Since their formation in 2014, Uada’s rise has been meteoric. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, the band quietly released their debut album, Devoid of Light in 2016 through and word of mouth quickly built from there: here was BLACK METAL writ large, classic and uncompromising but brimming with power, soul, and artistry, and all without bluster and bathos. Uada’s debut album surely expanded the lexicon of the melodic black metal idiom, and the underground took notice.
Two years later came Cult of a Dying Sun, whereby the band further perfected their craft and compellingly took to the stage, their performances garnering as much acclaim as their recordings. During all this, more than the underground started to take notice; the name Uada was on the tongues of folks usually reticent to black metal.
In 2020, almost effortlessly, Uada fully perfect their craft and delivered Djinn. Simply titled but by no means simple in construction nor execution, Djinn builds upon the increasingly ambitious songwriting of its no-less-considerable predecessor, but pushes their dazzling artistry into nearly Technicolor landscapes of the Beyond.
Die Kreuzen vocalist Daniel Kubinski and his band “The Crosses” play the self titled Die Kreuzen LP from start to finish and favorites from the “October File” LP. Daniel Kubinski: (Die Kreuzen, DeadFinger, FuckFace, Decapitado) Vocals Jim Potter: (Dr Shrinker Viogression Feck) Guitars Joe Sanfelippo (Population Control Astrokadaaver) BassJesse Sieren: (Big Laugh, Dislocation Drums
The Rumpke Mountain Boys combine signature vocals, a unique command of string instruments (acoustic guitar, mandolin, upright bass and banjo) and dynamic special effects into a singular musical experience. An emotion filled musical stream of consciousness with no setlist, minimal structure, and intuitive improvisational flow. In this way, they summon the energy of the crowd as their guide in linking just the right music to precise moments in time.
Grateful Dead Hour host David Gans proclaimed, “One of the things I love about the Rumpke Mountain Boys is that there’s a fundamental honesty in their presentation. This is something they share with my other heroes, Donna the Buffalo and the Grateful Dead. They don’t make set lists ahead of time, they don’t rehearse their songs to a fare-thee-well– they perform in real time. All four of them write, which is very important, and they draw songs from a tremendous variety of sources… being a musician is a life-long learning experience, if you’re doing it right, and they are.”
Like playing around a campfire, the Boys take turns calling the next tune, distilling shows from a sea of infinite notes created from years of jamming. Drawing upon a growing catalog of originals and and an ecclectic mix of covers, the Rumpke Mountain Boys blend music like a fine Irish whiskey– the result affectionately dubbed Trashgrass. The Boys titled their 2012 album release with the same name, followed by their 2013 release, Moon, which was recorded at the famed Royal Studios in Memphis. The latest studio release, “High Time, Low Tide” is available mid-January.
2015 was outstanding for the string quartet. The Boys played festivals from coast to coast to ever growing audiences including Northwest String Summit and John Hartford Memorial Fest, while forging new ground throughout the west and east coasts including their first New York city show. Finishing up the year with two stellar highlights, their own Snuggleween and the Rumpke Mountain Boys New Years Eve Ball in their hometown of Cincinnati.
2016 promises to be even better, with extensive touring in support of the new album and the best festival lineup yet. Keep your ear to the ground because the Rumpke Mountain Boys are rolling into a town near you!
Grateful Dead Hour host David Gans proclaimed, “One of the things I love about the Rumpke Mountain Boys is that there’s a fundamental honesty in their presentation. This is something they share with my other heroes, Donna the Buffalo and the Grateful Dead. They don’t make set lists ahead of time, they don’t rehearse their songs to a fare-thee-well– they perform in real time. All four of them write, which is very important, and they draw songs from a tremendous variety of sources… being a musician is a life-long learning experience, if you’re doing it right, and they are.”
Like playing around a campfire, the Boys take turns calling the next tune, distilling shows from a sea of infinite notes created from years of jamming. Drawing upon a growing catalog of originals and and an ecclectic mix of covers, the Rumpke Mountain Boys blend music like a fine Irish whiskey– the result affectionately dubbed Trashgrass. The Boys titled their 2012 album release with the same name, followed by their 2013 release, Moon, which was recorded at the famed Royal Studios in Memphis. The next album is currently being recorded and will be released later this year.
