Author, columnist, and comedian Steve Hofstetter is often called the hardest working man in show-business. With all due respect to the late James Brown.
Hofstetter’s national TV debut came on ESPN’s Quite Frankly, where Stephen A. Smith yelled at him for three minutes. Hofstetter has also appeared on CBS’ “Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson”, Showtime’s “White Boyz in the Hood”, VH1’s “Countdown”, Sundance’s “On the Road in America”, and ABC’s “Barbara Walter’s Special”, where he thankfully did not cry. He is the host and executive producer of “Laughs” on Fox networks, where he only cries occasionally.
One of the top booked acts on the college circuit, the original writer for collegehumor.com has also released six albums. Hofstetter has written humor columns for the New York Times, SportsIllustrated.com, and NHL.com, where he publicly admitted to being a Ranger fan.
After hosting Four Quotas on Sirius Satellite Radio for two seasons, Hofstetter moved to broadcast radio, and his Sports Minute (Or So) was syndicated on over 170 stations and in over 30 newspapers. Hofstetter’s second live comedy album (“Cure For the Cable Guy”) reached #20 on Billboard’s comedy charts. His third album (“Dark Side of the Room”) was the first ever pay-what-you-want” comedy album, since people were going to steal it anyway. His fourth album consisted of an hour of 100% ad-libbed material, which is, frankly, nuts. And his fifth album hit #1 on iTunes’ comedy charts, which is also a bit nuts.
Hofstetter’s brutal tour schedule consists of over 100 colleges and dozens of clubs every year, and is fueled by an immense online popularity, tons of press, and a Prius with great gas mileage. He reached 200,000 friends on Facebook (still the world record), 400,000 more on MySpace, and high shelves in grocery stores.
While Hofstetter’s live shows are routinely sold out, he is best known for his writing, first published at age 15, mainly to impress girls. At 18, he co-founded “Sports Jerk of the Week”, an irreverent website featured by press like USA Today’s Baseball Weekly, Sports Illustrated and CNN. And at 20, Hofstetter took a year off of school to head up web content for the New York Yankees. The Yankees won the World Series that year, which would have been wonderful if they hadn’t beaten Hofstetter’s Mets. Yes, he’s also a Mets fan. Poor kid.
While an undergraduate at Columbia University, Hofstetter was a well-read columnist for the Columbia Daily Spectator and a voice of the Lions. After a summer writing for Maxim, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated for Kids, Hofstetter syndicated his column in several newspapers.
Without his glasses, Hofstetter also looks a great deal like Michael Rappaport.
Begat The Nephilim is an extreme metal band from Dover, NH
Pronounced Begat The nef – fil – um
The New American Bible commentary draws a parallel to the Letter of Jude and the statements set forth in Genesis, suggesting that the Epistle refers implicitly to the paternity of Nephilim as heavenly beings who came to earth and had sexual intercourse with women:
“The angels too, who did not keep to their own domain but deserted their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains, in gloom, for the judgement of the great day.” According to the New American Bible, the Nephilim appear as part of the “increasing wickedness of mankind”
The Dead Beat Jacks is a mighty trio prowling the edges of psychobilly and rockabilly! Bursting out of Chicago’s South Side with a Gretsch, a doghouse bass, a major set of toms, and the occasional demented cackle, the DBJs deliver a big ass sound.
The BEST Grateful Dead tribute band in Northwest Indiana! Featuring highly energetic music and the most youthful group of musicians to play the music since the Dead in 1966. Constantly playin’ our respects to Jerry and the Boys!
For nearly a decade, SPOCKET has been delivering it’s signature sauce of technical, upbeat jams and harmonically sound arrangements to it’s loyal and wildly entertained Chicago fanbase.
This sextet’s mission is clear: Deliver a high energy, windbreaker-laden and solo wheel spinning performances to unsuspecting crowds, while backing their flashy stage presence with catchy hooks and an extra helping of chops to boot. So if you’re looking for a band to cure your chronic ailment of boring and mundane instrumental Fusion shows… “Put some SPOCKET on it!”.
Dark Side of the Boob movie screening
A fusion of story, sound, and show, celebrating L. Frank Baum and Pink Floyd’s cult combination and taking audiences soaring to the sublime. Premiering in October of 2020, a visual and audio FX design synthesizes Pink Floyd’s classic hits with the best of Chicago’s nightlife entertainment to transport audiences in a psychedelic tornado to the wonderful world of Oz, all in the comfort and safety of your own home!
