie label, SideOneDummy, that signed such now-iconic bands as Flogging Molly and the Gaslight Anthem. Turning his behind-the-music stories from the road into a one-man show led to touring as a stand-up comic, which led to such highlights as his recent tour with Metallica, in which he and comedian Jim Breuer created a show that re-defined the term “opening act.” With every new twist and turn in his path, Joe has been left wondering “How did I get here?”
LARS FREDERIKSEN
Best known as a guitarist and vocalist for the punk band Rancid, Lars Frederiksen has been a major player in the California punk scene since the ’90s, working not only with his bands Rancid and Lars Frederiksen & the Bastards, but doing production work with Dropkick Murphys, Agnostic Front, Marky Ramone, and many others.
Frederiksen first achieved notoriety playing with the U.K. Subs on their 1991 U.K. tour. He joined Rancid in 1993, and made his recording debut with them on their second album, Let’s Go. While still a member of Rancid, Frederiksen got a side band together, called Lars Frederiksen & the Bastards, and released that band’s first album in 2001. Their second album, Viking, saw the light of day in 2004.
November 2021 saw the release of Frederiksen’s debut solo project entitled “To Victory,” a 6 song EP with 3 accompanying music videos. Frederiksen has announced a tour around the EP in March and April 2022.
THE EXCHANGE
Chicago’s premier Italian band
THE JUMPS!
“We play energizing pop-punk originals that are occasionally jazzy.”
THE DATA WAVES
The Data Waves have that slow-jam, stank-face, late-night car ride sound. Their fusion of funky drums and bass, jazzy chord progressions, and soulful horns creates a symphony of complex, entrancing sound. The group has recently released their debut album, Revolution, in addition to various EP’s and live recordings, and is currently based in Chicago.
THE COUNTY LINE
The County Line is a jam band with a deep appreciation for the Grateful Dead. The County Line consistently challenges themselves with jam improvisation, and a dedication to making every show energetic and unique.
Poul Freitag is on rhythm guitar and lead vocals. Poul has been covering The Grateful Dead for over 25 years in various bands.
Jakob Freitag is on lead guitar and backup vocals. Jakob was trained at School of Rock Arlington Heights, where he played in the house band for 3 years.
Phil Chester is on Bass. Phil graduated from DePaul with a degree in Jazz Studies. He is a music director at School of Rock Schaumburg, a session musician and participates in multiple projects.
Jim Farmer is on drums. Jim was a founding member of two legendary Grateful Dead cover bands in the Chicago area – Terrapin Flyer and Caution. He is also a current member of Northwest Corner.
Steve Anton is on Keys and organ. Steve has been playing in Grateful Dead bands for over 25 years.
OZ NOY WITH DENNIS CHAMBERS AND JIMMY HASLIP
“It’s Jazz. It just doesn’t sound like it.”
This is how virtuoso guitarist Oz Noy describes his intoxicating blend of jazz, funk, rock, blues, and r&b.
Born in Israel, Oz started his professional career at the age of 13 playing jazz, blues, pop and rock music. By age 16, he was playing with top Israeli musicians and artists. By age 24, he was one of the most established studio guitar players in the country. Oz was also a member of the house band on Israel’s top-rated television show for more than two years.
Since his 1996 arrival in New York, Oz has made a huge impact on the local and international music scene. His unique and intoxicating style has broken all the rules of instrumental guitar music by focusing on the groove. All-stars such as Keith Carlock, Anton Fig, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Dave Weckl often contribute on drums, with bassists Will Lee, James Genus, and Reggie Washington.
In 2003, Oz released his debut record – “Oz Live” – recorded at NYC’s legendary Bitter End.
In 2004, Oz signed with Magna Carta Records and in 2005, released his highly-acclaimed studio record “HA!” with his all-star band featuring Fig, Carlock, Lee and Genus plus special guests Mike Stern and George Whitty.
In April of 2007, a licensing deal with Magna Carta and Japanese label Videoarts opened the door for Oz’s music in Japan. Later that year saw the release of “Fuzzy,” Oz’s third record under the Magna Carta label. For Fuzzy, Oz’s all-star band is joined by various special guests including Colaiuta, bassist Jimmy Johnson, and keyboardists Whitty and Jim Beard.
September, 2009, saw the release of Oz’s fourth album, “Schizophrenic,” featuring Lee, Fig, Carlock, Weckl, Ricky Peterson, Chris Palmero, and special guest Steve Lukather.
