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G.V.Radio

06.01.01... OFFICIAL RELEASE of debut album by Flambeau, jewel thief-turned-electronic impresario. These ten tracks cover most of the human emotional palette, from unbridled ecstasy to utter despair. What each song contains, however, is melody, harmony and rhythm. Put simply, this is a truly musical offering that shuns lock-step conformity and robotic noise in favor of lush soundscapes that uplift the soul. Yours for a very low price.

05.15.01... NEW ARTIST ALERT!! Blind Fate from West Chicago, IL, with their debut G.V.R. release "Childhood Playtoy." The song opens with exquisite flamenco-style guitar work and gradually crescendoes to a breathtaking climax. Listen for free and email it to your friends!

05.08.01... NEW ARTIST ALERT!! Flambeau the jewel thief is laying down his elaborate disguises and trying his hand at electronic music. With the blessing of his former nemesis, Father Brown, Flambeau has created synthesized sounds that are tuneful and warm, a far cry from the cold, mechanized output of the usual suspects. Here is a newcomer to the scene with a novel idea: electronica that is musical. More songs to come, plus a full-length album, so stay tuned.

05.04.01... OFFICIAL RELEASE of live EP by Operation Couch, titled "You Heard It Here First..." If Muddy Waters were female, and fertile, s/he might have given birth to Brent Brollier, a.k.a. Chuckles, the frontman and spiritual leader of Operation Couch. Somewhere inside this pale, string-bean physique is an 84-year-old black man from the Mississippi Delta, as evidenced by the genuine soul on this recording. And with sidemen like Spoogs and The Upholstered Arm, here is one live show you don't want to miss.

04.29.01... OFFICIAL RELEASE of debut EP by Seventy Two Others. This four-piece from Naperville, IL, pour out their hearts on said eponymous record, infusing every track with a sincerity rarely found. Each lush arrangement contains lyrical gems and features beautiful playing on all-acoustic instruments. Own it now for only $6.99.

04.23.01... OFFICIAL RELEASE of debut EP by I.R.A.T.E. The extraterrestrials have arrived and they are a musical bunch of fellows. This album of cheeky humor ("Lounge Array") also contains enough raw unadulterated funk to sate even the most beat-starved Martian. Ten measly dollars will tide you over until the Second Coming, so be the first on your block to own a copy.

04.22.01... OFFICIAL RELEASE of debut EP by The Degenerates whose brand of industrial metal is the perfect antidote to the constant stream of soulless tripe emanating from every radio. This fine album can be yours for only $6.99. You can also download their songs from mp3.com, and be sure to watch for upcoming releases from Wood Dale's favorite sons in the near future.

04.17.01... OFFICIAL RELEASE of debut EP by Warpath, the "five-member metal outfit from suburban hell" -- i.e., Bensenville, IL -- who count among their influences Pantera, Slayer, and Sepultura. The self-titled disc's seven songs cover thrash, death and power groove metal. Buy it now for the low price of $7, money well spent for those days when you feel like raising a little hell.

04.16.01... NEW SONG! "Pennsylvania Moon" by 45 r.p.m. now on mp3.com. Listen and download with abandon. The production fairly throbs with psychedelia as distorted vox and otherworldly guitars transport the listener. An arresting song whose combination of world-weariness and naivete is sure to haunt you. [S.S.] Also up is a "new" version of "Stuck On You". For a tasty preview of "Singer", 45 r.p.m.'s upcoming album, purchase or download "Live At The Vinyl Underground" from G.V.R.

04.07.01... Recording begun for Adman, from West Chicago. This 9 year-old's debut EP is scheduled for a July 1st release.

3.06.01... Recording begun for Blind Fate from West Chicago. These talented high schoolers plan to release an album sometime in May through G.V.R. Look for their music on mp3.com in the beginning of April.

3.05.01... "Stay With Me," a lovely song performed by The Yankee Cowboys, is completed at the Vinyl Underground. The Yankee Cowboys are a country-western ensemble whose members attend Wheaton College. "Stay With Me" was selected to appear on the school's annual CD of the best student music.

