Sign up for all IMWS updates enter email Shipwreck Union wins the 2004 Midwest Independent Music World Series! Shipwreck Union made the short hop to Chicago’s Elbo Room from their roost in Detroit, MI to take the Grand Prize in the 2004 Midwest Independent Music World Series. Playing a heartfelt showcase set of down and dirty blue-collar rock, the quartet wowed the crowd and the judges and took the prize. “We are thrilled,” says front man Nick Lucassian. “Our only goal was to play our hearts out and give the fans and industry guests a great show. Winning didn’t even enter our minds.” The showcase featured six finalists competing before a panel of twelve industry judges, including representatives from Billboard Magazine, Universal, ASCAP, NARAS, Future Entertainment, and the Chicago Tribune. Over 1,000 unsigned bands and independent artists submitted entries from the Midwest, and the finalists included Full Flava Kings (Tulsa, OK), Nadir (Westland, MI), Rebel’s Advocate (Iowa City, IA), The Etiquette (Milwaukee, WI), and The Its (Chicago, IL). Produced by Disc Makers, the IMWS is the country’s most exciting live music showcase series, giving musicians a unique opportunity to showcase their talents, make valuable industry contacts, and compete for over $35,000 in recording gear, instruments, CD manufacturing services, DJ equipment, and more. The showcase is judged by music industry executives, media, and celebrities, and features live performances from the six finalists. IMWS showcases are held in four regions throughout the country: the Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, and Southwest. The regional focus of IMWS helps independent musicians make an impact in their own backyard and make connections that can help advance their careers. The events are open to musicians of all genres not currently signed to a major record label. And congratulations to all of the 2004 IMWS Midwest finalists! Rebel's Advocate Shipwreck Union The Etiquette The Full Flava Kings The Its Nadir Rebel’s Advocate "Chill" [email protected] http://www.rebelsadvocate.com Rebel’s Advocate, the voice of the voiceless, narrators of the struggle, true utilizers of the powerful potential of hip-hop present their first single "2003 till" off of their independent release Concrete Dialogue. Born from humble beginnings DJ Bashir, H. Rap Brown, and John Brown first collaborated in 1998 when they performed together at local college venues and open mics. The group’s experience ranges from 30+ live shows with a seven piece band, to the current stripped down version consisting solely of 2 MCs and 1 DJ. The group has recorded one live record and is currently putting the finishing touches on their first official solo release. With over 30 songs currently recorded, the Rebel’s expect their second album to drop shortly after the first. The group’s music shows their longtime love and dedication to the art of hip-hop and the culture it comes from. Political, but not preachy, their music has the ability to appeal to a large variety of people. The energy of their live performance translates evenly to their recordings which help deliver the clarity of their message. Rebel’s Advocate more like some intricate plot, we got the truth on lock so please inform ya block. –John Brown The Etiquette "Weekends" [email protected] http://www.theetiquette.net Milwaukee’s “The Etiquette” sounds more like a band that would play in that finished room above your garage. They’ve got too many hooks to be 100% dirty, but they’re close enough to the grime so that those hooks get a bit of lovely filth on them. The earliest seeds of “The Etiquette” were planted in Milwaukee circa 2000, when singer-guitarist and primary songwriter Eugene III began penning his snarling-sweet rockers and recording them at his own studio, autumn recordings-playing all the instruments except drums, which were and continue to be handled by Joe Boivin. The first version of a real band came together in 2001, eventually recording and self-releasing (via their own “Peachy Records”) a five-song EP called “The Ages”. Eugene acted as producer and engineer of the tight, powerful recordings-he’s also helped other locals engineer of the tight, powerful recordings. He’s also helped other locals (including “The Mistreaters” and “Wrecker”) get great, awesome sounds down on tape. At that point, things kicked into overdrive: Milwaukee’s underground community rose up to support “The Etiquette” with remarkable speed. Influential college radio station WMSE spun tracks from “The Ages” EP with alarming frequency, and shows sprinkled filled with all kinds of folks. “The Etiquette” made forays to both the CMJ festival (“The Ages” fared well on their chart) and