Graveshadow was originally conceived in the winter of 2012 by rhythm guitarist, William Lloyd Walker. The current line-up features Walker along with vocalist Rachl Raxx Quinn, lead guitarist Aaron Robitsch, and bassist Luci Rae. The band wrote and produced ‘The Uncertain Hour’ (M-Theory Audio), writing and recording over the course of 2020 and 2021, and releasing the new album in the Summer of 2022. With praise from the press and fans alike, the band prepared to step onto the stage again in support of the new record. Touring picked up in the Summer of 2022 with labelmates VINTERSEA,
seeing the band perform to new audiences up and down the US West Coast.
Since 2023, the band has toured across North America with acts such as Exmortus, Paladin, and Burning Witches, appearing at festivals such as Hyperspace Metal Festival (BC), Mad With Power Festival (WI), and Mile High Power Festival (CO). The band has connected with audiences of fans new and old alike.
Sonically, Graveshadow strives to immerse the listener, telling a story that stays with you. Harmonized guitars create a sense of grandeur and aggression as sweeping orchestration accentuate the drama. Held down by the earthly rumble of the rhythm section, drums and bass add depth and resonance, setting the tone. Soaring vocals give life, delivering the emotion and meaning of the tale, leaving the listener free to wander within the sonic tapestry.
We’re Alternate Flow, from Chicago. All Original. We like to focus on the raw aspects of sound. We believe the best music is the kind that happens spontaneously in a garage banging your instruments. that feel.
Freak On A Leash was never intended to be more than a one time performance. A group of musicians ranging from Illinois and Indiana, came together to form Freak On A Leash for a one time gig on Saturday, December 8th at Another Hole In the Wall in Steger, Illinois. The event was a showcase for local musicians to perform an entire set as one of their favorite bands.
That entire set was well documented through a High Definition video and with the help of You Tube and Trashmouth Films, Freak On A Leash started to gain some major positive feedback. With a fresh tribute scene brewing in the Chicagoland area, Freak On A Leash decided to become a full-time project, in hopes of accomplishing something new and different.
It didn’t take the act more than a year to pick up steam and land themselves in some reputable clubs. Within three years of hard work, the band has managed to land the privilege to take the stage at such key spots as The Abbey Pub, Durty Nellies, The Cubby Bear, Mojoes and The Loft. In 2014, the band was given the opportunity to play House Of Blues in Chicago, leading to a headliner later in 2015 on the same stage.
With a few member adjustments and some fine tuning, the tribute band is preparing to take things to the next level. Expect things to get interesting very soon.
All Rocket Boosters and Astro Dudes beware, The Bombats are here to save your souls with rock and roll.
SWELLSHARK
Swellshark is a Chicago-based duo incorporating smart lyrics, textural drumming, electric uke, loop pedals, beatboxing, and the occasional mouth trumpet. At times big and intricate, and at others quiet and intimate, the resultant sound crackles with both joy and intensity. Each member hails from a strong musical background. Henry Kellam (drums, bass, & beatboxing) gained experience in punk, classical, and jazz performance, and is the drummer of metal band Save the Son, who have performed at venues such as Bottom Lounge and Pub Yahoo. Shélan O’Keefe (vocals, guitar, & electric ukulele) began as a singer/songwriter and is an alumni of Girls Rock! Chicago, having played at Metro, Schuba’s, and The Vic. Together, they form Swellshark.
The pair’s live debut, in October 2014, was opening for antifolk legend (and long-time Swellshark hero) Jeffrey Lewis, at Schuba’s Tavern in Chicago. Since then, Swellshark has played with the Australian duo Oxford & Co. at Township, poet Harold Green at The Promontory, and with local support at Martyrs’ and Debonair Social Club. In the summer of 2015, the band traveled to Iceland, spending over a month traveling the country to work on new material, film take-away style music videos, and busk throughout the various tiny towns they visited. “Songs From the Island,” Swellshark’s first official EP, was born out of these experiences and independently released a few months after their return. 2016 marks a new direction for the duo, who have begun to work on their first full-length album. With topics both playful and serious, covering betrayal, self-destruction, and PBS painter Bob Ross, Swellshark has many musical surprises in store as they continue to hone their live set and signature, off-the-cuff music videos.
Bob Rok used to be an angel in the paradise of God. One day after working a double at this small Bar in Heaven, Bob got drunk and thought about going back to angel school. During a trip to the bathroom Bob bumped to a rather large man causing him to spill his beer. Bob demanded he and the guy step outside. When they got into the alley Bob realized it was God. Bob Fought him anyway figuring he could defeat aging deity with sheer will. Bob lost(badly) and because God wanted to be a dick about it he banished him to earth.