3.01.01... Recording has recently begun for the super-secret album (titled "Singer") of acoustical delights from Andru Bemis, mastermind of 45 r.p.m. and the proverbial wizard behind the proverbial curtain at G.V.R. His full-length album is due to be completed around the middle of April. In truth, however, Andru is a very busy person whose album probably won't be done for another month or two. He promises, however, to make it more than worth the wait.

2.28.01... Recording begun for Richard Burnett. This singer-songwriter heads up the Open Mic at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn, IL. His original music is a captivating example of folk storytelling at its finest.

2.27.01... Work completed on the new EP from Warpath, a death metal band from Bensenville, IL. Running about thirty minutes, this mini-album showcases a group with a keen musical ear and a knack for tight ensemble playing.

2.25.01... Work completed on the debut EP from 72 Others, a folk-rock band from North Central College who are definitely worth a listen. Their self-titled disc is currently in duplication and will soon be available from G.V.R. You will also be able to hear more of them on mp3.com by the first week of April, so stay tuned.

2.22.01... Work completed on I.R.A.T.E.'s supercharged album of space-funk. Their music will be available on mp3.com in the beginning of April. Get ready to expand your mind.

2.20.01... Recording begun for industrial metal hounds the Degenerates, who happen to be schoolmates of those other heavy-hitting lads, Warpath. Look for their songs to appear soon on mp3.com.

2.18.01... Ric Salazar's live show at the Vinyl Underground was a smashing success. Openers Brent Brollier and Paul Rose played rousing sets of original music alongside a Howlin' Wolf tune covered with aplomb by Brollier. Salazar gracefully worked his way through moving songs accompanied only by himself on guitar. For good measure, he also threw in a trucker's song and a tune originally performed by a Tex-Mex accordion player. A good time was had by all.

01.23.00... UPLOAD OF THE DAY! Old Days from Ric Salazar's new self-titled debut album. The entire album, as well as Ric's original 4-track masters, will be available soon!

1.17.01... Recording begun for Flambeau, whose songs combine numerous and varied influences. You will notice shades of many different genres, but what comes out is unique. Keep a sharp eye for his full-length album due soon.

12.28.00... Recording begun for Seventy Two Others, a four-piece from Naperville IL, whose tight ensemble playing and mature understanding of music is beyond their years. Their sound is primarily acoustic, incorporating guitars, piano, djembe, and the occasional bass and violin. Easily better than most of what you hear on the radio. Look here for their first release.

12.20.00... OFFICIAL RELEASE of Ric Salazar's self-titled debut EP. An accomplished album; five songs which showcase Salazar's mastery of the plaintive melody. This is an auspicious beginning for the up-and-coming Chicago musician. Get in on the "ground floor" of this artist, you are certain to hear more of him in the future. Order here for $8 only.

12.16.00... Recording begun for I.R.A.T.E., a space-funk band from Wheaton,IL. Fans will rave about the mind-bending live shows. Their music strikes a delicate balance between nasty get-down funk and trippy moon-rock. Think Pink Floyd crossed with Tower Of Power. You won't hear anything like this; stay tuned for their future release on G.V.R.

12.05.00... NEW ARTIST ALERT!! Brent Brollier. Brent has been writing songs and playing at FitzGerald's since the day after Valentine's Day, 2000, when he played the wildly received "Valentine" song with Andru, Ben Bean, Ben St John and Jeremy Albers. Since then, he's learned harmonica and been writing prolifically. We've got plenty more songs of his on the way, so check back occasionally.

12.02.00... UPLOAD OF THE DAY! 05.20.00 from Ben St John & Friends. Just a melodic, spur-of-the-moment instrumental.

12.00... We're uploading a new song every day from the first of December through Christmas! Most of these tracks are live or home recordings of Ground Vinyl Artists which have never before been available. Check us every day for the latest from GVR!

