Band was formed in summer of 2010. First demo, “Breathing Blackness,” recorded in January 2011 and self-released by the band in March. Debut album, “Fractured In the Timeless Abyss,” released on CD by Hellthrasher Productions in May 2012. Vinyl version released by Blood Harvest Records in October 2012. Live release “Rituals of Hallucination” recorded in Atlanta, GA in August of 2013 and issued as a limited cassette by Ritual Ugliness Productions in December of that year. Second full-length “Dark Abstraction” released on CD by Hellthrasher Productions in July 2015. The “4 Doors to Death” split featuring two Ectovoid songs followed on CD in January 2016.
Purifying Consecrated Ground (miniLP, 2005)
Graves of the Archangels (LP, 2008)
Dead Congregation / Hatespawn (split EP, 2008)
Promulgation of the Fall (LP, 2014)
Featuring vocalist/guitarist Rami Jämsä, bass player Juha Telenius and drummer Rolle Markos, Finland’s short-lived death metal band Convulse only issued two albums — 1991’s World Without God and 1994’s Reflections — during brief their career, neither of which brought them much recognition at the time. But hindsight is always 20/20, and they have been retrospectively credited as one of their country’s first extreme metal groups of note, even considered by some to be the forefathers of the local ‘Nokia’ metal scene, as it’s sometimes called.
Philadelphia has come to be known as the “land of the spitters,” where rappers from all walks of life are competing to be the very best the city has to offer. For Kur (pronounced “Core”), his rendition of Drake’s “Pound Cake” featured a list of past relationships and experiences with women in Philly. On the remakes, he held nothing back, addressing a lot of them by name and started to network within rappers and promoters. People instantly started noticing his true potential.
In May 2015, Kur dropped How It Never Was that featured his anthem “I’m a Star,” which caught the ear of Timbaland who initially wanted to help push the record. To top off the year, he released another mixtape, Finally Happened showing his unbeatable work ethic. “The house I was raised in turned into a trap house” is just one of many written truths. The realness of “Have Nots” got him a response from G.O.O.D. Music president Pusha T who shared on Twitter: “Your truth is your greatness.”
Backed by multiple top musicians in the industry and a loyal fan base, Kur’s profile increased value when he signed with independent label eOne in August of 2016. Kur collaborated with Harlem’s own Dave East to piece together an EP called Born Broke, Die Rich that was recorded and released in the span of two days. On the horizon is a re-release of “I’m a Star” with added verses, as well as an appearance in one of the cyphers for the 2016 BET Hip Hop Awards that aired on Oct. 4. While constantly releasing new music, and getting great feedback; he’s already being called a ‘beast in the studio’.
“This tape, I wanna really rap,” he says. “That’s why I put the record ‘Have Nots’ out just to let people know who I really do it for. I feel like there’s more people that’s broke than rich. I really don’t make music for rich people. I really make it for people on the come up.”
“Some people are impressionists. These guys leave an impression”. Says Bill Miller, owner of Johnny Cash.com about Cash’d Out (Douglas Benson vocals, George Bernardo drums, John Heussenstamm guitar, Nate Lefranchi bass), a San Diego based band that channels Johnny Cash in about as close a manner to the real thing as it gets. After thirteen years, traveling hundreds of thousands of miles on the road and winning over as many fans, fans who still continually tell the group how grateful they are that Cash’d Out so rightously carries the torch of the Johnny Cash Show. Besides music critics anointing Cash’d Out as “the next best thing to Johnny Cash”, their highlights have been many: W.S. Holland, Johnny Cash’s longtime drummer, has sat in with Cash’d Out; front man, Douglas Benson, has played Johnny’s cherry sunburst Guild guitar (courtesy of Mr. Miller); “Cindy Cash came to a show and was moved to give me a glass locket that was her father’s,” explains Benson; Longtime Johnny Cash manager Lou Robin has also been to several Cash’d Out shows and claimed that if he closed his eyes it was as if “going back in time.”; And most recently, an unforgettable evening performing the music of Johnny Cash with the San Diego Symphony as a special event for their Summer Pops Series. The band’s live shows respectfully reference the late, great Man in Black’s Sun Records and early Columbia era sound, combined with the energy of the classic multi-platinum live recordings from Folsom Prison and San Quentin. The group’s genuine love (and authentic recreation) of Johnny Cash’s music and its universal appeal fans of all ages and of virtually all musical genres makes each Cash’d Out show a must-see event. Or as Bill Miller says, “Some people are impressionists. These guys leave an impression.”
