ryan's hope

Ryan's hope is a band that combines the energy of punk rock and hardcore music, and fuses it with the catchy hooks and melodies of pop, and the technical intricacies of metal.

Greg Alltop Drums, Back-ups Nick McLenighan Bass, Back-ups Terry Morrow Vocals, Guitar http://www.ryanshopemusic.com email: marydebrene@yahoo.com phone contact: (815) 725-2475 Ryans Hope began as a 5 piece hardcore outfit in early 2000, then titled Bound. Dedication would soon diminish among members, which would eventually lead bassist Nick Mclenighan and guitarists Terry Morrow and Greg Alltop to pursue alternate musical paths. Meetings between Greg and Terry would prove to be very constructive, as new, melodic, compositions spewed from each session. After 3 songs had been written and arranged, Terry and Greg would urgently contact Nick, who had been away at college. In the wake of the tragic loss of a close friend, the 3 band members made a decision to pursue this new style of music as a dedication to the loved ones theyd lost. After 2 years of dedication to the local hardcore scene, Ryans hope would become the next step for these life-long friends. Greg assumed all drumming responsibilities, while Terry and Nick shared the familiar bass/guitar combo. Terry would eventually decide upon the vocal position, completing the lineup. By June 2002, Ryans hope had been playing shows all over the Midwest, developing a local fan base by releasing self-produced demo cds printed and pressed in the actual homes of the band members. By September, Ryans hope collaborated with a man who would become a wise mentor and friend, Mr. Dan Precision. A 9-song cd titled, Weighing what Matters was completed within 3 days at Dans Bombshelter studio in Chicago. The progression of the band is already an impressive one. By March of 2003, Ryans hope would complete their second effort at the Bombshelter studio. Each Place I hide, brought maturity, and a more tightened, polished sound to the Ryans hope library. Aside from 6 self-composed tracks, a seventh, hidden cover of the smiths classic, Please please please let me get what I want wrapped up the cd/ep. By May of 2003, Ryans hope had its first encounter with the vans warped tour, after winning a contest through Alternative Press magazine. The band was selected to join the tour for 4 dates within the Midwest area after their song, death machine was chosen from their debut cd weighing what matters. The bands first full-length lp the Trials of recession, was recorded by Dan Precision in early February of 2004, a few weeks prior to the bands signing to double zero records, owned by the legendary Mike Felumlee, former drummer of Chicago greats such as the smoking popes and the alkaline trio. By February of 2004, Ryans hope had finally signed to Chicago label double zero records after months of speculation and discussion. Ryans hope has maintained an originality and intricacy that is all their own. Creating music has always been a passion for each 21-year-old member, with a virtually endless list of influences, spanning from hardcore heroes Snapcase, to Chicagos own Smoking Popes, to the Smiths, not to mention an undying fascination for epic black metal. Ryans hope is trying to make a name for themselves through honest, stripped down rock, with influences from genres such as hardcore, punk, and metal. The message is honesty and self-sufficiency, yearning for self-discovery, and dedication to finding ultimate comfort in ones life. Ryans hope continues to spread their music across the Chicago land area, with a renewed sense of purpose and focus, as they are determined to play and create honest, and original music from the heart for years to come.

we play wherever we can, whenever we can. we like the mason hall in joliet, the cantigny post, the fireside bowl and bottom lounge. I would say "yes" we like it.

our influences come from everywhere. song writing influence comes from josh caterer, morrissey, the ramones. our musical influences come from everywhere from snapcase to the smiths, to slayer, to the smoking popes. it's really endless.

ernie ball strings, smith strings, pearl drums, remo heads, gibson guitar, ibanez bass, mesa boogie amp, peavey amp, chrome battle axe.