Feeling the need for better, and more authentic New Orleans music in Chicago, Joe Goltz (Youngblood Brass Band, Mama Digdown’s Brass Band) set out to put together a group that could play reserved and raucous. From 1920’s Jazz to the bombastic beats of Rebirth Brass Band, the current members of High-Hat Second Line are veterans of some of the best Midwest brass bands and jazz groups. While Joe has moved to the east coast, his legacy lives on with the hand-picked talent that is High-Hat Second Line
BRAIN TENTACLES is a journey in improvised and structured experimental sound from three venerable scene veterans that will consume, evolve and then regurgitate ambiguous noise upon its listeners. Based off a trio of drums (Dave Witte), saxophone (Bruce Lamont) and bass (Aaron Dallison), the multi-state project formed spontaneously via a road trip in 2013 and toured with Melt-Banana before they even had a bassist – until they found Dallison on one of those dates. The group then signed to Relapse Records to prepare for their debut full-length. Like many of their avant-garde peers, BRAIN TENTACLES‘ compositions very nearly careen off the edge into total chaos, but unlike many of those same peers, the band possesses the self-awareness and rhythmic prowess to (usually) rein in the mayhem at the last possible section; an act that will stimulate your cerebrum while simultaneously smashing it in. The band has already played high-profile shows with High on Fire, Eyehategod, Melt-Banana, Iron Reagan and many more.
This year, the self-titled debut album from the mind-melting metallic jazz trio sees the threepiece weaving their way through twisted, seizure-inducing compositions that call to mind the insanity of John Zorn’s storied project Naked City and Mike Patton’s most erratic experiments. BRAIN TENTACLES are masters of tension: the album moves unpredictably from mathy chaos to ponderous, juddering grooves that warp time in their wake, darting from one extreme to the other via insane rhythms and truly progressive, expansive songwriting. Occasional vocals (including a guest appearance from Oxbow’s Eugene Robinson) lend an even sharper edge to the album, which is sure to blow away fans of instrumental and vocal-driven music alike. Produced by Sanford Parker (Minsk, YOB, etc) and features artwork by Jef Whitehead of Leviathan!
Like all good sludge bands, Sixes know their way around menacing feedback that will probably give you an irregular heartbeat (or best case scenario: tinnitus). -Nic Huber, Metal Injection
“If I could describe SIXES in one word, it’d be “Grindhouse.” Not because their craft is shabby, but because the approach to their core focus, even in this day and age, is taboo, violent, and abrasive.”
-Elizabeth Gore, Doomed & Stoned.
“This has all that a growing sludge fan needs: slow riffs – check, sandy growling bass – check, claustrophobic drums – check, feedback – check”
-Regnars Breikss, Shit Regnar Says.
“A powerful knockout session to your senses.”
-Marty Jones, Vitriol Inc.
“If you’ve got 10 minutes and want to have the foulness of your mood reinforced, the four-piece work in defiance of their regional climate to kick the shit out of your ears for a while. Sure enough, it’ll make your sunny day dark.”
-JJ Koczan, The Obelisk
Black Pyramid play doom with the rumbling down-tuned tones of stoner metal gods like Sleep, Electric Wizard, and High On Fire, but with the epic arrangements of old school metal and doom acts such as Black Sabbath, Pentagram, and The Obsessed.
Add to the sonic brew perfectly executed forays into vintage psych and progressive rock, along with the apocalyptic lyrical ravings about war, the occult, and general alienation, and you’ve got an accurate picture of what the band is all about.
Small in size yet big in sound, VOLK is Chris Lowe (electric guitar, vocals) and Eleot Reich (drums, lead vocals). Together they kick out a high-octane show combining politics, poetry, and pageantry. Cashville, is their first full-length release and the first to capture the full range of their cinematic style. VOLK’s music comes from an honest, authentic, and even vulnerable place; genre is tossed aside to allow the songs to be what they want to be. Messier, glitzier, and more punk than your average country band, VOLK is loud suits and loud amps, shiny dresses and shiny drum sets, growling tones and thunderous beats, East Texas and California, Nashville and Berlin. As Ray Wylie Hubbard put it, “if I’m ever short on attitude and badassedness . . . I know where to find some.” Since settling down in Nashville, VOLK has opened for such acts as The Dead South, Electric Six, Charley Crockett, Nekromantix, Supersuckers, and The Delta Bombers, to name a few.