Grammy winning guitar virtuoso, FRANK GAMBALE, exploded on the L.A. scene in the early ‘80s. His meteoric rise to fame is a testament to his passion-powered playing – a style Rolling Stone magazine called “ferocious!” Australia born and California based Frank Gambale is an inspired songwriter with more than 250 songs published on 20+ albums. His music touches on many styles from rock, funk and jazz to R&B and some Latin and Brazillian influences. As a legendary guitarist, Gambale is an undisputed genius who originated the “sweep picking” technique (a new way to play the instrument) and elevated it to a precise art form now standard in the guitar lexicon. The “Gambale Sweep Picking Technique” continues to inspire generations of musicians. Jazz, rock, metal and progressive artists alike are united in their awe of Frank as both an amazing technician and an unsurpassed musician.Jazz legend, Chick Corea, described Frank: “Everything you touch with your guitar turns gold – always has.” Guitar great, John McLaughlin, joked: “I’d like to cut his hands off.”Jazz guitarist Pat Metheny says of Frank: “I’d like to take a month off and study with Frank Gambale.” Dweezil Zappa said “studying Frank Gambale’s Sweep Picking technique enabled me to play the hardest parts of my father’s music that he himself didn’t play.”A musician’s musician, a gifted composer, and a brilliant innovator and author of numerous instructional books and DVDs, Frank continues to reach unprecedented sonic and technical heights. His six string prowess and seemingly limitless vision point toward an exciting future of groundbreaking music.
On this tour, FRANK GAMBALE is joined by the legendary jazz, fusion and funk drummer, and one of the busiest time keepers in the world, DENNIS CHAMBERS (Santana, John McLaughlin, Mike Sterns, John Scofield, George Duke, Niacin, Parliament Funkadelic, Brecker Brotehrs, Victor Wooten), as well by the bassist Mike Pope (Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Chuck Loeb, Mike Stern, Joe Locke, Bill Bruford, David Sanborn, Manhattan Transfer) and keyboardist Sean Wayland (Chad Wackerman, Virgil Donati, Adam Rogers, Wayne Krantz, David Binney).
Traci Trouble is back with a brand new three-piece combo called AWEFUL, and its a sweeping new sound you might not expect. Joining up with Lucy Dekay from Mystery Actions, this new project juts forth with a streamlined layered vocal and a wiry guitar tone, its a new direction, a subdued sonic approach with slithering dynamics and cavernous depth. Echoing solid 80’s Gun Club & Fur Bible’s chorus pedal-soaked vibes with a wall of dripping female vocals cascading over what sounds like a primitive and ominous lost Love and Rockets outtake, AWEFUL are a welcome new breath of fresh air to Chicago’s underground sounds. Stepping aside from pandering to the pedantic tropes of endless post-punk operatives, AWEFUL draw out a more luscious & moaning fuzzed-out experience, drilling their sticky repetition into your cortex with songs that pull you in immediately. Fans of Grass Widow, Wax Idols, and The Breeders take note, this band is turning those same corners and will soon turn those same heads.
– Todd Killings 2018
FLASHBACK!: The year was 1994 and the world was a very different place….A happy-go-lucky Bill Clinton presided over the free world; Ace of Base topped the music charts with their insipid reggae-inspired hit The Sign; cats had yet to take over the internet, men and women wore acidwashed overalls slung from one shoulder à la Joey from Friends; and a young band of ragtag miscreants released their first full-length to an unsuspecting public. In case you haven’t been paying attention, that band was (and still is) The Planet Smashers.
Fast forward two decades, seven albums, one million records sold worldwide, six gazillion beers consumed, countless tours and one extremely blurry never-ending party to this futuristic and confusing present day. Who will save us from this current clusterfuck filled with beliebers, honey-booboos and bathroom selfies? Who will stand boldly in the face of the autotuned, deep-vee wearing douche chills crapping in the earholes of the world? Who will dare to play their own instruments while blasting out ska hooks so catchy you wish you could scoop them up and eat them like ice-cream?….You’re goddamned right it’s The Planet Smashers.
Captain beyond is a “Supergroup” co-founded by Bobby Caldwell in the 70’s, that has influenced musician’s worldwide and provided spectacular music to all enthusiasts in the Galaxy.
BarlowLN, Virginian native Evan Barlow, is the unapologetic poet this generation needs. Unafraid to bend the rules, he combines childhood influences 2Pac and Eminem with the poetry of Bob Dylan and grit of Johnny Cash. The result is a modern day Americana that is all at once visceral, confessional, sincere and raw.”My debut album was originally written like a story of my life from 14 to 20 years old. Starting at the beginning of my teenage party years and ending at rock bottom when I was in jail due to my heroin use. And, my mother passed away.”It’s been a wild ride that’s for sure, glad I was able to make it out alive and put it into art”.With his debut album complete and exec produced by Grammy winning producer Martin Terefe, BarlowLN will be releasing via Locomotion Recordings in partnership with the new Elektra Music Group / Warner from early 2019.
DES ROCS
Singer and songwriter Des Rocs has set his sights on reigniting the grandiosity of rock music. The New York City native has cultivated a gritty yet infectious sound that nods to vintage rock n’ roll while offering a modern alternative twist. He’s created bombastically loud music constructed unironically for speakers that hit 11, buzzing with all the electricity of contemporary hits.
Double Ferrari is an instrumental 4-piece band from Athens, GA that explores the vibrational and harmonic capabilities of the electric guitar in a high-energy, uptempo hard rock context. Their self-titled debut album was produced by Tim Green at Louder Studios (The Fucking Champs, Melvins, Joanna Newsom, hundreds of others) in Grass Valley, CA and is being released by Ernest Jenning Record Company on vinyl, compact disc, and Nintendo Entertainment System cartridge in October 2017.