2014 was outstanding for the string quartet. The Boys played festivals from coast to coast to ever growing audiences including Suwannee Springfest, Northwest String Summit, Phases Of the Moon, Dark Star Jubilee, John Hartford Memorial Fest, and Jammaica. Finishing up the year with two stellar highlights, their own Snuggleween and the Rumpke Mountain Boys New Years Eve Ball in their hometown of Cincinnati.
Aurora’s Premier Reggae Rockers… Dabylon is a work in progress that has matured over the past ten years. Made up of a mixture of family members and long time friends from the West Side of Aurora. Check out homegrown Aurora talent at its finest.
Chris Bolint is an instrumental hard rock guitarist from the Chicago Area. Since releasing his debut album, Embers Alive (2015), the 29 year old former Berklee College of Music student has garnered both regional and national praise for it. His music is both melodic and moving and is considered a guitar player’s guitar player. He is currently being played on 70 + radio stations across the country and is featured in the current issue of Relix Magazine on their coveted CD Sampler. Chris has also appeared and performed live on Chicago’s WGN Radio as well as been featured by Guitar World Magazine. Having been consistently performing as a solo act around Chicago over the last year, he recently has assembled a full band to play with, which includes a star studded cast of Chicago area musicians including, Barry Kleiber, Bass (T.D.Clark), Brian McKenna, Rhythm Guitar (T.D. Clark), Billy Cox, Rhythm Guitar (The Fall Four), and Trevor Warren on Drums. Take it from WGN Radio’s Nick Digilio who exclaimed “You gotta see this guy!”
Atonement Theory is Jay Jancetic’s “solo” work. Debut EP to be released this spring on IDefy Records. Live performances will also be coming soon.
I began my musical endeavors around the age of 16 playing in several Buffalo, NY based Straight Edge Hardcore bands before re-locating to Chicago Illinois where I joined the band Extinction.
I later went on to join Arma Angelus and have since been in several bands such as Stabbed By Words and Holy Roman Empire before taking a long needed brake from touring and playing in a steady band.
During that time, I began writing music and conceptualizing what I felt was music that perfectly embodied all of the elements I like best about music, as well as something that represented my emotions. Something that was heavy, dark and brooding, yet melodic.
I am also currently guitarist for Metal/Hardcore band Harm’s Way.
J. Navarro & the Traitors began as a conversation between Jay Navarro (The Suicide Machines, Break Anchor, Hellmouth) and Eric Abbey (1592) about music that they had always played and never played together. From sharing the stage together in the early 1990s and 2000s they wanted to write and play music that they loved. So they took the idea and started writing, focusing on the reggae and Two-Tone sound that had been missing from the Detroit scene. With four songs written they needed a band. Together they ran down the list of musicians they knew and found the best ones for the job. Ken Haas (Polka Floyd, Reverend Guitars), joined on lead guitar, Scott Vesey (Trace the Veins) joined up on bass, and Jason Millbauer (Bad Assets) joined in on drums. Together they created the type of music that Navarro and Abbey heard in their heads and the band was born. A collection of songs that showcases the feeling of Detroit and the struggles going on throughout the world are showcased on their debut release. Come out to a show and dance all night. Cheers!
Pilfers are a legendary band out of New York City that play an infectious, unique sound that blends pop, reggae, hardcore, dub, punk, and ska. Their sound, dubbed “raggacore” features the talents of lead vocalist Coolie Ranx, guitarist/vocalist Nick Bacon, drummer James Blanck, bassist Ben Basile, and trombonist/keyboardist Billy Kottage. Pilfers are well known and loved for their intense live performances that encourage constant crowd participation. Followers of Pilfers have been affectionately named “Pilfers Crew.”
Formed in 1997, Pilfers has toured internationally with the likes of Bad Brains, Zebrahead, Reel Big Fish, the Specials, Madness, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Amazing Royal Crowns, Mustard Plug, and Goldfinger. Pilfers released two albums including a self-titled full-length and Chawalaleng (Mojo Records). In the summer of 2001, the band broke up over various differences. Since 2005, the original line up has come together for several sold out reunion shows along the East Coast for their devoted fans.
