SANFORD PARKER
Sanford Parker is a musician, producer and recording engineer from Chicago, IL, USA.
As an engineer, he worked at Volume Studios, Semaphore Recording, and Engine Studios
NO WARNING
No Warning is a hardcore punk band from Toronto, Canada. They broke up in late 2005 and reunited in 2013.
LIL UGLY MANE
At first, there was mystique. Lil Ugly Mane started generating attention six years ago via his work with Raider Klan, the youthful Miami rap collective that helped make ’90s Memphis hip-hop stylings fashionable again. But while ringleader SpaceGhostPurrp signed to a label and started popping up in the music press, Lil Ugly Mane rarely granted interviews or performed shows. “I don’t feel the need to have a physical presence. It’s secondary to me, it’s not important,” he once said.
The Richmond, Va., producer/rapper—most of his production is credited to Shawn Kemp, which isn’t his real name, but another alias—remains elusive. Yet as of late, he seems more omnipresent than ever.
While his earliest verses are characterized by an undeniable sadness (“I’ma slit my wrists, no tourniquet, I’m murderous / My crib got more burners than furnishing / got a lot of haters, not concerned with it”), on recent releases, his penchant for self-deprecation has curdled into self-loathing. Throughout his new album, volume 1: flick your tongue against your teeth and describe the present, Mane wrestles with overwhelming feelings of helplessness, and his attitude toward himself is relentlessly unforgiving.
“Can’t stop thinking, that’s my mind on liquor/Mind on liquor, now my mind half gone/Mind half gone ’cause I wish I had a family/Family ain’t here ’cause I been living wrong,” he raps. Mane offers no explanation for why volume 1 was released under yet another moniker, Bedwetter. But considering the album’s vulnerable lyrics, in which he confronts his own misery head-on, it makes sense that Mane might want to deflect the inevitable scrutiny by hiding these brutal confessions in a childish name.
—Christina Lee
TALES TO ASTONISH
Tales to Astonish-Chicago Jazz/Rock from multiple dimensions simultaneously. Elements of rock, jazz, pop, funk, hip hop, experimental. Sci fi instrumental groove music.
SOFT RAIN AIRPLANE
Soft Rain Airplane is a Chicago based DIY band, playing folk and jazz influenced alternative rock. The band was formed in 2016, when founding members Jason Gassel, Ryan Callis, and Max Kleinberg began writing, recording, and producing their debut album Feast of Frenzy. Characterized by catchy melodies, clever lyrics, and dynamic instrumentals, Soft Rain Airplane incorporates contrasting styles and moods to shape their unique sound.
SUPER HAPPY FUNTIME
“I think that I’ve watched the best night of burlesque and entertainment ever” — Allison Henthorn, City Examiner
Super Happy Funtime Burlesque is a Michigan based troupe that defies explanation. Calling itself ‘Burlesque’ for lack of a better term; SHFB is a genre spanning theatrical rock opera outfit, a sexy and bawdy musical comedy, a mix of Rocky Horror and Saturday Night Live, a night spent on mega doses of Codeine tied to the underside of a roller coaster while a circus monkey roots around in your pants for that missing peanut. SHFB is a nationally touring act, staging on average 175 productions a year, in its big red converted school bus, bringing the word of the new musical experience to America.
Some easily chalk it up as mere entertainment. But, at the end of the show, for every pair of hands that come together as result of being satisfactorily entertained, there is another whose clap is a thank you for provoking liberation of thought; a dissection of convention.” — Drew Storey, The Rapidian
LAJE
Born and raised in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago, LaJe has had a plethora of influences, and it shows through her music. From grungy rap tracks to sultry R&B ballads in which her vocal talents are undeniable, she leaves you wanting more.
CHAI TULANI & THE BOMBA
Influenced by the style and swagger of hip-hop as well as the soulfulness of R&B and singer-songwriters like Bob Marley and Tracy Chapman, soul hop is a new genre of music unlike any you’ve heard before.
But soul hop as a genre is fairly new and Tulani, who began working full time as a musician two years ago, had a long journey toward the sense of purpose he now feels in his work.
Tulani was born in Kenya and came to the United States at age 4. His mother is Kenyan but his father is from Chicago, so his family eventually moved here. Tulani grew up in the Roseland neighborhood before moving to the south suburbs at 15
Music has been a passion of Tulani’s for most of his life. His father was a percussionist and Tulani largely grew up listening to music from the Congo. Tulani’s parents wanted him to play piano to acquire a variety of music-making skills beyond guitar or voice. Tulani took the leap to a full-time music career in 2014 at 19, after receiving approval from his parents. He’s now 24. “I hate doing the same thing every day, but I do like the adventure of being an artist,’ he said. His diverse musical and cultural background led Tulani to create soul hop, a name that came to him a year into his career.
