Steve Vansak and the Joe Roberts Band

Artist Information
Instrumentation: Steve Vansak - vocals, guitar Aaron Yakovetz - bass Zach Malasto - drums, backing vocals Steve Rempis - backing vocals. guitar (live show)
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Steve Vansak was born and raised in Gary, Indiana, home of steel mills and the Jackson 5. Sandwiched between Chicago and miles of farmland, Vansak experienced many different lifestyles and musical styles. A veteran of the Midwest music scene, his bands have run the gamut from rhythm and blues, folk, Motown soul, pop, and rock.
His latest release, "The Other Side of America" is deeply rooted in the classic rock groove, while still sounding contemporary. The new CD was recorded with the Joe Roberts Band who recorded the blistering album opener "Come Home" in one glorious take. "It was like hitting the "easy button" on a few of these", says Vansak. "Three and half minutes later and bam, this perfect storm has been created. I was very pleased with the band's passion during these sessions".
Many of the songs are socially charged and Vansak's guitar skills have never been captured quite like this before. "We set up all these old, vintage amps and just went to town", he says. "This is an album for fans of vinyl records, young and old. Musically, we went for analog warmth. Lyrically, the same characters show up in different songs at various stages of their lives. There are many layers to uncover in these songs should the listener choose to do so".
The group brings the passion from studio to stage playing new songs Heavy Stuff (a rocking tribute to social changers past and present) and Brooklyn's House (a fun and incredibly catchy song about a house party) along side the folk rock of "Rocks and Bone" (from A Different Road) and funk rock of Testify (from the debut Permanent Red).
"The Other side of America" (as well as the older titles) is available at all the major download stores such as iTunes, eMusic, Rhapsody, Napster and more. The real find is the vinyl like CD release, with it's photo filled lyric book and a written introductory of each track from Vansak, who is the sole author of all the songs. "You've got to give people more than they bargained for", states Vansak. "That's our philosophy in the studio as well as onstage".
Website http://www.stevevansak.com
Discography The Other Side of America - May, 2006 A Different Road - August 2002 Permanent Red - April 1997 (re-released with bonus tracks in 2003)
Track "Back To Indiana" featured on Late Show with David Letterman 11/04
Track "Rocks and Bone" becomes a regular feature on Night Rock radio on Midwest rock station X-ROCK 103.9 07/04
A Different Road is voted Best Chicagoland Album by the editors of Midwest Beat Magazine 03/03
A Different Road receives multiple awards for Best Chicagoland Album, Best Album Artwork, Best Songwriter by readers of Midwest Beat Magazine. 03/03
Track "I Reach Out" wins Adaptec song contest and bundled with their "Born To Burn" CD authoring software, reaching 10,000 listeners. 06/98
All albums on iTunes and most major download sites..MySpace Music Backgrounds by Iron Spider