Vortis (band)

Vortis
Origin Chicago
Genres Punk rock
Years active 2000 (2000)–unknown
Labels Thick Records
Associated acts Ex-Lion Tamers
Members Michael A. Weinstein, Jim DeRogatis, Chris Martiniano, Louie Calvano and Anthony Tavano

Vortis was an indie punk band established in 2000, whose members included Michael A. Weinstein, the band's frontman and a professor of political science at Purdue University, as well as well-known music critic Jim DeRogatis (who is the band's drummer). The band was named after the Vorticist movement of the early 20th-century,[1] and has released two albums--Take the System Down, and God Won't Bless America Again. Both albums were released on the independent Thick Records.[2] Their sound has been described as eclectic, and they have been compared to the Dead Kennedys, Wire and the Butthole Surfers.[3] In particular, some critics have drawn comparisons between Weinstein's demeanor in live performances to Jello Biafra's persona.[4]

History

Weinstein joined Vortis in 2000 when his wife introduced him to several 30-year-old musicians from Chicago.[5] Weinstein also goes by the stage name "Fellow Traveler" when performing with Vortis.[6] They released their debut album, Take the System Down, on Thick Records in 2002, followed by God Won't Bless America the following year, also on Thick Records. They also released a split 7" in 2011 entitled "Things Won't Get Better", with the Cathy Santonies.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Jim DeRogatis". WUSF-TV. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  2. 1 2 "I dabble: 18 critics who became artists". The A.V. Club. 26 March 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  3. ↑ Moldy (5 November 2002). "Take The System Down". Punknews.org. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  4. ↑ Kendrick, Monica. "Vortis". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  5. ↑ Glaser, Julie (1 October 2003). "Professor brings punk to politics". Purdue Exponent. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  6. ↑ Morris, Kurt. "Take the System Down Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.