My Boy Elroy is the Chicago-based DJ/Beat-Boxer of the world famous Acid Jazz pioneering group & Grammy nominated live act, Liquid Soul. He is also the DJ and producer of his band, Digital Tape Machine’s first album entitled “Be Here Now” released in May of 2013 as well as their four track EP “Omens” released April 23rd of 2014. His passion & dedication to his craft along with his unique presentation quickly led him to open for a sold out show @ the Riviera for the one & only Massive Attack. He’s shared the bill w/legendary greats of our times such as B.B. King & Stevie Wonder and pioneers of electronic music such as Mark Farina, Bonobo, and Beardyman and played such festivals as North Coast, Electric Forest, and Taste of Randolph.
Digg is a unique and progressive fusion of rock, blues, funk, and jazz, blending styles to create a diverse, yet cohesive sound in their quickly growing catalog of original music. Inspired and personal song writing, well chosen, well executed covers, and great musicianship come together into a high-energy live performance that leaves audiences needing more. The band’s wide range of appeal brings together fans of all different types of music, resulting in a steadily and quickly growing Digg family.
Entering their second year of performing Digg continues to add to their original and covered repertoire, honing their live performance into a memorable experience.
Beat The Smart Kids is the product of local Chicago ska and punk veterans banding together to give you that ska punk and other junk sound.
With former and current members of Waste Basket, The Indecisives, Still Alive, and The Damn Tracks you can be sure to find catchy horn riffs, gravely vocals, and a driving punk sensibility.
“Have you ever just packed everything you own, and left somewhere you’ve known for so long and traded it in for the unknown” singer/guitarist Matt LaPerche croons on “49 Stow” – these are the words Firestarter was built on when LaPerche moved to Albany for a fresh start.
The group, also consisting of Tyler McMullen (guitar), Jeff Henlin (bass), and Matt Bliss (drums), came together in the fall of 2012. They hit the ground running and haven’t stopped since. In just over two years, Firestarter has released two EP’s – 2013’s New Beginnings and 2014’s Forget The Past – a split 7” with Orlando’s Old Again, and toured the United States extensively in support of all of them.
Firestarter has no plan of stopping now. With the release of a new EP recorded by Jay Maas (Counterparts, Defeater, State Champs) on the horizon, be sure to keep this Albany, NY band on your radar this year.
American Breakfast is a garage punk band from Logan Square, Chicago, formed in 2014. The band consists of front woman Laure Ellie, guitarist Steve Pigozzi, bassist Ray Borchers and Justin Vittori on drums.
Slick Caprice, an electronic music producer and DJ, is a Chicago native – a city that has greatly influenced and shaped his music and interest. He has developed his own unique sound that resides as a fusion of electronic, hip-hop, and house. Recently, this past September, he has released his first EP entitled “Limelight”, which focused on a “future trap” style. With many other plans for his music career, as a young 21 year old, he hopes to explore more sounds in the hope of finding peace through his music.
Mirror Coat is a rock band, formed in 2012 in Iowa City, and is now based in Chicago. The band has a wide variety of prominent influences on its music, and their goal is to write and record excellent songs for anyone that cares to put them in their earholes.
Mirror Coat is comprised of two brothers, Nick and Alex Lovelace, and two Scotts, Myers and Hanson.
Bobby Bare, Jr. could’ve phoned in a career. He could’ve exploited the fact that he’s the son of iconic Country Music Hall of Famer Bobby Bare, was born into Nashville’s Music Row elite, and counted artists like Shel Silverstein as close family friends and George Jones and Tammy Wynette as next door neighbors. Instead, Bobby blazed a path of unique songwriting craftsmanship with a voice that blows through you like an unyielding wind on the desolate prairie.
With a big-as-the-room persona, an ability to rock the doors off the most jaded of clubs, the heart to hold a room completely still with just his guitar, and a genius for arrangement, Bobby Bare, Jr. and his band of merry makers are one of the most unique bunches around. They are adept at abandoning common sense in favor of laying themselves at the feet of a rambunctious, freewheeling, and unfettered and unhinged muse.
In the late 90’s, he fronted the boss hog rock band, Bare Jr. With their two records, Boo-tay and Brainwasher, they memorably rocked out on a Nirvana-on-Skynryd-not-Sabbath groove, more indebted to the homebrew than “The Other H.” He keeps himself even busier by appearing on albums by indie rock heroes like the Silver Jews and Frank Black and My Morning Jacket. Few that we have found can combine humor, pain, and anger in such an effortlessly well-crafted manner. If encountered in public, beware: Bobby is a big, gregarious, good-natured fellow who will giddily talk music (from the Smiths to Roger Miller to Metallica to Dolly Parton–sometimes in one breath) until the bartender is tossing you both out.
Look, we LOVE Bobby’s records and we want people to hear them. Maybe our descriptions are making you scratch your head or are scaring you off. Forgive us, his music is ahead of its time and we are not sure what to say about it. All the years we all wasted getting English degrees are powerless in coming up with suitable words to describe his projects. When someone around the office is absent-mindedly whistling a tune, chances are real good that it’s, “I’ll Be Around” or “Valentine” or “Borrow Your Cape.” Bobby’s music is ample proof that commercial radio wouldn’t know a genre-bending smash hit if it ran up and bit it in the ass, and, if radio programmers weren’t all neutered corporate lapdogs, his songs would be in the broad canon of rock.
