Sat, Jan 16 - 9pm - $10

 Members of Chicago’s top working and original music bands come together frequently to let loose in an open-ended environment. The format is ever changing, because of musician schedules (think of it as a “Saturday Night Live” sort of band), which also contributes to its carefree sound. Despite a rotating cast of characters, this collective always delivers a wildly organic and original sound with a different approach to the music each time it is played.

Bumpus and their powerful brand of soul music channels the uplifting energy of Sly & the Family Stone, the funk of James Brown, and the reflective cool of Marvin Gaye. Led by singers James Johnston, Ava Fain and Tina Howell, they bring together big, funky beats, deep bass, lush JB horns, and a heavy organ sound that results in a high-octane, musical funk frenzy.  Bumpus has shared the stage with many of their heroes. Artists such as Dr. John, War, The Roots, Jurassic 5, Maceo Parker, and Fred Wesley.  The band has performed at the prestigious Jazz Aspen Snowmass Festival alongside Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, and Widespread Panic.  Their fourth and most recent album, All the People, won rave reviews and they’re currently hard at work on their fifth album, Step Sure or Step Aside. Bumpus continues to tour throughout the country, while performing at various venues in Chicago and the Midwest. 

 Nice Motor is a Rock n' Soul band from Chicago, forming in late 2014. With Brian Webb on Vocals and Guitar, Seth Webb on Drums, Dave Swick on Guitar, and Neil Krajenta on bass, the band began recording music during the summer of 2015. Their first releases, "All the Neighbors" and "Turn to Stone" were made available for free on Soundcloud in the fall of that same year.Nice Motor formed after the break-up of Chicago veteran band "Jonny Rumble", freeing up Brian and Seth for new adventures, and Dave's departure from another Chicago band, "Super Happy Fun Club". Neil was waiting in the wings, bought a bass, and off they went. Beginning with acoustic writing sessions on a balcony, and impromptu electric noise-making, the band quickly began to write tunes as a well-orchestrated unit. After pocketing a hand or two full of songs, the band began recording in May with their good friend Chris Mason manning the controls of a make-shift home-studio. The month of May also saw Nice Motor play their first show, selling out Alive One in Chicago, to benefit Team High-Life and bring awareness to suicide prevention. They quickly followed up by selling out a show at Tonic Room in June.Nice Motor has plenty more to come, with more music on the way, and more shows in the works.