Midnight

MIDNIGHT

MIDNIGHT 20 YEARS OF THE FILTHIEST BAND AROUND 20 YEARS OF SPEED AND DARKNESS

“Rebirth By Blasphemy is a rebirth,” states Midnight’s sole driving force, Athenar . “It’s a change in life and it’s a rebirth of doing whatever the fuck you want and seeing what happens after that. It’s about saying yes, taking opportunities, taking a fucking chance.” These sentiments are backed up by the notorious – and prolific – unde rground band’s trademark blend of speed metal, black metal and punk rock, sounding both fuller and more raucous than ever before. “Overall, I would say the sound is pretty vicious, vicious but I keep things hooky, and that’s what I like it to be. I want to still keep it raw but at the same time I wanted this record to be a little more hi – fi, which was my only plan when I started making it.” Dating back to the band’s inception in 2002, vocalist/guitarist/bassist/drummer Athenar has always known exactly what he wanted Midnight to be, and over the course of countless demos, EPs, compilations, splits and three full – lengths he has stayed true to his roots. Building up a strong reputation and a rabid following in the underground, Midnight’s most recent opus, 2017 ’s Sweet Death And Ecstasy, stood as their most accomplished work to date. “Looking back on that record I think it’s a fantastic piece of work, really. It’s pretty varied, it has a nice bookend front and back song. I think the lyrics are thought provoking, and I think it’ll be a pretty important piece of work over time, up there with the Mona Lisa.” Making the jump to Metal Blade Records did not mean any change in the way Athenar went about making Midnight records. “I never really thought about writing a fo llow up to Sweet Death . If a song comes it comes and where it goes is wherever it goes, but nothing is ever really intended as ‘this song will be on the new album’.” There is also no denying that, like its predecessors, Rebirth By Blasphemy is a ruthlessly catchy collection, every song, vicious as they are, wielding the kind of hooks that sink deep and don’t let go, and this too came naturally. “There’s no real intent. I think a rock song in general should be catchy, so if someone thinks it’s catchy that’s a good thing. If they don’t think it’s catchy then they probably don’t have ears.” While the likes of opener “Fucking Speed And Darkness”, “Escape The Grave” and “Warning From The Reaper” are all d – beat – driven thrashers they don’t lack when it comes to hoo ks, and “Rising Scum”, built on a titanic stomping beat, reins in the speed but is easily one of the standout tracks on the record, Athenar referring to it as being “quite 1979 Priest – like, just with its drum and vocal.” When it came to penning lyrics for the record, Athenar’s perspective shifted over the course of the writing process. “I would say I started out in a very positive frame of mind. One of the first tunes Midnight Bio.docx written was “Escape The Grave”, and from there I went on the positive path – and then it turned negative by the end of the album. The title track is very negative lyrically, so I ended it again with complete and utter disgust for humans in general, but then you want that to come out of you. Just like you take a poop and you take a pee you want the rotten shit to come out of your body, because if you keep the rotten shit in your body it’ll rot you internally.” Handling every instrument himself and being quite unfussy when it comes to production typically means that the recording process is a str aightforward one for Midnight, and this time was no different. Staying in his home town of Cleveland he opted to record at Mercenary Studios with the assistance of Noah Buchanan, laying the drums down in a day, the guitars in a little more than that, bass in a few hours and then tracking the vocals to two or three songs a day, depending on how his voice was holding up. “I think there’s really no production value on the album, it’s really just get in there, press record and see what happens. Maybe you can te ll that the sessions went pretty quickly when you listen to it. There are so called mistakes, of course, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He also wouldn’t have it any other way when it comes to touring this latest collection hard , with a lot of dates with a variety of bands already locked down. “It’s the rebirth, it’s saying fuck it and getting out there and doing what you’re supposed to do, and we’re supposed to play music. If people want to damage their ears by listening to it that’s welcome.”

NICE PETER

Nice Peter is a rock singer/songwriter turned Youtube sensation best known for his hit original series The Epic Rap Battles of History. Hailing from Chicago, Nice Peter made a name for himself playing every small club and open mic in the Windy City. In 2008 he shipped off for LA, where he got his big break in the emerging online entertainment business. He and long-time comedic partner EpicLLOYD (Chicago Native #2) started the Epic Rap Battle Series which pits two quasi-unrelated characters against each other in a musical battle of wits and rhymes. See: Darth Vader VS Adolf Hitler. For his live set at Reggie’s Rock Club, Nice Peter combines his original songs, a medley of popular rap battles and the unique crowd interaction and improvisation that first put him on the map.

Deepspacepilots

DEEPSPACEPILOTS

Chicago based three-piece doom/stoner/rock/drone/ambient.

JOHN WETTON

He has been a professional singer/songwriter/musician since the late 1960s as a member of such progressive rock bands as Mogul Thrash, Family, King Crimson (working with childhood friend Robert Fripp), Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry band, Uriah Heep, UK and Wishbone Ash. Wetton found worldwide fame in 1982 with the band Asia, whose self-titled debut album sold millions and became Billboard magazine’s #1 album of 1982.

WEEZER “PINKERTON”

Pinkerton is the second studio album released on September 24, 1996. After finishing tours in promotion of their 1994 album Weezer, the band originally planned to record a space-themed rock opera entitled Songs from the Black Hole. However, this project was eventually abandoned and the group used some of the songs from the discarded album on Pinkerton. Much of the album was written while frontman Rivers Cuomo was studying at Harvard University, which influenced the themes addressed on the record.

MENDER

KRYSTAL LAFIANZA-PITZEN

STONED CITY REBELS

“We want to play music all year and meet cool people and make some money and not live with our parents. Ryan- Lead guitar,vocals, piano – Collin-Lead vocals, guitar – Averil-percussion instruments – Matt-Bass – Alex -Drums

DEVIN MILLER AND THE DEAD OR ALIVES

From Rick Saunders at the Deep Blues blog: “Devin Miller ain’t nothing but trouble. He’s a hellraisin’, honkytonkin’, ‘stone lovin’, guitar slangin’, singin’ songwritin’ babyfaced grandson of a pig farmer. Twenty-five percent equal parts Jerry Lee, Keith, R.L., Hank, Elvis, Carl, Johnny, and Jack. That adds up to two hundred percent all American badass.”

