Bands - Reggies Chicago - Page 88

ECHOES OF GIANTS

Echoes of Giants began in Columbia, Missouri in 2004 with a simple idea: Wes Bolton and Tracy Thomas decided to make the album they’d always wanted to make.

Or maybe Echoes of Giants started much earlier . . .

Wes and Tracy grew up in the same neighborhood and were both freshman in their high school band in 1994. They found similar musical interests and became fast friends. Throughout high school, they played together in Marching Band, Symphonic Band, and Jazz Band (Wes on trumpet and Tracy on all manner of drums and percussion).

Picture the scene in Tracy’s basement in 1996: Tracy’s grey Tama Swingstar in the corner, Wes’s Strat copy leaning up against a metal folding chair that held a Fender 15 watt practice amp with a channel selector made out of a coat hanger. Nearby, another metal folding chair holding up an old Hoover vacuum cleaner with a karaoke mic taped to the handle. A built-in mic cassette tape recorder in the corner with a pillow on top (to keep the mic from peaking). Early recordings of Foo Fighters and Rage Against the Machine covers probably still occupy a shelf in Tracy’s parents’ basement.

After high school, Wes and Tracy went their separate ways to college but kept in touch. Tracy pursued a degree in Music Education and Performance while Wes studied Civil Engineering, playing in bands on the side. In 2001, Wes’s band was in need of a drummer and Tracy got the call, commuting 3 hours in each direction for several months before relocating to Columbia. The band ended a year later and Tracy moved away to pursue his masters and doctorate in Music. Almost immediately, and despite being 3 hours apart, Wes and Tracy began writing what would become “At the End of Myself.”

“At the End of Myself” was written over a period of several years, under the guise of making an album Wes and Tracy would want to listen to over and over again. Drawing from eclectic influences including 70s Progressive Rock, 80s Pop, 90s Alternative Rock, and many modern bands, Wes and Tracy got together several times a year to work on “At the End of Myself.”

Nearing the end of the writing process, Wes met Rick Kaufmann. As an accomplished bass player with a love for progressive rock, he was a perfect fit and added new life to the sound of Echoes of Giants. With the writing complete, the recording began.

Echoes of Giants enlisted Joey Myers, a very experienced vocalist and former lead singer of Wes and Tracy’s college band, to handle vocal duties. The album was recorded at Wes’s home studio, The Redwing Room. From Tracy’s basement tape recorder to a Tascam 4 Track, Mackie mixer, Aardvark 8 track, and on, Wes had honed his recording skills and upgraded equipment over the years. With the help of close friend and accomplished recording engineer, Brad Jenkins, “At the End of Myself” was recorded, mixed and mastered.

“At the End of Myself” tells a story that almost everyone has experienced at some point in their lives. The main character is someone who has always done what he was supposed to do. He’s valued the things he was taught to value, and that has led him to become a very successful individual in the eyes of the world. However, inside he feels empty and without purpose. His relationships are broken and he feels lost. “At the End of Myself” tells of his journey to find out who he is and what is really important to him.

We all come to the end of ourselves in one way or another. Many people deal with this end by running away. But the hope is that instead, we will find the strength to discover who we are and who we were meant to be.

EYE

The edge of space, where it is the place.

AN ENDLESS SPORADIC

An Endless Sporadic is a progressive rock band founded by Zach Kamins and Andy Gentile in 2004. The progressive duo gained instant success with their first recording Sun of Pearl in 2004, which was featured on the video game, Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland. In November 2007, the track, Impulse, was placed in the video game, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock . In 2008, the track, Anything, was featured on Guitar Hero World Tour and the band won a place in video game history.
An Endless Sporadic gained worldwide success with their 2008 EP release, Ameliorate. During the spring of 2009, An Endlesss Sporadic recorded their first full length CD of original music in Lund, Sweden. Roine Stolt, lead guitarist and vocalist of The Flower Kings, produced the record and Jonas Reingold, bassist for The Flower Kings, played the bass for this endeavor. Three songs from the CD, From the Blue, Point of No Return, and The Triangular Race Through Space are downloadable content for Guitar Hero 5.
The band has played at many landmark Los Angeles venues, including the Viper Room, The Roxy, The Mint and Troubadour. Dream Theater keyboardist, Jordan Rudess, calls An Endless Sporadic, “a wild progressive sonic ride.”
The band took a brief hiatus so that Zach could return to Berklee College of Music where he received his Bachelors in Music with a major in film scoring. An Endless Sporadic has begun to release new music as well as play shows again in the Los Angeles area.

IN THE PRESENCE OF WOLVES

In The Presence Of Wolves is a progressive rock/metal band from the South Jersey/Philly area. Established in 2009 and fully realized in 2012, the 4-piece quickly became a staple in the local prog scene and has performed at such esteemed venues as the TLA, Trocadero, Kung Fu Necktie, and The Legendary Dobbs. Musically, the band combines the composition of classic prog rock with the intensity of modern metal and the finesse of jazz, resulting in a sound that is both music fans of many genres and unique amongst the progressive scene.

LOST WORLD BAND

The way they play classical rock is unlike anyone else, and some of it is outstanding. LOST WORLD was formed by 3 conservatory-trained students in 1990, but their debut album, “Trajectories”, was only released in 2003 by Boheme Music. The trio ( Vassily Soloviev- flute, vocal, guitar; Andy Didorenko – acoustic and electric violin, guitar, bass guitar ; Alexander Akimov – keyboards, programming, sound engineering ) wrote short yet complex and skillfully arranged (featuring flute, violins, acoustic guitar) songs and instrumental tracks.

