The south side of Chicago has a tough working class reputation, it’s also known for one of the largest populations of Irish people this side of the Emerald Isle. So it’s not entirely incongruous that a hard luck kid from the south side of town would choose to play traditional Irish folk music in pubs around the neighborhood. At 18, Anthony (T.) Duggins, was doing just that – playing pub favorites and covers of greats like Christy Moore, and Ewan MacColl. Before long his brother and his best friends were playing the original songs he had written as well, and so became The Tossers. The name was taken from an old slang term used for worthless British coins in Sean O’Casey’s play The Plough and the Stars. The coins became useless after the southern Irish Free State won independence from Britain, and started to print it’s own currency. The term tosser has since come to mean wanker, or it’s American equivalent, jag off.
For 31 years, the NYC-based and critically acclaimed Slackers have been touring the world with their blend of Ska, Reggae, and Soul.
Since 1991, the Slackers have released fifteen albums and countless singles, while their 1000s of live performances feed their fans with energetic sets of ecstatic music.
The press state that the Slackers are “the best ska band in the world” (Rude International), “the pick of the US crop” (Metal Hammer), “the sound of New York’ (New York Times), “is about as close to perfect as it gets” (Ink 19), and “one of the best bands in the United States” (axs.com).
In April 2022, The Slackers released a new album, “Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya” (Pirates Press) which quickly shot to the top of the US billboard charts. This is the first time that a Slackers’ album has charted! Ironically after 30 years as a band, this qualified them as a Billboard ‘new artist.’ The Washington Post noted that the Slackers “remain at the top of their game.”
The chart topping performance of “Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya” capped a 2 year comeback of the Slackers. When Covid stopped live shows in 2020, the Slackers pivoted to livestreams and made 5 full band concerts that were broadcast internationally. After the shows, they stayed in the studio and recorded the tunes that became Sunlight.
Returning to live gigging in the 2nd half of 2021, the band celebrated their 30th anniversary with 30 shows across the United States and Canada.
In 2022, the Slackers have 90 shows booked in the United States, Canada, UK, and Europe. At 31 years old, the band has been renewed and is looking to grow their cult following into its 4th decade.
Formed in 2011 by two long time friends, Tom and Dan have been playing in various musical acts around chicago and the US for years. They focused their attention on producing electronic music after Dan found success as a DJ and co-founder of the weekly Monday night free for all Porn and Chicken. The duo have been churning out remixes and original composition at a rate and quality that is grabbing attention in chicago and beyond.
The “Void” EP was their first official release through Rad Summer Records, which went on to reach #11 on the Beatport Drum and Bass and Electro House charts, as well as breaking into the top 100 releases. Since then they have put out remixes for artists such as Future and Jason Durulo while preparing to release their second EP and performing around the country.
The Sleepers have performed alongside acts such as: Skrillex, Moby, Afrojack, A-Trak, Benny Benassi, Flux Pavilion, Diplo, Dillon Francis, and many more.
Their single “Open The Airlock” featuring Kimber Leigh has received national radio airplay including Chicago’s 103.5 Kiss FM.
The music of the Sometimes Family ranges from rock to blues, soul to doo-wop, complete with three-part harmony. Coming from varied musical backgrounds, each member brings different influences to the group, creating an eclectic mix that works unexpectedly well. Steve Schuster, originally a guitarist, plays the bass. A sensitive and accurate musician, his subtle suggestions always bear consideration. Rebecca Sometimes has never wanted more than to create good songs. A guitar player since sixth grade, her songs reflect years of dedication to the instrument. Mollie Hayward comes from a classical flute background, and has enjoyed expanding her musical ideas in the brand-new world of “being in a band.” Julius Otto began on guitar and mandolin, then found himself wanting to play more and more types of music. He began to play keyboards and percussion, eventually joining up with the Sometimes Family to add the distinctive organ sound. Drummer Phil Merker is the latest bundle of joy the stork has flown in to the arms of the Sometimes Family. .. The Sometimes Family can be sweet and delicate or gritty and soulful. Never saccharine, always unexpected, their music is a distinctive and fresh take on soul, blues, and rock. ….
Southern California, Power Trio, The Rocketz, are a blend of high energy rockabilly and punk rock. This U.S. trio have been touring and headlining shows and festivals since 2009! Featuring Gretsch Artist and front man, Tony Red-Horse will lead you through a rock and roll rollercoaster of songs about life both good times and bad!