Minneapolis-based Fret Rattles have been around the rock and roll block and feature ex members of Thee Viceroys, Dirty Robbers, F Knights, Six Six Crush, and many more over the past 25+ years. With that history in their back pocket the Fret Rattles bring their own approach to the sounds of late 60’s Detroit (MC5, Stooges), 70’s punk rock (Radio Birdman, Sonics Rendezvous Band) and the 90’s underground rock revival (Hellacopters, Dragons). The final result is straight-forward rock-n-roll that is not retro but instead alive, fresh and more relevant sounding than ever!
Don’t be a part of it; stand up and always question. And if you don’t, then you’re becoming the fuel for the evil engine…”
Used as a metaphor for pop culture’s vapid stranglehold on society, it is the evil engine that powers modern ideals and standards; Evil Engine is the resistance against such complacency with punk rock energy, heavy metal groove and aggressive female vocals, with unapologetically honest lyrics zeroing in on issues such as social responsibility, societal blight and the validity of theism, among other concerns of the human condition.
Evil Engine is an amalgam of punk rock and heavy metal artists with over 50 combined years of musicianship.
Kryssie Crisis (aka Kryssie Ridolfi) of DEADMANSWAKE have teamed up with Mike Skull (of live performances with 45 Grave) Jamie Booth (formerly of Indolent) and Colin Holmes (The Massacres, Crusader) to bring you a myriad of punk, reminiscent of the early California “skate punk” sound; from the “Suffer” era of Bad Religion to more contemporary first wave and Oi! bands in the likes of Cocksparrer, Slaughter and the Dogs and Stiff Little Fingers, with aggressive nods to the metal edge of Motörhead and Anthrax.
TOWN CRIERS is the brand spankin’ new hazed and unfazed garage-rock band that we’ve all been aching for. With two fresh ass singles boasting skyscraper-sized guitar riffs and soaring melodic vocals that take you to the higher plane, TOWN CRIERS is surely a name that you’ll be seeing more of.
TWO LEGENDS & A SON is the real Jamaica SKA experience, an all star trio starring Charley Organaire, Lester Sterling (Skatalites), and Sultan Ali, son of Prince Buster. Hear the golden age of ska come alive once again in this once of a lifetime cabaret showcase, this electrifying set includes scorching classics from The Skatalites, Prince Buster, and Charley plus more favorite original ska hits reinterpreted and improvised by the trio.
MALCOLM LONDON
Malcolm London called the Gil Scott Heron of his generation by Cornel West. TED Speaker. Poet. Educator. Activist. Rapper.
Originally from Lexington, KY, Sam Stucky reveals his Bluegrass roots through his folksy melodies and quick acoustic finger-picking, but is fully dressed in rock. Some of Sam’s modern influences are Manchester Orchestra, Bon Iver, and Night Beds. Join him in his more intimate acoustic set and hear themes of love, deconstruction, and self-worth.
Imagine an unmistakably unique band, active for several years, flying secretly under the radar of record labels, musicmedia and the wider public at large. Not possible in these modern times of unfiltered music availability and the information superhighway, you say? Meet New England’s 1476, America’s best kept secret in the realm of dark, atmospheric Art Rock!
Drawing from folk melodies, heathen spirituality and trance-inducing doom, Völur weave a hypnotic web of chthonic noise on the yawning gap of silence. A deep sound that moves through melodies, riffs and timbres slowly as a seeress chants rites for souls long past. Would you know more?
Völur is comprised of three non-violent individuals who are actively anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-classist, anti-ablist and supportive of LGBTQ2 communities. We aim to celebrate a broad literary and cultural tradition amongst a global body of work.
LITTLE CHURCH
“Mixing soul, pop, and a little grunge, LittleChurch is able to reach many corners of the complex modern soundscape. The refined blend of sparsity, chaos, tenderness, and violence allows this Chicago three piece to make you move, think, and feel in ways both familiar and new.”
CJ RAMONE-BASS-VOCALS
STEVE SOTO-GUITAR-VOCALS
DAN ROOT-GUITAR-VOCALS
PETE SOSA-DRUMS
CHRISTOPHER JOSEPH WARD, BETTER KNOWN AS “CJ RAMONE,” IS AN AMERICAN MUSICIAN BEST KNOWN AS THE BASSIST FOR THE PUNK ROCK GROUP THE RAMONES FROM 1989 TO 1996.
HIS HOMETOWN IS DEER PARK, NEW YORK. HE REPLACED ORIGINAL BAND-MEMBER DEE DEE RAMONE, THOUGH DEE DEE CONTINUED TO WRITE SONGS FOR THE GROUP. CJ SANG MANY WELL-KNOWN RAMONES SONGS.
