Whew! The amount of E-mail we received this month was amazing. This livin’ in the 90’s makes getting the word out on your band so much easier via the net. So keep sending your info to AMPpro@aol.com or do it the old fashioned way and write to us at PO BOX 753 - Downers Grove, Il 60515.

    LOWDOWN is an all original rock and roll band based in Chicago. The band has been playing together for 8 years. Influenced by 70’s guitar rock, Lowdown is a four piece band with Kentucky born Jeff Coleman on vocals, Steve Pappas on Guitar, Chuck Szypura on Drums and Steve Dolewski on bass. The group released its first CD earlier this year on Howlin’ records. The CD is in its second printing and continues to sell well at the shows and Tower records. A new CD from Lowdown is due out in the Winter and in the meantime you can catch them live at many clubs in the city and suburbs.

    FREAK MAGNET played a New Music Festival/ Scratchie Records showcase at METRO on Saturday July 26th. it was an all ages show that really rocked. FREAK MAGNET shared the bill with fellow Scratchie label mates Chainsaw Kittens and Fountains of Wayne! In other FREAK MAGNET news, the band is recording tracks for the upcoming Scratchie/Mercury CD, due out late in ‘97.

    To hear a preview of the new NINE 24 ten song CD which will be out in September call 1-888-SEX-W924

    Chicago band THE TWIGS have won themselves a spot in the Jim Beam One Shot to Stardom local band competition. The national competition will start on August 1st at the Double Door.

    THE KRINGLES have a brand new full-length album out now called “Three Ringos” and just played a show at Nick’s @ 1516 N Milwaukee July 26th, as part of the Chicago New Music Festival

    The LOVELY TREES are currently working on a full length cd on Alex’s Apple Macintosh computer using both midi and hard disk recording technology. They will be interviewing professional musicians in the acid-jazz realm to tour with the 12 piece band sometime in 1998, when the album is due for release on Fairytale records.

    Rumors have drifted from the wild banshees of the rock world that Don Walker (formerly of Beggars Day) and Chris Franz (formerly of Indecent Exposure) have been tossing around an idea with Alex and PJ (formerly of Siin) to form a new band called TEASE. Or are they just teasin’?

    Joey Spatafora, former singer from The Squids has joined with keyboard player Cherrilynn Nelson, drummer Mike Ryan and guitar player Urik Halliday to form a raw, raunchy, lo-fi, primitive, trashy, garage punk band that is currently writing new material under the working name THE SWIRLIES. They expect to be playing out this month.

    Chicago’s finest UNeasy listening band, the OMEGAMEN have just joined with ex-Gottzwammi drummer Chris Jensen and are currently working on a new album.

    Acoustic duet ORTEGA/RAATZ has just completed an eight song EP titled “Crossing the Blood Brain Barrier”. You can see them perform live at Cleo’s at 1935 W. Chicago Avenue in Chicago on Friday, August 29th.

    Inside sources report that local band Filter has officially lost their drummer to other local heroes the Smashing Pumpkins. They have been auditioning new drummers and they are close to making a decision. Once that decision is made they are heading back in to the studio.

    After five years of Mayor Daley and the City of Chicago attempting to eliminate the Windy City Weedfest/Hempfest they have also successfully eliminated other music festivals such as Freefest, Peacefest and Fiesta Mexicana by increasing user fees and permits for Chicago parks. Hempfest did happen this year but the city, along with the help of the courts, refused to issue permits for vending, amplified sound and structures (meaning tables and chairs). After ten years of tolerance, police in the Grant Park district made over fifty arrests after telling organizers of Hempfest that they would come down hard on fest goers due to the site location. The only music festivals that are to be allowed from now on will be corporate sponsored so that the city can make its money first in up front fees. What would Mr. Petrillo say after he went to the trouble to provide a venue for free music in Grant Park? He must be rolling in his grave...

    COOLBEANS is a four piece rock & roll band which is not an ‘alternative’ band, nor are they hard rock. They are a melodic rock band which is more reminiscent of early Pretenders and Gin Blossoms. From network television to European buyers, Coolbeans has achieved the kind of successes normally reserved for bands with major label support. Having played the Dome Room, Cubby Bear and Taste of Chicago, fans have been multiplying every month. Their songs have been used in TV movie soundtracks for both ABC and NBC (The title cut from their CD ‘Days in the Sun’ was used as the theme for the ABC movie ‘Detention’ starring Henry Winkler.) This same CD will be released this fall in Europe on the bands own label, ‘Soul Donut Music’. Yet, here in Chicago it is still an uphill battle. One for which this band is more than prepared.

