"Identity Theft", a collection of winsome pop tunes spiked with new-wave flair." - Time Out Chicago
"The album glides…a collection of calm, cozy, beat-happy nuggets that never drift farther from the middle than what’s required. Andreadis’ knack for churning out delicious hooks doesn’t hurt, either." - Tom Lynch, New City Chicago
"If your solo project is worth pursuing, sooner or later it’s gonna threaten to outstrip your main gig, and Baby Teeth drummer Peter Andreadis may have reached that point with his one-man band, ALL CITY AFFAIRS. The music on the new Identity Theft (Lujo) tweaks Baby Teeth’s brainy pop, dialing down the smarminess and adding an undercurrent of hip-hop and R & B that coexists somewhat uneasily with the yacht-rock vibe. Andreadis uses a fairly generic home-recording setup—keyboard, acoustic and electric guitar, drum machine—but instead of cranking out yet another Postal Service knockoff he throws in unexpected funkiness as a counterpoint to his relatively standard-issue singer-songwriter sentimentality. “One More Shot” is bolstered by a throbbing bass synth straight out of early electro, and “White People Clapping” has the same kind of dive-bombing tom fills that Young Jeezy’s been rapping over lately. Luckily these juxtapositions are only slightly tongue-in-cheek—Andreadis treats the hip-hop elements with respect, and as a result his music works on a level much deeper than “Hey, I bet it’d be funny if I wrote some really white-sounding songs and slapped B96 beats under them.” - Miles Raymer, Chicago Reader
"All City Affairs manages to create its own sound and doesn’t sound like just a knockoff." - SF Station, San Francisco City Guide
"...at the core is a string of very well-crafted pop songs with the singer bringing someone like XTC's Andy Partridge, Neil Finn or Ray Davies to mind." - All Music Guide
"Identity Theft" by All City Affairs is a slick study in modern and contemporary music, taking cues from all genres including rock, reggae, hip-hop, jazz and pop. The song "One More Shot" has a fat synth bass line and beat to go with the funky guitar and lyrics about a hipster's shallow attempt to be seen in the scene. "The End Of Loneliness" combines acoustic guitar, and an 80's synth drone with hand-clap drums. Mixing samples, hip-hop beats and live instrumentation with layers of Peter's smooth, unassuming voice, he has created a danceable album to get lost in." - Atlas and The Anchor
"The combination of so many different styles has the bonus of making the album really interesting." - Alt Sounds, Identity Theft review
"If you’re just looking for good pop rock songs, Bees is a pretty fantastic album to check out. There will be moments where you might have to double check your stereo to see what artist you’re really playing, but it’s just done so well that I find it hard to fault him for that." - Decapolis, Bees review
ALL CITY AFFAIRS
All City Affairs is the brainchild of Chicagoan Peter Andreadis. Perhaps
best known locally for his drums/vocals in Baby Teeth, Andreadis has
released two albums under the moniker All City Affairs and is on the
verge of releasing his third, entitled "Identity Theft", via Lujo Records this
Fall.
All City Affairs began in late 2000 when Andreadis was living at the
Shape Shoppe loft with Griffin Rodriguez, a.k.a. Blue Hawaii of Icy
Demons. The two were reviving the loft that had changed hands to them
from the people who were running the Truckstop label and recording
studio. Andreadis began recording songs on multiple instruments using
the collection of recording equipment and gear that was around. Most of
the songs began as acoustic guitar and vocal, but slowly got filled with
performances by Griffin, Tomeka Reid, Dylan Ryan, David McDonnell,
Josh Berman, David Pavkovic and other young musicians in the thriving
indie rock and jazz scene in Chicago.
Over time the original players in All City Affairs moved on to focus on
their own projects and Andreadis began acquiring the home recording
equipment and instruments necessary to venture out into “solo” territory.
A self-proclaimed hack on a number of different instruments he now
records almost entirely at his home studio, dubbed All City Central.
With synth bass lines and looped drums, All City Affairs hints at
Andreadis' love for hip-hop, but is at heart a collage of his favorite
songwriters from Neil Young and Paul McCartney to Thom Yorke and
Andy Partridge. Layers of guitars, keyboards, percussion, melodicas,
and more create their own world for the listener to swim in. Taking a cue
from his other band Baby Teeth, Andreadis’ music has grown to feature
more complex vocal harmonies which are recorded by layering his own
voice for multiple parts, a la Queen.
Lyrically the approach to All City Affairs and Identity Theft is a both
emotional and absurd. The title track is about reclaiming your own sense
of style and self in a world full of criticism and media saturation. “Little
Pills” is about Andreadis’ own experience with anxiety medication and
depression. “One More Shot” explains the mindset of a young scene
maker trying his best to impress while unaware of the shallowness of the
routine he’s created. And the album closer, “Slide,” steps inside an acid
trip to explore the anxiety of a mind too wide open.
All City Affairs feature in New City Chicago!NEW "Identity Theft" review at Pop Matters
This Monday No Coast Studios will be a part of Danny's monthly Peace Party series. We will be presenting 12 months of Peace Party posters printed and designed here at No Coast by Alex Valentine. Proceeds from the bar will benefit public programming and other activities here at the space. Please come dance and listen to amazing music from DJ's Jeff Parker, Jocelyn Brown, Naomi Walker, and Josh Abrams.
Monday, April 13 @ Danny's 1951 W. Dickens (near corner of Damen, one block north of Armitage. ) 10pm-2am FREE www.no-coast.org
Yes sir! I had a blast last night! It was the first time in a long time I was able to just cut loose and dance again. You guys were great. I was enjoying watching YOU rock out! I kept hoping you would pop up out front, but, alas... We shall meet again soon, I am sure of it.
Come to the play if you get the chance. I think you would dig it.
As blind as a bat. I was. As deaf as Helen Wheels. I was. If I was a tenth as talented and 2/3's the dude, I would still be miles from within an inch of my life. Until the sun comes up in the west, there will be sitcoms playing in my head. (With expunged commercials). Keep up the groove work, and remember, Bip-Bop.
Hey Peter! I wish I could make it for your show tonight...but alas, not quite the hop skip and a jump away that would allow me to do so. I will be thinking of you; hope it goes swimmingly well. Congrats to you. I want to hear about it. Miss you. B.
Hey Pete! Wish I could've been there to gossip with you and the Bri hehe. Hope to run into you before we turn gray! (Oh, wait...that's already happening!!!)
thanks for the add. your sound is really great. im planning on visiting the chicago area. do you guys play anywhere near chicago between the 7th and 11th of november?
Brooklyn is super cute! He looks perfect for you guys. Good catching up last week. If I don't talk to you before, I will for sure call you after Scotland.
i went under the directory search for music, v.s. the top whatever...and i really really liked you guys! it's the best way, i've found to hear something new and refreashing!