The Z Chord is a Chicago based rock band, formed in August of 2013 by brothers Pete, Frank and Dan Manzella. The aim of the band is to be the yin to the yang of the death metal genre they’ve been best known for in the Chicagoland area over the last 16 years. Being the polar opposite of a genre that explores dark subjects such as gore, violence, perversion, murder and other demonic ideals. The Z Chord explores universal ideals of meditation, peace, awakening to higher consciousness and the exploration of the spiritual path. Lyrically we are unbiased toward any religion. Our songs are written about the journey towards awakening to the higher self, and reaching for the union with all of creation, the creator, God, or whatever you would like to call it. Whatever path you may be on, may our music serve as a small spark that will eventually ignite a fire within you.
Going back to our roots, the influences of The Z Chord include such classic bands as Alice in Chains, Pink Floyd, Rush, The Beatles, U2, The Doors and so on… But also infusing melodies and imagery from different world religions and traditions such as christian medieval chant, American Indian music and classical sitar stylings of India. In short, The Z Chord is high octane modern rock with ethereal overtones. Truly a haunting sound. If Ravi Shankar had a jam session with A Perfect Circle and Pink Floyd in a 14th century monastary somewhere in the mountains of Europe, the end result could very well sound something like The Z Chord. Currently the band is in the studio working on a full length album to be released in the fall of 2014. A music video for the single “The Z chord” is in the making and is set be released in the spring of 2014.
What is The Z Chord? One night Pete was playing the video game Rocksmith at a buddies house. Someone was trying to tune the guitar and jokingly Pete suggested to play a Z chord. Ding! A light bulb turned on. Sounds like that might make a great band name. So after googling the phrase, it turns out the z chord is a term used by Ukulele players when they mute the strings and just strum the instrument rhythmically without any tone or notes being played. But we prefer to define it as a sound, or musical experience that does not exist. Until now.
Singing sensation Brandon James is a rising star who’s setting his sights on making an impact across the globe.
Chicago native Brandon James delivers a versatile sound of pop and soul to his ever growing fanbase and has plans of delivering much more. Lauren Tate of Serious Art Magazine describes him and his music as “ a refreshingly classic but up to date sound that out shines most upcoming singers.”
Brandon is currently working on releasing a new ep “untitled” It is due to be released on January 14th. The album will be distributed by Ditto Music and made available for download on ITunes, streamed on Spotify and available for purchase on his website The lead single will be released on October 14th. It will be promoted to the world in a music video debuted on Youtube and rotation on MTV. A midwest promotional tour is also in the works.
A Chicago native Brandon James was born “Brandon Foster” on March 17th 1987. He states that he “started doing music as an outlet for depression in Elementary School.” Not realizing his full potential at the time he also states that he “first realized his full potential and passion for singing at the age of 12, after being pushed to become involved in various music related school projects to keep him out of trouble.”
After high school he challenged himself to become a better at his craft, including taking voice lessons from Bobby Wilsyn one of the best Chicago Jazz musicians as well as Ars Musica and Classical singer Andrew Schultze.Seeking to learn music on all levels Brandon James attended Columbia College of Chicago where he earned a degree in Music Performance & Music Business in 2009. The same year Brandon got the chance to perform with legendary band Earth,Wind and Fire.
Brandon James’s primary goal is to share his story and testimony through his music with millions of people all over the world. He seeks to to inspire,touch hearts and provoke thought with his music. In addition to performing live at various notable venues across Chicago including the UIC Pavilion. Brandon James current singles “If I Only Knew” “Everytime” and “There She Goes” can be heard on his website and at www.branddo20music.com
Hailing from Minneapolis, Alex Rossi is a vocalist, guitarist and songwriter who has been performing professionally for over 15 years. With strong roots inblues, soul and funk, Rossi has created his own unique and recognizable sound from his diverse musical background. His performances most often include a 3 – 5 piece band and a crowd that never leaves the dance floor.Rossi formed and fronted his band Root City in 1998, beginning as a blues trio and developing into a full band including a horn section and a fellow Minneapolis beatboxer, Heatbox. The band has been a mainstay of the Minneapolis music scene for a over a decade, holding down its legendaryWednesday night house gig at Gluek’s, which will come to an end inSeptember 2015. He is also a cast member and co-creater of the Rhythmic Circus.
In 2013, Alex Rossi’s songwriting was recognized when he was selected as a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition. He has shared the stage with notable artists including Chicago, Steve Miller Band, Johnny Lang, Eric Hutchinson, Jimmie Vaughan, Blues Traveler, Morris Day & The Time, The Funk Brothers, Susan Tedeschi, Los Lonely Boys, and many others.
Rossi’s discography includes 2 full length albums, a live album and his most recent release, “The Root City EP”. Currently, Rossi is back in the studio working on his fifth album, which is scheduled for release in the Fall of 2015.