DASTARDLY SOLO

The marriage between old west folk and the ambiguous genre of “indie rock” makes the songs of Dastardly a palatable playlist for those who aren’t normally attracted to cowboy crooners. In fact, by the sound of the screaming girls heard at Subterranean, we’re pretty sure the band was responsible for converting quite a few pop princesses into banjo loving broads. Experimental enough to feel fresh but traditional enough to feel familiar even to first timers, Dastardly is band that asserted itself as notable early in the game and now can enjoy the steady rise to local fame they’re guaranteed. —reviewsic.comDastardly is a Chicago outfit that plays americana music with just the right ratio of “sticky-sweet” to “fuckin’ shit up.” Every note is deliberate and controlled, but just barely masks an urgent and immediate sense of existential, frantic terror that must be slowly driving them mad. ..-am3r1cank1ds.tumblr.com..Their indie-folk, Americana sounds is perfect for a 2010 Hoedown (meaning PBR and cigarettes). The band has no shortage of instruments including lap steel, dobro, or accordian. Their tunes have a top side of bluegrass, finger-lickin’ pickin’, but there’s always a seemingly modern undercurrent whether it’s the echo-y lead guitar line of “Excercises In Self Loathing” or the big, tribal beat outro of “Brief Thoughts On Death” —loudlooppress.com

Aaron Kamm and The One Drops

AARON KAMM AND THE ONE DROPS

Hailing from St. Louis, MO, Aaron Kamm and the One Drops merge flavors of Roots Reggae, Mississippi River Blues, Improv-laced Jams, and Soulful Vocals. With a High energy performance and a unique sound this band is a must see.

MUSICAL CHARIS

Let the songs write you! Musical Charis formed in the summer of 2008 as a male/female 4 piece with the intentions of creating an encouraging, light-hearted atmosphere for songwriting and creativity. “Charis” is the Greek word for gift, so the name literally translates to “Musical Gifts” Since then, the group has grown into a cabaret of multi-instrumental musicians who constantly tour, write and record new material. The band even made time to open “Musical Charis Music School” for low-income families in Sacramento. Members of the band teach private piano, guitar, and voice lessons to over 50 youngsters in the area. “People People” (JMB Records) the 10 song full length album released on July 23rd, 2010 was co-engineered by John Baccigaluppi (Editor of Tape OP Magazine) “Forward” may be the highlight of the ten track record, a catchy indie rock number that is in a class of its own on this album. The instrumentation here and throughout the record is extremely impressive, as each band member know their own roles. This makes for a wonderful chemistry that is audible even in a studio recording.” [Absolute Punk]

YELLOW DUBMARINE

Forty years after four legendary musicians crafted a classic album named for the studio they made famous, another group of supremely talented musicians is re-imagining that same album in their own unique way. For Dub-Reggae rockers, Yellow Dubmarine, who formed in the fertile music community of the Washington D.C. and Baltimore areas, the choice to take on the Beatles masterpiece, Abbey Road, was a simple one. There was a natural vision for it, they explain, “It is more of a concept album, and we knew it would be the perfect place to start. The resulting album, Abbey DUB, is an aural journey through the history of reggae with The Beatles as your guide. From “Come Together” through “Her Majesty,” Yellow Dubmarine finds new life in all of the legendary album’s 17 songs, keeping the heart of each tune present, but simultaneously re-creating them in an entirely new light. Producer Kenny Liner of The Bridge, crafts a sonic landscape that in one instant recalls traditional Nyagbinghi drumming, before becoming a simple Rock-steady cadence which subtly evolves into a horn-laced, Ska groove full of Caribbean and Calypso overtones that gives way to a bass heavy Dub “riddim” that sways and bounces and gets everyone up and moving. The decision to work with Liner was an easy one for the band, proclaiming, “There is no one we would trust more musically or professionally with this concept than him. The development of the identity of Yellow Dubmarine’s horn section as a strong singular voice and separate entity within the band helped create a wholly unique sound that allows the instantly recognizable tunes from Abbey Road to take on a whole new personality, a personality that is full of intoxicating, deep, danceable grooves. Abbey DUB is a shockingly original take on the legendary album. Horns where there were once voices, a slinky groove where there was once none, and a smooth mellow essence that seems to find the long lost island-roots soul of Abbey Road. A blissfully exuberant, rock-steady, Jah-worthy celebration of the Fab Four, Abbey DUB is quite simply a chance to hear this much loved classic again for the first time.

STAGEDOOR CANTEEN

Stage Door Canteen is a legendary big band out of Woods Hole, Massachusetts, the southernmost tip of Cape Cod. Dedicated to “The Big Band Sound,” the Stage Door presents a musical tour-de-force spanning classic swing tunes, repertory big band music, and horn-fueled, dance-driven rhythm and blues. In celebration of their twentieth anniversary, the band is traveling to Chicago on the iconic Lake Shore Limited rail line, in homage to the great big bands who came before. In 2007, celebrating their fifteenth anniversary, they toured Ireland, playing gigs in Dublin and at several beautiful rural theaters, as well. An institution on their native Cape Cod, Stage Door Canteen has headlined every major music festival in that area and have opened for the Boston POPS. They bring the unbridled energy and swinging style of perfect summer party on the beaches of Hyannisport with them everywhere they go.

GREEN GENES

Jack designs the Green Genes as a hard rock band with elements of blues and post-punk to reflect the various moods of his story.