A stimulation of all five senses and an event not to be missed. https://www.subversionproductions.com/current-season
The Rumours are a chick fronted rock band based out of Waterloo, IA. Talk about a bad to the bone crüe straight out of thesleazy pits of Rock N Roll Hell. Although it’s clear it’s clear this band sold their souls to Rock N Roll, they often flirt with Glamish-Punk, and even Blues ideas. The Rumours and their feisty attitudes are gonna rip your heart out and leave you beggin’ for more.
Snake Oil Bandits is a bluegrass inspired acoustic folk group that blends several musical styles, giving a unique voice to their original and cover songs.
Since 2015, Jon Nadel has been the sole bassist of Marbin (a nationally touring Progressive Jazz Fusion band). Jon released his debut album “Urraca” in 2019 and leads a Contemporary Jazz trio.
He is accompanied by:
Steve Nordin, the drummer of Terrapin Flyer and The Mudmen. Chicago’s premier Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd tributes.
Isabella Isherwood, a rising start in the jazz piano world. Isabella has been featured twice as a bandleader for the Chicago Jazz Festival. She is a proud alum of the CYSO Jazz Orchestra and is an active member of the Jazz Institute of Chicago’s Women’s Jazz Leadership Initiative.
1962. A damp, sweaty cellar on a narrow cobblestone street
in Liverpool, England. You descend down a narrow staircase
and enter a wild new world of raucous, primitive Rock&Roll played
with reckless abandon to an enthusiastic mob. On the small stage
is a group of young upstarts in leather jackets and cuban-heeled boots, pounding away a relentless beat that drives the crowd into a frenzy. This was the birth of Rock&Roll in Britain. This was the launching of the British Invasion that would soon conquer America.
This is the inspiration for Grand Rapids quartet, The JetBeats. The band was formed in 2013 based on a shared infatuation with British Beat Rock of the early 60’s. Part Rhythm&Blues, part Rockabilly, part Pop – ALL Rock&Roll. Legends like The Beatles, The Kinks, The Who, The Stones, The Searchers, The Dave Clark Five, and modern groups like JD McPherson, The Fratellis, Arctic Monkeys and Oasis provide the musical lineage.
As opposed to other bands that claim the same influences, The JetBeats capture the magic of that early 60’s sound with their own originals – done to vintage spec. A JetBeats show is a rocket ride to the fabulous early 60’s, with a contemporary twist. The gear, the threads, the tone, the LOT. The JetBeats will remind you of a time when rock&roll was fresh, wild and unjaded.
Chicago-based singer-songwriter Pierce Crask, accompanied by his guitar and harmonica, and drawing from influences such as Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, John Prine, Bob Dylan, Greg Brown, and Chris Smither has been entertaining audiences professionally since 1999.
In addition to folk, country, and blues, Pierce’s love of rock and roll acts such as Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, The Allman Brothers, and the Grateful Dead led him to form his band, The Falling Martins, with songwriter/bassist Rich Wooten and pianist Paul Tervydis in 2001. To date, the band has released six albums: Falling Martins(2004), The Newest Ghost Town(2005), Nostalgia Train(2006), Live at The Old Rock House(2008), Shining Bright(2009), and Highway 61 Northbound Blues(2012). Critics said: “Pierce Crask hits the lyrical nail on the head”(Playback STL), “This is an extraordinary band producing elegant roots rock tinged with blues and country, with slide guitar and imaginative keys”(Ruta 66 Magazine in Spain) and “Pierce Crask may very well be this town’s Randy Newman”(Riverfront Times).
Pierce released his debut solo album, The Road To Millstadt, in 2007, and the follow-up Black Label in 2008. 2012 saw the release of Live at The Shaved Duck to great fan and audience response.
It was that same great response to his instrumental compositions that lead Pierce to record The Pierce Crask Instrumental EP in 2015. it features Pierce on 6 string, 12 string, nylon string and resonator guitar on 6 original tracks and a cover of The Beatles’ Norwegian Wood.
Pierce’s most recent effort is a self-titled 5 song solo EP co-produced with R.Scott Bryan (Sheryl Crow, Allman-Betts Band), and a new full-length album is in the works for early 2021.
