First Name Basis

When the four musical minds that make up Chicago’s FIRST NAME BASIS (more commonly referred to as FNB) came together in early 2003, they dedicated themselves to creating a sound that would bring the groove back to rock ‘n roll - and now hundreds of shows and one full length album later, it seems they are doing just that.

The First Name Basis sound combines a healthy mix of blues based rock & funk with an infectious songwriting style that has earned the band an impressive following in their hometown Chicago and throughout the Midwest. While maintaining a hectic tour schedule throughout the summer of 2003, the band used their minimal off time to record and produce their full length debut CD, “SNAPSHOTS”. The albums ultra-funky first single “Nine Lives” received favorable reviews everywhere and helped introduce the band to many new audiences.

The album has since become a huge seller at shows and with online music retailers like CDBABY.com and TowerRecords.com - thanks to the internet new fans from all over the world have discovered the melodic sounds of this fresh and funky quartet. Despite a taste of success with recording, the guys continue to focus on their first passion, live performance. Their wildly energetic full band performances have earned them a reputation for turning any venue into an energy filled dancehall. That reputation combined with the bands dedication to playing “whenever, wherever” seem to be working for First Name Basis.

FNB guitarist Tate best explains the bands feeling that success means having fun doing something you love while not being afraid to work hard and sacrifice

“Regardless of a venue’s size or location, whether the crowd is big or small, we go all out on every show to play our best, to give people a high energy performance so they leave wanting more and can’t wait for the next show. We pride ourselves on doing the little things necessary to promote the band and build a fan base in each town we go to. Its our goal to walk away from every gig satisfied in knowing that the club, and especially the fans, had an amazing night and can’t wait to get us back. . .”

After performing in the band together for almost a year with the original vocalist, Guitarist Tate Troelstrup, Bassist James Meador, and Drummer Nick Mitchell found themselves wanting a stronger, more soulful lead voice, and after some searching were lucky enough to meet Kelley M. Kauth, a Bloomington, IL native with an incredibly dynamic and unmistakable set of pipes. After one warmup show at a fraternity party Kelley performed with the band headlining at Chicago's Double Door and the band lineup has been sealed since then.

Chicago, Central/Southern Illinois, Indianpolis, Des Moines, Minneapolis. FNB has always been a band most at home on stage in front of a crowd, we love every second of our time on the road and every show is itself a special moment.

So many to choose from, its easier to say - just listen to the music and decide for yourself

We are fans of a stripped down, grittier sound from our equpiment. No sequencers, drum machines, or DJ's spinning for this rock group.

Come see our official site, you can see our tour dates; pictures; hear music from the album; hear other unreleased live tracks; and chat with other FNB listeners. Go to www.cdbaby.com/cd/fnbmusic to purchase our first album!