JJ & Dre initially formed in Chicago, IL as a trio in 2011 when the husband and wife duo of Justin and Andrea Dotoli met guitarist Jason Paradise at the city’s storied Vic Theater. The trio quickly found a strong chemistry, began working up original material and spent most of 2011 performing in and around the greater Chicagoland area before locking in its full lineup of Eric Allen, Mike Schroeder and Andy Need on keyboards, drums and bass respectively, in 2012.

The potent combination of numerous songwriters, vocalists and styles quickly created a musical stew of sorts, in turn sparking a creative surge that shows no signs of slowing down. This is proven by the fact that JJ & Dre has released a full length LP (2012’s One Single Event) and two EP’s (2013’s The Bandits and 2014’s Clark) over the course of the past three years.

The band has become a musical amalgamation of Rock, Blues, Funk and Soul and while they’re all clearly experienced and capable as a studio unit, the live stage is where they’re truly at their best.

Walsher Clemons is a Chicago based band formed in 2007. Our music is a unique combination of rock and jazz with a focus on both composition and improvisation. Our shows consist of both original material and a wide variety of popular music by artist such as Led Zeppelin, Steely Dan, Marvin Gaye, and other popular classics.

Many bands who claim to wave rock’s gnarly, pedal-to-the-metal flag forget the intricacies and innovation that go along with it. True: Sometimes a great rock and roll song can be just four chords, but rearrange them all you like and they can only get you so far. What’s refreshing about Draft Week’s style is that they incorporate rich dynamics and throw a wrench in atypical song structures, while still remembering to keep things consistently hooky with fervent energy and back-alley cool.
Though Kevin McNamara (vocals, guitar), Mike Zevin (bass, keys, back-up vox), Mikey Plahm (drums) and Chad De Leon (lead guitar) all performed in rival bands in high school, they eventually started Draft Week together in 2009, during their college days. Through two national tours and four self-released EP’s, the band has racked up prized opening slots for the likes of Fuel, Taking Back Sunday, Lucky Boys Confusion, AM Taxi, Empires, the Ataris, Sister Hazel, and Motion City Soundtrack. Locally, they’ve played some of Chicago’s most renowned venues (Metro, Congress Theater, House of Blues) as they continue to build a solid fan-base throughout the second city.

Hailing from the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, Captain Coopersmith is a six piece rock band, active since 2013. Their first album, the self titled Captain Coopersmith debut, is a sonic tour de force of music and lyrics. Melded together, they formulate a complex concept album that explores the nature of human reaction, and how different perspectives will lead to different outcomes, even in the same situation. A band that tackles such heavy subjects so masterfully rarely gets to claim such accomplishments after only one year of playing together. Captain Coopersmith is a special exception however, as its members have worked together extensively, developing remarkable chemistry, before starting their most current project
With such a solid instrumental foundation intact, Captain Coopersmith further showcases their talent with powerful three-part harmonies. Joey Scully and Tommy Glaviano take turns singing lead, with both having plenty to offer. However, they work best when they’re all working together as a trio. With the addition of Hanna Azcui, they are a supreme joy to listen to.
Their beautiful harmonies are crafted successfully largely in part to the strong rhythm section. Mike McAvoy and Eric Gianakakos offer a full, rich, and stable foundation that allows the rest of the band to really unleash upon their most creative melodies and solos.