JULIA KLEE

A packed house at Schuba’s (Chicago) for the release of her release, “Big Charade” was a great start to a great year and a glimpse into the future of Julia Klee. …”Every once in awhile, we see a live show that’s so transcendental in its scope, that takes the live venue and transforms it into a singular experience, where the voices of the crowd drops away, and the artist becomes a singular focus.”… -The Real Big Rock Candy Mountain- Being featured on Chicago’s key radio stations, WLUW & WXRT and highlighted in The Chicago Tribune & Time Out Chicago, the word was out. …”She’s got pipes that rival Neko Case and Kelly Hogan.”… -Timeout Chicago- Prior to her full length debut- “Big Charade”, Julia made waves in the Chicago music scene as the female counterpart of critically acclaimed songwriter, Joe Pug. In 2009 she was invited to sing with Pug and his band at Lollapalooza and several sold out shows at Schuba’s, The Hideout and also the album “Messenger”. Then, after being invited to sing on the record, “The Best of Times,” with Austin native Colin Gilmore, amongst country greats Willie Nelson, Rhett Miller, Shawn Colvin and The Flatlanders put her on the map and into the studio to make her own record. “Big Charade”, is a brilliantly crafted collection of piano driven songs with a cast of alt-country musicians that have a tour history ranging from The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, Head of Femur, Merle Haggard and ZZ Top.

COLIN GILMORE

Lubbock, Texas, the birthplace of Buddy Holly, has been harvesting a good crop of talent for many generations. The birthplace of Delbert McClinton, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock and Joe Ely (collectively known as The Flatlanders), Mac Davis, Terry Allen, Lloyd Maines and his daughter Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks, makes you wonder if it’s in the water. Colin Gilmore, born the son of Jimmie Dale Gilmore and raised in Lubbuck, was surrounded by acoustic guitars and harmonies from birth. Stories of falling asleep to late night singing and waking up on the front porch with the singing now at low keel, the sunrise imminent are shared by all. Not only were these folks born in the same small city, but they’re close friends who still get together to play their guitars and sing songs. You can hear the “Lubbock Twang” in Colin’s vocals and witness his Southern charm in his lyrics.

RUMBLE SEAT RIOT

First off, we are a band and not journalists, so spelling and punctuation will not always be correct. Second, we are a band and not big internet goorooes so sometimes it takes us a little wile to respond to post. Now, with that out of the way. Here’s a little about us.
O’l Larry Kaster is the reason why this band started. Just arived into town from Nashville TN and was on a hunt to find mu…sicians to start up a Rockabilly band. Well after frequenting some bars asking anybody that remotely fit the part , “Hey, do you play any music?” He found me. I really didn’t play much but had been messing around with song writing months after a hard break up so I said “a little. ” I let him listen to a couple songs I was working on and confessed I haven’t been playing guitar for very long but he was alright with it. I think it didn’t bother him because he himself had just picked up playing a stand up bass. Now he’d been in a few bands and has played multiple instruments but this was new, so in a way we were in the same boat. I never expected to really play a show in front of people. And with no expectations I guess I’m a little taken back that not only are we still playing, but playing with some of the best in out genre. Don’t know haw long it will last but as long as people still want to listen to what we have to say we’ll be playing the best we can. And as of right now we haven’t even begun to tap our full potential. Part of that has to do with our sec drummer Brian. He has definitely brought inspiration to the lineup. But I wont forget about Butchie, who helped kick this whole thing off. I learned a lot about song breakups and drum fundamentals from him. Not to mention much help with all the non musical aspects of starting a band.
Like I said, we’ll do this as long as we have listeners and people willing to support. Been a hell of a start, but its just a start.

Thanks for showing interest and support.

-RSR-

SHAPES AND COLORS

Formed in August 2011, Shapes & Colors emerged from the dust of funk-fusion band, “Raoul Duke” (2007-2011), and began knocking down all barriers within the Live Electronic Music community.

Consisting of Ramsey Zabout aka RamZ (production/ableton), Matt Rezetko (drums/percussion/samples), Jeremy Williams (bass/moog/EFX), Lucas Ellman (EWI/Sax/EFX) and Dan Cantone (guitar/slide/EFX); Shapes & Col

ors continue to evolve and develop their unique blend of electronic production and live instrumentation.

The squad delivers a collage of Glitch, Funk, Electro Soul, Down-Tempo & Hip Hop beats. Lyrical samples from our favorite MC’s are often found within a S&C set, along with growling bass lines, crackin’ live drums, and captivating melodies.

OWEN

In the past decade, Chicago’s Mike Kinsella has played a variety of instruments in a handful of bands including Cap’n Jazz, Joan of Arc, The One Up Downstairs, American Football, Owls, Maritime, and Aloha. Owen is his solo project.

N.O.R.M.

WINDY LAWLOR

MIKE REDDICK

BERSERKER

REMEMBER THE PASSION

THE RECENTLY DECEASED

“Rock, psychobilly, metal, horror punk, hardcore, blues, country, rockabilly, pop” music… it quickly became very hard to throw the band in one catagory since there were so many influences in the style it became “all of that and none of that”. The sound has a raw blues rock foundation, with metal inspired guitar riffs, traditional rockabilly bass walkin, punk rock drum beats, and pop vocal harmonies that make up the original sound that is The Recently Deceased.

LUCKY STRIKES

Left on the door stoops of several saloons and brothels on Beale street as infants, the current members of The Lucky Strikes grew up in the center of the red hot cauldron of Rockabilly. Roaming the back alleys of Chicago for the last decade or so, brings a gritty urban edge to their decadent brand of Hillbilly Bop. If you are truly concerned about any of the important females in your life, leave them at home. The loss of innocence would be much too profound.

Zeke

ZEKE

ZEKE established a nasty disposition while cutting teeth on their own brash hardcore punk. ZEKE formed in 1993 with an original lineup of Blind Marky Felchtone, Donny Paycheck, Mark Pierce, and Dizzy Lee Roth. The band’s first release was 1993’s ‘West Seattle Acid Party’ single on Wrecking Ball Records, followed by the ‘Holley 750’ single on IFA Records. ZEKE then set out to bring their energetic recordings to the stage and established a more than formidable reputation as “the live band to beat” via concentrated regional touring.

