PHOTO COURTESY KRIS BELL BAND Billed as an “American Rock” band with “rockin’ your ass and meltin’ your face!” as a motto, the Kris Bell Band makes powerful rock with a groove, laden with melodic hooks and blazing guitars. Born and raised in San Diego, Kris began playing guitar at age 7, played his first […]
Band Spotlight
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Koffin Kats
he hole was dug for the Koffin Kats back in 2003 near Detroit, Michigan, when Vic Victor (lead vocals, upright bass) hooked up with longtime friend Tommy Koffin (guitar), then added Damian Detroit (drums) to begin the long adventure. Over 10 years later, with a couple thousand shows beneath their belts, they are a force […]
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Jukebox Casanova
Jukebox Casanova Any telling of the story of this band comes drenched in sadness with the recent loss of founding member Ben Underwood (mandolin, vocals, occasional drums). But as co-founder Bernie Flesch (vocals, guitar) says better than anyone could, “We continue on as that’s what he would have wanted without a doubt.” And indeed they […]
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The Whistle Pigs
Named after a large rodent otherwise known as a groundhog or sometimes as a woodchuck, these fellers are a trio of dyed-in-the-wool, hillbilly honky-tonkers out to have fun and make music. Hailing from the hill country of Southern Illinois near Carbondale, they claim to be “one of the Midwest’s friendliest and most talented musical trios” […]
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John Byrne Band
Photo by Denise Foley www.irishphiladelphia.com John Byrne grew up listening to and playing the most traditional of old Irish songs in his homeland hometown of Dublin, Ireland, but also fell under the influence of American and British rock and pop. After moving to Philadelphia, Byrne pursued a teaching career while continuing to chase his musical […]
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Ocean State
Formed in early 2014, Ocean State performs a classic selection of American country, blues and jazz standards along with a good splash of Brazilian-based, samba-influenced compositions. The can’t-go-wrong set list contains tunes penned by top-shelf writers, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Fats Waller, John Lee Hooker, Hank Williams, Chet Atkins and others. The […]
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Mike Miller
As a founder and longtime member of the popular “trop rock” band Boat Drunks, Mike Miller spends his time making music. He retired from the BDs in 2008 after several successful years, then rejoined in 2013 and continues to contribute as singer, guitarist and songwriter. Known as being a popular Jimmy Buffet tribute band, they […]
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Clare Dunn
From her rural raisings in southeast Colorado, farm girl Clare Dunn came out from behind the plow to plant seeds into country music’s field of opportunity. Once, she spent her time driving trucks and tractors, now she’s traveling the nation singing her songs of real life experiences to country radio audiences. She’s opened for some […]
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Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters
Born in 2001 from an epiphany reached by J Bird (drums, lead vocals) after watching the 1996 Tom Hanks’ film That Thing You Do!, and raised with the consciousness to please a crowd, especially of the female persuasion, this Jacksonville-based band is on top of its game. Winners by far in Illinois Times 2013 Best […]
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Marina V
From Russia with love comes the irrepressible Marina V (short for Verenikina) dashing across the U.S. with her “C Minor to Shining Sea” summer tour in full swing. Some years ago, the Russian-born singer-songwriter landed in Springfield, then graduated from Illinois College in Jacksonville, before taking off for Los Angeles and the life of a […]
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Cats on Holiday
Cats on Holiday No doubt one of the most popular hometown bands (if not the one) in Springfield rock history, Cats on Holiday continue to draw big time, some 30 years after conception. The core group of Ted (Andon) Davis (guitar, vocals), Perry Zubeck (keyboards, vocals), Joe “T” Phegley (bass) and Ric Snow (drums) gets together occasionally […]
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The Driftaways
Music travels beyond the boundaries of regions, allowing for things like this: One of the best reggae-influenced bands in the Midwest comes from the St. Louis area. Mixing up a whole bunch of Jamaican-based sounds, such as ska, reggae and dub with a twist of blues-rock feel, put band members, Dane Wells (guitar, lead vocals), […]
