Tag: Bass

Shows this week and next

I’ve got a couple of shows to announce— the first one is tomorrow night! I’ll be playing bass with Ricky Liontones as we perform the first Queens of the Stone Age album in its entirety, an homage to the 25th anniversary of the record’s original release. But that’s not all… There will also be a tribute to the Violent Femmes’ eponymous debut on its 40th anniversary, and a big band (!) performance of the Led Zeppelin classic “Houses of the Holy”, in full, by the Heisenberg Uncertainty Players, in celebration of that record’s 50th anniversary. This is all part of Ian’s Classic Albums Night, a regular staple of the vast musical empire that Reggies has created in Chicago. It’s going to be a very full night with a wide variety of styles, so come by at 7 and enjoy the evening!

After some private engagements over the weekend, the next official show to announce is on Wednesday, October 4, at Bookclub. This time, the Ricky Liontones Revue hits the stage with Kansas City rockers The Sounds Of Many, as well as Chicago’s own Lost Pyramids. Shoot me a message if you’re interested in catching this awesome show and I’ll give you the address 🤙

As always, stay tuned for future announcements!

Summertime (And the gigging is easy)

Happy Flag Day, and Happy Pride Month! You can get the latest pride flag design on all our merch at Slapsauce.com, and use the code PRIDE23 for 10% off your entire order—this month only!

In other news…

Last weekend’s run with the Chicago Tap Theatre was simply amazing. Synesthete was honestly one of the most incredible projects I’ve have the privilege to be a part of, and I really hope that it makes a return someday.

In the meantime, I’ve got a more gigs coming up!

6/16 1PM @ O’Hare Airport

6/16 9PM @ House of Blues

6/30 (Time TBA) @ Irish American Heritage Center

7/1 7PM @ Studio Lockport

For now these are my final performances before a two week vacation in Michigan. I’ll be needing that time off, especially since I’ll be going straight into a Midwest mini-tour afterwards (stay tuned for news on that!)

Can a Tuesday be smooth without tuba? Click here to find out!

More shows in September and October!

We played a sweet show at Boat Drinks in Chicago this Tuesday!

I’ve been hard at work performing for the good folks of Chicago and beyond. In addition to playing bass at Boat Drinks and other bars, I’ve also been playing plenty of tuba and keys (check out the latest Smooth Tuba Tuesday!).

Chicago has such a great diversity of musical opportunities—I’ve even had the chance to play rock, blues, jazz, and classical sets all in the same week! Even with everything I’m already doing, I’m still striving to acquire new skills as a musician, and seeking new creative outlets for musical performance.

If you’re interested in supporting my music in its various forms, you can come see me at these shows over the next few weeks:

Saturday 9/24 – Taylor Street Organ Trio @ One Allegiance Brewing (Chicago Ridge)

Friday 9/30 – Ricky Liontones Trio @ Honky Tonk BBQ (Pilsen)

Saturday 10/8 – Ricky Liontones Revue @ Metal Monkey Brewing (Romeoville)

Sunday 10/9 – Taylor Street Organ Trio @ Mockingbird Bar & Garden (East Dundee)

I have more shows to announce soon, including some exciting tour dates in October and November, so stay tuned for those announcements!

Caskey – Speak of the Devil

Now this is what I’m talking about! Trap’s been more in my wheelhouse lately, and I’m happy for a new release to come my way. Trap is what was missing in Shuta Sueyoshi’s album, and so I’m approaching this pretty fresh.

Meghan Trainor(‘s songwriter Kevin Kadish) once said “it’s all about that bass.” I couldn’t disagree more: you see, it’s all about that sub bass. This is what forms the backbone of Caskey’s album, powerful and overbearing to the point of distortion in the mix. All other sounds grow organically over this pounding foundation, creating a dank and murky texture as Caskey flows effortlessly over top.

This kind of production has been called “cloud rap,” a new form of hip-hop featuring heavy reverb, haphazard lyricism, and yet another new level of overpowering sub bass. For another example of this kind of music one need look no further than OFWGKTA. It’s surely a millennial thing, but what exactly does it represent? A rebellion against musical conventions, a statement about contemporary society, or is it just an entitled act of laziness? Whatever it is, I like it.