In November of 2011, Oz released his fifth studio album “Twisted Blues Vol. 1” Featuring Vinnie Colaiuta, Anton Fig, Chris Layton, Will Lee, Roscoe Beck , John Medeski, Jerry Z, Reese Wynans, Ralph Macdonald and special guests Eric Johnson & Allen Toussaint.
In late 2012, Oz released his two highly acclaimed instructional DVDs,”Guitar Improvisational Workout” and “Play Along Workout”, released by jazzheaven.com .
May of 2014 saw the release of Oz’s 6th studio album “Twisted Blues Vol. 2” featuring special collaborations with: Chick Corea, Allen Toussaint, Eric Johnson, Warren Haynes, Gregoire Maret, Greg Leisz, Dave Weckl, and John Medeski. The album featured the help of a stellar backup band featuring Keith Carlock, Anton Fig, Chris Layton, Will Lee, Roscoe Beck, Jerry Z and Reese Wynans.
In March, 2015, Oz released his 7th album “Asian Twistz” featuring Dave Weckl & Etienne Mbappe. The live album was recorded during a tour in Asia during the summer of 2014.
oz-noy-img5April 2016 Oz Release his 8th studio album “Who Gives A Funk” Featuring very special guests Joe Bonamassa, Robben Ford, Dweezil Zappa, Fred Weasley, Chris Potter, John Medeski & Corey Glover.
Sept 2017 showed the debut release of “Ozone Squeeze” , Oz’s new band featuring Atlantha Drummer Darren Stanley & Australian Keyboardist, vocalist Rai Thistlethwayte.
March 2019 Oz Release his 9th solo Album “Booga Looga Loo” Featuring Drummers-Steve Ferrone, Vinnie Colaiuta and Dave Weckl, Bassists-Will Lee, John Patitucci and James Genus, Keyboardists- Jerry Z and Brian Charette with special guests- Anne Drummond, Kevin Hays and Seamus Blake.
For his accomplishments as a trend-setting guitarist, Oz won the highly acclaimed Guitar Player magazine readers poll for “Best guitar riff on a record” (2007), “Best new talent” (2008), and “Best out there guitar player” (2013).
Oz’s success both as an artist and an instrumentalist has built demand for him as an instructor. In 2011, he released two Instructional videos for Jazz Heaven, entitled “Guitar Improvisational Workout” and “Play Along Workout.” since 2015, Oz released three instructional videos for My Music Master Class (MMMC) entitled “Unlocking The Neck” , “Blues, Bends and Beyond” and “Effects On The Gig”. He also released four videos for True Fire, entitled “Improv Wizard”, “Essentials Funk Rhythm Guitar”, “Twisted Guitar-Blues Soloing” and “Twisted Guitar- Blues Rhythm”.
Oz also conducts periodic master classes at The Collective School of Music (New York City), Musicians Institute (Los Angeles), and others.
Oz Noy has performed, toured and recorded with Richard Bona, Chris Botti, Gavin DeGraw, Harry Belafonte, Cyndi Lauper, Clay Aiken, Akiko Yano, Wonder Girls, Toni Braxton, Phoebe Snow, Nile Rogers, Mike Clark, Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts, Dave Weckl, Mike Manieri, John Patitucci, The East Village Opera Company, Roger Glover, Bill Evans, Randy Brecker, The Gil Evan Orchestra,Warren Hayes, Gove’t Mule, The Allman Brothers, Umphrey’s Mcgee, Allen Toussaint, Eric Johnson, Mike Stern, John Abercrombie, Wallace Roney, Steve Lukather, John Medeski, Chris Potter, Fred Wesley, Tom Scott, Don Was, Nelly Furtado, Natasha Bedingfield, Phillip Phillips, Andy Grammer, Angelique Kidjo, Matisyahu, Jennifer Hudson, Henry Butler, Gart Hudson, Don Henley, Patti Austin, Take 6, Michael Buble, Josh Groban, Phil Ramone, Paul Shaffer, Dweezil Zappa, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Sting, Steve Perry, Allison Krauss Foreigner, Patty Smyth, Wiz Khalifa, Shelea, Jordin Sparks, Average White Band, Christopher Cross, TYP, Betty Buckley, Idina Menzel, Luke Nelson, Justin Timberlake, Bonnie Raitt, Lizzo, Dave Mathews, Cat Stevens, Scary Pockets among othersj
METALATION
A cool collection of metal. Anthrax, Pantera, Ozzy, Metallica, Megadeth, Iron Maiden just to name a few.