Guitarists Jace Bartet and Bryant Williamson, drummer Ryan Houchens, and Bass VI player Luke Fields have each cut teeth to the point of fangs in various bands for over a decade, with current projects spanning stylistically from the relentlessly propulsive juggernaut of Cinemechanica and the DIY multimedia experiment of Bit Brigade, to the exuberant big-band folk rock of Family and Friends. With the tools of melody, harmony, and rhythm in hand, the component pieces of Double Ferrari construct a canopy of sound under which a sincere belief in the inclusive, engaging, and affirming power of rock and roll is sheltered.
Instrumental music can be about something. By eschewing vocals, Double Ferrari asserts that the human voice is merely one among many instruments that may or may not be included in music. The stories of Double Ferrari songs are subjective, but real, and there for the taking. Close your eyes and have your own adventure.
Playboy Manbaby is Phoenix Arizona’s PREMIERE Playboy Manbaby tribute band. Playing the greatest Playboy Manbaby hits from yesterday and today! But don’t take our word for it, Debra from Fountain Hills says Playboy Manbaby is “pretty good.” We promise to beat the price of any other Playboy Manbaby tribute band on the market. Available for weddings, bar and bot mitvahs, corporate mixers and funerals.
Images of Eden is a fearless concept band that brings together familiar, well-loved elements of metal and rock combined with their own unique vision, message and delivery. The result is a distinct musical hybrid that speaks directly to the struggles and tribulations of the listener.
Musically, Images of Eden draws its inspiration from a hybrid of modern hard rock combined with classic metal, creating a modern sound rife with progressive elements and impassioned, unfeigned vocal delivery.
Each release from Images of Eden is a chapter in the tale of a life’s journey, dealing specifically with the trials and darkness that each of us must face in this world, each track is meant to inspire the listener to overcome these obstacles through human perseverance strengthened by guidance from above. The distinct vision that gives Images of Eden its identity is about drawing strength and determination from faith to see us through our toughest times, but what makes IoE stand out as one of a kind is that its message is simultaneously accessible to everyone while still speaking to the listener on a very personal level.
Long time musician/producer Shlomi Lavie is going solo under the moniker, Van Goose. Yet another left turn in a career builton complete 180s creatively.
Echoing the early days of DFA, the propulsive no-wave and post-punk of 99 Records, and the iconic 12-inches of West End, songs like “Mike Myers,” “Right Wave” and “On My Hand” sound like they were beamed from an old-school disco in outer space.
Started in 2003 as “Gods of Gore” The band initially failed to establish any sense of direction following the separation and months of inactivity the band was re-formed under a new name of “Asphyxiator” and since that time the band had been through an almost unknown amount of member changes that has ultimately delayed the release the first full length album for about 8+ years. Various low quality demos were recorded but never released. Throughout the years the band had at best played a handful of one-off shows and fests with different session members. Fast forward to 2014 where now the band has now established a solid permanent lineup and lots of progress is being made on the writing of new material which will see release in the Spring of 2015 with the title “Inhaling Fluids of Thoracentesis” Shows are also starting to become a little more frequent again having already shared the stage with the likes: Devourment, Gorgasm, Unmerciful, Incinerate, Corpsefucking Art, and many others.
Situated in Rome and comprised of members from Aborted, Hideous Divinity sound is firmly grounded in the old-school yet possesses technical elements, coupled with a touch of blackened atmosphere.
BENIGHTED deliver the radical soundtrack to these savage times. With their new full-length ‘Necrobreed’, the French sidestep the steadily growing complexity of their previous albums ‘Asylum Cave’ (2011) and ‘Carnivore Sublime’ (2014) by recalibrating their sound along their roots. ‘Necrobreed’ is the result of modern violence combined with an undercurrent of old school feeling. BENIGHTED keep their grinding influences but classic death metal clearly shows through the fabric. Those insane pig squeals are backed-up by massive growling. Crushing riffing and nuclear drumming meet subtle melodies and hidden hooks are fueling the fury. BENIGHTED were spawned by members from French Death and Black metal bands DISHUMANIZED, DARKNESS FIRE, and OSGILIATH, who joined forces in 1998 for a more brutal, heavy and modern way of expression. When their first self-produced and self-titled full-length hit the streets in 2000, it immediately had a strong impact. This turned a side-project into a main act. A fast-growing fan base was built by a string of acclaimed albums: ‘Psychose’ (2002), ‘Insane Cephalic Production’ (2004), ‘Identisick’ (2006), and ‘Icon’ (2007) were all enthusiastically received. On the live front, BENIGHTED quickly started to capture audiences with sweat driver performances that bulldozer any resistance mercilessly aside. This allowed the French to climb up the ladder fast and soon came invitations to all major European festivals including Neurotic Death Fest, Hellfest, Wacken, Brutal Assault, Summer Breeze, and Inferno Festival among many more. BENIGHTED recorded ‘Necrobreed’ once again in Germany’s Kohlekeller Studio in continuation of a very successful relationship. The other constant with these brutal death addicts is an album concept that comes based on a theme revolving around the abysmal potential of the human psyche. This time vocalist (and caretaker in a mental asylum) Julien Truchan penned lyrics dealing with a man, who is stitching dead animals to his abdomen. On feeling the warmth of his infected flesh, the schizophrenic “gives birth” to the carcass and places it in his house as the result of a severe childhood trauma involving a dead cat. ‘Necrobreed’ gives an extreme musical voice to the madness lurking within. Let your mind be shaken by BENIGHTED. In case of side effects, please see a doctor.