“I would often get the question, ‘How would you describe your music?’ And I had the hardest time describing to people what it was,” Tulani said. “It made me want to make up a name for it instead of having that generic answer in which I kind of rap or kind of sing.” He calls it Soul Hop. (Chicago Tribune)
BONE STOMPER
Put on your boots!
We’re fuckin here!
Accepting bookings for Friday and Saturday night shows! Hit us up!
Joe /Vocals
Zac /drums
Boe /bass
Joey /guitar
AWAKEN TO REMEMBER
We’re musicians being musicians & loving it! We’re aware that as a band we can go nowhere without you, the amazing listeners & for that, we are greatful. With 4 songs from our album Alethephobia & counting, support from friends, family & fans we’ve gained exposure in North Texas by achieving mainstream radio airplay on iHeart radio’s 97.1fm KEGL The Eagle, internet radio & more! We greatly appreciate you, your time with us & thank you for joining us on this musical journey. Enjoy the ride! – A.T.R.
BLACK PANTERA
Black Pantera surgiu em abril de 2014 e desde então a banda tem tocado por vários festivais pelo Brasil e Europa, entre os principais estão o Afropunk em 2016 em Paris, o Download em 2017 em Paris e o Porão do Rock em 2017 Brasília, a banda tem um álbum de estúdio lançado em 2015 e dois ao vivos gravados em 2017 pelo Audio Arena Originals e Estúdio Show livre, e se prepara para lançar seu segundo álbum de estúdio em breve
TONY FAMOUS
Tony Famous (Kendall Delashment) is a Roseland, Chicago native who allows his creativity and storytelling ability to showcase his skills as a wordsmith. His love for writing and producing hip-hop music is a direct reflection of his past experience as a poet. His lyricism narrates the multi-faceted life of living in Chicago; his sharp lyrical observation focuses on the violence grappling his hometown, confidence in his musical passion, and life experiences as a college graduate. Never settling for recognition as just a great hip-hop artist, the Donda’s House affiliate received his Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Arts from Columbia College.
Bane (Serbia)
BANE is a Black/Death Metal band originally from Serbia (Europe), now based in Montreal, Quebec. The band has toured extensively in Europe and North America, having shared stages with many international bands such as Sodom, Malevolent Creation, Insomnium, Decapitated, Inquisition, Wolfheart, Svart Crown, Bloodshot Dawn and many more. They have been published in several influential Metal magazines such as Metal Hammer, Terrorizer, Zero Tolerance, Decibel Magazine and No Clean Singing just to name a few.
INFERNAL CONJURATION
INFERNAL CONJURATION was spawned in 2006, sworn to play Morbid and Evil Death Metal
2007 – Released “Tremendous Plague” CD-r Demo, also released that same year in Tape format by GRUFT PROD. Poland
2010 – Released “Avto de Fe” 7 EP by Bloodharvest Records (Sweden), recorded in 2008.
July 2014 – Death Has Appeared, release via Gruft Prod. MCD and Craneo Negro MLP
October 2015 – Death Has Appeared…/Avto de Fe released by Utterly Somber
2007 – Released “Tremendous Plague” CD-r Demo, also released that same year in Tape format by GRUFT PROD. Poland
2010 – Released “Avto de Fe” 7 EP by Bloodharvest Records (Sweden), recorded in 2008.
July 2014 – Death Has Appeared, release via Gruft Prod. MCD and Craneo Negro MLP
October 2015 – Death Has Appeared…/Avto de Fe released by Utterly Somber
WOLF KING
Bay Area Blackened Hardcore. Our new album ‘Loyal to the Soil’ out April 27th on Prosthetic Records.
WITHIN DESTRUCTION
Slamming deathcore from Slovenia, Europe.
ANGELMAKER
AngelMaker is a 6 piece (Melodic/Deathcore) band based out of North Vancouver, BC, Canada.
GONE FISHING
AMBER RONAE
Singer songwriter Jazz fusion and r&b soul influenced I write what I feel, I’m an artist. . . sharing inner most thoughts with complete strangers
DARK VISIONS OF TERROR
D.V.T. was founded in Murrieta, CA. Throughout the years we have developed the heavy, energtic, and aggressive sound of what we call, Crossover//Hardcore; which consists a variety of musical influences made into one. A powerful album is currently in works and is expected to be finished by the end of this year. Never shred lightly.
XABRUPTX
Two homies playing FAST!
AXXIOS
Axxios. Derived from the Greek word meaning “worthy of”,
these young, talented, up-and-coming thrashers are just that. Hailing
from Northwest Indiana in 2014, the five piece band comprised of
Dan Baggarly (vocals), Dave Matthews (Lead Guitar), TJ Fernandez
(Rhythm Guitar), Alex “Chucho” Barrios (Bass), and Aaron Grove
(Drums).
