The Antennas, Nashville, TN

www.theantennas.com
The Antennas! Comprised of brothers Layne and Landon Ihde fronting a classic power trio completed by drummer/producer Mark Niemiec. This Nashville, Tennessee based powerpop outfit provides the melody, harmony and rhythm you need in your life.
The Antennas self-titled debut album balances wide-eyed raucous optimism with subtle commentary on the posturing nature of being in a band. Self-releasing the album in the US attracted the attention of UK label Popjinx who picked up the record for the EU. Along with a newly completed video for the lead track and live favorite, 'You Really Bring Me Down', The Antennas debut album was released throughout the UK and Europe in February 2010 expanded with a bonus track and will be followed by a supporting European tour later this year. The Antennas album is available at Kiss the Sky record store and online.

Dave Ramont and Friends, Chicago, IL

www.clayheadrecords.com/dave.htm
Dave Ramont is a singer/songwriter who's been playing his "roots-rock, twang-slop" around the Chicago regions and nationally for years. He's released 4 solo CDs, and 3 with swillbilly band Dick Smith. Ramont is touring and promoting his 2009 release, entitled TAW. This record has been well received and played on WXRT in Chicago. Ramont will be joined at Concert for a Cure by some local players/friends, including guitarist Dave Nelson from country rock stalwarts, Heartsfield. "Differentiating oneself in the burgeoning field of alternative-country artists is a tricky proposition these days, but Dave Ramont stands tall in the crowd." -Performing Songwriter Magazine. Ramont’s records are available at Kiss the Sky record store.

The Future Burns, Chicago, IL

www.thefutureburns.com
The Future Burns is a 6 piece rock/jam/Americana band out of Chicago, Illinois. Guitar driven melodies with multiple vocalists drive the band's sound, but it is anchored by a strong rhythm section of drums, bass and percussion. They released their debut EP entitled Highland Avenue at last year’s Concert for a Cure and have been playing throughout Chicago and the suburbs since. Highland Avenue is a collection of 5 original songs which take the listener on a lyrical journey of first loves, lucky lives, distance & longing, heartbreak and redemption.
The Future Burns is Ben Parker, Brian Corcoran, Brian O’Connor, Scott Franz, Nate Pekoc, and Mike Praski. Highland Avenue is available at Kiss the Sky record store and at their shows.

Gabe Perez, Aurora, IL

Gabe Perez is a multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter from Aurora, IL. He was originally the drummer in local punk band, Long Haired Chihuahuas, who were flown out to Vegas for the Fox show "The Next Great American Band" in 2007. Gabe now drums for local metal band, The Great Flood.  Gabe enjoys writing, singing and performing on acoustic guitar, which allows his drum kit the chance to cool off.

Gallery, Chicago, IL

www.galleryrocks.com
Gallery performs high energy and acoustic cover music from the classic rock bands of the 80's - concert style. Gallery is comprised of local musicians with previous touring experience, playing Pink Floyd, Supertramp and Kansas because they need to; hits from Eagles, Journey, Styx, REO, Toto and AC/DC because they like to; and classics from Genesis, Tull, Rush and Eddie Van Halen just because they can. The band is celebrating its four year anniversary in September.

Greg Boerner, Chicago via Augusta, GA

www.gregboerner.com
Greg Boerner is a straight-shootin', clean livin' guitarist/singer/songwriter who performs like some kind of a road-hardened guitar maniac on one song, a 1950's pop idol on another, a Southern troubadour on the next - and at last blows you out of the galaxy with an antique blues tune that might well give John Lee Hooker pause. Boerner (pronounced "Burner") shows a musical maturity that favors traditional forms of blues, folk, country, roots rock n' roll and all that comes between.
In addition to Boerner’s three cd's, his music can be heard in several independent films and he can be seen performing at clubs, coffee houses, listening rooms, house concerts and festivals. He has opened shows for Leon Russell, Patty Larkin, Willy Porter, Bill Morrissey, Chris Smither, Maria Muldaur, Pierce Pettis, Robbie Fulks, Gove Scrivenor, Wayne Toups and Tinsley Ellis. Boerner’s albums are available at Kiss the Sky record store and online at http://www.gregboerner.com/

Hix Bros. Jr. All-Stars, Aurora, IL

Hix Brothers Music Stores have been a staple in the greater Fox Valley area since 1946, providing lessons and selling/servicing instruments and equipment. Brothers, Andrew, Peter and Carl have grown the business and have built a strong reputation in the music community, launching a number of education offshoots, such as Rock U and the Marching Guitar Band, which have garnered industry wide attention. The Hix Brothers Junior All-Stars is a band featuring the best Rock U students and is managed/directed by Ken Mandat, who as an accomplished guitarist has four worldwide releases to his credit and album sales of over 200,000. The Hix Bros. Jr. All-Stars have been playing at festivals and welcome crowds throughout the Chicago suburbs and continue to both entertain and inspire a new class of young rockers to get on stage.