Formed in 1992, Cryptopsy has released eight full-lengths—counting As Gomorrah Burns—to date. Out of the gate, the Quebecers set new standards in death metal with their no-compromise attack and next-level musicality. Debut album, Blasphemy Made Flesh, shell-shocked all that encountered it, as follow-ups None So Vile, Whisper Supremacy (1998), and Once Was Not (2005) positioned the Canadians as apex predators. Throughout their storied career, the group embarked on high-profile tours, such as the inaugural Death Across America tour in 1998, the Summer Slaughter Tour in 2008, and the Devastation on the Nation tour in 2017. To date, they’ve performed over 1,000 shows across 47 countries. The release of As Gomorrah Burns on Nuclear Blast re-positions Cryptopsy for yet another reign of death metal domination.
Tenacious D is an American comedy rock duo, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1994. It was founded by actors Jack Blackand Kyle Gass, who were part of The Actors’ Gang theatre company at the time. The duo’s name is derived from “tenacious defense” – a phrase used by NBA basketball sportscaster Marv Albert.
Prior to the release of Tenacious D’s 2001 debut album Tenacious D, the duo had a three-episode TV series released on HBO, with the episodes broadcasting between 1997 and 2000. These episodes came about after the band had met David Cross and Bob Odenkirk on the Los Angeles music scene—and Black featuring in episodes of Mr. Show with Bob and David. The band also befriended former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, and this would begin a working relationship between Foo Fighters and Tenacious D. Towards the end of the 1990s, the duo would go on to support large rock acts – such as Pearl Jam, Tool and Beck.
Performed by Katie Andrick’s 90’s Cavalcade
THE WISTFUL LARKS
The Wistful Larks are an alternative rock band created in the basements of the Chicago suburbs. The band was crafted from the remnants of the punk rock band Americana, started by high school friends Cody Varga and Tony Aguilar and longtime friend Steve-o Gonzalez.
The band is influenced by modern and vintage counter culture. Combining punk, indie, heartland rock, the darker days of 60s rock, love, hate, and the emotion between, the band wants to paint a vivid story with their unique sound. Trying to build a band with those ideas in mind within the Chicago suburbs, (an area dominated by metal and electronic) proved to be a struggle. The band poured everything they had into writing, practicing, planning, and put every last dime into buying a van to travel. After their first successful DIY tour they were offered a chance to play out west. In early 2017 the band packed up and headed west for 3 weeks hitting SXSW, San Diego, LA, and Las Vegas, among many others.
They have since gone on to be nominated as semi-finalists in the Unsigned Artist Competition and finalists in the 2017 International Songwriting Competition. The Wistful Larks are currently releasing their debut record Broke & Hearts through Takeover Records and with that have a unique sound and voice that demands to be heard.
eLVyTheGod be my name. I’m just a youngin trying to come up like everyone else�Music is Life. I hope you like the Music I post. You can find me on YOUTUBE
Inspired by the rhythms and melodies of flamenco, jazz, classical, rock and the Balkan region, this performance features the unrivaled guitar artistry of two of the finest players of their respective generations. Their music is carefully balanced between blazing virtuosity and sheer beauty.
Goran Ivanovic and Fareed Haque recorded two CDs together, Macedonian Blues and 7 Boats, to great critical acclaim, even getting the nod as top best acoustic guitar albums 2004 from acoustic guitar magazine. Both have both been so busy that they have not been able to play again together for years.
Michael Johnson is a Chicago based stand up comedian, writer, drinker and has lived in the city his entire life. Known as the punk rock comic he has produced many different shows throughout Chicago, most notably “The Open Heckle Mic.” You can find him either at a bar performing comedy, rock club producing comedy, or at a dive bar drinking. TRIPLE THREAT!
Closer to Home is Grand Funk Railroad’s third studio album and was released on June 15, 1970 by Capitol Records. It was produced by Terry Knight. This album reached RIAA gold record status in 1970, making it the group’s third gold record in one year. The songs “Sin’s a Good Man’s Brother” and “Aimless Lady” were later covered by South African group Suck. “Sin’s a Good Man’s Brother” was also covered by the band Monster Magnet on their first full-length album Spine of God (1991), by former Dokken guitarist George Lynch on his 2004 covers album “Furious George”, and by Gov’t Mule on their album The Deep End, Volume 1 (2001). The album’s inside artwork shows a live photo of the band performing at Madison Square Garden in February 1970.
Performed by Captain & Crew
JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE “SMASH HITS”
Smash Hits is a compilation album by the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Track Records first issued it on April 12, 1968, in the UK and included all four of the group’s singles (eight “sides”) released up to that time, plus four additional songs from the UK edition of Are You Experienced.
Reprise Records did not issue the album in the US until July 30, 1969, and it included some different tracks. It included two songs from Electric Ladyland and a stereo version of “Red House” from a different session than the original mono take found on the UK version of Are You Experienced.
