Thick Records

THICK Records - In the age of increasingly soulless, corporate, for-sale-to-the-highest-bidder record labels -- even in the ranks of the venerated indies -- Chicago's Thick Records stands out as a shining beacon of D.I.Y. integrity, a home for truly independent, original and idiosyncratic artists that, in the words of the great Johnny Rotten, "mean it, man." It is an indispensable part of the Windy City's music scene, and an invaluable treasure for the American musical underground at large - Jim Derogatis - pop music critic, Chicago Sun Times
THICK is a Chicago based independent record label. Since the doors opened in 1994 (that's 10+ years for those of you who can't count) THICK has released more than 100 different records from the likes of At The Drive-In, The Arrivals, Commander Venus, The Blue Meanies, Alkaline Trio, The Tossers, Season To Risk, The Methadones, All, Citizen Fish, and Local H. THICK records adheres to an underground ethic; a D.I.Y philosophy of relevance and integrity. To turn the listener on their ears with new and unique and often obscure music that doesn't follow trends but creates them(or something pretentious like that). Please stop by our web site www.thickrecords.com and check out our bands! They are as diverse as the people in the cities we call home. If you have any questions about this here MySpace site drop us a message as I handle all this nonsense. Until then, go listen to some Thick bands.

SEVEN STOREY MOUNTAIN "AT THE POLES" OUT NOW
Merging the influence of calculated angular discordance and unrestrained cathartic hammering with sparse elements of both pop and hardcore, 7SM crafts a powerhouse sound that respectfully pays homage to their predecessors(think:Rights Of Spring, Jesus Lizard, Shellac) and keeps those figurative wheels in motion. Following the release of a handful of records on Deep Elm and ArtMonk, Seven Storey Mountain have aligned themselves with THICK Records to offer "At The Poles".
www.myspace.com/sevenstoreymountain

THE BROKEDOWNS "NEW BRAINS FOR EVERYONE" OUT NOW
these four lads hold it down proper: genuine, aggro, and gritty, with a solid sense of humor to boot. Loosely founded around fast, overdriven, gravely, pop-inclined fist pumping anthems, The Brokedowns play off of a format that when done right (a rarity that they enable us to celebrate) is irresistible. However, it's not all influence; they evidently manage to incorporate their own stylistic trademarks and twists, subsequently keeping the razor's edge sharp and fresh. Fans of Dillinger Four, Crimpshrine, Leatherface, cheap beer, real deal folks, satirical critique, and general awesomeness should undoubtedly find themselves wrangled in by The Brokedowns speaker-ripping recordings and raucous live shows.
www.myspace.com/thebrokedowns

THE GOOD MORNINGS "S/T" OUT NOW
Wonderfully ethereal and atmospheric indie-pop from Lansing Michigan darlings The Good Mornings. Featuring the sweet and sultry voice of singer-songwriter Carmen Paradise and noise-sculptor/guitarist Jason Lantrip, both from THICK Records space-rock staples Calliope, this debut full length CD is dreamy and ornate with charming narratives abound. Recorded at Landtrips own Trash180 studios with some interesting and eclectic production technique, the early forecast on The Good Mornings new CD is a beautiful sunny day to come.
www.myspace.com/thegoodmornings

SHANNA KIEL "ORPHAN" OUT NOW
ullen frontgirl gone solo. Transplanted from St. Louis Misery to the world of glitz and glamour better know as Hollywood CA, Shanna Kiel makes her post-Sullen debut with "Orphan". A 10 song CD of sacrifice and sacrilege, from a pretty vacant girl with stars in her eyes. Recorded in Chicago at Million Yen studios and produced by Scott Lucas of Local H fame. Catch Shanna on tour with her new band BLACK FUR...
Shanna Kiel and Black Fur on Myspace