One of the most versatile, skilled, and curious musicians in Chicago, guitarist Goran Ivanovic has built a career built upon exploration. Born and raised in Croatia, he was in the midst of studying at the prestigious Mozarteum University in Salzburg, Austria with masters like Eliot Fisk and Joaquin Clerch when his parents (his father is a Serb, his mother a Bosnian Croat) were expelled in the late 90s; the family was granted asylum in the US and they settled in Chicago.
Since his arrival he’s displayed a deep interest in collaboration, steadily expanding his stylistic range well beyond the European classical music and Balkan sounds he was fluently versed in when he arrived. These days his repertoire not only incorporates those disciplines, but jazz and flamenco as well. He’s recorded duet albums with the great Pakistani-Chilean jazz guitarist Fareed Haque as well as Greek-American musician Andreas Kapsalis. He’s a key member of the quartet Eastern Blok with Matt Ulery, Doug Rosenberg, and Michael Caskey, a combo that deftly surveys the folk music of Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Serbia in a distinctly jazz-oriented context, embroidering timeless Balkan melodies and rhythms with sophisticated improvisational gambits.
Most recently, Ivanovic released an eponymous trio album with bassist Ulery and percussionist Pete Tashjian where he’s achieved a stunning assimilation of his many influences, creating a hybrid all his own. Reviewing the new album for All About Jazz, Budd Kopman wrote, “It is easy to get lost in Ivanovic’s technique, especially if one plays (or attempts to play) Classical style guitar, in a jazz style or not.” The trio’s agility has also been noted. As Jeff Elbel wrote in the Chicago Sun-Times, “The trio are recognized for their individual virtuosity, but they show particular excellence as a unit able to stop on a dime and twist gracefully through the trickiest hairpin turns together on local stages.”
George Urgo is a former Philadelphia-based Blues guitarist and singer now living and playing in Chicago, IL! George brings over 15 years of live performance experience to his new home state.
From 2008-2015 George could be seen and heard throughout Philadelphia, playing 2-3 hours of uninterrupted live music that features blues classics and little-heard chestnuts, the hits of Stax and Motown Records, contemporary, top-40 R&B and pop-hip-hop, as well as his own material.
He enjoyed house musician status at Goat Hollow in Germantown, Hawthornes Cafe in South Philly, The Bainbridge Street Barrel House in Queen Village, The Liquid Room in Olde Kensington, Gunner’s Run in Northern Liberties, Marmont Steakhouse in Old City, ERA Bar in Fairmount, The Queen of Sheba in West Philly, and Carmine’s Café in Bryn Mawr.
In 2009 and 2010 George served as a soundtrack composer/instrumentalist for two Philadelphia Fringe Festival productions, It’s Hard Times at the Camera Blanca and How to Solve a Bear.
George also performs in a blues duo with harmonica virtuoso Carol Moog and is the guitarist/singer of The George Urgo Blues Band.
Bury the Machines is a stoner metal band initially formed in Chicago, IL by John Bomher and Mark Serpico. The band is currently based in Los Angeles, CA.
A.Jones raised in Canton, Ohio relocated to Columbus, Ohio for more opportunities. After earning a degree in DigitalVideo/Audio Sound, he decided to pursue his first love, music. Jones grew up with many musical influences ranging from gospel to jazz which helped in cultivating his soulful sound with a modern twist. Get to know A.Jones through his music and experience the artist for yourself.
Cherise is a hardworking artist, singer, songwriter, vocal coach, and vocal
producer and upcoming actress from the south suburbs of Chicago. With music as a
hereditary gift, her formal education has only added to her ability to succeed at
anything she puts her hands to.
Cherise attended Columbia College Chicago and graduated with a Bachelor
of Arts in Vocal Performance. During her time there she got to work with and
share the stage with some amazing artists such as Grammy winner Paula Cole,
Brian Culbertson, Mike Stern, and many educators who have much musical experience.
She has also worked with artists such as Jeremih, Carl Thomas, and many more.
In the fall of 2012 Cherise finally released her first official single on iTunes “The Juice” written by her and her producer Tony Treble. Then she went on to release her Christmas EP in December entitled “Snowfall,” which is also the single from the EP.
Since then she has gone on to do musical theater featuring in the ensemble of shows like “Sounds So Sweet” and the Jeff nominated musical revue “Men of Soul.” Her work in theater has also earned her a nomination with The Black Theater Alliance as most promising actress.
Cherise lives by the motto “If you can dream it, you can do it!”
WAKE THE TOWN
AFTERNOON MOON
Afternoon Moon is on the rise and building a reputation of a funky, energetic performance with dedicated musicians. Pure organic-psychedelic-soul. Formed in 2011, the band has been creating an interesting sound in the Midwest that has caught the ears of many in a short time. Live performances have become a must see, with a vintage infusion of sonic improvisation and an honest homegrown feel. Twin brothers Josh Daniels (vocals/guitar) and Jordan Daniels (vocals/piano/organ/moog) duel it out with Justin Crabb(percussion)and Louie Giacobbe (bass guitar) providing the heartbeat. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget!
Lots of folks throw around the phrase “let the music do the talking,” but only a few have the fortitude to really do it – to just go out there and play, shunning flash, shrugging off image and reeling in the listener on the strength of the songs alone.
