Ted Leo & The Pharmacists @ Pilsen Fest

1. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists are an indie/punk band, with roots in traditional rock. They formed while Leo was living in Washington, DC, but now have members based around the northeast United States. Leo came from Bloomfield, New Jersey. The band consists of singer-songwriter and guitarist Ted Leo, guitarist James Canty, bassist Marty 'Violence' Key, and drummer Chris Wilson. After his previous band, Chisel, broke up in the late 1990s, Ted recorded the solo Tej Leo(?) Rx Pharmacists [sic] album in 1999, followed by the full-band Treble in Trouble EP in 2000. His next album, 2001's The Tyranny of Distance, quickly gained him a cult following and critical praise. Dave Lerner and Chris Wilson became permanent members of the band during the tour that year, as did keyboard player Dorien Garry. James Canty (ex-Nation of Ulysses, Make-Up, etc.) also played with the band during this time. The album Hearts of Oak followed in 2003, which also saw the release of the concert film Dirty Old Town and the Tell Balgeary, Balgury is Dead EP. Garry left the band before the recording of 2004's Shake the Sheets, which has led them into their current setup as a power trio. The new record featured fewer obscure references and more overt political content than his previous releases did, though his music has always been known for its engagement with politics. The band tours extensively around North America. Leo is a strict vegan. His brother Chris Leo is also a singer/songwriter and a member of The Lapse. Ted Leo graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1994 with a degree in English. 2. Pharmacist are a goregrind/death metal band formed in 2020. Based in Japan.

Maps & Atlases is an indie rock band which formed in Chicago, Illinois, United States in 2004. The band consists of Dave Davison (vocals, guitar), Erin Elders (guitar), Shiraz Dada (bass) and Chris Hainley (drums). The band released their long-awaited first full-length album, Perch Patchwork, on June 29, 2010. The record was produced by Jason Cupp (The Elected, Nurses, Cast Spells). The band’s unique style melds the technicality of progressive music and the idiosyncrasies of art rock into a fascinating and oddly accessible sound all their own. Known for their virtuosic musical ability, Maps & Atlases write pop songs with a magnificent aptitude for texture and a distinctive blend of both the intricate and organic. “It was great to be able to step outside of our live setting and imagine the songs in a different way,” said guitarist Erin Elders about the recording process for Perch Patchwork. “Jason Cupp brought another dimension to the songs that was really exciting to hear. We were able to deconstruct them part by part and then rebuild each verse or chorus with a different sonic idea.” Continues singer/guitarist David Davison, “We went into the record with the understanding that the creation of the album would be separate from its existence as a live piece of music, which was really liberating.” The members of Maps & Atlases met in Chicago while attending art school, formed the band in 2004 and have released two EPs through indie label Sargent House. While Tree, Swallows, Houses showcased the band’s more technical side, the subsequent You And Me And The Mountain presented more earthly and digestible songs that earned comparisons to TV On The Radio, Deerhoof, CAN, and even Prince. Maps & Atlases recently signed to Barsuk Records in the US, who handle the North American release of Perch Patchwork, and to FatCat for the UK and Europe.

Spitalfield was an alternative rock band based in Glen Ellyn, Chicago and signed to the Victory Records label. Formed in 1998, Spitalfield caught the attention of Victory Records with the 2002 release of The Cloak And Dagger Club EP and a year later released fan-favorite Remember Right Now. Spitalfield also released an album titled Stop Doing Bad Things in 2005 which featured songs like "Gold Dust V. The State Of Illinois" and "So I heard You Joined a Convent". The band's name comes from what members describe as a village where Jack the Ripper came from. The name for this location is actually Spitalfields, and it is not a village but a section of London's East End. In the summer of 2005 Bassist T.J. Minich departed from the band and TJ Milici came on board to take his place. In August of 2006, guitarist Dan Lowder left the band under "Personal Reasons" and was replaced with Jeff Meilander (formerly of Seven Days of Samsara and Bosio). However Lowder is the gutarist on the October 2006 release Better Than Knowing Where You Are. On September 10th 2007 the band announced on their Myspace that following a 25-date tour in November/December they will be 'calling it quits'. No official reason was given although they stated that 'this was absolutely nothing to do with a lack of passion for making music together or love for each other'. During the tour they will be selling a limited-edition album consisting of all their out-of print pre- Victory records back catalogue as well as selected demos from 1998-2002 through Sinister Label/Walk In Cold Records. This will only be made available at their final shows and through selected online stores. Mark Rose currently plays music as a solo artist. TJ & JD can be found playing locally around chicago & the surroding suburbs in their new band Thrillage

