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The Addisons – 100% Familiar
Earlier this month, The Addisons released their latest EP, called 100% Familiar. It was recorded by Jeff Dean at Million Yen Studios and mastered by Justin Perkins, and contains a total of five songs. When asked about the writing process for this record, singer/guitarist Tom Counihan said, “These songs are the first that we worked out with our new drummer Jessie, (Carmona). I think he had a big effect on the way they ended up sounding. Dave, (singer/guitarist Dave Lysien) and I write the initial ideas separately, but once we bring songs into the band, we all contribute to working out arrangements, bridges, etc.”
When comparing 100% Familiar to the band’s previous material, Counihan said “I think we tried to challenge ourselves a little more on this release. While we were getting ready to record, we spent a lot of time kind of dissecting the songs and trying to be more purposeful about each part.” Bassist Rick Uncapher added, “It’s definitely in the same vein as what we’ve been doing, but I think we tried to change it up a bit to keep things interesting. It’s probably subtle, but there are a lot of guitar effects, keyboards, background vocals and added percussion that we did to fill out the songs.” Check out the EP below and head to Bandcamp to buy a copy.
Still Alive
Last month, Still Alive released a new EP, called Assemble. We caught up with singer/guitarist Dan Alfonsi and discussed the band’s decision to put out the record themselves, as well as how recording went and the meaning behind some of the songs. We also talked about the EP’s cover art, the origins of its title and what else Still Alive has planned for this year. Assemble finds the band, (also consisting of guitarist/singer Dom Burdi, bassist Bryan Schroth and drummer Mikey Cervenka) experimenting with the boundaries of their sound and embracing a heavier tone. In addition, there’s still a wide range of influences present, but also increasingly intricate songwriting and a greater sense of overall cohesion. Be sure to check out the EP in its entirety here. Continue Reading…
The Addisons – “Standing Outside Your Door”
Chicago’s The Addisons recently released their debut single, called So American / Standing Outside Your Door. The band features Tom Counihan and Dave Lysien of Not Rebecca, and this project marks the first time that the two have worked together in over ten years. Their lineup is solidified by bassist Rick Uncapher, (Textbook, Noise By Numbers) and drummer Daisun Derrijk, (The Sonnets). The band recorded their introductory release in October of last year with Jeff Dean at Million Yen Studios. We’re streaming one of the tracks below, “Standing Outside Your Door,” and the single can be purchased via Bandcamp here. Also, be sure to catch The Addisons on Friday, January 20th when they play Livewire Lounge with Sweet Figurines, The Cells and Farewell Captain. The show starts at 9:00 PM and costs $10.
Still Alive
In August of last year, Chicago’s Still Alive released their latest record, Choices. We recently spoke with singer/guitarist Dan Alfonsi and talked about what recording the album was like. We also discussed some of the record’s lyrics and its general theme. In addition, we conversed about how the band has continued to progress its unique sound, which integrates genres like metal, ska, hardcore and more. While Still Alive may defy easy classifications, they’re certainly a band deserving of increased attention. They’ve got a lot planned for the year ahead, and with any luck their persistent work ethic will result in an expanded audience. Continue Reading…
The Bomb
Photos by Katie Hovland
The Bomb is a long-running Chicago punk band that formed in 1999. Since 2003, their lineup has consisted of singer Jeff Pezzati, (Naked Raygun) guitarist Jeff Dean, (All Eyes West, Dead Ending, Noise By Numbers, etc.) bassist Pete Mittler, (The Methadones) and drummer Mike Soucy, (The Methadones). This fall, The Bomb plans to release a new, yet-to-be-titled EP on No Idea Records and we spoke with Pezzati about its songs. We talked about both their lyrical content and musical style. We also discussed recording, touring, the band’s relationship with J. Robbins and more. Continue Reading…
Dead Ending – “Ayn Rand Chicken Sandwich”
Dead Ending by Katie Hovland
On December 11th, Dead Ending will release its second EP, the aptly titled DE II. It was recorded at Million Yen Studios in Chicago, contains a total of five songs and will be available through Alternative Tentacles. The band’s lineup of course consists of singer Vic Bondi, (Articles of Faith) guitarist Jeff Dean, (The Bomb, Noise By Numbers, All Eyes West) bassist Joe Principe, (Rise Against) and drummer Derek Grant, (Alkaline Trio). We’re excited to present an exclusive stream of one of the EP’s songs, called “Ayn Rand Chicken Sandwich.” When asked about the song’s meaning, Bondi said “I was beside myself at the stupidity of the Chick-fil-A nonsense. As though the highest expression of your ‘moral values’ was to buy a chicken sandwich. But it’s always like that with that crowd, dumb on dumb, undergirded by crazed homophobic panic. So the song kind of wrote itself, in about five minutes.” Check out the song below and be sure to catch Dead Ending on the road in 2013.
[audio:http://www.jadedinchicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/4-Ayn-Rand-Chicken-Sandwich.mp3|titles=Ayn Rand Chicken Sandwich]
Dead Ending
Photo by Katie Hovland
Dead Ending is a punk rock supergroup of sorts, featuring bassist Joe Principe, (Rise Against) drummer Derek Grant, (Alkaline Trio) guitarist Jeff Dean, (The Bomb, Noise By Numbers, All Eyes West) and singer Vic Bondi, (Articles of Faith). We spoke with Grant, who kindly agreed to the band’s first-ever interview, and discussed how the group got together, what they sound like and where their name comes from. We also talked about recording at Million Yen Studios, their newly formed partnership with Alternative Tentacles and some of Dead Ending’s future plans. Continue Reading…
The Black Sheep Band
Photo of Dan Schafer by Katie Hovland
Small Brown Bike – Fell & Found
No Idea Records – Release Date: 4/26/11
Having reunited in 2009 after a five-year hiatus, Small Brown Bike is back with Fell & Found, their first new album in nearly eight years. It features the band’s original lineup and was produced by J Robbins at Chicago’s Million Yen Studios. Robbins, best known for his work with Jets to Brazil, The Dismemberment Plan and Promise Ring, did a great job of understanding Small Brown Bike’s vision and really bringing these songs to life. In some ways, Fell & Found differs from their prior work in that there’s less distortion on the guitars and cleaner-sounding vocals, but the music still hits just as hard when it needs to. In other words, the band has mastered its dynamics, recognizing when to play soft and when to play loud, which anchors the songwriting and allows for further experimentation. Above all, this record is a complete work that’s both layered and well-executed. At times it’s reminiscent of some of the finer post-punk that was being made in the mid-‘90s, but it also sounds like they put a contemporary spin on the positive characteristics they were previously known for. One thing that’s apparent upon first listen is the creative and powerful drumming of Dan Jaquint. It truly sets the tone for the entire album and does a good job of complimenting the plodding, burly bass work of Ben Reed. Not to be outdone, guitarists Travis Dopp and Mike Reed provide frequent outstanding guitar leads, while the lyrics are likely to be memorized after only a handful of listens. Small Brown Bike has returned with a vengeance and it sounds as though they never took a break. Fell & Found is thus far one of the best records of 2011 and one of the most memorable that No Idea has put out in some time, and that’s saying something.
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