Their second album, the completely instrumental “Awakening of the Elements”, was released in 2006 by MUSEA. This is classical progressive rock of the highest order, with flute and violin featured prominently. Probably because they are Russian, they sound unlike any of the other prog bands with heavy classical influences, so ther music sounds quite original. These guys can definitely play and write great music.

LOST WORLD cover a variety of styles, with moods ranging from dark and frenetic to gentle, romantic and pastoral. Because the pieces are generally of modest length, it never gets boring. Soft soundscapes change into riffy moments, violin interplays with flute, complex signatures and shifting moods abound. Very good for those who about to be introduced to Russian Prog!

Band website

BRUCE SOORD OF THE PINEAPPLE THIEF

Bruce Soord is perhaps best known for writing, producing and mixing The Pineapple Thief albums. He also recorded, produced and mixed the 2013 release, Wisdom of Crowds.

Recently he has worked on the new Katatonia live release ‘Sanctitude’, providing a stereo and a high resolution 5.1 surround mix. Since then Bruce has been working on more 4 more major 5.1 releases as well as producing and mixing new projects scheduled for release later this year and early 2016. Watch this space for more news.

ABACAB- THE MUSIC OF GENESIS

Formed in July 2015 by five well-seasoned musicians in the Charlotte NC metro area, ABACAB is comprised of vocalist/multi instrumentalist Pete Lents, bassist/rhythm guitarist Cliff Stankiewicz, keyboardist Patrick Raymaker, lead guitarist/bassist Ryan Richard and drummer Jefferson Nunnery. We came together with a common goal…Pay loving tribute to one of the most iconic bands of the 20th century, and bring their music back to the stage where it belongs… From progressive rock pioneers of the 70’s, to pop stadium rock icons of the 80’s, to the multi platinum solo careers…This is the music of GENESIS.

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LUZ DE RIADA

Luz de Riada (Flood’s light), fusion contemporary music band (jazz-rock-folk) founded in july 2010 by Ramses Luna , multi-instrumentalist musician, former member of Cabezas de Cera (Wax Heads – 1997-2011) and since 2013, creator and musical director of Experimental Music Orchestra Taller from Autonomous University of Ciudad de Mexico.

Currently,the band is comprised by two experienced musicians with outstanding career, as bass player Alonso Arreola (Arreola + Carballo, Monocordio and 3Below with Trey Gunn and Michael Manring) y Ramses Luna (Cabezas de Cera and Pascal Gutman Trio), the other members of LdR is conformed by young talented musicians, drummer Abraham Velasco and Emmanuel Pina multi-instrumentalist too

With 7 years of professional experience, LdR has three cd releases called ‘’Tales and Fables, Vol. I, II and III’’, issued in 2011,2013 and 2016 respectively. The band has performed in various concert halls and festivals throughout Mexico, USA, Chile and Argentina, such as CENART’S Blas Galindo Concert Hall (Mexico City), Zocalo (Mexico City), Esperanza Iris City Hall (Mexico City), ICBC’s Amphitheatre (Tijuana), Festival of the Desert (Real de Catorce, S.L.P.), 5th of May International Festival (Puebla), Aguascalientes 439th Anniversary Cultural Festival (Aguascalientes). In 2014, as a IBERMUSICAS’s grant holder presents some shows in Chile and Argentina’s Mexican Embassy (Mexico’s Independence Day). LdR offered some shows in 2016 in USA at Kennedy Center (Washington D.C.), Orion Studios (Baltimore), XXII ProgDay Festival (North Carolina) and University of Columbia’s Concert Hall(Chicago).

KARMAKANIC

Karmakanic kicked off their career in 2002, and now, 14 years, four studio albums and two live albums later, they are back with their fifth full-length album, DOT.
The band’s founder, bassist Jonas Reingold says: “I got my inspiration to start writing DOT when I stumbled upon a text by the famous American author and astronomer Carl Sagan. He was talking about how small and insignificant we are in this vast universe.
Of course that can sound like a cliché and a lot of things have been said about our existence, universe, why are we here, where are we going, when will it end, when did it start, whats the purpose of it all? And so on. But he put it really elegantly in this rather short text, so I never looked at it as a cliché. The inspiration for him was actually a picture of the earth that Voyager 1 took 1990 from the outer areas of our solar system. The earth appeared in the picture as a small pixel, like a pale blue dot suspended in a sunbeam.”
“Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every ‘superstar,’ every ‘supreme leader,’ every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there–on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.” – Carl Sagan

“It´s fascinating to think that this little dot is all we are and all we´ll ever be,” says Reingold. “It gives us perspective. And I think perspective is a great tool for making good choices. Honestly, is it worth fighting over country borders, go to war, choose hate instead of love when you look at life from this perspective? So I decided to write a song about it: ‘God – the universe and everything else no one really cares about’.”
This song, presented in two parts, forms the centerpiece of DOT and clocks in just shy of 30 minutes’ total playing time. Other songs are the short rocker “Steer by the Stars,” co-written with Jonas’s old buddy and colleague from The Tangent, Andy Tillison. Andy also contributes with some roaring Hammond organ on the aforementioned 30-minute epic.
Also featured on the album is “Higher Ground,” a “mini epic” where Jonas writes about his upbringing and the good and bad off growing up in a small Swedish town; and “Traveling Minds,” a majestic symphonic piece that brings us back to the vibe of the Yes classic “And You and I.”