HOSS, Chicago, IL

www.gethoss.com
HOSS has been rocking the greater Chicago area for the last 8+ years. Their song writing and music style can be best described as blending southern-influenced rock, jam band, and punk. Their self-produced 3rd album, Love Takes a Holiday, was released late in 2008 to great reception. The songs are well-constructed and are delivered with passion when you see this band live. “…the album is very good, and you should check it out, particularly if you like that Son Volt/Drive-By Truckers electrified southern rock sound.” – SunTimes Newsgroup.
The 6-piece band roster includes Peter Lindenmeyer, Brad Schieber, Karl Holzl, Jason Waggoner, Larry Misukanis and Bob Lisberg for this year’s Concert for a Cure. The band has started to work on new material, but a new release has not yet been announced. HOSS’ records are available at Kiss the Sky record store, on iTunes and at www.myspace.com/hosschicago

Michael Heaton Band, Chicago, IL

www.michaelheaton.com
Literate Americana with a rock-n-roll heart. Michael Heaton’s songs emerge from classic American traditions – rock, country and pop. But Heaton accomplishes what few songwriters and performers do; he makes the tried and true feel new again. A self-described “country guy that can play the Who,” Heaton bridges the energy and passion of the best rock n’ roll with plainspoken, emotionally affective lyrics that touch a chord in a lot of people. Over the course of hundreds of shows and several albums, Heaton has proved his mettle – he’s an artist who has won himself an eager fan base, and with that, the freedom to make the music, he wants, his way. Heaton is touring and promoting his latest release, I Know What I Know (Artichoke Records), which is available at www.michaelheaton.com and Kiss the Sky record store.

Noah Gabriel, Chicago, IL

www.noahgabriel.com
Noah Gabriel, a mainstay in Chicago's suburban scene since 2004, is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Aurora, Illinois. With four albums to date and a fifth being recorded, Gabriel is already prolific. He's a blues, rock musician with unique nuances of folk, roots, and alternative country, borrowing from the styles of Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix, Lucinda Williams, Chris Whitley, Ryan Adams, and BB King. Live, Gabriel and his band are known for a raw and brutally honest delivery.
Gabriel seems to be in constant evolution as a singer/songwriter/guitarist. Already a prolific songwriter and never wanting to be comfortable, Gabriel keeps on pushing himself. The band is currently working on a fifth album, Ghosts of Tomorrow. He is also looking forward to a tour of the west coast this fall with fellow musician Jon Conover. Gabriel's latest albums, Crooked and Off the Record, are completed and sample tracks are available at www.noahgabriel.com . Hard copies of Crooked are currently SOLD OUT but will be available again soon.  All albums are available at Kiss the Sky record store, on iTunes and CD Baby.

The Wandering Endorphin, Chicago, IL

www.wanderingendorphin.com
The Wandering Endorphin is the musical alter ego of Chicago native Singer / Songwriter / Guitarist, Jim Green. Not bound by the usual sonic possibilities of the acoustic guitar, Green creates enchanting to percussively driven soundscapes in a fresh and compelling way. Deciding that the well-worn paths that other musicians adhere to were not the proper routes for his own creativity, he draws forth percussive rhythms, harmonics, and double pull-offs with a piano-like approach that often sounds like one more guitar than is actually playing. This is all done in real time with no sampling or looping devices to be found. The result is not only musical but visually stimulating.
Green's driving perfectionism to his music has gained him the attention of the Editors at Billboard Magazine who named him "One of the best independent artists in the Midwest". He has received airplay on radio stations across the country, including National Public Radio (NPR) and Chicago's very own 93XRT. Although this former Chicago street musician has won the title of "Guitar Idol 2004" and has gained much interest for his unusual percussive playing style, he considers himself a songwriter first, a guitarist second.

The Dallas Motorcade

The Dallas Motorcade, proving that rock is dead . . . and itÕs never sounded better. Taking cues from four decades of rock and its subgenres, they pull extensive influences together, creating a cohesive rock juggernaut. Punk, metal, hard, classic, grunge, pop, alt, southern, hair, death: nothing is off limits. Their epic anthems are driven by heavy guitar riffs, punctuated by ripping solos and changes that are simultaneously unpredictable but inescapable. Darkly intelligent lyrics and fist-in-the-air melodies compel you to scream along. Deceptive moments of calm may make you think they have reached the limits of rock, but they'll take out the governor, find another gear, and slug you in the face with a surge you never saw coming. This is the rock that was lost, that you thought was dead and buried. But itÕs still going to blow you away. Now out in support of their debut album, ÒSuffer in SilenceÓ, The Dallas Motorcade continues to test their limits. This 13 track rock monster serves as the perfect compliment to their high intensity live act. So rememberÉif itÕs too loud, youÕre listening to The Dallas Motorcade.
Rock is dead. Long live rock.