PRIOR TO JONING THE BAND, CJ WAS A MARINE AND A RAMONES FAN. HE WAS SEEN AS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR INTO THE BAND. JOHNNY RAMONE CLAIMED HE KNEW IMMEDIATELY WHEN CJ AUDITIONED TO REPLACE DEE DEE THAT HE WAS RIGHT; COMMENTING THAT CJ “HAD THE RIGHT LOOK.” WHEN THE RAMONES WERE INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME, ORIGINAL RAMONES DRUMMER TOMMY RAMONE CREDITED CJ WITH “KEEPING THE BAND YOUNG.” CJ RAMONE WAS THE YOUNGEST MEMBER WHEN HE JOINED BY 9 YEARS. CJ’S FIRST SHOW WITH THE RAMONES WAS ON SEPTEMBER 30, 1989, IN LEICESTER, ENGLAND, AND HE PLAYED WITH THE BAND UNTIL THEY RETIRED ON AUGUST 6, 1996.
AFTER THE RAMONES, HE PLAYED IN A BAND CALLED THE REMAINS, OR THE REMAINZ, WHICH WAS FORMED BY DEE DEE RAMONE, MARKY RAMONE, AND DEE DEE’S WIFE, BARBARA ZAMPINI (BARBARA RAMONE). HE ALSO PLAYED WITH HIS OWN BANDS LOS GUSANOS AND BAD CHOPPER. HE NOW TOURS ON HIS OWN AS CJ RAMONE WITH HIS FIRST SOLO ALBUM – RECONQUISTA.
CJ LIVES WITH HIS WIFE AND THREE KIDS. CJ IS ACTIVE WITH THE AUTISM COMMUNITY BECAUSE HIS SON HAS AUTISM. HE ALSO VOLUNTEERS HIS TIME AS A GUEST TEACHER AT THE SCHOOL OF ROCK IN FARMINGDALE, NEW YORK.
Run, the latest album from this French solo artist, was released After a bunch of mediocre rock band experiences, Bordeaux-based Talisco fortunately decided to find his own voice and write music to start his solo career. Colourful indie electro anthems à la Phoenix with a hint of folk are the outcome of this. Run, the latest album from this French solo artist, was released in 2014 and is an ode to escape and freedom.
No Funeral formed in 2011 in Minneapolis, MN. Due to several lineup changes the band did not play out until 2013. For the next year the original lineup (Kevin, Matt, Tim, Glenn) played several shows around MN, and WI and discussed the idea of a split LP with Livid. No Funeral also recorded a 3 song demo around this time that was never released.
In May of 2015 Tim and Glenn left the band and No Funeral went on a hiatus between 2015 – 2016 to sort out a new lineup. Several drummers later, Jeff (Kong) Moen (of Witchden, and formerly of Sourvein) joined in January 2016. The addition of Jeff was a breath of fresh air and the band wrote consistently as a three piece for the following months and in June of 2016 recorded “Misanthrope” with Dinis DeCarvalho. Kevin decided to started the D.I.Y. label Live Fast Die Recs (No Funeral Recordings) to release Misanthrope as well as future No Funeral recordings, rather than trying to find another label to release it. The Misanthrope release show was September 24th 2016, Misanthrope was limited to 100 cassettes and 50 CD’s. The album was repressed January 13th 2017 (second press of 100 cassettes).
December of 2016 saw the addition of 2nd guitarist Doug Saretsky (former Profane Existence writer and Guitar/Vocalist of Mpls death metal band Ashen). No Funeral started recording 2 songs (again with Dinis DeCarvalho) for the split LP with Livid (originally to be released on 25 Diamonds). Shortly after finishing the recording it was decided that Live Fast Die would release the LP. Another song was recorded in April for an upcoming Cvlt Nation compilation. The No Funeral / Livid split LP was released on 9/15/2017 (limited to 500 copies on 180 gram mixed colored vinyl). A special edition of the LP with hand screened covers and alternate artwork was sold at the release show at the Triple Rock in Mpls on 9/12/2017, it is limited to 43 copies.
No Funeral are currently writing for an upcoming 7 inch and a full length LP.
