Transylvania is comprised of 6 unique individuals that are driven to write and play metal influenced by all manner of classic artists such as Iron Maiden, Thin Lizzy, Megadeth, Mercyful Fate, Dio, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and many others. That is our agenda. That is what we do.
Heavy Metal from Seattle
Widow has been a staple of underground metal scene since 2000 and have released 4 albums, performed countless shows including Kansas City Power Metal Festival, Rocklahoma, Sword Brothers Festival IX, Up the Hammers, and Steel Assassins Festival. Widow have performed in the US, Canada, Europe, Japan and Australia and continue to tour as much as possible. They have played/toured with many great artists such as Saxon, Queensryche, Cauldron, Skull Fist, White Wizzard, Icarus Witch, Grim Reaper, Raven, Destruction, Krisiun and many more!!!
Widow explores the neo-classical side of heavy metal and is proud to take their influences from their own experiences plus groups such as King Diamond, Crimson Glory, Warlord, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Yngwie Malmsteen. The morbid personality of each member comes together to form the unique sound of the band.
Metal Hammer magazine has named WIDOW one of the leaders of the “New Wave of Traditional Metal” and is recognized as a band at the front of the melodic metal uprising. Widow has put the final touches on their new release entitled Carved In Stone available now on Pure Steel Records.
HEIR APPARENT was formed in 1983 in Seattle, Washington by guitarist Terry Gorle. Vocalist Paul Davidson, bassist Derek Peace, and drummer Jim Kovach joined with Gorle to form Heir Apparent’s original lineup. In July 1984, the band entered Triad Studios in Redmond, WA to record a 5-song demo that received local airplay on KISW and KZOK. A month after recording their first demo in 1984 Jim Kovach was replaced by Ray Schwartz (using the name Raymond Black). This lineup recorded Heir Apparent’s debut studio album Graceful Inheritance. The album was released for European market in January 1986 by an independent French label Black Dragon Records. Supported by UK’s Metal Hammer magazine, Heir Apparent toured France, Netherlands, and Germany in May and June 1986, originally as support act, but ending as headliner on tour with Savage Grace. The album received very positive reviews from several European metal magazines, including Germany’s Rock Hard, whose editors gave it the rating of 49/50 points in the February 1986 issue, placing Heir Apparent’s debut above the albums released by such acts as Overkill, Anthrax, and King Diamond, among many others reviewed that month. Encouraged by good sales, Black Dragon re-released the album in October 1986, this time on CD, making it one of the first CD’s released by an independent label in Europe. Despite this extensive praise, Graceful Inheritance was never released in the US, the group’s home country. In addition to remaining the highest rated album in the 30 year history of Germany’s Rock Hard magazine, “Graceful Inheritance” was ranked #188 in the German hardcover book “Best of Rock and Metal – Top 500 albums of all time”, published in 2005, ISBN 3898805174.
Following the departure of lead vocalist Paul Davidson in 1987, Steve Benito took over the singing duties. Also, Heir Apparent’s lineup was changed into a quintet, by adding a keyboard player Mike Jackson. The new lineup recorded Heir Apparent´s second studio album One Small Voice, which marked a musical shift towards the more technical sound of progressive metal, compared to the traditional heavy and power metal style of the previous release. In the summer of 1988, Heir Apparent had their first large arena performance, serving as an opening act for David Lee Roth, in the Seattle Center Coliseum. Soon after that, the band had signed a seven album contract in 1988 in a joint venture with Capitol Records/Metal Blade, but suddenly dissolved even before the official release of One Small Voice in June 1989. Without a concert support, and with the emergence of grunge in the Seattle area, the second album didn’t reach the debut’s underground success and critical acclaim until many years later, compelling the Greek label Arkeyn Steel Records to release a digitally remastered limited edition of “One Small Voice” with bonus tracks and a live DVD from a 1988 concert video of this lineup in 2010.
The Germany’s label Hellion Records released the Triad demo compilation album in late 1999, along with the re-issue of the band’s first album Graceful Inheritance. The band stayed inactive until 2000 when guitarist Terry Gorle was invited to perform at Wacken Open Air festival. Gorle reunited with the original rhythm section of Ray Schwartz and Derek Peace, with addition of Michael James Flatters on vocals. Following that comeback performance, Terry Gorle led several different lineups in concerts between 2002 and 2004. The 2004 lineup of Terry Gorle (guitar), Bobby Ferkovich (bass), Op Sakiya (keys), Jeff McCormack (drums) and Peter Orullian (vocals) reunited to perform in Europe in November 2006, headlining Germany’s Keep It True festival, and two additional shows in Greece.
In January 2012, Heir Apparent’s original musicians (Gorle, Schwartz, and Peace) performed with Jeff Carrell on vocals at the Metal Assault II Festival in Germany, with additional concerts in Athens and Thessaloniki Greece in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Graceful Inheritance.