Nick “Chango” Anchondo powers through the songs on the upright bass, slappin the crowd into a frenzy and adding a solid backbone of bass lines to each song.
Anthony Drinkwater holds it down on the drums as this trio continues to tour the U.S. in 2016. Catch The Rocketz in your town soon!
WE ARE THE ROSEDALES
The men, the myth, the melodies. The Rosedales are a legendary force in the pantheon of horror rockers like The Damned, Ghost and the one and only Misfits. After playing dozens of live shows in Chicago, The Rosedales have returned with new merch and more live shows planned for 2021. Be sure to follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Vocals, Guitar / Rip Fantom
Vocals, Bass / Mark Danger
Guitar / Johnny Krypt
Drums / Christian Danger
We have over one hundred songs, maybe a handful of them you could grow to like. Jason is a Hotelmen, Mike makes drinks at a fancy bar and Jimmy works in a museum. All bud smokerz.
The Scurvies are an old school rock and roll punk band based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play with their hearts on their sleeve, with reckless abandon, and are sure to catch your ear and make you dance.
In the last 8 years they have evolved into a rock and roll powerhouse and won over thousands of new fans with their intense live performances across the country, ranging from bars to basements to festivals like Cornerstone and Warped Tour.
Music is supposed to be fun, exciting, thought provoking and daring. On every live performance, The Shams Band makes sure that their audience leaves each concert with a personal feeling of satisfaction. Drawing from their Wilco, Rolling Stones, Kinks, and Muddy Waters influences, singer/songwriters Biggins/Gulyas create distinct, personal songs. Once united with the full group, the songs come to life, tell stories, and send audiences singing all the way home.
The Shams Band features music trapezing the line between blues, country, and pop music. They have opened for national acts Drive-By Truckers, Dawes, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes and Grace Potter & The Nocturnals.
The Shams Band is the epitome of a “do-it-yourself” group. They get every audience excited and dancing from their catchy hooks and rock ‘n roll atmosphere. It’s whiskey-driven. It’s a party. It’s rock ‘n roll with a banjo.
“Opening for Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros… was really nothing more than a catalyst of public recognition for one of the best musical acts currently based in Chicago” – [Lost In Concert]
“Mix things up with this Chicago band’s sweet blend of bluegrass, Americana and little bit of country that will probably get your toe a-tapping, much to your surprise. Any true Midwesterner will appreciate the group’s unpretentious, slight drawl, and talk of drinkin’ beer on the cheap and loves lost.” [5 Bands To See at Do-Divison Street Fest]
The Quakes started in the fall of 1986 in Buffalo, New York. The original members were Paul Roman on guitar and vocals, Dave “the ace” Hoy on drums and Rob Peltier on upright bass.
In the beginning The Quakes were playing neo rockabilly in the vein of The Stray Cats, Rockats and Polecats. Out of frustration with a lack of response locally,The Quakes started to play a lot faster and more aggressive adding punk elements to their music. The look went from pegged pants and bowling shirts to ripped jeans and combat boots.
From that point on the band would be know as a psychobilly band.
In the fall of 1987, The Quakes sold all their possessions and moved to London England. London was ground zero for the psychobilly scene at that time.The band landed a spot on a psychobilly festival in Weize, Belgium.
Upon returning to England, the band was stopped at customs and they were deported because they didn’t have work permits.
The Quakes went on to do tour of Belgium and Germany supporting the Coffin Nails in early 1988.It was during this time that The Quakes were signed by Nervous records in London to record a full length album.
The band was living in London when their first self titled album was recorded. It was released in June of 1988. The album was very raw and had a style all its own. Popular songs from this album included “Pack our bags and go” and ” Psychobilly Jekyll & Mr. Hyde”.During the summer of 1988, The Quakes played around London at places like Dingwalls and the Klubfoot. Upon his return to Buffalo, Dave “the ace” Hoy was killed when he was struck by a car crossing a highway. His death occurred a week before his 18th birthday.
In the fall of 1989 the Quakes reformed with Chris Van Cleve on drums. Van Cleve had been a member on and off and was a part of Roman and Hoy’s previous bands.
The Quakes were invited to play at the first and second Big Rumble festivals in England and did some small tours in Europe before recording another album for Nervous records.”Voice of America” was released in June of 1990.
The Quakes second album was a departure from the hard psychobilly of the first record. On Voice of America, The Quakes blurred the line between psychobilly and rockabilly. Brian Doran had joined as the bands drummer during this time.Popular songs from this album include “Puttin’ out the flame” “Stick to your guns” and a cover of The Rolling Stones “Paint it Black”.