FISTULA was forged in 1998 by musical partners-in-crime Corey Bing and Bahb Branca. Over the years, FISTULA has released a seemingly endless barrage of studio albums and split EPs through numerous lineup changes featuring the creative talents of bands such as Sloth, Hemdale, The Disease Concept, Accept Death, and so many others. FISTULA is a band that is impossible to categorize, combining elements of remedial sludge, hardcore and a proverbial “bad case of the Mondays.” Nearing two decades of ear bleeding, FISTULA remains the the miserable kings of sludgecore.
In 1991, Terry Savastano, the former Disrupt guitarist, set out to create a new sound. Drawing from his early influences like Black Sabbath and Saint Vitus, Terry wanted the sound to be heavy, slower, and more miserable. The result was what the world knows as the seminal doom-sludge band, Grief, from Boston, Massachusetts.
Grief had a series of releases over the 1990s and into the early 2000s, along with a history of lineup changes and hiatuses. Terry, the band’s founder, remained one of the constant members until he left in 2005 to pursue new projects. Grief edged on with a different lineup for a while but was ultimately put to rest.
Upon meeting former Morgion and Keen of the Crow bassist Justin Christian in 2014, the two discussed Terry’s idea of the Come to Grief concept, named after the band’s debut full-length album Come to Grief (Century Media Records). It would be neither a reunion nor a revue of the Grief catalog. Instead Come to Grief would focus on early Grief songs written by or with Terry.
Terry and Justin started a search for a vocalist and a drummer. Jonathan Hebert was brought on board in early 2015 as a vocalist and guitarist. The three began rehearsing a solid set of songs. Also in 2015, Chuck Conlon, a former Grief drummer (including the full-length And Man Will Become the Hunted), completed the band. With an ever-expanding set of early Grief songs, the band also began writing and rehearsing new music to complement the Grief material.
spinning a mix of guilty pleasures and songs to make bad decisions to.
GAMMA GOAT
Gamma Goat is the result of 5 men with decades of experience in the original metal scenes, both disillusioned and fed up with projects in the past, deciding to create their own unapologetic and uncompromising music. Straddling Grunge, Stoner/Doom, and plenty of other sub-genres of metal and rock, Gamma Goat’s intention is to be heavy, but musical, and not to carry any pre-conceived notions. With influences too broad to list, they have a large library to draw from without adhering to any one vein. Gamma Goat prides themselves on loud, intense live performance that provide both atmosphere and invisible orange worthy riffs.
Snow Burial is a hard hitting post-metal trio from Chicago. Their music is melodic, rhythmic, and brutal.
Formed after a Shiner reunion show, Snow Burial established themselves in the midwest scene and released twin EPs: Oxblood : Siren, and Oxblood : Tides. Through promoting the EPs, and extensive midwest touring, the band earned a reputation for their crushing sound and performances.
Following positive reviews, tours, and airplay, the band released their inaugural LP, Victory In Ruin, in January 2016. Snow Burial continued touring the U.S. and the U.K. in 2017, featuring an opening slot for Scott Kelly and Sanford Parker’s project Mirrors for Psychic Warfare, with coverage from Metal Hammer magazine, and multiple blogs. In spring 2017, they proudly released a new song “Burn Down the Crown”, on the Unpresidented: DIY vs. Donald Trump benefit compilation.
In early 2018 they recorded at the famed Electrical Audio, crafting a split with Iowa City’s doom maestros Aseethe. The tapes are now available courtesy of Hand Of Death Records. The band was honored to play the acclaimed London Desert Fest in May, at the close of their 2nd European tour with Cornwall’s own Monolithian. Most recently they were excited to be a part of the first Forever Deaf Fest, a 2-day celebration of Chicago Metal.
Snow Burial are currently completing writing for their second full length, to be recorded at Electrical Audio in 2019.