Karmakanic 2016 includes prominent members such as Morgan Ågren, a Grammy-winning musician on both sides of the Atlantic and known from his work with Frank Zappa, Kaipa, Steve Vai, Tony Iommy, Terry Bozzio, and was voted No. 1 in Modern Drummer’s Readers Poll in 2010.
Göran Edman worked with Swedish stringbender Yngwie Malmsteen between 1990-1992, touring the world and recorded the album Fire and Ice and Eclipse.
Lalle Larsson is a leading star on the Progressive Rock scene, having recorded with artists such as Agents of Mercy, Jon Anderson, Gary Willis, and Randy Brecker. He has also released three albums with his own Lalle Larsson´s Weaveworld.

Binding together this fine cast of performers is the artwork of the legendary Hugh Syme, known best for his work on so many of those classic Rush album layouts. With Syme’s unique approach, the current Karmakanic circle is complete.
DOT was mixed and produced by Jonas Reingold, guaranteeing a solid and extremely detailed sonic picture.
As a treat for the fans who pick up the limited edition, there will be over 2 hours and 20 minutes of DVD material, including The Making Of Dot, Karmakanic Live in the US and Interviews with various band members.

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THE TANGENT

The Tangent is a Progressive Rock Band from Northern England. based around keyboards player, composer and idiosyncratic vocalist Andy Tillison Diskdrive. Their music is cinematic and lyrical, full of narrative, often telling stories or making observations about the world we live in – often choosing subject matter more associated with Anarcho-Punk bands than with the genre in which the band choose to base themselves. “No Hobbits or Orcs in our songs” The band have, for 12 years now, released a steady output of well regarded albums through their record label Insideout Music At the time of writing, the band’s eighth studio album “A Spark In The Aether” is just weeks away from release…..

KILLER

Killer is a Belgian heavy metal band founded in 1980. The lead guitarist is Paul Shorty Van Camp.

ARMORED SAINT

Armored Saint was formed in 1982 by brothers Gonzo Sandoval (drums) and Phil Sandoval (guitar), and guitarist David Prichard, while still enrolled at South Pasadena High School. Next to join were singer John Bush and bassist Joey Vera. The band released 3 records on Chrysalis records from 1984 – 1988. In 1989 they released a live EP titled Saints Will Conquer. While writing and recording rough four-track demos for their next album Symbol Of Salvation, guitarist Dave Prichard was diagnosed with leukemia. Prichard succumbed to the disease before recording sessions for Symbol Of Salvation began in 1991. He was replaced by Jeff Duncan. Following the successful Symbol of Salvation tour, John Bush was offered the lead singer position in the thrash metal band Anthrax. Unsure of Armored Saint’s future, Bush accepted the job. The remaining members decided to call it quits and Armored Saint was officially disbanded. In 1999, with Anthrax on temporary hiatus, John Bush and Joey Vera decided to reform Armored Saint. The entire Symbol of Salvation lineup returned to the studio, and in 2000 the album Revelation was released. The following year the band released a compilation of rare demos and live recordings called Nod to the Old School. In 2010 the band released it’s first studio record in 10 years titled La Raza on Metal Blade Records. The band recently released their 7th studio album titled Win Hands Down, which was released on June 2nd 2015.

Discography:
Armored Saint (EP – 1983)
March Of The Saint (1984)
Delirious Nomad (1985)
Raising Fear (1987)
Symbol Of Salvation (1991)
Revelation (2000)
Nod To The Old School (2001)
La Raza (2010)

DJ ADAM DTH (DON”T TRUST HUMANS)

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OUR DAYS END

Music is life, life is metal

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NICK GIBBS

AUSTIN STIRLING

Austin Stirling is a singer and a songwriter with various sounds up his sleeve. Austin is formerly known from touring over the last several years as “The Hangdog Hearts”. Changing direction to embrace variety of what he feels he is capable of doing and branch out. Austin’s venture is to encompass his love of blues, blue grass, old country, and roots music. You will see revolving members in each of his projects where he is the heart and constant core piece. His mesmeric vocals, banjo and guitar can be heard throughout all of his records. In his latest project you will hear an eclectic blend of all the styles where he has written, played and recorded each individual part. Austin works and plays live with a slew of brilliant musicians to bring to life the music he has pumping through his veins.

SCENE OF IRONY

Maurice “Moe” Holmes(vocals), Shaughnessy Denney(bass), Alex Black (drums), Dillon Dunnagan(guitar) Our eligibility for the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame 2029

UK SUBS

With 2016 marking the U.K. Subs’ 40th anniversary; this legendary punk band continues to represent the true spirit of punk rock. Inspired by the Damned at the birth of British Punk, the now equally legendary Charlie Harper formed the Subs out of his then R&B outfit The Marauders, late in 1976.
Starting out as The Subversives, the name was shortened to The Subs and then changed to U.K. Subs, whilst early line-ups merged their high-speed R&B sound into punk.
October 1977 saw Charlie joined by Nicky Garratt on guitar, and it was the Harper/Garratt song writing partnership that would go on to collaborate on the band’s most successful record releases. Through 1977 and 1978 the band played shows all over London including the infamous Roxy punk club, building up a fiercely loyal and sizeable following. Their first ‘recorded’ output was on the ‘Farewell To The Roxy’ LP.
This bought them to the attention of John Peel who was obviously impressed enough to offer to finance their first single. However, City Records ended up releasing their first brilliant single, C.I.D, in September 1978. It became a huge indie number 1 hit. In 1979, they signed to Gem Records and surprised everyone by becoming one of the most consistently and visibly successful punk bands, with seven consecutive UK Top 30 hits between 1979-81 – Stranglehold, Tomorrows Girls, She’s Not There, Warhead, Teenage, Party In Paris and Keep On Running. They also scored two UK top ten albums – Brand New Age and Crash Course – establishing themselves throughout the world with a heavy touring schedule that still continues to this day.
Led by the indefatigable 70 years young Charlie Harper – now venerated as the godfather of UK punk – the band has continued to improve through various line-ups and record companies.
Still touring worldwide, they maintain that true spirit of punk rock continuing to inspire each subsequent generation of fans. There has never been any division of fan and band with the Subs, and Charlie’s unrelenting love of his audience and music shines through. This is something that galvanized listeners of Steve Lamacq’s BBC 6music show to vote them as the most respected of Punk ‘icons’, to win the 2010 Punk World Cup.
2016 saw their eagerly awaited new album ‘Ziezo’ released via an extremely successful ‘PledgeMusic’ campaign, leading to a crescendo of critical acclaim, as they finally completed their quest to be the first band to release their official albums alphabetically A to Z!. The worldwide touring regime has continued apace – including the USA, Europe and Japan as the band continue to entertain and amaze with their powerful live shows.
With a new fabulous line up in place of Charlie, Steve Straughan on guitar, Alvin Gibbs on bass and Jamie Oliver on drums, the U.K. Subs continue to entertain, enlighten and enthuse with blistering recordings and enthralling live shows.
Like a vintage wine – the U.K. Subs just get better and better.

