Young bands making their sound heard in Naperville, Fox Valley
By Joy Davis For Sun-Times Media February 28, 2013 2:22PM
Spectators are a Fox Valley based band that has played venues like the House of Blues and Bottom Lounge. From left to right: Chris Ford, Josiah Viland, Walter Halliwell, Michael Aurelius, Aaron Viland.
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Updated: March 4, 2013 2:52PM
The Naperville and Fox Valley area is ripe with young, musical talent as local bands and musicians are finding success.
Within Four Days was created by Waubonsie Valley graduates Devin Jackson, Jake Swineford, Alan Bringman, Bryan Gorecki and Patrick Misdom. Within Four Days plays at many local establishments, ranging from Naperville’s Veteran of Foreign Wars location to JT’s Porch in Lombard.
“Performing live is one of the best feelings that I’ve ever felt. I’ve always loved music, and having the ability to give music to others is beyond amazing,” said Bringman, the bands drummer.
Within Four Days was founded when Misdom and Jackson expanded their original acoustic duo into a full band. Upon finding members and rehearsing within four days of their debut, the group named their band after their unique experience. Four years later, Within Four Days is still going strong and released its first album, “Living For Today,” this past summer.
Spectators are a Fox Valley band that also has been to release an album, “Retro EP,” and are recording a full-length album for release in June.
Josiah Viland, Chris Ford, Aaron Viland, Michael Aurelius and Walter Halliwell make up Spectators. Though the band members are still teenagers — their ages range from 15 to 18 — Spectators have already built an impressive resume. They recently opened for Chris Medina at the Bottom Lounge, played at the House of Blues and won the Best of the Midwest Fest in Aurora.
“Playing a sold-out show at the House of Blues with some of my best buds was completely unforgettable,” Halliwell said.
Spectators describe their sound as Indie/Space Dance-punk. All of the members are self-taught and bring a unique mix of musical influence to the group, ranging from Elvis to Pink Floyd to Earth, Wind and Fire.
Shawn Viland, the father of Josiah and Aaron, encouraged them from a young age to pursue music.
“I have tried to expose Josiah and Aaron to diverse forms of music, but mostly encouraged them to discover music on their own without being pushed,” Viland said.
Viland has been a huge supporter of the Spectators and enjoys seeing his sons’ potential realized.
Parents aren’t the only source of support for these local bands. School of Rock in Naperville has taken notice of local talent and teaches music to the many students who are interested.
“We take kids who have never touched an instrument and work with them until they hit the stage, and beyond,” said Joanna Vassilatos, the general manager of School of Rock Naperville. “At each point along the way, the student is being nurtured by teachers who have lived through the same process and can successfully pass along what they have learned.”
Jake Mack and The Last Stand, an Aurora-based band, is also well versed in performing live. The band consists of Jake Mack, Roger Smit, Aaron Lechuga and Lane Wright.
Jake Mack and The Last Stand also have an album, “The Heavy Chevy EP,” and perform at local venues, including one this Friday at Ballydoyles Irish Pub in Aurora.
“I’m scared to death to ask someone on a date, but put me in a full room at the Two Brothers Roundhouse, or a place I’ve never played before, and I’m more comfortable and purpose-driven than at most other times in a given day, week or month,” Mack said.