Will Shaw is now doing the vocal duties in the band
Toxik is an American thrash metal band originally from Peekskill, New York. Initially active from 1985 to 1992, in 2013 it was announced that Toxik would reform again and start work on its third album. Toxik formed in 1985 and released two full-length albums, World Circus and Think This, under RoadRacer (Roadrunner) records. Both records were cult, underground successes (especially in Europe) that would establish Toxik’s longtime fan base for many years to come. During their career, the band completed several successful tours including a performance at the prestigious Dynamo Open Air in Eindhoven, Holland in 1988. This performance was released on DVD for the first time ever in 2007, along with re-issues of World Circus and Think This. In 2010 the band once again self-released another live DVD, Think Again, which contained never before seen live footage, interviews, and more.
2017 brought the announcement that Toxik would once again release a new EP, the formidable Breaking Class which came out to rave reviews, and the band prepared to once again start touring heavily. As we look to 2018 Toxik is currently wrapping up their first full length album in nearly thirty years. This album will encompass everything Toxik is known for, as well as some surprises. The band is currently rehearsing for their first US shows since the 1980s, as well as for subsequent one off and tour dates in Europe, South America and beyond.
We like fast stuff, we like loud stuff! We like to jam out and party!
For the past twenty years, Chuck Mead has been at the forefront of what has come to be known as Americana Music. Raised in Lawrence, Kansas, Chuck has been a professional musician since the age of 13 playing in his parents country band and then leading several roots rock outfits in the midwest most notably the Homestead Grays. He landed on Nashville’s Lower Broadway in 1993 where he co-founded the famed ‘90s Alternative Country quintet BR5-49. The band’s seven albums, three Grammy nominations and the Country Music Association Award for Best Overseas Touring Act of 1997 built an indelible bridge between authentic American Roots music and millions of fans worldwide. Chuck has also co-produced popular tribute albums to Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings, guest-lectured at Vanderbilt University, and became a staff writer at one of Nashville’s top song publishers. In 2008, he was the Musical Director/Supervisor for the Broadway/West End musical Million Dollar Quartet (which broke the record in Chicago for longest running musical) and acted in the same capacity for the CMT television show Sun Records producing all the re-recordings of classic rock n roll, country, and blues. He has released three solo works starting in 2009 with his acclaimed solo debut album, Journeyman’s Wager on the Grassy Knoll Records label, and continues tour clubs, concert halls and international Rock, Country and Rockabilly festivals with his band The Grassy Knoll Boys.
Chuck’s acclaimed 2012 release, Back At The Quonset Hut (Ramseur Records), was recorded at Nashville’s legendary Quonset Hut Studio where Patsy Cline, George Jones, Merle Haggard Roger Miller, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash and more cut some of country music’s greatest tracks. Produced by original BR549 producer Mike Janas and with the participation of students from Belmont University’s College of Entertainment and Music Business, the album of classic covers features surviving members of Music Row’s original ‘A Team’ studio musicians Bob Moore, Harold Bradley, Hargus “Pig” Robbins, and Buddy Spicher as well as guest appearances by Old Crow Medicine Show, Elizabeth Cook, Jamie Johnson and Bobby Bare.
2014 ushered in Free State Serenade, on Nashville-based Plowboy Records. Produced by long-time ally and friend Joe Pisapia (kd Lang, Ben Folds Five) and featuring BR5-49’s Don Herron, and Old Crow Medicine Show’s Critter Fuqua, Free State Serenade is Chuck Mead’s love letter to his home state of Kansas.
Chuck is currently working up new material for a 2018 record release and still oversees two Million Dollar Quartet productions and is developing some new theatrical stage shows.
Officially formed in 2000 by JD Tucker, Grendel was quickly picked up by the legendary German label NoiTekk (a subdivision of Black Rain Records), upon hearing their first promo CD. This promo included the club hit “Strangers” and, after additional production & mastering, would become their 2001 debut studio album, “Inhumane Amusement”.
After a year of touring & studio work, the “End Of Ages” EP was released and soon became a staple track for DJs world wide. This was shortly followed up in 2003, by the second full length album “Prescription Medicide” album, which saw the band truly entering the limelight, becoming album of the month in many magazines such as Orkus & Zillo, reach top 5 positions in prominent underground charts, including Deutsch Alternative Charts and number 1 for several months in the Dutch Underground Charts. With the success of this album, the band did extensive touring throughout Europe & North America.
In 2005 Grendel released their now classic “Soilbleed” EP, of which the title track is to this day an unmissable club hit worldwide. This release marked a true milestone in the band’s career and saw them touring larger stages throughout Europe, reaching a far greater audience, and topping alternative & sales charts. The EP was re-released in 2006 as “Soilbleed Redux” and featured additional material, such as a cover of Leaether Strip’s “Don’t Tame Your Soul”, “One.Eight.Zero” and a remix by New York artists Life Cried.
