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.

Veterans of the Chicago punk music scene, these musicians seamlessly cross genres. To see the Siderunners live is a lesson in grit, determination, and above all stamina. With a healthy respect for tradition, this unconventional lineup remembers what was best about music, and the kind of music that has endured over the years.

OLD GRAND DAD is an ethylene soaked 4-piece from Chicago, Illinois. Bred for rockabilly, these freaks have started sneakin’ out by the light of the moon to taste the rest of the “Devil’s music.”

California bass man Cody “Goose” Siragusa and Hoosier drummer deluxe Danny Lee Beasley shared a love of the old man’s music and a serving job in Wrigleyville; enough said. Their duet turned trio with guitarist and North Avenue homeboy Colin Brennan, a bastard of city and country but Irish enough to break a string each night. Then somehow Chauncey Davis-Mauney snuck in from Mississippi with a harmonica and the room was full.

Road tested and dancer approved, OGD is an all-singing, all-writing, washer pitchin’ electric hayride on fire. BYOFireworks. Goose handles the matches. 

Featured on WXRT’s Local Anesthetic with Richard Milne and on WGN’s Pretty Late with Patti Vasquez.

OLD GRAND DAD IS:

​CODY “GOOSE” SIRAGUSA, Bass & vocals

DANNY LEE BEASLEY, Drums & vocals

​COLIN BRENNAN, Guitar & vocals

“The School of Rock AllStars are top teenage musicians from around the globe, touring North America and wowing crowds with classic and modern rock and roll hits. They are joined by School of Rock house bands that showcase the area’s local talent.”