In 2013, Pilfers hit the road with Reel Big Fish making new fans across the U.S. and Canada. The strong demand for more from their Pilfers Crew and their love for playing intense live shows has them hitting the road more frequently. Pilfers are currently recording new songs for an upcoming full-length album. Stay tuned for big t’ings to come!
Five Iron Frenzy first formed in 1995 with vocalist/lyricist Reese Roper, former bassist Keith Hoerig, guitarist Micah Ortega, and lead songwriter Scott Kerr. They soon added Dennis Culp on trombone, Andrew Verdecchio on drums, Leanor Ortega-Till on saxophone, Nathanael Dunham on trumpet, and Sonnie Johnson on guitar. They gained national exposure with the songs, “Oh, Canada” (Our Newest Album Ever!, 1997) and “Where the Zero Meets the Fifteen” (Upbeats and Downbeats, 1996). Up until they disbanded in 2003, the band entertained audiences with spirited, interactive shows, sometimes in full costume. They announced their reunion in 2011 with the release of their free single, “It Was a Dark and Stormy Night.”
Fans’ enthusiastic response to Five Iron’s return is a testament to the lasting impact of their music and message. The self-described undead band is excited to make waves in the digital age with genre-pushing new work.
»radiant devices« draw upon a wide range of genres and sources with an emphasis on art rock, downtempo electronic, and industrial / found instruments aesthetics. Distressed guitar riffs are layered on top of groove-heavy bass lines and downtempo synths, then punctured by textured electronic beats and metal percussion rhythms. The compositions are often built on contrasts of harsh, noise driven sections paired with mellow melodic passages; where as, minimal arrangements are contrasted with dense rhythms and undeniable punk energy.
Judas Rising is Joe Martina – vocals: x- Damien Thorne & x-Sin After Sin, Scott Davidson – Drums: Stonehenge, Heaven & Hell, x – Earthen Grave & x Wet Animal, Neven Trifunovich – Guitars: Rival, Cover Dogs, MST & x Sin After Sin, Briant Daniels – Guitars: x Sin After Sin & Kevin Cobleigh – Bass: Wicked Soul & Cover Dogs
Naughty Professor is a forward thinking music endeavor pioneered by six young musicians from around the country, now anchored in New Orleans, Louisiana. Formed in 2011, the band’s mission was to embody the jazz-influenced party culture of the Big Easy in a constantly evolving, high energy funk/soul outfit. Naughty Professors’ live performances, which weave together complex compositions and loose individual improvisation, quickly commanded the attention of many notable musicians in town, including George Porter Jr., Galactic, and The Revivalists. With fresh recorded material in the works and a rigorous tour schedule planned for 2016 and beyond, Naughty Professor is poised to soon become the next household name associated with the echelon of New Orleans music.
Naughty Professor has shared the stage with artists such as Galactic, Snarky Puppy, Victor Wooten, Rebirth Brass Band, Fitz and the Tantrums, The Revivalists, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Papadosio, George Porter Jr., The Soul Rebels, and many more
Northwest Indiana-based progressive-powerpop band stop.drop.rewind has never shied away from innovation. The Midwest power trio combines the energy and spirit of pop-punk with the colors and improvisational elements of jazz and soaring intricacies of progressive rock to bring forth a sound that is as unique as it is listenable, and as likely to produce a thoughtful discussion as it is a raucous sing-along. They have brought their energetic live show to venues across the Midwest and beyond, playing in 13 US states and completing multiple tours to Texas to play SXSW, all while sharing the stage with the likes of Real Friends, Hawthorne Heights, Secondhand Serenade, The Misfits, The Spill Canvas, and many others. The band has received regional radio play across Chicagoland and surrounding areas with their 2019 singles “Words in Scary Stories” and “Floating Stone,” and the music video for their latest release “Space Force” gained over 100k views on Facebook. Stop.drop.rewind is currently in the studio working on self-releasing an EP that includes the singles they released last year. FFO: Say Anything, Motion City Soundtrack, Ludo, Weezer
Formed in 1996, Shining is a Swedish Extreme band that incorporates many doom metal elements in the music. Due to the depressive undertones of their music and the mostly suicide-themed lyrics, Shining’s music is often referred to as “suicidal black metal” although the band themselves would point out that they are not a Black Metal band.
MoonToweR is Chicago’s premier and only “Van Rock” band.