Pierce plays about 300 dates a year, either solo or with the band, in all types of settings, from living rooms to festivals.
Keith Scott Returns with Tony Mac, RB Green and Blues Legend Billy Prewitt for a great night of Street Side Blues. Keith Has been working the Chicago scene for over 30 years and has performed Worldwide and released 8 Albums to date!
THE HAXANSAshley Costello Matt Montgomery A Goth-pop duo, decked out in creep kitschhigh fashion, and named after a silent film from the twenties about a 15thcentury German guide to hunting witches,THE HAXANSsound exactly like everythingthose images conjure. It’s the psycho-saccharine music ofa fiendish creep’s fever dream…Classic art-house cinema, b-movie horror, spooky decadence, vintage American myth, and black roses dripping with blood are all tossed in The Haxans cauldron,like so many ingredients from a well worn book of spells.
The Haxans are Ashley Costello, subcultural style icon and leader of Warped Tour screamo stars New Years Day, a seeming heir-apparent to the glory days of My Chemical Romance and AFI; and Matt Montgomery, better known by his alias Piggy D., bassist for over a decade with multiplatinum shock rocker Rob Zombie, guitarist with horror punks Wednesday 13, and sometime visual and musical collaborator with rock icon AliceCooper.
The Haxans isn’t a side project. It’s the irrepressible, irresistible, and inevitable exorcism of the party-centric Halloween costume shop kicking around inside the brains and bodies of the group’s two coconspirators.
Naturally, The Haxansdebut album willarrive on Friday the 13th-October13, 2017, to be exact. Party Monsters, issued by powerhouse alt-rock label Another Century Records, is the weaponized confection produced by two years of sporadic collaboration, pieced together with devilish care, assembled in a studio laboratory of sorts like Frankenstein’s monster. Put on Party Monstersand get immersed in a cool hang with a couple of weirdos up way past their bedtimes, seductivelynestled in an old house amidst the spider webs, busted keyboards, broken guitars, and an old projector running The Rocky Horror Picture Show, tempting listeners in.
Those who spell magic with a “k” and vampire with a “y,” who invoke ancient spirits in pursuit of a superstitiously serendipitous good time –all denizens of darkness will find sanctuary in the warm boudoir-like atmosphere of The Haxans, both on record andon the stage. The duo will take their late-night revelry around the world on tour in support of Party Monsters, collecting a likeminded cult of creepy obsessives, purveyors of the strange and unusual, and willfully charmed newcomers along the way.
Homesick is the third studio album by American rock band A Day to Remember, produced by Chad Gilbert and the band, and released in February 2009. It was the band’s second album for Victory. The album features material written while the band had been touring, which Andrew Wade helped them demo. Recording took place between October and November 2008 at The Wade Studio, located in Ocala. Featured on the album are guest vocalists Mike Hranica (The Devil Wears Prada), Vincent Bennett (The Acacia Strain) and Sierra Kusterbeck (VersaEmerge). Recorded during the album sessions is an instrumental called “Money Maker”, which was later renamed and turned into the song “All Signs Point To Lauderdale” from the bands fourth album What Separates Me from You. Several of the album’s songs appeared on the band’s MySpace profile before the release of the album.
Your friendly neighborhood, chicago based, emotionally unstable, Pop-Punk-Prog-Easycore four piece.
BODHI
Bodhi is the solo instrumental project of musician, and producer Justin Seymour. Justin is a founding member of the Progressive metal band The Room Colored Charlatan and has performed with countless artists in the metal scene including performing at the UK Tech Fest in 2015. Bodhi intends to let his instrumental music do the talking because he realized some things couldn’t be said in words. Some things are “Ineffable” hence the title of his debut EP
YFN Lucci’s creative blend of singing and lyricism make for a unique sound with a southern touch. With new music and colorful visuals there was no end in sight for this Hip-Hop star in the making.
Rumours is the eleventh studio album by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac, released on 4 February 1977 by Warner Bros. Records. Largely recorded in California in 1976, it was produced by the band with Ken Caillat and Richard Dashut. The band wanted to expand on the commercial success of their eponymous 1975 album, but struggled with relationship breakups before recording started. The Rumours studio sessions were marked by hedonism and strife among band members that shaped the album’s lyrics.
