Even without considering themselves such, the Falcon are still something of a Chicago punk rock supergroup, resulting from the union of vocalist/guitarist Brendan Kelly (the Lawrence Arms, Slapstick, the Broadways), bassist Dan Andriano (Alkaline Trio, Slapstick, Tuesday), drummer Neil Hennessy (the Lawrence Arms, Colossal), and guitarist Todd Mohney (Rise Against). Friends from over the years, the members of the Falcon initially came together after Kellyhad written some songs that he didn’t feel quite fit his current band, the Lawrence Arms. He got to talking with Mohney about starting a band together, but aside from coming up with their name, not much happened until about a year later. Needing a bassist, Kelly showed Andriano the songs while hanging out one day and he immediately signed on. A phone call to Hennessy later cemented the group. Haphazardly recording their rowdy debut EP themselves with no budget, the resulting God Don’t Make No Trash or Up Your Ass with Broken Glass was finally issued in December 2004 on Red Scare (the label’s first release); the guys also donated a track to Fat Wreck’s 2005 compilation Protect: A Benefit for the National Association to Protect Children. Members all continued work with their separate bands before getting back together to record their follow-up release, the rawkin’ full-length Unicornography, which appeared in late September 2006. By that point, the Falcon was down to a trio with Mohney gone from the lineup. For the next eight years, the group remained largely inactive, reuniting in 2014 to celebrate Red Scare’s tenth anniversary. The re-formation eventually inspired the Falcon to return to the studio, where they produced their sophomore LP, 2016’s Gather Up the Chaps. ~ Corey Apar, Rovi

Formed in 2006, The Dopamines wanted nothing more than to play a few shows, drink some booze and let some air out of the tires. By 2020 they’ve amassed roughly 60 songs and about as many fans, all uniting together in a hillock of drunken self loathing, regret, personal reflection and an occasional spattering of hope. They’re also douche bags and can’t play very well live. Shoulder shrug emoji.

Tightwire formerly named “Drones” started as an acoustic project in 2015 by Paul Kettler. Through playing basement shows and opening for bands at The Triple Rock Social Club and Hexagon Kettler had met Parker Thompson and Tane Graves who joined in late 2016 to complete the three piece idea Kettler had intended all along. From 2016 – early 2018 the three had released two EPs on Bloated Kat Records under the name Drones.

In August of 2018 Toby Jeg (Red Scare Industries) had caught wind of the bands latest demos and offered to put out their first full length later that year. Due to a UK band already having the name “Drones” the band was asked by the label to think of a new name for the band which they did not do. Days before announcing the release of their record and the joining of Red Scare the band decided to start thinking of names most of which were rightfully rejected. Finally deciding on Tightwire after a day of listening to Tiltwheel. In an interview they express their dislike for the name stating “we just needed something that wasn’t already taken. Tightwire is a fine name, I guess. Whatever. If bands like Kiss and pull off a shitty band name, we can too.”

In late 2020, Kettler, decided to leave the band to pursue his masters degree, leaving Thompson and Graves to put off finding a new guitar player for at least a year. Procrastination seems to be a Tightwire tradition.

Finally in July of 2021 the band booked and announced shows with a new line-up. Graves taking over lead vocals and bass, Mullaney and Stolp on guitars, and Thompson still on drums.

In a podcast (They Come To America) Graves announces the band would be releasing their second full length album in early 2023 through Redscare featuring himself and Stolp on lead vocals.