12.01.00... NEW ARTIST ALERT!! Ben Brown. For more than 15 years, Ben Brown has been one of the foremost proponants of the cross strung chromatic folk-harp. He has served as Chair of the International Society of Folkharpers and Craftsmen, and has travelled the country and the world performing and studying the art of folk-harp construction and use. He toured extensively from 1985 through 1998, and has since focused his time on private study and recording in his hometown of Kalamazoo, Michigan. His new Christmas album, A Christmas Sampler, is available only on Mp3.com through GVR.

12.01.00... We've added an extensive list of (mostly) Chicago-area independent artists to the artists' page. They're all hand-picked by Andru, so if you trust his judgement, check these guys out. If you don't trust his judgement, you're wise... but check 'em all out anyway. Don't forget to let them know if you like their music, and it would be nice to mention that you found them through GVR.

11.11.00... Recording started for Brian Wiegert of Chicago. Brian's been recording his own indie lo-fi on his Fostex 4-track for four years. All told, he has around 150 songs, and we're working on transferring them to eight-track tape to clean them up, re-record some tracks, and add more. Brian sings and plays guitars, bass, piano, organ, harmonica, drums, sitar, banjo and a variety of other instruments. Keep an eye out for some of his original four-tracks to be available for listen and download soon.

11.06.00... We've finally done it! The entire show from September 23rd at the Vinyl Underground is finally available for your aural enjoyment. You can stream it, download it, and it'll soon be available on CD if you so desire. Check it out either at Ground Vinyl Radio or at the Live at the Vinyl Underground [09.23.00] album page. Just remember, children - the more songs you listen to and download, the more mp3.com pays us (the artists) back. It's free for you, and we get paid. Please support us [insert whimpering and groveling here].

11.04.00... NEW ARTIST ALERT!! Stephen Sequeira. Stephen grew up in Belgium and has travelled the world and the U.S.. He shares his experiences and deep faith through his folk and spiritual-inspired music. Plus, when the time comes to rock and/or roll, he is not one to back down. More (including, hopefully, an album) to come soon!

10.25.00... NEW ARTIST ALERT!! Phillip Minton. Phillip lives in Chicago and plays a mean, loud, and fast guitar - but sometimes it's mean, quiet and slow. Plus he writes great songs. And his voice is really good, too. If you like Billy Corgan, check this guy out. He's currently putting a band together for an album, probably to be available sometime in the first part of next year.

10.00... In-studio recording underway for Ric Salazar. He lives in Oak Park and plays electric and acoustic guitars, bass, accordian and harmonica. Guest instruments include piano, violin, and backup vocals. If you like Lou Reed or Los Lobos, you should love his album. It'll be available by the end of the year - we'll keep you posted. Until then, we hope to put some of his original four-track home recordings for listen and download online.

10.00... Cleaning up interviews and tapes for TeenWebTalk.com and the Student Pledge against Gun Violence. These are both important causes dealing with issues of student violence, gun control and peer accountability, so please check them out.

09.23.00... Grand Opening of the Vinyl Underground very successful. Four hours of music from Ben St John, Paul Rose, Phillip Minton, Andru Bemis, Stephen Sequeira, Leia Lawrence, Kit Mills, and Brent Brollier. Entire show available soon for listening and download on mp3.com from Ground Vinyl Records. Be sure to check it out!

07.24.00... Moved into the Vinyl Underground on the 15th. Located at 213 Turner Ct. in downtown West Chicago (right off the Illinois Prairie Path). We're moving a wall, installing record shelves and generally getting everything in order. Grand Opening planned for September - there'll be live music and food and lots'o people and everything. More details, pictures and phone number coming soon, so check back occasionally! All other projects are currently in limbo while we finish up the V.U.

06.20.00... Do you like prog and art rock? Check out Everyman's album, Renaissance, available now through G.V.R.. Order today, & don't pay until you get the disk!

05.21.00... Website uploaded to angelfire.com. For the moment, we're setting up on a free server to keep our costs down for you, us and our clients.