Walter Howard - Tenor Sax
Andy Brummel - Trumpet / Flugel Horn
Influences
Burt Bacharach, Glen Campbell, Chris Isaak, Bobby Darin, the Smithereens, the Everly Brothers, the Cowsills, Tom Jones, the Partridge Family, Trini Lopez, the Yardbirds, Elvis, Ed Ames, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge, Don Gibson, Glass Tiger, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Dusty Springfield, Jimmy Webb, Led Zeppelin, Sergio Mendes and Brazil '66, Naked Eyes, the Buckinghams, Neil Diamond, Buddy Holly, Georgie Fame and the Blue Notes, John Sebastian, the Five Stairsteps, Eddie Cochran, Herman's Hermits, the Police, Johnny Cash, Brian Setzer, Johnny Rivers, Astrud Gilberto, Nick Lowe, the Beach Boys, the Temptations, Jackie DeShannon, the Monkees, the Free Design, Petula Clark, Roy Orbison, the Zombies, Buddy Knox, the Drifters, Wham!, Tony Orlando and Dawn, Weezer, Jerry Vale, Van Halen and Esquivel.
***These and other musical influences can be heard on the Brill Babies' free online radio network, "Everything AM". Click here to tune in today!!***
Ever wonder what could have been if only Tom Jones had fronted the Clash? As odd a question as that may be, the answer could begin to be found by catching a live performance by one of Chicagoland’s most unique and exciting acts, the Brill Babies. Conceived in the summer of 2003, the Brill Babies is powered by the formidable talents of three local music scene veterans: Frank Gradishar, Gerry O’Keefe and Scott Proce. After performing throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s in popular combos like the Hideouts, Thrift Store Halo and the Hacks, the three born entertainers finally came to embrace their lifelong, borderline unhealthy, obsession with the perfect pop song. Going so far as to cheekily name this new alliance after the Brill Building (the legendary hit factory in New York that employed songwriting giants like Burt Bacharach, Neil Diamond and Carole King), the focus, this time, would be on presenting their audience with the best songs known to man; from the ‘50s thru the ‘80s. Call it music for music lovers.
Possibly the most delightfully schizophrenic band around, one major ingredient of the Brill Babies’ success is their innate ability to bounce from genre to genre and decade to decade. Like the classic AM radio stations of yesteryear (stations that might follow the latest single by easy listening chanteuse Dionne Warwick with a spin of the Yardbirds’ raucous new record), Frank, Gerry, and Scott are as much in their element offering up a Sinatra standard as they are a ‘70s one-hit wonder, Motown classic or retro ‘80s chestnut by artists like the Police, New Order and Wham! The recent crop of soulless radio stations that make false promises of “we play anything” could get a much needed lesson in what variety really means by scanning a typical Brill Babies set list. They’re a little bit pop, a little bit rock, a little bit rockabilly, a little bit soul, a little bit swing, a little bit lounge….and, yes, they’re even a little bit country. But it isn’t only variety that makes this act so different and refreshing; it’s also the Brill Babies fierce commitment to offering their listeners music of only the highest caliber. As a result, anyone hoping to hear obvious, overplayed covers and current top 40 music with an average shelf life of six months should look elsewhere for his/her entertainment. Those seeking a dizzying, surprise-filled array of can’t-get-it-out-of-your-head melodies that have already proven to be timeless and universally adored need look no further.
Comprised of vocals, drums, bass and acoustic guitar, plus a phenomenal 2-piece brass section featuring Andy Brummel (trumpet) and Walter Howard (sax) on several numbers, the Brill Babies' sound makes a loving nod to the cool jazz and lounge combos of the 1950s and 1960s while maintaining the vitality of early rock ‘n’ roll. In any live setting, from the grittiest bars the city of Chicago has to offer to the swankiest supper clubs and wedding reception halls, the sharply dressed Brill Babies ensure each infectious tune they share with their audience sounds as new as it did the day it first began to scale the charts; miraculously preserving the integrity of the original while making it 100% their own. Even if you never gave a ditty like 1970’s “Brandy” by Looking Glass a second listen, you’ll find yourself chiming in on every last “Such a Fine Girl!” when these musical crusaders shed a brand new light on it. Bolstered by a remarkable enthusiasm, an almost Vegas-like showmanship, and an uncontrollable desire to make their audience as much a part of the show as they are (which often entails inviting braver crowd members to join them on tambourine or maracas), their energetic performances have been described by people of all ages as “startlingly entertaining” and “highly contagious”. These men may not know how to repair a roof, but they sure know how to work a room.
If it all sounds a bit abstract, our advice would be to not take anyone’s word for it and experience the magic of the Brill Babies for yourself. “Difficult to categorize and even more difficult to resist” is how one awe-struck witness recently summed it up. They’re square, but one of the hippest acts you may ever see. They’re retro, but quite possibly light years ahead of their time. Some have even described Frank, Gerry and Scott as three lounge singers possessed by the devil of rock ‘n’ roll. But you will, undoubtedly, have a completely different and equally positive reaction. The only thing that may be for certain is these keepers of the pop flame are exactly like nothing else you’ve seen, heard or felt before. Listen and enjoy.
2 ALL MY FANS AND SUPPORTERS THE TIME HAS FINALLY ARRIVED. CHUNKY MONKEY AND, MY ALBUM (MR. WORLD PREMIER) ARE NOW AVALIBLE ON I-TUNES, AMAZONMP3 AND, NASPSTER MUSIC STORES! ALSO IF YOU BUY THE ALBUM AND, SEND PROOF OF PURCHASE TO MY EMAIL (WRITERSBLOKKMEDIA@YAHOO.COM) I WILL PERSONALLY SEND YOU A "PERSONALIZED" AUTOGRAPH PICTURE TO YOU SHOWING MY APPRECIATION FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
REMEMBER NEM-IZ DOES WHAT OTHER ARTIST WOULDN'T DO FOR HIS FANS! MUCH LOVE TO MY SUPPORT SYSTEM (SUPPORTORS AND FANS!) TAKE CARE, GOD BLESS
P.S. PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!!! ALSO CHECK THE TRACK OUT HERE ON MY PAGE!
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Join the Flat Cats at Frankie's on Wednesday, November 21 for one of the busiest party nights of the year. It will be an extra special night for us as we welcome the beautiful and talented Amber Dawn back to the stage! Downtown Naperville will be swinging, so come hit the dance floor to the music of the Flat Cats and hit the bar for some fantastic Frankie's drinks....see you there!
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