UNLEASH THE ARCHERS
Unleash The Archers were formed in 2007 by front-woman Brittney Slayes, together with her partner and the band’s drummer Scott Buchanan, while attending the University of Victoria on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. After moving to Vancouver in 2010 the band underwent several lineup changes, but were finally able to cement their unique, genre-blending style of heavy metal with the addition of Grant Truesdell in 2011 and Andrew Kingsley in 2013. By weaving the aggression of the more extreme genres into the intricacies of traditional heavy metal, UTA have created a sound unlike anything else in the industry. They embrace a commercial appeal that attracts music lovers of all types while maintaining a heavy edge that remains true to their death metal roots. Since their inception UTA have always put an emphasis on touring, and travelled the roads by van booking their own North American tours for years before being picked up by an agent in 2016. Their persistent, hard-working, down-to-earth attitude has garnered media attention all over the world, and their constant engagement on social platforms of all types has allowed for consistent growth and a dedicated, positively engaged fanbase that spans continents.
UTA have been described as “show-stealers” and “wildly entertaining” by fans and peers alike, and they strive to put on a show that will stick with you long after you’ve left the venue. Playing music is a passion for the band and this can be seen in their live performance as well as their music videos and writing style.
UTA are currently signed to Napalm Records (Worldwide) and Ward Records (Japan).
Vocals / Brittney Slayes
Drums / Scott Buchanan
Guitar / Grant Truesdell
Guitar / Andrew Kingsley
Bass / Nick Miller
JEREMY AND THE HARLEQUINS
You know you’re doing something right when Bruce Springsteen’s right hand man decides your song is the coolest track in the world. That’s exactly what Steve VanZandt did this June –picking ‘Trip Into The Light’ for that very accolade on his Little Steven’s Underground Garage radio show. It’s easy to hear why – the opening song from Jeremy And The Harlequins’ debut full-length, American Dreamer, it sparkles and shimmers with the glamor of rock’n’roll’s past while simultaneously forging forward into the future with confidence. Channeling the influences of 1950s and ’60s rock’n’roll through the (cell phone) camera lens of 2015, Jeremy And The Harlequins – Jeremy Fury (vocals), Craig Bonich and Patrick Meyer (guitars), Stevie Fury (drums) and Bobby Ever (bass) – have managed to capture the sound of New York both in the here and now and the there and then. It’s a record about love and loss, tragedy and romanticism, dreams and reality, as well as everything in between, and its ten songs are at once familiar and fresh, a new friend it feels like you’ve known for decades.
“In both the pop music world and the indie music world,” explains Jeremy, “everything’s very electronic and very produced-sounding. In the indie world, everything seems like it’s long songs with no choruses and it doesn’t feel to me like something I’ll be singing along with in 20 years and going back to, and the pop world seems to have lost its human element. Music should make you feel something, and I don’t get that from much music nowadays, so we wanted to strip things down again and get back to the essence of rock’n’roll and pop music.”
That’s precisely what American Dreamer does – from title to the artwork, the lyrics to the melodies and arrangements of these songs, everything has been created with the mythology of rock’n’roll in mind. Yet at the same, these are songs for the modern day, universal tales of living in a digital age but with analogue sensibilities.
D’ZHARI
D’Zhari is a vocalist/songwriter/performer from Chicago, IL.
ASIA MONIQUE
Singer/songwriter/composer Asia Monique’s fresh sound and powerful vocals add renewed substance to the true essence of R&B. Asia has been a student of music from early childhood. Her lessons in music theory and Chicago grit solidify her foundation, allowing unrestricted and unconventional creative expression. Her mother has served as her main motivator and source of wisdom. She admires the work of Etta James, John Legend, Chris Brown, Jazmine Sullivan, and Frank Ocean.
For the past 5 years, Asia Monique has partnered with several artists on the Chicago scene, gearing up for her solo career. Her passion for and dedication to her craft, along with her larger-than-her-hair personality, have propelled her music to the forefront of up-and-coming vocalists. With an unrelenting drive, Asia strives to create classic tunes that people can relate to today or 20 years from now.
Asia’s debut EP, Looking Glass features a thoughtful and inner-focused approach to story telling. From single “Heroin,” which features the gutsy play on words with a central focus around love, to that of a broken and uneasy conversation with “Solitude”. Up-and-coming producer, iProduceWNDRS shared Asia’s vision of depth and passion with her first project, taking her soulful, sultry sound and coupling it with the a fusion of distorted synths, speaker knocking bass and ethereal effects. The EP was recorded and mixed at Soundscape Studios under the direction of Jabari Rayford, with whom she credits her confidence in experimentation.
JACK RED
Occasionally, an artist comes along and reaches people in a way that you just can’t fake – that is certainly true of Jack Red. A Chicago native and second generation entertainer, Jack has been onstage since the age of 7. He started singing in his grandfather’s church, which led him to stages all across his hometown, singing alongside his brother and in various ensembles.