Mike “McBeardo” McPadden is the author of Heavy Metal Movies: Guitar Barbarians, Mutant Bimbos, and Cult Zombies Amok in the 666 Most Ear- and Eye-Ripping Big Scream Films Ever! (Bazillion Points). He also covers true crime for Investigation Discovery’s CrimeFeed; punk, metal, and classic rock for VH1; and stoner culture for The Kindland.com
SUPER SONIC SPACE REBELS
“This sound is just what the doctor ordered. Totally different flow than anything out there. When I first started on it I thought…damn, they went Rockabilly. By the time it ended I was pissing on the stall in CBGB”. -Charles Browning (Club Owner, Concert Promoter).
Born & bred in sunny Chicago, Wilem Hurricane Simmons & his band The Severe Weather Warning have been making goofy, heartfelt garage folk music in the city for a few years now. They’ve just recorded their first fully mastered EP “Enjoy Your Day” available on Spotify & Bandcamp, and are excited to play for you & have a few drinks. Oh, yep!
LOUDA is a Chicago area recording and performing artist. Changing gears from the classical realm, LOUDA elevates her sound through scat and soul in her own songwriting and eclectic song cover choice.
Artificial Brain are a technical death metal quintet from Long Island, New York. Their core sound weds pummeling tech and death metal to the buzzing edges and Phrygian mode scales of black metal with an angular, dissonant edge and nearly subliminal growling vocals using science fiction themes as lyric inspiration. The self-released, three-track Demo 2011 presented the band with opportunities for regional touring while 2013’s Butchering Cosmic Giants EP won notice globally, netting them a record deal with Profound Lore. 2014’s long-playing debut, Labyrinth Constellation, was produced, mixed, and mastered by Colin Marston; it scored dozens of positive reviews for its bracing modern approach to death metal. 2017’s Infrared Horizon proved more experimental and wide-ranging, resulting in a prime slot on Cattle Decapitation’s tour. Founding vocalist Will Smith left the band in September 2021. He was replaced by vocalist Paulo Paguntalan for immediate touring, though Smith’s voice had already been recorded for material on 2022’s Artificial Brain. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi
Technical death metal troupe Cognitive are back with Abhorrence, their fifth full length album and a tremendously worthy successor to 2021’s Malevolent Thoughts of a Hastened Extinction. This is the New Jersey powerhouse quintet at its brutal best – unrelenting riffs leave the listener stunned, while a wave of thoughtful, devastating lyrics washes over. The album is a turbulent, draining but ultimately fulfilling experience.
Cognitive started work on Abhorrence while touring Malevolent Thoughts of a Hastened Extinction, sending tracks back and forth to each other while trekking from one intense gig to another.
2024 promises to be a big year for Cognitive, as they take Abhorrence on the road and bring more people into their vile new world. 13 years after the release of their debut EP, the band’s fifth full-lengther sees them continue to make giant strides forward while retaining the elements of their past efforts that got them this far.
Abhorrence may provide therapeutic commentary about how messed up the world currently is, but also, ironically, provides a breath of fresh air. We’re all in this together, so catch Cognitive on the road this year.
Psychedelic/Progressive Sludge Metal from the collective areas of Joliet and Plainfield, IL. A documentation and study in the failings and triumph of man.
Flight Plan is a 4 piece pop punk band from Chicago, IL. The band was formed in 2014 and consists of Vocals and Guitar Mike Morrissey, Bass/Vocals Josh Palkin, Guitarist Kyle Trevino, and drummer Dave Cieck. You can download their debut EP “Followthrough” for free now.
Through our performance-based approach to music lessons, School of Rock students are more inspired to learn, more motivated to excel and more confident as a result. We teach guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, drums and vocals in an interactive environment.
Born and raised in Chicago, Kaina & Burns Twins were destined to work together. As a group, Kaina, Eddie, & Iz blend their distinct talents into ear candy you just can’t put down; each song is sweet and smooth as the last. Serving as a proper debut from Kaina & Burns Twins, sweet asl shows the group’s ability to construct dynamic, soulful music. This authenticity in sound may be attributed to just how organically the project came to be. In the span of only 3 months, what started as friends having fun by jamming out turned into a cohesive 6-track project and defined artistic direction.
