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Roster McCabe likes to stay one step ahead. Musically, people know they love it, but can't describe it. Professionally, the band is leading the way in the independent music world. Giving away all of theirmusic for free, Roster McCabe has built a large, loyal following eager to share their music and bring friends to the live shows.By the end of 2011, Roster McCabe had played 670 shows and has no plans of slowing down. Just this past year the band supported Matisyahu and Stephen Marley and rocked clubs and festivals in 23 states. Legendary keyboard/synth player Bernie Worrell of Parliment- Funkadelic, and Kyle Hollingsworth of the jam superstar band The String Cheese Incident have both sat in on stage with Roster McCabe.A Roster McCabe live experience is just that: an experience. Unlike the one-hit-wonder pop bands that play the hit night after night to an audience in attendance for the one song, Roster McCabe brings a high energy, fresh show to loyal fans all across the country keeping each night unique with new arrangements to RMC staples while mixing in their take on well-known classics. No one leaves a show the same.Built on the foundation of drummer Jeff Peterson and bassist Scott Muellenberg, the quintet brings an unstoppable dance party night after night. 26-year-old Peterson and 24-year-old Muellenberg sound like they've been grooving together for 30 years. The flair of Peterson's drumming never interferes with the deep groove of each song - something sought after but rarely attained by flashy drummers. Lead guitarist Michael David Daum brings even the most studied, guitar heads to their knees with his unparalleled tone, technique and jaw-dropping solos. Drew Preiner keeps the dance party strong with catchy synth lines and heavy guitar counter-melodies to Daum's lead. When both guitars play in harmony, you swear you've been transported to an alternate universe where The Allman Brothers and Metallica snowboard together.What adds the finishing touches to this irrepressible instrumentalist core is the soulful, heart wrenching vocals of Jamaican Alex Steele (well, half Jamaican/half Minnesotan). You come for the dance party and you leave with a new favorite singer and front man. As kind as he is powerful, Steele can belt out Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" to sound as if Robert Plant chose Vitamin Water instead of Whiskey. Always in control enough to soar above the band and over the crowd, but soulful enough to let everything go in bleeding, explosive passion.In their hometown of Minneapolis, Roster McCabe packs some of the most legendary venues like the Cabooze where 700 people came out to their CD release the night of one of Minnesota's largest blizzard's of the 2010/2011 winter. The most recent studio release, Through Space and Time, was recorded at the famed Pachyderm Studios and co-produced and mixed by Grammy nominated Paul Marino. The album fuses the best of the past 50 years of music into a cohesive, singable multi-genre album. Masterfully dipping into reggae, disco, funk, rock, metal, pop, soul and R&B, summing up the album with a single style would be disingenuous and impossible.When asked why the band chose to give this album (and all music) away for free (which took over two years of writing, demoing, fundraising, recording and mixing), Preiner reveals, "For us, it's constantly about expanding and growing and getting more people to hear the music. We do that by playing as many shows as possible during the year, and growing our base is more important than residing in a dying music industry model." Funktion, the 7-man band based in Kalamazoo, MI, delivers their dare-you-not-to-dance blend of funk and soul with a hip-hop beat that isn’t afraid to straddle genres -- including rock and jazz. This lends to a gritty and some times flat-out rambunctious flavor in their live shows.Whether they’re entertaining in a small basement bar or a Chicago club, the rhythm section lays down a skillful, yet simple groove, while up from the center comes a shockwave of energy from the driving percussion and soulful vocals. Don’t worry, the horn line isn’t just for show. They provide slinky, yet powerful grooves, subtle vocal harmonizing and when the mood strikes, some dance moves that beg the audience to join them.Funktion’s high-energy performances are as intoxicating as whatever’s on tap. Night after night their live shows bring the kind of soul-stirring experience usually reserved for Sunday mornings.

Gülşen was born on 29 May 1976 in İstanbul. She did her studies in her İstanbul quarter of Şehremini and in the Turkish Classical Music Department of Istanbul Technical University.Her first album, “Be Adam” (O man!) which was released in 1995, gave Gülşen a good debut in Turkey’s music world, and her second album, “Erkeksen” (If you are a man), came three years afterwards in 1998. Following another interval of three years, the album “Şimdi” (Now) was released in 2001. This did not attain the popularity she had hoped. The relative failure of this album could be attributed to the image she presented on her 2004 album “Of…Of…”. The music video for the main title “Sarışınım” (My blonde), in which she was barely covered with blurred spots on a few parts of her slim body, was judged as obscene by the state watchdog for TV broadcasts, RTÜK (High Board for Radio and TV), and a number of TV channels were issued warnings for having broadcast the clip.The 2006 album title “Yurtta aşk, cihanda aşk” (Love in country, love in universe), a reference to Atatürk’s famous phrase - peace in the country, peace in the world - was released in June 2006. In the meantime, Gülşen’s private life also got a lot of coverage in the Turkish news media and gossip tabloids. In order to reach the international audience, she uses the name “Gulshen” to assure a correct pronunciation of her given name.In 2009 she has released her current album titeled “Önsöz” in which she has written all of the songs. The New York Gypsy All-Stars (NYGA), masters of contemporary Balkan Gypsy music, is a musical chemistry experiment with explosive staying power. It was born from the very first “loud and proud” New York Gypsy Festival, spotlighting Easter European and Balkan music, and the musical intuition of Serdar Ilhan, festival producer and NYGA manager (Village Voice).Living up to their name in every way, the NYGA blend traditional Gypsy and Turkish melodies with a scorching jazz and funk backbone, creating a unique sound that satisfies the brain and soul. The band exemplifies New York in the most eclectic sense possible, hailing from Macedonia, Greece, Turkey and Brooklyn.Equally at home in a concert hall or a downtown club, NYGA embraces opportunities to bring their music to new listeners in non-traditional spaces. The group continues on this path with their groundbreaking debut album “Romantek,” coming out in April 2011. The album’s name is a play on the phrase “roman techno” and expresses a heartfelt love for Gypsy music and culture. However the name “Romantek” is no indicator of pace or sentiment as the album is marked by blasphemous “sizzling chops” and a marked disregard of any specific musical style limitations (Lucid Culture Blog). Heart wrenching melodies, lavish ornamentation and off-beat improvisation against complex drum rhythms—an East-meets-West fusion of the highest order.The NYGA combine complexity with cohesion, playing intricate melodies with a breathtaking dexterity, musicality and tenacity. Headman Ismail Lumanovski, Macedonian/ Turkish virtuosic clarinetist, leads the groups through a “blistering series of haunting dance numbers” (Lucid Culture Blog). Lumanovski blends the nuanced talent of a Julliard masters scholar and international contest winner with the musical sensibilities of a long time classical music listener.Lumanovski is accompanied impeccably by the one and only Tamer Pinarbasi, who plays the Kanun/Quanun (Turkish zither). Pinarbasi’s combining of the makam (classical Turkish scales) and Western harmonies gives his music an unmistakable originality. By forgoing the traditional use of a misrab (plectrum) on each pointer finger, Pinarbasi uses his finger nails, drastically increasing the musical possibilities of his instrument.Engin Gunaydin, percussion extraordinaire, was born in Melbourne, Australia but moved to Turkey as a child. In Turkey, Gunaydin was a frequent guest member with the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra. Backed by a solid classical education, Gunaydin gravitated towards jazz and contemporary set playing which landed him squarely in the ranks of The Berklee College of Music. There he solidified himself as an accomplished percussionist and jazz set player.Bringing the funk, Panagiotis Andreou, from Athens, Greece, has graced audiences around the globe with his vast stylistic repertoire. Afro-Caribbean, South American, Balkan, Turkish, Armenian, Western African and Middle Eastern are a few of the wide array of styles Andreou has performed and recorded. Additionally, Andreou was recently awarded “Best Latin Jazz Bassist of the year” for 2010, in esteemed jazz blog “The Latin Jazz Corner”.Jason Lindner, as described by Chick Corea, is “a musical universe”. In the NYGA he commands the keyboards, but is also an acclaimed bandleader, composer and arranger. Lindner’s artistic projects and musical collaborations are as exhaustive as his abilities.Performance highlights include Carnegie Hall, (Le) Poisson Rouge, Central Park Summer Stage, Central Park De La Corte Theater, Joe’s Pub, Berklee College of Music, Chicago World Music Festival; Madison World Music Festival and home venue Drom. The NYGA have also completed two US tours covering eight major US cities from Virginia to San Francisco.NYGA has performed with artists like Selim Sesler, Derya Koroglu, Al di Meola, Brooklyn Funk Essentials, Ivo Papasov, Husnu Senlendirici and Vassilis Saleas.Members of NYGA have performed with the likes of Paquito D’Rivera, Sertab Erene, Lauryn Hill, Elvin Jones, Branford Marsalis, James Moody, Erkan Ogur, Zuhal Olcay, Omer Faruk Tekbilek and Ray Vega.

