Bands
At times, these extremely talented bands have to perform in the shadows of main-stream names, however, Knollfest wants to showcase a wide variety of underground musicians who play for the love of music and will rock you all day and night!
Headliner: Future Rock
Mickey Kellerman and Felix Moreno, alongside drummer Darren Heitz, are the driving force behind Future Rock. During their explosive live show, all three members wield synthesizers, live loops and samples-Kellerman on the keys, Moreno on the bass, Heitz on drums-to form an amalgamation of excitement, constructed completely live onstage. The Chicago trio has been perfecting its brand of live-instrument dance music since 2004 and-just like Future Rock’s pulsating and escalating anthems-their momentum is about to explode.
Unlike some other electronic bands that also use a foundation of live samples and loops, Future Rock is more concerned with making songs than being progressive sheerly for the sake of it. Melodies trump abstraction and true emotion beats the bizarre. “I’m not a shy bass player, I want you to hear the bass string clank against the fret,” Moreno says. “Unlike many electronic musicians, we’re not afraid of the major key.”
Twin Cats
“The Twin Cats” have been crushing dance floors with their distinct approach to fusion music since 2004. Taking influence from funk, prog rock, jazz, and electronica, The Twin Cats’ sound is responsible for inducing spontaneous dance parties all across the Midwest.This Indianapolis-based band guarantees one thing……face melting funk in your face..melting it!
Zmick
“Zmick is a progressive dance rock band formed in Urbana, IL at the Univ. of Illinois where they held a weekly residency at Canopy Club for two years. This afforded the band many opportunities such as: sharing the stage with EOTO, Lotus, Cornmeal, and many more; playing Summer Camp Music Festival for each of the past four years; and developing a dedicated fan base in Illinois.
The music encompasses elements of progressive rock, reggae, electronic/dance, jazz, 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 and broadly appealing “catchy vocal music.” Zmick has always fused the two styles together with strong groove-oriented rhythms since the band’s inception.
The Hue
The Hue is aggressive progressive instrumental rock. The quartet brings the audience along for a barrage of rock’s ferocity cut with jazz’s meticulousness and sense of melody, all tied together with funk sensibilities that lead to unforgettable crests. From grinding metal and rich post-rock to expressive harmonic jazz, the Hue takes a firey dose of dueling guitars mixed with a machine-precise rhythm section to reach explosive peaks!
Midwest Hype
Midwest Hype combines vintage cool, 80’s pop culture throwback, and modern hippie flare into a blend of Funk, Reggae, Rock, Jazz, and Hip-hop they call “Urban Garage Jazz.” They hail from from Northwest IN, and Chicago and have already been played on Chicago radio, been on three tours to the Southeast, and recently played Summer Camp Music Fest 2010. Midwest Hype is an intense, high energy group with happy music that never drags and personalities that keep a smile on every face.
Oreo Jones
Oreo takes hip-hop back to a time when the style was witty, creative, and most importantly fun. His rhymes are filled with an overload of punch lines and pop culture references. Oreo’s style is what his name implies–delicious. Runner up for “Best Hip-hop Artist” in Nuvo Newsweekl’s “Best of Indy” voting poll, Oreo Jones continues to produce fresh lyrics and sounds as his fan base continues to grow greater and faster!
http://www.myspace.com/oreojones
Oreo Jones
2009 was a building year for Ladymoon. Ryan Brown (Vocalist, Guitarist) and Kris Potts (Bassist) had been performing in various groups for years when they came across Nick Mallers (Drummer. Brown and Potts wanted to create a rock band that could incorporate the classic influences of the late 60’s and 70’s while modernizing it into a progressive psychedelic pop.
Hyryder
Hyryder’s styling’s of “jam” rock are turning heads everywhere they go, from their unique acoustic/electric sounds, to the high intensity spaced out jam’s that ensue. Their influences are deeply rooted in the Grateful Dead, Phish, Bob Dylan, Beatles, Allman Brothers, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, as well as more progressive bands, old and new. With the “Neil Peart” like rhythms driving the sound you won’t be able to sit for long. Don’t miss Indianapolis’ premiere up and coming jam band.