ALANIS MORRISETTE “JAGGED LITTLE PILL”
Jagged Little Pill is the third studio album by Canadian singer Alanis Morissette, released on June 13, 1995, through Maverick. It was her first album to be released worldwide.
Vile Secretion was formed in the summer of 2017 by former members of Oceano, Warhound, Rooks, Jerome, Monsters, Counterweight, and Outlaw. Hailing from the Chicagoland area, the band describes their sound as “Brutal, yet melodic Death Metal.” The debut song “Scour” was released on the ‘Upstate Records Volume I Compilation.’ In the summer of 2018, Vile Secretion self released (Digital streaming) the debut EP “Desolation Process” through their own imprint Twist the Knife Recordings. In February 2019, Vile Secretion performed for the first time at Cobra Lounge in Chicago.
Music has always played a significant role in Jackson’s life. Coming from a family of music enthusiasts who named him after musician Jackson Browne, it was inevitable that he would go on to make music of his own. At the age of six, Jackson began learning the piano, and his passion only intensified as he grew older. He found himself picking up a variety of instruments and learning recording and production techniques, leading to the early makings of his solo project. After moving to downtown Chicago, he began meeting and playing with a variety of psych-rock and and indie bands in the area, including Breether and Daydream Review. Now, while continuing to write and record his music solo in his home-studio, Jackson has surrounded himself with a group of like-minded musicians that help perform his original material live.
As is evident by his affinity for DIY experimental music, he strives to develop a sound that is both unique and representative of the genuine love he puts into creating it. Jackson has always had an innate desire to create, and the music he makes is as much for us as it is for him.
Magic Ian has been a lot of things over the years. A prolific musician in bands such as Ego & Wet Piss, the owner of the indie record label Maximum Pelt Records and the operator of the now defunct DIY music venue, Wally’s World. In his solo outfit, Magic Ian explores a whole host of instruments to create mind boggling and captivating sounds. With his synthesizers and guitars, Magic Ian crafts fascinating jams that are part bubbly synth pop and part krauty guitar exploration. With his penchant for on stage improvisations, no 2 Magic Ian sets are ever the same.
MO TROPER
Mo Troper will be releasing Natural Beauty via Tender Loving Empire in February.
Pitchfork says “Troper’s gifts are undeniable.”
NPR says “Troper writes grinningly great power-pop songs.”
KEXP says “Troper weaves narratives and parables with a cast of delightfully obtuse characters that would give a Daniel Clowes’ graphic novel a run for its money.”
RIYL: Brian Wilson, The Kinks, Teenage Fanclub, Prefab Sprout, XTC
You wouldn’t expect an Americana/Country singer songwriter to have grown up hating country. Nor would you expect him to have only picked up the guitar seriously in college after being discouraged by a childhood guitar teacher. But RJ Halstead is all those things and more. Having started out as a metal fan, worshiping at the altar of groups like Fall of Troy and Protest The Hero, he now sees his primary influences as acts like Benjamin Todd and Tyler Childers. RJ Halstead’s musical evolution is a unique one, but it has lead to a distinct vision.
RJ Halstead came up playing his homemade cigar box guitar everywhere from intimate house shows and dive bars to major festivals. He understands the spirit of his home in the Midwest. When you come from a town as tiny as Dalzell, IL (Population 500) surrounded by corn and bean fields you get a real sense of what makes the people around you click. It’s what inspired him to pick up a bass in high school, and then
once more dedicate himself to the guitar with a passion in college. This evolved into nightly concerts for his wife and cat before eventually taking the stage. Perhaps all that is why when he auditioned to perform at Summerfest 2019 he was a shoe in.
Now RJ Halstead is looking to the future. His debut EP, Feed Me Your Lies, drops on November 23rd, 2019. It promises to be a hard look at everything that has made Halstead into the musician he is today. Though a lifetime of experiences has come to shape Halstead as an artist, he has never forgotten his roots. This upcoming release speaks to that and stands as a fitting reminder of what Halstead is and always shall
be. It represents years of passion for music turning into something wholly unexpected. Suffice it to say – RJ Halstead is here to stay.
kelc writes the songs and asks for help from her friends. then they play you the songs. then we all hug and dance. then we build this life long bond where we can all just be friends and a progressive, mutually supportive team in the seemingly endless race to establish the kindness we know as genuine humanity.