LAST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH - TIX AVAILABLE AT DOOR, NIGHT OF ONLY The Moth StorySLAMs are open to anyone with a five-minute story to tell on the night's theme. Half an hour before the show, we put the names of all the folks who want to tell a story in a hat. At the start of the show, we start picking names. The 10 featured stories are scored by teams of judges selected from the audience. Each Storyslam generates a Storyslam winner. After ten slams, the winners face off in our Grandslam Championships. Come sign up to tell a story, or just to enjoy the show! Chicago Moth StorySLAMs now join weekly StorySLAM events in New York and twice a month StorySLAMs in Los Angeles. THE MOTH-- hailed as "New York's hottest and hippest literary ticket" by The Wall Street Journal -- is an acclaimed non-profit organization dedicated to the art of oral storytelling. It was founded in 1997 by poet and novelist George Dawes Green, who wanted to recreate in New York the feeling of sultry summer evenings on his native St. Simon's Island, Georgia, when moths would attract to the light on the porch where he and his small circle of friends would gather to spin spellbinding tales. The first Moth event was held in George's East Village living room and the story events quickly spread to larger venues throughout Manhattan. At The Moth, people from all walks tell real stories from their lives with no notes, and every show in The Moth's history has sold out - most within 48 hours. In 2006-2007, The Moth produced a successful 10 city national tour. In 2008, The Moth podcast was launched and spent one month at number one on all of iTunes. Today, The Moth conducts six ongoing programs - The Moth Mainstage, The Moth StorySLAMs, The MothSHOP Community Program (which brings storytelling workshops free of charge to underserved populations), The Moth on the Road, MothSHOP Corporate, and the annual Moth Ball - and has brought more than 3,000 stories told by people from all walks of life - from Moby, Sam Shepard, Ethan Hawke, and Lili Taylor to a firefighter, pickpocket, and a hot dog-eating champion to millions of listeners the world over. A series of five Moth Radio Hours can now be heard on WBEZ, Chicago Public Radio.

Moritat is a power trio from Chicago. They can be driving or dance oriented; noisy and textured; or heavy and grooving. Their self-produced EP - One Minute Fade - was released in June 2010. In summer of 2011, they entered Engine Studios in Chicago and began working with Brian Deck on our first LP, which will see a spring 2012 release. Venus Laurel - keyboard and vocals Konstantin Jace - bass and vocals Corey McCafferty - drums and vocals 9 out of 10 people agree, Animal City sounds rad as shit. Color Card is Eden Sierotnik and Kyle Irwin; all songs written/recorded/produced by Eden Sierotnik and Kyle Irwin

As the railyard bled into dark warehouses, the stranger found himself alone. Street after street he walked with night taking control of his senses until his ears perked at the music of sirens. The dulcet tones of violin, bass, and the female voice spiraled through the darkness from the sole source of warmth in sight. Helplessly drawn in, he found the last lit trailer in camp that seemed to have sprung forth from another time, and there--in the form of three women--was both the past and the future in one. He introduced himself as Sam Random and explained that his path and his name were inextricably linked. Sensing a kindred spirit, they proffered their names: Marielle de Rocca-Serra held the violin, Stacy McMichael propped up the bass fiddle, and Nicole Peterson-Pearce's voice had beckoned him in. As Sam sat at their fire and opened up his tattered guitar case, another man, his elder, stepped forth from the darkness having been drawn in from afar. Armed too with a guitar, he announced himself as Kevin Rush and sat with no concern as to whether he'd been invited - simply knowing he was home. Fueled by coffee black as the night they found themselves in and so dark it could have been wartime, they played through 'til the sun began painting the eastern horizon red. Winding their caravan through the windiest of cities, lePercolateur has spent the time since this fateful night sweeping in to transport concert-goers to a time where music was a liberating and cathartic respite from persecution--where the frenetic energy of struggling to simply 'be' coalesced with the unbridled spirit of gypsy music and burgeoned into swing dancing. The troupe transforms Katerina's into a sold-out Parisian dance hall circa 1937 on a monthly basis. Their high-energy sideshow has made Percolateers of attendees of the Jazz Institute of Chicago's 2011 Jazz Tour, the 2010 and 2011 Chicago Cultural Center's "Music Without Borders" series, and Purdue University's Swing Dance. They were Featured Artists in both 2009 and 2011 in the Windy City Lindy Exchange, through which they flaunted their uncanny ability to seamlessly fuse two different eras via their reinterpretations of modern pop through the medium of hipster gypsy jazz. Along the way, these temporally displaced merry-makers placed 3rd at the Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival's "Last Banjo Standing" contest. The coming Spring of 2012 finds lePercolateur slated to release their debut album as the latest band to join the Chicago Sessions record label. Between now and then, many more are sure to wake from a dreamlike daze wondering in which year they find themselves, and wishing it was what their senses told them. CAFE ANTARSIA ENSEMBLE performs nouveau gypsy music and working-class operas with roots in Greek and Balkan blues, Arabic percussion and Americana cabaret. Nikos Brisco’s hauntingly urgent melodies are complemented by Ruth Margraff’s panoramic and portrait-driven lyrics, Rami El-Aasser’s exotic percussion and Ron Riley’s rock steady groove. CAE took their name from a Greek word meaning “rebellious” in Astoria, NYC in 2002 and have been touring ever since all over the world to Azerbaijan, Egypt, Serbia, Croatia, Romania, Czech Rep., Hungary, UK, Canada, Netherlands, Greece, Turkey, Russia, India, etc. Their stories will transport you to Sarajevo marketplaces and Dubrovnik fountains, or paint the darkness of Virginia coal mines and the timeless taverns of Crete.

The Chicago Tribune: “I have seen the future of rock 'n' roll, and its name is Tributosaurus.”Tributosaurus strives to do for rock and roll what a symphony orchestra does for classical; treat the music with the respect it deserves, and deliver it to a listener’s ear in glorious detail. They accomplish this goal by utilizing the finest musicians Chicagoland has to offer, and by cutting no corners. If a Stevie Wonder tune has 6 horns, 3 keyboards, and 4 strings, then that’s what you get on stage. If a Santana song needs 3 guitars and 4 percussionists, so be it. Every month, one band is given the treatment, now totaling more than 90 over the first 9 years of the project. The members of Tributosaurus are musical anthropologists, as songs are excavated, dissected, and reconstituted to replicate the original with proper reverence. They aren’t really a tribute band, but are every tribute band. There are no costumes and there is no make-up, because with Tributosaurus, the music is the star.The band is comprised of five core members (Dan Leali, Curt Morrison, Chris Neville, Jon Paul, and Matt Spiegel), who are joined by artists with credits too numerous to mention. Tributosaurus has sold out shows all over Chicago, and their gigs are an event. Fans commune with the musicians, paying homage to songs that made us all fall in love with music in the first place.

TERRIBLE SPACESHIP: It was sweeping round swiftly and steadily, this flaming death, this invisible, inevitable sword of heat. I perceived it coming towards me by the flashing bushes it touched, and was too astounded and stupefied to stir. I heard the crackle of fire in the sand pits and the sudden squeal of a horse that was as suddenly stilled. Then it was as if an invisible yet intensely heated finger were drawn through the heather between me and the Martians, and all along a curving line beyond the sand pits the dark ground smoked and crackled. Slovakian male & female duo of songwriters Longital invite comparisons to Nordic brethren Sigur Ros, playing bowed guitars and singing in an exotic language. The similarities end there, however. Schooled as a jazz musician and steeped in the music of the East melted with electronics, Daniel Salontay joined together with poet and folk singer Shina to create a sound informed by music from far-flung reaches of the globe but still distinguished by its Eastern European provenance. Their sound has been described as „Camille and Spoon smoking around a Slavic midsummer bonfire, like Animal Collective with a European pedigree. ” Eddie Cooney in his five star review for the R2 Magazine UK praised their latest album („Teraz“) as „Strange in its originality and beautiful in its profundity, this is music like you have never heard before...”. Longital describe themselves as indie pop, continuously developing their own approach to blending song and experiment, acoustics and electronics, in sophisticated yet catchy and upbeat ways. This couple of dedicated musicians choose to follow the path of the heart and surrender to their music completely. Despite the relatively short period of existence, Longital is one of most export-ready Slovak band with touring experience in 12 European countries and the US tour in 2010. Longital has performed at the following showcase festivals: Region Conference Budapest, SXSW Austin, Europavox, MaMA Paris, Waves Vienna, Glimps Gent. Plans for 2012 include showcases at SXSW Austin, Canadian music fest Toronto and new album due to be relased in October. The duo has decided to leave musical traces instead of carbon ones, and travels with their technologically advanced and ultralight setup by trains mainly. The Band was born in the city of Chicago in October of 2006 out of the ashes of Starrunner and Stoker Ace, reuniting Scott Shellberg and Ryan Behling from the Hundo days. In the beginning, RON was a 2-man band that never left the studio (with Scott and Ryan sharing instrumental duties on their recordings). They released 9 albums digitally that consist of over 150 songs. But late last year, RON joined forces with drummer Mike Maerz to form a live ensemble.Ryan has been singing all his life in various professional projects including Starrunner, Hundo, Ball in the House, Henderson Inches and Jesus H. Whoppner. He is also a founding and current member of AfroZep, a collective of Chicago musicians playing Zeppelin songs in Afrobeat and Afropop style. Scott has been playing bass in the Chicago scene since the mid-90s in various bands including Stoker Ace, Starrunner, Hundo and the Del Ray Melvins.In addition to their gigantic catalog of digital releases, RON has recently released a full-length self-titled album available at www.rontheband.com. Hailing from the windy city, BambiRaptor was formed in 2009 by five friends with different musical influences but a similar sense of humor and perspective on the ever evolving music scene. We mix Dance Rock with Synth Pop. Gentle and aggressive vocal melodies intertwine to compliment beautifully detailed, effects driven guitar hooks. The music is inspired by art, literature, pop culture, personal experiences, humor, obscure subcultures and kittens on the internet. We play Super fun, highly energetic performances with plenty of hijinks.

