This month's Home Town Heroes are a Chicago based band named Strictnine. The group consists of four Northsider's who have played together for three years. When asked if there was one national band they would dream about performing with, who would it be? Joe Booe, the bands lead singer said, "Queensryche, I feel that we have the closest assimilation to their music. We are a real progressive hard rock band!"
The members of Strictnine are; lead singer Joe Booe, guitarist Pete Zefkyles, bassist Anton Scholl, and drummer Pete Bartolomei. "Strictnine combines the progressive hard rock style of bands such as Rush, Dream Theatre, the aforementioned Queensryche, blended with the heavier sounds influenced by Soundgarden, and Metallica."
Strictnine members each have a variety of personal influences that contributes to their music. Of course Joe enjoys the talents of Jeff Tate of Queensryche, and also includes Sammy Hagar. Pete looks to Michael Schenker, and Eddie Van Halen. Geddy Lee of Rush, and John Entwistle of the Who tops Anton's list, and what progressive drummer would leave Neal Peart off his? Not Pete, who also adds Stuart Copeland of the Police.
When asked what the band hopes to achieve, Booe offers, "Strictnine is primarily a marriage of message between lyrics and music, like when you listen to a song, before you even hear the lyrics the music conveys a feeling or a mood. We want our lyrics to paint a detailed picture of what our music expresses. We find as a band we get discouraged with what we hear on the radio, because of the simplicity of the music. Sometimes a lack of concentration on a guitar's tone and sound. Just the overall quality of some of the music that is almost forced on the radio listener. Our primary concern is that our music is intence but expressed with clarity. It does not come across as one big monotonous noise. " As for the bands ultimate goal he continues, "All of us have been musicians for seventeen plus years. For each of us it has been a childhood dream to become Rock Stars. Absolutely!"
Strictnine enjoys playing shows all over Chicago, one favorite being the Riviera, where they have played three times. If you see a show, you should expect to hear all originals, unless it's a three set gig. Then they'll toss in a few covers. They do newer and older varieties of Triumph, Van Halen and Skid Row, and newer bands like Candlebox, and Alice in Chains. Some upcoming shows you will want to catch are May 10 at the Lyons Den in Chicago, and May 24th at The Barn in Willowbrook. "We hated to see some of the showcase clubs shut down over the last few years because they are becoming precious and few. There are hardly any clubs for rock bands to play in. Chicago is the third largest city in the country. Some of the best musicians in the worlds are here and they need more places to play."
Strictnine is on the Heart and Soul label and have a thirteen
song CD available called "Theories and Principles". The third
song is entitled "Seven Days". Joe says "I feel it is the
strongest and most catchy song on the CD because it involves the most emotions.
It is hard to choose amongst all the songs on the CD as to which is our
favorite because of the diversity of each song. This CD is very similar
to the way each person may be. Each song relates to different emotions everyone
experiences." Joe writes the lyrics and melodies. Everything we compose
involves all four band members. Everyone writes their selected parts. If
you are interested in getting a copy dial 708-999-NINE! If you get the chance
to see them in person Mr Booe promises "Our live shows are really unbelievable.
If you like what you hear on our recordings, we will blow you away live!"
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