Formed in late 2013 as “Ignition Control”, they have quickly moved up the food chain. They’ve shared the stage with local favorites The Handcuffs and I Love Rich and opened for international acts Wild Adriatic, Stupidity and Blue Coupe. Their song “Tomahawk” has received airtime on rock radio station 105.5 The Kat.
Their music and professionalism has made them a go-to band for bookings at many of Chicago’s most popular music venues.
With original music that’s a unique blend of classic and hard rock, blues and metal, as well as a refreshing list of cover tunes for flavor, MoonToweR is bringing a sound, feeling and vibe that has long been missing back the local scene. All together this four piece has 30 years of stage experience and is thrilled to be bringing the party-on good times soundtrack we call “van rock” to all of you.
A Mexican rock n roll band from Chicago. With layers of psychedelic sounds,bluesy licks and heavy riffs, combined withspanish and english lyrics, you can hear and feel all the influence from each of the band members mixing all into one and one into all. This band was officially formed on 2012 and going thru different changes since the original line up. Always ready to rock and ready to roll!
The Midwest’s #1 Pink Floyd show!
“If you’re looking for just ‘some cover band’ to see, this is not the show for you.
If you’re looking for the MOST complete live Pink Floyd experience, then I suggest you step right up.
Not content just playing note-perfect versions of your favorite Floyd tunes, In The Flesh has it all:
the songs, the performances, the visuals, and the energy”
– WIRE
Medicine Bear and the Herbal Remedies seeks to remind our audience of its close connection to nature and to each other. Consciously written poetic lyrics invoke the wisdom, shared by all non-parasitic creatures, of how to live at peace with the earth which sustains us, and how to have compassion for one another. Tranquil melodies and intentional harmonies conjure a similar sense of well-being to that achieved when immersed in abundant and beauteous natural landscapes.
Medicine Bear and the Herbal Remedies is a trio of artists/community members each bringing an essential aesthetic element to our music, and each equipped with complementary strengths contributing toward community organizing and event planning. Musically, Jerry lays the foundation with a guitar style that blends early blues and West African harp playing, and a vocal quality that is sincere and emotive; Tzippy brings to that her passion for traditional music of South Eastern Europe shared through multiple instruments and singing; Katie has the sensitivity and versatility to blend the merging styles with acumen, through both vocal harmonies and violin.
Our raw and pure sound draws on folk traditions from around the globe, yet the outcome is unmistakably contemporary. This balance invites people with diverse sensibilities to feel close to our music due to its familiarity, while being intrigued with its newness. Active engagement with the earth and in community informs our voice, and recognizing music as one of the most unifying forces we revel in the experience of creatively exploring these ideals through this medium.
Heffron Drive is Kendall Schmidt and Dustin Belt.Happy Mistakes: Unplugged is Heffron Drive’s newest album, an entirely acoustic rendition of their breakout release Happy Mistakes. HM:U harnesses the rich qualities of Kendalls voice and overall sound of the band. Heffron Drive recorded, engineered, produced and played everything on Happy Mistakes: Unplugged proving that the duo is more than what meets the ear. Happy Mistakes: Unplugged will be available worldwide through all digital retailers on April 28th, 2015.
Heffron Drive was formed in Burbank, CA in 2008 by Kendall Schmidt and Dustin Belt. Both originally from Wichita, KS, the duo met on the street “Heffron Drive” where they quickly became friends and began making music together. Shortly after creating the band, Kendall booked the Nickelodeon/Columbia Records television show “Big Time Rush”. Dustin became the touring guitarist for the band, and they two spent nearly 5 years on the road with that band. Now on indefinite hiatus with BTR, Heffron Drive was revived and the two are in full force promoting it.
Jay Vonn is an Americana/Folk musician from NW Illinois who wanders the country in an old Toyota camper. A writer of songs since he knew how to talk, he has played all over the Midwest as well as to audiences in New Orleans, Nashville, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Texas, Arizona, and probably some other places as well. Coming soon to a town near you!!!
Sunshine Root was born in Chicago, Il. His whole life he has moved from place to place. He Went to High School in Colorado at Boulder High School, than transfered to September School. His whole life he has been around music, getting his first guitar when he was 6 years old. He has always loved the Grateful dead and Everything they stand for. The grateful dead and their music have changed his life forever more. Always searching for the simpler things in life through love and music. When he turned 21 he started really pursuing his music, and now plays all over Illinois, Colorado,and many other states. “Life is not about what you do but how you do it. stay beautiful world”
A group of eccentric individuals working together to find enlightenment through music. pooling inspiration from classic rock, blues, psychedelic, soul, blue grass and many other styles.