Here is Nams Homeless first solo release since his previous EP “Chingaso” released Aug 30th 2015. This project is a Demo for a new sound that he has been working on for the past year. The demo represents a cluster fuck of emotions surrounded by static, depression, loneliness, anger, and tranquility. Here he is expressing the harmonic sounds of his own suffering (we all get lost along our way to wherever we’re going). This demo is also one half of another project Nams has instored for us in the distant future so please enjoy.
Hello world, We are The Freedom Paradox formed out of Downers Grove Illinois. We have three members Ryan Drobnik (lead vocals/guitar), Megan Gilley (Vocals/Bass) and Nate Kay(Vocals/Drums). Our sound can be described as punk but we take other influences from general rock, metal, hardcore, and many other sub genres. We have a Single titled “Dead End” that can be found on SounCloud, band camp, YouTube, and our Facebook page. Since May of 2015 we have been playing in venues around Illinois. Get in contact with us, as we grow our fan base around The Untied States.
Wayside Story is a Chicago-based pop-punk band formed in the spring of 2015. With the members desperately in search of like-minded people to play music with, each turned to Craigslist hoping to fill the void (basically online dating for musicians). As soon as Brian (vocals, bass) and Casey (lead guitar) met in 2013, their shared musical interests and edgy style of play quickly clicked and led them looking for others to create a full act. Once Casey found an experienced drummer in Corbin shortly after, the three would meet in the west loop on a regular basis to jam out to their favorites and begin writing their own songs. After a long search for right person, they finally brought on Kevin’s (vocals, rhythm guitar) skill and creativity to round out the four-piece.
Wayside Story began playing in a number of different venues around the Chicagoland area, quickly gaining interest and notoriety within the local music scene. In the fall of 2015, the band teamed up with producer Roye Robley to begin recording their first official EP in Hammond, IN. After dozens of trips to and from Hammond, as well as countless hours spent by Roye perfecting the mixes, Wayside finally released “Young Adult Fiction” on August 5th, 2016. The six-song EP, which instantly drew high praise from fans, helped the band to secure an opening gig at the House of Blues shortly after on August 14th, Wayside’s biggest show to date.
Wayside Story will be featured on a number of shows around Chicago throughout the fall to promote “Young Adult Fiction”, which is available on iTunes, Spotify, and Bandcamp.
Cousins Tony and Matt Lovato grew up across the street from each other in the Blue Island section of the south side of Chicago and began playing together at seven, borrowing instruments from Tony’s father, with Tony picking up guitar and singing and Matt playing bass. In high school, they hooked up with guitarist Jeremiah Rangel and drummer Nick Gigler. Tony came up with the band name Mest while looking at a case of Milwaukee’s Best beer.
Playing in local Chicago punk clubs, the group self-released their debut album, Mo’ Money, Mo’ 40’z. They got their first real break when Tony wrote to Goldfinger lead singer John Feldmann and got a response. After listening to a demo tape, Feldmann agreed to let Mest open for Goldfinger, got them a record deal with Maverick, and produced their major-label debut, Wasting Time, which was released in July 2000. A year later, Mest returned with a cameo-filled (Young MC, Save Ferris’ Monique Powell) spiky-punk second album entitled Destination Unknown. A self-titled third album, which included a cameo from Good Charlotte’s Benji Madden, appeared in June 2003.
A lengthy stretch of Warped Tour dates followed, which led to exhaustion for Mest and back surgery for Tony Lovato in particular. But the band soldiered on, and in autumn 2005 they released their fourth effort for Maverick, Photographs. After ten years together, Mest called it quits in early 2006. They went out on an appropriately titled final tour, So Long and Thanx for the Booze, that February alongside Allisterand Scary Kids Scaring Kids. A brief reunion a few years later set the stage for the band to get back together, and they toured as well as releasing the 2013 album Not What You Expected. ~ William Ruhlmann, Rovi
Recreational Drugs began as a side project of Matthew Frank (Their / They’re / There, Lifted Bells) & Joshua Sparks (Into It. Over It.) The new live band is comprised of Logan Bloom (Merit Badge), Adam Beck (Merit Badge), and Derek Craig (The Zero Years).
Been in many bands over the years, written hundreds of songs, and never really ventured off on his own. With former bands, John focused on vocals, guitar and writing but dabbled in many other areas of music such recording, percussion, bass and piano. So it’s no surprise that he is extremely capable of taking on a solo project such as this one! Well that time is now, John is currently recording an EP in which he will “Phil Collins” it up and record all the instruments himself. One can say it is a collectivesound of punk/alternative and of course he will throw in a little bit of experimental indie dance beats for all the ladies! Mostly, he is ready to write music and expand instrumentally that touches base on many life experiences as well as some he wrote just for all of you to relate to. Enjoy, spread the word, and support local music!