Johnny A. is that kind of performer. For the better part of three decades, the Massachusetts-based guitarist and bandleader has proven himself capable of generating heat at venues from working-class bars to international amphitheaters – and every sort of venue in between. And when the house lights are turned up, he’s just as adept at captivating serious students of the six-string with a virtuosity that earned him the rare honor of having his name placed on a signature Gibson® guitar.
“I want to create instrumental music and deliver it like a vocalist,” he says “You can be a great player, on any instrument, and people will take notice for a while…but what people really remember is someone who brings them a great melody.”
On Driven, his fourth outing as a solo performer – which is due for release this June — Johnny serves up plenty of that, in more flavors than Baskin-Robbins and Ben and Jerry’s combined. From the Motown-inflected party-starter “C’Mon, C’mon” to the introspective “A Mask You Wear” (a song that’s flecked with subtle slide playing redolent of George Harrison’s vintage work), he paints vivid landscapes, scenes that create an emotional connection without words.
Nowhere is that more evident than on the album’s sole cover, a languid take on the Bee Gees’ “To Love Somebody,” which fuses the original’s mournful poignancy with a gentle jazziness – not to mention an underlying swing that’s all the more impressive when you consider that it, like the rest of Driven, is the product of a one-man band.
While Johnny has been a bandleader for most of his career, he opted to work alone on this outing. That meant playing all the album’s instruments himself, but it also meant producing and engineering the songs – which he recorded in a studio that he invested plenty of blood, sweat and tears in building.
“It was different, but it wasn’t all that difficult,” he says of going the solo route on this outing. “I started out as a drummer, so I knew what I was doing there, and I just built the songs on my own. I just visualized myself as the band – I could see myself playing everything, and doing it all at once.”
That take-no-prisoners attitude has been ingrained in Johnny A. since he first set foot on a stage, whether as leader of locally-acclaimed Boston acts like Hearts on Fire or in the company of acclaimed artists like J. Geils frontman Peter Wolf – whose band he anchored for more than seven years. It fully came to the fore in 1999, when he independently issued his first solo album, Sometime Tuesday Morning – a disc that eventually went on to sell 100,000 copies and spawn “Oh Yeah,” a single that topped the AAA charts (a feat no instrumental song had accomplished in more than a decade).
“When I was in my early bands, I sang, but when I was with [Peter Wolf], I came down with a really bad bronchial infection and never recovered my voice completely,” he says. “I made a conscious decision at that point to focus on instrumental music. I re-evaluated how I played, redefined my approach completely.”
That new approach won plenty of accolades from outlets like the Boston Phoenix, which dubbed him “a singular presence on the Boston rock and pop scene, winding jazz, blues, popular tunes, rock, and flourishes of psychedelic improvisation into a tight, passionate ball.” The success of Sometime Tuesday Morning led to a second release, Get Inside, which brought forth a radio hit in the form of the title track – and drew the folks at Gibson®, who approached Johnny to collaborate on a custom guitar, the second best selling signature model in the company’s illustrious line of instruments.
Ever the restless spirit, Johnny A. continues to glide across genres effortlessly, exploring elements of jazz, soul and even a bit of Chet Atkins-styled country on his instructional DVD Taste, Tone, Space, which was released in 2006.
That stylistic fluidity got front and center placement on Johnny’s 2010 release, the live CD-DVD package One November Night, which captures just such a riveting evening for posterity and proves that , in the words of Premiere Guitar Magazine, “ Johnny A.’s magic crosses over because, like [Bill] Frisell, he doesn’t just play guitar – he plays music.” That year he earned a Blues Artist of the Year award at 2010’s Boston Music Awards.
The journeying continues on the appropriately-titled Driven, a veritable sonic travelogue that takes the listener from the mists of the hypnotic opener “Ghost” through the rough-hewn terrain of “The Arizona Man,” before fading out in the mysteriously lovely sepia tones of “Gone (Like a Sunset).”
“My goal was to make a really lyrical album that would stay with people, not an album that would make people think ‘wow, that guy’s a great guitarist,’” he says. “I’m not interested in blowing someone’s head off with my playing, or showing how I can shred. With my favorite guitarists, I always tried to put my finger on how I could pick them out of a crowd. You can have all the chops in the world and be voiceless – I always want to have a voice
Jazz guitarist, Alex Grenier has appeared with his various formations across Europe and worldwide (Europe, USA, Japan, Canada…).
In 2013 he founded a trio with Franck Durand and Hervé Moquet. They then won several prestigious jazz awards.
While remaining in the foundations and roots of jazz and blues, Alex Grenier Trio does not hesitate to renew with energy and generosity the famous formula : guitar – bass – drums. The music of the trio is modern, creative, led by improvisation and research of organic and powerful sound.
Awards:
1st Jury Prize at the 2014 Jazz à Sète Festival
1st Prize of the SACEM tremplin Nice Jazz Festival 2014
1st Prize at Jazz En Baie 2013
You’re at a convenience store. The clerk asks you question. You’re too high to talk. You swipe your card and pay. You read the credit card machine and it says “Thank you.” You say “Thank you.” The clerk nods his head.
