PRAYING MANTIS

With their latest critically acclaimed album ‘Legacy’ released via Frontier Records in August 2015, Praying Mantis continue to tour with their current band members Chris Troy, Tino Troy, Andy Burgess, John ‘Jaycee’ Cuijpers and Hans in ‘t Zandt. The band are now producing music which is some of the best in their 41-year history, but where did it all start and why are they still regarded as relevant in 2016?

Early Days

Praying Mantis were formed in London, England, in 1975 by brothers Chris and Tino Troy. The music scene of the late 70’s was widely regarded as stagnant in the wake of a dying punk scene so it became time for a new breed of British bands to emerge and establish themselves with their own creative style of music. Through Neal Kay, DJ at THE BANDWAGON, North London’s premier hard rock disco, a new movement was being formed and today this story has become folk law to Hard Rock fans all over the world. Due to Neal’s much appreciated support, Mantis were given a platform to air their music, which featured classics ‘Captured City’ and ‘Lovers to the Grave’.

Along with fellow London bands Iron Maiden, Angel Witch and Samson, Praying Mantis quickly established themselves and rapidly received the attention of the music press of the time. Along with a number of similar bands across the UK this entire movement was labelled by `Sounds` as the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.

Spearheaded by Praying Mantis (and Iron Maiden), NWOBHM (as it became known) went on to dominate the Hard Rock scene in the early 80’s, especially after the release of ‘Metal for Muthas’, a compilation album consisting of bands that had played at The Bandwagon. NWOBHM was just what the UK needed at the time; fresh, exciting music with energetic live performances and a togetherness that created a spirit of comradery between fans and bands alike.

The debut album ‘Time Tells No Lies’ received much critical acclaim and the single ‘Cheated’ went top 40 in the UK Charts in 1980. During this period, Iron Maiden and Praying Mantis were closely paired in many areas and formed a strong musical relationship, regularly playing together through the promotion of ‘Metal for Muthas’ which included an extensive UK Tour.

In 1990 this relationship saw Dennis Stratton and Paul Di’Anno (ex-Iron Maiden) join Praying Mantis on stage to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the NWOBHM in Japan. Dennis later joined the band on a full-time basis, as did Clive Burr (ex-Iron Maiden) and Gary Barden (ex-MSG).

Since then, Praying Mantis have released many successful albums with Pony Canyon in Japan, and this became one of the band’s major territories.

The New Millenium

In 2007, guitarist Andy Burgess replaced Dennis Stratton in the line-up, continuing the dual lead for the famous Mantis guitar harmonies. He has also proved to be a strong songwriter and influence in the band.

In 2013, vocalist John Cuijpers and drummer Hans in ‘t Zandt joined the band replacing Mike Freeland and Gary Mackenzie. The Dutch duo has vast experience in their fields having toured with the likes of Toto and the Steve Lukather Band. This has added a new and exciting dimension to the band’s music and live performances.

The current album ‘Legacy’ is being hailed as one of the band’s finest to date and it is still receiving stunning reviews across the world.

To hear and see the band in 2016, fans will experience both the spirit and energy of 1980 together with a technical style that really compliments 2016. We will be continuing to promote `Legacy` and take our music to the people before planning a new album in 2017/18.

MOON RABBIT

Lagomorphic Rock based in Chicago.

Devil Elvis

DEVIL ELVIS

Formed in early 2007, The Devil Elvis Show is a Rock & Roll band from the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area that specializes in performing Elvis tunes in a unique and modern way. Combining 50’s Rock & Roll with elements of rockabilly, country, punk, soul & R & B;
Devil Elvis is more than a tribute to Elvis, it is a tribute to Rock & Roll itself. The band has something that appeals to anyone that enjoys a rockin’ good time.

Who is Devil Elvis?

The band’s front man, Devil Elvis, is a ultra Rock n’ Roll Elvis-like personality; like Presley’s mischievous twin from another dimension. The rest of the colorful characters in the band help put on an over-the-top stage show that incorporates humor, fun, high-energy antics, and lots of crowd participation and dance routines.
The Devil Elvis show can bring on a straight-forward rock concert, but it also likes to run the performance in the fashion of an old-style “stage review” by bringing out a variety of guest performers and special appearances to add spice to the show.
Whatever the occasion, The Devil Elvis Show can entertain audiences of all ages, all types, and anyone that likes a rockin’ good time.

stash

STASH

Chicago area metal cover band playing old thrash hits!

WIZARD RIFLE

Drawing from the sounds of Lightning Bolt, Karp, Sonic Youth, Black Sabbath and High on Fire, Wizard Rifle cannot sit still sonically for more than two seconds. Prepare thineself…

Vanishing Kids

VANISHING KIDS

“Serving up glittery goth vibes and heavy, acidic, dream-doom soaked in psychedelia.” From Emili Earhart/ Tone Madison.

OKILLY DOKILLY

Okilly Dokilly is the world’s only Nedal band. Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, a majority of the band’s lyrics are direct Ned quotes. The band’s current members include Head Ned (vocals), Dread Ned (drums), Shred Ned (guitar), Bed Ned (bass) and Zed Ned (synth).

Established in 2015 with original members Head Ned, Red Ned, Bled Ned, Stead Ned and Thread Ned, the band found success before ever playing their first show, becoming a viral phenomenon after releasing just a few press photos and a 4-song demo.  Within 2 weeks, the band had nearly 30,000 Facebook fans and was featured by numerous publications including Billboard, Time, The Independent, BBC, Esquire, Vice and many more.