As a singer and producer, Jack has captured the attention of several prominent artists and industry tastemakers. As a producer, his work has been commissioned by international brands such as McDonalds, EA Sports, ESPN and most recently, NIKE and the 2016 Olympics. As a collaborator, Jack has performed on elite stages such as Lollapalooza, Pitchfork and the iconic Saturday Night Live. Jack and hometown hero Chance the Rapper, took to the studio and created what Adweek calls “…a new kind of national anthem” for the USA. Jack’s versatility to command the stage, as lead and supporting member, is both impressive and indicative of his character. All of which has nurtured Jack into his own with a very impressive set of accomplishments.
Outside of his explosive work as an artist and collaborator, Jack understands the importance of serving the community, the youth in particular. He runs a songwriting and recording workshop, called Rhyme Room, in partnership with After School Matters. As a native of Chicago’s South Side, Jack recognizes the need for more positive outlets in the city. Jack believes that music should be viewed as a method of self-expression and is a positive alternative to the violence that plagues the inner city streets of Chicago. In his words:
“Music definitely saved my life. The level of vulnerability that being creative brings is both intoxicating and enlightening. Having music as an outlet offers a therapeutic form of expression instead of embracing the grim side of my city.”
Jack’s voice is pure power- reminiscent of the soul singers of the unforgettable Motown era. His sound is two-part, cinematic and nostalgic, carried by Boys II Men style harmony and infectious grooves. His live performances offer an emotional experience filled with laughter, trips down memory lane and all around good vibes. Having had some time to develop as a solo artist and a newlywed to his high school sweetheart, Jack Red is eager to tell his story and experiences through music. His debut project “Homegrown”, is a narrative of Jack’s experiences in love, loss, success, and affliction. The newest single titled “Homegrown” is an anthem of pride for everyone. He says:
“It’s an ode to those experiences that make us who we are. Being homegrown is about embracing who we are at the core and then living our lives from the inside out”.
Jack’s story has been featured in a range of prominent media, including WCIU’s You & Me In The Morning, Chicago Reader, FADER, The CW and many more. Through conscious and heartfelt lyrics, soulful harmonies, and feel good vibes, Jack Red advocates personal growth and positivity from every walk of life.
RADIUM SWING BAND
Radium Swing Band is an acoustic band that plays the hot gypsy jazz music of Django Reinhardt of Paris from the 1920s, 30s and 40s, including vocals, clarinet, mandolin, accordion, stand up bass and guitars. Bring your dancing shoes and your berets!
SCHOOL OF ROCK CHICAGO WEST
Welcome to School of Rock Chicago West, where students learn to rock their worlds. School of Rock Chicago West has the best combination of instructors, instruments, and captivating programs to get your student strumming, drumming, playing, or singing their way to rockstar status.
At School of Rock Chicago West, we believe as much in the power of the band as we do in the thrill of a killer solo act. We bring our kids and the community of Chicago West together to create excellent performers who learn from cool, real life experiences in the world of music. Our performance-based approach amps up our students for serious fun and serious success.
Music in a team-based environment is today’s gateway to education, confidence, fun, friendship, and so much more. Visit School of Rock Chicago West today.
SCREENING OF “SLAVE TO THE GRIND”
SLAVE TO THE GRIND – The first documentary on the history of Grindcore.
ABRUPT
Two homies playing fast.
Kill cops, smoke dank, and play fast!
WITCHKISS
Witchkiss is a power Doom/Sludge trio hailing from the heart of the Hudson Valley in Beacon New York
HOLLOW LEG
Hollow Leg is: Brent, Scott, John, and Tom. Home is somewhere between Jacksonville, Deland, and Orlando, FL. new EP “Murder” out Now on Argonauta records
CARDINALS FOLLY
The Last Bastion of Doom. Those Finnish witchfinders. The ones that won’t let go. The truest of the true. The stubbornest of the stubborn. Cardinals Folly. A groovy trio of which name has been echoing distantly in the metal underground for more than a decade. A wild uncontrollable force moving onwards to another record or another adventure. With relentless riffs, heavy metal hails, ride-or-die attitude and true love for the old school doom and metal.
Hailing from Helsinki, Finland and formed in 2007 by Mikko “Count Karnstein” Kääriäinen (Bass, Vocals) and his back-then compatriots, Cardinals Folly has been captained by Mikko ever since then towards new conquests. After several albums, line-up changes, dramas, label disappointments and tours around the world, the current stellar constellation of “Deranged Pagan Sons” has been ongoing since 2014.
On the upcoming new album “Live By The Sword”, the band takes almost all that it finds good in metal and molds it into a tighter mass of unholy riffs, blasphemous pagan chants & choruses, luciferian & lovecraftian depravity and all in all a fearless ride to where the witching cauldrons boil hot and the brews are cool. Ranging from slow epic doom to galloping heavy metal and apocalyptic rock ‘n’ roll, the band loves to murder the listener with all their might. These past few years of plague and uncertainty have only made them angrier and more determined, resulting in this 42-minute onslaught of doomed heavy metal.