In the meantime, Grendel started working on their third full length album, entitled “Harsh Generation”. This was to become one of the most important & influential albums for the contemporary industrial & Electronic Body Music movement, marking new territory and a more matured sound & style. After it’s release in 2007, it remained on top positions of alternative charts, such as the DAC, GEWC, DUC for maximum periods of time.
To this day, this is also an unmissable part of any industrial/ebm DJs arsenal. Due to the success of this album, Grendel spent the following years touring extensively & intensively worldwide, drawing increasingly larger audiences.
Eventually, in 2009, the “Chemicals + Circuitry” EP was written & recorded. This turned out to be a slight diversion from the band’s familiar sound, but received much praise and again reached top positions in the charts (DAC, GEWC, DUC, etc.), with the title track quickly becoming a favourite amongst DJ’s and listens alike. This success would prompt a rework of the song on their following album, “Timewave Zero”, in 2012. Although returning to a more familiar sound, it would take on influences from a variety of contemporary dance music, such as trance, electro and house. This, again, would mark a big milestone in the band’s progress, branching out from familiar ground and reaching a wider audience. Much praise was given for this and it would gain not only top chart positions, but also high sales.
And most recently, in 2012, Grendel released the “Timewave : Zero” album. This album is both a return to their signature sound and taking on various influences from contemporary EDM styles, such as Trance, Complex Electro and House. All of this together has created the most mature Grendel sound to date and has gained highly positive feedback from both fans and media, scoring top positions in the DAC, GEWC, mailorder sales charts and more. In the years that followed, Grendel toured extensively on the success of this album in both Europe & North America.
During this period, JD moved to the UK in order to pursue various endeavours & career moves, where he became heavily influenced by the rich music, art and fashion culture of London. This resulted in a more refined and mature style, both musically and visually, incorporating his love for both contemporary and old school music of various genres.
After much hard work, October 2017 marks the release of his eagerly awaited magnum opus, “Age Of The Disposable Body”, on Infacted Records (EU) and Metropolis Records (US). Not only does this album offer a rich palet of sounds & styles, but also a huge step forward vocally and lyrically. It also sees guitarist Emanuelle Trinci involved in the creative process and guest appearance by Seamus Bradd of The.Invalid.
Pre-orders have started and it is already topping the sales chart at Germany’s main mail-order, Infrarot.de.
Live line up:
Vocals – JD Tucker
Keys (EU) – Sascha Pniok
Keys (US) – Neal Reed
Guitar (EU) – Emanuele Trinci
Guitar (US) – Erik Gustafson
Drums (EU) – Kekko Biogora
Drums (US) – Ben Tourkantonis
Cheatin’ at Solitaire is a Chicago punk trio. We specialize in 2 minute blasts of 4/4 awesomeness. Also, longer and shorter songs too. Much love.
Jimmy Degenerate & The NotSeez is a Political Anti-Pop Punk band based out of Chicago IL
Drawing influence from bands at every stage of punk’s history, such as the Ramones, Misfits, Groovie Ghoulies and Teenage Bottlerocket, Toxic Rocket has been dubbed “party punk”. They play fun, upbeat and quirky songs dealing with subjects ranging from their love of music to cheesy sci-fi movies to childhood to punk rock girls. They’re usually accompanied by their own go-go dance troupe the Toxic Rockettes during their live performances.
A refreshing, feel-good fuse of high energy rock n roll melded with bluesy, southern rock riffs, and topped off with a dash of country.
Voted Best Live Act in Milwaukee (Milwaukee Magazine, 2017), it’s been 4 years since Zach Pietrini showed up on the Milwaukee music scene. Despite being a Chicago transplant, The Zach Pietrini Band has become a recognized name around town playing featured spots at Summerfest and Bastille Days. At the forefront of the Americana resurgence in the north country, Pietrini quickly distinguished himself with his fearless vulnerability, prolific writing, and dynamic live show. “Pietrini’s skill is crafting the kind of Americana that gets right into you with a beguiling friendliness” (88Nine Radio Milwaukee).
Pietrini’s 5th release, Holding Onto Ghosts, has continued to solidify his reputation as an Americana force. Picked for Best Album So Far 2017 by both UTR Media and Milwaukee Record, the new album offers a loud yet vulnerable look into what haunts Pietrini. Lyrically, the focus is on lost love, desperate hopes, and the tension of caring for a family while trying to ‘make it’ as an artist. Musically, “Pietrini’s smooth and delicate voice [affixes] to infectious hooks and a touch of classic country” (Milwaukee Record).
Pietrini says about the new record: “I wanted to offer an honest snapshot into my life, and invite people into a safe place to look at theirs”.
Zach and the Band push onwards. Voted Best Band in Milwaukee 2017 by Milwaukee Magazine, and serving as direct support for Huey Lewis and the News, Ray Wylie Hubbard, The Shook Twins and Miles Nielson & the Rusted Hearts, the band has proven it is here to stay. They will be hitting the road this January, and are excited to share their stories, sounds, and music.
