What started out as a trio with childhood friends has evolved into a full and intense quartet. Mike Hayes, Eric Csukor, and Evan Behmer got it all started. Their friendships began as the three grew up together in Glen Ellyn. After playing in different bands, studying at various colleges, and learning the craft of songwriting... they eventually came back together. After writing songs and recording a 5 song demo in 2006, the band relished it's name in realizing they were 3 in Counting. They needed a fourth. Robert Kletsky from Naperville more than fit the bill and joined forces in 2007. A generous following began to support the ambitions of the polished unit and has led 3 in Counting to multiple performances around Chicagoland on stages in various venues and a steady pace on the college circuit. Although the band has only officially been together less than two years,their chemistry onstage belies that fact. With a passion for music and a talent for writing good songs,the band is no longer counting but waiting...

From the language of the Arawaks, Jamaica's original inhabitants; COYABA: a place of ease and rest, with infinite feasting and dancing, a kind of heaven. We are Coyaba!!! An original, innovative, roots reggae band based in Bloomington, Indiana. Our mission is to spread a positive message of social conscience through good vibes and driving rhythms. Our sound is unique, we combine the best aspects of all reggae music into a powerful sound composed of a pulsating melodic bass line, dusty organ, skankin' guitar, solid beats, majestic horns, tribal flutes, soothing vocals, and live dub effects. All to make you dance!

The Ifficial Reggae Band is a stand out musical group. With their explosive style and mesmerizing riddims its no wonder the band members always sport a smile on stage. Ifficial has taken the Chicago Reggae scene by storm! They have already been rocking shows all over the Midwest for years now while creating new and original music. Each of the bands members brings years of experience to create this extremely energetic and uplifting sound. Look for their newest CD due out late 2008.

JoBu is a fusion of rock, reggae, and intrumental jam music. We create an atmosphere that makes people dance and groove, and just when they think that were rockin right in the pocket we take them on a ride to the ultimate climax. It has been said that our vocals resemble Sublime and Incubus. As a whole we try to keep everything as original and unique as possible.

Moxxy is quite unlike any music act in the industry right now. All you have to do is hear Moxxy and you'll agree that something big is in the works for these talented musicians. Anyone can play a great show in front of motivated and packed house... but no one can bring more energy to a lethargic and disinterested audience like Moxxy. Their on-stage chemistry draws the audience into their music to the point where inhibitions float away and the music reaches you at a visceral and ethereal level all at once. Describing their sound is almost useless; its something you have to feel, to experience in order to appreciate. Moxxy is a pseudonym for the original "moxie," meaning "aggressive energy, initiative, and skill, along with the ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage." The shoe fits. From the wicked guitar riffs and insane percussion to the low, smooth, subtly powerful bass and lyrics that make your heart skip a beat, Moxxy's in-your-face style merges with a broad range of influences to create a perfectly unique sound that defies all labels and characterizations. Is modern music ready for Moxxy? They would say that they are modern music, and the world is still trying to catch its breath.

In anticipation of the upcoming documentary film, "Roof Top Hip-Hop", the "Ascension" showcase will feature some of Chicago's rawest Hip-Hop talents. DJs Intel & Maker will kick off the night with Hip-Hop, Soul, and Funk records, followed by four hours of live Hip-Hop featuring ten of Chicago's most unique and entertaining acts.

Held at the Kinetic Playground in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood, "Ascension" will appeal to the tastes of Hip Hop fans and lovers of live music alike. Dance, listen, drink, and vibe in Kinetic Playground's vibrant décor, and state of the art lighting and sound. Conveniently located across the street from the Aragon Ballroom, at the Lawrence Redline Stop. Free Parking.

For more information on the "Roof Top Hip-Hop" film, and the artists, visit:

www.rooftophiphop.com

Every once in awhile, an individual artist or band of talented musicians come along and change the pace for what may be the mainstream for music at the time. Some become the forefathers of a certain style of music and become legendary; Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Bee Gee’s, Metallica and Nirvana just to name a few. Although Fluid Minds aren’t legendary…yet, they do have a style of their own that could catch fire and become the band to follow for the next several years. - Travis Jensen (musicstreetjournal.com)

We've been fortunate enough to have our music featured on a bunch of tv shows, radio stations and independent movies like ESPN Sports Center,
Cartoon Networks Adult Swim, PBS' Roadtrip Nation, Adrenalina on Fox Sports/Fuel tv, Q101.1, 97.9 The Loop, The Naked Ape and Bled White.

We are a little bit goofy, we're a little bit serious and in the middle of it all we try to play the music we love and hope you have a great time rockin' out with us.

Taking new steps on the grand musical journey, Bill Smith has found the ability to ferment futuristic songs with classic rock instrumentation and has been leaving music fans in Chicago breathless with their heavy hitting sound. Featuring a repertoire of solid original songs seething with hooks and tastefully chosen covers, this is a band that holds a consistently high level of energy through out their sets.