Smash Hits has been reissued several times on CD, including one paring in 1999 with the Live at Woodstock DVD by MCA Records.
Performed by The Jimi Project
FUZZLOVE
Fuzzlove was formed unexpectedly by strangers who had one thing in common: a passion for playing music. Now, great friends, these five young musicians from very diverse backgrounds soulfully blend together their different influences of funk, jazz and rock; creating a fresh, unique sound.
Fast, melodic, and technical, Atlanta’s Paladin is on a mission to bring some European flavor to the city’s metal scene. The foursome blends soaring vocals, harsh rasps, catchy melodies, and fiery guitar work reminiscent of the 80s to create their own brand of thrashy power metal.
Horehound had become a Pittsburgh, PA hometown heavy underground favorite quite soon after forming in early 2015, performing with both local legends and well-known touring acts. In one year, Horehound released their self-titled debut album (both digital and CD) in April 2016, via Blackseed Records. The album immediately coiled around the heavy music media world, appearing for two consecutive months on the Doom Charts collaborative, and cemented their standing as more than just local favorites.
Recently Horehound has engaged that debut album for a 2018 re-release with Hellmistress Records, the new East Coast label of veteran Melanie Streko (All That Is Heavy, Meteor City Records). The re-release is anticipated in early spring and will be re-mixed/mastered for both CD and vinyl pressing, including a bonus cover song, Mysterons originally written and performed by Portishead.
Fans have described Horehound as, “fucking heavy, doomy, catchy, and downright amazing.” Horehound would not disagree, citing their inspirations as Kyuss, (the) Melvins, and Alice in Chains, but you can hear a heavier sludge inspiration dwelling in the grinding guitar, haze-laden bass, bruising drums, and ethereally demanding vocals.
Horehound has made it quite evident in recent performances that their current lineup – including founding members Shy Kennedy (vocals) and Brendan Parrish (guitar) – have found their true sound with drummer JD Dauer and bassist Nick Kopco. The quartet is fiercer and impassioned to demonstrate it in sharing their next recording, currently being mixed and mastered for a 2018 release. The six track, Holocene, maintains the original Horehound-heavy, but has driven into deeper depths of dark, hardened post-doom metal. More information on the release and the band to come.
What’s Going On is the eleventh studio album by soul musician Marvin Gaye, released May 21, 1971, on the Motown-subsidiary label Tamla Records. Recording sessions took place in June 1970 and March–May 1971 at Hitsville U.S.A., Golden World and United Sound Studios in Detroitand at The Sound Factory in West Hollywood, California. What’s Going On was the first Marvin Gaye album for which Gaye is credited as producer and Motown Records’ main studio band, the session musicians known as the Funk Brothers, received a credit.
What’s Going On is a concept album consisting of nine songs, most of which segue into the next. It has been categorized as a song cycle; the album ends with a reprise of the album’s opening theme. The story is told from the point of view of a Vietnam veteran returning to the country he had been fighting for, and seeing only hatred, suffering, and injustice. Gaye’s introspective lyrics discuss themes of drug abuse, poverty, and the Vietnam War. He has also been credited with promoting awareness of global warming before the public outcry against it had become prominent.
What’s Going On was an immediate success, both commercially and critically. Having endured as a classic of 1970s soul, a deluxe edition set was released on February 27, 2001, and featured a recording of a May 1972 concert shot at Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center. Worldwide surveys of critics, musicians, and the general public have shown that What’s Going On is regarded as one of the landmark recordings in pop music history, and one of the greatest albums of the 20th century. The album was ranked number six both on Rolling Stone’s 2003 list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”, and in the magazine’s update nine years later.
GUMBO SPECIAL
Mardi Gras Party- Professor Longhair, Dr. John, Dixieland Jam! With Special Guests
As Iron Maiden was to England and Metallica was to San Francisco, Culprit was to Seattle. For a generation that grew up on Kiss, Rush, and Ted Nugent, Culprit proved that Seattle and the Northwest could rock with the best. Inspired by Culprit, thousands went on to form bands. Others who were in awe of the musicianship and popularity were inspired to try other styles of rock or metal music. In part, you can thank Culprit for their influence on Sound Garden, Pearl Jam, Mud Honey, Alice-In-Chains, Queensryche, and even Nirvana.
The interaction and energy between Culprit and their fans is pure magic. With an army of head bangers in front of them, Culprit dominated stages in a way the Northwest had never seen before.
Featuring John DeVol and Kjartan Kristoffersen with a twin guitar attack, crisscrossing the stage like charging animals; Scott Earl, an “in your face” bass player, flying through the air while scissor kicking or at the front edge of the stage, teetering on monitors; Bud Burrill, a powerhouse drummer, towering over the stage, keeping it all together while being totally locked in with Scott; and, Jeff L’Heureux, a vocalist like no other, overseeing it all with his intense voice and great sense of humor.
Culprit delivered what people craved: intense high-energy metal in a British sounding vein, complete with cascading duo-guitar runs, split second time changes, staggeringly complex rhythms and piercing vocals that adds uniqueness to the band’s overall sound. Enjoy the taste of energy and insanity that is Culprit!