The self titled single ‘Zeke’ was then released on Scooch Pooch Records and was followed by the 1995 release ‘Super Sound Racing.’ ZEKE then hit the road again, unveiling a devastatingly high-octane live assault. The band was heralded as “Rock and Roll outlaws,” playing every conceivable venue that would have them. The release of the next full-length, ‘Flat Tracker’ a year later ensured ZEKE had enough audio ammo to stay on the road for months on end. And tour they would…

In 1997 Man’s Ruin Records issued the live album ‘PIG’ to a rousing response. ZEKE then signed to Epitaph Records in 1998, releasing, ‘Kicked In The Teeth.’ ‘Kicked In The Teeth’ was mixed and engineered by Jack Endino and the album’s increased distribution and availability found the band legions of white-knuckled new followers.

ZEKE recorded the follow up to ‘Kicked in the Teeth’ – ‘Dirty Sanchez’ – with Kurt Bloch of THE FASTBACKS. ‘Dirty Sanchez’ was released in early 2000. ZEKE’s second Epitaph release, ‘Dirty Sanchez’ rocked like a motherfucker. From the beginning quote of “Hey, he’s acting weird, it must be drugs!” to the last roar of the FLEETWOOD MAC’s “Rhiannon,” ‘Dirty Sanchez’ bludgeoned with tireless energy. Following ‘Dirty Sanchez’s’ release, bassist Mark Pierce left the band and was replaced by Jeff “The Kid” Matz.

Throughout the time that ZEKE called Epitaph home, they toured relentlessly. The band paired up with anyone and everyone who would have them, hitting the road with the likes of JERRY CANTRELL (ALICE IN CHAINS), ALL, THE VOODOO GLOW SKULLS, DOA, THE SUPERSUCKERS and even a few dates with PEARL JAM. The band toured the U.S., Europe, Japan and Australia, spreading their rock while breaking all the rules. ZEKE played everything from stadiums with 50,000 people, to bars with 10 people, but the spirit remained the same; rock like this might be the last show ever.

The band’s fifth full-length, ‘Death Alley’ was released in 2001. Even after a solid stretch of similarly themed and arranged albums, ZEKE’s ‘Death Alley’ began with the premise that “fast is just not fast enough.” ‘Death Alley’ continued the band’s full-throttle approach, utilizing ZEKE’s essential formula – a manic, methamphetamine lab distillation of early American hardcore and classic rock – to full effect.

When you’re a punk band that is eternally touring, strange things are bound to happen that will have as much of an influence on the band as the music that got them started. KISS, BLACK FLAG, THE RAMONES and BLACK SABBATH all get a run for the money when it comes to ZEKE antics. When asked about some specifics, vocalist / guitarist Marky Felchtone rattled off a brief list: “Drum sticks in eyes, broken bones, incidents involving cake, drugs and under-aged females, Black Metal homicides, etc…you name it” Felchtone went on to note that the reason he and ZEKE love touring so much is that it’s “it’s the best reason to avoid real responsibility.”

After leaving Epitaph and releasing 2003’s ‘Live and Uncensored,’ ZEKE began writing new material and set out looking for a suitable label that they could not only feel at home with, but one that could handle their “balls to the wall” rock and roll and enjoy the band as fans first. A contract with Relapse was inked in October, 2003 and saw the band join an artist stable (MASTODON, HIGH ON FIRE, ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY, BONGZILLA, etc) that are at once musically mated and touring compatible. ZEKE found their new home.

ZEKE set the cruise control to “white hot” on their Relapse debut, ”Til the Livin’ End.’ A relentless ride of rock and roll abandon, ZEKE’s ”Til the Livin’ End’ mixes punk nihilism with a hard hitting metal extravagance. ”Til the Livin’ End’ burns from start to finish, as super-charged guitars, electrifying leads and a raucous punk attitude race full- throttle down a highway to Hell.

Thank the gods of rock and roll, you’ve just met your new favorite band.

JAR’D LOOSE

Jar’d Loose is a metal/sludge crossover hybrid from Chicago featuring members of Chicago bands past and present, including The Muzzler, Centaurus, The Derbys, and Eunuchs. They draw influence from such bands as Corrosion of Conformity, The Jesus Lizard, Helmet, Zeke, Strapping Young Lad, and whatever the Hell else they want to.

Against The Grain

AGAINST THE GRAIN

Against the Grain is a 4 piece band out of The Motor City. They are a Speed Rock band blazing through the US with their brand of Gear-shifting Balls to the Wall music that incorporates all things heavy from Punk, Rock n roll, Doom and thrash culminated together for one huge sound of a rock n roll musical speed-ball. Putting rock music at the forefront, and leaving behind any pretentious gimmick to the side ATG plans on being being heard.

After just starting in 2009 they have spread their brand of intense rock and roll across the US with many tours, and show no sign of slowing down.  Over 150 tourdates a year keep this rock n roll machine out and in your face.

LOMA PREITA

While Loma Prieta’s sound is difficult to describe, it is clear that they come from the rich tradition of creative Bay Area hardcore bands such as Mohinder, Funeral Diner, Bread and Circuits, Yaphet Kotto, and Indian Summer. Eschewing sub-genres in favor of organically writing songs that are personally fulfilling, each Loma Prieta record is substantially different from the last. Nonetheless, Loma Prieta have managed to forge a distinctive form of expression that is entirely their own.