Texas Toast Chainsaw Massacre is a powerhouse of crossover thrash metal, hailing from the vibrant music scene of Chicago, Illinois. Formed in 2011, this band quickly gained notoriety for their high-energy performances and humorous lyrics and antics.
The band’s lineup includes long-time members Josh “Macho Frost” Kandich on vocals and Jordan Miller on lead guitar, along with bassist Viaj D Crum and drummer Tony Strissel. Over the years, they’ve maintained their independent status, allowing them the creative freedom to produce music that’s unapologetically original and raw.
Texas Toast Chainsaw Massacre is renowned for their live shows, where their infectious energy and dynamic stage presence captivate audiences. Each performance is a rollercoaster of mosh pits, laughter, and headbanging, leaving fans exhilarated and eager for more. Incorporating props such as inflatables and pool noodles, they encourage crowd participation, but also incorporate wrestling themes such as starting “feuds” with bands over a custom made championship title and using “weapons” during their performances such as chair shots and putting people through tables onstage.
Texas Toast Chainsaw Massacre is always ready to ensure everyone is having a good time and encourages fun over all else, always leaving the stage on a high note to get the crowd moving and leaving a positive attitude in the air.
The concept for the musical project Blood Axis was initially created in the early 1990s by the musician, artist, and writer Michael Moynihan. He is joined in Blood Axis by ongoing artistic collaborators Robert Ferbrache a renowned musician and recording engineer, and Annabel Lee, an accomplished musician and artist. Other artists have also contributed to the project over the course of its existence.
The first Blood Axis album, The Gospel of Inhumanity (1996), was recorded by Moynihan and Ferbrache in 1995 and its somber, elegant tones and conceptual richness attracted considerable attention in underground art and music scenes in Europe and the United States. While this album continues to influence numerous bands who have imitated its sound and style, Blood Axis has long since evolved in new directions. Annabel Lee began working with the group in 1996. In 1997 Blood Axis performed at a prestigious event marking the 10th anniversary celebration of the Swedish industrial label Cold Meat Industry. The resulting recording became the basis for the 1998 album Blót: Sacrifice in Sweden, which at the time was the first release by a non-Scandinavian band on the CMI label. Blood Axis has given occasional live performances over the years. These have included sporadic events in the USA in 1992 and 1998, a European tour in 1998, special concerts in Portugal in 2001 and 2008, and a small tour of Germany and Italy in 2005.
In 2010 the second full-length Blood Axis studio recording, Born Again, was released to overall acclaim. While this new album retains certain echoes of the earlier sounds of Blood Axis, it defies easy categorization and represents a bold development in many respects.
In the first decade of its existence Blood Axis contributed various songs to special compilation releases; these songs will be collected together on the CD anthology Ultimacy in 2012.
Mindfully mysterious, Detroit’s conscious riddler Mike Melinoe is a demigod. Combining psychedelic sounds and a low-fi internet-bred aesthetic with old-school lyricism, The Organic Geniuses founder deliberately swerves his way through drugged-out ballads with crisp clarity. Melinoe’s music exists in a plane that marries classic boom-bap to the intricate chaos that can only be summoned by a computer. Melinoe snarls with an elevated consciousness about his life, but eschews narrative for a collage of images. With impressive vocal elasticity, the artist treats beats as blank canvases for vocal exploration rather than a series of lines waiting to be colored within.
While floatin’ up Spit Creek without paddles, a few boys from North Carolina, Michigan, and Chicago happened upon one another during a cold Midwestern winter. All bound by the common thread of a love for bluegrass music and the desire to play it, they quickly realized their compatibility. Vocal harmonies and instrumental synchronicity came quickly and naturally, and quite suddenly their paddles were found. Spit Creek Paddlers were then formed, destined to put on barn burners and throwdowns with their upbeat, high energy renditions of traditional bluegrass and rock ‘n roll tunes as well as a large catalog of original music, drawing stylistically from all over the map. You can never know what to expect from one of their performances, but the Paddlers will guarantee this: high caliber, high energy acoustic music and one hell of a good time.
Spit Creek Paddlers are:
Dave Henderson – Mandolin, vocals
Sam Huff – Acoustic Guitar, Piano, vocals
Jake Gold – Guitars, vocals
Benji Jacobs – Upright bass, vocals
Ray Knipe – Drums, washboard, vocals
ABSU is a metal band from Plano, Texas in the United States. Their demos and first album leaned towards death metal, but evolved more towards a mix of black metal and thrash metal by their second album and beyond. They also incorporate various elements of celtic, folk, jazz fusion, progressive rock and psychedelia into their overall sound but without compromising their trademark speed and ferocity. Lyrical themes vary from myths and legends, magic, weaponry, sorcery, alchemy, astrology, cosmology and beyond.
Urfaust is an occult audial vessel of delirious madness that was invoked in 1999. Ranging from Cruel Black Metal Ambient to Bombastic Drone Rituals, to minimalistic low-fi Black Magick: Urfaust does it all.. Over the years Urfaust have recorded different releases on vinyl, tape, cd and cloth…
Urfaust performed Rites of Intoxication in the USA, The Netherlands, Germany, England, Belgium, England, Ireland, Serbia, Norway, Ireland, Portugal, Iceland and Finland
At War was formed in 1983 by guitarist Shawn Helsel, bassist and vocalist Paul Arnold. and drummer Dave Stone. Originally trying out vocalists they quickly decided that the brutal form of metal they had envisioned could only be brought forth by Arnold’s growling vocals.
