Artist description A low-volume but high-energy combo, the Rock Band is not your average pop group. Greenfield does whatever it takes to connect with the audience: frantically strumming his acoustic, hand clapping, leading sing-alongs, even putting down the guitar to dance. Roth echoes the singer's deadpan humor with "melodic", Vaudeville-style drumming. And Farmer's supportive, Ramones-esque bass provides the eye of the hurricane.But it's Greenfield's unusual lyrics that make the Rock Band's music truly unique. Built around improvisation and based on true stories, his songs cover the four basic topics of rocking, romance, loneliness and geography. Whether he is saluting a Chicago songstress in "Liz Phair", discussing the history of Bjork's homeland in "Icelandic Sagas" or expressing a secret longing for the Pacific Northwest in "Portland", Greenfield tells stories heard not heard elsewhere in rock music.

Similar Artists Jonathan Richman, They Might Be Giants, The Violent Femmes

Artist History John Greenfield's Rock Band is fronted by singer-songwriter-guitarist John Greenfield. Greenfield has been a fixture in the Chicago music scene for a decade, playing with countless Windy City acts during the '90s, ranging from the roots-rock outfit the Farmers to blues guitarist Rockin' Johnny, to masked surf instrumentalists the Hideaways. Most recently, he has played bass with folk rocker John Huss and power-pop legend Slink Moss. In the summer of 1999, Greenfield formed John Greenfield's Rock Band to showcase his own frontman abilities. With Ella Farmer (a veteran of the all-woman punk group, Ting) on bass and drummer Eric Roth (also of X-Vessel, featuring former members of Number One Cup), the Rock Band has built a loyal following through passionate, energetic live shows, two of which are represented on the debut CD "Chicago Songs" on Roxtar records. The group has performed at Metro, the Empty Bottle, Lounge Ax, the Hideout, Beat Kitchen and other Chicago venues and will soon be playing regional and national shows.

Instruments Guitar, Bass and Drums

Albums Chicago Songs

Location Chicago, Illinois - USA

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