Steez
Categorization be damned, the Madison-based five piece, STEEZ, in the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions – a funk band, a jamband, a fusion band, a disco-fanged multi-beast, and a basket case. Churning out their self-described Creepfunk, a high energy, danceable variety of funk – one uniquely laced with electronic and improvisational sensibilities – STEEZ has garnered a loyal following throughout the Midwest performing to capacity crowds at rapidly growing venues.
Fresh Hops
Fresh Hops is a 7-piece band from the Tri-Town Area of North West Indiana. After two years of being together, their sound continues to evolve and the family continues to grow. Fresh Hops have been lucky enough to share some bills with nationally known acts such as, Kyle Hollingsworth(SCI), Cornmeal, Pnuma Trio, Future Rock, Tea Leaf Green, Toubab Krewe, Mr. Blotto, Groovatron, and Ecoustic Hookah. Fresh Hops has performed shows in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Colorado. Fresh Hops are constantly ragin’ the Region and all throughout Indiana, as well as Chicago, Illinois. Having “FUN” is the major objective, for the fans, family, and also the musicians. Isn’t that what music is about? Some recent shows include: the Double Door, the Elbo Room, the Kinetic Playground, Reggie’s Music Joint, the Subterranean, Martyrs’, and the Goose Island Brew Pub all in Chicago. The Hideaway Saloon in Kentucky and the Frequency in Madison, Wisconsin. Quixotes True Blue, Cervantes Other Side, Rock N Soul Cafe, and Herman’s Hideaway in Colorado. Mousetrap, Shoreline Brewery, Lafayette Brew Co., and the Bluebird and Uncle Festers in Indiana.
http://www.myspace.com/freshhops
The Coop
Hailing from Chicago, IL – a modern hub for both live and electronic music – The Coop is a four piece project that combines traditional instrumentation with on-stage production to create a true fusion of electronic sensibilities and organic live music. Taking cues from accomplished artists such as Frank Zappa, STS9, Weather Report and Thievery Corporation, The Coop constructs original works by focusing on the balance of both improvisation and composition. Combining elements of today’s electronic music styles with classic sounds of rock, jazz, dub, funk, and reggae keeps the group’s sound in a state of constant change. “We really try not to let pre-conceived genres limit the music we create. Each member of the band has their own influences, and these differences are what make things really interesting for all of us,” explains drummer Jake Barinholtz. The Coop has been a staple at Chicago venues and has shared the stage with such notables as Vibesquad, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Savoy, Bluetech, Emancipator, PrepSchool, Hulk to name a few – and looks forward to opening for The New Deal and playing a host of festivals in the remainder of 2010 including Wuhnurth, The Werk Out, Knollfest and many more!! With such a diverse, developed sound, one thing is certain; this young quartet has quickly evolved from their first practices in the old shack that spawned their name into a driving musical force in Chicago and the Midwest.
Archnemesis
Formed as the musical brainchild of Curt Heiny and Justin
Aubuchon (Telepath, MO Theory), Archnemesis creates its
distinctive sound by combining original music with samples
ranging from early 20’s blues and jazz to modern hip-hop and soul.
With their first EP due out in the fall of 2010 and their debut full-
length album slated for release at the beginning of 2011,
Archnemesis continues to turn heads at festivals and club shows while elevating the standard for modern electronic music.
http://www.archnemesismusic.com
The Native Sun
The Native Sun is an energetic hip-hop, soul, and jazz collective whose goal is to exhibit true artistry and create exciting and unique soundscapes. Based out of Indianapolis, IN, the group’s combination of exotic beat production, complex grooves, and incredible lyricism produce a show that will make any audience put their hands in the air!
The Werks
The Werks is Ohio’s premier rock, funk and trance band. They fuse a unique blend of many musical styles and influences to produce a distinct and powerful sound that audiences crave. The Werks’ original songs explore genres such as rock, funk, jam, electronica, soul, bluegrass, jazz, Afro-Cuban, Celtic, R&B and dance.
http://www.thewerksmusic.com
Support our Sponsors
