Oh, the silent majesty of a winter's morn... the clean, cool chill of the holiday air... and an asshole in his bathrobe, emptying a chemical toilet into my sewer
Based in Chicago, Twilight Revival’s sound has been described as “Midwestern Garage” and "cut from the same heartland cloth as the Replacements and Uncle Tupelo." They are often compared to local heroes Wilco, but the band’s sonic roots extend beyond their backyard – drawing inspiration from Woodstock and Athens to London and Seattle.
The band formed in 2006, debuting with a series of year-end shows in Chicago, and released their first self-titled EP in 2007. "Twilight Revival" showcased intelligent, hook-laden rock that embraced the indie aesthetic – original yet unassuming. Equal parts bombast and nuance, they explored new boundaries while retaining their sense of authenticity. After a key personnel change in 2007, the band regrouped to fully exploit its core strengths – building infectious hooks out of soaring guitar riffs, rolling backbeats and graceful vocal harmonies – all dressed down in the finest tattered rags of American rock n’ roll.
In early 2008, the band reemerged with a new energy, a broader vision and deeper textures. They signed a record deal with Mile Long Records and released their first full-length album, "Parlor," in early 2009. Part raucous rebellion and part folk revival, it alternately growls with intensity and simmers in ominous quiet. These are tales of heroes and ghosts, loss and redemption, despair and salvation. Tradition and experimentation share equal billing, yet the album remains cohesive – unified by an underlying sense of purpose, sincerity and conviction in both the writing and performance. The sound is instantly accessible yet deceptively challenging – equally nostalgic and visionary – a worthy representation of American music’s past, present and future.
Twilight Revival have performed at all the best Chicago venues, including Schubas, Martyrs', Double Door, The Abbey Pub, Bottom Lounge, Fitzgerald's, Subterranean, Empty Bottle and Beat Kitchen amoung others in the city, as well as The House Cafe, Clearwater Theater and Durty Nellie's in the outlying suburbs. And they have landed mulitple appearances in national showcases such as International Pop Overthrow and MidPoint Music Festival.
The band has received airplay on WXRT, WLUW, WONC and other radio stations. They've also appeared on TV, scoring a covetted spot on the kitchy public access favorite, "Chic-a-Go-Go." The press has responded with universal praise.
Listen to the tunes posted here, pick up the CD, or come to a Twilight Revival show and see for yourself what all the buzz is about.
VIDEO: "Madison" live from Schubas (Chicago) 2008
PRESS:
"Americana-flavored rockers Twilight Revival have a roots anchor, but it only barely keeps them tethered. This is smart barroom rock & roll with sparkling, from-the-cut melodies and some non-cliched, modern/alt-rock-tinged guitar work. Dig: Jeff Tweedy and Paul Westerberg bringing their amps to a songwriters-in-the-round event.i> -- Staff (CityBeat Cincinnati, 2009)
"The fact the Chicago music scene should deliver yet another Wilco-influenced act is hardly surprising. The fact it’s as good as Twilight Revival is. It doesn't hurt that they occasionally step off the dusty alt-country back roads and into The Replacements’ corner-dive rock and R.E.M.’s jangly pop." -- Trevor Fisher (Illinois Entertainer)
"Never ones to hide their admiration of Wilco and Paul Westerberg, Chicago up-and-comers Twilight Revival tread familiar territory at the beginning of their second release and first full-length album. Which is all well and good, especially when you hear the raucous, Stones-ish fun of “Helicopter”, the Americana-tinged “Devil’s Crutch”, or that distorted guitar blast its way into the plaintive, acoustic rocker “If Only”, but in the end, what makes Parlor so damned compelling is the darkness that gradually creeps in as the album goes along. “Madison” combines historical storytelling with a feeling of impending doom in a way that would make Patterson Hood proud, the drunken shuffle of “Fields” is infused with tense lead guitar fills, while the unsettling “Dealing in Integers” takes the feeling even further, erupting into a cathartic, dissonant coda. By the time the record climaxes with the bleary-eyed country of “May Tomorrow Be Better”, instead of adeptly paying homage to their influences, the band is closer than ever to creating an identity of their own." --
-- Adrien Begrand (PopMatters)
"Chicago's own American alternative rock band, Wilco, has influenced aspiring musicians around the globe. I would suffice to say that no band has been influenced in such an apt way as the up-and-coming Chicago artist Twilight Revival. While being compared to Jeff Tweedy is never a bad thing, Twilight Revival has uniquely taken a previously cornered market of music and made it their own. Having recently been signed to Mile Long Records and on the heels of their new Americana Rock-inspired record Parlor, their sound is being passed between embracing fans everywhere. Parlor may be a finalist in your search for the perfect summer soundtrack." -- Avis Meade (TheChiGuide)