IMPRECATION, originated in Houston, Texas in late 1991, was founded by Ruben Elizondo (percussionist) and Phil Westmoreland (guitarist). They recruited Dave Herrera (vocals), Mark Beecher (bass) and Victor Fernandez (guitarist). With this lineup, the band recorded their first demo CEREMONY OF THE NINE ANGLES in April 1992. IMPRECATION played many local and road shows with the demo being distributed through underground fanzines and radio. After the release of CEREMONY OF THE NINE ANGLES, the band lineup changed with Victor being replaced by adept guitarist, Wes Weaver….. By April 1993, IMPRECATION recorded SIGIL OF BAPHOMET, a 7″ 2- song EP, for Spain’s “Drown Productions”. After the release of the EP, Dave Herrera and Phil Westmoreland made the decision to leave the band. Mark Beecher took over as vocalist and long time friend Todd Smith joined the band on guitar….. IMPRECATION recorded another 3 song promo tape in August 1994, which has proven to be their most brutal and heaviest recording yet. All three soundtracks were released on a compilation CD titled THEURGIA GOETIA SUMMA on the Repulse Records label. The compilation CD continued to establish IMPRECATION’s arrangement of dark, black and death metal as a unique and original sound style all their own….. In 1996, Todd Smith departs from the band and is replaced by guitarist, Jim Case. Albert Rodriquez, keyboards, joined the group as well. With this line up, IMPRECATION recorded a 2 song demo for labels only. After much frustration without the chance of acquiring a recording contract to release their new music and irreconcilable differences amongst band members, IMPRECATION decides to part ways in 1998. …. In 2002, Ruben, Phil, Wes and Dave reunite for IMPRECATION to play the “Infernal Horde of Manifestation” Fest in Houston, Texas. Bass player, Mark Beecher, was not available to play in this event. The show was recorded live and released on cassette, which successfully sold 100 tapes. …. Now years later, IMPRECATION is back again working on new material to release 2 songs in 2009. The band will be recording in the studio within the next 2 months with the possibility of hosting a few shows as well. The 2009 lineup will be main writers guitarist, Phil Westmoreland and drummer / keyboard, Ruben Elizondo, lyricist and original vocalist, Dave Herrera, guitarist, Jim Case and on bass, Archfiend, who is the lead guitarist of the blackmetal horde, Adumus, from Houston, Texas
Like blood soaked entrails ripped from the disemboweled body of Christ, NunSlaughter assaults the senses with fiendishly morbid tales of the macabre. For the uninitiated, NunSlaughter is a seething boil of hard-core sound that has been festering beneath the skin of death metal for the past 33 years. Legendary in the death metal underground, NunSlaughter was one of the first American bands to harness this deathly form of music. Their raw sound and gut churning vocals are as demonic as ever.
Blood Incantation is an American death metal band from Denver, Colorado, formed in 2011. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist Paul Riedl, guitarist Morris Kolontyrsky, drummer Isaac Faulk and bassist Jeff Barrett.
Everything can be traced back to its roots. Sometimes, those roots are ignored, overlooked, unattended to, and uncared for. At the heart of American culture, the roots of African-American became nurtured through the historical beauty and ugliness of American society, and those cataclysmic experiences still resonate within our culture, mindset, and way of life. Die Wurzel explores black life post 1619 to the present day. It is designed to make you pause, think, and reflect on the black experience in America with a level of compassion and sensitivity that has made way for perceived cultural black norms deriving from African-American’s trials and tribulations. Jammed back with black musical roots: gospel, soul, jazz, funk, and rap, Die Wurzel is an intellectual, witty, and soul-driven musical journey that will hold a dear black in the heart of black urban society. Chicago-based Hip-Hop MC/Producer Neak, growing up in a gospel and soul infused household, developed an extensive discography that aesthetically reflected his soulful upbringing and love for golden era-esque style hip-hop–influences by hip-hop greats such as Nas, 2Pac, Common, MF Doom, Jay-Z, Lupe Fiasco, and Kanye West. Capturing the same soulful essence of his father; Robert Kelly of the 60s R&B soul group “The Kelly Brothers”, Neak’s musical releases currently stand at over 450K streams. Touring throughout cities such as New York, Vancouver (BC), Detroit, Seattle, Atlanta, Philadelphia, London (ON), Portland, St. Paul, Washington D.C., his creativity continues to evolve and adapts to reflect the signs of the times.
Remember what we do we always do for you. Live like there is no tomorrow.Laugh often. Have as much fun as humanly possible.Tomorrow isnt promised to anyone
The Lost Ones performs 70’s and 80’s classic rock, hard rock and lost hits.
Members:
Lance – Vocals & Bass
Chris- Guitar
Lindzy – Keyboards
Jose – Drums
A Cool collection of Heavy Metal cover with some of the best Progressive Attitude around.THE BEST THE LAST 4 DECADES HAS TO OFFER! NEVER HOLD BACK! Metal!
The Fruit Stare is a musical and performance art group from Chicago named after a foraging habit of orangutans.
Songwriter Christopher Salveter (Judson Claiborne, Low Skies) and Composer Jefferey Thomas (Mucca Pazza, The Honkeys) founded the group to create work based on “The Agreement”, a script written by Salveter in 2014 that imagines an intersection between government-sponsored reparations programs and the history of African American exploitation in the American music industry. Jeff and Chris enlisted the help of twenty Chicago musicians and voice actors to create an avant-garde radio opera as part of Experimental Sound Studio’s 2015 Artist Residency Program. The radio opera, Summer Marches In, is the first episode of The Fruit Stare podcast, named for the first movement of Gustav Mahler’s Third Symphony. The podcast is an ongoing project that will reinterpret the six movements of Mahler’s Third over the coming years.