The Braver Days are a punk rock band based out of Chicago IL, that was formed by three friends in 2012. The band draws influence from the So-Cal skate punk bands of the 90’s
Chicago Native Artist KAMI, most recently released his freshman project titled, “Just Like The Movies,” earlier this year. As one of the original creators of the Savemoney collective, KAMI joined forces with the likes of Vic Mensa, Chance the Rapper, Joey Purp and Towkio to create a movement in Chicago to showcase the diversity in the Chicago Rap Scene. KAMI’s unique outlook on the world, and an in depth ability to express that view through his music separates him from any of his peers and creates a lane of his own in the industry.
VEECEE
THE INDIGOS
The Indigos is an Indigroove rock band from Muncie, IN. They originated from a recording project lead by Producer Patrick Weaver who asked lead singer and songwriter Matt Mellen to record one of his songs titled “In Eternity”. During the session Patrick introduced Matt to drummer and songwriter Matas Olsauskas. After a 3-hour studio session they decided to start a band with accompanying guitarist Brandon Brookshear.
Over the next year the band recruited, rehearsed, and performed under the name I, The Indigo. After going through almost a dozen musicians they solidified their ensemble of 8 members, including keyboard, multiple vocalist, and a full horn section. The Indigos style combines the music of rock, indie, modern pop, jazz, groove, alternative, and blues music. Their sound continues to evolve as the band and members themselves evolve.
The name The Indigos comes from the idea of being Indigo, or those from a generation who are more in touch with their higher selves. They are able to identify their dreams and desires, pursue, and then help others do the same. We always strive to spread the joy of music and love wherever we go, and include all of those who want to be apart of this amazing experience.
We like to say our genre is “Indigroove” because of its groovy roots meshed with our collective rock ‘n’ roll influences. Already the size of a baseball team and working on becoming a football team, we have depth of diversity with a central focus on creating our unique brand of music so that our fans can get in, get in the groove.
Formed in 2003, Ne Obliviscaris (pronounced; Nay Ob-li-vis-kar-is) hit the live scene February, 2006 to widespread critical acclaim throughout Australia with many hailing their unique sound, intense live shows and talented line-up.
A 6 piece metal band consisting of violin, 2 guitars, bass, drums, clean and extreme vocals; Ne Obliviscaris hail from Melbourne, Australia, and include a vast array of influences within their sound from progressive to black, thrash, death and melodic metal, and even western art music, jazz and flamenco. Creating music of many extremes, and with compositions often exceeding ten minutes in length, Ne Obliviscaris is at times very technical and complex and at others simple and subtle, creating an extremely original brand of metal that defies normal categorisation.
Some people go a lifetime without knowing their mission in life, without feeling they have true calling, and without knowing why they even do what they do. Nahko is not one of them. And that calling and mission has never been clearer than it is on Nahko and Medicine for the People’ s third fulllength album, HOKA (SideOneDummy Records). On H OKA , Nahko’s voice is strong. His mission is clear. The mandate has been thrown down. “Hoka is a Lakota word, an indigenous tribe from the Great Plains, it is a call to action. It’s what Crazy Horse would say when he went into battle, ‘Hoka, hey!’ My call is to put action to the words that I speak and the lyrics I sing. Not just to talk, but to do,” says Oregonborn singer/songwriter Nahko, who is of Puerto Rican, Native American (Apache), and Filipino descent. “This is the soundtrack of the movement for a better planet,” he continues. “I want to challenge myself and others to make a change.” “Hoka,” which is the intro to the first track, “Directions,” is one of the album’s many song intros used as a way to round out the storytelling on the tracks. “On this intro, my uncles are chanting the lyrics to ‘Directions’ in Lakota, and the three female voices include a clairvoyant, an astrologer, and a friend who all had important messages for me that are a big part of my story,” he explains. It’s been three years since the Los Angeles, California based Nahko and Medicine for the People’s last record, D ark As Night . That release reached No. 4 on Billboard’s Top Alternative New Album, No. 6 on the Heatseekers album chart, No. 36 on the Top Independent Album chart, and No. 7 in Australia on Triple J’s Top 10 Roots Albums of 2013. Nahko and Medicine for the People gathered more members of their global tribe of likeminded fans as they spread their powerful and impactful musical message on tour with such acts as Michael Franti, Xavier Rudd, SOJA, and Trevor Hall, and on festivals including Outside Lands, Electric Forest, Wanderlust, Bumbershoot, California Roots Music Festival, Byron Bay Blues & Roots Festival, and many more. Critics have praised the group’s worldly blend of rock, hiphop, and altfolk. OC Weekly called the group which also includes Chase Makai (lead guitar), Justin Chittams (drums), Pato (bass and kora),Tim Snider (violin) and Max Ribner (horns), “empowering” and “powerful. “The Huffington Post called D ark As Night “beautiful and stirring,” and compared Nahko to Bob Marley and a “musical prophet.”
