Other bands who have played out in Milwaukee
| On Project Opus since: | May 7, 2006 |
| Last seen: | never |
| Biography: | Ottawa, Canada-born singer/songwriter John Allaire became first know to Canadian audiences with his alt-rock band in the '80s and '90s, The Town Cryers. After spending two decades touring North America and performing alongside other international acts with The Town Cryers and other bands, John put out his first solo recording in 2003, Crime and Punishment. In 2005, John teamed up with his backing band, the Campistas, and released Thank You Waitress!, an album that went to the top of many college and university radio stations across North America and garnered a particularly large audience in Europe. PERFORMED WITH… John’s vocals have been compared to Adam Duritz (Counting Crows), Bill Janovitz (Buffalo Tom), Joe Strummer (The Clash), Bob Mould (Husker Du), Paul Westerberg (Replacements) and many others of this ilk. His songwriting echoes that of Neil Young, Paul Westerberg, Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) and Elvis Costello. For the most part, John’s songs are traditional folk-influenced stories and the solo show incorporates quick wit, banter and a direct connection with the audience. His straightforward guitar and harmonica styles are reminiscent of early coffeehouse troubadours like Dylan and Donovan. Each show is different from the last, with changing arrangements (acoustic and electric accompaniment), material choices and the stories he relates. John has shared the stage with: Alanis Morrisette, Blue Rodeo, Tragically Hip, Donovan, Lynn Miles, Hoodoo Gurus, BoDeans, Dr. and the Medics, The Church, VSpyVspy, Nada Surf, Econoline Crush, Weddings Parties Anything, Tom Cochrane, Grapes of Wrath, Nils, and many more... AWARDS That was then... Allaire toured the country with the Cryers all the while releasing their 1989 CD, "Surprise Surprise", which included a supporting video for Allaire's song "Never Bin Hurt B-4". The video won honours as top independent video in Canada in 1989. The CD also had the dubious pleasure of being the first release in Canada by an independent band on the emerging CD format. The Town Cryers parted ways in 1992, but not before recording a whopping 18-track CD called "Stanley's Cup". In 1995, John founded the alt/punk band The Mercy Miners, playing with such signed recording artists as Econoline Crush and Nada Surf. The Mercy Miners released a 10-song CD called Knuckle Sandwich in 1997. In 2003, John released his first solo effort called Crime and Punishment. The album was a 12-song collection and, while not doing much in the way of charting on radio stations, the CD sold more than 1,000 copies (admirable for an independent release), including copies numbering in the hundreds on the east coast of Canada and the USA. John's latest release "Thank You Waitress" is out now and is garnering rave reviews as his best career work. Who are the Campistas? John's band of studio and live musicians include: Jeff Tanguay, Bass, Breeze Smith - drums, Glenn Torresan - guitars, slide guitar, Tony Dunn - keyboards, sax, Valerie Daley - flute, Juan Gratton-Dominguez - horns, Tom Simpson - percussion, Zeke Smythe - drums and programming, Thomas Marsdon - cello |
| Albums: | Thank You Waitress! |
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| On Project Opus since: | April 25, 2006 |
| Last seen: | never |
| Biography: | Johnny Katchoolik is an independent musician & recording artist of many colors, personalities, sounds, and eccentricities. His sonic adventures began with the guitar but quickly progressed to include the bass, keyboard, percussion, synthesizer, various software & electronic instruments, and who knows what else Katchoolik will fancy next. Katchoolik thrives on breaking the rules, chopping up the conventional elements, inventing new concoctions, and exploring as many sonic dimensions as possible. For Katchoolik, an artist who inhales and exhales music 24/7, music is a way of life and an expression of the self. Although Katchoolik has performed with various progressive and alternative rock bands during the days of Seattle grunge, the Katchoolik of today composes and records solely in the Ghetto Sound Studio - his true playground and sanctuary, and that’s where quirky ideas and offbeat creations are surgically extracted from his cerebral cortex. Color your life with music! |
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