In 2016 and 2017, the group adapted their radio play for the stage and produced faux tent revivals called “Dr. Atop’s Journey to the Polygon of Suffering”. They performed a dozen shows over the course of five months at Chicago’s beloved Hideout Inn. Dr. Atop’s Journey is also an ongoing project. The live show continues to transform per the group’s emphasis on improvisation and writing an unfolding narrative.
The Fruit Stare features Jim Cooper of Detholz! & Baby Teeth, Holly Stevens and Courtney Glascoe of My Damn Butterfly, Dave Smith of Mucca Pazza, Nick Broste of Mucca Pazza & Magical Beautiful, Jamie Levinson of White Rabbits and Watchers, and Kent Lambert of Roommate.
MITCHELL FERGUSON
The 24 year old Singer/Songwriter, based out of Dallas, TX has been cutting his teeth on stages all over the United States for several years. Ferguson got his start as a songwriter serving as the front man for the Dallas based Psych-Rock band The Louisiana Purchase. After releasing several albums in that outfit, Ferguson took the dive into his solo career. In 2015, he released his debut solo album In Search of Certainty, recorded at Verge Music Works in Dallas, TX (Sixpence None The Richer). After several tours and various theatre gigs across the US, the road brought Ferguson to St. Louis, Missouri in early 2017, where he recorded his upcoming EP Basement Statements at Native Sound Recording (Pokey LaFarge, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Beth Bombara). The first single from the release, “More Than A Drug” showcases Ferguson’s soulful Texas blues roots. Crate Diggers Dallas describes his sound as “…reminiscent of Robert Plant, mixed with a little Gary Clark Jr.”.
Ferguson on his upcoming EP Basement Statements (slotted for release in December 2017):
“Most of these songs were written while I was going through an extremely difficult transitional period in my life. I had just graduated college, was living in my younger brother’s basement in St. Louis while I was working with a Shakespeare company in town, in the midst of trying to get over the most soul crushing break up I’d ever experienced. I felt as if my life had been turned upside down. I perceived myself a burden on everyone around me, as if I wasn’t moving fast enough in my career, and as if I didn’t really have anything of my own. Other than my music. So I clung to that. I poured myself into these songs while working through this. I was simultaneously filled to the brim with inspiration and eager to get out of that emotional and physical basement. They are, hopefully, in-between living situations. In this time in my life, I was caught between actually living and clinging tightly to the past. This EP marks a big transition for me, both personally and artistically. We’re always changing and life is inevitably a never-ending transition, but in large part, these songs pulled me out of that particular basement. Gave me a new perspective. Brought me into a new light, and, not so ironically, a new sound. Fear not – it’s not all break-up tunes. It rocks and it rolls, too. We’re very proud of this one.”
Ferguson and his band have opened for the likes of Charley Crockett, David Ryan Harris, Melissa Polinar, The Suitcase Junket, The Steel Wheels, and Lilly Hiatt.
Formed in 2008 as a three piece rehearsing out of a storage unit in the Southside of Pittsburgh, PA, Stone Cold Killer has gone through a handful of member changes throughout the years and have evolved from a crude punk/metal trio into a well rounded rock ‘n’ roll assault. With a blistering dual guitar attack reminiscent of Thin Lizzy and Guns ‘n’ Roses (often with three part vocal harmonies to accompany, and a rhythm section that always keeps you interested) SCK draws on many different influences from many different eras to create their unique rock ‘n’ roll experience. You can see them perform live all around Pittsburgh at such venues as Excuses, Howlers, The Smiling Moose, Gooski’s, Thunderbird Cafe and many more.
DEREK AND THE DOMINOS “LAYLA AND OTHER ASSORTED LOVE SONGS”
Derek and the Dominos, the collaborative band that created Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, grew out of Eric Clapton’s frustration with the hype associated with his previous bands, the supergroups Cream and Blind Faith.
LED ZEPPELIN “LED ZEPPELIN III”
Led Zeppelin III is the eponymous third studio album by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released on 5 October 1970 by Atlantic Records in the United States and on 23 October 1970 in the United Kingdom. The songs were recorded using The Rolling Stones Mobile Studio, Headley Grange, and Hampshire Island Studios Olympic Studios, London. The album represented a maturing of the band’s music towards a greater emphasis on folk and acoustic sounds. This surprised many fans and critics, and upon its release the album received rather indifferent reviews.