Toothy grit, hard lines, and heavy riffs–Buffalo Fuzz is a two piece heavy blues band from Minneapolis.
Emerging from the melancholy sludge-rock preceding albums, Renegades is a refinement of the Porno Wolves sound. The forthcoming album is a collection of dance-able tracks featuring striking guitar riffs, thunderous drums, and sing-a-long melodies; Recommended listening at peak volume.
Hard Promises is the fourth album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released on May 5, 1981 on Backstreet Records.
Learning to Crawl is the Pretenders’ third album, released in 1984, after a hiatus, during which time James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon died of drug overdoses.
After Farndon’s dismissal from the band and Honeyman-Scott’s death, Chrissie Hynde and Martin Chambers initially recruited Rockpile’s Billy Bremner and Big Country’s Tony Butler to fill in a caretaker line-up of the band in 1982. Bremner played guitar and Butler played bass on the band’s September 1982 single “Back on the Chain Gang/My City Was Gone”, both sides of which were later included on Learning to Crawl. As the album sessions got under way, Bremner, Graham Parker’s bass player Andrew Bodnar, and Paul Carrack (formerly of Squeeze, Ace and Roxy Music) played guitar, bass and piano respectively for the track “Thin Line Between Love and Hate”.
Finally, Robbie McIntosh (guitar) and Malcolm Foster (bass) were recruited to join Hynde and Chambers, and the band was now officially a quartet. It was this line-up that recorded the rest of the tracks featured on Learning to Crawl.
The November 1983 single “2000 Miles/Fast or Slow (The Law’s the Law)” was the newly reconstituted foursome’s first release, followed shortly by the full Learning to Crawl album in January 1984.
The album’s title of “Learning to Crawl” was given in honor of Chrissie Hynde’s then-infant daughter, Natalie Rae Hynde. She was learning to crawl at the time that Chrissie was trying to determine a name for the album.
Drum legend Terry Bozzio is known for his work with Frank Zappa, Jeff Beck, Korn, UK, Missing Persons, Mick Jagger, Robbie Robertson, Alan Holdsworth, Tony Levin, Steve Vai, Quincy Jones, Ken Scott, Metropole Orkest – as well as Film score composers Basil Poledouris, Mark Isham & Patrick O’Hearn. He is a Grammy Winner, RockWalk Honoree, Modern Drummer Magazine’s Hall of Fame Award, & is in Rolling Stone’s Top 5 Drummers of All Time! (See more at www.terrybozzio.com)
Unless you have seen Terry, you have no idea what you are in for. Bozzio is an enigmatic, evocative, and engaging musician whose instrument just happens to be the drums. Terry Bozzio is able to accompany himself with bass note patterns and, at the same time, melodically solo with highly developed coordination skills to express a “complete musical statement” on the drum set alone. Drawing from jazz, classical, & ethnic percussion styles from around the world, Terry Bozzio is “a storyteller,” able to weave a hypnotic spell over audiences and enthrall them with an eclectic experience filled with emotion, contrast, variety, intimacy, excitement, & passion.
His is a unique, intense, dynamic, spiritualistic, melodic, orchestral, atmospheric, and musical performance on the largest tuned drum & percussion set in the world. Please note that this is not a bombastic 2 hour drum solo. This is MUSIC on drums. There is space, classical forms & structures, ambient electronic loops, and atmospheric percussion effects, as well as some exciting & fiery drumming that brings audiences to their feet!
He has spent the last 30 years performing Solo Drum Music for Sold Out Audiences all Around the World, from India to Japan, from Europe to North America.
We some kids from Chicago who wanna see change.
Fiercely spirited and relentlessly authentic, The Long Lost write songs laced with both bleeding heart optimism and bitter cynicism. The Chicago Americana/Alt-country group blurs the line between happy and sad, creating misleadingly upbeat songs about the dark and disheartening times in life. Above all else, the music of The Long Lost centers around the intuitive harmonies of front-women Avalos and Burke. This distinct vocal pairing is shaped by influences across the decades – the glamour of early rock and roll, the theatrics of mid century country, as well welcoming the guidance of the modern folk-rock genre. The band succeeds in capturing a singular, unique sound.
Inspired by a wide array of musicians ranging from Robert Johnson to Ed Sheeran, Daniel Young has crafted an exceptional set of songs that speak directly to a generation of music fans disillusioned by the meaningless pop songs of the day, seeking something smarter, deeper, and more universally relatable. Though he is only 20, Daniel has already pushed himself to new places with his music. Starting out playing in small coffee shops he formed the band Terraplane. With Terraplane he worked his way from occasional minor gigs to a steady stream of shows and competitions. Due to demand Terraplane traveled to Oklahoma and recorded an album titled Shades of Love (2014). Now, stepping out as a solo artist for the first time, Daniel has taken all of the elements he learned while playing with Terraplane and created some of the most personal, reflective songs to hit a track in a while.
