MEN WHO LISTEN was formed in 2007 by Dan Pokorni on the heels of his solo release, “Guitarscapes.” Teaming up with top Chicago-area session players, drummer Patrick Doody and bassist Bill Harrison, the trio started making demos. Later in the year, Gary Loizzo (Styx’s producer) agreed to come on board behind the console, and the MEN WHO LISTEN sound started to come together -- a sound in which the SONG comes first. Using elements from rock, pop and blues styles, MEN WHO LISTEN is poised to take you a on a musical journey – and the journey has just begun!
The MEN WHO LISTEN CD was recorded between 2007 and 2009. “We didn’t do the record in 3-6 weeks like a lot of bands do and have everything sound pretty much the same. Because of the way we worked, we would end up sitting on demos for a while so the vibe from song to song is really different while still retaining that MEN WHO LISTEN sound.” And why MEN WHO LISTEN? “Because,” Dan says, “a lot of guys don’t.”
In March of 2008, with limited self-promotion, the band released “So Inscrutable” as a single that immediately started getting air-play on a number of college and Internet radio stations. ““So Inscrutable” was the second song we worked on with Gary and it was a lot of fun.”
"I Hate Tom Cruise," "Beneath a Blue and Open Sky" and "Forever" followed suit. “I Hate Tom Cruise” stands out as a kind of cultural point of identification that is both sassy and fun. “There’s never been a better time to hate Tom, has there?” Dan laughs. “Of course, I love Tom’s movies. He’s a brilliant, Oscar-caliber actor who is a legend, but the song just came to me in the shower, half goof and half jab at the baloney of fame.” In October (just in time for Halloween) of 2008, "(Dead & Buried) In Your Love" was released and started getting airplay as well.
The last recorded song on the MEN WHO LISTEN CD, “Pay Me No Mind” shows a darker, heavier side to the band. Says Dan, “the song’s verses remind me of sixties music, yet the chorus is very modern with big guitar textures, while the intro has an Angus Young crunch. I’d like to think the tune encompasses three different musical eras, and points in the direction the band might go!”
Indeed, the band writes and performs songs that are remarkably Janus-faced – looking both to the past and the future. “I remember Ian MacDonald’s comment about the Beatles in his book Revolution in the Head,” – the Fab guys had this uncanny knack for combining nostalgia and futurism. That kind of thing always drives music – what’s new is really old, and sometimes digging into our roots produces the biggest, tastiest fruit.
The band’s debut CD was released in June of 2009. MEN WHO LISTEN promises to stimulate and stir audiences wherever their songs are heard!
Hiya there! How do you do? Thank you for finding it's so great! I like the track-(Dead&Buried) lol. Your voice makes the sounds come together real nice. Keep in touch...
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Hi Dan Baby!!! How have you been?? Happy Halloween?? Mine was o.k. Ty for my pic. comment~ LOL!!! How is Chicago weather treating you thus far this fall? I am in the zone in cold weather, so I am not bothered yet....snow is something else. K, so I will ttyl. XoXoX~ Ashley
The October '09 edition of the CHICAGOSROCK T.V. Video Update is online now with news, interviews, live clips, album releases and more. I hope you enjoy and thank you for your continued support.
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. K, so I will ttyl
. XoXoX~ Ashley
