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Brave Ulysses

Brave Ulysses Radio

General Info

  • Genre: Alternative / Indie / Rock

    Location Chicago, Un

    Profile Views: 20034

    Last Login: 6/25/2012

    Member Since 7/9/2005

    Record Label Stars/No Stars Records

    Type of Label Indie

  • Bio

    .. .......... .."It takes a brave band to hop into a Dodge Durango in the middle of winter and navigate the Midwest tour circuit with a one-ton trailer attached to its rear. But Chicago's Brave Ulysses exhibits that kind of reverence for the old-school D.I.Y approach: demoing albums before actually recording them and earning fans one handshake at a time. The group began as the one-man recording project of songwriter Ian Johnson but has since amplified to a rocking four-piece modeled after paragons like Superdrag and Elliott Smith. Its debut EP, Senators and Sinners, predated the Rod Blagojevich controversy – here's betting Brave Ulysses will keep its hands clean of any pay-to-play scandals en route to its righteous place in indie-rock's genealogy.".. - ..Pitch - Kansas City, MO.. .. .. .."Nothing wrong with a band (especially a crew of small-time local boys trying to make good) that writes good music and lyrics, even (or especially) if not pushing any kind of envelope. Brave Ulysses is just a regular band, damn it, and Senators and Sinners represents a solid release in the spirit of Built to Spill, Dinosaur Jr. and Spoon.".. - ..Superstarcastic - The People's Republic of Music.. .. .. .."Although the name might sound like that of a theatrical rock act, when it comes to performing, Brave Ulysses relies on its music--and nothing else. 'We don't subscribe to theatrics or costumes to sell a good rock 'n' roll show,' vocalist Ian Johnson said... When hearing the band's name, classic rock fans might also recall a Cream song of the same name, but Johnson said that is a coincidence. 'I was trying to think of a good Greek name, and Ulysses came to mind," he said. "I thought, 'Brave Ulysses, that makes a statement.' It wasn't until later that Johnson learned of the Cream song "Tales of Brave Ulysses." 'The real question is whether that is a testament to the power of unconscious recollection or just me being completely oblivious.' Brave Ulysses has a few shows scheduled in the near future, and Johnson said he always looks forward to playing new venues, adding that every place has the potential of housing a great show. 'Any venue can have its positives,' he said. 'It really boils down to the crowd and the reception.'.. - ..RedEye Music - The Chicago Tribune - Chicago, IL.. .. .. .. Putting the "rock" back into Indie Rock, Chicago's Brave Ulysses does so without the cheap gimmicks or novelty-laden attitude. The band crafts intelligently orchestrated and catchy songs while walking a fine line between aggressive and pop, bringing about descriptions such as, "This…yeah, this is what music would sound like if Elliott Smith, Dinosaur Jr., and My Bloody Valentine had a baby. That shit is loud." With cranked up amps and zero pretension, Brave Ulysses just may convince the music world that rock and roll is alive and well.

  • Members

    Ian Johnson - Vocals, Guitar .. Grayson Soenke - Bass, Vocals .. Marcus Eliopulos - Guitar, Vocals .. Christian Mueller - Drums

  • Influences

    Weezer, Superdrag, Teenage Fanclub, My Bloody Valentine, Neil Young, Wilco, Iron Maiden, Dinosaur Jr., Miles Davis, The Toadies, The Pixies, Judas Priest, Nada Surf, Motorhead, The Beatles, the hum of old vinyl.

  • Sounds Like

    Rock and or Roll.

Stream

Videos

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Comments

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  • Daniel Robson

    hot! :D http://is.gd/cOVeI

    2 years ago
  • The Klaus and Truitt Tr…

    I think we are playing with you guys at Cal's Bar in September. Can't wait to hear you guys live.

    3 years ago
  • GEorgie Watts

    love the new songs guys.
    your my heroes!

    3 years ago
  • Gringo Soul

    Thanks for adding us! Stop by and drop us a line!