MATIANAK
Formed in 2014, Matianak (MAH-TEA-AH-NAH) which means death of a child that is also known as pontianak which is an Indonesian folklore vampiric ghost witch that died from stillbirth, was founded and created by the vocalist Arelys Jimenez. A Black metal band from Chicago with a evil twist and hellish banshee screams and dark evil tunes. This Vision of the band is to express the music through theatrical visuals in our performances and take you into the minds of the mentally insane. We want you to feel our music as a story itself. We use real animal bones, candles, feathers, fire, and dark imagery. The creativity through our dark arts consist of cultural influences, a variety of music genres, horror, tribes, and real stories of the mentally unstable. Our lyrics are based on these types of people and some personal experiences. Our goal is to give you a show into our disturbing world and make you feel uneasy with our visuals, imagery, our performances and music. Catching one of our shows will be well worth it…if you dare.
WITHOUT LIGHT
DESTROYER OF LIGHT
“What I love so much about Destroyer Of Light is that even though they play music that could be categorized as doom metal, they are very much a rock band. In a genre where many take themselves too seriously and create crushing odes to how sad they are, Destroyer Of Light manage to bring in guitar harmonies and flashy solos to lighten things up. That being said – don’t think that the band isn’t monumental in their own right – their headbanging magic is accented by minor key solos and melodies that tear at the heart. Willing to play it fast and loose, Destroyer Of Light use their frontman’s unearthly cleans to guide you on a unique musical journey that is weird, demented, and far too much fun.” -Matt Bacon, writing for Metal Injection
WAR CLOUD
Erupting in 2014, out of Oakland, California, War Cloud has been on a steady path of shredding Northern Californian ear drums. Founded by Alex Wein (vocals, guitars), who hails from Baltimore MD, he wasted zero time in recruiting area musicians after firmly planting his amps in the Bay Area. Looking to create an aural ash cloud of volcanic rock, Alex solidified this crew with Bay Area natives Joaquin Ridgell (drums) and Tony Campos (guitar), and Taylor Roach (bass). War Cloud is a young band but far from wide-eyed innocents. Their musical history drenched in molten riffs across the timeline of heavy metal, the name alone originates from a Wicked Lady song of the same title. With roots encompassing Tony’s tenure in San Francisco’s heavy thrash tinged Hell Fire, Taylor’s melding of hard rock rhythm and old-school groove on bass, and Joaquin pounding his drums as if possessed by the ghost of John Bonham himself. War Cloud has created a new flavor of heavy rock music for those enjoying past meals served up by the likes of Pentagram, UFO, Deep Purple, and Black Sabbath. This is modern metal sophistication dipped deep in ‘70’s heavy fuzz rock.
BIT BRIGADE
Bit Brigade performs rock covers of full NES game soundtracks as their gamer speedruns the game live on stage.
“When was the last time you attended a live music performance with a genuine element of risk involved? And no, going to a Gwar show with a white t-shirt on doesn’t count. When Bit Brigade takes the stage your mind will frantically oscillate between “Oh! Agh!! Please don’t die!!” and “YES! He’s doing it!!” Combining the dread and daring of a live video game speed run with the spot-on technique of a live band covering the musical accompaniment to everything you’re seeing on-screen in real time, Bit Brigade will
have you swinging between the two mediums. From thrashing about to live renditions of your favorite stage themes, fingers yearning to the sky in a rock ‘n roll parody of sea anemones seeming to silently plead, “Please, feed us more fretboard pyrotechnics!,” to being locked in stock-still rapture as the infallible maestro of the d-pad, Noah McCarthy, takes on the final boss and risks his video game life under the threat of intense peer scorn (or the reward of night-long glory and a credits score). No matter the outcome, Bit
Brigade must play on until the deed is done – which it always is – on the first (and last) try. Once Noah’s NES buzzes on, there’s no turning back.” – Metalhead Mike of The Shizz, summer 2011
MAKEUP AND VANITY SET
synth-noir plink-plink
TRAUMA
TRAUMA is highly revered by those in the know as an important evolutionary entity in the intersection of traditional heavy metal, the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, and the more melodically minded classic rock influenced bands on the Sunset Strip.
This is the band responsible for the much sought after classic ‘80s album, Scratch and Scream, featuring killer cuts like “The Day All Hell Broke Loose” and “Lay Low.” Three decades passed before the reconfigured band reemerged in support of a re-mastered edition of their Shrapnel debut and delivered its 2015 follow-up, Rapture and Wrath.
With reverence for the past but eyes sharply focused on the future, TRAUMA has just released their landmark third album AS THE WORLD DIES, staying true to the signature sound that came before but with a very modern edge. The potential for heavy metal greatness inherent in the revitalized lineup of veterans is powerful.