For SUPER WHATEVR, sincerity is a surround-sound experience.
It’s what’s guided Orange County, California’s Skyler McKee to this point, and now, with a debut full-length Never Nothing due January 19 on Hopeless Records, it’s a trait he’s not about to abandon.
Trash Boat is a British punk rock band formed in St Albans in 2014. The group consists of Tobi Duncan, Dann Bostock, Ryan Hyslop, James Grayson, and Oakley Moffatt. The group has released two EPs; one was released independently in 2014 while the other was released after signing with Hopeless Records in 2015.
Upon releasing their Debut Album “Skinny Dipping” with US label Hopeless Records, pop punk meets alternative rock band Stand Atlantic have gone strength-to-strength. In 2018 they were nominated for “International Breakthrough Artist” of the Heavy Music Awards and received multiple nominations in the RockSound Awards. In 2019 Stand Atlantic toured relentlessly across the globe and racked up over 30,000,000 streams online. They secured BBC Radio 1 / Sirius XM / AppleBeats1 Airplay and gained the highly elusive ABC Triple J “Featured Album”, as well as being the most played artist across the entire station in both October and November. One of Australia’s hottest prospects, who have played 150+ shows in the last 12 months, completely sold out their United Kingdom & Australian tours. With new single “Hate Me (Sometimes)” released in time for their US Co-Headline Tour, the band is universally tipped to be the next household name in rock music.
Ashley Brinton has been singing and performing since she was seven years old. “My sound is pop with a twist. I make music that makes people happy. It is upbeat, fun, and relatable” says Brinton, who has worked closely with Cory Rooney (Jlo, Mariah Carey) on honing in on a sound and style that is inspiring and reflects who she is. Ashley’s debut EP is meant to be an ode to friendship and love. She hopes that when fans listen to her music, they appreciate her uplifting lyrics and can relate to her music.
Ashley is a musical artist who is one-to-watch. She is the epitome of the modern-day pop star with an edge to both her street style and her music. With Girls Life magazine declaring “she’s ready to join the ranks of pop princesses who’ve gone before her.”
“I hope my fans love my EP as much as I loved making it,” Ashley says. “It comes from my heart.”
7715 consists of Stu Da Boi, Tyler Wilson, JP Clark, Dan Geraghty and JRM. Though the specific details may be a little foggy now, the story of 7715 Bluebell Avenue in Southern California comprises parties to rival Project X and The Hangover, magical impromptu late-night jam sessions, and the start of an eternal, the four lifelong musicians penned a song together in order to help Stu get over a breakup during January 2018. The intersection of three voices—namely Stu, JP, and Tyler—proved undeniable when backed by Dan’s production and instrumentation. Throughout 2018, the boys wrote and recorded. They welcomed an old buddy JRM into the fold and perfected a signature sound along the way.
We, are Staghorn: An enigmatically narrated musical project with the sole intention of telling a story with a message of great urgency. Music. Thought. Action. Solidarity.
A new melodic assault on your feeble eardrums. Under the influence of heavy metal, whiskey, leather, rock, and rockin’, we’re barricading the exits, plugging in permanently and cranking all knobs to the right. You losers better learn, only HITTER is real. See you in hell.
Lost Legacy was founded in 1998 in the Bronx New York. A Power Metal band that is known for playing melodic music with an attitude. Combining lyrical stories that are based on real life situations with positive and uplifting messages. David Franco brings very strong vocals and fronts the band with an energy that is infectious. Lost Legacy brings an assault of twin lead guitars, a heavy guitar sound and aggressive melodic riffs.
The band builds on the classic sounds of Power Metal with a modern approach. Scott Bennett, Lead Guitar, will keep the crowds shaking their heads with his guitar acrobatics. Jorge Pulido, Lead Guitar, will take you on a journey with his aggressive melodic runs. The Rhythm section of AJ Spinelli and Jochen Wittlinger lay the foundation to anchor the band. Lost Legacy has played many shows through out its history and shared the stage with several National and International acts. Some of the most notable venues they have played are: The Whiskey a Go Go, Stage 48, Webster Hall, Gramercy Theatre, Revolution, Sullivan Hall, BB Kings, Blackthorn 51, Fish Head Cantina, Crafthouse and Route 47 Pub N Grub. The band has played several US States including; New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Minneapolis and in Los Angeles, CA.