Led Zeppelin III is generally praised and acknowledged as representing an important milestone in the band’s history, and a turning point in their music. Although acoustic songs had been featured on its predecessors, this album showed that Led Zeppelin were more than just a conventional rock band, and that they could branch out into wider musical territory, like folk.
35TH AND TAYLOR
35th and Taylor is comprised of members Anna Taylor, Evan Kaler, Max Miller, Jack Osborn, and Spencer Andresen. Originating in the Midwest, the band offers an alternative rock sound with a heavy blues influence. The band offers a blend of classic and contemporary sounds with influences derived from the Black Keys, White Stripes, Grace Potter, and Joss Stone among others.
The bands latest album titled “I Know You’re Trouble” released in June 2016 has seen airplay on IHeart Radio as well as multiple college formats. The album consists of 10 tracks featuring heavy guitar riffs and Bass with prominent bluesy vocals. The band formed in 2011 and has toured extensively throughout the upper Midwest.
Anna Taylor, lead singer has no fear of the stage and spotlight having appeared on Season 6 of NBC’s the voice at the young age of 15. The band has also been awarded the “Spirit Award” by the Iowa Rock and Roll Music Association by unanimous vote for their contribution as the “future of rock and roll in Iowa.”
The band has opened for multiple national acts to include Joss Stone, The Revivalists, Trombone Shorty, Fuel, Dishwalla, Marcy Playground, Eli Young Band, The Band Perry and for Bon Jovi during the “This House is not for Sale Tour” for a sold out audience at the United Center in Chicago, IL in March 2017.
Don’t miss your opportunity to witness this untarnished, electrifying group in person.
Guitarist Chris Casello is one the most dynamic and entertaining guitarist in the world of roots music today. Casello takes his influences from Les Paul and Chet Atkins to Chuck Berry and Link Wray, multitasking guitar, steel and vocals in a high energy swinging rockabilly blues explosion.
Originally from the Detroit area, Chris has worked with dozens of artists and toured the world, specializing in roots styles from swing, rockabilly, rhythm and blues, and country.
Chris Casello has been honored as 2017 Muscian of The Year in Austin’s Ameripolitan awards winning the coveted Ralph Mooney award. He was voted # 1 Honky-Tonk Hero 2011 by the Best Of Nashville Scene and has been listed among the Top 10 Best Dressed in Nashville by MyFashionMaven.com! Back in the Detroit days Casello had been honored by Detroit Metro Times polls in the jazz, country and rock categories. Chris is a second generation member of The Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
The Heavy Metal Band Redd Barron has been on a long hiatus but their music and popularity with fans worldwide has never been stronger. With the upcoming release of ANTHOLOGY the music of Redd Barron is ready to take aim and fly to new heights.
Transylvania is comprised of 6 unique individuals that are driven to write and play metal influenced by all manner of classic artists such as Iron Maiden, Thin Lizzy, Megadeth, Mercyful Fate, Dio, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and many others. That is our agenda. That is what we do.
Widow has been a staple of underground metal scene since 2000 and have released 4 albums, performed countless shows including Kansas City Power Metal Festival, Rocklahoma, Sword Brothers Festival IX, Up the Hammers, and Steel Assassins Festival. Widow have performed in the US, Canada, Europe, Japan and Australia and continue to tour as much as possible. They have played/toured with many great artists such as Saxon, Queensryche, Cauldron, Skull Fist, White Wizzard, Icarus Witch, Grim Reaper, Raven, Destruction, Krisiun and many more!!!
Widow explores the neo-classical side of heavy metal and is proud to take their influences from their own experiences plus groups such as King Diamond, Crimson Glory, Warlord, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Yngwie Malmsteen. The morbid personality of each member comes together to form the unique sound of the band.
Metal Hammer magazine has named WIDOW one of the leaders of the “New Wave of Traditional Metal” and is recognized as a band at the front of the melodic metal uprising. Widow has put the final touches on their new release entitled Carved In Stone available now on Pure Steel Records.