Jake Sucher started his musical career at the age of seven when he began studying piano with Dr. Bruce Berr. His enthusiasm for piano spurred Jake to take up the trumpet in school, and the guitar at the age of eleven. Guitar quickly became Jake's primary focus as a musician. He started taking guitar lessons from Joseph Loban in seventh grade, and during his sophomore year of high school began studying with esteemed Chicago jazz guitarist John Moulder. Since then Jake has earned a variety of awards and honors for his guitar playing including first chair guitarist in the 2010 Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Jazz Band, guitarist in the top jazz combo at Birch Creek Music Performance Center, Most Outstanding Rhythm Section Player Award at Birch Creek, and many more. Currently, Jake is majoring in Studio/Jazz Guitar at the University of Southern California. When in Chicago, Jake performs regularly throughout the area with his jazz combo and rock/pop bands as well as a solo guitar act. John Moulder is a guitarist and composer whose music has evolved from an assimilation of various musical traditions. John’s compositions and playing are featured on his CDs entitledAwakening (Mo-Tonal Records 1993), Through the Open Door (Igmod/Mo-Tonal Records 1997), Spirit Talk (NAIM 2003), and Trinity (Origin 2006) which was named one of the ten best jazz CDs of 2006 by the Chicago Tribune. On his most recent release entitled Bifrost(Origin 2009), John collaborates with Arild Andersen and Bendik Hofseth, along with his long time musical companions, Paul Wertico and Brian Peters.Televised feature stories on John and his work have aired on Artbeat (WTTW) andChicago Tonight (WTTW). He also has played on recent recordings by vocalist Jackie Allen such as The Men in My Life (Blue Note 2003), Love is Blue (Blue Note 2004), Tangled(Blue Note 2006), as well as her new release with orchestra entitled, Starry Night (2009) .John has been a member of the Paul Wertico Trio for fifteen years. Recordings with Paul include Live in Warsaw (Igmod Records 1998), Don’t Be Scared Anymore (Premonition Records 2000), Stereonucleosis (A440 2004) and The Other Side (NAIM 2006) and is on Impressions of a City (Chicago Sessions 2009) by Paul Wertico's Mid East and Mid West Alliance. He has played nationally and internationally at numerous festivals, clubs and concert halls and has performed with artists such as Eddie Harris, Bob Mintzer, Kurt Elling, Paul McCandless, Lyle Mays, Paul Wertico, Gary Burton, Niels Orsted Pederson and Terry Callier.John received his Masters degree in music from Northwestern University. As an educator, he is currently a faculty member at Northwestern University, Benedictine University and the College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. He has lectured, taught master classes and conducted clinics at universities, high schools, music institutes and other settings.For more on the band, visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/MMA-Trio/209112989162563 Chris Siebold is a guitarist, composer/songwriter, arranger, singer, free-lance journeyman. Some of the bands/artists he plays with include Kick the Cat, Howard Levy's Acoustic Express, MAGGIE SPEAKS, Anne Harris Band, The Renegades, Andrew Ripp, Sandip Burman, e, Cathy Richardson Band, Tributosaurus, Sellout, Aaron McEvers' M5, M13, The People's Band and Congress of Musicians, Jenna Mammina, Bonnie Koloc, Ladies of the Canyon, Maxwell St. Klezmer Band, Psycles, Blue Band, Patricia Barber, Colby Beserra, Ryan Shultz Quartet, TMS Trio, Kimotion, Rob Parton's Jazztech Big Band, and HardArt Groop. He also plays frequently at Willow Creek Community Church. He istruly blessed to play with so many inspired souls. He have written music for theatre: "Notes from the Sandbox Presents A Circus of Truth" (10/04 Lipa Gallery, Chicago), "Brain Humor" (9/05, 1/06 Donny's Skybox Theater, Chicago), and Striding Lion's "The Concept Album" (2008, Performances TBA). I performed in Striding Lion Inter-Arts Workshop's production of Frank Zappa's "Billy the Mountain" throughout the Spring and Summer of 2005 and have begun preparations for the mounting of Frank Zappa's "Joe's Garage" with members of that company. With nine years of experience teaching jazz improvisation at the college level (private instruction and ensemble leadership, Elmhurst College 1998-2007), he is also been an active session guitarist for the last eight years. Apart from guitar, he can also play bass, lap steel, dobro, mountain and hammered dulcimers, mandolin, and mandocello. Chris has also produced many local bands/artists such as Kick the Cat, E-mics, Stephen Ferris (stephenferris.com), and Jimmy Callahan (brainhumor.com). His musical services are always available. Fusing a mix of funk, rock, jazz, and more, Spare Parts is a Chicago based group rapidly gaining international acclaim. An eclectic list of influences ranging from Weather Report to The Beatles fuel the creative engines of Spare Parts, both live and in the studio. In addition to their successful weekly residence at Alive One Chicago, the band has played at festivals from Wakarusa and Summer Camp, to Festival de Jazz in Lima, Peru to name a few. Spare Parts is sought after in every type of market, pleasing the discerning ears of music aficionados and general listeners.The band’s broad musical scope has landed them opening spots for acts such as George Clinton, Snoop Dogg, Liquid Soul, Fareed Haque, Marco Benevento, and The Jazz Mandolin Project. Spare Parts has also shared the stage with artists including bassist Victor Wooten, SNL/Tower of Power saxophonist Lenny Picket, Jerry Garcia Band organist Melvin Seals, and Dirty Dozen Brass Band drummer Terrence Higgins.Spare Parts has recently released their finest work to date on their album, “Trio”. The tracks receive regular airplay on jazz DJ Russ Davis’s “Moja Radio,” WXRT, WDCB, and other fine independent stations across the country. The band’s previous two albums “Exit 54” (2003) and “Brain Candy” (2006) have sold out of physical copies and enjoy continued radio play.Spare Parts remains focused on expanding musical boundaries while attracting new listeners from all walks of life and leaving them thirsty for more. See you at the next show!

There once was a girl who loved Rock and Roll, and Swing, and Rhythm and Blues, and Soul. She never set for the woods to bring Nana her shortbread, Lil' Red brandished her axe and went Wolf hunting instead. She snagged her some Hell-Hounds and saw they could jive; now rev up your engines, come see them play live. Everything from the classic Gene Vincent to The Quakes, and even a little bit of The Creepshow. Amazing Heeby-Jeebies was born in the back seat of a '63 Caddy tearing down Highway 41. Ary and Earl knew they had created something that could be a sinners delight. Neighbors curiosity grew hearing the two bang out what became the foundation of Heeby-Jeebies. Earl Carter is also one of the two original members of The Riptones, and before that he was in numerous other Rockabilly bands like the Deacons, Deke Rivers,Penthouse Playboys and Slightly Bent. Earl Also played with many notable musicians and shows like the best Elvis Impersonator there is the late Tom Green.Meanwhile, back at the ranch....other talented son-of-a-guns joined in, including Manny Gueverra: Guitarist Extraordinaire who also plays with The HoneyBees and before that The Greaseballs. Earl's Brother Randy "Crawdad" Carter: Guitar/Mandobird Devil Box who played with bluegrass band Slightly Bent. Bob Hyatt: Guitar/Vocals. Bob was also in the Riptones, and before that, Red, Hot and Blue with Riptones front Man Jeb. Andon Davis: Guitarist Extraordinaire/Vocals has made special appearances with the Heeby Jeebies-Andon's another member of the Riptones, Anna Fermin's Trigger Gospel,and now Heartsfield.Occasionally, you can see The Heeby Jeebies do a few numbers at The Big "C" Jamboree, Chicago's Original Rockabilly Roots open mic night every first Thursday of the month at Martyr's 3855 N. Lincoln avenue or play at Duke's at 6920 N. Glenwood. The Heeby Jeebies Debut and coolest show was this summer at The Symco Shakedown in Symco Wisconsin on stage with the occasional sounds of roaring V8 engines...gawking at Rat Rods, Rust Buckets, Hot Rods and Motor-sickles. We're just getting started!

Mark Hague - guitar, vocalsRich Fobes - keyboards, vocalsGarrett Degnan - bass, vocalsMike Schroeder - drums, vocalsThe Helping Phriendly Orchestra revisits Phish shows in their entirety.

Come celebrate Ireland's greatest rock band & their leader, Phillip Lynott. Tin Lynott digs deep into the catalogue playing tunes from every record from Thin Lizzy's 1971 debut to Phil's solo pop releases of the '80's. Hear why " IN PHIL WE TRUST" The Tyme Machines are a Chicago based, pop-rock band that prides itself on writing and performing infectious, quirky rock originals. Their debut EP, Super Club Serenades features 5 songs depicting the lighter side of life in Wisconsin. Tunes such as "Bingo Time" and "I Fix Your Bubbler" were inspired by front man, Bryan Adamick's (or stage persona "Rod Stiffski") years living in Wisconsin and observing local slang and tradition. Joined by Burt Burberson, Conrad Baine and Col Dwayne Abrams Ret, the band is also known for sharing its versions of awkward 1980's and 90's covers that you probably never wanted to here again. Think... "She Drives Me Crazy" by the Fine Young Cannibals! The Money Back Guarantees are what happens when you give up on your ideas, and then - suddenly without any explanation - they reappear and take new life. Playing original rock/alternative music focused on lyrics, they are less about being a band and more about trying to bring some songs out into the light. Their live shows are fun, unpredictable and always have some audience participation. The songs are serious, and the shows focus on fun and connecting with the audience. They will break your expectations and you will have fun! No Love For Linus exploded in 2011 opening for Barenaked Ladies, Matt Nathanson and Josh Kelley. Loyal fans eagerly packed nationally renowned venues like Lincoln Hall, Joe’s Bar on Weed, Martyrs’ and the World’s Largest Block Party to catch an early glimpse of Chicago’s next rock sensation.Linus captivated TV audiences performing live on FOX’s Good Day Chicago and ABC Morning News while distributing thousands of infectious tracks at shows and on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, ReverbNation and SonicBids. Out-of-towners can quench their front row cravings by visiting the band’s YouTube page that provides up-to-date concert footage and videos.Whether on the west coast of California or the west side of Chicago, seasoned musicians Johnny Alletto, Eric Ellis, Steven Hull, Matt McDuffie and Remy feel right at home.