Determined to make a mark in the metal world of today, in 2017 founder/vocalist Donny Hillier and longtime Trauma drummer Kris Gustofson put together a monstrous lineup of amazing players to create and record their highly anticipated third album. Bassist Greg Christian, was a founding member and integral part of Testament. Guitarist Joe Fraulob is a former member of multiplatinum hard rockers Danzig. Steve Robello played guitar in Dublin Death Patrol, the Bay Area supergroup formed by the singers of Exodus and Testament. The power and chemistry of this devastating new line-up is evident on the crushing new TRAUMA album AS THE WORLD DIES.
TRAUMA was born in California’s Bay Area in 1980, a crucial year for metal music. It was within that fertile musical climate that TRAUMA developed a sound evoking the electric energy in the air around them. Donny Hillier consumed a steady diet of Zeppelin and Sabbath and shared a love of Priest and Maiden with guitarist Mike Overton. And of course there was Trauma’s legendary early bassist, Cliff Burton.
In 2013’s Birth School Metallica Death: The Inside Story of Metallica, legendary Bay Area thrash singer Steve “Zetro” Souza of Exodus recalled seeing Trauma as a music-hungry teenager. As Zetro remembered it, several voices in the Northern California scene heralded Trauma as “the next big thing” to emerge from the Bay.
The band built a strong reputation in places like The Stone, late music impresario Bill Graham’s Wolfgang’s venue, and Hollywood landmarks The Troubadour and Whiskey-A-Go-Go, a launching pad for The Doors, Van Halen, and Guns N’ Roses.
Much like Metallica, Trauma’s first recorded appearance was as part of the compilation series curated by Metal Blade Records. Metal Massacre II (1982) featured “Such a Shame.” The band shot a video for the song “The Warlock” in Santa Ana, California, not long before Burton left the group to join Metallica. New members entered the fold, including powerhouse double kick drummer Gustofson.
The highly-skilled-musicianship-centric Shrapnel Records, the label formed by record producer and Guitar Player columnist Mike Varney, issued Trauma’s debut. Scratch and Scream arrived to enthusiastically positive reviews from the worldwide metal press, including tastemaker publications Kerrang!, Circus, and Metal Forces.
As fate would have it, TRAUMA did not survive the era, but much like the Misfits and other important bands who accomplished so much in such a short time while flying under the radar, the story of the band grew for generations of fans; enough that demand continued for their seminal debut, the follow-up album, and the group’s first ever appearances overseas, most notably at Germany’s Headbangers Open Air.
The Big 4 of Thrash Metal continue to deliver the goods. Iron Maiden concerts are cross -cultural events for legions of fans around the world. Judas Priest churns out incredible albums. New generations of fans form vintage sounding thrash bands everyday. And the Bay Area’s prodigal sons, TRAUMA, are ready as ever to attack.
-Ryan J. Downey
VINTAGE LEE
Rapper, Vintage Lee, out of Roxbury,MA
DOGBAD
Originating from the lively local scene surrounding Milwaukee campuses, Dogbad is a rag-tag group of students, film-makers, DIY venue owners, engineers, and chefs who bonded over their love of music and sharing it with their peers. Performing in a wide variety of venues from basements, local bars, music clubs, to live on the airwaves of 88Nine Radio Milwaukee, the band has crafted a sound and stage presence like no other.
AK
17 y/o artist out of South Brunswick, NJ. Keep sleepin’ on me, You’ll be woke in no time.. Join the Movement! Follow my other social media pages!
BOO BABY
Boo Baby is a tasty little cookie for our Milky Way, a home-made treat like you’d pick up in a mom and pop gas station. Scranton natives Robert Salazar and Kevin Tellie were born in the same hospital bed (different times) and when you see them live, you can feel it. With the recent addition of the Texan artist Thomas Huston, their sound has smoothed into something more country or, at least, more barn-flavored. In their quest to be “The World’s Best Opening Band” they’ve opened for Whitney, Karl Blau, Antiphons and Saintseneca. Their latest record Orange You Glad came out in 2017 from Hickory Lane records.
HILL DUNES
Hill Dunes is Timothy Remis, Elizabeth Remis and Tommy Borst. Formerly known as Ditches.
Their first full-length album will be out July 15, 2016.
OS GRINGOS
Psychedelic Rock from the Americas: Four Americans and One Native Brazilian cross paths by destiny in Brazil in 2014, start a blues rock band and are set to release their second album, The Animal Kingdom.