Late in 2006, the songwriting tandem of Ryan Chamlin and Dan "Dank" Koebnick would reunite, Dank making his way down from the Rocky Mountains to pursue a life of music in the city of Chicago.

Shortly after settling in, they found their drummer in Bob Elchert, with a diverse sound and years of professional experience under his belt, he was a perfect fit, and Bill Smith was reborn. Although Ryan, Dank and Bob all met at the Shining Stars Music Festival in Cave Junction, Oregon, they didn't play a note together until they came together as Bill Smith three years later. The recent addition of Drew Littel’s talents to Bob Elchert’s drumming has birthed a duosonic rhythm team remenisant of Hart and Kreutzman. Their combined talents create a steady foundation for the band’s other fresh but dexterous member, bassist Patrick Dinnen who joined the line-up in the fall of 2007.

The tour de force that is Bill Smith can be seen playing shows in and around the Chicago area. The versatility of their sound, which spans from acid jazz to mountain bluegrass, appeals to a wide variety, while the band itself has a distinct identity that anchors their music. Members of Bill Smith have perform with or opened for such national acts as Galactic, Umphrey's Mcgee, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Steele Pulse, Jon Fishman, Merle Saunders, Maktub and Big Head Todd & the Monsters.

If it weren't for the ridiculously amazing live music scene Chicago has to offer, Tula would not exist. Through a series of meetings at various shows, relationships developed into friendships which, after a few years, evolved into Tula. Since officially forming in May of 2008, Tula has been hitting the jam scene as hard as possible. With each member coming from various projects in the past and a rapidly growing fan base, Tula comes ready to impress. With each show full of energy and incredible vibes, you can expect much more than a show…it will be an experience. Come to a show and see for yourself. If you like what you hear, jump on the bus and come along with Tula on their journey through the music.

Jack Straw was born in the winter of 2000 as the result of a meeting between guitarist Jon Gram and keyboardist Barry Brown, brought together by a music-loving mutual friend who saw some possibilities. Jon added to the mix bassist Ben Wilson. With Jon and Barry leading the way, Jack Straw brings forth a richly diverse array of music, mixing together songs by the likes of Phish, the Grateful Dead, Eric Clapton, the Allman Brothers, Jerry Garcia's bluegrass band Old and in the Way, and Jon's original music. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keyboardist and vocalist Barry Brown has been performing in Chicago since 1994, much of that time with an acoustic band called Tastes Like Chicken, in various clubs and parties around the Lincoln Park neighborhood. An avid music a-Phish-ianado, Barry witnessed his first Phish show in 1992 and has never been the same since. His knowledge of and love for this music are infectious! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bassist Ben Wilson has been performing music since he was knee-high to a horny toad. This St. Louis boy launched his music career as a choirboy in church and community theater, soon picked up saxophone and guitar, and nodded and smiled through public school while building musical dreams. At Northwestern University, Ben studied opera, jazz, and the humanities, and founded several funky and short-lived bands. As a jazz singer, Ben has scatted with such shining lights as Max Roach, Bobby McFerrin and Darmon Meader. In the fateful autumn of 1994, Ben discovered Phish and the bass guitar, and has been beating on bass strings, percussion instruments and vocal chords ever since. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Drummer Jim Farmer has been playing around central and northern Illinois for the past 10 years with groups such as Terrapin Flyer, Speargrass, Uncle Boogie Pants, Vince Welnick & Friends and Jack Straw. Jim is interested in any form of music that has the ability to transport the listener, and is therefore a huge fan of improvisation. Jim draws inspiration from such artists as Bob Marley, Frank Zappa, Phish, the Allman Brothers, and the Grateful Dead, and personally thinks that Bill Kreutzman is a genius! ('71-'74 baby!!) Jim's main goal is to play great music, jam real hard, and have as much fun as humanly possible! (Not necessarily in that order.)

Musicians from around the nation will join together in a celebration of the Grateful Dead's music and community at DeadNet Jam 5 in Chicago on Friday November 14th at the Kinetic Playground. The show will feature Grateful Dead keyboardist Tom Constanten and special guests.

Chicago's Terrapin Flyer, will be among the featured acts, however this event is a jam, so it will be a cross-pollination of many different bands and individuals.

Three Deadnet Jams have occurred in Tampa Bay, Florida and one last year in Chicago. The fifth DeadNet Jam will take place again in Chicago and will feature former Grateful Dead keyboardist Tom Constanten as a special guest. TC (as he is known) was an integral part of the band during their most creative period from 1968 to 1970. His keyboard mastery is present on three of the Dead's most revered releases: Anthem of the Sun, Aoxomoxoa and their first live album Live Dead.

The show will be approximately eight hours, beginning at 8:00 PM and lasting until early morning and featuring a wide variety of combinations of musicians and music. Mark your calendars and save the date for this very special event.

The DeadNet Jam is not an official presentation of dead.net or the Grateful Dead.