In 2007, singer/songwriter Daniel Gonzalez released a demo under the name Sisero solely as a free online download. It didn't take long before the blogosphere erupted with buzz over one of the tracks- "Ticking Clock", a hook laden Indie Rock song reminscent of early New Wave stalwarts The Cure and New Order. It reached top ten out of thousands of submissions on independent music review site Garageband.com and was featured on the site's iTunes release of Top Indie Rock Tracks. The song was also selected to be part of the soundtrack for several independent films including “Consent”, a Tribeca award winning film. In early 2010, Sisero's core group was cemented- Daniel Gonzalez (vocals/guitar), Zachary Carlson (lead guitar) and Vince Roman (bass). Drummer Brandon "B. Run" Runyon joined in 2011. The same year revealed Sisero's debut album- “The King's Disease”, a moodier more complex sound than Sisero's demo. It's echoes powerfull melodic sensibility and scathingly brilliant guitar lines that leave you transported. The album’s lead song “Pocket Full of Nickels” has already reached top of the charts on numerous independent music sites. Get the on train because its about to leave the station. Chicago's Radiant Devices have a unique sound combining elements of post-punk, pop, and experimental rock. They are known for unique instrumentation including metal percussion (gas tanks, metal springs and sheets, a satellite dish, etc.) which lends to an engaging and bombastic stage performance.Playing under the current name (and The Mojdeh Project in the past) the band has performed at such prestigious venues and events as the legendary Green Mill, Kinetic Playground (opening for Saul Williams), The Rave (opening for Chevelle), Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago (as part of an interactive art installation), EstroJam Festival, smARTshow, Humboldt Park Art Fest (with Rabble Rabble, Phillip Morris and Blah Blah Blah), WBEZ's Global Activism Expo, University of Illinois at Chicago and even the infamous Excalibur dance castle club in addition to traditional rock venues all around Chicago and beyond! Belleisle is the first original project from local musician Brett Bakshis. Bakshis has played with a variety of bands in and around Chicago over the last few years, including Julie Meckler, Candy Town, Wooden Rings, Musikanto, Jenny Gillespie, Umbra and the Volcan Seige and Rows of Arrows.

Fiction 20 Down's Jordan Lally, DJ Fritzges, Dre Toney and Wes Anderson have come together to forge a truly original rock music brew. DJ's chuggin' bass, Wes' diverse lead work and Dre's rock steady drums lay the groovy foundation for Jordan's inspired lyrics & impassioned vocals. Accompanied by Dre's soulful harmonies and Jordan's rhythm guitar work, Fiction 20 Down "deliver a delightful, upbeat, soothing rock fusion mix, with elements of pop, hip-hop, reggae and pure rock.” - Indie Music ReviewFew bands are talented enough to pull off the wide array of styles F20D boasts while building and maintaining their own authentic identity. F20D's singer-songwriter Jordan says it best in the band's 2010 single Play On - “I am movin' and you can’t stop me". This lyric captures the band’s attitude toward their music. Mindful of the power that dynamic live performance has to build a loyal following, F20D puts their reputation for an incredible live show on the line as they tour tirelessly in support of an ever-growing catalog of original music.Fiction 20 Down always emphasize the importance of giving back. In addition to their various "hands-on" volunteer efforts, the band has played benefit concerts for over 30 charitable organizations. Led by the rich, versatile vocals of Lucas Cates and wrapped by refined, expressive harmonies and musicianship from guitarist/violinist Kenny Leiser, bassist Mark Noxon and drummer Jesse Warmka, The Lucas Cates Band (TLCB) is quickly turning a major regional buzz into a national draw. Their blend of pop, rock, blues, reggae, funk and alt-country makes the Madison-based band hard to pigeonhole but easy to enjoy, if you love good music. A Broadjam review describes their sound as "unique pop-country-rock-punk-cool." And music site Space City Rock out of Dallas, Texas writes "if your attention isn't caught by the soothing vocals, great acoustics or funny lyrics.. then you, my friend.. should check to see if you're still breathing."The quartet of talented musicians is touring North America in support of their 4th original album. Cates says the new album, "Captures the essence of the band. The energy, the jams, the dynamics-- all of it!" The infectious melodies are quickly gaining new fans from coast to coast and hitting the airwaves. Tunes like "Turn the Light On" are being called an example of how "a song can build into something memorable, even majestic" by The Daily Page MadTracks Reporter Jessica Steinhoff.The band's secret weapon is their friendship and the true admiration each has for the other's talents. All four have played in other bands but found an incredible chemistry when the current line-up came together just three years ago. "Kenny is the musical attraction of the band," according to Noxon. "He's up front and commands attention in the way he plays." Meantime, Leiser says, "Jesse Warmka is without a doubt, the best drummer. He feels the music while listening to what's going on around him." These examples of mutual affection, helped the group skyrocket quickly on the local and regional scene, winning a dozen Madison Area Music Awards in 2009, including the coveted Artist of the Year award. At the same time, TLCB put together an intensive national tour schedule-- adding fans at every stop. After more than 200 shows early the following year and some 50,000 miles later, the new album in late 2010 is bringing the band's good humor and open-hearted jams of joy to even more audiences across the continent. Warmka says, "This album will have great response from old and new fans. It has a lot of catchy, powerful songs that will touch a wide audience, both old and young." Cates adds, "A year ago none of us imagined where we'd be today and I assume next year we will say the same thing. We have similar goals and expectations for ourselves, as well as a long-term goal of making this a lifestyle choice."If current success is any indication-- television, radio, newspaper and website coverage across the country, a song picked up by the Cincinnati Ballet, music videos, international, satellite, college, AAA and commercial radio-- the group's momentum is unstoppable. A review by Kenneth Burns of Isthmus calls TLCB's live show the "most technically remarkable playing. Bassist Mark Noxon and guitarist/violinist Kenny Leiser are virtuosos, and watching them trade riffs was thrilling." Leiser simply says, "We're doing what our fans have asked for, across the country. I hope it helps propel us further along our excellent adventure."The Lucas Cates Band maintains full control over booking, management and publicity; in essence, acting as their own label. The group is committed to moving their career to the next level, together. "These relationships are binding. We are in it for the long haul," says Cates. Alex Chadwick writes and performs all across the midwest both as a solo artist and as a part of various ensemble groups. He's played throughout Illinois, from Chicago to Nashville. His lyrics, alternately direct and abstract, make you think, and you can't help but sing along. It’s just that kind of music. Alex has hoop dreams, coach. He’s got ‘em bad. As a multi-instrumentalist and singer, Alex enjoys playing music even more than he enjoys his retail job. Like his heroes, Neil Young and that guy who sang “Walking in Memphis,” his songs come from the heart. Not just his heart either. The collective hearts of everyone who lives the good life, fights the good fight, and yearns, above all, for freedom.

LAST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH - TIX AVAILABLE AT DOOR, NIGHT OF ONLY The Moth StorySLAMs are open to anyone with a five-minute story to tell on the night's theme. Half an hour before the show, we put the names of all the folks who want to tell a story in a hat. At the start of the show, we start picking names. The 10 featured stories are scored by teams of judges selected from the audience. Each Storyslam generates a Storyslam winner. After ten slams, the winners face off in our Grandslam Championships. Come sign up to tell a story, or just to enjoy the show! Chicago Moth StorySLAMs now join weekly StorySLAM events in New York and twice a month StorySLAMs in Los Angeles. THE MOTH-- hailed as "New York's hottest and hippest literary ticket" by The Wall Street Journal -- is an acclaimed non-profit organization dedicated to the art of oral storytelling. It was founded in 1997 by poet and novelist George Dawes Green, who wanted to recreate in New York the feeling of sultry summer evenings on his native St. Simon's Island, Georgia, when moths would attract to the light on the porch where he and his small circle of friends would gather to spin spellbinding tales. The first Moth event was held in George's East Village living room and the story events quickly spread to larger venues throughout Manhattan. At The Moth, people from all walks tell real stories from their lives with no notes, and every show in The Moth's history has sold out - most within 48 hours. In 2006-2007, The Moth produced a successful 10 city national tour. In 2008, The Moth podcast was launched and spent one month at number one on all of iTunes. Today, The Moth conducts six ongoing programs - The Moth Mainstage, The Moth StorySLAMs, The MothSHOP Community Program (which brings storytelling workshops free of charge to underserved populations), The Moth on the Road, MothSHOP Corporate, and the annual Moth Ball - and has brought more than 3,000 stories told by people from all walks of life - from Moby, Sam Shepard, Ethan Hawke, and Lili Taylor to a firefighter, pickpocket, and a hot dog-eating champion to millions of listeners the world over. A series of five Moth Radio Hours can now be heard on WBEZ, Chicago Public Radio.

Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds is a nine-piece powerhouse that puts a modern spin on classic soul. The band is led by Arleigh Kincheloe (Sister Sparrow), whose astoundingly powerful voice and sly demeanor make for a spellbinding presence onstage. She is backed by the mighty force of The Dirty Birds, a flock of eight men who masterfully lay down thundering grooves and soaring melodies. While each of the Birds are capable of lighting up the stage with jaw-dropping displays of musicianship, it's clear they're focused on delivering the band's infectious music as a single entity. Simply put, the band's live show is explosive.Dynamic singer and front-woman Sister Sparrow first began penning tunes in the alleyways and back roads between New York City and the Catskill Mountains as a teenager. Though already aided and abetted by her harmonica-shredding brother Jackson, it was clear that a large, powerful band was needed to do justice to the songs she was crafting. The brother and sister team called upon their cousin Bram, a California-bred drummer of considerable prowess, to help them assemble a super-band of epic proportions. Bram brought in childhood friends JJ Byars (alto saxophone) and Ryan Snow (trombone), and Ryan called upon baritone saxophonist and close friend Johnny Butler. Later, the addition of trumpeter Phil Rodriguez completed the unstoppable force of the virtuosic Dirty Birds' horns. The rhythm section was filled out by tapping guitarist Sasha Brown and bassist Aidan Carroll, a tandem that proved to be the perfect engineers of the hard-driving, bare-knuckle grooves that propel this ferocious group.It was evident from the start that the deep friendships among its members translated directly to the music they made together. While Sister Sparrow is the principal songwriter and unifying voice of the band, the Dirty Birds work collaboratively on arrangements. The result is musical creativity and diversity seldom seen in groups of this size and character. By the middle of 2009, Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds had packed New York's legendary Rockwood Music Hall every Saturday night, holding down a five-month-long residency that built them a reputation for being one of the funkiest, tightest groups in the city. Fueled by the band's boundless energy, every show turned into a wild dance party, and the Dirty Birds established a rabid following of fans eager to receive a potent dose of good times, delivered by the band night after night.Within six months of their November 2010 debut release on Modern Vintage Recordings, Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds had opened for the Black Keys, the Neville Brothers, Dr. John, the Rebirth Brass Band, and the Soul Rebels Brass Band, among others. Through appearances at such festivals as moe.down, Strange Creek, Camp Jam, Sterling Stage, and late-night at New Orleans JazzFest, they continued to gain wider acclaim. In the spring of 2011, they embarked on an extensive national tour that continues through year‚Äôs end and includes performances at Gathering of the Vibes and Bear Creek.Sister Sparrow's commanding stage presence alone is more than enough to dazzle audiences, but the magic doesn't end with her: the band's palpable camaraderie, undeniable talent and passion for music makes for a contagious combination that is taking the country by storm. Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds' blend of seductive soul and dirty blues-rock reminds audiences why they love live music. Directions for destination How Far To Austin:1. Start out in Chicago in 2006 at intersection of rock, soul, and pop.2. Merge onto your feet and start dancing.3. Proceed through hip shaking.4. Continue until you can’t take no more.If you reach closing time you’ve gone a little too far5. Take vocalist Katie Troelstrup6. Take bassist Marty Farrelly7. Take guitarist/mandolinist Colin Fahey8. Take guitarist/songwriter Tate Troelstrup9. Take drummer Stephan Kohnke10. Take the 1st right onto stages supporting Tonic, Sugar Ray, Cowboy Mouth, Eddie Money, Freddy Jones Band, Sonny Landreth, The Avett Brothers, and more.11. Merge into studio to record “Goodnight Madison” EP with Producer Steve Gillis (Filter, Naked Raygun).12. Enter the top 10 most requested list on 50+ radio stations across the country.13. Continue with licensing by MTV, VH1, E!TV, Showtime, Discovery Channel Network, and Oprah’s OWN Network.14. Keep right to return to the studio in 2012 to record new tracks.15. Continue playing live.Your destination is HOW FAR TO AUSTIN, enjoy the journey.

From the White House to “Real Housewives,” transparency has become the promise of the digital age; everyone is broadcasting everything all of the time. So what happens when a rock band throws open the studio doors, stops being polite and starts getting real?Des Moines rockers The Nadas found out when they set out last January to record their seventh LP, Almanac, virtually live. The rules were simple: the band would write, record and release one song a month all year. What’s more, every step of the process would be streamed live on the band’s website and with unprecedented access to the creative process; fans were allowed to become an integral part of this album. By joining the band’s web-based Almanac Project, fans could monitor their blog and read the band’s project journal. Comments and criticisms on everything from lyrics to instruments were welcomed and even, in a few choice cases, incorporated into The Nadas’ music. In September of 2009, select fans that had joined the Almanac Project were extended an exclusive invitation to a special songwriting session arranged to write that month’s addition to this most unique album.By 2009, with hundreds of thousands of copies of their previous six albums sold, and having toured along thousands of miles of highway (in Meatloaf’s old tour bus, no less), one would think Playboy Magazine’s “Best College Band You’ve Never Heard Of” would have little to worry about. However, singer/guitarist Mike Butterworth regretted the whole song-a-month idea almost immediately, “By February, I’d decided it was a terrible mistake,” he says. ”I didn’t like being forced to be creative on a schedule, and it wrecked havoc on the creative process. Knowing that people were watching me fumble through musical and lyrical ideas was really difficult. I was self conscious the whole time.”Co-founding singer/guitarist Jason Walsmith was equally dubious, “The truth is, the process of writing and recording is kind of ugly. I felt dumb singing things for the first time, sounding like junior high choir boy.”Butterworth and Walsmith are known for their flawless songwriting, but opening the normally intimate process for public scrutiny proved to be a trying time. By the end, though, the finished product is truly their best to date. Despite (or perhaps because) of the rigorous, self-imposed deadlines and wildly public creative process, the 12 tracks produced on Almanac, finds The Nadas in top form.Their previous efforts The Ghosts Inside These Halls (2007) and Listen Through The Static (2005) have found the band (rounded out by bassist Jon Locker, drummer Jason Smith, and violinist Becca Smith) alternating between alt-rock and alt-country. Now, Almanac finds the band fully embracing muscular, anthemic rock. ”Bitter Love,” “Dodged a Bullet” and “Last to Know” stand confidently alongside the band’s most amplified efforts.The surprise is in the band’s strong-but-subtle instrumental choices: staccato strings in “Long Goodbye,” tin whistle in “Crystal Clear,” steel drums “All I Want Is You.” Where a crisp keyboard sound in “Parachute” borrows from Van Halen’s “1984,” the hint of auto tune in “Long Goodbye” appropriates a dash of Kanye West.Less surprisingly, though, is the affect of the band’s very-public recording process on the lyrics. Tracks like “Call Me” and “Crystal Clear” find both frontmen at their most exposed.“I’m not gonna’ let it break down,” Butterworth (whose marital woes read like an open wound in “Ghosts”) sings in “Crystal Clear.” “I’m not gonna’ let it fall apart the way it did again.”In the end, even he admits that Almanac somehow captures all twelve months. “It was an average year: I lived in the same house, had the same wife, toured in the same bus, and took the same vacation. But I don’t think Almanac is an average record. We stepped way out of our comfort zone in terms of writing and producing. Somehow, it’s our most cohesive record yet.”“It was a risk,” Walsmith said. “But our die-hard fans were game. They came along for the ride. And, just because a little bit of the magic was taken away doesn’t mean they didn’t relish the process.”Like so many American bands, The Nadas started as a way for its members to pass the time between college classes. Unlike so many American bands, The Nadas outlasted their educations and rode a growing fan base to a genuine, honest-to-goodness career.While Butterworth is known for his rock ‘n’ roll intuitions (on perfect display in his live cover of the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage”) and Walsmith for his alt-country roots, they work perfectly as a songwriting unit, skillfully evoking the romance, introspection and uncertainty of living life on one’s own terms in the 21st Century.Those terms are what brought on the thoughts of intertwining their fans and the rise of social networking into the process of the album. Over the past sixteen years, The Nadas have built a strong community of fans and together they have sold more than 125,000 albums through their own Authentic Records, including 2003’s Transceiver and 2005’s Listen Through The Static, both produced by Todd and Toby Pipes of Deep Blue Something, as well as 2007’s The Ghosts Inside These Halls. Now, with Almanac, their seventh LP, they are confident they will continue to grow their community, bringing in new fans and new beginnings.“We started The Nadas sixteen years ago with just a couple of songs, a van and a newsletter, then grew a community from there,” said Walsmith. “The tools we have now to communicate with and build that community are crazy. But it’s still about the songs, and our fans. They’re why we do this.” As a songwriter for artists as diverse as Pat Benatar (the Grammy-nominated classic “We Belong”) , The Bangles, Jackson Browne, Keb’ Mo’, Dave Edmunds, The Tempatations, Dionne Warwick, Dutch superstar Marco Borsato, The Triplets, Austin outlaw legend Rusty Weir and many more...As a recording and touring artist with longtime songwriting partner Eric Lowen in the acclaimed acoustic duo Lowen & Navarro and, since 2009, as a solo singer-songwriter increasingly on demand on the national concert circuit...As a singer and voice actor in major motion pictures, television series, commercials and recordings, including the films Happy Feet (1& 2), Rio, Ice Age (2 & 3), Robots, The Mexican, The Emperor’s New Groove, Envy; television series Prison Break, Family Guy, American Dad and The Cleveland Show; recordings with Neil Young, Andrea Bocelli, Luis Miguel, Jose Feliciano, Susanna Hoffs and Jon Anderson of Yes; and commercials for McDonald’s, Toyota, Coca-Cola, Honda, El Pollo Loco, Nationwide and literally hundreds of others...As an activist in Washington on intellectual property, performer and songwriter issues, lobbying Capitol Hill regularly, including testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Copyright Royalty Board, on behalf of the Nashville Songwriters Association International, AFTRA, NARAS, BMI , SoundExchange and the musicFIRST Coalition...As an institutional volunteer on the elected and appointed boards of such vaunted musician and performer organizations as the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), Folk Alliance International, The California Songwriters Association, The Recording Academy and the Golden West Chapter of the ALS Association, fighting the neuromuscular disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease...After 22 years and 12 albums with Lowen & Navarro, Dan ventured out solo in 2009 and released his first album that year, the spirited “Live at McCabe’s”, with his pals from the Austin-based Stonehoney backing him. His next album, “Shed My Skin”, is slated for release in 2012. He also moonlights as a member of the four-artist Christmas revue, Decembersongs, with friends Amy Speace, Jon Vezner and Sally Barris, and is a known abuser of acoustic guitars.