HEIR APPARENT was formed in 1983 in Seattle, Washington by guitarist Terry Gorle. Vocalist Paul Davidson, bassist Derek Peace, and drummer Jim Kovach joined with Gorle to form Heir Apparent’s original lineup. In July 1984, the band entered Triad Studios in Redmond, WA to record a 5-song demo that received local airplay on KISW and KZOK. A month after recording their first demo in 1984 Jim Kovach was replaced by Ray Schwartz (using the name Raymond Black). This lineup recorded Heir Apparent’s debut studio album Graceful Inheritance. The album was released for European market in January 1986 by an independent French label Black Dragon Records. Supported by UK’s Metal Hammer magazine, Heir Apparent toured France, Netherlands, and Germany in May and June 1986, originally as support act, but ending as headliner on tour with Savage Grace. The album received very positive reviews from several European metal magazines, including Germany’s Rock Hard, whose editors gave it the rating of 49/50 points in the February 1986 issue, placing Heir Apparent’s debut above the albums released by such acts as Overkill, Anthrax, and King Diamond, among many others reviewed that month. Encouraged by good sales, Black Dragon re-released the album in October 1986, this time on CD, making it one of the first CD’s released by an independent label in Europe. Despite this extensive praise, Graceful Inheritance was never released in the US, the group’s home country. In addition to remaining the highest rated album in the 30 year history of Germany’s Rock Hard magazine, “Graceful Inheritance” was ranked #188 in the German hardcover book “Best of Rock and Metal – Top 500 albums of all time”, published in 2005, ISBN 3898805174.
Following the departure of lead vocalist Paul Davidson in 1987, Steve Benito took over the singing duties. Also, Heir Apparent’s lineup was changed into a quintet, by adding a keyboard player Mike Jackson. The new lineup recorded Heir Apparent´s second studio album One Small Voice, which marked a musical shift towards the more technical sound of progressive metal, compared to the traditional heavy and power metal style of the previous release. In the summer of 1988, Heir Apparent had their first large arena performance, serving as an opening act for David Lee Roth, in the Seattle Center Coliseum. Soon after that, the band had signed a seven album contract in 1988 in a joint venture with Capitol Records/Metal Blade, but suddenly dissolved even before the official release of One Small Voice in June 1989. Without a concert support, and with the emergence of grunge in the Seattle area, the second album didn’t reach the debut’s underground success and critical acclaim until many years later, compelling the Greek label Arkeyn Steel Records to release a digitally remastered limited edition of “One Small Voice” with bonus tracks and a live DVD from a 1988 concert video of this lineup in 2010.
The Germany’s label Hellion Records released the Triad demo compilation album in late 1999, along with the re-issue of the band’s first album Graceful Inheritance. The band stayed inactive until 2000 when guitarist Terry Gorle was invited to perform at Wacken Open Air festival. Gorle reunited with the original rhythm section of Ray Schwartz and Derek Peace, with addition of Michael James Flatters on vocals. Following that comeback performance, Terry Gorle led several different lineups in concerts between 2002 and 2004. The 2004 lineup of Terry Gorle (guitar), Bobby Ferkovich (bass), Op Sakiya (keys), Jeff McCormack (drums) and Peter Orullian (vocals) reunited to perform in Europe in November 2006, headlining Germany’s Keep It True festival, and two additional shows in Greece.
In January 2012, Heir Apparent’s original musicians (Gorle, Schwartz, and Peace) performed with Jeff Carrell on vocals at the Metal Assault II Festival in Germany, with additional concerts in Athens and Thessaloniki Greece in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Graceful Inheritance.
Will Shaw is now doing the vocal duties in the band
Toxik is an American thrash metal band originally from Peekskill, New York. Initially active from 1985 to 1992, in 2013 it was announced that Toxik would reform again and start work on its third album. Toxik formed in 1985 and released two full-length albums, World Circus and Think This, under RoadRacer (Roadrunner) records. Both records were cult, underground successes (especially in Europe) that would establish Toxik’s longtime fan base for many years to come. During their career, the band completed several successful tours including a performance at the prestigious Dynamo Open Air in Eindhoven, Holland in 1988. This performance was released on DVD for the first time ever in 2007, along with re-issues of World Circus and Think This. In 2010 the band once again self-released another live DVD, Think Again, which contained never before seen live footage, interviews, and more.
2017 brought the announcement that Toxik would once again release a new EP, the formidable Breaking Class which came out to rave reviews, and the band prepared to once again start touring heavily. As we look to 2018 Toxik is currently wrapping up their first full length album in nearly thirty years. This album will encompass everything Toxik is known for, as well as some surprises. The band is currently rehearsing for their first US shows since the 1980s, as well as for subsequent one off and tour dates in Europe, South America and beyond.