In November of 2016 the band released their debut album, ‘Howdilly Doodilly’, a 13-track catalog filled with Flanderisms, rushing guitars and more than enough left-handed puns. Following the departure of bassist Thread Ned and guitarist Stead Ned for left hand conversion therapy, the band acquired guitarist Dead Ned and bassist Cred Ned. In 2017, the band took on a relentless touring schedule across the US and North America, playing nearly 100 shows to neighborinos everywhere.

Following a short hiatus through 2017 and early 2018, the band regrouped in July of 2018 with a brand new lineup, introducing Shred Ned on guitar, Dread Ned on drums and Zed Ned on synth. In October 2018, the band added bassist Bed Ned and embarked on their first overseas tour with a full UK run.

Okilly Dokilly’s live shows are high energy affairs that weave together comedy and brutality. Guttural screams and pounding drums provide a soundtrack for the pummeling of an inflatable donut as green sweaters and round glasses blur across the stage.

LUNA

amiensus

AMIENSUS

In 2010, members from buried project The Last, the almighty Minos and Dread Veil came together with a simple goal: to create the music they wanted with no genre restrictions whatsoever. The result was something that had some rhythmicalqualities and aesthetics coming from the black metal genre, but paired up with some contrasting melodic influences from genres such as progressive metal, post-rock, doom metal and even a bit of folk. We don’t really know what to call it, we just try to call it metal.

The name “Amiensus” is derived from the famous Amiens Cathedral located in Amiens, France. We liked the imagery of the church and the aesthetic qualities the name had when the “-sus” prefix was added.
Our first release: The Last EP, which was mixed by Abigail Williams frontman Ken Sorceron was released early summer of 2010. It mainly covers material written by members of The Last.
Our first full-length: Restoration was released digitally on Bandcamp NYE 2012 and made #5 bestselling metal album that week thanks to a good following.

Digipaks for Restoration are OUT NOW and available through our Bandcamp/Pest Productions.

“The Gathering” Split with Oak Pantheon out November 5th, 2013 via Tridroid Records, is a free download on all three parties bandcamps, WE HAVE NEW COPIES AVAILABLE ON OUR BANDCAMP.

Our third album ASCENSION is available via bandcamp in three formats- digital, cassette and digipak. Pick it up now!

http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Amiensus/3540347443

kinetic-element

KINETIC ELEMENT

Kinetic Element is a neo symphonic progressive rock band from Richmond, Virginia that harbors musical roots in classic artists like Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Yes, Asia and Genesis and blends those influences with philosophical and spiritually powerful and uplifting lyrics.The band is comprised of Mike Visaggio (keyboards and lead vocals); Michael Murray (drums and backing vocals), and Todd Russell (electric and acoustic guitar). Their full-length recording Powered by Light was done at Sound of Music Studios in Richmond, Virginia and it was released in September 2009. In May 2008 KE was privileged to be a support act for Circa (featuring Tony Kaye and Alan White of Yes, at Jaxx in northern Virginia), Rare Blend (at Orion Studios in Baltimore, Maryland one of prog’s must-play venues), IZZ (who have played every prog festival in America, at the Artomatic festival in Washington, D.C.) In 2009, KE supported Morglbl (at Capitol Ale House Music Hall in Richmond VA). In 2010, with Edensong (at Orion again). Kinetic Element opened the nation’s longest running prog rock festival, Prog Day, at the Pre-Show on August 29, 2008 with Speechless and again on Sept. 3, 2010 with Jack Dupon. They played The Magic Room in Boston in November 2011 headlining, with suppport acts Eccentric Orbit and Resistor. Besides promoting Powered by Light the band is actively writing new material and doing pre-production on their new forthcoming CD to be entitled Travelog, a Quest for Liberty.

PAUL MUTZABAUGH QUINTET

In May of 2016, keyboardist Paul Mutzabaugh assembled a some of Chicago’s finest jazz musicians to perform the classic Return to Forever album, “Light As A Feather” as part of Chris Anderson’s Jazz Record Art Collective series.  A second performance of this tribute concert will be presented during Reggies Progtoberfest II.  The group will include Cheryl Wilson (voice), Aaron McEvers (flute, tenor sax), Larry Kohut (bass), and Juan Pastor (drums).  For more information, please visit www.paulmutzabaugh.com
grass-fed-mule

GRASS FED MULE

Meet Grass Fed Mule… the Miles Davis inspired indie folk & bluegrass quartet from St. Louis MO.

Drawing energy from their river town roots in bluegrass, old-time, blues, indie folk & jazz, the band’s upbeat shows flood the ears with strong vocal harmonies and instrumental finesse, featuring sounds of claw hammer banjo, harmonica & mandolin.

Established in 2015, Grass Fed Mule has hit the ground running, playing festivals, touring the midwest, and releasing their debut album “Hay Is For Horses”. While the core of the band is a quartet, don’t be surprised if they gather some of the most prolific pickers around to entertain your ears—GFM has shared the stage with members of Yonder Mountain String Band, Old Salt Union, ClusterPluck, River Bend and many more.