Broken Robots is an indie pop/rock/hip-hop group comprised of three downtrodden antiheroes from the city of Chicago. “Home Is Not a Place” is the group’s first full length album, and tells the story of the city experience through the eyes of ex-cons. The group was formed by Kat Baker and Tony Baker in December 2017, when the duo began writing music together in their Chicago apartment. Kat and Tony Baker met off the highway exit at Lake Street and 355 in April 2015, at a time when both had decided to give up on their passion for music. Kat was a former folk singer-songwriter and Tony was a former audio engineer, musician, actor, and vocalist in a variety of projects spanning from 1996-2008. Kat was working a miserable sales job, and Tony was panhandling. Their relationship began after months of Kat driving by and giving Tony dollars and cigarettes, and eventually evolved into regular trips into the Chicago ghettos together to buy heroin. By May of 2016, the couple had been arrested together numerous times and were being investigated by law enforcement in multiple counties. Against all odds, they managed to turn themselves around toward the end of 2016. On November 30th, 2016 (her 25th birthday), Kat checked into Haymarket, a Chicago Rehabilitation Center. 9 Days later, Tony followed suit. They spent 4 months in the program, volunteering with multiple small musical projects and performing at open mics. As they began to heal, their mutual passion for music gave them a new purpose and a new project. In December of 2017, Broken Robots was born. They began by releasing single tracks on Soundcloud about their experiences with death, mental illness, addiction and redemption. They compiled these tracks into their debut album, “Home Is Not a Place”. In May 2018, they were joined by bass player Marvin Ontiveros and are currently preparing for live performances. The album was written, produced, arranged, performed, engineered, mixed and mastered by Kat and Tony Baker themselves.
The Chicagoan behind Wooden Rings, Ramah Jihan, is a fierce songwriter and experienced bandleader with an impressive magazine of broken-hearted love songs set into a lush fusion of acoustic folk and rock.
FRANKIE is an amazing artist with an electrifying soulful sound; and captivating vocal abilities. A Chicago born native, with a hint of Florida living and sun-rays; FRANKIE displays a diverse array of music from Spanish, Reggae, and Country, that which embodies her upbringing.
Tower of Power is the third album release for the Oakland-based band, Tower of Power. This is their most successful album to date, which was released in May 1973.
The album peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Top LPs chart in 1973 and received a gold record award for sales in excess of 500,000. The album spawned their most successful single, “So Very Hard to Go”. The single peaked at No. 17 during the week of July 28, 1973 on the Billboard Hot 100. Two other singles from the album also charted on the Billboard Hot 100: “This Time It’s Real” and “What Is Hip?”. It marked the debut of Lenny Williams being the lead vocalist (though Williams had a solo career prior to joining T.O.P., plus he co-penned the song “You Strike My Main Nerve” from the previous album Bump City). Tower of Power was also the first Tower of Power album to feature future Saturday Night Live band leader Lenny Pickett, who was the youngest member of the band at the time, replacing original lead sax player Skip Mesquite. Also joining the lineup were organist/keyboardist Chester Thompson and guitarist Bruce Conte, who replaced original guitarist Willie James Fulton.
Performed by The Alliance and Friends
WONKY TONKY
While the road, she calls Home, the Wonk hails from KY & The Highlife, from Cincinnati. Though, despite where they call ‘home’, all members are vagabonds and misfits in their own regard.
The Wonk has been playing tunes ever since Miami band, The Curious Hair, deemed her the ‘Wonk’ of her high school project, The Wonky Donkeys after finding them on this thing called ‘Myspace.’
Wonky Tonk has played with folks like Langhorne Slim, Jessica Lea Mayfield and Billy Prine; in America, toured with a Danish Eukele band through Europe and now, sometimes solo, in a little van named Loretta.
In 2017 Wonky Tonk was joined by a bodacious group of musicians who require ‘practice juice’ to create sweet, sweet music. They are The Highlife and they are handsome and kick ass.
Growing up in Iowa, Jacob first learned of traditional music from his mother, a native of Kentucky who played the banjo in the old style. It was from this heritage that he became interested in the music of the Isles and the music and songs that were brought here and flourished in Appalachia.
Jacob has toured as a solo artist for a decade, first as a singer songwriter before becoming a documentarian and singer of old songs. His work has been to preserve this heritage of music. He has performed with the likes of Dom Flemons, JD Wilkes, Sarah Wood, Mike Oberst and Matt Kinman. His instrument repertoire includes banjo, fiddle, guitar, whistle and bohdran and he is ever working to expand upon that list.
Currently he plays in the English Folk duo Sweet William with ballad singer Eileen O’Connor.
The Upside is a funk & soul cover band, specializing in well known songs of James Brown, Gil Scott Heron, Parliament & Sly Stone to songs not so well known sampled in 90’s hip-hop. Members are Greg Firak (Mano) on guitar, Asif Wilson (Genome) on keys, Patrick Dinnen (This Must Be The Band) on bass, Sam Sharp (J Davis Trio) on drums & fronted by Jimmy Cobb (Snake Oil Salesman) on vocals.