June of 1985 saw the release of At War’s first demo entitled “Eat Lead”. The two song demo consisted of the songs “Rapechase” and what has turned out to be At War’s anthem, “Eat Lead,” and immediately received excellent reviews from fanzines and magazines; it was high on rotation on many college radio stations in the US and had an even better reception overseas. It was because of this demo that At War had been dubbed by Spin Magazine as “America’s answer to Motorhead.” This demo garnered At War much attention and an appearance on the now legendary compilation “Speed Metal Hell” issued by the relatively new label from California, New Renaissance Records for the song “Eat Lead.” This compilation is the Holy Grail among metal collectors all over the world. This led to their first full length release ” Ordered to Kill” in 1986. So well received was this album and subsequent tour that new Renaissance decided to put the second song from their “Eat Lead” demo, “Rapechase,” on their next compilation, “Speed Metal Hell II,” now also a collector’s item. After more touring and on a roll, At War immediately booked studio time with the great Alex Perialas at Pyramid Sound to produce their awesome 1987 release “Retaliatory Strike.” With Rob “Wacko” Hunter co-engineering this masterpiece, At War’s place in the world of metal was solidified. At War toured relentlessly through the eighties and early nineties when negotiations began to break down with New Renaissance and the music scene was in the midst of a huge change. Around 1994 At War recorded material for their follow up to “Retaliatory Strike,” but were never really happy with the recordings, so it was never released. At War played its last show around this time.
Dave Paul and Shawn remained close friends and At War never officially called it quits. There were several attempts to revive the band during the late nineties and early 2000’s, but with families, and businesses to run, it was just not the right time.
Fast forward to 2006. The amount of fan pressure had been and was so intense along with the resurgence of the thrash metal movement, At War felt the time was right to get moving again and take care of unfinished business. Determined to put the brute force of At War back in the faces of the legions of dedicated fans, they are back at it with the original lineup. In 2008 At War is started working on their latest release “INFIDEL” and went back to their roots on the new material, and included a few songs that were written during the “Retaliatory Strike” sessions. At War also fulfilled a career dream by finally getting over to Europe in 2008 when they played the “Thrash Assault II Festival in Wuerzburg Germany in February to a huge crowd of Germanys’ most avid metal fans. The crowd response was so intense, they were invited back to Hamburg and played at the “Headbangers Open Air” Festival in July. The weekend prior to heading back to Germany, At War made their first appearance in Mexico City Mexico to play at the infamous “Circo Volador”. This marks a milestone for At War as they have always had a devoted following in Central and South America, and the fans finally got a chance to see At War. Talks are in the works to bring At War to Brazil, Columbia, and many other South American countries along with Japan and Europe.
In September of 2008 At war signed a new deal with Heavy Artillery Records for the release of their new CD “Infidel”. Released on August 18th 2009 to rave reviews At War’s has concreted their return and relevance in the underground metal scene. Infidel was recorded in January of 2009 at Pyramid Sound with famed Metal producer Alex Perialas (Testament, Overkill, Nuclear assault etc.) This pairing has proven to be a perfect partnership, with Heavy Artillery’s network, intense knowledge of the metal scene and their enthusiasm with At War.
At War is back with a vengeance, all due to their rabid fan base. Keep your eyes and ears out for At War!!
1984 saw the birth of Canada’s finest extreme metal outfits, a band whose ideals would not permit compromise, whose conviction would lead to eight releases, and an equal number of years fighting an uphill battle. No mere bandwagoneers, this quartet were out to permanently fuse metal with insane aggression and violence, pummeling listeners with aural and mental fists. This they have undoubtedly achieved, and continue to foster to this day.
The year ’14 brings new blood to Heretic’s ranks. With the addition of second bassplayer Jimmy Blitzer and drummer Tom Auf Der Axe these Dutch black ‘n’ roll masters have what it takes to prolong their mission: writing and playing basic and evil songs that are the perfect soundtrack to any headbanger’s wet dream.
If you like Venom, Motörhead, Turbonegro and/or the Misfits, you’ll probably bang your head to the energetic unholy chops these 4 filthy guys rape your ears with. Love it or hate it, Heretic is here to stay and will be in a town near you anytime soon.
You wanted the sleaziest, you GOT the sleaziest.m
Heretic is and will be from now on:
Thomas Goat – vocals/guitars
Tony Hellfire – leadbass
Jimmy Blitzer – thunderbass
Tom Auf Der Axe – drums
According to an interview with Joel Grind (Toxic Holocaust), Tiger Junkies began as a tradition between himself and Yasuyuki Suzuki (Abigail) in which the two would get together and record something any time Joel was in Japan, usually with a mix of metal and hardcore punk styled songs.
In 1984 BULLDOZER released their debut 7” single Fallen Angel/Another Beer. This record shares the dubious honour with Hellhammer’s debut EP as being rated “The worst record of all times” by respected UK magazine Kerrang.