DAVID ALLAN COE

Coe’s musical style derives from blues, rock and country music traditions. His vocal style is described as a “throaty baritone.” His lyrical content is often humorous or comedic, with William Ruhlmann describing him as a “near-parody of a country singer.”[15] Stephen Thomas Erlewine describes Coe as “a great, unashamed country singer, singing the purest honky-tonk and hardest country of his era […] He may not be the most original outlaw, but there’s none more outlaw than him.” Coe’s lyrics frequently include references to alcohol and drug use, and are often boisterous and cocky. Coe’s debut album, Penitentiary Blues was described as “voodoo blues” and “redneck music” by Allmusic’s Thom Jurek. It focused on themes such as working for the first time, blood tests from veins used to inject heroin, prison time, hoodoo imagery and death. The album’s influences included Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and Tony Joe White. Coe’s first country album, The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy, has been described as alt-country, “pre-punk” and “a hillbilly version of Marc Bolan’s glitz and glitter.” Credited influences on the album include Merle Haggard. Coe’s albums Nothing Sacred and Underground Album contained profane, sexually explicit material, including songs making reference to an orgy in Nashville’s Centennial Park, sex with pornographic film star Linda Lovelace and insults directed at Jimmy Buffett and Anita Bryant. The album Rebel Meets Rebel featured an anti-racist song, “Cherokee Cry,” which criticizes the United States government’s treatment of Native Americans. In his early career, Coe was known for his unpredictable live performances, in which he would ride a Harley-Davidson motorcycle onto the stage and curse at his audience. Coe has also performed in a rhinestone suit and a mask which resembled that of The Lone Ranger, calling himself the “Masked Rhinestone Cowboy.”

EUFORQUESTRA

The band is known for their diverse sound and eclectic repertoire, covering a number of traditional and progressive sounds ranging from (but not limited to) reggae, dub, afrobeat and samba to ska, highlife, funk and jazz.

THE SQUIDLING BROTHERS

Offering a Edgy and Humor-filled Twist on the Classic American Sideshows of the Early 20th Century, Brothers “Matterz Squidling” and “Jelly Boy the Clown” Have Created an International Sensation with a Dare-Devilish Mix of Music, Freak Show, Dancing, Unusual Sword Swallowing, Aerial, Burlesque and 
Body Modification

The Squidlings Perform Across the U.S. And Europe at Carnivals, Festivals, Bars, Squats, and Large Theaters.

The two Philadelphia-based brothers “Jelly Boy The Clown” (Living Cartoon and Natural-Born Weirdo) and “Matterz Squidling” (The Impenetrable Music Man) stepped right up in 2007 to create The Squidling Bros. Circus Sideshow. Putting a comic and dare-devilish spin on the classic American Sideshows of the early 20th century.

A few acts you can expect to see are fire breathing, a man walking up a ladder of machetes barefoot and jumping into a pile of broken glass without a scratch! “Unusual sword swallowing,” which involves shooting fireworks out of a sword or shooting a jet of flame out of the handle! Syringe needles pierced through various parts of the body. A large metal anchor spun by pierced ear lobes. Nail beds, humans and chickens stacked together in a delicate balance.

While Jelly Boy describes their first tours as “throwing everything in a few bags and boxes and hitting the road, flying, taking the train, whatever it took to get there,” they’ve since evolved into a must see sensation. Over the past few years, the Squidling Bros. Circus Sideshow have performed with Primus, Exploited and Circus Contraption. They have appeared at the Bohemian Carnival with the Vau De Vire Society, The Coney Island Rockabilly Festival 2008-10, The World Steam Punk Expo Detroit 2010, Opatijske Barufe 2011 in Croatia, Theatre Bizarre 2009-12 and The Amsterdam Tattoo Museum in 2012.

JELLYBOY T CLOWN

Master of Ceremonies and clown extra-ordinaire Jellyboy T. Clown

V IS FOR VILLAINS

V is for Villains is a new breed of entertainment. Mixing the visual styles of Steampunk, Carnival and Noir, with the musical taste of Nine Inch Nails, Prodigy, and your favorite film score; V is for Villains will take you on a journey through the imagination that your mother couldn’t prepare you for. Most groups often say that they intend for “world domination”…V is for Villains might actually mean it….

STEAMPUNKS!

Steampunk DJs The Lords & Ladies DJs on the Fusion-O-Scope!

A BORN PLAGUE

Headlok meets Canula and spits out a Demon named A Born Plague!!!

AARON FOSTER

Erica Clark

ERICA CLARK

Erica Nicole Clark is a chicago native who studied at the famed Improv Olympic before deciding to venture out into Stand up. Her unique upbringing and her day job make for a style all her own in comedy.  She has performed at Laugh Factory, Comedy Store, the Improv and TBS Just For Laughs Festival

THE RETAR CREW

Once upon a time, 4 dudes and a chic named Weezy Jenkins thought it would be cool to form a group called The Retar Crew. G said, “Hey, we should form a group and make an album called ‘The Retar Crew’!” JQ said, “And we should sell it for FREE on a website called ‘theretarcrew.com’!” P.O. remarked, “Yeah…hoes will like that shit!” To which, Weezy replied, “How’d you know WE liked shit?!” Upon hearing this, Jackson smiled and laughed like a child-like girl, adding “I’m hung like a tuna can! I need to squeeze my Weeze…I love you, Boo-Boo.”

FADERHEAD

It’s 2012 and Faderhead’s electronic music assault is in full swing. One EP, four highly acclaimed albums in 4 years – and 3 massive worldwide clubhits with “Dirtygrrrls/Dirtybois”, “TZDV” and now “Destroy Improve Rebuild” – have moved the project from Hamburg/Germany into the limelight of the harder electro scene. From stompy techno to synthpop to dirty groove-laden electro: Faderhead mashes it all up like no one else as is evident by the current album “Black Friday”, a concept album which is accompanied by a 15-minute short movie … After releasing the track “The Protagonist” as a one-off compilation entry on the Advanced Electronics Vol. 3, Faderhead received a lot of record company attention and finally signed with Accession Records/Indigo to release his debut album FH1 in 2006. Rave reviews and the inofficial “newcomer of the year” title made FH1 an instant debut-success with standout tracks like “The Protagonist”, “Vanish” and “O/H Scavenger”. The year progressed and saw Faderhead play shows alongside bands like Combichrist, Diary Of Dreams, SITD, Painbastard and others, winning over the audience again and again. 2007 saw the release of the extremely popular FH2 CD which featured the massive club hit “Dirtygrrrls/Dirtybois”, a song that still fills dancefloors 2 years later. Faderhead released a music video for the track “Girly Show” and played festivals like WGT (Germany) and Infest (UK) among other shows. 2008 started with the departure from Accession Records and the signing to L-Tracks Recordings. This decision led to serious speculation regarding the future of Faderhead by press and fans, but the free song/video release of the hauntingly beautiful pianoballad “Exit Ghost” firmly silenced all sceptics. Only a few months later the powerful club-anthem “TZDV” was released alongside a very popular video and conquered dancefloors from Moscow to Mexico City. This put an end to any doubts that may have persisted about the direction of Faderhead and established the German producer as one of the top names in the genre at merely 25 years of age. On October 10th, the highly-anticipated FH3 album was released and again gathered top reviews from media and fans alike – FH3’s darker mood and more aggressive tones showing once again an evolution from the previous recordings.