The FunkeeJBeez is a Clyde Stubblefield tribute band based out of Madison, Wisconsin and led by musical director and Grammy nominated drummer Joey B. Banks. The band plays a monthly “Funky Friday” happy hour show at Madison’s High Noon Saloon and features an All Star Band of local, regional and nationally known musicians. The band performs all of Clyde Stubblefield’s hits with James Brown, The JB’s and songs from “The Original” and “Revenge of the Funky Drummer” albums. The band also performs some of Clyde’s favorite Funk standards. The band will be performing tribute shows all over the Midwest region and will be working to keep Clyde’s “Funky Drummer” legacy alive for years to come. Spreading “Peace and Love” through the music and beats of Clyde Stubblefield.
Lucifer is a multinational Heavy Rock band from Stockholm. Founded in 2014 in Berlin by The Oath front woman Johanna Sadonis, the group first consisted of Cathedral, Angel Witch and Ladytron members. The first 7” Single ‘Anubis’ and debut album ‘Lucifer I’, penned by Sadonis and Cathedral’s Garry Jennings and released by British label Rise Above Records, brought Lucifer international recognition. The band completed their line-up with Swede Robin Tidebrink from the band Saturn on second lead guitar. Lucifer has been touring the world including Europe, USA, Canada and Japan.
Lucifer’s is defined by their very heavy 1970s Hard Rock sound spiced with a good dose of Proto Heavy Metal and Doom Rock. Main influences are groups such as Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Blue Öyster Cult, Lucifer’s Friend, Steppenwolf, 70’s Heart and Fleetwood Mac.
With a shift of constellation within the band in 2016 and Johanna Sadonis’ move from Berlin to Stockholm, Lucifer were ready for chapter two. In Nicke Andersson, notable for his groups The Hellacopters, Entombed, Imperial State Electric, Death Breath among others, Sadonis found a new renowned writing partner. Together they wrote Lucifer’s second album ‘Lucifer II’ and produced it at Nicke’s studio The Honk Palace in Stockholm in the summer of 2017. The album was mixed by Swedish producer Ola Ersfjord at Cuervo Recording Services in Madrid.
With the critically acclaimed release of their long awaited second album ‘Lucifer II’ on Century Media on July 6th 2018 and the videos for their new singles ‘California Son’ and ‘Dreamer’, Lucifer is facing a new grand chapter. The album immediately jolted into the Swedish, German, British and American charts and received outstanding worldwide attention.
This year Lucifer played a number of international festivals like The KISS Kruise, Psycho Las Vegas, Hellfest, Desertfest, the long standing German cult TV program Rockapalast to name but a few and embarked on many European dates. Lucifer is now planning to return to Japan and the USA again this winter. With freshly recruited lead guitar players Martin Nordin and Linus Björklund, and the Austrian Alexander Mayr on bass, the band is ready to climb Mount Olympus of Rock.
THE SECOND COMING STARTS NOW.
Lucifer Line-Up:
Johanna Sadonis (vocals)
Nicke Andersson (drums)
Linus Björklund (guitar)
Martin Nordin (guitar)
Alexander Mayr (bass)
Daniel Wade is a singing, songwriting, guitar-playing dude. His first set of solo-artist songs are spread out across four EPs: Hyperconnector, Stronger Machines, Rising Moon Anxiety and One For The Void. Wade’s music is a burst of rock and roll sunshine that simultaneously feel fresh and familiar.
A Chicago resident, Wade also performs with Ryan Powers and The Secret Weapons, Treaty of Paris, and Michael Chorvat. He two jobs, drinks too much coffee, walks fast, and likes to bring up that one time he opened for Butch Walker or that time his band opened for Jack’s Mannequin. Daniel Wade wants his songs to remind you why you fell in love with rock music in the first place.
TYPICALLY, WHEN ONE THINKS OF A “VICTIM,” THEY THINK OF SOMEONE SUBJECTED TO A HEINOUS CRIME OR MARKED INJUSTICE. HOWEVER—TO A POINT—WE’RE ALL VICTIMS; VICTIMS TO OUR OWN ACTIONS AND THEIR REPERCUSSIONS. VICTIMS TO OUR THOUGHTS AND THE INSTINCTS THAT DRIVE OUR BRAIN—THAT DOUBLE EDGED FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE THAT CAN TAKE OUR OWN CATECHOLAMINES AND NEUROCHEMICAL IMBALANCES AND TURN THEM AGAINST US. THAT TYPE OF VICTIM IS THE SORT THAT SERVES AS THE NAMESAKE FOR ILLINOIS-BASED METALCORE ACT, VCTMS. BORN AT THE TURN OF THE DECADE, THE GROUP HAVE EARNED A REPUTATION FOR THEIR NU-METAL, HARDCORE AND HIP-HOP INFUSED STYLE OF METALCORE AND CONTAGIOUSLY CATCHY YET DEVASTATINGLY DEPRESSIVE WALLOP THAT IT PACKS.