The Chicago Tribune: “I have seen the future of rock 'n' roll, and its name is Tributosaurus.”Tributosaurus strives to do for rock and roll what a symphony orchestra does for classical; treat the music with the respect it deserves, and deliver it to a listener’s ear in glorious detail. They accomplish this goal by utilizing the finest musicians Chicagoland has to offer, and by cutting no corners. If a Stevie Wonder tune has 6 horns, 3 keyboards, and 4 strings, then that’s what you get on stage. If a Santana song needs 3 guitars and 4 percussionists, so be it. Every month, one band is given the treatment, now totaling more than 90 over the first 9 years of the project. The members of Tributosaurus are musical anthropologists, as songs are excavated, dissected, and reconstituted to replicate the original with proper reverence. They aren’t really a tribute band, but are every tribute band. There are no costumes and there is no make-up, because with Tributosaurus, the music is the star.The band is comprised of five core members (Dan Leali, Curt Morrison, Chris Neville, Jon Paul, and Matt Spiegel), who are joined by artists with credits too numerous to mention. Tributosaurus has sold out shows all over Chicago, and their gigs are an event. Fans commune with the musicians, paying homage to songs that made us all fall in love with music in the first place.

Zmick is a progressive rock band formed in early 2007 in Urbana, Illinois. The music encompasses elements of jazz, progressive rock, reggae, electronica, funk, metal, Latin and world music. Zmick writes music with the intent of bringing people together and giving them an opportunity to dance, sing, laugh and bond with other music lovers. All Zmick members are huge fans of elaborately composed progressive rock and jazz, as well as broadly appealing "catchy vocal music." Zmick strives to fuse the different styles together with strong groove-oriented rhythms and create a community where live music fans can congregate and enjoy life. Zmick is comprised of Dan Wonsover (Bass and Vocals), Brad Miller (Guitar and Vocals), Kris Ahrens (Drums and Vocals), and Doug Ferdinand (Keyboard).

Uniform 61 is the unlikely Chicago ensemble of a singer song-writer from Austin, a banjo bluegrass loving multi-instrumentalist from Detroit, a jazz pianist from Minneapolis, and a punk percussionist who has not missed a beat in the Chicago music scene for twenty years. U-61 wax poetic, original works that blur the lines of folk and rock. They also have an uncanny knack for entertaining live audiences with unique interpretations of popular and obscure covers. Either way, you'll be glad you got into Uniform 61. Heather Maloney had one of her first public shows at a small coffee shop in Northampton Massachusetts in September of 2009. So nervous and timid that she had to be prodded onto the stage. In July of 2011 she walked out onto the stage at the Calvin Theater in front of 1,500 fans of the Grammy Award winning artist Jonny Lang, and brought them to their feet in applause. Jonny immediately asked her to open three more shows and called her “an extremely talented songwriter and incredibly great singer.” Heather has fallen in love with performing, having played over 250 shows in 25 states in 2 years, sharing the stage with such celebrated acts as Jonny Lang, Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriquez, Mike & Ruthy, Vance Gilbert, Dala, David Wax Museum, Devil Makes Three, Caravan of Thieves, Jeffrey Gaines, Jill Sobule and many others.Heather's is touring with her stellar band and with her second full length album “Time & Pocket Change” which has got critical acclaim; the Portland Phoenix dubbed it "Richly orchestrated post-coffee shop pop held together by pipes and lyrics well beyond her years." WUMB Boston Radio's Jason Moberg says: "This album is incredible, I'm blown away." and added three songs into their rotation. North Carolina's Encore Magazine says: "Time & Pocket Change can easily be categorized as one of the best of the year thus far." And a hometown thumbs-up comes from Northampton's Valley Advocate: "You can hear that it comes from the soul-- none of it reeks of contrivance, not even for a minute."

The Bright White have performed a release show for their debut EP, Until Then, at Chicago's legendary Double Door and a New York City debut at Mercury Lounge. Tracks from the EP recently received airplay on Chicago's Q101 and WXRT."Listening to their single "Red Summer Rose," it's easy to imagine them going places far and wide beyond the Windy City to lands inhabited by The Killers and Kings of Leon." (Rock Turtleneck)Comprised of four working class guys who proudly wear their hearts on their sleeves, Chicago's The Bright White debuted in early 2011. Frontman Matthew Kayser and guitarist Joe O'Leary dreamt up the concept of an infectiously loud and spirited rock n' roll band months before they were fortunate enough to have drummer Steve Zelenko and bassist Peter Krutiak respond to a Craigslist ad for a rhythm section. Inspired songwriting sessions and a slew of local and regional bookings immediately followed.Fueled by Kayser's impassioned vocals and their own brand of careening, yet smart, rock n' roll, The Bright White plan on releasing another EP and their first full-length in 2012. They look forward to connecting with audiences who have been waiting for sing-along choruses, fist-in-the-air guitar solos and the swagger of a band who knows its best days are ahead. Witch Feet is a dual guitar pop-infused indie rock powerhouse from Chicago. These dudes are from bands like All Eyes West (Jump Start Records), Green Skies Are Blue, Signsedso, Hinter, and Hysterics, among others. Fans of loud 90s indie rock will find a familiar favorite in Witch Feet's sound. The band has been compared to the likes of classics such as Guided by Voices, Archer's of Loaf, Dinosaur Jr., The Cure, early New Order, and The Pixies. Their latest single, "Target of the Insult", was released for free download in December 2011. The band is currently wrapping up recording their first full length album for a 2012 release. Mooner was formed in Portland, OR in 2007. Brothers Lee and David Ketch grew up listening to Wilco, Television and Tom Petty and recorded and played together throughout the Portland area. They now live in Chicago, IL. Multiple versions of the live band have come and gone. One band in Portland was made up of their 14-year-old brother, their 50-year-old father and their half-Japanese friend. Another band in Chicago was comprised of their housemates and friends. Now, who knows who is in this band.They recently recorded an EP at Klickitat Band Camp in Portland, OR with engineer Jeremy Sherrer (J Mascis, Richmond Fontaine) and recently finished their first tour around the Midwest. Old friends and new friends wanting to rock:The Intimate Machines is Derrick, Johnny and Cory, who knew each other for nearly 18 years before finally playing in a group together. Derrick was in Big Angry Fish. Cory was in The Cells and Box-O-Car, among others. Johnny was in the Webb Brothers, and the Darlings, among others. Cory and Johnny played together in the Cells for a long time. Cory and Derrick play in The Statutes of Liberty together. Jonathan plays in Torch Singer. Cory and Jonathan work together. Everything’s all tangled up and incestuous.