“If you like your bluegrass in a jam, Grass Fed Mule should be sweet to your ears.” – Columbia Daily Tribune 2016

“The St. Louis act started as a side project for two members of jam-band Acoustics Anonymous, then expanded to enfold a member of Elemental Shakedown. Prog and jazz streams flow into the band’s sound, which displays its members’ sure-handed instrumental prowess.” – Columbia Daily Tribune 2016

tragedy-at-hand

TRAGEDY AT HAND

A Tragedy At Hand (ATAH) is a metal/hardcore band from Dallas, TX. We have been a band since 2008, with some of the members playing together in previous bands before that. We draw our influence from bands like The Devil Wears Prada, August Burns Red, Underoath, and even Swedish band Dark Tranquility. Our 2010 debut EP titled “In Case of an Emergency”was released in over 35 Hot Topics in TX, CA, and LA with an EXCLUSIVE shirt on HotTopic.com. We also released a music video for our single “ZOMG” (Directed by Scott Hansen). Spending hours, days, even weeks online talking to people, promoting at big shows we aren’t even playing, driving hours and hours to deliver tickets, and being everywhere we can is the work ethic that will continue till we go to the next level and even after that. We are so thankful for all the support we have and will never take it for granted. Never.

jeff-brown-the-new-black

JEFF BROWN & THE NEW BLACK

“In the fashion world, when something is the new ‘in’ thing that everyone loves and wants, it is often termed “The New Black”. Jeff Brown & company hope that bleeds over to the music industry as well. Fueled largely by whiskey and questionable romantic decisions, and featuring Jeff Brown on vocals and guitars, Eric Stafford on guitars, Michael “Vez” Narvaez on bass, and Marke Lester on drums and vocals, the quartet blends vocal harmony, catchy hooks, insightful lyrics, and a healthy heap of rock swagger.”

anglagard

Änglagård

A Swedish progressive rockband formed in 1991. Released three records and a live album. Recently awoken from the dead with a new album “Viljans öga” and live shows…

resurrection-mary

RESURRECTION MARY

voted Okayest looking in the 6th grade

new-politicians

NEW POLITICIANS

New Politicians are a four piece Post-Punk, Alternative Rock band from New Jersey. The band consists of founding members Renal Anthony Patetta (vocals/guitar) and Gian Carlo Patetta (guitar/keyboards/vocals) joined by John Michael Comminel (bass) and V Paul Janbazian (drums). The band’s third EP Remission is set to be re-released on Other Voices Records in 2017. New music coming soon.

“New Jersey’s New Politicians have quietly gone about their business – well, quietly in terms of being an under-the-radar, unsigned band despite making music that can be highly contagious or deep and contemplative. Dubbed as a post-punk,alternative band, on their latest EP, Remission, they take an approach that echoes of Interpol and A Place to Bury Strangers...” – Ben Yung, The Revue

“New Politicians are a band who seem very comfortable in their musical surroundings. They are not afraid to experiment with sound or skip through various musical genre’s. Collectively they have some sublime vocal melodies and impressive hooks that are well balanced with their Post-Punk ethos but are not overly exuberant. This is a band in love with music and I believe that for them this is only the beginning.” – Del Chaney, Primal Music Blog

“Vocalist Renal Anthony has limitless talent and he routinely leaves me stunned with the passion and emotional depth of his performance, best heard on the stately title track. Even as the songs meander, the tracks seem to repeatedly reintroduce and reimagine themselves, morphing into intricate, emotionally driven masterpieces. This is music most people would love to make but simply do not possess the prowess to do so-each moment of Remission carries the listener away and reminds each person that there are bands out here still taking real changes.” – Rich Quinlan, Jersey Beat

“The music itself, elegant and pronounced, is at times nuanced and other times obvious. The record is just as concerned about the arrangement and performances as it is about creating mood. There’s a slightly cinematic feel to the record, couched between a nostalgic 80’s feeling and a also a peculiar “newness.” It’s as though we’ve been led back to a grand old city – one the entire world knows from a bygone golden age. We’ve seen the pictures and we have practically visited every street in the cinema of our minds. But New Politicians takes us back to see all of those things we missed.” – Unsound America

helstar

HELSTAR

2014 – Energized from the writing, recording, and mixing process, the band is ready to destroy all that comes within its path. Helstar is set to release This Wicked Nest, worldwide to the masses on April 25, 2014. An album that promises to return the band to its roots of power metal while combining the thrash elements of Glory of Chaos, This Wicked Nest will certainly prove to the world that there is much more left in these Texas Metal Legends!

Flotsam and Jetsam

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM

Flotsam And Jetsam are a true anomaly in the annals of thrash and arguably the most underrated entity in heavy metal history. True fighters, the Phoenix-based five-piece currently led by originals Eric “AK” Knutson and guitarist Michael Gilbert (along with bassist Bill Bodily, guitarist Steve Conley and drummer Ken Mary) have been doing battle in the trenches since the early ‘80s. And although people point to their first album (1986’s “Doomsday For The Deceiver” ) as a game-changer, the band didn’t need the first (and only) 6K rating in Kerrang!’s history to gain accolades.