Chicago punk rockers, circus act, and marching band Mucca Pazza formed on a principle that many musicians shun out of hand: band geeks are awesome. In fact, much of Mucca Pazza's appeal comes from their wholehearted acceptance -- even celebration -- of the band nerd identity. The 30-piece group includes standard marching band fare like saxophones, sousaphone, trumpets, trombones, and drums in addition to less common elements like accordion, guitar, violin, and designated cheerleaders. Taking to the stage in intentionally mismatched thrift-store band uniforms, Mucca Pazza perform repertoire including rearranged rock tunes, traditional Czech folk songs, original compositions, and other strange bedfellows too numerous to name. Band director Mark Messing first invited instrumentalist friends to meet up in Chicago's industrial district to play, hoping to create a "marching band culture nostalgia group." More and more musicians continued to arrive for auditions, until the band had swollen to its current epic size. Building up interest and curiosity through word of mouth alone, Mucca Pazza began performing in local bars and clubs. Though it took some time, concert attendees eventually started to outnumber musicians. Performance venues themselves began to compete with the band for oddness, and have included public parks, the stage of Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and canoes floating down the Chicago River. In 2007 Mucca Pazza filled a bus and took to the road for their first-ever tour, following the recording of their debut EP, the 30-minute A Little Marching Band. Plans were in the works for more touring and a full-length album to be released in 2008. Freaks: Greg Hirte (violin), Gary Kalar (mandolin), Ronnie Kuller (accordion), Jeff Thomas (guitar) Woodwinds: Nick Dempsey, Eve Monzingo, Dave Smith, Noah Tabakin Trumpets: Justin Amolsch, Loto Ball, Ben Cole, Sam Johnson Bones: Nick Broste, Tom Howe, Elanor Leskiw, Dave Ramey, Dan Stark Sousaphone, etc.: Mark Messing Percussion "K12": Larry Beers, Paul Brannon, Andy Deitrich, Tony DiMartino, Rick Kubes, George Lawler, Ronnie Malley, Jon Steinmeier Cheerleaders: Sharon Lanza, Lori Myers, Meghan Strell http://mucca-pazza.org

Lowdown Brass Band is a ten-piece horn set from Chicago, Illinois. They have been together since 2006. The Lowdown Brass Band, hailing from Chicago, IL, is a nine-piece, horn-driven ensemble with strong roots in the New Orleans 2nd Line Tradition. A fierce sousaphone sets the foundation for trumpets, trombones and saxophones to intertwine in a cacophony of tight lead lines, spontaneous call-and-response and bombastic brass attacks. While taking a page from the jazz and blues giants of the past, the LDB melds modern funk, hip-hop, reggae and pop into a unique new style. Lowdown forges new ground with original compositions that challenge the listener and player alike, breaking down the barrier between performer and audience. Mike August, Drums Raphael Crawford, Trombone Steve Duncan, Trombone Shane Jonas, Trumpet David Levine, Baritone Saxophone Lance Loiselle, Sousaphone Chris Neal, Tenor Saxophone Kevin Tague, Trumpet Andy Zelm, Trombone They have released one self-titled album, in 2008.