"Brian McDonnell of Chicago rock quartet Twilight Revival doesn't like being labeled. Ever since his band released its 2007 EP, its sound often has been called "Americana." "Does nobody call anything 'rock music' anymore? It's all about these narrow subgenres," he said. "Really it's just rock 'n' roll. We get called Americana because we're Midwestern and use acoustic guitars sometimes, but there's as much pop and garage rock in our sound as there is folk or Americana." However you slice Twilight Revival's music, it caught the attention of Mile Long Records. The label signed the group to record and release their first full-length album, "Parlor," in early 2009." -- Michael Schmidt (Chicago Tribune - RedEye)
"If hook-heavy Indie is what you want, then the LP 'Parlor' is just what's called for. Sure to be a favorite on long car rides through the sprawling expanse of America's highways. Twlight Revival's release is something to add to your library." -- Nick Coamey (The Deli Magazine)
"The band is at its best when it delivers Mason-Dixon melodicism in a low fidelity package. 'If Only' is Pavement's 'Summer Babe,' as written by My Morning Jacket." -- Jon (Chicago Is Mildly Interesting)
"Chicago's Twilight Revival has managed to attract a loyal fan base with an infectious blend of indie rock riffs and rootsy Americana textures. The quartet delights in big hooks and fantastic vocal harmonies. Dig it: An R.E.M./Replacements keg party with a Wilco/My Morning Jacket hangover." -- Mike Breen (CityBeat Cincinnati, 2007)
"A blend of 80s college rock and indie Americana but not a simple recipe ... Twilight Revival is reveling in the collaborative process ... Don't slap a label on these guys."> -- Kyle Foster (Chicago Sun Times)
"An incredible work. Each [song] is unique and brilliant on its own, when put together they form a beautiful piece of art. Has more soul than most of the mainstream albums I’ve heard recently. With the proper exposure, the Chicago music scene will explode with this band." -- Dish (PropCulture.com)
“There are plenty of young bands drawing inspiration from Wilco these days, but few are doing it with as much verve and songwriting skill as Chicago’s Twilight Revival. The foursome add an enticing dimension to today’s Americana sound on their confident debut EP. Bright, shimmering lead guitar draws inspiration from Reckoning-era R.E.M and rousing Replacements style. Gorgeous." -- Adrien Bergrand (PopMatters)
"Resurrecting 80’s indie . . . from the intelligently crafted indie rock fraternity, just guitars, bass, drums and ideas . . . the meandering spaces and obfuscation of early REM . . . a hint of the Boston College rock sound . . . good old-fashioned indie-rock." -- David Cowling (Americana UK)
"Twilight Revival channel such rock stalwarts as R.E.M., The Replacements, and Wilco. The songs are performed with power and panache ... obvious talent." -- Jeff Berkwits (Illinois Entertainer)
"I was given the gargantuan task of trying to whittle down 270 bands to a top 5 for the MidPoint Music Festival here in Cincinnati. Here are my Top 5 bands that I’m looking forward to seeing at MPMF this weekend. 3) Twilight Revival -- They sound like the Midwest. They are very guitar driven, and have just enough rust belt in their music that it rings true for folks from around the area. Think back to early Uncle Tupelo albums, then scale the miner theme back, add electric guitar, and mix in some solid songwriting and that’s what you get with Twilight Revival." -- Dave Rolfes (Each Note Secure Music Blog)
OUR RECORD LABEL:
INFLUENCES / COMPARISONS:
Wilco, R.E.M., Replacements, My Morning Jacket, The Band, Pearl Jam, Neil Young, Ryan Adams, Bright Eyes, Bob Dylan, Grizzly Bear, Beatles, Radiohead, Bruce Springsteen, Velvet Underground, Grateful Dead, The Who, Jellyfish, Arcade Fire, Flaming Lips, The Cure, Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Sonic Youth, Soul Asylum, Daniel Lanois, Whiskeytown, John Lennon, The Allman Brothers, Pixies, Broken Social Scene, The Byrds, The Rolling Stones, Buffalo Springfield, Drive-By Truckers, Paul Westerberg, Townes Van Zandt, Raconteurs, Grant Lee Buffalo, Gram Parsons, Big Star, Guided By Voices, Brian Wilson, Johnny Cash.
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+)
Thanks for the add! Please be sure to help us spread the word about our festival. Come on out and bring your acoustic guitars. We'll have people jamming in the campground all day and then we'll all head over to the pavilion for a big late night open jam.
Thanks for the add. Please help us by coming out to the festival and spreading the word. It'll be a great weekend of music and good times for all. These guys and gals deserve our help!
Thanks for being a friend of the page! Are you excited to watch Fuse TV's Bonnaroo '09 Special tonight? They're showing performances from Coheed and Cambria, Beastie Boys, Snoop Dogg, Yeah Yeah Yeah's, Phish, Springsteen and more!! It starts at 9pm/8c tonight. All the info is here: http://fuse.tv/tours/bonnaroo/