ARCADIA- Chicago base Metal band that has taken the hard road to success ,With the typical lifespan of Metal bands predictably short, the band’s future is understandably not written in stone. But the profound wisdom gained by its remaining members has set the tone for even deeper meaning to their music than before; concepts of hope, destiny, inevitability of change and the need to adapt, among other existentialist reflections, are all subjects to be explored by ARCADIA with their new material.
ARCADIA is eager to showcase their powerful new material to fans locally and across U.S. The band’s goal and focus on live shows and the determination, will to work hard is to deliver a new brand of metal/hardcore music to Chicago
One of the first bands to successfully merge post-rock and hardcore together, with complex and intense build-ups that led into bursts of rage and chaos, City Of Caterpillar’s short lived existence from 2000 – 2003 has had a major influence on the hardcore/punk scenes since the original release of this LP back in 2002.
Are you ready to take your party to the next level? Blend plays songs you know by heart with breathtaking harmonies and a passion for engaging the audience.
On No One Deserves Happiness, The Body’s Chip King and Lee Buford set out to make “the grossest pop album of all time.” The album themes of despair and isolation are delivered by the unlikely pairing of the Body’s signature heaviness and 80s dance tracks. The Body can emote pain like no other band, and their ability to move between the often strict confines of the metal world and the electronic music sphere is on full display throughout No One Deserves Happiness, an album that eludes categorization. More then any of their genre-defying peers, The Body does it without softening their disparate influences towards a middle ground, but instead through a beautiful combining of extremes. No One Deserves Happiness is an album that defies definition and expectations, standing utterly alone.
Buford and King are outliers at their core, observing the world as if apart from it. They strive for music without a category. They embody many contrasts. They are open and playful as well as thoughtful and disciplined. Live, they deliver punishing volume and scale with their spare duo set up, expanding their sound through a complex set of effects on both guitar and drums. For records, they approach things entirely differently and expand their group in the studio to include Seth Manchester and Keith Souza from Machines with Magnets (their long-time studio), as well as Chrissy Wolpert of The Assembly of Light Choir. The list of instruments used on No One Deserves Happiness is an unexpected collection that includes 808 drum machine, a cello and a trombone. The band employs instruments in their unprocessed state for the simple beauty of the sound, and then in equal measure push them to their most extreme (for example, the sounds at the end of “The Fall and the Guilt” are created by a guitar and a cello). Because they create an entirely singular sound, The Body is in high demand for collaborations with artists across the musical spectrum, from The Bug to Full of Hell to The Haxan Cloak and beyond. They build albums that are as lush and dense as a rainforest and as unforgiving.
Creepers is a band from the San Francisco Bay Area that formed in 2010. Originally consisting of Shiv Mehra (Deafheaven) on guitar and vocals and Daniel Tracy (Deafheaven) on drums, the duo performed around the Bay playing their own brand of surreal psychedelic rock. Eventually, they recruited guitarist Chris Natividad (Golden Drugs, Useless Eaters) and bassist Varun Mehra to complete the lineup. Their first LP “Lush” was released on All Black Recording Company in 2014.
In 2016, Andrew Oswald (Recorded Fell Voices, Ash Borer, Black Spiritual, +more) replaced Varun Mehra on bass and Ross Peacock (Mwahaha, Clipd Beaks) was added on synths and electronics. They are currently working on a release slated for 2017.
Astral Blood is a North American black metal band located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The band features Andrew Rasmussen, Joe Waller, Nick Stanger, Brandon Petree, and Ben Fagerness. If you are a fan of Symphonic / Atmospheric Black Metal you will dig our sound. In Dec of 2014 we released our Self titled debut EP through Tridroid Records. We also put out 2 music videos not long after. Currently writing/recording the next record.
The Rhythm Giants are Matt Engler on lead guitar, Joe Magdaleno on bass, Blake Longewayon drums, and singer Zac Johnson. Currently featuring ’90s alt Rock.
The Tins are an indie-rock trio from Buffalo, NY. Spotify/Napster founder, Sean Parker, discovered their standout track, “Green Room,” which currently has 2 million plays on Spotify. The Tins just recorded their sophomore full length with help from Ted Young (Rolling Stones, Kurt Vile, Grace Potter) and Robbie Takac from the Goo Goo Dolls.
Hailing from Chicago, Illinois- Hayley Jordanna, Riley Cavanaugh, Alex Lukawski have redefined the new wave of punk music with their Socratic, anti-establishment punk music as Glamour Hotline.