    Chicago’s own MUCHACHA will share the stage with the Kelly Deal 6000 on September 9th at the Hi Pointe in St. Louis, Mo. Muchacha recently returned from a two month tour with Arizona’s The Generiks. Their debut release entitled “Muchacha” is in stores now. You can catch them Aug. 22 at Thurstons in Chicago.

    SHADES OF GREY the band with the dual personality, (sometimes they perform just acoustically, other times they take the stage as a full band), welcomes keyboardist Dan Kotheimer formerly from the group Dunlop. Check out the full lineup August 15th at J.J. Kelly’s in Lansing or email ShadesOG@aol.com for their full schedule.

    Chicago’s most notorious band, BEGGAR’S DAY is currently auditioning new musicians. This is an established band who is seeking serious inquiries only. Influences included, (but are not limited to), Skid Row, Aerosmith, Tesla, Jackyl, and crue. They have practice space, following and management. Good stage presence and a pro look a must. Think you can handle it? If so, contact: Eye II Eye Entertainment - 312-295-9129

    One of Chicago’s successful touring acts ICOS are touting their debut release “Incurable Contract”. The collection covers a broad range of emotional and musical material. Having played together internationally since the early 1990’s, singer/songwriter Danny McGuinness, and studio/tour percussionist Kyle Woodring brought together bassist Gordon Patriarcha (The Remainders) plus up and coming guitarist Scott Bond to form ICOS in early 1996. To support the release the band has scheduled a summer tour running from Chi-town to New York and back.

    Chicago Ridge favorites IRON TEARS are a hard hitting metal/alternative group from the south side consisting of Eric Frey, Sherree Frey, Al Brzostowski, Rob Anderson, and Dino Losurdo. They formed three years ago and are currently working on a CD release to be delivered in September. Check ‘em out at The Barn at Arabian Knights Farm on Aug. 30th.

    Hey remember Cyclone Temple? Well a couple of members have surfaced in REBELS WITHOUT APPLAUSE. They’ve been playing non-stop since April with dates in New York and the Midwest. They are back in town in August. You can catch ‘em Sunday Aug 24th at Riley’s in Aurora and Saturday August 30th at Smiler Coogans. They came came home to finish the recording of a new 5 song demo. For band updates or to join the mailing list Email rebelapp@aol.com

    The NAKED Truth... In 1986 a young band from Waukesha, Wisconsin found themselves in the midst of becoming beloved. In 1997 six albums and a live recording later, five of their biggest fans have decided to pay homage to their musical heroes. Thus the band NAKED was formed! On lead vocals, playing the part of Sammy, is none other than former WABT 103.9FM rock-jock Paul Wenzel. Paul also does a hell of a job on the harmonica and assorted percussion pieces. On lead vocals and acoustic guitar, playing the part of Kurt is Glory Hounds front man Brian Bentz. He and Paul conceived this idea over many beers one evening. The rhythm section consists of recent addition Danny Vega, world-renown bassman for his tour with Mind Bomb, and on drums we have former Mellencamp-tribute drummer Glen Duncan. Guitar virtuoso Guy Dominick is the perfect fit on lead guitar for NAKED. Playing extensively this summer you can see ‘em August 8th at Durty Nellies Palatine. August 9th & 10th Blarney Island (2:00 P.M.Show) Chain of Lakes, Antioch. August 30th Naperville’s LAST FLING!! (6:30 P.M.)Naperville and September 6th at + Banana Joe’s 940 W. Weed St. Chicago.

    RICO just released their debut CD, “Embrace Life”. They sold out Fitzgerald’s on July 25 for the CD Release party... what a party it was! You can catch them at several different summer festivals in August. Keep an eye out to see the RICO live!

    EVIL GENIUS have a new single coming out, produced by RALPH COVERT of Chicago’s own BAD EXAMPLES. They’’ll be releasing the single at their next gig. THURSDAY AUGUST 21 at THE BEAT KITCHEN, 2100 W. BELMONT, CHICAGO. 10 p.m. Cover is $3.00 unless you have an Evil Genius passcard (send them your address, they’ll send you a card!) For more info email bag_one@toxicbag.com

    MAINTENANCE OF ORDER has an upcoming show at Dome Room on Aug. 29th. They also have a new release coming out in late August entitled “System”, and a video for Angry Christ by Brand X filmworks. The album contains songs remixed by Jamie Duffy of Acumen Nation. Jamie and Ethan (also in Acumen Nation) do cameo appearances in the video.

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