HAIR - CHICAGO PUNK CUTS - OUT NOW
14 UNRELEASED, NEW & EXCLUSIVE tracks from the best bands Chicago has to offer! Features cuts from: Allister, Much The Same, The Methadones, The Killing Tree, Break The Silence, Holy Roman Empire, The Bomb, the Felix Culpa, Cougars, Horace Pinker, Colossal, Explode & Make Up, Ryans Hope and Split Habit. Recorded by Lance Reynolds (Ash, Alkaline Trio, Hanalei) at Chicago's Argyle Room studios, THICK invited 14 bands to record in 14 days - 2 weeks - the result is a virtual snapshot representing the diversity of the current Chicago all ages underground. A must have record!
SUPPORT YOUR SCENE - BUY IT NOW - ONLY $6 - CLICK HERE

FOUR STAR ALARM "S/T" OUT NOW
The Debut EP from Chicago's Four Star Alarm is a promising post punk start point for a band bound to make noise. Featuring guitarist Jeff Dean of The Bomb and The Story So Far with newcomers Theodore Moss (Vocals) and Mike Horick (drums), Four Star Alarm takes cues from the mid 90's American indie underground while laying claim to a sound uniquely their own. Complete with grating guitars and windy city grit, there's no pretension here, only scratch and grind. Recorded at Hallamusic Studios in Toronto by Jon Drew and produced by Colin Clark. For fans of Seaweed, Jawbox, or Husker Du.
www.myspace.com/fourstaralarm

MODEL/ACTRESS "Model/Actress" OUT NOW
the band: Monostereo (formerly of Brainiac) bass, synth; Mead (formerly of Split Lip / Chamberlain) bass, vocals ; Philips (formerly of Bullet LaVolta) guitar, vocals. And guests: John Schmersal (Enon, former Brainiac guitarist) - cool guitar on all tracks; David Yow (formerly of the Jesus Lizard) lead vocal on "The Nodder" ; Phil Hurley- slide guitar on "The Nodder"; Steve Schmoll- cooler guitar on "Dickory" Having given up on their former bands sometime in the 90's, Monostereo, Mead and Philips were introduced to each other in Los Angeles by former Shudder To Think drummer, Adam Wade. Sick and tired of Gang of Four white boy disco wannabee's, the four began to write the songs that would end up on this EP. They enlisted old friends who were also finding their way in Los Angeles. Former Jesus Lizard frontman David Yow came out of early retirement to sing on a song and Juan’s old Brainiac bandmate John Schmersal added guitar "color" on everything. Yeah - it's pretty cool.
www.myspace.com/modelactress

HANALEI "PARTS & ACCESSORIES" OUT NOW
Brian Moss a.k.a. Hanalei has returned, only this time he's not alone. The Chicago based singer/ songwriter/ media assassin, who released his first solo album 'We're All Natural Disasters' in 2003 has assembled a full band, whose cast includes members of Rollo Tomasi, Archeology and Pines. This sophomore long player, recorded in Chicago with producer Chris Carr, is a fine slab of indie-Americana that takes Moss' intimate poetic lyricism to a new plateau. Oft compared to Ben Gibbard's Postal Service, these new songs lean more toward the alt-country twang of Jr. or Cash than the laptop-pop of Hanalei's earlier work. There's certainly more depth on Parts & Accessories, through layered instrumentation including banjo, fiddle and pedal steel guitars, the cool roots rock progression is a remarkable leap forward. Guests on this album include Cellist Jenny Choi, The Velvet Teen singer Josh Staples, Joe Cannon from Early Risers/Check Engine and Edward Lo from Sleepout.
www.myspace.com/hanaleisounds

T.DUGGINS "UNDONE" OUT NOW
THE TOSSERS frontman stripped down and undone. Tony Duggins opens every TOSSERS show solo, usually acapella or strumming along on his mandolin, and it’s amazing. Like the still before the storm, before the band goes off full tilt, T swoons the crowd into a false easiness. That’s the idea behind Undone, an outlet for those raw songs that just aren’t right for The Tossers but amazing all the same. Recorded mostly live with some help from his mates, T. laid down tracks at Chicago’s Million Yen Studios, recording 24 songs in a little over two weeks, keeping his favorite 13 for his first solo album. The result isn’t glossy or polished - it’s rough around the edges with a good bit of grit. Includes a handful of originals, covers of Dylan, Leadbelly, MacGowen, Moore and McCall plus a few traditionals for good measure.
www.myspace.com/tduggins
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