Intertwined within the depths of Rock N’ Roll, Pop, Folk, and Blues births a new band who strives to connect old souls with new souls. Binding humans together and uniting people of all levels of society is an aspiration of these four musicians. Writing, performing and recording their songs on a fresh bed of 60s-70s style rock n’ roll with an ever-evolving eagerness to experiment, to expand minds and hearts with sonic fusion.
The Casimir Effect was founded on a simple belief: That music can be both catchy AND artistic. It can be rich and complex, and still be accessible. The same song that can make a crowded room want to tap their feet and sing along can also satisfy the fans who demand more from their music than 4 chords and a poppy hook. The Casimir Effect will appeal both to serious musicians, who can appreciate the musicianship and bold, out-of-the box writing style, as well as to the everyday music-lover who enjoys a catchy, well-written song.
The Casimir Effect boasts progressive song forms that include elements of rock, hip-hop, pop and jazz. Expect to hear unexpected turns, dramatic key changes, shifts in style and odd time signatures juxtaposed against pop melodies, rich harmonies, catchy beats and infectious choruses. The result is food for your brain as well as your ears, and will have you bobbing your head and singing along. You’ll hear deep lyrics about love and loss and redemption, but more than anything about realizing your potential and pursuing your dreams, no matter who or what tells you you can’t. The stories are wholesome and uplifting but also passionate and raw, as is the dynamic energy at a live TCE show. More than anything the music is diverse, covering a wide range of styles and sonic textures. There’s something for everyone at a Casimir Effect performance- come on out and experience it for yourself!
DeMonney Grimmes is a four piece rock band from Fort Wayne, IN formed in 2011. The band consists of Jordan Kortenber (Vocals, Guitar), Sayge Kortenber (Drums), Kevin Dye (Bass), and Malakai Bisel (Guitar). DeMonney Grimmes have been on television, radio, and performed extensively throughout the midwest.
Jordan Kortenber has been playing guitar and singing for 13 years. Jordan has taken inspiration from bands such as Tool, Mars Volta, and Led Zeppelin. He has been sorted into the house of Hufflepuff.
Sayge Kortenber has been playing drums for 7 years. Her influences include Josh Dunn and Rian Dawson. She has been sorted into the house of Ravenclaw.
Kevin Dye has been playing music for 20 years drawing inspiration from Cream, Bosnian Rainbows, Deantoni Parks & James Brown. He has been sorted into the house of Hufflepuff.
Malakai Bisel has been playing guitar for 10 years. He has been influenced by Nirvana, John Frusciante, and Hall and Oates. He has been sorted into the house of Ravenclaw.
DeMonney Grimmes have been spending the past year writing their latest album.
Originally formed in 2008 by brothers, Alex (Lead Guitar) and Esteban Nambo (Rhythm Guitar), their cousin, Jesus Pacheco (Bass Guitar), and Andrew Bonczkowski (Drums), Achilles’ core group and foundation was set. Throughout the years, the band went through several lineup changes, often cycling in and out multiple singers, with breaks in between as each individual band member often pursued different musical careers. In the summer of 2016, the original members; Alex, Esteban, Jesus, and Andrew recruited singer, Rob Ochoa, to round out their lineup. Based out of the Chicago-land area, Achilles is a hard rock band which combines elements of music ranging from; classic rock, metal, grunge, and alternative music in an attempt to be unlike anything you have ever heard.
Achilles’ debut EP, “Revelations” was released in April 2017. The word, “Revelation” is described as a surprising and previously unknown fact, especially one that is made known in a dramatic way. From start to finish, the EP was designed to showcase the bands strengths; utilizing duel guitars, provide deep/meaningful lyrics with captivating hooks/melodies, and an all around Rock N’ Roll roller-coaster ride. Throughout the album musical influences such as; Metallica, Avenged Sevenfold, Alter Bridge, Chris Cornell, and Scott Weiland are often heard.
DHD- Vocals
Ace- Guitar
Alfredo- Guitar
Robin- Bass
Connor- Drums
A tear in the firmament.
Beyond the noxious haze of our national nightmare – as structures of social justice and global progress topple in our midst – there lies a faint but undeniable glow in the distance.
What is it?
Like so many before us we are drawn to the beacon. But only by the bootstraps of our indignation do we go so boldly into the dark to find it.
And so Sheer Mag has let the sparks fly since their outset, with an axe to grind against all that clouds the way. A caustic war cry, seething in solidarity with all those that suffer the brunt of ignorance and injustice in an imbalanced system.
Both brazen and discrete, loud yet precise, familiar but never quite like this – SHEER MAG crept up from Philadelphia cloaked in bold insignia to channel our social and political moment with grit and groove. Cautious but full of purpose.
What is it?
By making a music both painfully urgent and spiritually timeworn, SHEER MAG speak to a modern pain: to a people that too feel their flame on the verge of being extinguished, yet choose to burn a bit brighter in spite of that threat.
