Blues, funk and rock collide to create the unique sound of Chicago-based group Forte.
High-energy rhythm, boundless guitar experimentation and charismatic stage presence define this powerful genre-busting band.
Forte's tight grooves feature Chris Forte on guitar and vocals, Rob Davis on drums, Mike Whalen on percussion and vocals and Nate Bellon on bass and vocals. The band's CD is supported by the sweet harmony of Heather Horton and Desiree Irwin on background vocals.
As longtime members of Sam Cockrell & The Groove, Forte co-founders, Chris and Rob toured the U.S. playing high-profile gigs at the Chicago Blues Fest, Roanoke Blues and Jazz Blue Ridge Festival, W.C. Handy Awards, Indiana State Fair, House of Blues and WGN TV, and opening for wide-ranging acts like Digital Underground, Lonnie Brooks, Duke Robillard, Roomful of Blues and Trippin Billies. During his stint with the band, Chris even won the coveted Albert King Award in 2000 for his virtuoso guitar moves, prompting Alligator recording artist L'il Ed to proclaim him a "guitar-playing mother....!"
Fans rave about Forte's cool mix of high-octane bluesy funk, eclectic original tunes and wild, ripping guitar riffs. Following a successful release of their debut CD, Soul Farmer at the Cubby Bear and a string of rockin' shows, including openers for Frank Black at the Double Door and The Radiators at the Black Orchid, Forte is geared up to deliver their infectious new sound to audiences everywhere.
FGC's got two hometown area shows this weekend! Friday is an all ages extravaganza at the House Cafe in Dekalb, and Saturday is a hometown throwdown at the Abbey Pub in Chicago (Ages 18+). Fans that attend both shows can pick up a FREE FGC album of their choice at Saturday's show (just grab the Free Album Coupon at the House Cafe and redeem it at the Abbey Pub)!
In other news, FGC is also excited to announce that the band will be celebrating New Year's Eve 2009 at the Redstone Room in Davenport, IA. Our third New Year's in a row at this incredible venue, we will once again be pulling out all the stops! Stay tuned for more information on this year's theme, advance tickets, and other details.
And finally, don't forget to check out the band's new Video Blog, a weekly series featuring a behind the scenes look at FGC performances and touring. Check out the YouTube playlist for the last few editions, and stay tuned for more in the coming weeks!
FGC's got a great weekend coming up! On Saturday, we open up for Umphrey's McGee at Exposition Gardens in Peoria (FGC @ 7pm), and Sunday, we head over to the Riverview Music and Arts Festival in South Elgin (FGC @ 6pm). The Riverview Fest goes on all weekend, and Sunday's lineup features FGC, as well as The Everyone Orchestra (with Michael Kang from SCI, Brendan and Andy from Umphrey's, Jordan and Janis from FGC, Allie from Cornmeal, and many more!). Visit www.riverviewmusicfest.com for full lineup and tickets!
Looking beyond, FGC's fall schedule thus far hits tons of our favorite Midwest spots, kicking off with the annual Halloween Masquerade Ball at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, where FGC will be sporting the musical costume of Green Day!
10/17 - Halloween Masquerade Ball, Chillicothe, IL (All Ages) 10/23 - Vaudeville Mews, Des Moines, IA (Ages 21+) 10/29 - Miramar Theater, Milwaukee, WI (All Ages) 10/31 - City Nights Theater, Springfield, IL (Ages 21+) 11/6 - The House Cafe, Dekalb, IL (All Ages) 11/7 - The Abbey Pub, Chicago, IL (Ages 18+) 11/9 - WIU, Macomb, IL (All Ages) 11/13 - Canopy Club, Urbana, IL (Ages 18+) 11/14 - Yacht Club, Iowa City, IA (Ages 19+)
FGC’s only Chicago appearance of the summer is coming up on Friday July 17th at the Abbey Pub. This will be an Ages 18+ show with special supporting acts: Lobster Newberg and The Rubblebucket Orchestra. This Hometown Throwdown is a show not to be missed…hope to see you there!!
In the meantime, check out all three of our Summer Camp Festival sets on the Live Music Archive for free stream/download! Visit our MySpace blog for the links.
We also want to invite our Myspace friends to connect with us on Facebook. Click the links for the FGC Group and FGC Page, both great ways to stay in touch with the band and link up with other fans.
Hey there – Just stopping by with a quick reminder about this Saturday’s show at the Park West, our only hometown performance of the Winter/Spring in fact! The night begins with an opening set from Land of Atlantis, followed by co-headlining sets from FGC and Hot Buttered Rum (FGC plays first!). Hope to see you there!
FGC’s got some exciting hometown area shows coming up. First up is a co-bill with Kyle Hollingsworth from String Cheese Incident at the Canopy Club in Urbana on April 10. On April 11, we headline the House Café in Dekalb, home to some legendary past FGC shows! Down the road on May 2, FGC returns to the beautiful Park West Theater in Chicago for a co-bill with Hot Buttered Rum. More info about all Spring shows at www.familygrooveco.com/tour.
And don’t forget to get your tickets to Summer Camp Festival, where FGC will be performing multiple sets including a special late-night appearance paying tribute to The Big Lebowski!www.summercampfestival.com.
Just stopping by to invite you to our annual post-Thanksgiving show, next Friday 11/28 at the Clearwater Theater in West Dundee IL (NW Chicago suburbs). Come on out and groove off some of that turkey!
In other news, we’re pleased to announce a NEW YEAR’S SHOW at the REDSTONE ROOM in DAVENPORT, IA, where our extended sets will feature “Rock Star Celebrity Death Match” with chances to win tickets to Summer Camp Festival! More info at www. familygrooveco. com.
Stay warm and have a great start to your holiday season!
Hey there – FGC is proud to announce the release of our latest studio album, Models and Metrics, and topping it off is a 4-night run with Lotus next week, culminating with a show at Chicago’s Park West Theater!
Hey guys – Just stopping by to invite you to our Martyrs’ show this Friday June 13th. We’ll be joined by hometown friends, 56 Hope Road and Eli Jones, and we’ll also be giving away tickets to The Lazy River Music and Arts Festival! It’s our only hometown appearance on the books for the summer, so we hope you can join us for this great night of Chicago music!
You can also catch us at a number of Midwest festivals this summer, from Minnesota to Iowa to Ohio and points in between. Visit our myspace page or website for all the details!
Hey y'all. Just wanted to let all Forte's friends out there that we've moved to a new myspace page. This one had been delete so we got a new one going and that's where you can find new photos of the band, as well as our current schedule, updated regularly. Anyhow Folks, come join us at our new home: www. myspace. com/forteband.
GODFATHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, Oh Boy am I excited for you and Kristin to come to E- town... Yay... Miss ya like hekka nuts.. ♥ Your Wonderful n Amazing Godaughter.....
GAHH!! I am coming to the next forte show you tell me about I promise. God damn moving into a new house. I swear to God, next show, I AM THERE! ROCK ON FORTE!
Jimmy (number one forte band regardless of what anybody says. I can sing any song by heart... even the ones the haven't written yet..... boo yah)