Like a prize-fighter that refuses to kneel down, Flotsam And Jetsam treaded onward with black eyes and bloody noses. Their 2017 eponymous album saw a band firing on all cylinders, writing/performing years younger than a band with three decades of power and glory notched on their bullet belts. Despite how high the bar was set with their previous album, Flotsam and Jetsam has not slacken the reins, and “The End Of Chaos” (2019) was nothing else but the band at the very top of their game

If the Phoenix disciples arose from their ashes in 2016, now the mythological bird is angry, and out for blood. Flotsam and Jetsam goes for the jugular from the get-go and they are pulling all the stops in the process.

punk-rock-karaoke

PUNK ROCK KARAOKE

Simple…we have sign up sheet at venue. Pick your song,we give you lyrics.When your song is called,come up and join the band!

No,we can’t play every punk song from 1867 to present day.

We hand pick our favorites from the 90s back to when dinosaurs pogoed along side with the punkers.

Featuring:
Greg Hetson -Circle jerks, Bad Religion
Steve Soto- Adolescents, Agent Orange
Stan Lee- The Dickies
Darrin Pfeifer- Goldfinger

redline-messiah

REDLINE MESSIAH

Hollund – Vocals,
Raymond Marble – Guitar,
Dan – Guitar,
A.B. Player – Bass,
Chesney – Drums

circuline

CIRCULINE

What do you get when you take a bass player from the 70′s, a keyboard player from Juilliard, a musical savant playing guitar, two theatrical lead vocalists, and a drummer with progressive rock in his DNA? All veteran musicians? The new American modern progressive rock band Circuline.

Performing original and classic progressive rock, Circuline was founded in 2014 when former progressive rock tribute band Downing Grey members Andrew Colyer (keyboards, vocals), Bill Shannon (lead guitars, vocals), and Darin Brannon (drums, percussion) had a burning desire to write original material. Lead vocalists Billy Spillane (lead vocals) and Natalie Brown were up for the challenge, and Paul Ranieri (bass, bass pedals) was the latest member to join the band.

BREAKIN THRU

Members
Hector Huizar: bateria , drums
Manuel E Flores, AKA “Mandrake”, Guitarra . Lead guitar
Martin Huerta: gritos . Lead vocals
Jorge Lopez .guitarra .lead guitar
Freddy Martinez: Bajo . Bas guitar

OBLIVION WORSHIP

Oblivion Worship is Black/Death Metal band from Chicago.

ISENBLAST

BLACK METAL CREATED WITHIN THE REALMS OF CHAOS

Formed in Late 2009, with first self titled demo released in 2010,
and 2nd demo “Forest of Frost” released in 2013, and th “Unleashing the Demon Scourge” EP releases 2014.

Currently writing material for first full length

necromonkey

NECROMONKEY

NECROMONKEY is the collaboration between drummer Mattias OLSSON who was part of the founding members of swedish band Änglagård, of which he left in 2012, and keyboardist David LUNDBERG from Gösta Berlings Saga. The two first met in 2008 while working on Gösta Berlings Saga’s second album Detta har hänt and thought about working together. 2010 saw the begining of the writing and recording for their first album Necroplex in Olsson?s Roth-Händle studios in Stockholm. Their vision was not about making an Änglagård meets Gösta Berlings Saga kind of album but instead focusing on something new which will reflect everything they love in music. Necroplex was released in 2013 and showed how fertile this duo is, making an album deeply rooted in modern electronic but still incorporates a huge amount of acoustic and electric instruments. OLSSON and LUNDBERG both handle most of the instruments, aided by a big line up of session musicians. The two didn’t wait long before releasing a second album, A Glimpse Of Possible Endings is already finished. Their new EP “The Shadow of A Blind Man” just got released October 1, 2016.

edensong

EDENSONG

Edensong is a progressive rock quintet from New York City. The band’s self-released 2008 debut “the Fruit Fallen” was hailed as a “masterpiece” by critics, and helped to pave the way for live shows and notable festival appearances throughout North America, including Progday in North Carolina, Three Rivers Progressive Rock Festival in Pittsburgh, PA, and Festival Terra Incognita in Quebec City, where Edensong shared the stage with acts ranging from Ozric Tentancles to Kings X to Discipline. While the current lineup of the band wasn’t crystallized until 2009, Edensong’s roots reach back 20 years to Echoes of Eden, a progressive metal band comprised of three of Edensong’s core members.

For their 2016 followup, “Years in the Garden of Years,” a concept album to be released on September 30th through Laser’s Edge, Edensong further explores the intricately composed eclectic orchestral rock style of their debut, and infuse it with the energy and sheer power of their earlier music. Whereas “the Fruit Fallen” was the creative voice of singer/guitarist James Byron Schoen, “Years in the Garden of Years” was composed more collaboratively by the full band, and the diverse musical contributions and influences can be heard across the record, from metal to symphonic, atonal to melodic, acoustic to electronic, meticulously structured to fully improvised.