LOWER AUTOMATION

Math and panic punk since 2015

MARSHAN

Marshan is a husband/wife duo that performs improvised based ambient loops. With the help of many kaossilators and unique live instrumentation that includes theremin, saw, oud, microKORG and a slew of world percussion instruments, Marshall and Shannon create atmospheric sounds that are a perfect accompaniment for reading, sleeping or that space where you just want to slow down, relax and let your mind wander.

GRAINSHIFTER

Based out of Chicago, IL, Grainshifter is a hybrid of different musical influences. Combining edgy industrial rhythms, seething guitars, and infectious synthesizers, the GS sound is unlike any you’ve heard before.

YOU, ME, AND EVERYONE WE KNOW

In the song “Eat My Hands,” off You Me And Everyone We Know’s latest EP, Dogged, Ben Liebsch howls, “Desperate times call for a creative spark.” Not only is it a powerful visual, but the line perfectly encapsulates both the inner and outer struggles that’ve plagued Liebsch for much of his life. Five years ago, those struggles nearly caused the singer/songwriter’s demise and it took losing everything—including his band mates, his money and his sanity—to figure out what was truly important and how he could endure without the threat of self-destruction.
“I consider the last few years a penance of the deeds I’d done in the previous couple years,” Liebsch says of his time away from the stage. “But I learned from it, kind of like the old Will Rogers quote: ‘Good judgment comes from experience which comes from bad judgment.’ You can’t learn from not messing up. If you’re able to succeed without failing, then you’re just on a lucky streak.”
Back in 2011, You Me And Everyone We Know appeared to be on the brink of mainstream success. Fans were smitten by the band’s first two independent EPs and it wasn’t long until the D.C. pop-rockers gained a loyal following across the country. Their newfound popularity sparked the interest of Doghouse Records, who released the group’s debut full-length, Some Things Don’t Wash Out, and Liebsch & Co. were soon touring with acts like We Are The In Crowd, and The Ready Set. YMAEWK were playing to packed crowds who couldn’t get enough of the group’s melodic-fueled melancholy—as heard on songs like “Livin’ Th’ Dream” and “A Little Bit More”—and the future looked bright. Unfortunately, Liebsch was keeping a dark secret he couldn’t hide any more.
“Almost four years ago, the band fell apart at the hands of my drinking and mental issues,” Liebsch admits. “Too many times for me to count, I had been less of a man than I planned. Since all that, I came back to Baltimore and did what one does when you don’t have a van to live in anymore. I went home and moved back in with my mom, got a job and started working. The last three years have been me trying every day to be a good person, live a little less in the grey and to get back on my feet and get back up, as far as the band is concerned.”
Today, Liebsch is nearly four years sober and ready to rebuild You Me And Everyone We Know. While he released new music in the years since the band went on an unofficial hiatus, only now is he ready to re-embrace the life of a full-time musician and all of the responsibilities it entails. Up first is a new EP, entitled Dogged, which is slated for release on March 17, 2015, through South X Sea Records. The EP opens with the minute-long rager “Raise Them Bones,” named for a Swamp Thing comic book and tackles the idea that scars heal, but never truly disappear. Next up is “Does It Amaze Thee?,” which is sure to be a fan favorite with its upbeat breakdowns and introspective lyrics about life’s big questions, like how we continue to pick ourselves up when we’re repeatedly knocked down.
“I’m just picking up where I left off. I needed to take time off to figure out who I was and what my motivations were in making music,” Liebsch says of what he hopes to accomplish with You Me And Everyone We Know. “This band and its songs tell the story of my journey—one of an abused alcoholic with a penchant for depression and self deprecation, holding on to his misanthropically optimistic view of the world as he marches ever forward. I guess I’m just trying to show the world who I am, who we all are.”

CITY MOUTH

Combining the energy and hook-laden aggression of pop punk with the quirky sentiments of indie rock, City Mouth cranks out catchy songs that deal with love, heartbreak, sexuality, alcohol, and the anxieties of growing up in the 21st century.

MARIO DI SANDRO

Mario Di Sandro is a Singer-Songwriter originally from Chicago. He’s been writing lyrics ever since he stopped paying attention during class in high school. Amassing a couple hundred original songs in his personal repertoire he set sail for the West Coast in 2011. Now living in San Francisco, he has written hundreds more and has since released 8 studio albums in a short 5 year period and is working on his forthcoming 9th new album, Walk A Mile, which is due out in 2017. Mario draws his songwriting influences from the likes of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Pearl Jam, Wilco and Tom Petty.

