Illinois (band)
Illinois | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Genres | Indie Rock, Folk Rock |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Labels | Ace Fu Records, +1 Records |
| Members | Chris Archibald Martin Hoeger John-Paul Kuyper Jason Buzolits Craig Labor |
| Past members | Daniel Pawlovich Andrew Lee |
| Website | illinoistheband.com |
Illinois is an American indie rock band from Bucks County, Pennsylvania fronted by singer/guitarist Chris Archibald. The other members of the band are Martin Hoeger (bass, vocals), John-Paul Kuyper (percussion), Jason Buzolits (keyboard, synthesizer, guitar) and Craig Labor (percussion). The band is occasionally accompanied onstage by Scott Labor (guitar, miscellaneous) and Dee Jay Skipmode (turntables). To date, the band has released four albums, while a fifth is slated for early 2012 release.
History
Riding on a tractor of six strings, banjo samples and an extended metaphor comes Illinois, a band from Bucks County, Pennsylvania whose music conveys the Hopper/Rockwell-esque imagery of their home, a timeless place of raw emotion, where little league children still ride their bicycles in the street and the first girl you kissed is now your wife.
The true history of Illinois is a mystery. What historians have pieced together is that originally, Chris “Arch” Archibald began recording ideas so he wouldn't forget them and that those ideas became songs.
Illinoislore has it that Arch had been playing in bands with bass player Martin Hoeger for some time, but the two had never put together the ideal group to play Arch’s one hundred-plus song catalog. Thus, Arch and Martin developed a plan to pry long time friend (and drummer) JP Kuyper away from his top secret job with the Bolivian government.
Enigmatic guitarist Dru Lee did what any of us with a heightened olfactory system would do–he followed his nose. Although over a thousand miles away, Arch, Martin, JP and Dru found themselves in Illinois.
Music snobs who care, have put the group in hallowed company. "The lyrical depth of The Kinks sauteed with the musical overtones of The Flaming Lips and John Spencer Blues Explosion reduction!" gushed one. "Sorry, its more Beta Band meets GBV meets Ralph Stanley" countered another. Regardless of your leanings, and whether you’re happy, mellow, drunk or confused, Illinois plays beautiful music that makes old loves new and the green grass grow. See you on the stereo.
Illinois self-released their first EP, Revenge of Some Kid in 2006.[1] In early 2007, Ace Fu Records signed the group after hearing their debut EP.[2] Illinois released What the Hell Do I Know? on Ace Fu later that year,[3] garnering comparisons to The White Stripes, The Arcade Fire[4], Coconut Records, The Morning Benders and Wilco.[5] The group toured with Trainwreck Riders and played SXSW following the release of the EP.[6] Following this, the group toured with The Kooks.[7] After signing with +1 Records in 2009, Illinois released The Adventures of Kid Catastrophe and subsequently embarked on a nationwide tour headlining alongside The Builders and the Butchers.
In July 2011, a new album titled Lemonade Stand was released and has been made available to stream on SoundCloud and the band's official website.[8]
Illinois is currently in the studio finishing up a full length album for release in early 2012 which will be the successor to The Adventures of Kid Catastrophe. Touring in support of the album is likely soon to follow.
In popular culture
"Nosebleed" was featured in the Season 3 episode of Weeds "The Brick Dance."
"Hang On" is featured on the soundtrack for the video game NBA 2K10.
Members
- Current
- Chris Archibald - vocals, guitar, keyboards, banjo
- Martin Hoeger - bass, vocals
- John-Paul Kuyper - percussion
- Jason Buzolits - guitar, keyboards, vocals, being a jedi
- Craig Labor - percussion
- Previous Members
- Daniel Pawlovich - guitar, keyboards, vocals
- Andrew Lee - guitar, keyboards, vocals, dancing, magic
Discography
- Revenge of Some Kid EP (2006)
- What the Hell Do I Know? EP (Ace Fu Records, 2007)
- We Were Wrong Single (Ace Fu Records, 2008)
- The Adventures of Kid Catastrophe Deluxe Edition (LP)(May 5, 2009, released on iTunes)
- Lemonade Stand LP (July 21, 2011, streaming online)
References
- ^ Illinois in Concert. NPR, April 13, 2007.
- ^ Ace Fu Signs Illinois. Aversion, February 15, 2007.
- ^ Review of What the Hell Do I Know?. Pop Matters, March 6, 2007.
- ^ Illinois at Allmusic
- ^ Review of What the Hell Do I Know. Pitchfork Media, June 4, 2007.
- ^ Trainwreck Riders, Illinois Detonate Underground. SPIN, March 27, 2007.
- ^ http://www.nme.com/news/the-kooks/28307
- ^ http://soundcloud.com/mhoeger/sets/lemonade-stand#