At over 70 minutes of new music, “Years in the Garden of Years” is even more ambitious than it’s predecessor, and will be sure to appeal to fans of both metal and classic progressive rock. The concept album features an extended song cycle on themes of time, each song a different scale and perspective. Given its subject, it therefore seems fitting that this project took the band over five years in the studio to complete. The melodies are more memorable, the riffs more powerful, the flute playing more inventive and propulsive. The songs prominently feature immersive new textures, from lush keyboard and orchestralarrangements to esoteric percussion from around the world, such as hang drum and Balinese gamelan. “Years in the Garden of Years” is mastered with audiophile precision by Grammy winning engineer Bob Katz, and the deluxe CD release features stunning original cover art and booklet illustrations from beloved surrealist painter Dan May.

badfinger straight up

BADFINGER “STRAIGHT UP”

Straight Up is the third album by British rock band Badfinger, released in December 1971 in the United States and February 1972 in Britain. Issued on the Beatles’ Apple record label, it includes the hit singles “Day After Day” and “Baby Blue”, and the similarly popular “Name of the Game”, all of which were written by singer and guitarist Pete Ham.

john_lennon_imagine

JOHN LENNON “IMAGINE”

Imagine is the second studio album by John Lennon. Recorded and released in 1971, the album is more heavily produced in contrast to the basic, raw arrangements of his previous album, the critically acclaimed John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band

BLACK SABBATH “MASTER OF REALITY”

Master of Reality is the third studio album by English rock band Black Sabbath. Released in July 1971, it is widely regarded as the foundation of doom metal, stoner rock, and sludge metal.

celestial-motion-wagon

CELESTIAL MOTION WAGON

“Celestial Motion Wagon was formed in August of 2014 by Zac Emry, Bryce Fellows, and Riley Young. The band began playing covers and performing locally before moving on to writing and performing originals. The band’s sound was soon rounded out by the addition of keyboardist Dillon Daniels in winter of 2014/2015.

Summer of 2015 saw many major milestones for Celestial Motion Wagon. They recorded and released their debut, self-titled extended play “Celestial Motion Wagon” with the help of friend Dalton Attig. The band embarked on their first ever mini-tour in early August of 2015 where they played in major cities such as Kansas City and Colorado Springs.

With band members living farther apart now due to college, the band has seen a period of slightly decreased activity. The band has continued to play shows from now and then in cities such as Rockford and Milwaukee. Most recently, the band has returned from a week-long trip to Michigan where they began working on their first full length album which is due to be released later this Spring.”

David Prusina & The Cryin’ Side of Town

DAVID PRUSINA & THE CRYIN’ SIDE OF TOWN

In December of 2011, David Prusina decided that it was time to sing some songs. Some original, acoustic songs. He needed help, & luckily he didn’t need to look far to get it. Upright bass was a must, so mad scientist & local legend, Henry Heine, was brought in to do the job. The duo was pleased, but it wasn’t long before they were on the hunt for someone who could deliver some ‘Jedi-level’ harmonies. Enter Saint John The Bastard (Jonathan Monti). The final move was slinging a mandolin over Monti’s shoulder and the trio was off & running. David Prusina & The Cryin’ Side of Town was born.
The band draws from the Country, Folk, Americana & Bluegrass traditions but slivers of punk-rock can also be found. The ‘Do It Yourself’ mentality is strong with this group. They deliver sad songs sung with a smile & it doesn’t take long to see that they have fun with it…..way too much fun.
The Lillingtons

THE LILLINGTONS

The Lillingtons blasted their way out of the sleepy cowtown of Newcastle, WY, in 1996 high off the influence of spirited bands like the Ramones, Screeching Weasel, and the Queers.

ryan-chrys-the-rough-cuts

RYAN CHRYS & THE ROUGH CUTS

Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts bring forth new energy to country music fans who love the heroes and outlaws of old. Influencedby the songs and personalities of legends like Waylon, Willie and Johnny Cash and driven with a deep love for blazing guitars, gritty lap steel and lightning fiddle, the band is a beacon for the next generation of classic hearts. This is Modern Outlaw Country.

Rock & Rye

ROCK & RYE

Tommy Bradford – Sax
Spencer Linn – Guitar
Scott Moen – Guitar
Geoff Zabinski – Bass
Andrew Kaplan – Drums

STRATFORD

Rock/Post-Hardcore/Pop-Punk band Founded in 2015.

Ember Oceans

EMBER OCEANS

Ember Oceans embodies a breath of fresh air in the indie synth-rock genre, seeing themselves and what makes a catchy pop tune through a new perspective. Their self-titled debut EP takes their warm electric groove for one hell of a joy ride that feels great the whole way through. Stop at the beach and surf through the rich harmonies and waves of reverb soaked synthesizer and guitar, popping like bubbles along to the crisp beats and bass that drive the songs on a roadtrip that travels through summers of influence and sound. Ember Oceans does not want you to just listen to their music, they want you to take it on vacation and have the best trip you’ve had in years.

CELLRS

We’re a kind of lo-fi, avant-garde blues band that still manages to sneak some soul in here and there. We enjoy playing what we believe to be great songs with positive, high-energy performances while not getting caught up in the studio perfection that so many artists seek these days. We want our songs to maintain a human element to them. We don’t want a “snapped to a grid/copy and paste” feel when you listen to our music. Same with our live shows. As Leonard Cohen said, ‘There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.

littlebirds

LITTLEBIRDS

What began with two college buddies performing drunken living room improv jam sessions has quickly evolved into Littlebirds, a six piece band hailing from the Windy City. Littlebirds amplifies a classic americana sound by layering in violin melodies, heavy hitting guitar synchronization, and 3 & 4 part vocal harmonies. If John Prine, Twenty One Pilots, Mumford, and Mumford’s sons had an incestual orgy resulting in an illegitimate child, Littlebirds would be that offspring. The band may be silly, they will most likely be drunk, but regardless of circumstances, they absolutely will be fun.

WONKY TONK

By IndieMinded:
Stuff We Leave Behind by Wonky Tonk.