With their debut LP, the cloak has been lifted. It is time to reclaim something that has been taken from us. Here the band rolls up their sleeves, takes to the streets, and demands recompense for a tradition of inequity that’s poisoned our world. However, it is in our ability to love – our primal human right to give and receive love – that the damage of such toxicity is newly explored.
Love is a choice we make. We ought not obscure, neglect, or deny that choice. Through the tumult and the pain, the camaraderie and the cause, the band continues to burn a path into that great beyond.
But where are we headed?
On NEED TO FEEL YOUR LOVE, they makes their first full-length declaration of light seen just beyond our darkness. Spoken plainly, without shame:
It is love.
This – is SHEER MAG.
hardcore punk from Chicago/NWI
Based out of Iowa, Telekinetic Yeti is a two-man band that delivers sonic brutality melded with psychedelic doom wizardry, forged by the worship of the almighty riff and honed by relentless touring and dedication to their craft.
Creating music as cryptically enchanting as it is heavy, you wouldn’t guess that the impressive cacophony pouring out of the speakers like molten, metal syrup is being produced by only two people. Founder and guitarist Alex Baumann explains, “Originally I decided not to have a bass player purely for logistical reasons, itwas just another schedule to work around, another person who’s boss could tell us we can’t tour, but then I started seeing it as a challenge, like let’s see how heavy we can make it with just two people.”
That started grabbing peoples’ attention. Relentless touring and playing pretty much any club that would have them, the band set sail on their epic voyage, selling their debut album Abominable out of their van and cutting their teeth in the underground playing hundreds of shows. All the while receiving rave reviews of their live performance as well as their first release, which landed at #2 on the doom charts and stayed right there formonths. The Sludgelord called the eight-song album “a f***ing monster from start to finish,” and The Obelisk, including the album in their year-end, best of list, dubbed it the “debut of the year,” and said “it could have been another band’s second or third record for the level of cohesion on display.” The video for “Stoned and Feathered” quickly racked up a few hundred thousand views and counting. It was at this time that Telekinetic Yeti caught the attention of Ozzy Osbourne bass player, Blasko, who named Abominable on his “5 favorites” list. People were starting to catch on, and soon thereafter Telekinetic Yeti would be invited to tour extensively with some of the best heavy rock bands in the business, including Clutch, Black Label Society, Red Fang and Weedeater.
Now the band finds itself in a much different, auspicious position, and with the help of famed producer Phillip Cope (Baroness, Kylesa, Damad, Black Tusk et al), Telekinetic Yeti returns with their eagerly-anticipated, second full-length album, Primordial.
With this release, the band takes their game to a whole new level. Primordial explores themes as diverse as evolution, sorcery, black magic and the contradictions of the gloriously uplifting yet simultaneously melancholic human condition. “I wanted to write something that was an appropriate intro to the album, that brought to mind an early earth setting and featured atmospheric elements as well as some droning, sparse simplicity and lyrically, simple imagery regarding the dawn of humankind and creation of the first tools.” explains Baumann of the title track.
As it unfolds, the album evolves into a cathartic exploration turning themes into tangible sounds and haunting fugues. Says Baumann regarding the inspiration behind “Beast”: “This song is about wanting to escape thesocietal constraints that keep us on the wheel, toiling away, indefinitely. It’s also about questioning authority figures, or really
anyone that claims to have all the answers.”
Matured songwriting, creatively brutal riffs and an exercise in monstrous tones make this listen an immersive experience taking you back to explore and appreciate the primordial ooze that we all came from. Telekinetic Yeti has partnered with stalwart Indie label, Tee Pee Records.
Telekinetic Yeti is:
Alex Baumann – Guitar/Vocals
Rockwel Heim – Drums
In the past decade, 1000mods have risen from smokey basements to packed arenas, and from pioneers of the heavy/ stoner rock movement to one of the most promising European rock acts. In their latest breakthrough record “Youth of Dissent” they break the spacetime continuum and perform a time travel to the glorious 90s, resulting in their best and most mature material to date
Known for being one of the most incendiary and influential bands in hardcore and modern metal history, apocalyptic heavy music icons INTEGRITY return with their highly anticipated, 12th studio album entitled Howling, For The Nightmare Shall Consume. A conceptual foretelling of the final days of Armageddon, Howling… is a manifestation of pentecostal nightmares and religious depravities, wrought with fire and brimstone sermons and occult prophecies bathed in waves of destruction. Now with almost 30 years of creating dark and terrifying anthems under their belt, INTEGRITY have honored their past musical legacy while fearlessly moving forward into unchartered territory on what is undoubtedly their most elaborate and ambitious effort to date.