YAK

YAK is the sound of clanging metal and friction that returns you the ancient Tibetan Plateau, where lordly beasts of burden roamed among mountains. Recorded ~2 minute versions of selections from our improvisation cycle for the YAK. Magnetized to cassette tape with some lo-fi distortion, digitized and re-amplified to get all that delicious hiss.

SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS “NATURALLY”

Naturally is the second album by American funk band Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, released on January 25, 2005 on Daptone Records.

Band website

ARETHA FRANKLIN ” I NEVER LOVED A MAN THE WAY I LOVE YOU”

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You is the eleventh studio album by American singer Aretha Franklin. Released on March 10, 1967 by Atlantic Records, It went to number 2 on the Billboard album chart and number 1 on the magazine’s Black Albums chart. It was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1967.

Band website

MORDATORIUM

Mordatorium is a death metal band from Chicago, formed in 2007. Drawing heavily from Swedish chainsaw masters and with a dose of Necroticism-era Carcass, Mordatorium takes a classic approach to their sound and are a welcome breath of fresh air in the modern American death metal scene.

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AUTOPILOT

Autopilot’s original sound encompasses a wide range of musical influence while incorporating layers of guitar effects and dynamic drum beats. Unafraid to experiment with sound, the band’s progressive style includes captivating pop hooks, memorable vocal lines, and out of the ordinary touches like a bow used on the guitar.

ADD-2

Since the release of his mixtape Tale Of Two’s City Vol.2 in 2008, Add-2 has managed to captivate his fans imagination as well critics interest with his unique concepts and lyrics all while emerging as one of the most genuine yet unique emcee’s of this new generation. Add-2 has featured on MTVU’s The Freshmen, also had the number 1 video on its top 10 video list, was featured as a Myspace.com Artist of the Week, featured on the top hip hop sites Okayplayer.com, Allhiphop.com, HiphopDX.com, YoRaps.com, Ballerstatus.com, Sixshot.com and many more, all without a manager or a publicist.

JUNO LOSTKAUSE

Lost kause, Known as the “black sheep” of rap

ZVERSE

FROM ANOTHER PLANET

Formed by longtime friends who’ve been creating music together since their early adolescent years, From Another Planet expertly blends melodic metal, post rock, and experimental songwriting into a sound that’s all their own.

EXTINCTION A.D.

Formed in 2013 on Long Island, NY Extinction A.D. are an intense metal band with modern power and frenetic energy. The band have released two full-lengths and two EP’s, and have shared stages with the likes of Obituary, Thy Art is Murder, Havok, Fit For An Autopsy, Testament, Suicidal Tendencies, Exodus, Kvelertak, Cattle Decapitation and more.

So many different worlds shaped this band; from writers like Alan Moore and George Orwell; lyricists like Wreak Havoc and Chuck D; to directors like Tarantino and John Carpenter. But musically, Extinction A.D. hook up a tube of early 90s era of metal into their veins. Not just bands like Machine Head and Pantera, but the often overlooked 90s offerings from Testament, Sepultura and Slayer.

Thrashing just as hard as their predecessors, the band also break their surroundings down and deliver some heavy as hell riotous mosh; hitting that all-important sweet spot mixture of 80s thrash, 90s extreme metal and New York hardcore, all encompassed into one.

Their third full length album “Culture Of Violence” is out now on Unique Leader Records.

NYXX

“My God finally. FINALLY. Get a taste of this decay. [This] is one of those you’ll be hearing more about. NYXX carries herself well, and the cover [of the album] should give you every indication what to expect: excellent vocal carry with a biting sense of reality. …watch what this girl does.”
-DeafSparrow.com

Her name is inspired by the Greek goddess of night. Growing and cultivating in the shadows of Los Angeles, NYXX is the powerhouse idol the music world has been summoning. A professional photographer and visual artist, NYXX is bringing authenticity and consciousness to pop music. Self-described as “goth pop,” NYXX delivers the darker side of glitz with a biting, decayed EBM and industrial influence. She is self-produced, self-taught, and unstoppable.
“Britney Spears meets Nine Inch Nails.”
“A female Rob Zombie.”

However you describe her, NYXX is intriguing, new, and exciting. Bewitching audiences with innate and truly unique vocal performances, she has entered the pop scene through the creepy back alley. Backed by a Kickstarter campaign, NYXX self-released her debut EP, Nightmare, in April 2016. She is currently writing with numerous artists, as well as continuing to collaborate with AESTHETIC PERFECTION’s Daniel Graves.
This summer marks the commencement of the underworld takeover.

SOLAR FAKE

Solar Fake is a German Electro act, formed in 2007 by Sven Friedrich (Zeraphine, Ex- Dreadful Shadows). Their latest album “Another Manic Episode” was released in October 2015 and hit the German album charts (billboard) at #31!

The band played 2 headliner tours in Germany, with most of the shows sold out, many festivals (e.g. Amphi Festival, M’Era Luna, Wave-Gotik-Treffen, Orus Fest in Mexico, E-Tropolis etc.) and they supported VNV Nation, Covenant, Project Pitchfork, Peter Heppner (Wolfsheim) and Camouflage on their tours in Germany and Europe. Besides Germany Solar Fake played in Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, UK, Israel, Russia, Czech, Ukraine and Mexico.

In November the band participated in “Gothic Meets Klassik” where their songs were performed together with the symphonic orchestra of Zielona Gora at Gewandhaus Leipzig.