Kentucky based singer-songwriter Jasmine “Wonky Tonk” Poole, is an artist who is never afraid to put it all out there and leave a piece of herself behind. As a young girl, she was told that “Cowgirls get up in the morning, decide what to do and do it.” With a sound that touches on folk, Americana, country, and bluegrass, all anchored by a touch of honky tonk and propelled by her punk attitude, Poole clearly took that advice to heart and applied it to her music. Described as falling somewhere between First Aid Kit, Modest Mouse and Tune Yards, and with influences such as Loretta Lynn, Poole paves her own creative path on her LP release, Stuff We Leave Behind, available now.

seamstress

SEAMSTRESS

Epic hard rock and thrash-infused retro metal from Carbondale, IL, with ex-members of Zuul and The Copyrights. Denim suggested.

Seamstress on this recording is:

Jared Mileger – Guitar/Vocals
Josh Stockinger – Bass
Ken Clifford – Vocals/Guitar
Morgan Demling – Drums

CANDIRIA

Carley Coma: Vocals
Michael MacIvor: Bass
John LaMacchia: Rhythm / Lead Guitar
Danny Grossarth: Drums / Percussion
Julio Arias: Rhythm Guitar

Born in Brooklyn, NY, the name Candiria is synonymous with the kind of experimentation and genre-bending more often associated with freeform jazz and progressive rock than hard/metalcore music. Their original fan base, predominantly rooted in the well-knit NYHC second wave (Merauder, Madball, Burn, etc.), took to Candiria’s balanced integration of aggressive unusual time signature’d dissonance with hip-hop, jazz (early bop as well as late period fusion), dub, and abstract psychedelic experimentation straightaway, a testament to the band’s skillful musicianship and intelligent sonic aesthetic.

Releasing four critically acclaimed and fan adored albums over the course of six years, the band would in 2002 face its biggest challenge, as both band and individuals. While driving through Batavia, NY, touring in support of their latest release, their van was subject to an accident whose physical and psychological repercussions deeply informed each of their decisions to follow. Upon recovery, their appropriately titled 2004 release ‘What Doesn’t Kill You…’, retained components of the band’s earlier fractal aesthetic while introducingmelodic choruses and clean singing alongside the guttural and triple-timed vocalizations the band historically employed and perfected.

Candiria would spend the years following ‘What Doesn’t Kill You…’ recovering from their injuries, losing and replacing personnel, tied up in legal disputes, and individually engaging in new musical projects that would serve to enlarge the creative scope of each band member. In retrospect, this period should be regarded as a phase of reconsideration, realignment, and renewal. It is with this perspective in mind that Candiria has written and recorded their latest album, ‘While They Were Sleeping’, a concentrated demonstration of their relentless desire to explore and expand upon an aural palette whose depth and breadth has always challenged the complacency of remaining static in an ever-changing world.

‘While They Were Sleeping’ is a concept album conceived by the band’s lead vocalist Carley Coma. Telling the tale of a failed musician who rises up against a monarchy in New York City, ‘While They Were Sleeping’ aims to encapsulate a vision of the contemporary world, in all of its riotous and tech-driven complexity. Ambitious as such an idea may seem, it is part of Candiria’s natural development, and has given birth to some of the band’s proudest and most challenging moments.

One of those moments comes early on in the album, just prior to the halfway mark of ‘Mereya’, when the band deftly shifts gears from a pummeling assault of well-knit propulsive rhythms into tenor sax-laced jazz percussion patterns heightened by Coma’s introduction of a scat-singing that skillfully combines the styles of world renown vocalists Jon Hendricks and Jimmy Scott. Bassist Mike MacIvor recalls it as an experience wherein the history of the band’s determination to push themselves beyond their known limits crystallized: “At first, I wasn’t a fan of the idea, but as we went through the recording process, I realized that if you’re doing something that makes you uncomfortable, strikes you as weird, or even induces nausea, then you have to do it. That is what Candiria is all about.”

And so much more, as the conception and formation of ‘While They Were Sleeping’ would prove. “I was unafraid to be completely honest, and approach the band as a new entity”, says Coma. It’s with this kind of openness that for the first time he created songs centered on character development, a notion he became interested in and studied with the aid of Robert McKee’s classic book ‘Story: Style, Structure, and the Principles of Screenwriting’. Spending just over a year working on the story, prior to the consideration of its musical accompaniment, Coma states: “I wanted to learn about creating characters. and how one could make that happen.” This thoughtfulness would be fusedto current events, as the song ‘The Whole World Will Burn’ demonstrates. Written both as a response to the Ferguson riots,and as a means of propelling the story’s plotline, it serves as an example of Coma’s extensive aspirations for this project.

“I had some skepticism”, says guitarist John LaMacchia, in reference to the idea of a concept album. A completely new idea for the band, he was unsure of how to approach the writing of music whose main goal is to serve a narrative that had been carefully contemplated and constructed. Encouraged by Coma’s spirit of unguarded writing, LaMacchia notes that the foundation of the recording process was rooted in a feeling of union: “Having faith in one another, giving each other space to present and pursue individual ideas, then uniting them into a whole.” Adding to this already healthy dynamic is the inclusion of new drummer Danny Grossarth, and new rhythm guitarist Julio Arias, both of whom bring a fresh fire and energy to stage and studio alike.

