JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound
| JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Chicago, United States |
| Genres | Soul, post-punk, neo-soul, punk, indie rock, funk |
| Years active | 2007-present |
| Labels | Bloodshot Records |
| Website |
jcbrooksandtheuptownsound |
JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound is an American indie soul band from Chicago, Illinois, United States. The band consists of JC Brooks (vocals), Billy Bungeroth (guitar), Kevin Marks (drums), Andy Rosenstein (keys), and Ben Taylor (bass). Describing themselves as “Otis Redding fronting The Stooges,” the band combines elements of funk, soul, indie rock, punk, and post-punk into a unique take on the soul genre.
History
The band formed in 2007. Guitarist Billy Bungeroth “put an ad on Craigslist with a vision of a multi-racial band that made sexy and political music that you could dance to”.[1] At the time, JC Brooks was involved in the production of the musical Ragtime. “[W]e had just wrapped up rehearsals and were about to open. I was like, ‘Well, I no longer have rehearsals sucking up my evening — let’s see what’s out on Craig’s List.’ So I answered an ad that Billy posted and now I’ve stopped doing theater”.[2] Other members joined soon after, and the band began writing and rehearsing almost immediately.
In 2009, the band served as the backing band for the Numero Group's “Eccentric Soul Revue.” They played a Chicago date in April, then toured with the Revue in November.[3] In 2012, they played Lollapalooza on the Sony Stage.
The band participated in the 2011 production of the musical Passing Strange.[4] Brooks played the role of the narrator and protagonist, while the rest of the band provided the music.
Their latest record, Howl, was released in May 2013 on Bloodshot Records.
Discography
Studio albums
- Beat Of Our Own Drum – 2009 – Vampi Soul
- Want More – 2011 – Bloodshot Records
- Howl – 2013 – Bloodshot Records
Singles and EPs
- "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart" - 2009 – Vampi Soul
- "Baltimore Is The New Brooklyn" / "Bad News" - 2009 – Vampi Soul
- "To Love Someone (That Don't Love You)" / "Everything Will Be Fine" – 2010 – Addenda Records
- "Berry Please" / "What" - 2011 – Euclid Records
- "Get It Together" - 2011 – Rabbit Factory
- "I Got High/River" - 2012 – Bloodshot Records
References
- ↑ "JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound: Music: Jeff D. Min: CenterstageChicago.com". Centerstage.net. 2009-03-16. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
- ↑ "Interview : JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound". Illinois Entertainer. 2011-01-03. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
- ↑ "Announcing: The Eccentric Soul Revue Tour! | Numero Group: By The Numbers". Numerogroup.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
- ↑ Cobarrubias, Sarah (2011-04-12). "JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound To Star In Passing Strange". Chicagoist. Retrieved 2013-07-14.