In their own words: Jason, Kip and Jay have played together as Dianogah (pronounced Dye-ah-NO-gah) since January 1995. Previous music experience found Jay in the Chicago skronk-pop band Hubcap; Jason, in the long-lived Grover from Champaign, IL; and Kip performed in various groups, most notably as the touring drummer for The For Carnation. Dianogah's core instrumentation is as a trio of two bass guitarists and one drummer. They have toured the US extensively, traveled throughout Europe and played in South America. In their seven years as a band, Dianogah has toured with Man or Astro Man?, Blonde Redhead, Shellac, Silkworm, June of 44 and Don Caballero, and shared the stage with Sebadoh, Hum, The For Carnation, Ui, Rachels, Shipping News and Seam. When not touring in their critically acclaimed van, Jason, Jay and Kip enjoy playing floor hockey and telling funny stories about their cats. They also really enjoy sushi, books by Neal Stephenson or David Sedaris, clean socks, 'Krispy Kreme' donuts and the country of Italy. Sometimes, two or more members of the band accidentally wear the same t-shirt or the same type of shoes. And Jay never leaves home without "Duffel", his trusty tour bag.

There are 2 bands with the name Inept. 1) a 90's hardcore/powerviolence band that released a LP, several splits, a self titled 7" and contributed several tracks to the 49th parallel comp. 2) Inept is a high energy rock band from Chicago, IL. The band was founded in 2003, and since then have rocked non-stop around the country with bands such as Papa Roach, Sevendust, A Day To Remember, Madina Lake, All Time Low, and Mayday Parade. Inept was signed to Kick Rock Records in Japan, and unsigned in the United States, but the band announced it's end in late 2009. Last Lineup: Anthony Lira - Vocals Lucas Mountain - Guitar/Vocals Kevin Singleton - Guitar Ian Roberts - Bass

Fruteland Jackson is an American electric blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. Henry Townsend stated, "My respect for Fruteland Jackson is very high. He and my boy Alvin Youngblood Hart is the future sound of true acoustic blues." He has also worked with children to raise awareness of blues music and has been honored for his work in that field, including in 1997 being granted a W. C. Handy Award for "Keeping the Blues Alive" in Education.

1) Naked Brunch is the former moniker of electronic music producer Excit3d (aka Chris Kiley). Naked Brunch self-released a series of digital singles on MySpace, Reverbnation, & Soundcloud before taking a hiatus from production to focus on other musical projects including his band Lion's Teeth. To hear what he is currently working on, check out www.soundcloud.com/excit3d. 2) The music of London 5-piece Naked Brunch bridges the space between baroque pop, post-punk and folk music. Composed of a harmonic backbone of violin, cello and bass, the group first established their sound over the double EP series I & II (2023) and singles The Fall and Moon Walk, which explored the limits of their sound. The result is something equal parts contemplative, brooding and abrasive.

For years Hip Hop fans have desired a MC who combines old school lyricism with new school swag. Filling that void is one of Chicago’s finest, Kastaway. Straight from Chicago’s Westside streets of North Lawndale and Garfield Park, Kastaway has lived through much in his 19 years. His struggling, single mother tried to shelter him from pain, but his drug-abusing father forced him to become a man too early. Instead of letting the grit of the neighborhood destroy him, he uses it to polish the facets of his music: seamless flows, poetic lyrics, and compelling beats. While other MC’s limit themselves to booty, bling, and rims, Kastaway chooses to create music that explores the intricacies of life in the hood and seeks to portray the truth about the people who have been labeled the “permanent underclass”. With a knack for detail, Kastaway verbally paints vivid pictures of his life and neighborhood from many different angles. Kastaway carries the lyrical agility of Jay-Z, aggressive consciousness of Ice-Cube, the diverse rhythms of Busta Rhymes, and the battle ready mentality of Big-Daddy Kane. He is able serve Underground Hip Hop Fans with hard rhymes, while simultaneously crafting songs with catchy hooks. In Kastaway’s forthcoming trilogy 1.9.3.4. EP Vo1 1,The D.Allen Project Vol 2,and the Untitled third ep listeners are taken on a journey of a man searching for truth, acceptance, validation and happiness, all while keeping the music true to real Hip Hop roots.