MIKE RUSSELL

JASON HENDRIX

BEN BABBIT

PARANOID SOCIAL CLUB

Call them psychedelic dirt-rock or a garage band with a soul. By any definition, Paranoid Social Club is an incredibly talented group of musicians who write brilliant songs that combine elements of funk, punk, soul, and ska. Paranoid Social Club’s Dave Gutter and Jon Roods have been writing songs together since they were 12 years old. The two went on to form the now legendary Rustic Overtones. After building a large and loyal fan base by playing 150 incendiary live shows a year, the band was signed to Arista Records in 1998. Circumstance prevented the release of the band’s Arista album. Following the departure of label president Clive Davis, the band was granted a release from their Arista contract. With a handful of self-produced demos in hand, the group quickly negotiated a deal with Tommy Boy Records. In 2001, Tommy Boy released the Viva Nueva album to critical acclaim and moderate sales success. But that’s in the past… With the addition of Marc Boisvert on drums, Paranoid Social Club released Axis II in 2002, and has steadily climbed into the hearts of it’s fans. An almost unheard of double-disc, Axis III & I followed up the debut and was heralded by critics and fans alike, as well as catching the attention of many in the industry. The hit “Two Girls” remained on top of radio request lists for the entire summer of 2004 and landed on the Top Ten Songs of 2004 on several radio stations.

AO

GOD AND THE ARCHITECTS

A five-piece alt/art rockish outfit originating from Jackson, Michigan. A truly original sound that has already separated them from many other acts. God and the Architects… because everyone else forgot how. “For a band in its collective early 20’s, God and the Architects has a surprisingly mature sound.” “…the band is beginning to gain notice around the state for its ability to blend the old, the new, and the irreverent into a style that can be appreciated by…well, the old, the young, and the irreverent.” “If everything continues to progress as it has so far for God and the Architects, you will be hearing quite a bit more from them soon.” -The Lansing City Pulse

L.A. LOOKS

.A. Looks is a 5 piece indie rock/indie pop band from Chicago, IL. With strong melodies and vocals, this band cuts through the monotony of standard powerpop.

APRIL VENTURA

Ranging from the deep south to the snowy plains of Minnesota, April Ventura’s roots are as expansive and eclectic as its members’ influences. From Black Sabbath to Neil Young and Tom Petty, this band takes its cues from some of the most widely distinguished and enduring names in music.

ASUMAYA

A single throat and four appendages attempting to multiply themsleves like cells. Loops and limbs. Mbira and Bass. A polyrhythmic, mono-member musical entity.

FUNKMNKYZ

“FunkMnkyz hit the DMV (DC, MD, VA) live scene and fell in love with playing loud and raucous shows without taking themselves too seriously. Known for mixing rap/hip hop, rock, jazz, blues, electronica, funk, and other styles on a whim, FunkMnkyz graced some of the biggest stages in their surrounding area: Merriweather Post Pavilion, 9:30 Club, State Theatre, Rams Head Live, Recher Theatre, GMU’s Mason Day, Jammin Java, Bourbon Street Ballroom, Jaxx, Velvet Lounge, Adams Morgan Day 2008 & 2009, HFStival 2010 & 2011, Miami Music Festival, and TT Reynold’s. The band will be touring in 2012 in support of their debut album Which Way Is Down.”

BLACKFOOT GYPSIES

Matthew Paige and Zack Murphy ARE the Blackfoot Gypsies. They are the amplifier for your heart and soul, your love and hate, your on and off, your push and pull. With caution being checked at the door, there is no room for thinking… only feeling. Breaking the lines between hipsters, punks, posers, dads, normies, cowboys, rockers, and burnouts; everyone gets stripped to the core on the floor. And no one leaves the same as they came before.

Scouting the future of the American music that has been progressing since the dawn of time. There’s no stunting the Blackfoot and there’s no stopping the Gypsies. The torch has been lit and will be carried with pride, speaking up for a generation unlike any other. It’s all happening here, and it’s all happening now.

THE BISHOP

THE BISHOP PLAYS HIGH ENERGY ECLECTIC ALTERNATIVE ROCK WITH IT’S HEART AND SOUL ON IT’S SLEEVE. THIS VERSATILE AND TALENTED GROUP DELIVERS A HIGHLY CHARGED PERFORMANCE THAT SHOWCASES THEIR EXCEPTIONAL SONGWRITING DEPTH. WHEN YOU LISTEN TO THE BISHOP, YOU HEAR INTROSPECTIVE LYRICS WITH INTELLIGENCE, SUBTLETY, AND A SENSE OF HUMOR. THE MUSICAL BACKDROP IS UNIQUELY THEIR OWN, WHILE THERE REMAINS A TRUE CONNECTION TO ARCHETYPAL MUSICAL ROOTS AND INFLUENCES. THESE SONGS MOVE YOUR SOUL. THE BISHOP’S LINEUP IS AS TALENTED AS IT IS INSPIRED. THEY ARE ANCHORED BY PRINCIPAL SINGER/SONG WRITER/LEAD GUITARIST BILLY GIRICZ, WHO IS THE DRIVING MUSICAL FORCE BEHIND THIS POWERFUL BAND. THE SOULFUL VOICE AND MULTI-INSTRUMENTAL EXCELLENCE OF PAULETTE BERTRAND GIVES THE BISHOP AN ADDED UNEXPECTED DIMENSION. DAN PASSARELI’S ROCK AND ROLL SOUL PROVIDES A LETHAL, JAGGED EDGE. SEASONED CHICAGO DRUMMER LUKE SMITH DRIVES A SOLID, HARD CHARGING SOUND WHILE NEVER LOSING SIGHT OF THE CONCEPT OF SONG. DARIN GREGG PROVIDES SONGWRITING DEPTH AND ENERGY THAT IS THE LIFEBLOOD OF THIS BAND. THERE IS A CREATIVE BOND AND TRUST AMONGST THE GROUP. THEY HAVE EACH OTHERS BACKS. AND WHEN IT IS TIME TO PLAY LIVE, MAKE NO MISTAKE, THE BISHOP ROCKS WITH A TIGHT VITALITY THAT ENGAGES THE AUDIENCE.