    Gringo Soul

    3 years ago
  • Lauren Kurtz

    hope to see you guys at quenchers this friday for my NEW NEW NEW band- airlines x. 11pm
    please and thank you!
    ---lauren

    4 years ago
  • PISTOL YOUTH

    cheers guys, definitely keep in touch, be good to do some shows. i really like your sound! ...Bradley

    4 years ago
  • Echo of the Elms

    Thanks for playing the show the other day! Pretty rocking stuff and excellent guitar playing! I would love to set up a show for you guys in March or April in KC or Lawrence. Also, the CD you gave me had some sort of digital noise or something, I'm not sure.
    Could I get another one maybe?- Ian

    4 years ago
  • Basement FourOnefour

    Hey! Thanks for putting on an AWESOME show! We will have to get you guys back sometime soon, maybe when the weather is a little better!

    4 years ago
  • OHTIS

    Those were the days. We should def. play together again.

    RIP The Note

    :(

    4 years ago
  • Lauren Kurtz

    archies? lets drink. OK, lets drink again.

    4 years ago
10 of 40More

Bio:

..


"It takes a brave band to hop into a Dodge Durango in the middle of winter and navigate the Midwest tour circuit with a one-ton trailer attached to its rear. But Chicago’s Brave Ulysses exhibits that kind of reverence for the old-school D.I.Y approach: demoing albums before actually recording them and earning fans one handshake at a time. The group began as the one-man recording project of songwriter Ian Johnson but has since amplified to a rocking four-piece modeled after paragons like Superdrag and Elliott Smith. Its debut EP, Senators and Sinners, predated the Rod Blagojevich controversy – here’s betting Brave Ulysses will keep its hands clean of any pay-to-play scandals en route to its righteous place in indie-rock’s genealogy." - Pitch - Kansas City, MO

"Nothing wrong with a band (especially a crew of small-time local boys trying to make good) that writes good music and lyrics, even (or especially) if not pushing any kind of envelope. Brave Ulysses is just a regular band, damn it, and Senators and Sinners represents a solid release in the spirit of Built to Spill, Dinosaur Jr. and Spoon." - Superstarcastic - The People's Republic of Music

"Although the name might sound like that of a theatrical rock act, when it comes to performing, Brave Ulysses relies on its music--and nothing else. 'We don't subscribe to theatrics or costumes to sell a good rock 'n' roll show,' vocalist Ian Johnson said... When hearing the band's name, classic rock fans might also recall a Cream song of the same name, but Johnson said that is a coincidence. 'I was trying to think of a good Greek name, and Ulysses came to mind," he said. "I thought, 'Brave Ulysses, that makes a statement.' It wasn't until later that Johnson learned of the Cream song "Tales of Brave Ulysses." 'The real question is whether that is a testament to the power of unconscious recollection or just me being completely oblivious.' Brave Ulysses has a few shows scheduled in the near future, and Johnson said he always looks forward to playing new venues, adding that every place has the potential of housing a great show. 'Any venue can have its positives,' he said. 'It really boils down to the crowd and the reception.' - RedEye Music - The Chicago Tribune - Chicago, IL


Putting the “rock” back into Indie Rock, Chicago’s Brave Ulysses does so without the cheap gimmicks or novelty-laden attitude. The band crafts intelligently orchestrated and catchy songs while walking a fine line between aggressive and pop, bringing about descriptions such as, “This…yeah, this is what music would sound like if Elliott Smith, Dinosaur Jr., and My Bloody Valentine had a baby. That shit is loud.” With cranked up amps and zero pretension, Brave Ulysses just may convince the music world that rock and roll is alive and well.

Member Since:

July 09, 2005

Members:

Ian Johnson - Vocals, Guitar
Grayson Soenke - Bass, Vocals
Joel O'Brien - Guitar, Vocals
Eric Anderson - Drums

Influences:

Weezer, Superdrag, Teenage Fanclub, My Bloody Valentine, Neil Young, Wilco, Iron Maiden, Dinosaur Jr., Miles Davis, The Toadies, The Pixies, Judas Priest, Nada Surf, Motorhead, The Beatles, the hum of old vinyl.

Sounds Like:

Rock and or Roll.

Record Label:

Stars/No Stars Records

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