In 1991, Chris Van Cleve returned to play the drums. More festivals and tours in Europe followed including a full tour of Japan. Planet records in Japan recorded the Tokyo performance and released a live Cd from the show. A representative from Sony/Japan was in the audience and offered The Quakes a recording deal with Sony. “New Generation” was recorded in 1992 and released in the spring of 1993 for Sony/Japan.
The Quakes then did a 13 show tour of Japan. New Generation again took The Quakes in a new direction. This time the band fused rockabilly with new wave attempting to cross over into a broader market with more melodic songs and a polished production.The album sold well in Japan.
In 1995 ,The Quakes recorded their fourth studio album “Quiff Rock”.The band returned to their roots and stripped down the production.In a strange twist, the one song that had a bit of production “Thrills and sensations” , seemed to be a fan favorite from the album.TheQuakes continued to play festivals in Europe during this time.
Over the next few years the scene seemed to be dying. The Quakes would continue to play a couple big festivals in Europe each year but not much else.
In 2000 There was finally some interest in psychobilly brewing in the United States. The Quakes played at the American Rumble in New Jersey on Halloween weekend. In January 2001 they started work on a new album. “Last of the human beings” was released in October of 2001 on Paul Roman’s new label Orrexx records. This album was a mixture of old Quakes style and some new twists and turns. The album featured popular songs such as “Revenge is mine” and a cover of Echo and the Bunnymen’s “Killing moon”.
In 2002,The Quakes played more festivals in Germany. In May of 2003, they headlined the American Nightmare festival in Pomona ,CA. In July 2003 they played at the Calella festival in Spain and then did tour of Finland.
In February 2004, Paul Roman moved to Finland and put a new band together called The Paul Roman 3. The band was doing mostly Quakes songs from all albums and a few new ones in the same style. In the summer of 2004, The Paul Roman 3 did a total of 25 shows in Finland,Russia, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In October 2004, The Quakes headlined the Wreckers Ball 2 in Hollywood,CA.
In January 2005, The Paul Roman 3 played two shows in the Ukraine. In June,The Quakes did a small southwest tour of the United States. In December 2005, The Quakes 6th studio album “Psyops” was released.The album proved to be a hit with fans combining new wave with psychobilly. Several popular songs came off this album including “USA Psychos”, “I Miss You” and a cover of Real Life’s “Send me an Angel”.
2006 was a big year for The Quakes. It has been 20 years since the band started. A 34 show US tour followed. The Quakes then did 23 shows in Europe in October.
In 2007 The Quakes re released the album Quiff Rock which was originally on Tombdisc records. The new release on Orrexx records had 8 extra songs and extended liner notes.
Kenny Hill was added to the line up on slap bass .The band did a short southwest tour of the USA. In October of 07, The Quakes returned to Europe for a month long 28 show tour.
2008 started with the addition of Juan Carlos on drums from Phoenix AZ. The Quakes played a few shows in Arizona before headlining the Psychomania festival in Potsdam Germany.In June, The Quakes played a sold out show at Safari Sams in Hollywood CA.
In 2009,The Quakes embarked on a 20 show west coast tour staring with a sold out show in Hollywood at The Fonda theater. The tour was to promote the new album “Negative charge.”The album was the bands seventh studio album and was released on Orrexx records. The band traveled to Germany over Easter weekend to play at the Satanic Stomp festival. This is the 22nd edition of the long running psychobilly festival. The Quakes hit the east coast on a 14 show show tour in May. In September, The Quakes headlined the Hollywood Showdown festival.
In 2010, The Quakes headlined the Psychobilly Meeting, a long running festival in Spain and also headlined the Rock n Roll Jamboree in Finland. In July,The Quakes made their first trip to Brazil. They were featured on a national television show as well as a radio interview and an article in Rolling Stone magazine/Brazil. In September, the band headlined the Bedlam Breakout festival in the UK. In October, The Quakes did a series of warm up shows around Arizona before heading to Europe for a 10 country, 21 show tour to promote the vinyl release of Negative Charge.
We’ve been playing music and touring all over the world for almost 30 years now. We released a few records for Lookout! Records in the early 90s and then had a terrible stint with Hopeless in the late 90s. I don’t think they wanna see us and we definitely don’t wanna see them. Then we released one more record with Lookout! but afterwards switched to our favorite record label we’ve ever had, Asian Man Records. All this while touring a bunch. We’ll see you soon, we’re The Queers.