Recorded at Spaceman Sound by Tom Tierney and Alex Mead-Fox, it was of primary importance to Candira that they retain a distance from the compartmentalized, disinfected, and essentially whitewashed production qualities heard throughout much of contemporary music. As a band that has always operated from a working class perspective, capturing an organic aesthetic was essential. The proof of this can be heard on tracks as dissimilar as ‘The Cause’, an experiment in electro-discordancy that lures the listener in with a seemingly innocuous riff whose rhythm coils in on itself until stuttering to an end, and ‘Opaque’, a track of transcendent significance for both this album and the band.

‘Opaque’ was conceptually intended as a sparsely decorated composition. However, its fruition took on auditory dimensions Candira had heretofore never investigated. If the song has a point of reference in the band’s canon, it is an oblique one that MacIvor deftly elucidates “In the same way that our fans weren’t ready for a song like ‘Observing Highways’ (from their debut album ‘Surrealistic Madness’), they won’t be ready for ‘Opaque’. What we’re always trying to do as a band is paint a picture that hasn’t been seen; looking for a sound that hasn’t been heard.” This emphatic ambition, coupled with an unwavering confidence in one another, has allowed them to create a concept album that is completely off the musical grid, will defy expectations, and establish a new standard in Candiria’s willfully driven evolution.

Throughout 2016, Candiria have played several shows in the New York City area with musical compatriots and veterans of the scene such as Sick of It All, Poison the Well, and Killswitch Engage, as well as more recently formed boundary pushing outfits like Death Grips, Shabazz Palaces, Netherlands, and Moon Tooth. ‘While They Were Sleeping’ will be released on October 7th, 2016, with a full U.S. tour to follow.

Bio by Aaron Gettler

HORISONT

Members
Axel – Vocals
Charles – Guitar
David – Guitar
Magnus – Bass
Pontus – Drums

May, 2016.
Horisont sign worldwide deal with Century Media Records. On the eve of their 10 year anniversary Swedish hardrock band HORISONT are pleased to announce the next chapter in their illustrious career by putting pen to paper and confirming a worldwide deal with Century Media Records. New album in progress, stay tuned!

BIOGRAHPY, August, 2015.
Big of moustache and tight of trouser, Horistont drink from the bottomless wellspring of inspiration that’s been bubbling up through the layers of time since the birth of the blues – or Blue Oyster Cult at the very least.

Theirs is a sound that harks back to the dawn of the 70s, when a new clutch of heads decided it was time to harsh the 60s hippies’ mellow and paint it black; those years when the twin spirit of hard rock and prog rose to redefine sound.
In their earlier years Horisont looked and sounded like the last guys standing at the world’s wildest and darkest party; these are the tight bro’s who laced the punch, torched the dance-floor and rode off into the night on their roaring hogs in a puff of green smoke. “Put the five soldiers of Horisont in a time machine 50 years ahead of time and we would still rock the silver socks of any future man, woman or robot,” frontman Axel once declared.

This quintet’s rock trip might be retro but their songwriting is timeless; a good melody lives forever and Horisont have songs in abundance. New album Odyssey is exactly as its title suggests: an epic journey into the known. A sonic trip. A mighty voyage of sound. You could even call their fourth full release a concept album – although they themselves prefer “space saga”. Either way it’s a brave band who open their album with a ten minute-long track, yet on the album’s title track Horisont dive straight into the deep end, delivering space-rock with all the dexterity and deftness of the very best prog rock’s finest, such as early Yes or Kansas.

“I think it was Tom, who during a tour, said that it would be fun to write a ten minute song,” says bassist Magnus Delborg.“When that song took shape the idea of a cohesive album was born. Most of the songs are in some way connected to the bigger theme, so – yes – it is a concept album. It concerns a supreme race of mysterious being who experiment with the creation of life and start to populate planets around the universe. And this is the story of one of those planets…”

Formed in 2006, Horisont have spent close to a decade kicking ass, taking names and establishing themselves at the forefront of the Scandinavian retro rock revival (see also Witchcraft, Graveyard etc), injecting their sound with early-Status Quo-styled boogie blues, prog complexities, NWOBHM swagger and fire-spitting choruses set to scorch the eyebrows of the first ten rows. This is music made without irony, unafraid to acknowledge an allegiance to past greats such as Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Cactus, Thin Lizzy, the aforementioned Yes and Judas Priest.

Their first two albums Tva Sidor Av Horisonten (2009) and Second Assault (2012) earned Horisont a special place in the rock underground, while Time Warriors (2013) was a no-holds barred demonstration of classic rock and metal combined with a fearlessly inventive streak, and took them to a wider international audience. And now comes Odyssey, a bold leap into more expansive and ethereal musical territory. It’s the band’s first to feature native Australian and former Church Of Misery guitarist Tom Sutton.

The new line-up change sees a definite gear-shift too. Here Horisont play as if their lives depend upon it: dueling guitars do battle in an endlessly thrilling interplay over a rhythm section that gallops like wild horses across the frozen tundra. And cutting through the middle, Axel Söderberg’s howling heartfelt vocals delivered with a space-age sense of soulfulness.

