smoke off vinyl is an independent alternative rock band hailing from the outskirts of chicago.
SMOKE OFF VINYL is a three piece rock outfit hailing from the outskirts of Chicago. John Jauch (bass,vox) and Chris Reehoff (guitar) started playing together in acoustic fashion back in 1995, then parted ways only to run into each other 4 years later at a college bar and decided to start writing again. As they progressed and the ideas turned more towards the rock side of things, Ryan Banks (drums) was summoned in late 1999 to complete the trio. Today, S.O.V. comes armed with a sound that spans from heavy melodic rock to spaced out drifties. With just having released their second record, Walls, Smoke Off Vinyl is currently plowing through area clubs in support of their newest creation and is quickly gaining notoriety in the Chicago local scene. With shows at venues such as Double Door, Elbo Room, and Hardrock Café, the audience continues growing and the already established fan base remains solid and loyal.
After the release of their first record, Dilate, the band got a break when WZND at Illinois State University put Home into rotation on their rock play list. In less than one months time the song crept into the top 15 of a play list that consisted solely of industry heavy hitters such as Radiohead, Weezer, and Green Day. Smoke Off Vinyl was the only unsigned band in rotation, and to be getting recognition and requests amongst radio mainstays was a great feeling to the band and it solidified their musical direction. Since then, they have traveled back to the Bloomington area several times to do radio shows and play gigs, among them was headlining the 2002 ISU Spring Fest. With the success of Dilate, which went on to produce two more college radio singles, (Gone, and the acoustic Night Song), they were able to head down to Champaign, Il. and play at the 1,500 capacity Canopy Club, where the fans were left chanting for more S.O.V.!!!
Another highlight for the band was when Jauch and Reehoff had to resort back to their days as an acoustic duo for a battle of the bands. Smoke Off Vinyl got into the finals doing what they do as a rock trio, but, due to a last minute emergency Banks had to leave town and S.O.V. was without a drummer for the finals. In keeping with the old saying, the show must go on, Jauch and Reehoff whipped up an acoustic set two nights before hand and emerged from the contest victorious, having beat out four other fully loaded rock bands with just a voice and an acoustic guitar.
With one album in the bag and their music evolving, the band called on producer Keith Cleversley (Flaming Lips, Hum) to record their follow-up, Walls. The album is 8 tracks deep and fully captures the essence of this band and what separates their brand of rock from the rest. If youre a fan of big rock, you have to hear this album!!! Its driving, yet passive and patient. Its been described as sonically soothing. Folks, this may very well be the album youve been waiting for.
The band draws its influence from a wide array of artists such as Radiohead, Hum, Shiner, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, Houston, and Live. Through the many different genres and interests, Smoke Off Vinyl has developed a sound that you cant quite put your finger on but it seems pleasantly familiar. Its a sound that separates itself by allowing depth and appeal to co-exist in the form of song.
in and around chicagoland, colleges, benifits, etc...
see band history
come check us out sometime!