METHEDRAS

Quintessence of the most direct-in-your-face thrash-death style, Methedras sets among the leading underground Italian bands, a real war-machine which has been able to release few demos and four full length albums during its almost 20-years old activity, as well as have performed hundreds of concerts throughout Europe, many of them in support of big names of the international metal scene, without ever losing an ounce of anger and energy.

Combo formed originally near Milan in 1996 with a double-guitar line-up, the band has changed over the years various members preferring in the end a solid line-up with only one guitar, arriving to a proper own style with no compromise: a sort of derived thrash metal spiced with more typical death metal influences and a deep-growl approach concerning the vocals.

Previously under the flag of Punishment 18 Records, with the well-reviewed album “Katarsis” in 2009, the Italian thrashers released their last effort “System Subversion”, recorded at the superb Domination Studio under the guide of mastermind Simone Mularoni, in November 2014 through the American label Pavement Entertainment

FERVENT ROZE

Getting so confused… and lost… down a path which so many stray. Looking for a breathe as you search. Coming to the point in the road where all you can say is… Convince Me. This is Fervent Roze, we are here to help you.

SWEET ASCENT

From Lawrence, Kansas, Sweet Ascent is a four-piece rock band comprised of Jordan Rebman, Bobby Louden, Jake Dorn, and Allex Wilson. Beginning in 2012, the group has undergone many changes both in membership and style to become the ensemble they are today. From humble basement beginnings, the journey of Sweet Ascent has taken no short cuts. The group has released three 5-track EPs, and although earlier songs tell stories of young love and following dreams, the EP ‘WAR’ was a turning point in style and sound, shaping the band’s future. ‘WAR’ is the journal of a group facing the end of what has been an incredible battle. Its deep lyrics, well thought concept, and newfound rock roots are what held the band together and allowed it to emerge stronger than ever.

2016 has been a great year for Sweet Ascent. Having toured much of the year, the group has managed to set themselves up for a promising next chapter. Earlier this year, the group opened up Journey’s Left Foot Stage at the Bonner Springs Warped tour. Sweet Ascent has always been a band that isn’t focused on the past, rather one that encompasses the present and is always chasing the future. Following their most recent release ‘Overwhelmed’, it’s clear that the group has embraced their future sound and is poised to do incredible things.

COMFORT SCARCITY

Formed in the fall of 2014 Comfort Scarcity is a up and coming hard rock band from Chicago IL. Not wasting any time the guys have already been hitting the area hard with live performances just about every other weekend,studio sessions,and a whole lot of writing. After surviving the trial stage as band and receiving a great response from audiences, it is clear that Comfort Scarcity means business. Expect many performances this Spring/Summer and the first recorded material from the band.

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THE BLEEDING FINGERS

THE BRIGADE

R34L

R34L is the music + art project of sarah hartman and cason trager. they dive into improvisation with a palate of organic and electronic instruments. painting with sounds, they float the listener through a sonic dream world of feelings and images

ZOMBIE MANANA

Zombie Mañana is a 4-piece Indie Electronic/Art Rock band from Chicago, IL.

DYNOHUNTER

DYNOHUNTER is truly a breath of fresh air to the world of electronic dance music. With a sound embraced by fans of house and techno and a live performance fueled by the organic energy of live instrumentation, their music is undeniable on the dance floor. DYNOHUNTER’s ability to blend deep electronic influences with live saxophone, bass, and drums forges a new path in the vast expanse of electronic music.

Their sound journeys from dark tribal meditations, exotic rhythms, and deep hypnotic grooves to hard hitting dance tracks, uplifting melodies, and soulful improvisations. Equally at home playing underground clubs and festival mainstages, DYNOHUNTER brings a relentless and unmatched energy to each and every set.

They’ve opened for some of the biggest names in livetronica including Conspirator, Eoto, Opiuo, Ott, and The New Deal as well as supporting world renowned DJ’s Shpongle, Bonobo, Infected Mushroom, Klingande, and The M Machine. No stranger to the festival community DYNOHUNTER has performed at music festivals across the country including Wakarusa, Summercamp, Joshua Tree, Sonic Bloom, & Great North. With an unparalleled work ethic and a one of a kind performance DYNOHUNTER has established themselves as the livetronica artist to watch.

DYNOHUNTER has set themselves apart from the pack by creating timeless music that speaks to true lovers of dance music. Always paying respect to the artists that have inspired them and paved the way, yet always striving to make music that is contemporary and progressive, a genuine expression of their own unique human experiences and a reflection of the times.

DJ MILE HIGH

Y DOT G DOT

Chicago’s Favorite Nerd !! Artist / Event & Mixtape Host / Creator Of #Antichiraq Movement

SKEE FRANCHISE

Skee Franchise hails from Chicago’s historical yet notorious Englewood neighborhood. Skee entered the music industry in early 2005 but took a long hiatus to focus on other business ventures. In 2006, he began promoting exclusive concerts, celebrity events & some of the top nightclubs in Chicago, Las Vegas, Houston & Miami.

In the interim of his hiatus, Skee also released several prior mixtapes which includes, ‘The Voice of Englewood Trilogy: Vol. 1-3.’ This noted mixtape was hosted by some of Chicago’s hottest DJ’s. The list includes Sean Mac, DJ Pharris & DJ V Dub.

The new project, ‘Skee Since 96’ documents his rise in the city’s street ranks, financial hardships to financial gain & more. The first single off of this EP, “Run It,” tells a story of an OG who’s here to stay. It showcases how “new cats on the block” try to come for his spot when in fact, he’s been in the game and doesn’t tolerate the attack of his throne. Ultimately, the young, new cat meets his own demise.