Crossing the genres of classic country-western and old-school rock and roll, Liar’s Trial is one of the latest bands to come out of the midwest to represent the outlaw country spirit that was founded by the likes of Jennings, Kristofferson, Haggard and Nelson. Barn-burning tempos, gallows humor, shout-a-long choruses and eerie balladry comprise the heart and soul of Liar’s Trial’s repertoire. This band is just as comfortable pounding out anthems to a packed rock and roll club as it is wailing that lonesome sound to a honky-tonk full of good ol’ boys. In fact, Liar’s Trial has done just that… having supported everyone from country legends, David Allan Coe and Billy Joe Shaver, to Opry newcomers, The Steel Woods and country-punk mainstays, the Waco Brothers.
Chicago’s most dangerous Comedy Team.
Nèf is an up and coming Chicago based Jazz fusion band lead by Chicago drummer/Jazz percussionist, Jeremy Joel Warren. The band consists of majority DePaul jazz students and other Chicago native musicians.The meaning behind the band’s name derives from the number nine in the language of Haitian Creole, referring to there being nine original members. This young group of very talented jazz musicians composes and performs many styles of Jazz fusion, pulling from other genres such as hip-hop, blues, funk, latin and so on. Many of their influences include Snarky Puppy, Chick Corea, Weather Report, Stanley Clark and many more.
My name is Bobby Zonit. I’m a musician from Baraboo, WI.
PolySci, hailing from the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois deliver songs that are an eclectic mix of jam infused grooves. We are JamSoul. Give us a listen!
Described as “Snarky Puppy meets Led Zeppelin”, Alabaster is considered to be Chicagoland’s hidden gem of bands. No performance is ever the same.
Since 2015, Alabaster has been steadily performing at festivals and venues across America, growing and developing a unique sound that attracts music fans from all around. Alabaster takes the principles of jazz improvisation and melts them with grooves from around the world with a rock and roll attitude. They point their focus on composing interesting, thought-provoking music and danceable grooves, while exploring uncharted territory through improvisation at every show, assuring no performance is ever the same. This band knows no boundaries. In 2019, the band released the first single “Goin’ Mad” off of their self-titled debute EP and it was featured as an honorable mention in NPR’s Tiny Desk competition. Alabaster released their next single “Excellent Idea” in December of 2022 and their single “Sleepwalker” in June of 2023. Their next single “Life Can Go Our Way” is slated to come out September 2024.
The perfect blend of badass rock’n’roll and sadboy lyrics.
“Makes me want to do heroin!”-crazed fan
MEMBERS
Christian,Michael,Joel,Dominick
Where’s Fernando? is an alternative rock band that fuses 90’s grunge rock with the subtitles of jazz and funk, channeling the sounds of System of a Down, Cage the Elephant, and Nirvana while maintaining a sense of classic rock.
A 2 piece hard driving alternative rock band from Chicago Illinois, creating as much sound as possible as we fuse the sounds of the late 90’s and early 2000’s. So far two EP’s have been released “Square One” and our newest one “Dream Chaser” now available on Spotify:
The Blizzard of Ozz is a well-established Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne tribute band featuring some of the best musicians from the Chicagoland area. The Blizzard of Ozz was formed in 1996 by guitarist Kevin M Buck, and they have played well over a thousand successful shows since. The Blizzard of Ozz plays clubs and theaters nationally, and they are available for various festivals, colleges, and other events.
The band plays over sixty songs from Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne, from giant hits like Paranoid, Iron Man, and Crazy Train to more obscure songs like A National Acrobat and Under The Sun. With such an extensive set list, the band is available to play anywhere from fifteen minutes to five hours, and can range from more traditional sounding classic rock to more modern sounding heavy metal (depending on the need of the buyer). One can expect a professional concert experience that leaves the crowd in awe.
The Blizzard of Ozz has been featured on many television shows and has received much positive press from magazines and newspapers over the years. The Blizzard of Ozz was voted top three tribute artists by the Midwest Beat Magazine in their 2004 readers’ poll. The Blizzard of Ozz was also nominated for the best tribute band by Suburban Nightlife in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
The state of things today is very much on the mind of frontman Jon Scarpelli and bandmate Scott Simon on the latest record by electronic-rock duo, Low Swans. “The Whole World Has No Clothes” is a 10 song meditation on the waning of modern society set to ambient 80’s tinged synth textures, neo-prog electronic beats and dexterous vocals. Released on November 1st of 2014 to a sold out show, the new Low Swans record has only begun to permeate the scene. With influences as far and wide as EDM, classical minimalism and post-rock, the record is a stylistic leap from their past records. Carrying the thread is Scarpelli’s take on the complexity of the human situation and the underlying tragic beauty. While songs like “Cannibal” and “What you Wanted” harken to specific catastrophes in recent history, they ask the wider question of whether or not the calamities of the past or the future are avoidable. Other songs like “Not Today” and “All of the Lies You Settle For” complement this idea by suggesting that we can be redeemed by our relationships even while the world spins out of control. “Little Boy/Fat Man” goes so far as to suggest the massively destructive power of unexamined conflict between two people.