VCTMS HAVE BECOME AN INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN POWERHOUSE IN THE METAL UNDERGROUND. EVOLVING THEIR SOUND WITH A RENEWED FOCUS ON INCORPORATING ENERGETIC AND FRENETIC NU-METAL INFLUENCE AND STARTING THE WRITING PROCESS FOR THEIR DEBUT FULL-LENGTH ALBUM, VOL II: INSIDE THE MIND—WHICH WAS RELEASED IN MARCH OF 2017 TO CRITICAL ACCLAIM. SINCE THE RELEASE OF VOL II, VCTMS HAVE REFUSED TO SLOW DOWN IN THE SLIGHTEST. TOURING ALONGSIDE TRAITORS, FILTH, AND FALSIFIER WHILE ALSO SERVING AS LOCAL SUPPORT FOR BANDS FROM VEIL OF MAYA AND EMMURE TO PEIRCE THE VEIL, VCTMS DOES EVERYTHING WITH THE UTMOST INTENSITY—AN INTENSITY REFLECTED IN THEIR NEWEST FULL-LENGTH RECORD, VOL III: HALFWAY HAPPY, AND IS SURE TO MANIFEST IN VOLUME IV, WRITING FOR WHICH IS ALREADY UNDERWAY.
SINCE THEIR INCEPTION, VCTMS HAVE TAKEN OVER THE EARS AND HEARTS OF HEAVY MUSIC LOVERS WITH CATCHY GROOVES, CRUSHING BREAKDOWNS, EMOTIONAL, HONEST AND RELATABLE LYRICS PAIRED WITH OVERWHELMINGLY POPULAR, UNIQUE MERCHANDISE AND A WORK ETHIC YET TO BE MATCHED. VCTMS ARE A BAND BENT ON IMPROVING THEMSELVES AND THEIR SOUND WITH EACH RELEASE AND SIMPLY CANNOT BE STOPPED.
NO LABEL, NO BOOKING, AND NO MANAGEMENT, THE D.I.Y GROUP’S NEWEST RELEASE VOL III HALFWAY HAPPY CHARTED ON BILLBOARD FOR THE WEEK OF SEP 15TH, 2018, BAD LUCK SEASON IS HERE BELIEVE IT.
Chase was the debut album by jazz-rock fusion band Chase.
Bill Chase was already a well-established lead trumpet player when he decided to form his own band. He recruited three other veteran trumpet players and vocalist Terry Richards, backed them with a rock rhythm section, and created a band which merged both jazz and rock styles. The album was recorded in Chicago in November and early December 1970 and released in April 1971.
The album will be performed by Fred Cantu And the Big Brass Chasers
DANIEL LEWIS AND THE EXTENDED FAMILY
Mixing diverse sounds such as Folk, Alt Country, Psychedelic Rock, Punk, Gypsy music, and more- Daniel Lewis has been performing across America since 1995. Having started out in 90s Chicago Punk bands Secret Agent Bill and Headless Honchos, Daniel has developed his songwriting style over time into a more Roots-driven style, while never forgetting his past as a patches n pins covered kid who discovered Hank Williams one day and never looked back.
Lewis’ current live band, The Extended Family, focuses on raw, electric Rock N Roll energy, with songs revolved around storytelling and plenty of white hot guitar solos.
Daniel Lewis has shared the stage with such Roots artists as Unknown Hinson, Sean K Preston & The Loaded Pistols, Jason & The Punknecks, Zander Schloss, The Tossers, Jason Loveall, and plenty of various other groups outside of the Roots scene including Rise Against, AFI, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Murphy’s Law, Naked Raygun, 7 Seconds, Misfits, etc.
In January 2018, Daniel released his first full length album, a compilation of various full band electric and solo acoustic material. Included on the record are guest appearances by Grammy and Oscar winning performer Rhymefest, as well as guitar wizard Mark “Spiv” Grzelak of Simple Simon.
A new EP entitled “Beyond The Gates” – the first release featuring The Extended Family- will be released in Spring 2019.
LIVIDITY
Gore/grind band from Illinois. Established in 1993
“Tears Dry On Their Own”: A Tribute to Amy Winehouse will honor the songstress. Join Sally Blandon on vocals, and Grammy nominated trumpeter Victor Garcia leading her 10 Piece Big Band. They dig deep into the cockles of your heart as they take on some of Amy’s classic hits and other hidden treasures. Come with you know what on your sleeve and discover the love and heartbreak of Amy Winehouse.
Since 2011, Crash has been bringing back the fire of 80s rock n roll to audiences everywhere. Born in El Paso, TX the quartet uses killer vocals, driving basslines, screaming guitars, and pounding drums to make music that brings the soul of 80s heavy metal to a modern and revamped age. Despite lineup changes over the years, Crash still brings not just rockin’ tunes, but the rockin’ attitude for a live preformance that’s never dull. With Danny on vocals, Rollin on bass, Orson on guitar, and Julio on drums, Crash is ready to rock the stage right through the roof!
Anna P is a singer-songwriter from Chicago, IL. Her metaphoric lyrics, haunting melodies, and crystal-clear voice have propelled her to capture the attention of the local music scene and land gigs at legendary Chicago performance venues such as Cubby Bear, Navy Pier, and House of Blues’ Foundation Room.
Her new EP ‘I Was an Iceberg’ is a chronicle through a mental breakdown following a heartbreak. The painfully honest lyrics of songs like “Hesitate” and “Waves” paint a scenery of the inner struggles of mental health