South By Southwest, financing their trip down south by selling grilled-cheese sandwiches out of their van. A major lineup shift put the band out of commission for part of 2002, but they came back stronger than ever late in the year with the current group: Eugene and Joe are joined no by bassist Kristian riley and guitarist Nolan Treolo. Eugene describes the current setup as “AWESOMENESS”. The ITs "In Your Pocket" [email protected] www.theits.com The Its are Maciej (vocals, guitar), Nicko (bass), Pat (drums) and Eric (keyboard, guitar). They weren't always The Its, but the twenty-somethings were always drawn to each other through their addiction for music. Maciej (pronounced "ma-chie") was born in Poland. At the age of 4, his family relocated to the US. Even then, he knew that his aspirations lay in music. He recalls his ambitious attempt to write songs without knowing how to play his first instrument. It was in high school that Maciej met Pat. Pat had been playing drums since the age of 10. He worked his way through garage punk bands to pub groups. Tired of playing in dead-end bands the two joined forces. Nicko, simply known in their musical circle as "Bassist Nick," was initially recruited as a temporary bass player for a gig. Since then, he's never looked back. Eric, after months of searching for a band, was eager to join the band. He proved his worthiness after learning the demo songs in just one night. It was with the addition of Eric in early 2004, that The Its were complete. The Chicago quartet produced a demo currently consisting of three songs ("In Your Pocket", "Take A Number", "Pay No Mind"). They recorded the tracks in their basement that had been reformed into a studio. Using the same studio, the band has completed their self-titled album, which is due out in May. Channeling retrofitted rock ‘n roll, catchy riffs, and pop beats, their sound captures the familiarity of timeless rock, but remains eminently fresh and original. The Its blend together irresistible hooks, dynamic changes, and raw energy to create an addictive sound forged by an eclectic array of musical influences. The Its will drag you into their wall of sound, surrounding you with music for the mind and body. They will make you dance and sing along. This is music for all the music-lovers. For those who want more than listening pleasure, but those who actually want to feel it, to breathe it, to live, and to experience it. Shipwreck Union "Outa the Woods" [email protected] True music lives in Shipwreck Union. The website will give you a taste. The songs will make you believe music is alive. Singer & songwriter nick lucassian is a music legend in detroit. Scott krause, bass, jeff fowlkes, drums and Joe Mazola on guitar, bring an amazing energy to nick’s haunting voice. Together since December of '02, they have played Cobo Hall, the best clubs in Detroit and were raved about at South by Southwest last spring. Lucassian, Krausse,& Mazola are all from Detroit, Fowlkes from Biloxi, it’s a crazy combo that has crowds going insane. Full Flava Kings "Ride" [email protected] The Full Flava Kings is a Tulsa-based R&B band and has become very popular over the past few years in Oklahoma, and surrounding states. They offer “old school” to “new school” styles of danceable R&B music and can adapt to almost any room. Whether it’s an evening of smooth, soulful, and jazzy stylings, a reggae festival, or an evening of hard-hitting rap backed-up with pro musicianship, the Full Flava Kings deliver. The nucleus of the Kings consists of bassist Charlie Redd and drummer Stanley Fary. Both players are great individual artists but they team-up to make an amazing rhythm section for the band. Charlie is the Full Flava King’s founder and is also the front-man/lead vocalist for the band. He has had recent world tours as a backup vocalist for Jimmie Vaughn, and has strong roots in Texas. He grew up in San Antonio and became well known as a musician in Austin while attending the University of Texas. Stanley is a dynamic and powerful drummer who has recently toured with Wayman Tisdale. Stan and Charlie are also the “musicians of choice” of Tori Ruffin who is lead-guitarist for both Morris Day and Fishbone. Tori has his own L.A.-based band called Freak Juice and uses Full Flava’s talents in both the studio and on some select performances. Lead singer James “J.Z.” Bullock and rapper Chris Simpson also make trips to L.A. for recording and performances but are essential to the Full Flava experience. J.Z., besides being a great lead vocalist, adds great harmonies to the band’ s sound. Chris, a mainstay of Hard Head Records, adds a touch of “street-flava” to the band with his great original rhymes and hard edge style.