Lost Legacy completed a successful tour in support of Metal Church to four sold out venues during the month of May 2019 in New York, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Minneapolis.
The band finished recording their follow up album to the 2009 “The Aftermath” The album titled “In the name of Freedom” will be released early of 2020 by “Pure Steel Records”
Lost Legacy is: David Franco Vocals, Scott Bennett Lead Guitars, Jorge Pulido Lead Guitars, Jochen Witllinger Bass Guitar and AJ Spinelli Drums. The band is based out of The Bronx NY and have opened for several National acts, including: Jon Oliva’s Pain, Lizzy Borden, Doro Pesch, Circle II Circle, Manticore, Randy Jackson of Zebra , Chris Caffery, Winger, Gilby Clarke, Whiplash, The Foundry, Jake E Lee’s Red Dragon Cartel, Release the Archers, Ashes of Ares, Metal Church, Lynch Mob, Stryper, Attacker, Dokken and Fates Warning.
Mr. Melvin “Pooky Styx” Carlisle. Carlisle has an impeccable drumming reputation with over 25 years of professional experience in the music industry. Carlisle was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. He has toured the world with musical legends ranging from KoKo Taylor, Toronzo Cannon, Sugar Blue, Carlos Johnson, Jimi Johnson, Chico Banks, Muddy Waters, Demetrius Taylor, and a host of others. In addition to being an internationally recognized drummer, he has endorsements with musical companies such as Ear Piece Technology, Slug, Sabian Cynbals, Vic Fifth Stick, and many more.
VINO LOUDEN
Calvin “Vino” Louden is a Blues Artist with a worldwide reputation. Probably most famous his part as bandleader and guitar player with Ko Ko Taylor’s Blues Machine. Before that he fronted with other stars: Bobby Rush, Cicero Blake, Otis Clay Mighty and Mighty Joe Young to name a few.
Chicago, IL birth place. Formed by the ex-members of Drowning, For Those Who Died Sacred, Marmora, As We March, Crook County, Tempus De, Valor (left to soon…RIP), Tragedy Strikes… Staying true to the arts and hardcore/metal scene in Chicago. This is our love and life.
Dead/Awake was formed in late 2017 by members Michael Campa (guitar, vocals), Payton Kuhn, (drums) Anthony Schlickman (bass), and Noah Lopez (vocals). Since then, the band has acquired two additional members; Morgan Earp (guitar) and Dillon James Hare (vocals). Dead/Awake has recorded multiple songs which feature noteworthy guest vocalists, such as Frankie Palmeri (Emmure), Tyler Shelton (Traitors), Kyle Anderson (The Afterimage, Brand of Sacrifice), and Dave Simonich (Signs of the Swarm).
Born in the fevered jam scene of Chicago, Silvertone brings an eclectic blend of groovy rhythms, powerful licks, and soulful lyrics to rock music. Energetic foot-tapping riffs fuse with catchy head-bobbing melodies to create a unique “rock and roll you can dance to”.
Fresh punk from Brighton, England. Upstroke with a heart. The Bar Stool Preachers released their first album, “Blatant Propaganda,” in 2016, sharing stages with artists like The Slackers, Jaya The Cat and Die Toten Hosen. In support of their second album “Grazie Governo” (2018), they toured all around UK, Europe and North America performing in sweaty sold-out clubs as well as stadiums supporting The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Bouncing Souls, The Bronx and The Interrupters, to name but a few. The band’s progressive message of community, charity and change has remained the same since the start but the delivery has never been stronger! You’ll regret not seeing this explosive live band next time they come through your town.
Etherius is an American instrumental progressive metal band based out of New Jersey. Members include guitarists Jay Tarantino(of Angel Vivaldi) and Jon Perkins, bassist Chris Targia, and drummer Zaki Ali. With all members having extensive experience in songwriting, studies, and live performance, Etherius is sure to provide ear candy to music enthusiasts from a wide variety of genres. Writing styles include guitar driven neoclassical melodies, soaring leads, complex fast paced riffs, and use of odd time signatures. Etherius’ second album, “Chaos. Order. Renewal” will be released on April 17, coinsiding with a US tour supporting Allegaeon, Fallujah, and Entheos.
