Singer/songwriter/guitarist Steve Vansak was born and raised in Gary, Indiana, home of steel mills and the Jackson 5. Sandwiched between Chicago and miles of farmland, Vansak experienced many different lifestyles and musical styles. A veteran of the Midwest music scene, his bands have run the gamut from rhythm and blues, folk, Motown soul, pop, and rock.
His latest release, "The Other Side of America" is deeply rooted in the classic rock groove, while still sounding contemporary. The new CD was recorded with the Joe Roberts Band who recorded the blistering album opener "Come Home" in one glorious take. "It was like hitting the "easy button" on a few of these", says Vansak. "Three and half minutes later and bam, this perfect storm has been created. I was very pleased with the band's passion during these sessions".
Many of the songs are socially charged and Vansak's guitar skills have never been captured quite like this before. "We set up all these old, vintage amps and just went to town", he says. "This is an album for fans of vinyl records, young and old. Musically, we went for analog warmth. Lyrically, the same characters show up in different songs at various stages of their lives. There are many layers to uncover in these songs should the listener choose to do so".
The group brings the passion from studio to stage playing new songs Heavy Stuff (a rocking tribute to social changers past and present) and Brooklyn's House (a fun and incredibly catchy song about a house party) along side the folk rock of "Rocks and Bone" (from A Different Road) and funk rock of Testify (from the debut Permanent Red).
"The Other side of America" (as well as the older titles) is available at all the major download stores such as iTunes, eMusic, Rhapsody, Napster and more. The real find is the vinyl like CD release, with it's photo filled lyric book and a written introductory of each track from Vansak, who is the sole author of all the songs. "You've got to give people more than they bargained for", states Vansak. "That's our philosophy in the studio as well as onstage".
Website
http://www.stevevansak.com
Discography
The Other Side of America - May, 2006
A Different Road - August 2002
Permanent Red - April 1997 (re-released with bonus tracks in 2003)
Track "Back To Indiana" featured on Late Show with
David Letterman 11/04
Track "Rocks and Bone" becomes a regular feature on Night Rock radio on Midwest rock station X-ROCK 103.9 07/04
A Different Road is voted Best Chicagoland Album by the editors of Midwest Beat Magazine 03/03
A Different Road receives multiple awards for Best Chicagoland Album, Best Album Artwork, Best Songwriter by readers of Midwest Beat Magazine.
03/03
Track "I Reach Out" wins Adaptec song contest and bundled with their "Born To Burn" CD authoring software, reaching 10,000 listeners. 06/98
All albums on iTunes and most major download sites
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Steve, enjoyed the videos here, killer version of "Instant Karma." Have a happy Thanksgiving, just stopped off to see if you are back out performing but don't see a schedule. You are too good, if you stay in recluse from the business I would not blmae you in the least as these times suck the big one for independent roots rockers like you and me..however, that said, you are too true and talented a talent and I sense you shall return to live performing..and if you do for God's sake let's do some shows together.
ROCKESTRA 2 REVISITED: SONG & VIDEO. Bill Hayden collaborated with numerous local musicians to recreate Paul McCartney's 1979 RockestraTheme Song & Video. This endeavor was strictly for fun and camaraderie amongst fellow musicians. This was recorded with Dale Ivers at The Music Barn in Gary Indiana, engineering at The Spot Studio. Musicians at the session included Bill Hayden - Piano, John Huber - Guitar, Steve Crabtree - Drums, TrapKat & Effects (in memory of Keith Moon), Bill "The Sax Man" Demos (Charlie Blum & The Star Orchestra), Tom Ashe - Guitar, Steve Vansak - Guitar, Marc Gee - Keys, Eric Canchola -Drummer, Joe Fuqua - Bass, Jack Atwood-Guitar ,Bob Clabaugh - Drums, Dan Souris (Percussion), Brian Smolar - Bass/Vocals, Don Hero - Bass, Scott Caviness - Guitar, Paul Werner - Piano, Tom Ashe - Guitar, Kevin Doll - Guitar, Dan Metz -Bass, Kid Jackson - Drums, J.T. Miller - Drums, Scott Crucean - Guitar, Chris Clarkson-Photographer, Jack Atwood - Guitar, Jen Quasney - camera, Anafe Munoz-Camera, Rick Trevino-Camera, Jeff Richmond-
Said Paul: "You get ideas and some of them are madder than others. I was in bed one night and I thought wouldn't it be a great idea if, in a town like Cleveland or wherever, just like an ordinary town where they've got a school orchestra or a town orchestra, wouldn't it be great if another tradition grew up where all the people who played guitars and all the people who played drums and all the people who played bass, they all formed themselves into a big band and played rock and roll - like an orchestra with rock instruments, and that would be a Rockestra.
Local Scene | Friday, May 29, 2009 MUSIC NOTES... * When keyboardist Bill Hayden (of area country band White Lies) finds he has extra time on his hands, he always finds a creative way to fill it. For his latest project, the Cedar Lake resident is recruiting numerous area musicians this weekend to recreate Paul McCartney's iconic "Rockestra Theme" in an audio/video session to be taped Sunday at The Music Barn facility in Griffith. McCartney's original "Rockestra Theme" featured an all-star cast that included John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Pete Townshend, David Gilmour, Denny Laine, Ronnie Lane, Gary Brooker, Kenny Jones and many other A-list British rockers. Hayden's regional all-star version will include among others – drummers Steve Crabtree, J.T. Miller and Bob Clabaugh; guitarists, John Huber, Steve Vansak, bassists Brian Smolar, Joe Fuqua; keyboardists Hayden and Paul Werner.
Local Chicago/Northwest Indiana & ?? musicians to recreate Paul McCartney's 1978 - 79 RockestraTheme Song & Video. This endeavor is strictly for fun and camaraderie amongst fellow musicians. We want to do Sir Paul justice with the project…
Paul said: They all formed themselves into a big band and played rock and roll - like an orchestra with rock instruments, and that would be a Rockestra.
It's a song that just suddenly stops and everyone shouts the only lyrics, which are 'Why haven't I had any dinner?
lol it's not a bra it's a tank top and it is to bad you didn't see it before because i can take your harassment with the best of them. how is life it's been a while since i've heard from you.