Jack Mazzenga’s Space-Time Trio. Born in Chicago, IL, Jack is a fretless guitarist and multi-instrumentalist who has spent years on stage and in the studio as a sideman. The urge to write and perform original music was there so longtime friends Jim Petti & Michael Thompson were asked to help bring it to life. Jack slides on glass fingerboards.
Well back in 2010, Mouse and Ed were at a Slayer show when they ran into Mikey. See, back in the day Ed and Mikey were in a couple different bands,including a kick ass project called the MERCS with the awesome and mighty Marc Colombo. Then the latest being Uproar. Mouse was in a band called Adrenaline that was pretty much dissolving. Anyways back to the Slayer show,so after the show Mikey drove all of us to Wings &Rings. On the way him and Ed were talking about putting the band back together!Problem was they had no bass player, Ed says, ” I’ve got a bass player sitting right next to me!!” And that’s how Uproars Revenge was born.
Coming up with the name was about a 2 month process,kinda.Everyone had ideas, then one day at practice Mikey walks in and says, “I got it! Uproars Revenge”. We all all looked at each other and said “that’s it!!”
Chris was a fan and friend of Mikey and showed up at practice one day and joined the band.
After a couple of different drummers, we landed on the young and talented Eddie Dec.
That’s about it.
Blackmarket Democracy is an American rock band from Chicago,IL. formed in 2009. They draw inspiration from early metal and rock groups such as Bad Brains, King’s X, Pantera and Black Label Society, as well as post metal groups such as Alice in Chains, Tool and Soundgarden.
Some people go their whole lives thriving on the recordings of a favorite band, with no intentions of seeing them play live. Others bloom and prosper from the pure erotic energy that they leave with after seeing a great live show. This surreal experience will be with them for the rest of their lives, becoming irreplaceable. Either way it does not matter. The listener still feels united and exposed to something they feel or have never felt before. This is why 6 Prong Paw exists. 6 Prong Paw’s name derived from a friend who worked at the dog pound. He learned that dogs have a sixth claw removed shortly after birth. This claw (prong) can cause serious injury in an attack to humans and other animals if not extracted. One of the founders of 6pp, Nick Williams, thought that the name was perfect. It symbolized the standards and rules that society has put on music, or anything for that matter, and going against the grain was another goal that sparked 6pps motivation.
The next endeavor was to record a full length CD. The band spent much of their weekends in 2001- 2002 recording at Thin Black Line Studios in Williamston Michigan. When it came to finally mixing the project, 6pp decided to send the tracks to Audio Hammer Studios in Sanford Florida. Nick had come in contact with Jason Suecof (Audio Hammer owner and engineer) through the band Summon, whom Nick has known for years. Suecof has recorded such bands as Trivium, God Forbid, Devildriver, Chimaira, and countless others. After listening to 6pp’s tracks, Suecof highly recommended that they come down, record 4 songs with him, and ditch the last year of recording. In January 2003, 6pp drove to Sanford Florida to record their self-titled CD (the blue album). They recorded 4 songs in a week and managed to save “World Without” from the tracks recorded in Michigan. The CD was then mastered at Morrisound Studios by Tom Morris in Tampa Florida. The band spent much of 2003 and 2004 writing new material and playing as many shows as they could. In late 2004, it was decided the band would go back to Suecof to record again. The CD would include 6 songs and be entitled “Victim of Mainstream America.” This time around the band spent 2 weeks in Florida. The band to recorded the drums at Morrisound studios, who has catered to such artists as Seven Mary Three, Obituary, Cannibal Corpse, Sepulture, and many others. After the drums where done they would bring the tracks back to Audio Hammer to do the rest. “Victim of Mainstream America” was released in the summer of 2005.
