Chicagoland is the city of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, an area that includes counties in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. The region is the setting for most of The Rock Star’s Wife series. Why? Because it has such a vibrant music scene. Here are 12 Chicagoland bands that prove my point.
Chevelle
Chevelle. Epic Records. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Chevelle hails from Grayslake. It formed in 1995 and the current members are Pete Loeffler (frontman and guitar) and Sam Loeffler (drums). Kemble Walters is the touring bassist.
The band’s first album, Point #1, was released in 1999 and its most recent album NIRATIAS was released in 2021. A new album will be released this year
Chevelle’s signature song is “The Red” off its second album Wonder What’s Next.
Disturbed
Disturbed performing at the Sweden Rock Festival in 2008. Photographer: Äppelmos. Public domain.
Disturbed hails from Chicago. Founded in 1994, current members are David Draiman (frontman), Dan Donegan (guitar), John Moyer (bass), and Mike Wengren (drums).
The band’s first album, The Sickness, was released in 2000 and its most recent album, Divisive, in 2022.
Disturbed has a mascot named The Guy, a cloaked figure with glowing eyes and a grin.
Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy performing at Rock im Park in 2014. Photographer: Stefan Brending. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Fall Out Boy hails from Wilmette. Formed in 2001, current members are Patrick Stump (frontman and rhythm guitarist), Joe Trohman (lead guitarist), Pete Wentz (bassist) and Andy Hurley (drums).
The band’s first album, Take This to Your Grave, was released in 2003 and its most recent album, So Much (for) Stardust, released in 2023.
The Jesus Lizard
Jesus Lizard Playing at The Forum in London in 2009. Photographer: Philip Markwick. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Jesus Lizard formed in Texas in 1987 but has been based in Chicago for most of its existence. Current members are David Yow (frontman), Duane Denison (guitar), David Sims (bass) and Mac McNeilly (drums).
The band’s albums were all were released in the 1990s, although it does occasionally tour.
Local H
Local H’s Scott Lucas at the 2021 Shaky Knees Music Festival. Photographer: Thomson200. This file is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.
Local H hails from Zion. It formed in 1990 and current members are Scott Lucas (frontman and guitar) and Ryan Harding (bass and drums).
The band released its first album, Ham Fisted, in 1995 and its most recent album, LIFERS, in 2020.
Local H is a one hit wonder for its single “Bound for the Floor” off the album As Good as Dead.
Ministry
Ministry show at 2017 Hellfest, France. Photographer: Selbymay. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
Ministry hails from Chicago. Formed in 1981, with a break in the mid-2000s, current members are Al Jourgensen (frontman and guitar), Monte Pittman (guitar), Cesar Soto (guitar), Paul D’Amour (bass), Roy Mayorga (drums) and John Bechdel (keyboard).
The band’s first album, With Sympathy, was released in 1983 and its most recent album, Hopium for the Masses, released in 2023.
Rise Against
Rise Against performing live at Circolo Magnolia in Segrate, Italy in 2012. Photographer: Fringio. Public Domain.
Rise Against hails from Chicago. Current members are Tim McIlrath (frontman and rhythm guitar), Zach Blair (lead guitarist), Joe Principe (bass) and Brandon Barnes (drums).
The band’s first album, The Unraveling, was released in 2001 and its most recent album, Nowhere Generation, in 2021.
Rise Against is known for songs with political themes.
The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins on May 24th 2007 at “den Atelier”, Luxembourg. Photographer: Schnékert. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
The Smashing Pumpkins hail from Chicago. The band formed in 1988, broke up in 2000 and reunited in 2006. Current members are Billy Corgan (frontman and guitar), James Iha (guitar), Jeff Schroeder (guitar) and Jimmy Chamberlin (drums).
The band’s first album, Gish, was released in 1991 and its most recent album, Atum: A Rock Opera in Three Acts, released in three parts in 2022 and 2023.
The Smashing Pumpkins are best known for their 1995 album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.
Stabbing Westward
Stabbing Westward performing in 2018. Photographer: Jax 0677. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
Stabbing Westward formed in 1985 south of Peoria and moved to Chicago soon after. The band broke up in 2002 but reunited in 2016. The current lineup is Christopher Hall (frontman and guitar), Carlton Bost (bass), Walter Flakus (keyboard) and Bobby Amaro (drums).
The band released its first album, Ungod, in 1994 and its most recent album, Chasing Ghosts, in 2022.
Tom Morello
Tom Morello playing a set on Day 28 of Occupy Wall Street in New York. Photographer: David Shankbone. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.
Tom Morello was born in New York but grew up in Libertyville. The singer, songwriter and guitarist is best known for his work with Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, although he has been a member of numerous bands and also has had a solo career.
In addition to musician, Morello is a political activist.
Urge Overkill
Urge Overkill in 2005. Photographer: gregor_y. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.
Urge Overkill hails from Chicago. Formed in 1986, current members are Nash Kato (frontman and guitar), Adam Arling (guitar), Eddie “King” Roeser (bass) and Nate Arling (drums).
The band’s first album, Jesus Urge Superstar, was released in 1989 and its latest album, Oui, in 2022.
Urge Overkill did a cover of cover of Neil Diamond’s “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon” that appears on the Pulp Fiction soundtrack.
Wilco
Wilco pictured from left to right – Patrick Sansone, Mikael Jorgensen, Jeff Tweedy, Nels Cline, Glenn Kotche, John Stirratt.. Photographer: Austin Nelson. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International, 3.0.
Wilco hails from Chicago. Formed in 1994, current members are Jeff Tweedy (frontman), guitarist Nels Cline (guitar), John Stirratt (bassist), Glenn Kotche (drums), Mikael Jorgensen (keyboard), and Pat Sansone (multi-instrumental).
The band released its first album, A.M., in 1995 and its latest album, Cruel Country, in 2022.
Here’s the 4-1-1
This blog is a companion piece to Rock Star Romance available in eBook, paperback and hardcover. A college grad still reeling from an amicable breakup falls for a rock star who’s given up on love in this contemporary, second-chance romance. Buy now.
To listen to the songs mentioned in Rock Star Romance, follow The Rock Star’s Wife on Spotify.
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