Low Swans has been a long time coming for frontman Scarpelli with some of their material dating back over a decade, and on this new record, their sound seems to have finally coalesced. Starting in earnest in 2013, the Low Swans sound had been forming Scarpelli’s mind over several years and in a way completes a circle. Jon started out experimenting with electronic music in his formative years in a very primitive form and on a computer that struggled to keep up. Recording raw sounds and editing them into a full composition was his first foray into the medium. Taking inspiration from Radiohead, Bjork and Sigur Ros, this thread of musical interest seemed to get buried over the years by multiple projects in vastly different styles. Over the next 12 years, from punk rock to alt-country, he focused on song craft rather than sonic craft. Building up a huge repertoire of songs all the while leaving the appetite for more elaborate and synthetic texture unsatisfied and confined to files on a computer. Emerging from these other bands an accomplished songwriter, the opportunity had come to put together the production aspirations with the songs to start creating the Low Swans sound which would end up featuring long time collaborator, vibraphonist and multi instrumentalist, Scott Simon. Starting with a 10 song demo in 2011 called “Before & After Disasters”, Low Swans began to develop into what we hear on 2014’s “The Whole World Has No Clothes”. Though preceeded by a notably acoustic EP “Blood & Tolls” in 2012, “The Whole World Has No Clothes” arrives as a moment of synthesis where experience, craftsmenship & spirit emerge as a distilled, genre-defying statement
Clyde Stubblefield All Stars is a Clyde Stubblefield tribute band based out of Madison Wisconsin and led by musical director and Grammy nominated drummer Joey B. Banks. The band plays a monthly “Funky Monday” happy hour show at Madison’s High Noon Saloon and features an All Star Band of local, regional and nationally known musicians. The band performs all of Clyde Stubblefield’s hits with James Brown, and songs from “The Original” and “Revenge of the Funky Drummer” albums. The band also performs some of Clyde’s favorite Funky Monday jams. The band will be performing tribute shows all over the Midwest region and will be working to keep Clyde’s musical legacy alive for years to come.
“A Tribute To Old Blue Eyes” is Chicago’s premiere Frank Sinatra Tribute Show. Entertainer & Performer – Bill Pantle brings his baritone sound to the classic Sinatra standards we all know and love and many selections from The Great American Songbook. The act started in 2013 in small clubs and restaurants that had a need for some live music. Since then, the show has evolved into a full fledged Variety style show of the 50’s & 60’s. Now the group consists of vocalist – Yaz Shamanreh and piano player – Bane Djordjevic.
Yaz has brought a soulful sound to numbers from artists like Etta James, Billie Holiday and Peggy Lee. Bane brings his classical and Jazz background to the keyboard and adds a live element to each show. Every show contains classic standards, comedy, audience participation and lot’s of laughs and has grown to fill music venues, clubs and festival grounds.
The Hazytones is a group of stoner rock founded in 2015 in Montreal. The trio stuns the audience with his stage presence and intensity. Riff after riff, the group is known for his fat sound and heavy destructive saturation.
The band is acknowledged for the powerful voice and guitar playing of Mick Martel (former founding member of Madcooks). Supported by the accuracy of their drummer Antoine St-Germain (current member of God Bless America) and the rigor of the bassist Frederic Couture (former founding member of Reckless Ride), The Hazytones are sanctioned for their energetic rhythm section.
In September 2015, The Hazytones began the production of their debut album recorded and mixed at ReelRoad studio located in Rosemont – La Petite-Partie in Montreal. After a few month of labor, the band launched his first single ‘’Living On The Edge’’, followed by a music video. To mark the imminent release of their first titled album, the trio got on the road across Canada(23 shows) from August to September 2016.
The band launched their first titled album on September 22nd at La Rockette bar in Montreal at the Pop Montreal festival. The album was well received by the stoner/psychedelic community in Canada, USA and Europe.
More recently, the band toured Europe (UK, Belgium, Switzerland and France) for 28 days and 10 days after they embarked on a Canadian tour that led them all the way to Vancouver and back.
Coming back from tour Frey Coaster parted ways with the band to pursue his career. The Hazytones luckily found Adam Gilbert to join the band on bass and back vocals. Since then, the trio has been playing a couple of shows and writing songs.
For the Hazytones future, a full U.S.A tour is scheduled in January and a second album is on it’s way. The band has been signed to two labels, Ripple Music and Kozmik Artifacts. Both labels will produce Cd, Vinyls and handle the digital distribution. Everything is set to be release on November 3rd.
I’m THY ANTICHRIST founder, vocalist, and manager.
I’m a student of psychology in the United States. I study closely
through the scientific research of the different complexities of human behavior, its strengths and weaknesses. In the philosophy and ideology that marks the band you can find a consistent message, from the reality of our own existence.
I do not want to spread ignorance through the messages and lyrics of the band, only a reflection from a different perspective on human responsibility for our actions.
Antichrist 666