There are surprises aplenty throughout – witness the melodic Jethro Tull-style breakdown in the middle of ‘Blind Leder Blind’, flamenco/folk flourishes on ‘Flying’, the fist pumping classic metal anthem of ‘Back On The Streets’, the almost Ziggy Stardust-esque ‘Beyond The Sun’ or the elegiac eight minute long album closer ‘Timmarna’, which evokes the awesome beauty of a dying star careering off into darker distant universe. Then there’s the majestic former single ‘Break The Limit’, which was accompanied by a gloriously grainy 1980s VHS-style video, complete with much split screen action. This is expansive, emotive music that’s far more than five hirsute men creating a voluminous ruckus.

Odyssey was recorded in Studio Kust in Gothenburg with producer by Henrik Magnusson. It was, the band explain their most harmonious creative period ever.“No Horisont recording session has ever been this good,” admits Delborg. “We had worked with Henrik on our ‘Break The Limit’ single and knew that he was our guy. All the basics where recorded live in just a couple of days. Then we spent a lot of time on the intricate details.”

The artwork for Odyssey harks back to both classic sci-fi paperbacks and prime prog rock albums of the 70s. “We wanted a slightly disturbed, Asimov-esque science fiction cover that told the story of Odyssey,” says drummer Pontus Jordan. “Tom knew this guy who was really in to old science fiction stuff and he had done the cover for The Order Of Israfel. So we meet the guy and it was the one and only Henrik Jacobsen. And he really nailed it.”

Strap in, sit back and let the Odyssey begin…

cold-hard-cash

COLD HARD CASH

The Cold Hard Cash Show is an original and innovative tribute to the music of Johnny Cash and The Tennessee Three!

Fronted by guitarist and singer Merle Travis Peterson, The Cold Hard Cash Show brings to life classic Cash songs from the Sun & Columbia Records Catalogs to the modern American recordings, performing with the energy of the Live at Folsom and San Quentin albums with a sound so accurate you’d think you’re listening to The Man in Black himself!

The band formed in 2005 and in addition to Merle Travis Peterson fronting the band on vocals and guitar, the line up includes long time member Fel Torres on drums and John Sporman on double bass.
Since the formation, they have performed on hundreds of stages often sharing them with a diverse variety of artists such as as Darryl Worley, John Anderson, Eric Church, Charlie Daniels, Lonestar, Eddie Money, Eli Young Band, Los Lobos, James Hunnicutt, Dale Watson and countless others as well as performing at several high profile private functions with guests such as Katy Perry, Shawn Colvin, John Oates, Justin Timberlake, David Ryan Harris, John Mayer and have at times performed with a few of them!
In 2008 the band made their National Television debut when they performed on The Late Show with David Letterman, gaining a solid world wide fan base and landing them on stages at several nationally known festivals such as Memphis in May Festival (Memphis,TN), Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (Sturgis,SD), Daytona Bike Week (Daytona, FL), Lonestar Rally (Galveston,TX) and Johnny Cash Festival- Roadshow Revival (Ventura,CA).
In 2014 the band recorded a song for long time Eddie Money drummer Glenn Symmonds and were featured on his ‘Friends of Glenn’s’ album along with multiple artists including Eddie Money.

The band continues to tour across the country non-stop spreading the great word and music of The Man in Black, Johnny Cash!

Say what you will about Tribute Bands, The Cold Hard Cash Show is an excellent band, excellent show, excellent experience and hands down the BEST Johnny Cash Tribute around!

the-westerlees

THE WESTERLEES

The Westerlees are like old-fashioned, country-baked pie. They don’t
make them much like that anymore, but every time you taste one you
wonder why not. Steel Guitar, Fiddle, Clarinet, and the occasional Tap
Dancer all come together to deliver wholesome (and perhaps more often,
daringly tart) tunes from the 1920s, 30s, and 40s.  Everything from
the Light Crust Doughboys to Bob Wills to Hank Williams is performed
with levity and humor.

They also have many originals in the style which reveal the
satirically comical worldview of singer and songwriter Patrick
Brenner. The band has a rotation of other cast members too, each
bringing their own expertise and personality to the authentically
vintage sound and performance of the Westerlees.

Come see what audiences at county fairs, street festivals and dive
bars have been buzzing about. If you get a taste of their down-home,
old-timey, country flavor, you are guaranteed to be entertained!

uncle-jesse-and-the-rippers

UNCLE JESSE AND THE RIPPERS

Uncle Jesse and the Rippers is a 90s cover band playing the hits from a variety of genres. Featuring members of Honey & the 45s, Smoker, Sea Lords, and, Lynne[a], Uncle Jesse and the Rippers bring to life all the 90s songs you love (and a few you’ve forgotten you love)!

MR. WORLD

johhny-chastain-and-the-heartbeats

JOHNNY CHASTAIN AND THE HEARTBEATS

Johnny Chastain and the Heartbeats bring you the music of The Rocky Horror Picture Show but in costume and with a serious kick in the ass!  Featuring the incomparable JC Brooks as Dr. Frank-n-Furter, this show has impressed every Halloween for the last four years!  You’ve NEVER Seen Rocky like this!

dj-noah-sims

DJ NOAH SIMS

“It feels like when I’m making music, I’m writing and being told a story at the same time.” Welcome to the world of Noah Sims, a Chicago producer whose soundscapes carry the texture, tension and complexity to give those stories intense staying power.”

INDEPENDENT

Daniel “Independent” Weisberg is more than just another rapper from Chicago. He’s an artist whose music paints the journey of his life in Chicago and the happenings in the world. For him, rapping started off as a hobby and quickly transformed into a passion.