ED TOWNS
Ed Towns has a real love and passion for comedy. Throughout his life, he’s always admired true professionals with a gift for invoking their ideas to a crowd through humor. This was never a reality for Ed until his high school english teacher, comedian and mentor Bill Gorgo opened his eyes during a class about stand-up comedy. It took several years but Ed’s courage finally came to the forefront and he hit the stage for the first time and instantly fell in love. Now Ed entertains and makes people laugh with his cynically honest views on relationships, current events and his family. Nothing is off limits as audiences get a peak into Ed’s life and all the hilarity it ensues. Ed has opened for the likes of Chris Redd (SNL) Felonius Munk ( ABC For Life) and Josh Johnson (The Daily Show). Ed now is a producer of Comedians You Should Know, a 14 year staple in the Chicago Comedy scene.
BEN CROOCH
AZIOLA CRY
AZIOLA CRY is an instrumental progressive rock band from Chicago consisting of Warr guitar, guitar, and drums. Described as “rhythmically intricate, dark, and complex,” the band showcases “suburb musicianship” while having songs that have been described as “extraordinary” and “something special.” The trio has performed with bands such as The Aristocrats and Behold The Arctopus and made appearances at festivals including ProgStock, Prog Day, and M.A.R.S. Fest. Their most recent release, The Ironic Divide, made many top album of the year lists and won the Sonic Perspectives Top Instrumental Progressive Metal Album of the Year award. Now, the band is set to release a new album in early 2025 that promises to expand on their sound while venturing into new territories.
Jason Blake / Warr Guitar
Mike Milaniak / Guitar
Tommy Murray / Drums
MORTIFERUM
On their sophomore album Preserved in Torment, Olympia WA’s doomed death metal unit MORTIFERUM push their penchant for dark, depraved, and disgusting dirges even further out into the periphery. Picking up where they left off with their Profound Lore debut Disgorged from Psychotic Depths, MORTIFERUM continue to mine the poisonous quagmire of classic American death metal, the warped visions of Finnish death metal, and the suffocating lurch of funeral doom for inspiration, but the resulting six tracks on Preserved in Torment operate on a larger scale, both in musical scope and in sheer crushing weight.
DAVE MILLER
Tompkins Square label, established in 2005, has released acclaimed recordings by artists such as William Tyler, Gwenifer Raymond, Ryley Walker and Michael Chapman as well as reissues of folk, old-timey, gospel and American Primitive Guitar. The label has received 8 Grammy nominations.
500 MILES TO MEMPHIS
“Hard to Love” the first completely DIY recording by the band was released on 10/22/2021 with Paper+Plastick Records.
HUNTINGTONS
WITH A HEALTHY LIST OF RECORDS UNDER THEIR BELT, DATING BACK TO 1996, HUNTINGTONS RELEASED THEIR 8TH FULL-LENGTH ALBUM ON JANUARY 31ST, 2020. THEIR FIRST IN NEARLY 17 YEARS.
DANCING HORSES
Chicago’s Musical Homage to the music of Echo and The Bunnymen. From the purveyors of Still IL, PriMary, The Psychophantic Furs, Who’s This Mary?, All Mods Conned and more! We also play The Smiths, The Clash, Fabs and others.
PETER JERICHO
Recording Artist
Singer/Song Writer
ILLVILLE VANGUARD
ILLVILLE VANGUARD is a Chicago based music group that’s all about creating new ideas. ILLVILLE created a sound that is unique and can’t be compared to anything else. Led by Gabriel Alston, ILLVILLE is known for providing a high energy atmosphere that’s fun, free, emotional and exciting. Their musical sound is heavily shaped by Jazz, Gospel, Funk, Jazz Fusion, Hip-Hop, Latin and Neo Soul. Having a wide range of musical influences places ILLVILLE’s sound in a category of its own. ILLVILLE is second to none and will always leave listeners satisfied and craving for the next ILLVILLE experience.
JUSTN
Justn is a Chicago raised, Los Angeles based pianist and singer-songwriter. Known for his soulful vocals and jazz-inspired piano, Justn is taking the industry by storm. Only last year, he performed keys and backing vocals on Bas’ Milky Way world tour, the Milk Down Under Tour and A$AP Ferg’s Floor Seats Tour. In between, you might have seen him live at Dreamville Fest, Osheaga Fest, and Day N Vegas. Justn’s highly anticipated R&B/Neo-Soul debut EP is set to release end of year.