TOM VANDENAVOND
Tom Vandenavond is a contemporary ghost with a wisdom in his music that exceeds his years. His sound embodies the nature of solitary travel and the inevitable connections made from a life on the road. He has torn through his Midwest roots and created an auditory imprint of the highways and byways, truck stops and roadsides of the afforded white line spectacles of the American construct. If you listen, you can hear a long haul on the Christopher Columbus Transcontinental highway … where the DayGlo over-exposure of Los Angeles meets the desert of Palm Springs … red rocks and mesa tops before Phoenix and Tucson … the cumbersome nothingness of West Texas where a man can can bide his time only with his thoughts and AM radio…. El Paso with a glimpse of the Third World at the border of Juarez … San Antonio and New Mexico heavy with Spanish and Native American charm … a brief pass through future city Houston and the descent into the thick air of southern Louisiana stretching over the 35 along the Pontchartrain into the heart of Cajun Country … Mississippi’s Jackson County into the Panhandle….
WILLY TEA TAYLOR
There is no question that Willy Tea Taylor’s life as a singer/songwriter was predetermined – his role realized the moment he wrote his first song. His inspirations drawn from two separate wells; Living the life of a cattleman’s kid and experiencing true visionaries music like Greg Brown, John Hartford, and Guy Clark. The image of Guy Clark and friends sitting around the kitchen table loaded with ashtrays full of butts, half-smoked cigarettes, food, and booze on one Christmas Eve in 1975 burned into Taylor’s soul. Those guys, swapping songs without pretense, lit Willy Tea’s fire. And ever since, its led purpose with passion – finding a hang by curating relationships through musical friendships that get him closer to his own Clark style kitchen table.
From his early days co-fronting The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit, to singing solo in countless cowboy bars, to pitching countless wiffle ball games, Willy Tea has never lost the vision. Now Willy Tea Taylor has taken his vision of the “hero hang” on the road. and his talented traveling band The Fellership is made up of his fantastically talented buds who play Willy’s songs with a brand of reckless abandon and utter humility that spits in the face of pretense. The way The Fellership plays Will’s songs is the way they demand to be played and, in their short time together, they have been awe-ing every audience lucky enough to see them.
THE GREAT WESTERN HANGOVER
The ten-song LP features a sample-size blend of Willy’s musical influences like Tom Petty-esque rock anthems, riders of the storm rattling westerns, and bait’n tackle choir chants, while delivering the masterful songwriting that Taylor’s cult of underground folk followers devour. The Great Western Hangover features other talents like Anna Tivel, Jeffrey Martin, The Rainbow Girls, and members of Fruition, and TK & the Holy Know-Nothings.
Recorded live in a two-and-a-half day session at Our Lady of Perpetual Heat Recording Studio & Spa just outside of Portland, The Great Western Hangover showcases many sides of Willy Tea Taylor’s musical mind and songwriting prowess. Willy Tea Taylor has dedicated his life to constantly crafting the ultimate “hero hang” as an eternal seeker of Guy Clark’s kitchen table. Gathering folks betrothed to music, who ride the wave of the unknown, and strive to experience full-hearted gratitude amidst the chaotic modern world is what built the foundation The Fellership stands upon.
Some might think of it as an expanded supergroup, but in the form of Taylor’s band, The Fellership amplifies good times, supports wandering souls, and acts as defenders of a well-crafted song. Though a constantly shifting outfit, this Fellership iteration pressed in wax features Taylor Kingman (TK & The Holy Know-Nothings), Tyler Thompson (Fruition, TK & The Holy Know-Nothings), Kris Stuart (Wanderlodge, Root Jack), Dylan Nicholson (The Turkey Buzzards), and Eric Patterson (The Turkey Buzzards).
PRESS
INTHEWHALE
“Dirty, fun and caked in garage grime, the songs are unconcerned with trends.”
-Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune
Celebrating their seven year anniversary in 2018, Denver heavy rock duo, In The Whale have been turning heads and accumulating a mass of die hard fans and followers thanks to a relentless tour schedule and a go-for-the-throat live performance.
Artists and festival promoters have caught notice, with the band playing Riot Fest, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Afro Punk, as well as shows with the likes of Jane’s Addiction, Descendents, The Offspring, Gogol Bordello, and many more.
RUNAWAY KIDS
WHEN YOU THINK OF PUNK ROCK FROM THE 80’S AND 90’S, THE BANDS WERE NOT ONLY PLAYING THEIR INSTRUMENTS FAST AND AGGRESSIVELY, THERE WAS ALSO A MESSAGE THAT BUILT A RUGGED COMMUNITY THAT UNITED AND FOUGHT AGAINST THE SOCIAL ILLS THAT FACED THEM EVERY DAY – POLITICIANS, NAYSAYERS, ABSENTEE FAMILY MEMBERS. IT WAS SO MUCH MORE THAN WHAT CAME OUT OF THE P.A. SYSTEM. IT WAS ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE.