In March 2006, 6pp on to win “The Heavyweight Championship” battle of the bands competition sponsored by former radio station 107.7 wklq. The band beat over 200 entries. They also were approached b Joe Picasso films and had the winning show filmed in HD
On November 2011 6pp signed with Twisted Hillbilly Records out of Knoxville Tennessee. Shortly after signing, they began work on their first full length CD with Wayne Tourville at Twisted Hillbilly Studios. Now, after 2 years of back and forth between Michigan and Tennessee, they released “Auditive Levitation” in January of 2013, with three videos. The band is currently touring and writing material for their 2015 release.
Billy Freekin Dee. In the beginning… there were turntables on a hardwood floor. DJ’ing for the first six months was done on the ground with a case of beer. Eventually he got a table and a mpc. Since then he has released 2 mixtapes, produced 4 full length albums, won 2 DMC’s and played hundreds of shows. He is now combining all of these experiences together to create one performance that you can dance to or sit back and enjoy.
I write, sing, play fiddle and mandolin, and make indie records. Besides making my own music and recording for other artists, I’m currently touring with renown trance-blues innovator, Otis Taylor. I also play fiddle with Cathy Richardson and sometimes sit in with psychedelic legends Jefferson Starship.
One the first extremely fast bands out of the mid -late 80’s thrash/crossover scene. Wehrmacht musicianship was a notch above most of the bands in the genre; where most crossover/thrash bands were generally playing hardcore punk box chord riffs; Wehrmacht utilized a more metal approach. Particulary M.Zorich’s melodic sensibility and Lehfeldts chaotic drumming.
Conceived in New Jersey from its emerging DIY scene from the late ‘90s, cult hip-hop trio DÄLEK were known as pioneers over the last fifteen years for their intriguing sound which fuses a blend of progressive hip-hop artistry supported by a rhythmic backdrop consisting of sonic experimentation through noise music and dark ambient gaze. Their singularity would be highlighted in five groundbreaking full-length albums: Gutter Tactics (2009), Abandoned Language (2007), Absence (2005), …From Filthy Tongue of Gods and Griots (2002) – all released on Ipecac Recordings – as well as Negro Necro Nekros (1998) on Gern Blandsten. DÄLEK supported those albums on tour for over a decade and have shared stages with influential artists such as KRS One, Tomahawk, The Melvins, TOOL, Grandmaster Flash, Jesu, Dillinger Escape Plan, Pharcyde, RJD2, DeLa Soul, Prince Paul, Lovage, ZU, Black Heart Procession, Gaslamp Killer, Earth, Flying Lotus, The Bug, Mastodon, Fantomas and more. In 2011, DÄLEK quietly went on hiatus for an undetermined amount of time, as the members needed a break from the rigorous schedule on the road.
Fast forward to Spring 2015, mastermind and producer MC Dälek (a.k.a. Will Brooks, with the blessing of ex-member/co-producer Oktopus) revived DÄLEK with a new lineup which now includes DJ rEk on turntables and co-producer Mike Manteca on samplers and effects. The trio have returned with their signature mind numbing, genre bending blend of beats, noise and lyricism and are preparing to release the highly anticipated first official DÄLEK release since their last full-length, 2009’s Gutter Tactics. Titled Asphalt For Eden, this new album sees a new creative peak for DÄLEK and will bring a new awareness for this cult hip-hop entity now resurrected and ready to show a formidable display of true hip hop artistry and experimentation. Asphalt For Eden also marks DÄLEK’s first collaboration with progressive music label PROFOUND LORE who will release the album on April 22nd.