ROB SCHULZ

A singer/songwriter and guitarist originally out of the State of Iowa, Rob Schulz has been performing in and around the Chicago area since 1989. He released his self titled debut in 1990 followed by “Something To Believe In” in 1992. In 1994, he teamed up with fellow songwriter Mike McGlaughlin to form the power pop quartet Swinger. Their first release, “Half Day Road” was in 1996, followed by “The Walk” in 1999.

Released in August, 2008, a new 11 song record, “Tragedy & Comedy”. The opening “Guantanamo Bay” is a beach rocker with a decidedly “Kink’s/Beach Boys” feel, creating a satirical advertisement for an imaginary luxury resort on the south east side of Cuba. “Anyone But Me” is a song about longing for the days of old, while the rest of the world passes you by. “I Gave My Soul To You” yields a slowed down girl group rhythm evoking sounds of Elvis Costello’s “Party Girl” or “Man Out OF Time”. On the soaring “Gonna Rock You”, swelling guitars lift this existential angst song up to the heavens. Despite apparent influences, Schulz is no cipher, bringing his own unique personalities and sensibilities to the fore. His work displays a wealth of hook-packed classic power pop that is earnest, tuneful, sincere, dynamic and accessible. His frighteningly memorable melodies and precise guitar motifs are terrifyingly catchy.

DOM KENNEDY

RICH HIL

POLY

TURISAS

As technology and intensified communication bring us all closer together, making the world seem smaller in the process, our need as human beings to look out towards ever-broadening horizons becomes ever more integral to our evolution. As a result, music fans will always look to the mavericks, the outlaws, the eccentrics and those touched by the hand of sublime genius for sounds and sensations that transcend the everyday and the mundane. This, of course, is precisely where the inspirational cinematic battle metal brilliance of Finland’s TURISAS comes in. Carving their own unique and momentous furrow through the European metal ecosphere, these proud storytellers and masters of the bombastic epic are poised to return with their most monumental sonic saga to date…

ALESTORM

Alestorm are a power/folk metal band from Perth, Scotland, formed under the name Battleheart in 2004. Their music is characterised by a pirate theme, for which reason they describe their style as “True Scottish Pirate Metal”.

HUNTRESS

Huntress was birthed in the underground of Highland Park, California, clawing at the roots of heavy metal. Lead singer Jill Janus is an operatic banshee with an unparalleled four-octave range and lust for the occult. Born and raised in the Catskill Mountains of New York, she toured Europe as a teenage opera starlet. Upon her return to the States, Janus embraced Manhattan nightlife, creating Felliniesque cabarets and parties in a nihilistic club scene. Years later, Janus moved to Los Angeles and began the gestation period of Huntress. In 2009 she met underground metal band Professor. The universe spread her legs and delivered Huntress to Janus, combining former members of Professor, Dark Black and Skeletonwitch.

THE END OF THE OCEAN

The End Of The Ocean is an instrumental post-rock band from Columbus, Ohio. From their start in early 2009, The End Of The Ocean has had a penchant for crafting soundtrack-esque athems that move freely from beautiful to trippy to heart-tugging to fist clenching. Heavily influenced by mid 90′s emo and shoegaze (My Bloody Valentine, Mineral, The Appleseed Cast, American Football, Planes Mistaken for Stars), and their post-rock contemporaries (Mono, Envy, Explosions In The Sky), The End Of The Ocean utilizes intricate drumming, subtle guitar arpeggios, and a vast range of effects to craft beautiful, nostalgic and refreshingly unique memorable songs.

 

BILE

Spewing from the bowels of the NYC underground, BILE is considered one of the most ferocious pioneers of industrial metal. With a blacklight stage show to match their uncompromising sound BILE stands out like a turd in the punch bowl. With their “live band” cameo appearance in the cult horror film “Strangeland”, their inclusion on the first “Mortal Kombat Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” (5 million sold) and the 8 years lead singer Krztoff spent as guitarist/vocals for Chicago based supergroup PIGFACE, BILE has paved a road setting them miles apart from their competition. Since 1992 BILE has been a festering globule of audio terrorism; a bastardized synthesis of subversive values and deviant sophistication completely devoid of the mainstream pop culture. BILE has become the alternative. In the shadows, we are legion.

THE DEMERITS

A three piece rock-n-roll band where simple trashy guitar, driving bass & caveman drums are the foundation for the noise we make.

MOUNTAIN SPROUT

Mountain Sprout is a highly energetic hillbilly music machine, spitting original tunes and blowing minds with whitty lyrics and face melting musicianship. The Sprouts are a full-time working band and play shows all year round for anyone who will listen. Whether it be Grayson VanSickle playing his machine gun banjo, singing out the novel of our lives or guitarist Adam Waggs, who yanks up the melody up by the ear and keeps you kickin’. With a smile on his face, Daniel Redmond pulls out cannon fire notes pounding the stand-up dog house bass, and Blayne Thiebaud gives the crowd a spectacular show, burnin’ rosin and bendin’ air, exploding the fiddle while bursting into flames. Together, they are MOUNTAIN SPROUT.