JUST AS THOSE BANDS FROM THE PAST INSPIRED THEIR LISTENERS TO FIGHT FOR A BRIGHTER TOMORROW, LOS ANGELES VERY OWN RUNAWAY KIDS LOOK TO IMBUE THAT SAME SENSE OF URGENCY WITHIN THEIR LISTENERS. FORMED IN THE SUMMER OF 2014, THE BAND IMMEDIATELY WENT TO WORK WRITING AND RECORDING THEIR DEBUT EP ‘BETTER DAYS’, WHICH THEY RECORDED WITH PRODUCER CAMERON WEBB (PENNYWISE, ALKALINE TRIO, SUM 41). THE BAND RECEIVED A VERY LARGE CO-SIGN IN PENNYWISE’S RANDY BRADBURY, WHO LENT HIS EXPERTISE BY TRACKING BASS ON THE ENTIRE EP. JAKE DENNING, WRITER FOR ABSOLUTEPUNK.NET, HAD THIS TO SAY ABOUT THE EP: “WITH THEIR DEBUT EP, RUNAWAY KIDS HAVE ESTABLISHED THEMSELVES AS A BAND TO LOOK OUT FOR. IT’S RECKLESS AND WILD, REMINDING LISTENERS WHY THEY FELL IN LOVE WITH ALTERNATIVE MUSIC IN THE FIRST PLACE.”
RUNAWAY KIDS IS: GAGE ARMSTRONG (VOCALS), SEAN CHAMILIAN (GUITAR), RJ SHANKLE (DRUMS), AND KOREY KEETON (BASS).
SCHOOL OF ROCK (ARLINGTON HEIGHTS)
At School of Rock Arlington Heights, we teach kids how to rock audiences, melting faces with stellar performances and technical ability. One-on-one instruction is just the beginning, because we get kids playing on stage as quickly as possible. Our immersive method motivates them, speeds up the learning process, and has benefits beyond learning an instrument.
Not only do kids collaborate with students of similar interests at School of Rock Arlington Heights, they get to work with an amazing network of artists and perform at legendary concert venues. Examples include CBGB’s, The Trocadero, The Knitting Factory, The Whiskey, The Roxy, The Experience Music Project, The Big Easy and BB King’s Blues Club in Times Square. These opportunities teach life skills, build confidence, and help students become better people.
As both rockers and educators, School of Rock Arlington Heights’s instructors are passionate about creating a legacy of music by helping kids rock on stage and in life. Visit School of Rock Arlington Heights today to learn more.
ARLO MCKINLEY
“Already a peer/fan favorite, McKinley and the Lonesome Sound are guaranteed to attract a wealth of new listeners with their official debut album, which will likely inspire plenty of end-of-year love as well.” – Brian Baker, CityBeat
LOST DOG STREET BAND
Lost Dog Street Band was created in the winter of 2010 after a long and bitterly cold trek on foot to Tennessee. Splitting paths from their former project Barefoot Surrender, Benjamin Tod and Ashley Mae set out to craft their own original music as a duet. Drawing on inspiration of hard times on the road, personal tragedy, the power of love (and of course their dog) Benjamin continued on with a long legacy of songwriting that cuts to the quick. Knitting together musical influences from traditional country, old time, and blues Ashley Mae and Benjamin began to refine what is their original take on American storytelling songs. With their packs, fiddle, guitar, banjo, and pup they set out on foot traveling coast to coast by hopping freight, and hitchhiking with the vision of sharing their music. Along the way, they met many inspirational musicians. Amongst them was Nicholas and Shannon Ridout with whom they formed the project Spit Shine in the year 2012. After the tragic loss of their dear friend Nicholas, Lost Dog Street Band hit the road in search of solice and a deep seated need to continue sharing music as a source of comfort. Today, Benjamin and Ashley have made a home in the country side of Tennessee, working the land and carrying on their lives as full-time musicians. As they tour regularly, perhaps you will see them roaming across the country in their van with their dog Copper.
CLOVEN HOOF
The present band have been playing together since late 2015 when George and Lee decided the time was right to take Cloven Hoof to a new level. They had played together in Germany when Aska ageed to do a few Cloven Hoof songs after some ex band members decided to leave the band. The chemistry was electric and Danny was so amazing behind the kit that Lee had to ask him to join Hoof one day too. Commitments delayed the union for a time but everyone knew the day would dawn when they would make an album together.
MUSTASCH
It´s an impressive CV the band has achieved since their first release in 2001: Seven albums, a huge hit with “Double Nature”, sold-out tours in Scandinavia, opening- and headline tours with Motörhead, Kizz, Rose Tattoo and Volbeat in Europe, four Swedish Grammy Nominations whereof two Grammy Awards for Best Metal Album for Latest Version Of The Truth 2008 and Mustasch 2010, and the following studio album “Sounds Like Hell, Looks Like Heaven” 2012 reached gold status in Sweden in just two weeks. After all this, the band reached a turning point. Full speed ahead focusing on the band or nothing at all. No half-hearted solutions, no compromises. All or nothing.
GOVI
DJ and Music Artist.