Going To California is Greg Firak on guitar (Fifth World, Dirty MF and the Smokin’ Sextion, Mano) and Jimmy Cobb (The Snake Oil Salesmen) on vocals. Both are avid Led Zeppelin fans who decided to infiltrate open mics around Chicago and play strictly acoustic Zeppelin songs. The audiences were amazed at how well this duo performed. Firak and Cobb mimic the powerful yet delicate dynamics of Jimmy Page and Robert Plant and can recreate everyone’s favorite Zeppelin songs . The open mics proved to be successful and paid gigs followed, playing Reggie’s Music Joint opening for Mr. Blotto, Reggie’s Roof Top, and Sylvie’s. Going To California also performed these influential songs to a bunch of young aspiring rockers at CampJam 2012. You won’t believe your ears.

Mano is a Middle Eastern-inspired progressive rock band based in Chicago. Their compositions utilize musical textures and sounds from varied genres of contemporary, classical, and world music. Mano fuses a rock rhythm section with classical and world instrumentation to bring a unique and energetic live music experience that journeys through intense, thematic unison lines contrasted by sections of virtuosic improvisation. Founded in 2013 by flutist/composer Joe LaRocca, Mano includes Greg Firak (guitar), Parker Grogan (electric/upright bass), Collin O’Brien (drums), Najeeba Syed (violin), Desiree Miller (cello), and Marshall Greenhouse (percussion/kaoss).