Void Vator is a hard rock/heavy metal band based out of Los Angeles, CA. The band describes it’s sound as “Riffs, Hooks and Leads”. After years of turmoil, the band truly took form when founding members Lucas Kanopa (guitar/vocals) and ex-White Wizzard/Gypsyhawk guitarist Erik Kluiber joined forces with Lucas’s childhood friend German Moura on drums and Sam Harman on bass. Piecing together their debut EP, Dehumanized with Grammy nominated hard rock producer Ulrich Wild (Pantera, Deftones, Metalocalypse) and releasing on his WURMgroup label in July of 2017, the band had the world at their feet.
Hitting the road hard and often after having teamed up with Hiwattage Booking (now Atomic Music Group) in summer 2018 the band purchased their own van, driven by a desire for even more. Within a year they had racked up 4 tours, starting to firmly establish their presence as scene newcomers who could go for the throat.
Building their live approach on hard hitting rock and roll riffage rather than the stoned vibes of many of their peers, Void Vator have quickly developed a reputation as a take-no-prisoners live act. Highlights of 2019 were touring with Haunt and a West Coast jaunt with underground legends Slough Feg. Void Vator also passed the test on KLOS Los Angeles’s massive “Stay or Go” radio show. The band was unanimously voted to “Stay” by guest judges from the rock band Dirty Honey, the radio hosts, and all the call in listeners. This wouldn’t be a big deal, except that it’s never been done before.
With hardly a moment to breathe, Void Vator recently dove back into the studio with world renowned producer Bill Metoyer (Slayer, DRI, Bodycount) in North Hollywood to record the 8 song LP Stranded released by Ripple Music on November 22nd 2019. Eager to once more take to the wicked ways of the road, Void Vator is currently booking a Spring tour for 2020. Determined to take the world by storm and driving to ever more twisted heights, Void Vator are balls out rock and roll and they are here to stay.
What do you get when you cross punk, rockabilly and four stranded castaways with an affinity for blood, gore, rock-n-roll and monster movies??
Why, The Ghouliganz, of course!!!
Started by the fearless crew members of the ship-wrecked Psycho Minnow, with Ghoul Egon aka the OG (upright bass), and Skipper too (drums), later joined by Professor (guitar), while stuck on an uncharted desert isle somewhere in Chicago, the Ghouliganz searched long and far for a suitable lead singer until the fateful arrival of Scary Ann (screams), who became a permanent part of the band as of 2018.
Having recently played the Underground Lounge and Moe’s Tavern to name a few, they’re ready for their latest diy release titled ‘Island’, and are planning to set sail for yet another unforgettable three hour tour near you!
– “They’re welcome to play here anytime. They trashed my bar! Oh, no, wait,
they actually cleaned up a little. Good for them.” ~Moe, Owner – Moe’s Tavern
Violinist of 22 years, classically trained with experience in scottish/celtic, metal, punk, bluegrass and folk music.
I improvise and play by ear, so sitting in with new bands is one of my favorite things! If you ever want to add violin for a show or recording hit me up 🙂
Old time stomp music from the one man band, King Strang.
BLACK TARPOON
Beware all you sinners. Black TarPoon, with their distinct horror hellbilly sound, will steal your soul by playin the most unholy of Americana Roots music.
The hobo drifter, son of a grifter, Johnny Lawhorn, makes his way through speakeasies and gutters across the underbelly ofAmerica. While in Kansas City, Missouri, he starts the bluegrass group, The Pentagram String Band.
Lineup: banjo, mandolin, stand-up bass, washboard, and hillbilly harmonies.
AUSTIN POSSUM
Austin Possum is an alt folk artist from Knoxville Tennessee. Bringing a one man band guitar/banjo, percussion combo, with the occasional harmonica lead slipped in there. Austin Possum writes songs about the struggles with depression, alcoholism, and some touching on subjects like dysphoria, anarchism, and loving your friends. “Brown Eyed Recluse” album coming out soon!
HAVIAH MIGHTY
Haviah Mighty didn’t need to change her birth name when she decided to dedicate her career to music. In fact, Mighty couldn’t be more accurate a word to describe the artist, named one of XXL’s 15 Toronto Rappers You Should Know in 2019.
Raised in a musical household in Brampton, Ontario, Mighty started singing at the age of 4, rapping at 11, and producing at 15.