Omara "Bombino" Moctar, whose given name is Goumar Almoctar, was born on January 1st, 1980 in Tidene, Niger, an encampment of nomadic Tuaregs located about 80 kilometers to the northeast of Agadez. He is a member of the Ifoghas tribe, which belongs to the Kel Air Tuareg federation. His father is a car mechanic and his mother takes care of the home, as is the Tuareg tradition. Bombino was raised as a Muslim and taught to consider honor, dignity and generosity as principal tenets of life.The Tuareg, known amongst themselves as the Kel Tamasheq, have long been recognized as warriors, traders and travelers of the Sahara Desert - as a people of grace and nobility as well as fighters of fierce reputation. They are a nomadic people descended from the Berbers of North Africa and for centuries have fought against colonialism and the imposition of strict Islamic rule.Bombino spent his early childhood between the encampment and the town of Agadez, the largest city in northern Niger (population about 90,000) and long a key part of the ancient Sahara trade routes connecting North Africa and the Mediterranean with West Africa. One of seventeen brothers and sisters (including half brothers and half sisters from both his mother and father), Bombino was enrolled in school in Agadez, but he demonstrated his rebellious spirit early on and refused to go. Bombino's grandmother took him in to keep his father from forcing him to go to school, and, like most Tuareg children, he grew up living with his grandmother.Eventually, Bombino gave in and began attending a French-Arabic school that taught both French and classic Arabic. After three years, he left the school and at the age of nine he returned to his grandmother to live the life of an independent Tuareg child. The Tuareg culture is matriarchic, and the elder women are considered the chiefs of the community, the wise sages that represent the power of life, generosity and knowledge. Bombino's grandmother instilled in him the Tuareg moral code in order for him to grow up as a respected member of society. Young Tuareg boys are called "arawan n tchimgharen", or "grandmother's children", a term that is considered a badge of honor.In 1984, a drought hit Niger and Mali, killing most of the region's livestock, forcing people to leave the countryside and move into the cities or migrate to Algeria and Libya. Eventually, Tuareg communities in those countries organized a rebellion to defend their rights, as they felt overlooked and underrepresented by local governments. Before the fighting began, rebels began teaching the community about the goals of the rebellion through song and the recently adopted guitar. Musicians such as Intayaden, Abreyboun of Tinariwen, Keddo, Abdallah of Niger and others sang popular songs that proclaimed the rights and heritage of the Tuaregs. The style was called "ishoumar" which derives from the French word "chomeurs" or "unemployed", because Tuaregs had lost their herds in the drought and were left with no other means of supporting themselves. Eventually, the term "ishoumar" became synonymous with "rebels".In 1990, the first Tuareg rebellion began in Mali and Niger when Tuareg commandos launched an attack against local military and government offices. The governments fought back, declaring Tuaregs enemies of the state and forcing many Tuareg's into exile.Bombino fled with his father and grandmother to stay near relatives in Algeria. One day some relatives arrived from the front lines of the rebellion, carrying with them two guitars that they left behind for a few months. Bombino began to teach himself to play the guitars, plucking out notes in imitation of the ishoumar songs he had heard.In 1992 and 1993, the military regime in Niger was replaced with a democratically elected government, and numerous political parties were formed, largely along ethnic lines. A Tuareg party was formed, and music once again played an important role in educating the community, this time about the importance of a democratic system in Niger. While the armed conflict had not formally ended, Bombino and his family decided to move back to Agadez.During a trip to Niamey, Niger for medical treatment, Bombino met with his uncle Rissa Ixa, a famous Tuareg painter, who gave him a guitar. Upon returning to Agadez, Bombino joined the Tuareg political party where he met the best guitarist of the party, a man named Haja Bebe. He started getting lessons, improving to the point where Haja Bebe invited him to join his band. It was during this time that Bombino acquired his nickname. As the youngest and smallest member of the band, the other members called him Bombino, a variation on the Italian word for "little child".On April 24th, 1995, the Niger government signed a peace treaty with the rebels and Tuaregs were able to move back to Niger. Around the same time, Bombino got a role as an extra in the French film Imuhar: A Legend, which was filmed in the nearby desert. After finishing his work on the film, Bombino settled into life as working musician, performing at political rallies, weddings, and other ceremonies.He fought often with his father, who did not want his son to become a musician. To escape this problem, Bombino decided to travel to Algeria and Libya in 1996. In Libya, he made friends with some local musicians, and they would spend time watching videos of Jimi Hendrix, Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits and others in an effort to master their licks. Bombino was quickly becoming an accomplished guitarist and was in high demand as a backing musician. While working as a herder in the desert near Tripoli, Libya, Bombino spent many hours alone watching the animals and practicing his guitar.Eventually, Bombino decided to return to Niger, where he continued to play with a number of local bands. As his legend grew, a Spanish documentary film crew helped Bombino record his first album, which become a local hit on Agadez radio. The success of the album validated Bombino's choice to make a career out of music, and he began playing regularly for tourists and locals alike.In 2006, Bombino traveled to California with the band Tidawt for a tour organized by a non-profit organization. During the trip, he had the chance to record a desert blues version of the Rolling Stones classic "Hey Negrita" alongside Stones' members Keith Richards and Charlie Watts. The track appears on the 2008 album spearheaded by Rolling Stones saxophonist Tim Riese entitled Stone's World: The Rolling Stones Project Volume 2. Later that year, Bombino served as Angelina Jolie's guide to the Niger desert region during a weeklong visit. During their time together, he played her the music of the Tuareg and told her stories of nomadic life in the Sahara.In 2007, the second Tuareg rebellion began, and the government countermeasures were forceful and indiscriminant. Many civilians were killed and farms and livestock were destroyed in an effort to quash the rebellion. Instead, the government's hard-handed tactics only served to galvanize the Tuareg community, and Bombino and his friends joined the rebellion. Government forces killed two of Bombino's musicians, so he fled in exile to Burkina Faso along with many of his fellow Tuaregs.In 2009, he met filmmaker Ron Wyman who had heard a cassette of Bombino's music while traveling near Agadez. Wyman was enchanted by Bombino's music and spent a year seeking him out, eventually tracking him down to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, where Bombino was living in exile. While there, Wyman decided to feature Bombino in a documentary he was filming about the Tuareg. Later that year, he brought Bombino to Cambridge, Massachusetts to begin recording the album Agadez in his home studio.Finally, the Tuaregs put down their arms and were allowed to return to Niger. In January 2010, Wyman came to Agadez to finish the album and the film. The sultan of Agadez allowed them to organize a concert for peace at the base of the Grand Mosque, the first time such a performance had been permitted. Over a thousand people came to celebrate the end of the conflict and danced to the irresistible grooves of Bombino and his band.Although just thirty years old, Bombino's life and travels have exposed him to the problems facing his people. He has taken on the mission of helping the Tuareg community achieve equal rights, peace, maintain their rich cultural heritage and promote education. He is an advocate for teaching children the Tuareg language of Tamasheq, the local Haoussa language as well as French and Arabic, all of which he speaks fluently. "We fought for our rights," remarks Bombino, "But we have seen that guns are not the solution. We need to change our system. Our children must go to school and learn about their Tuareg identity."Four thousand years of living in a hostile environment taught the Tuareg that the will to survive with dignity intact is stronger than any external threat. Bombino puts that sentiment to music, writes its anthem, and gives it a life of its own. He is known as being emblematic of the next generation of Tuareg, a new voice of the Sahara and Sahel, fusing traditional Berber rhythms with the energy of rock and roll and songs about peace. After thirty years of drought, rebellion, and tyranny, Bombino extols his audience to remember who they are, but also realize who they can be. AfroZep is a band that plays high-energy afro-beat and afro-pop versions of Led Zeppelin songs, complete with horns and percussion.Wilson, Marshall and Ryan conceptualized the idea in the Summer of 2009. Less than 6 months later they were touring the Midwest performing in St. Louis, Iowa City, Kansas City, Madison and Rock Island.Their first hometown performance was a few months later at the Bottom Lounge and a few months after that Afro-Zep was being recognized by critics from the Chicago Reader and were voted Best Led Zeppelin Cover Band.The band hit the studio shortly after that (all songs available for free download at: www.afrozep.com) and quickly gained the attention of Richard Milne at WXRT where they were listed as 'Our Led Zeppelin Cover Band of Choice'.Less than two years later Afro-Zep has headlined clubs such as the Fox Theatre in Boulder, Quixoes in Denver and Lincoln Hall in Chicago; performed at Universities, festivals and private parties and opened for national and international touring acts such as Cornmeal and Tinariwen.

“This Must Be the Band” is Chicago’s only and therefore best Talking Heads Tribute Band; they only play Talking Heads music, and, if possible, 3 to 4 hours at a time.They formed in May 2007 on Craigslist and played the coveted pizza joint circuit, the most notable of which was the city-famous Piece Pizza in Wicker Park. Since then, they have expanded east to NYC and west to Boise, ID (yes, THAT Boise, ID). They have two main dishes on their menu: the first is a succulent “All-Request Show,” with a generous helping of audience participation, flavored slightly by improvisation. The second is the hailed “Stop Making Sense Re-Creation,” where they perform note-for-note and prop-for-prop the famous Talking Heads concert film from 1984. In 2011, they performed this show to a sold-out crowd at the Vic Theatre in Chicago.This Must be the Band is extremely happy to play Talking Heads music night after night because the music is just that much fun. Not only has the lead singer (Charlie Otto) been called “the illegitimate son of David Byrne,” but the band boasts its very own Tina Weymouth (Jamie Jay), Bernie Worrell (Jim Dinou), Adrian Belew (covered by both Otto and Dinou), and Ednah Holt (Kasey Foster). TMBTB is available for any gathering where people need to dance: parties, weddings, bars, etc. The band formerly known as Savvy will open up the night with a set of original strangefunk.

“This Must Be the Band” is Chicago’s only and therefore best Talking Heads Tribute Band; they only play Talking Heads music, and, if possible, 3 to 4 hours at a time.They formed in May 2007 on Craigslist and played the coveted pizza joint circuit, the most notable of which was the city-famous Piece Pizza in Wicker Park. Since then, they have expanded east to NYC and west to Boise, ID (yes, THAT Boise, ID). They have two main dishes on their menu: the first is a succulent “All-Request Show,” with a generous helping of audience participation, flavored slightly by improvisation. The second is the hailed “Stop Making Sense Re-Creation,” where they perform note-for-note and prop-for-prop the famous Talking Heads concert film from 1984. In 2011, they performed this show to a sold-out crowd at the Vic Theatre in Chicago.This Must be the Band is extremely happy to play Talking Heads music night after night because the music is just that much fun. Not only has the lead singer (Charlie Otto) been called “the illegitimate son of David Byrne,” but the band boasts its very own Tina Weymouth (Jamie Jay), Bernie Worrell (Jim Dinou), Adrian Belew (covered by both Otto and Dinou), and Ednah Holt (Kasey Foster). TMBTB is available for any gathering where people need to dance: parties, weddings, bars, etc. For eight years their sound has evolved. Following an exchange of musicians and a wave of new musical roots, The Diggity now highlights the talent of seven individuals from Northwest Indiana that work to create an original sound built on the foundation of diverse musical interests. The group has achieved a new sound over the past two years with additional keyboards, backing vocals, drum samples, and songwriting styles. Funky, electronic rock music would sum up the sound of The Diggity in the fewest of words. Many genres, including hip hop, blues, jazz, and electronica have influenced the music that is not only performed live by the group but recorded locally in northwest Indiana. Following the June 2010 release of “Another Wondrous Conversation,” the band will release their third album in the winter of 2012. A powerful live performance has found The Diggity touring around the midwest, playing frequently at music festivals, clubs, and bars in both Indiana and neighboring states. The Diggity is here to bring together friends and share their sound. DJ noDJ plays all that hot DJ music, but they play it in human form. For these shows, they will play a non-stop Daft Punk afterset.