GUNTHER is an electronic producer recently relocated to Chicago from Boulder, Colorado. He loves to mix chill, break beat melodies with hard hitting, technical baselines. Growing up in Atlanta he drew in a lot of hip-hop influences that can be heard in his tracks today. He recently released his debut album, The Getaway, and has another in the works. GUNTHER is also an Ableton instructor and group organizer, planning and teaching monthly workshops in Chicago.Voted “Favorite Emerging Artist” by The Deli Magazine: Chicago.
LWKY is a live dance music production crew from Chicago, IL. They combine modern electronic music production techniques with classic live instrumentation both on the stage and in the studio. Their dedication to the live recording process creates a unique blend of Blues, Funk, and Soul undertones all played out in the context of dance floor ready Electro-Soul and Future Bass.
COFRESI pushes the boundaries of modern performance and production with a hybrid style and a refreshingly versatile live dj/digital-acoustic drum setup. In the studio, he creates a unique sound that is provocative, melodic & rythmic at it’s core. Live, his sets are full of energy as he showcases a unique ability to incorporate multidimensional digital and acoustic percussion into modern electronic music.
“TOWER bring the party wherever they are.” – High Times
“This is a group who capture the hearts of an entire audience and within seconds have them all dancing on the floor showing what they’ve got. This is a band who bring us back to the foundational beauty of the music and remind us why we got into it in the first place.” – TwoGuysMetalReviews
“Sarabeth’s roar scorches and seduces in the vein of Leather Leone, Janis Joplin or the late great Ronnie James Dio (she did front Holy Diva, after all).” – Slutist.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New York, NY (July 11, 2016) – Raised on a diet of pure 20th century rock, New York City’s TOWER produces a sound many admire, some attempt, and few can pull off.
Featuring members Sarabeth Linden (lead vocals), James Danzo (guitar), Zak Penley (guitar), and Philippe Arman (bass, backup vocals), the band delivers riffs like a newly discovered bolt of old cloth hidden away since the days of Scorpions and Priest, topped with Linden’s vocals which soar through the realm of banshees and angels.
Says the band, “Tower is proud to celebrate The End of a long dry spell for hard rock and metal.”
TOWER is currently putting the final touches on their debut album due out later this year.
The beat hits you in the chest like a jackhammer…your head starts bobbin’…the bass attacks with no mercy…now you wanna’ dance! You look around and people are groovin’ everywhere! You don’t know what’s going on, but it feels good! Don’t be alarmed! It’s a natural reaction to the force of nature called Chip Ratliff & The DirtyBluCrue!!! The band offers fans an unforgettable live experience steeped in the Chicago tradition of a good time!
Throughout the country’s music venues including Chicago’s Navy Pier (Chicago), Buddy Guy’s Legends, California’s Fender Center, and more, people have experienced the colossal low end and tasty grooves that this band dishes out routinely, and with a vengeance! Bassist/vocalist Chip Ratliff and his band is dedicated to not just rehashing classic funk, but to taking his own unique style of Funk, Soul, and Blues to new heights. Fueled by his own original releases, Chip takes his talent, infuses it with the sophisticated funk and showmanship of Prince, the tightness of any one of James Brown’s bands, the grit and excitement of Chicago Blues, the extended live jams of a Parliament-Funkadelic show, combines it into one big pot, and serves it hot!
Every show is different. “The set list is a guideline!” says Chip. “We keep it spontaneous and free flowing throughout. Makes it fun for me, the band, and the audience can feel it! They go on the journey with us. It always comes out good!”
“I just want you to get down and have a good time! If you leave the show happy, exhausted, and wanting more…mission accomplished!”
Seven Kingdoms is a Power Metal / Heavy Metal band from DeLand, FL. Seven Kingdoms has toured all over the world with bands like Powerwolf, Blind Guardian, Windrose, Stratovarius, Evergrey, Amaranthe, Kamelot, Hammerfall, Rhapsody Of Fire, Queensryche, Doro and many more. The band will be supporting the Juno Award Winning, Unleash The Archers in September of 2021 in the USA after a Sold Out Headlining Performance at the Mad with Power Festival in Madison, WI. Visit the band on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more info!
Line-Up: Sabrina Cruz – Vocals Camden Cruz – Guitars Kevin Byrd – Guitars Keith Byrd – Drums
Discography: 2007: Brothers Of The Night 2009: Seven Kingdoms 2012: The Fire Is Mine 2016: In The Walls (EP) 2017: Decennium 2019: Empty Eyes (EP) 2020: The Great Goat Rodeo (single) 2022: Zenith