Following Asphalt For Eden’s release, DÄLEK will hit the road in support of it. Their live performances are known as intense events that often end in a shoved mic stand and sonically assaultive layers of sound. Witnessing DÄLEK live is like coming face to face with the bastard child of Public Enemy and My Bloody Valentine; an amalgamation of the heaviest noise that the Velvet Underground or Merzbow ever unleashed and the knowledge spit by the likes of Rakim. The trio leaves you in a trance, sends shivers down your spine from the haunting beats intertwined with ambient textures and noise scales, and hits you with a powerful raw flow from one of the most charismatic MC’s of his, or any, era.
Chicago-based singer-songwriter Laura Joy has been known to quell dark, angry bars full of ornery old Irishmen with her brand of acoustic pop. Drawing comparisons that range from Joni Mitchell to Jackson Browne, Laura’s percussive finger picking and buoyant voice have graced audiences from as far as the Sun Belt to the streets of Manhattan.
Laura’s latest EP, Between Our Words, was released on March 5, 2015. It was produced by fellow Chicagoan, Will Phalen, at Cold Ghost Studios. The album features Jamie Gallagher on drums (Kapsalis Trio, Weepin’ Willows, Republic of Lights), David Gallagher on guitar (Belleisle, Weepin’ Willows), and Will Phalen on bass (Stereo Addicts, Julie Meckler).
Laura is a frequent performer on the Midwest festival scene. She has played at the Independent Chicago Songwriter Festival, Metamora Folk Festival, Lakeshore Arts Festival, Cain Park Arts Fest, and Ravenswood Remix. In January, 2013, she was awarded as a top finalist in the Broward Folk Club Songwriter Competition in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Laura has also opened for Hammel on Trial, poet Staceyann Chin, Switchback, and Greg Brown.
Perhaps it should be noted that Laura’s recording of the ridiculously embarrassing Call Me Maybe parody, “Call Me Ishmael,” was featured on Huffington Post in September 2012. The music video has 20,000+ views to date. All because Laura and her friends just wanted to have a little fun. Asking Laura to play the song live is not advised. She will inevitably become flustered and possibly break out in hives.
Laura tours the nation strumming her guitar, petting puppies, and making folks smile. Her tales from the road (that includes pictures of the puppies) along with all other additional sights and sounds may be found at www.laurajoymusic.com
I’ve got boots, guitars and whiskey, that’s all I ever need”
– Girl in Carolina, from the album, “Bourbon Cowboy”
Singer/Songwriter Jeff Givens is a road-seasoned troubadour. As a contemporary musical gypsy, Jeff travels the country, meeting folks from every aspect of life and listening to their stories. He lives this life, documenting it all in his songs. Somehow, writing through the haze of self-destruction like his heroes before him, (Kerouac, Burroughs, Lennon, Hank, Townes and others) he has prevailed and come out the other side, battling his demons by writing about them. Born in Tennessee and raised in Chicago, Mr. Givens is a music veteran of over 30 years and has played in many bands, from Chicago to Boston to London. Working with Jay Bennett from Wilco was one of his numerous experiences. Back in 2001, Jeff went all-in; he left his day gig and everything else to fully embrace this musical journey. Tramping around America, like another prince of skid row, he began writing songs that defined his life. Settling back in Chicago, Jeff reconnected with producer, collaborator and fellow hell-raiser, Jason Botka, to finish writing and record these songs. From the easy rooms of Skye Bleu Studios, “Bourbon Cowboy” was born.
In 2014, Jeff gathered his closest brothers in music for his sophomore album, “Midnight in Muscle Shoals”, which was tracked on the sacred ground of Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL. A founding member of The Righteous Hillbillies, Kev Wright added his southern rock flair on guitar and vocals, and Jason Botka brought in keys, organ, guitar and harmonica. All left the Shoals sessions feeling like they had “been to the mountain”. Jeff knew something special had happened next to that Tennessee River, and it needed to continue. Once home, Johnny Gadeikis added his talents on bass and Luke Smith on drums to round out the Mugshot Saints. This diverse band, with many decades of combined writing and touring experience between them, developed both acoustic and plugged in line-ups and started gigging in some of the best rooms in Chicago; the Metro Chicago and Schubas to name just a couple. The Saints draw from outlaw country, southern rock and rock, blues and folk influences to create their multifaceted sound. Part Allman Brothers part Stones, with some Van Morrison and a dash of Father John Misty; The Mugshot Saints put on a show that will rock you to “holler & swaller” one minute, then with some old school folksy blues, you’ll be crying in that same beer the next.