The second single slated to release next week, “Thumb Thru Em” is a track that will have listeners really wondering if they are in deed on the level of financial stability that many others pretend to be on!

When asked who influenced him musically, Skee states that legends Tupac & Jay-Z definitely paved the way. Some of his other inspirations come from R&B King, R. Kelly, Young Jeezy, Fabolous & Yo Gotti. Not only is Skee Franchise an artist, but the name also represents a brand. A brand that also encompasses individuality & style. Skee Franchise describes himself as an artist that has street-based style, someone who is informed & educated but not detached. He also believes that having big dreams and working to fulfill them can lead to wealth whilst having a street mentality but a business mindset.

The latest project is being released on Skee’s own record label, The Fraternity Inc Records. When asked where he sees his label within the next 5 years, he states that the label WILL be the biggest label in the Midwest & one of the biggest in the nation. So stay in tune with the movement, you never know what’s next!

BARDO

Bardo is an enigmatic musician and producer who set his sights on reaching the upper echelons of music and nothing will persuade him to alter what he considers his predestined plan. Armed with undeniable talent and a ridiculous work ethic, Bardo spends most of his days creating complex arrangements that satiate his fans’ desire for authentic, well-produced music. Bardo understands that creating music is a gift. He considers it a timeless craft he was born to squeeze every ounce of passion from. Music feeds his soul and he plans to deliver on the promise he made to himself a long time ago—to put everything he has into his music and to share this gift with the world.

Bardo’s love for music started long before he could identify a chord progression or a guitar riff. He recalls his parents exposing him to British phenom, Omar, and such American artists as The Roots and a Tribe Called Quest, when he was very young. He first started writing rhymes to test his skills at the age of twelve and knew he was onto something good. While in high school, he would spend hours freestyling, filling notebooks with lyrics and arranging music. By then, his soul was set ablaze.

JOSH K

POWER TRIP

Power Trip slay us with the first new single “Firing Squad” from their anxiously awaited sophomore release Nightmare Logic, which finally sees light February 24 on Southern Lord. “Firing Squad” debuted via NPR who’ve described it as possessing “a certain monolithic quality Lemmy would admire: a massive rawness and a sludgy, heavy hopelessness that thrashes with punk immediacy and metal intricacy…it’s a track preparing for war.”
Power Trip are a real band – like no other. Their raw energy, musical proficiency, perfect song structure, rich tones, fierce riffs, persecution and collective attitude has seeded them as one of the most prolific underground staples in the U.S. metal, punk and hardcore scenes.
Power Trip have relentlessly toured the world for years now with the likes of Anthrax, Lamb Of God, Cro-Mags, Negative Approach, Turnstile, Backtrack, Eyehategod, Bane, Off! and having performed with literally countless others, in addition to pummeling audiences at major festivals all over the US, EU and beyond.

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LAST FANTASTIC NASTY

Your favorite Regressive Rock band

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XMARSX

A side projects of Liquid Soul’s Mars Williams. It’s a free jazz project that sounds like something fans of modern jazz will want to try out.

“XMARSX runs the absolute gamut with their rock-noise-improv-electric-funky-no-wave-jazz-punk, there’s a unified focus to their sensibility. Along with Williams, guitarist Greg Suran (Goo Goo Dolls, Blue Man Group, Slam), drummer Dave Suycott (Machines Of Loving Grace, Stabbing Westward, Slam), and Kent Kessler (Vandermark 5, NRG Ensemble, Brotzmann Tentet) comprise the potent nucleus of XMARSX. Additional contributions from Williams’ longtime associate, cellist Frederick Longberg-Holm (Terminal 4, Witches & Devils, NRG, Brotzmann) adds both color and nuance to this capable ensemble.

Mars Williams is an open-minded musician, composer and educator who commutes easily between free jazz, funk, hip-hop and rock, Mars has played and recorded with The Psychedelic Furs, Billy Idol, Massacre, Fred Frith, Bill Laswell, Ministry, Power Station, Die Warzau, The Waitresses, Kiki Dee, Pete Cosey, Billy Squier, DJ Logic, Wayne Kramer, John Scoffield, Charlie Hunter, Kurt Elling, Swollen Monkeys, Mike Clark, Jerry Garcia, Naked Raygun, Friendly Fires, The Untouchables, Blow Monkeys and virtually every leading figure of Chicago’s and New York City’s “downtown” scene.

FIREWORKS FOR BUDDAH

Fireworks for Buddha is the first collection of music from singer/songwriter and US Army Veteran Shawn Kellner…4 pillars are Love Hope Family and Music

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FLEW THE COOP

After the stars aligned in the friendly confines of the Old Town School of Folk Music, Flew the Coop is now proudly in its 2nd year as a Chicagoland blues/rock cover band. Flew the Coop brings you good times and good tunes with a wide variety of musical influences covering Led Zeppelin, Freddie King, Gov’t Mule, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Ray Charles, Chris Stapleton, Koko Taylor, and many more. With sweet guitar licks from Mike, Rob tickling the ivories, Zack slappin’ the bass, Hauk dominating the drums, and the unique, gritty, and soulful vocals from Emily, Flew the Coop will get you movin’ and keep the party groovin’. They’d love to make YOU a part of the #CoopTroop, their growing fan club!

THE VEGABONDS

A brand of Rock N’ Roll heavily influenced by Southern Rock and modern rock for a sound that is both parts familiar and fresh; a mix that always satisfies fans and listeners.