A band called BULLDOZER was formed in 1980 by Darrio Carria and Andy Panigada. Panigada left the band shortly thereafter. He met AC Wild in 1983. Together with drummer Rob K Cabrini and second bassist Fabrizio Grossi, who would go on to play bass with Steve Vai, they played covers of MOTORHEAD songs. Panigada was contacted again by Carria who wanted to reform Bulldozer and record a single in Milanese dialect. Instead Panigada not only suggested two different tracks but also a new singer, AC Wild. The two infamous songs Fallen Angel and Another Beer were recorded in one take and released as BULLDOZER’s vinyl debut.
Notwithstanding the dubious honour awarded by Kerrang, Roadrunner Records signed the band in 1984. The contract contained a special clause noting the fact that AC Wild, as a conscientious objector during the Spadolini government in Italy, did not have a passport and could not travel outside of Italy to perform, for an unknown period of time.
Before the Roadrunner contract was signed, bassist Carria and drummer Galli, still minors, were caught with tattoos by their parents and both left the band. The new bassist, Don Andras, was nearly 30 years old and had a criminal record, but he was the only drummer around who could thrash a kit. AC Wild, originally a bassist, replaced Carria on bass but invited him to record bass on the album version of Fallen Angel.
“Too punk” according to King Diamond in 1985
In 1985 BULLDOZER released their first album on Roadrunner Records in Europe, the USA and Japan. The band wanted King Diamond to produce the record, he claimed the material was “too punk” for his taste. Roadrunner appointed Algy Ward from TANK as producer. In a twist of fate TANK had themselves been produced by “Fast” Eddie Clarke of MOTORHEAD whose songs BULLDOZER covered at the beginning. The British press labeled the band “Venom clones”. In fact Cronos even jokingly asked for royalties!
Roadrunner encouraged this erroneous labelling and even re-signed the band for a second album, chosing a rejected photo for the cover. From there on the relationships with Roadrunner and the foreign press broke down completely.
The band, and particularly AC Wild, never accepted the labelling used by the British press. Starting with The Exorcism all the songs were about true experiences, real people or events. Nothing was invented.
The Final Separation was a darker and more serious album. But it had a weak sound and sales dropped. Roadrunner did not take up the option for a third record.
Don Andras left the band, replaced once again by Rob K Cabrini. AC Wild took a leave of absence to perform 20 months of community service.
IX given the first ever Zero rating by magazines
The band decided to self-produce a four-track EP (later side A of IX). They signed to Italian disco label Discomagic. The cover of IX was AC Wild’s concept. It contained certain hidden messages and intuitions. The record was strongly criticised in northern Europe and even received the first ever Zero rating by UK magazine Kerrang and German magazine Metal Hammer! The lyrics were targeted as being too extreme and direct. Obviously they completely missed the irony of Mysoginists, Ilona The Very Best, The Derby etc. Only BULLDOZER’s hardcore fans in Italy, Poland and Japan liked the album.
In 1987 just before performing in Livorno, the band learned of the death of Dario Carria. From that moment on their playing became more urgent and determined.
They dedicated the next album to him. This time the album is received with respect by certain leading European publications like Aardshock or Metal Forces. The album features keyboards, symphonic sounds, drum sampling – innovative elements adopted by many bands from the nineties until today.
After seeing a festival in Poland, AC Wild is inspired to have the band perform and record a live concert. Alive In Poland was recorded in one take, with no studio retouching, in front of 5500 people in the city of Katowice. BULLDOZER’s last concert was held in Milano, Italy in 1990. The band knew it was over. In an interview AC Wild said “we hope to take steps forward in the future, otherwise we can forget the whole thing. If it means recycling the band’s name with nothing new, it’s useless to carry on …”.
BULLDOZER goes experimental and it’s labeled a fiasco
In 1992 AC Wild and Panigata decide to record an experimental EP Trilogy: Dance Got Sick with rapper Dr. D.O.P.E. Three tracks in three distinctive styles are recorded. Dance Got Sick is called a fiasco by many hardcore BULLDOZER fans. Others would call it winning at the lottery. One track is covered by the Japanese band Abigail and another is discovered by a famous British DJ in Japan who turns it into a hit. It is re-released on many compilations that sell over one million copies, a new style of music is born. Even PRODIGY are inspired by it.
Whereas IX and Neurodeliri were made with the heart, Dance Got Sick was made with rage and a stroke of genius.
Resurrected from the grave in 2009
The realization, in 2001 and 2007, of prophecies contained in the album IX drove AC Wild and Andy Panigada to reconvene with new drummer Manu ( DEATH MECHANISM) and put into words and music BULLDOZER’s point of view on this world.
During the period of hibernation, Aristodemo – nominated honorary member of the band – took it upon himself to promote the band to new generations of fans. His activities are the inspiration for BULLDOZER re-releases, reissues and the most current boxset Regenerated In The Grave by MetalMind.
The new album Unexpected Fate is due out in 2009.
Guest musicians such as Jennifer Batten , Kiko Loureiro, Billy Sheehan, Olaf Thørsen and Anders Rain give the new project a touch of class and, should we stay, some respectability.