Well-known for being one of the three MCs who make up The Sorority — a hip-hop group born during an all-female cypher on International Women’s Day in 2016 — Mighty is making equally large waves as a solo artist.
Haviah has been releasing music independently since 2009, but it was her project, Flower City (2017), that propelled her solo career into further success. To date, Mighty recently released Polaris Prize-winning album, 13th Floor (2019), her most fully-realized project to date – making history as the first hip hop artist and the first black woman to ever receive the award. Garnering overwhelming praise from the likes of Pitchfork, Billboard, Hot New Hip Hop, and Lyrical Lemonade to name a few, Haviah continues to carve out spaces that boldly defy gendered expectations for women in hip hop.
Haviah’s explosive live show, filled with in-your-face intensity and her fast, technical flows, has also quickly developed her reputation as one to keep an eye on, earning her opening slots for acclaimed artists like Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, Redman and Method Man, Sheck Wes, Nelly, Desiigner, and Kranium.
CAVALRY COLT
BRIAN KRISTMAS
PSYCHEDELIC BLUE
Blending psychedelic rock with blues rock, from the Swinging Sixties to the present day, Psychedelic Blue comprises singer Melodye Buskin whose forays into rock, reggae, country, soul, and R&B have also included drumming as well as recording backing vocals for George Michael and Sinéad O’Connor; English award-winning rock journalist and New York Times bestselling author Richard Buskin who sang lead with Melodye in London blues-rock group The Coyotes; acclaimed drummer Joe Valentino who’s spent the past four decades demonstrating his musical versatility both locally and overseas; Serbian guitarist Sasha Brusin who’s performed onstage and in the studio with acts ranging from Bruce Dickinson and Ginger Baker to Ian Paice and The Buddy Rich Big Band; Brazilian blues/rock guitarist Joseph Silva, a regular on the Chicago scene since 2017; bassist Mitch Straeffer whose work has immersed him in blues, rock, folk, Latin, country, and jazz; and David Bugher, an equally eclectic keyboardist who’s also an accomplished percussionist.
The 8-Bit Boyz are a collective of musicians who perform the music to your favorite games live while you play. We are the FIRST live super smash band of our kind and Nintendo’s best in 5 player action.
Members of the Milwaukee and Chicago Symphony Orchestras join pianist Marianne Parker and composer-guitarist Jason Seed to form the Jason Seed Stringtet, which has been performing Jason’s unique chamber music since 2008. The group formed alongside the Independent Music Award-winning Jason Seed Elixir Ensemble, a larger group which had a rock/jazz band sensibility. The more intimate Stringtet now brings Seed’s eclectic collection of classical crossover pieces to a wider audience. Some of the music has been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Lake Effect, in the film Everglades of the North and more. With some pieces composed in recognizable traditional forms and others in as yet un-named categories, the music constantly surprises.
JASON SEED composition, guitar
DAN ARMSTRONG bass
SCOTT TISDEL cello
HELEN REICH viola
GLENN ASCH violin, viola
MARIANNE PARKER piano
“A lot of people – fans of art-rock, jazz, classical and global sounds – are going to love this album. It’s one of the year’s best, whichever category you might think it fits (and realistically, it doesn’t really fit any, which helps explain why it’s so enjoyable).”
CD review of In the Gallery in Lucid Culture
The Blueshift Big Band is a 17-piece jazz orchestra lead by Joel Baer and Chris Parsons that plays original arrangements based on jazz standards, American songbook tunes, pop music and video games.
Mount Atlas’s bubbling sound of the Hammond organ, their rough guitar riffs as well as the floating melodies will bring you back to the 70s and 80s. At the same time, they manage to maintain their individual sonority. They alternate between spherical sounds and heavy doom riffs, which sound as if played whilst wearing equally heavy leather jackets.
Although the band was only recently founded (2016), they have already achieved successes, such as being featured on Rock Hard’s sampler “Lauschangriff #54”, interviews and reviews in all of the renowned German-speaking rock and metal magazines, radio interviews, gigs all over Germany supporting, among others, The Weight, Dead Lord and The New Roses.
Their first record “Titan” has been leaving its marks on the international rock and metal scenes since April 2017.
The new EP “Mistress” will be released on Vinyl, CD and digitally in April 2019.
