A.V. Santucci (guitars, piano, mandolin, vocals), P. Turner (guitars, vocals), C. Greene (violin, percussion), T.J. Pavletic (bass, vocals), and M.J. Figiel (drums, percussion, guitar, vocals).......and many guests
Influences
Radiohead, U2, Black Crowes, Rolling Stones, Beatles, Nirvana, Wilco, Band, Los Lobos, Pogues, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Randy Newman, Richard Thompson, Daniel Lanois, Charlie Sexton, Chris Whitley, Ben Harper, Beck, Elliott Smith....
When not out & about playing live as Orphans Club or playing as sidemen for other acts, the band is busy writing and recording new material. They have just released their fifth record, "As You Fall". Their previous four releases are "Cowboyville", "A Clear Moment", "Just Another Line", and "Trying To Get Along." Their previous work has won them several awards, including songwriter awards from Ascap and Billboard..............
They are an eclectic, Chicago-based band, comprised of multi-instrumentalists (guitars, keyboards, mandolin, violin, harmonica, bass, drums, percussion, vocals) all drawing from different influences and backgrounds. Often including guest musicians (pedal steel, accordion, saxophone, flute, tin whistle) and different set-ups to alter their sound. This is probably why categorizing their sound or style has depended on the listener, as well as the project. They've been described as alternative-rock, alternative-country, and even celtic-influenced-folk-rock.................
Like many musicians in their hometown of Chicago, they would play pubs and coffee houses while writing and recording their songs, trying to work their way up the ladder to better clubs, better festivals, better recordings. Initial gigs were often at a favorite pub called Harrington's on Halsted & Diversey, where they'd play on a cramped stage comprised of a combination of barstools and plywood. This is where most of the band's future members were either playing with other acts, performing solo, or just hanging out. Gradually the musicians found each other and developed this current project.............
Since then, the band has played some of the midwest's most well known venues. They've participated in some higher profile events including ASCAP's "Writers in the Round" in Los Angeles, CA, South by Southwest in Austin, TX, the Folk Alliance Conference in Jacksonville, FL, and the Midwest Music Summit in Indianapolis, IN. They've also played some offbeat shows, like their participation in a Tom Waits tribute and an Elvis Costello tribute at the Viaduct Theater. To date, they've played throughout the US and have been invited to open shows for a variety of popular national acts such as Wilco, Los Lobos, Ben Folds, and Seal, to name a few................
Radio exposure includes spins and in-studio performances on FM stations throughout the US, including some larger market stations with spins on WXRT 93.1FM (Chicago) and in-studio performances on WLUP 97.9FM (Chicago)............For more info, reviews, etc., please refer to the above blog section
Yo Vince, I'm diggin' your tunes! "Not Far Behind" sounds awesome. I don't remember what I did on that, but it was a blast. Thanks, bud. I will be in Chicago sometime this fall. See you then. By the way, check out my bands page, we have a rough mix of a new tune up there. www. myspace. com/ordinarymenmusic P.S. Are you ready to send a CD to my friend in L.A. ?
Shopping at the Jewel today, I couldn't get "Won't be Denied" out of my head. Gotta play that soon with you guys instead of the record. Here's to a great '08! PLD, Charlie