THE MIGHTS

The Mights arose in 2016 from the ashes of the great Chicago ones that came before them – who paved the way for What Might Be. But alas, Brothers and Sisters, most failed to listen. Warnings fell upon deaf ears. Now the time has come for the message to be heard. Andrew lays the foundation, Sean and Erik shine the light, and Dave carries the message. The message is an invitation. All are invited, but only those who are Wide Awake will see the door. As a laser pierces the fog, so too will the message travel – farther and farther – never losing focus, never losing intensity – until it has traveled around this earth, and then again and again and again. And like the laser beam, free from the grasp of earthly gravity, but bent by space and time, the message will travel far, Brothers and Sisters – it will travel as far as the farthest reaches of our universe, and then farther still into what lies beyond. It takes five seconds, five seconds of decision, five seconds to realize your purpose here on the planet. It takes five seconds to realize that it’s time to move, it’s time to get down with it. Time is a slippery thing, Brothers and Sisters: Lose hold of it once, and its string might sail out of your hands forever. You must decide. Only then, Brothers and and Sisters, only then, will you see, will you hear, will you feel: All That Might Be.

ASTRONOID

Astronoid is a five-piece band from Boston, MA with influences ranging from Devin Townsend and Mew to Alcest and Cynic. Their first full length album, being released by Blood Music in 2016, is part of an evolving experience that complements their two acclaimed EP’s from 2012-13, “Stargazer” and “November”. The driving rhythms, subtle time signatures and soaring vocal harmonies combine to create an auditory cloud to lift you into the ether. There’s always something new to discover hidden within the dense layers of thrashy guitar riffs and euphoric vocals. Lyrically, the record conveys a disillusioned and hopeful view of the world as a whole.

THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN

Arthur Brown first came to prominence in swinging London in 1967, after spending some time on the Paris underground scene Arthur was quickly signed to Track Records at the instruction of The Who’s Pete Townshend and released the single Devils Grip, regarded by some as the record that gave the birth of Heavy Metal.

Arthur is best thought of for his 1968 Number one single Fire that still gets regular airplay all over the world and has been covered by the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Die Krupps, The Prodigy and The Who.

Arthur’s next band Kingdom Come performed as the main act at the first filmed Glastonbury Festival in 1971 and in 1973 Kingdom Come was the first band to release an album using a Drum Machine.

Artists such as Peter Gabriel, Alice Cooper and Bruce Dickenson site Arthur Brown as a major influence on them and in this Arthur’s fifth decade in music the fire is far from out.

Arthur’s most recent album Voices Of Love had major critical acclaim and Arthur received the Classic Rock magazine showman of the year award.

Arthur Brown Time lines

# 1965 – Released the ‘You Don’t Know’ single as a flexi for Reading university

# 1966 – Arthur was a musician in Paris formed the Arthur Brown Set and scored some of the soundtrack to the Peter Fonda film The Game is Over.

# 1967 – the Crazy World Of Arthur Brown is formed Arthur released the single Devils grip, was a resident at the UFO and Middle Earth clubs sharing the bill with Pink Floyd, Soft Machine and Fairport Convention to name a few as well being one of the stars of the 14 Hour Technicolor Dream at Alexandra Palace.

# 1968 – Released Debut album and No1 single Fire Arthur was a world wide superstar.

# 1969 – The Crazy World split, Arthur turns down the offer of being the lead singer for a new band being put together by Jimi Hendrix

# 1970 – Kingdome Come form in the Dorset town of Puddletown, the band is initially called Puddletown Express.

# 1971 – Kingdome Come release debut album Galactic Zoo Dossier and headline Glastonbury filmed by Nick Rogue for a cinematic film Glastonbury Fayre

# 1972 – Second Kingdome Come album released

# 1973 – Kingdome Come makes history with the album Journey first rock album to use a drum machine.

# 1976 – Chisholm in my Bosom Arthur’s first solo album with Andy Dalby, Phil Curtis and Vincent Crane all performing.

# 1977 – Dance Arthur’s second album with a different band on every track, the album was launched at Ronnie Scotts Jazz club, that night Simon Drake then a rep for Decca also started his career as a magician.

# 1978 – Arthur tours with Klaus Schulz and records the Dune and Klaus Schulz Live album.

# 1979 – Arthur re united with Vincent Crane record the Faster than the Speed of Light album. Arthur re locates to Texas.

# 1981 – Arthur goes electronic with Requiem and Speak No Tech and the single Busha Busha is a hit on the new MTV television network.

# 1989 – Brown Black and Blue Arthur makes a rock and roll album with his good friend Jimmy Carl Black of the Mothers of Invention.

# 1993 – Arthur tours the UK for the first time in years to a fantastic response releases the album Order From Chaos recorded live at the Marquee.

# 1998/99 – Arthur starts touring with an acoustic band for the first time inc a major UK tour with Tim Rose. http://www.arthurbrownmusic.com launches.

# 2000 – Arthur records the Tantric Lover album regarded by many as his best work in years, Arthur also returned to the Glastonbury Festival

# 2002 – Arthur tours with Robert Plant to great reaction, Arthur also becomes the lead singer for Hawkwind for 2 tours.

# 2005 – Arthur was recognized for his lifetimes work by a special show headlining the Astoria in London. This concert saw Arthur re united with Kingdom Come as well as playing an acoustic set and performing the Fire suite in full. From this Arthur earned the showman of the year award from Classic Rock magazine.

# 2006 – Arthur tours the USA and Canada

# 2008 – Arthur Brown and Nick Pynn release the Voices of Love album

# 2009 – Arthur plays shows with Mark Jackson of White Noise and tours the UK with a new band opening for Hawkwind at many large venues.