AMIRSAYSNOTHING
SPLATTERED
Brutal Death Metal
BayArea, CA
SUPER CREEPS
What happens when several of the finest musicians in Chicago are “Pandemic Bored”? They become a kick-ass David Bowie tribute band. SuperCreeps formed in the COVID Summer of 2020, when venues were closed and musicians had lots of time on their hands. Skid Marks, Robin Crawford, Bill Hartwig, Taylor Morse and Rich Poston were all quite aware that idle hands can become the devil’s playthings. With the devil on the doorstep, this cadre of talented misfits channeled all their creative energy into a formidable Bowie tribute. SuperCreeps… Coming soon to a venue near you!
SPACE MAFIA
Space Mafia hails from the Windy City of Chicago, Illinois. While only getting their start in 2016, they have quickly caught traction with single releases such as “Black Haze”, “Baby Goodbye” and “Miss Lady” which was selected as one of Alternative Nation’s “Top 10 Rock Songs of 2018” alongside such artists as Chris Cornell, Nine Inch Nails, The Smashing Pumpkins, Alice In Chains and other high caliber well-known artists. In July of 2019, Space Mafia released their debut EP, “Waves”, featuring a more diverse, developed sound and bangers like “Black Cat Cometh”, “San Francisco” and “Roses & Wine”. For Halloween 2020, in the midst of a pandemic, the band released a timely single, “Horror Movie”, recorded remotely at the guys’ individual home studios. The single was featured on Chicago Sound Check’s “2020 Year in Review”. With a high energy show featuring heavy psychedelic rock guitars, slamming drums, funky bass lines and big melodic hooks, they have already solidified their status as one of the most promising up and coming bands of the newest wave of rock and roll.
JOHN DUTY AND ANDY BOUGHTON
THE LONESOME FAMILY BAND
Original folk/americana music from Chicago. Just some raw demos I’ve recorded onto the voice memo app of my phone. Appreciate the listen.
THE COMMUNICATION JAM PROJECT
BACKROOM
We are Backroom. Were a 3 piece band from Aurora Illinois. We make emo music for bastards like ourselves. From the depths of the midwest you will find us writing, preforming, recording, and producing all of are own music.
Fiona Garrity, Robbie Green, and Noah Sulsby are the only 3 members of Backroom. Fiona plays guitar and vocals. Noah plays bass. And Robbie plays drums. In their home town of aurora Illinois, while still in high school.
Fiona, Robbie, and their previous member Alex started jamming and writing music together around May of 2020. A year later the 3 of them slowly started to release demos and play gigs. November 2021 rolls around and Alex quits.
Noah then stepped in and became our new bassist. Backroom is not dead. And it never will be till we say so. (December 19th 2021 First Ep may or may not be released)
MIDCENTURY LLAMA
INDIGO FLOOD
comin down with a case of the blues
-chicago-
LASTSTOP
Shoegaze/indie band based in Chicago, Illinois
—
Our Members Are:
Fritz: Guitars & Vocals
Maura “The Banana” McGarvey: The Drums
Lou Mars: The Bass
GROUPCHAT
JUDE THE OBSCURE
Jude the Obscure is a singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist based in South Manchester.
PIPELINE TO GOLIAD
Modern Art Rock
ATHEENA
atheena is a chicago rock band.
atheena is:
Dom-Guitar/vocals
Marcy-Bass
Josh-Drums and Noise
PERFECT CANDIDATES
Chicago post hardcore
MUILAERT AND THE SOCIETY
Nick Muilaert is a Chicago-born singer/songwriter who takes his inspiration from folk artists, old and new, such as Fleet Foxes, My Morning Jacket, Nick Drake, and many more. Nick’s music deals with many coming of age topics like self-discovery, apathy, and romance while utilizing a DIY/lo-fi approach to creating music. Performing with his talented backing band, Muilaert & The Society , Nick, and the band constantly reinvent themselves on stage, which in return creates a unique live performance every time.
CXPITAL
Cxpital is a 3-piece Indie/Alternative Rock band from the region of Northwest Indiana, USA. The band is composed of Region natives, drummer Benji Grimler, and lead guitarist Tyler Maximoff; while accompanied by vocalist and rhythm guitarist/bassist Lucie Ashmore, originally from Greystones, Ireland.
After meeting and forming in 2017 under the name WAVES, Ashmore and Maximoff independently recorded and released a 4-track EP titled After // Thoughts, a collection of songs inspired by the lyrical and musical techniques of alternative rock band Pvris. About a year later, the two were introduced to Benji and continued from there as a 3-piece.
Influences range from old-school Coldplay, to the current indie sounds of Paramore, with everything from The Maine, The Aces, Pvris and The Strokes also thrown into the mix.