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All the awesome sounds, styles, and way cool dance steps from the 1980's decade we'd love to forget. Complete with skinny ties, Brill Creamed hair, and horn-rimmed glasses, the Spazmatics recapture all the best of the worst. Outstanding musicianship combined with creative flair and style makes for an evening of pure energy and entertainment. So tonight we're gonna party like it's 1999; only it's not!
Under Protest started in 2007 when a group of guys that had played in multiple bands together joined up to get an original band going with the intent to be a hard hitting, high energy band that sounds like no other. Influences are from all over the map, but blend together for a rock sound unlike any other band on the scene. After a few line-up changes, we are now 4 incredible musicians that are all pro’s on their instrument, but never forget the value of a good song, and importance of live performances that grabs you and takes you for a ride. Jeremiah McGowan – Guitarist Jeremiah McGowan received his BA in Music Business/Communication from Elmhurst and gives guitar lessons at Brandolino’s Encore Music. His guitar style combines shredding metal solos with masterful improvisation for a sound that’s both raw and soulful,. Influences include Dimbag Darrel, Randy Rhodes and Zack Wylde, as well as a background in jazz, classical and blues to pull ideas from. His “Dimebag” Dean guitar definitely delivers the screams. Jeremiah has all the goods required to be the next guitar great. Mike Schmitz – Drummer Mike Schmitz is known for this hard hitting style. Mike doesn’t just play the drums, he beats the hell out of them. His style is a combination of Vinnie Paul of Pantera and Dave Lombardo of Slayer, with a little Sepultura/Soulfy mixed in. He delivers the heavy metal goods without riding the double bass for the whole song. Mike is sure to give every heavy metal head in the crowd exactly what they’re looking for. Hard hitting and fast, his speed compliments a creative style of drumming that make him an individual stand out. James Frey – Bassist Bringing up the low end , is James Frey on Bass. James comes from a Classic Rock/Jamband background. Staring in bands that cover Pink Floyd and Sublime, James play a style of slap bass that brings him into the foreground of the music. Influences include Red Hot Chili Peppers, Primus and Phish. His 5 String stingray delivers the hard hitting modern bass sound that makes this band more than a heavy metal band. His energy and stage presence make this band a live performance phenom. Dave Boyett – Vocals That brings us to the hard core hippy Dave Boyett. Dave also started out in a Jamband background with his earlier band Bird Johnson. Dave brings a huge amount of charisma and energy everywhere he goes. A born entertainer, Dave knows how to keep an audience engaged and entertained. That’s not to mention original lyrics that can’t help but plant themselves into your brain. His style is unique and was described by our recording engineer as “one of the most soulful” he has ever heard. Overall this creates a style of Heavy Metal that combines the best of Heavy Metal and Classic Rock/Jamband styles. With bass that pops and vocals that are soulful and lyrics that are relevant. All this while keeping the hard hitting drums and shredding guitar that you expect from a band that calls itself Heavy Metal. This band brings the talent and energy to be not just another good band, but the next great band of our generation. Each member is a power house in his own right with the full potential to stand out as an individual talent on their instrument. Covers include songs by Pantera, Black Sabbath, Rage Against the Machine, Metallica and Slayer. Under Protest also did music for an MMA fight video featuring T.J. Rowley and is currently sponsored by Death Grip Clothing!
Swing Assembly is a 10 piece Big Band plus vocals. We play Big Band, Swing, Jazz, Blues, Latin and Horn Band Pop/Rock Charts.
Bobby Abrams, is probably best known as the former lead guitarist for The Buckinghams. Bob enjoyed playing with The Buckinghams for over 24 years. During The Buckinghams' Concerts, fans and friends especially enjoyed his vocals and guitar on the James Brown classic “I’ll Go Crazy”, among other great songs like a Live version of Tommy James’ “Crystal Blue Persuasion”. As well as Bob's soulful vocals to “Mercy Mercy Mercy”. With The Buckinghams, Bob has appeared on: Entertainment Tonight, The Nashville Network’s Classic Rock With Wolfman Jack, PM Magazine, Good Morning America and numerous national, local, and cable television shows including The PBS Special, "Sixties Pop Rock Reunion". Bob was honored to play in venues such as The Greek Theatre and The Sky Dome. He also played two Presidential Inaugural Balls. He enjoys performing the National Anthem, which he did many times along with The Buckinghams at many well known stadiums across the country and regularly at Chicago Cubs and White Sox Games. Bob is available nationally for projects and tours, as well as Solo, Duo, Full Band, Studio and Sub. Bobby is well known for his guitar and vocals with the Rock Blues Band, Ukiah, who have performed in such legendary venues such as BB Kings Hollywood, and the World Famous Whiskey A Go Go. Fans have raved over his versions of "Oh Darlin" and "Bell Bottom Blues". Fans travel from as far away as Canada and the U.K. to see him perform. Bob has also put together a band that consists of unbelievable musicians. Musicians "Formerly Of" other National bands. He also enjoys bringing entertainment to all with his band "Hollywood Chalet", trio Project "Bobby Hollywood & The Hills" and Duo Project "Brock And Abrams". Brock and Abrams have received standing ovations while opening for Classic Artists such as The Guess Who and Paul Revere and The Raiders. They are popular in the Chicago and National Music Scene, playing clubs, venues and festivals. Brock And Abrams were voted as one of the Top 5 Duo's in Chicagoland for 2010 by Suburbanites Magazine. In 2009 Bob was named one of the Best Acoustic Solo Performers by NiteLife Magazine. In June 2010 he reached number 9 on the ReverbNation Chicago Rock Charts. He has received numerous accolades from non-profit and benefit organizations for his work with them. He enjoys supporting events and fundraisers for good causes. Over the years he has met and shared the stage with many great people. Bob Abrams began his music studies at the age of 4 on his father's piano. His father, Bob Abrams Sr. was a classical pianist, a sort of child prodigy in his day. Bob also sang along with his mother and was in the church choir. Bob got his first guitar at the age of 11, his first true love. The first record he bought was a 45 of "Hey Baby They're Playin' Our Song" by The Buckinghams. His mother thought they were "nice clean cut young men" not wild like those other bands. Bob played like any other aspiring musician in many rock and garage bands as a teen. He moved many times as a child from Philadelphia, PA, to El Paso, TX, the suburbs of Washington D.C. and finally to Dayton, OH. There he studied music at Wright State University, focusing on Music Theory and Vocal Performance. At age 20, Bob began touring nationally and internationally. Phone 312-912-7185 bob@bobabrams.com
AARON IS AN INSPIRATIONAL ARTIST THAT HAS WORKED WITH MANY OF TODAY'S HOTTEST ARTISTS IN THE R&B, POP, & CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC GENRES. (ex. Christina Aguilera, Mario, Nelly, Avant, Making the Band 4, Smokie Norful, Yolanda Adams & more) AARON IS NOW ACCEPTING INVITATIONS TO PERFORM @ VARIOUS VENUES. CURRENTLY AARON IS GEARING UP FOR A COLLEGE TOUR WHILE PERFORMING AT DIFFERENT YOUTH ORGANIZATION EVENTS & COMMUNITY FESTIVALS & GALAS.