The release of the come-back CD give the chance of a “renaissance” for the band. A renewed interest brings the band to start a new chapter of his history. Recuiting lead guitarist Ghiulz from FAUST, G.C.(A.C.’s teen son) on keyboards and Simon, still of D.M., on bass the band start to promote the new release.
The band had the chance to being guested in major festivals such as Metal Camp, Tuska, Rock Hard etc, alongside band such as Slayer, Kreator, touring Japan and perform shows in many areas of Europe ending with the opening act with their “early time” influence: Motorhead.
On 2011 Simon left the band, replaced by his fellow band member Pozza and the band start again touring Poland and perform shows and festivals alongside Venom, Marduk and many others covering Europe and South America.
On 2013 the band decided it was the time to relase their first Live DVD to “picture” their blast on live shows.
Recorded at Rock Hard Festival Italy in 2012.
On 2013 Andy begins to wrote some “scraps” for the new album and at the present days the band is still working on it.
1984 7” FALLEN ANGEL
1985 THE DAY OF WRATH (Roadrunner)
1986 THE FINAL SEPARATION (Roadrunner)
1988 IX (Metalmaster) (Metal Mind)
1989 NEURODELIRI (Metalmaster) (Metal Mind)
1990 ALIVE IN POLAND (Metal Mind)
1992 DANCE GOT SICK (Bulld EP)
2009 UNEXPECTED FATE (Scarlet)
2012 DVD + CD The Neurospirit lives………….
2014 THE EXORCISM (Foad) original 1984 demo LP-CD
The shadow cast by the city of big shoulders is a shade where a certain imagination gets ignited. Perhaps it’s all the train tracks that harken back to when Chicago was truly freight handler to the nation, sending catalog dreams speeding over steel to far off corners of the country.
Aaron Kelly grew up in Plainfield, IL, thinking big and making plans, and wondering where those trains were going to. Falling under the influence of Townes Van Zandt, Hank Sr., John Prine, and contemporaries Todd Snider and Hayes Carll, his songs aren’t too dissimilar from those crates and packages of the last century. They carry the promise that something good is coming. These are songs meant to ease a burden and bring a smile, carefully crafted and made to last.
Aaron has been featured by American Songwriter Magazine, and will release his first solo album in December 2015, after zig-zagging across the country for the last 7 years with his band, Overman.
We are, Nico on vox, Sam on fiddle and backup vox, James on four string and more backup vox, and Justin on the skins n’ tins We like rock n’ roll, partying, and other cool shit. You probably wont like us.
Over the last five years, LA-based wunderkind Duckwrth has quickly risen up the ranks as a promising star of the future of music. His collection of critically acclaimed projects including Nowhere (2015,) I’m Uugly (2016), Xtra Uugly (2017) and The Falling Man EP (2019), have transcended streaming platforms and landed in films, TV series, and brand ad campaigns and have received critical acclaim from a vast amount of outlets including NPR, The FADER, Complex, XXL and more. This accumulation has led the rapper to become an international touring staple, headlining shows globally and performing at Austin City Limits and opening for superstars Billie Eilish and Anderson .Paak. Duckwrth’s music has appeared on shows like CW’s All American, HBO’s Insecure and Real Time with Bill Maher and his song “Start A Riot” was featured on the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack. His music has appeared in campaigns for the likes of Cadillac, Microsoft, Peloton, Amazon and Apple Music, and he’s worked with fashion legacies like Levi’s, Vans and Fila, as well as high fashion men’s suit designer Paul Smith.
Ray Wild brings a fresh funk to vintage rock and roll, pulling from influences of The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Led Zeppelin, Cream, and Mac DeMarco. Born in Chicago, currently in Columbia- Ray Wild has shared the stage with Andrew W.K., Radkey, The Paul Benjamen Band, and recently returned from a 7-stop tour to California and back.
The 4onthefloor deliver stompin’ blues at an alarming intensity. 4onthefloor was born in the bottom of a bourbon bottle with the idea that it’s effing time to have some fun and make amazing music as well. Audiences immediately took to the infectious driving feel of not one, but four bass drums pulsing to the beat of the songs. The music is inspired by the gutsy stomp of the Delta Blues and the hoe-downs from America’s past and present. While 4onthefloor prides themselves on their original songs, they also love putting their signature stomp on covers from the likes of Wilco to Tom Jones. This makes 4onthefloor one of the most entertaining bands on the Midwest music scene today, and the world tomorrow.
Fever Chills blends pop, rock, jazz, r&b and dance into a sound that’s inspired as much from modern music as it is from the classics. It’s all about the feel.
Self-proclaimed dirty doo-wop, Modern Vices are Alex, Peter, Thomas, Patrick, and Miles. They hail from Chicago. Noir in tone, their sound resides somewhere between late ’50s croon and wet garage rock snarl. Their self-recorded, eponymous, LP drops in October via Los Angeles’ Autumn Tone Records. A romantic revolution.
As children, many people gave life to their stuffed companions, bestowing upon them names and personalities. As these children grew, their sincere attachment to their inanimate comrades often dwindled or disappeared completely…but little did the world know that the conglomeration of these imaginary personalities would be made manifest in the form of a wandering dream-being collectively imagined by everyone.
And he’s a shithead.