CLETUS GOT SHOT

Started around a bottle of whiskey in the summer of 2007, Arkansas-based Cletus Got Shot has been growing and polishing their sound at hundreds of shows around the Midwest. With passionate songs ranging from slow burning emotional intensity to raging calls to action, Cletus Got Shot has been bridging the gap between folk protest songs and punk rock rebellion.

DEERERLAND

Darryl Leroy Harper Jr., better known by his stage name Deeder tha H.G./Deeder tha Hood Great born to parents Darryl Harper Sr. and Regena Meals on August 5th 1987 Being the oldest of 5, Deeder coped with a lot of responsibility and hardships at a young age. Constantly changing residence along with his father in and out of their lives, his mother provided for him and his younger siblings with limited resources and no outside support. At this point in his life, Deeder felt it was time to make his transition from a boy to a MAN. Maintaining his marks in school by staying enrolled in honors half his school career trouble followed him like a shadow. Gang fights, felonies and fast living all became stellar elements of his young life. Deeder’s motto was “Fuck It, If One Fall, We All Fall.” Living as rebel, Deeder dropped out of high school his senior to pursue his GOD given gift, to speak through music. In and out of A&R offices such as Geffen, A&M, and Interscope, Deeder geared himself to speak power and deliver like a king. Deeder has performed with heavy hitters such as T.I.(Grand Hustle/Atlantic), Young Dro (Grand Hustle/Atlantic), and Tyrese. Collaborating with artists such as Twista(Atlantic), Lil Boosie (Asylum), and Sly Polaroid, Deeder looks to make an everlasting impact with the anticipation of his first Major mixtape release. ..

DJ GEMINI JONES

Gemini Jones is already leveraging relationships as a career DJ, headlining multiple night life events, preparing to release a monthly mixtape series, in addition to being endorsed as the official DJ for several projects.

SPECIAL EVENT

GERI X

Bulgarian-born Geri X is a composer, a musician and a singer hard to put a label on. Fans and critics spotted it from the moment she broke onto the Tampa Bay music scene: Geri is an artist with a singular sound you have not heard before. One can see it in the way she confidently plays her Babicz guitar, eyes half open and soul pouring out with a rich, crisp and mesmerizing voice. What started with a classical training in piano, guitar and voice, evolving out of a broad and eclectic blend of influences, has become wonderfully her own. In the process of sharing her songs, Geri bares her soul to ease the audience’s emotions. It is the strength of the voice and the charge to each word that draws them to a halt. “Geri X is a poet, rebel, and a singer with a voice that is demanding to be heard. She carries the intensity of a Mike Tyson punch with the serene beauty of one of the best female vocalists of this era” (L.A. Post) She has received countless accolades for her work, including Creative Loafing’s Best Singer Songwriter for 2 years in a row, as well as playing Summerfest and Steel Bridge Song Festival in the last few years. Aside from being a workaholic and an alluring performer, often carrying out few shows in a day, Geri is a prolific songwriter. This is a fundamental quality, which combined with her work ethic and the gift of sharing make her a true artist: one you can connect to. Whether with a full band or on stage with just a guitar, she is simply captivating. One only needs to experience it.

Peter and the test tube babies

PETER AND THE TEST TUBE BABIES

Make no mistake! Peter And The Test Tube Babies have written some of the best punk songs ever. In the early ’80s they stood out, above all other bands to emerge, with their tales of the hazards of being young punks in Brighton – “Banned From The Pubs”, “Intensive Care”, “Run Like Hell”, the list goes on…all had the Test Tubes hallmark, combining personal experiences, real cool tunes and, most important of all, maintaining a great sense of humour.

M-Pire Of Evil

M:PIRE OF EVIL

In 1979 a dark formation occurred, a black ripple that would soon become a wave: one which made a huge impact on the metal world. Taking the name of Mantas, the legendary guitarist Jeff Dunn formed an outfit that rivalled the stage shows of bands such as Kiss and challenged the occult themes that Black Sabbath had pioneered. He took the knife edge that had made Judas Priest dangerous and the volume that had made Motörhead so intense, and rolled it into a big, black dirtball called Venom. With renewed hunger and inspiration, Mantas joined up with the Demolition Man, bassist/vocalist Tony Dolan, in 1988. The duo penned Prime Evil, an album hailed as a return to form with its cleaner sound and the mighty vocal attack of Dolan. After Demolition Man’s exit in 1992, drummer Antton (Antony Lant) took up the sticks for the powerful Resurrection album, after which Mantas departed from Venom. In 2010 Mantas’s work with his own band, Dryll, seemed to be paying dividends, and following his drummer’s departure, Antton – who played in his own outfit, Def Con One – joined Dryll. It didn’t take long before the mutterings began. What if Mantas and Antton could coax The Demolition Man back? The call went out – and in came Dolan once more… The trio decided that they needed to produce something befitting of their musical prowess. Something unashamedly heavy and without restraint; free of ego, deception and unreasonable behaviour – and fulfilling for them as musicians. The band’s die-hard fans were left to chose a name for the new group, as it was they who had pushed for the new group to form. Naturally, in hindsight, Prime Evil was the name they chose – and so the band were free to make the music that they had always wanted to make, without pretending that it was 1982 all over again. After announcing themselves to the world the band were asked to reconsider the chosen name out of respect for another act who had named themselves after the self same Venom album title. Without hesitation and with understanding and the respect to be expected by this honorable trio, they changed their name… and so to the future… Mpire Of Evil’s debut mini-album, ‘Creatures Of The Black’, will be released October 25th 2011 on Scarlet Records. The CD will feature cover versions of four songs that influenced the members of the band (‘Exciter’ by Judas Priest, ‘God Of Thunder’ by Kiss, ‘Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be’ by AC/DC and ‘Motörhead’ by Motörhead) plus two brand new original tracks, ‘Creatures Of The Black’ and ‘Reptile’. A full-length effort will follow sometime in early 2012, with a full tour planned for the same year. This is MPIRE of EVIL. This is Mantas, Antton and the Demolition Man. This is 2012.