$1 FROM EVERY TICKET PURCHASED WILL BE DONATED TO "INSTRUMENTS 4 AFRICA" (www.instruments4africa.wordpress.com)! Some music cannot be found on a map or within iTunes categories. Some music is so original it seems snatched from the great, invisible substrata that runs below all human activity, a sound aching to be born without a flag or fixed allegiance – free, questing, overflowing with immediate, tangible life. This is the music of Toubab Krewe, the vibrant Asheville, NC-based instrumental powerhouse that creates a sonic Pangaea that lustily swirls together rock, African traditions, jam sensibilities, international folk strains and more. While nearly impossible to put into any box, it takes only a few moments to realize in a very palpable way that one is face-to-face with a true original who recognizes no borders in a march towards a muscular, original, globally switched-on sound.Formed in 2005, Toubab Krewe has tenaciously honed their craft through relentless touring and a fierce dedication to carving out something they can truly call their own. The fruits of this hard work can be heard on their latest release, TK2, (September 7, 2010 on Nat Geo Music). What Justin Perkins (Kora, Kamelngoni, guitar, percussion), Vic Stafford (drums, congas), Drew Heller (guitar, piano, fiddle), David Pransky (bass, guitar), and Luke Quaranta (Djembe, percussion) have wrought on TK2 reflects the many miles and musical journeys that have transpired since their studio debut.This is a band that actively draws inspiration from whatever source floats into their purview, something they've exhibited in their half decade of heavy gigging, including regular appearances at major U.S. festivals like Bonnaroo, High Sierra, Rothbury and Wakarusa, and abroad at such legendary gatherings as Festival In The Desert in Mali. Their globe-hopping propensity has made them an emerging headliner at their hometown's famous Orange Peel and a familiar face as similar venues throughout the country. Whether on their own or collaborating with luminaries like the Last Poets' Umar Bin Hassan or Uncle Earl's Rayna Gellert, Toubab Krewe has already earned the attention and respect of a broad musical community.Toubab carries echoes of African greats like Ali Farka Toure, Orchestra Baobab and Salif Keita, no doubt picked up during the group's travels to study and live in Guinea, Ivory Coast and Mali. But what truly differentiates Toubab Krewe from other Statesiders inspired by African music is how they innovate on what they've learned instead of simply recreating tradition. Toubab Krewe carves out a new trail honoring the African originators they admire by making something alive and contemporary.From the ragtime piano tinged opener "Mariama" to the percussion fueled, slide guitar glide of "Gine Fare" to the subtle, inviting African echoes of "Konkoba" to the hypnotic, psychedelic slow burn of "Holy Grail," TK2 reveals Toubab Krewe to be rare innovators in a modern age often too ready to settle for more of what's been. Toubab Krewe is happily an exception to this rule, and those willing to take the journey with them are in for one hell of a cool, exciting ride. For over five years, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad’s live show has defined the band. Touring relentlessly, the Rochester, NY-based group is sustained by its passion to reinterpret, explore, and expand its music night after night in cities throughout the country.Now, 767 concerts since the 2006 release of their debut album Slow Down, GPGDS is set to release a new album, Country, on January 31, 2012, on the California-based label Controlled Substance Sound Labs. With this release, the quintet has charted new territory and put together a lyrically-driven roots Americana album.Combining acoustic instrumentation including slide guitar, banjo, harmonica, upright piano, percussion, and bass, the album showcases songs as they were first created: on the road, riding in the van, and jamming backstage. The production of Country taps into that spontaneous rhythm, allowing the music to wash over listeners like a conversation between old friends. James Searl, Dylan Savage, and Dan Keller trade off lead vocal duties, with back up vocals provided by drummer Chris O’Brian, and multi-instrumentalist Aaron Lipp.Country is an immensely personal album that balances the themes of love separated by distance, while also inspiring reflection on the tumultuous times that we live in. On songs such as “Country” and “Kids In The Square,” James Searl explores elements of the social unrest and Occupy movements that have defined 2011. These emotions are evident when he sings “Time to get living is now / YouTube the moment try to teach us how / Run to the square with the people you know and you gotta get moving cause the movements been slow” (Kids In The Square).Country was recorded at Scanhope Sound, the Colorado studio owned by the band’s longtime sound engineer Joel Scanlon. Searl says the album was born unexpectedly last summer when “we walked into Joel’s studio and he just pressed record. This is what got laid down. It was unplanned, fun, and real.” The album kept moving forward when Atlanta-based producer Billy Hume (Nas, STS9, Ludacris, Josh Ritter) mixed the tracks shortly after meeting the band at The Festy, near Charlottesville, VA this past October.Later this spring, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad will release a full electric album, In These Times. The psychedelic roots sound will be more familiar to fans who have gotten to know the band through their concerts and live recordings. Controlled Substance Sound Labs will release Country on January 31, 2012, and In These Times on April 10, 2012.

After sixteen years apart, Hairball Willie is heading back to the stage. The band, led by Furthur guitarist John Kadlecik, also features guitarist Rob Ezsak, vocalist Eric Olson, drummer Dave Seagren and bassist Dale Woods.From 1986 to 1996, Hairball Willie brought it's eclectic mix of rock, blues, folk, jam band and Grateful Dead music to venues across northern Illinois and beyond. Fans took a quick liking to the essence of Hairball Willie for their creative, progressive, powerful, boogie inspired sound. Fans always left with a satisfied soul, and very sweaty. The band was originally formed by Woods, Seagren and Olson, along with guitarists Jerry Baker and Mike Crowe. The orginal formation lasted only a few years. When both Baker and Crowe left to pursue higher education, they were replaced by Ezsak and Kadlecik. This group was responsible for releasing Hairball Willie's only studio album, “Just Defying Gravity”. In 1995 Ezsak and Olson left the group to pursue other musical outlets, and were replaced by guitarist Chris Jonson and keyboard player R.J. Gouldin. This version of the band continued through 1996, when Kadlecik left to join Uncle John's Band.The Band Is:John Kadlecik - Lead Guitarist and Vocalist, went on to form Dark Star Orchestra and currently tours with Furthur as well as the John K. Band.Dave Seagren - Percussion, continues to make music with Tropical Sound Steel Band and Steel Crazy. He is also a music instructor at Waubonsee Community College.Rob Ezsak - Rhythm Guitarist and Vocalist, can currently be found on stage with the band The Bank, playing lots of classic rock.Dale Woods - Bassist and Vocalist, continues to work extensively with many Fox Valley area musicians.Eric Olson - Lead Vocalist, is currently a member of Funktional Family, as well as working with Seagren in Steel Crazy. The band started in the fall of 1998 when John Kadlecik (mandolin and fiddle), Bob Lait (guitar), Michael Hazdra (bass), (Wavy) Dave Burlingame (banjo), Lisa Mackey (vocals) and Dave Muhlethaler (fiddle and mandolin) got together to form a bluegrass side project. Mike and John had recently started playing together in the Dark Star Orchestra. Dave Burlingame was playing bass for several blues and bar bands as well as learning banjo. Bob and Lisa were playing in a group Fenario and the Shotgun Ragtime Band. Muhlethaler was a professional street musician.Hog Head McDunna's was the first run of shows for the Dime Store String Band. This is when John named the band. Because the demands of all the projects, Dime Store got together on musicians night off, Monday.After a couple of years Dave Muhlethaler moved to Madison Wisconsin and left the band. Tom Murray, who played with Bob and Lisa in Fenario, joined to replace Muhlethaler on Fiddle. Mike left Dark Star Orchestra to get off the road, and started the regular Monday night with Bob. They still get together every Monday to play bluegrass and enjoy Mary's (Bob's wife) baked cookies and cakes, with few exceptions. Around this time Lisa joined DSO. As DSO started touring more rigorously, John and Lisa showed up on Monday's less and less frequently. Whenever John was in town he would book Dime Store at Martyr's.Dave Burlingame was also in the very successful jamgrass band, Cornmeal, with Chris Gangi. Chris started coming to Monday nights playing mandolin.Dime Store started hosting a jam before Terrapin Flyer on Sundays at the Boulevard Cafe around 2002. Around the same time Tom started booking us shows at the Uncommon Ground. When Dave and Chris were on the road with Cornmeal, Ben Wright (now with Outlaw Family Band) and Martin McWhorter, from Back Porch Ramblers, came to fill in on Banjo and Mandolin. Martin stayed on, Chris was busy with Cornmeal and teaching at the Old Town School.Different musicians came and went at the regular Monday nights at Bob's. Ruby Harris (fiddle), Chris Gangi (bass and mandolin), Rick Veras (fiddle), High on the Hog from Colorado, Jeff Sachs and Erin O'toole from Home Kookin', Jason Berger (mandolin), among others. While Dime Store was filling in for Cornmeal at Griffin's Pub, Dave Bragman filled in on banjo. James Weigel from OFB came out and sat in on Dobro at the Uncommon Ground.Bob Lait fills in on guitar and vocals once in a while with Cornmeal. Bob is also a painter, you can visit his artwork on his website. Dave is busy with Cornmeal. Tom Murray was a founding member of Chicago favorites' Stump The Host and Planet Warehouse. He also performed two seasons with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, training orchestra of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Currently, Tom has been performing and recording with Steve Dawson of Dolly Varden as well as performing regularly with Mike Himbaugh of Hello Dave. These are in addition to his main and favorite commitment, the Dime Store String Band. When not playing with DSSB, Michael Hazdra is playing eclectic folk in the George Matteson Trio. Martin has left DSSB and played with Henhouse Prowlers. Martin moved to Ireland in November 2007. Mike Kearns is now filling the mandolin spot. Dave Bragman is currently doing most of the banjowork. Wavy Dave sits in now and again when he is not touring.