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The Living Blue, formed originally in Odell, Il in 1998 as a partnership between guitarists/songwriters Joe Prokop and Stephen Ucherek. Spawning from an intense distaste and disappointment of modern “rock” music, the duo began writing and recording original music on the Ucherek farm in central Illinois. The band added Stephen's brother Ben as a drummer and soon after, relocated to Champaign, IL. There the band began recording with local sound engineer Jimmy Myers, two years of sessions that resulted in two full length records which are still unreleased to this day. The band at this time was known as the Bloody Knuckles. The boys quickly became part of the local party scene, playing house party shows (too young to play the clubs) with other locals and quickly becoming rowdy favorites of the tame art-rock college scene. The boys also had a solid work ethic, and with the addition of drummer and long time friend, Mark Schroder, they began to plot out national tours and bought a van. Before they hit the road, the band changed its name to the Blackouts, a name that Joe and Stephen felt better championed their sound and style. The band cut it's first record, “Everyday is a Sunday Evening” in 2001 with Matt Talbot (Hum, Centaur) at his studio in nearby Tolono, IL. The Blackouts were the first band to record in Matt's newly built studio, and it was their first time in a truly “professional” studio, recording the sounds to 2” analog tape. The record was finished in 2 weeks and released nationally by Lucid Records (Chris Broach, Braid). The band promptly hit the road and toured relentlessly in support of the new disc, playing CMJ in the fall of 02' and hitting much of the East coast and Midwest. During this time, Ben (who'd been playing bass at the time) left the band to pursue other interests and was quickly replaced by Pat Olsen. The band was introduced to Champaign native, Adam Schmidtt and upon hearing his mix of one of their songs, they decided to cut a record in his studio behind Parasol Records. The band got to spend a month in the studio working with Schmidtt, they emerged with “Living in Blue” (Lucid Records) a solid album that immediately began turning heads. The band hit the road again, touring for much of 03' and 04'. In the summer of 04', Stephen entered the band in Little Steven's Underground Garage Battle of the Bands, a national contest to find the hottest young garage rock band in the country. The Blackouts impressed judges in the regional competition in Chicago (including John Drake, lead singer of the Amboy Dukes who personally called Stephen and asked to manage the group) and went on to win the national competition at NYC's Irving Plaza. The group caught the eyes and ears of judges such as: Kurt Loder (MTV), Kim Fowley, Handsome Dick Manitoba, and Little Steven himself and won the overall competition. The band in return got to play at Little Steven's Garage festival to a crowd of thousands on Randall's Island in NYC, alongside such legends as, Iggy and the Stooges, the New York Dolls, the Creation, and new bands like the Ravonettes and the Strokes. During this time, Minty Fresh records in Chicago began courting the boys and before lone they had signed a deal. The new label also encouraged the band to change their name due to the fact that many groups had used the name Blackouts already. The band felt the same way, and decided to use the name “The Living Blue” which was taken from their 2004 release “Living in Blue”. Bassist Pat Olsen, left the group to pursue a different career shortly after the group signed and was swiftly replaced by the young and multi talented Andrew Davidson. Andrew was just what the boys needed on the bass, solid, reliable, stoic and before long he became their permanent player. The band began recording in the spring of 05' at Gravity Studios in Chicago bringing along Adam Schmidtt to help produce the record. In the fall of 05', Minty Fresh released “Fire, Blood, Water” to the masses and the boys hit the road once more touring the entire country in support of the release. The record brought mixed reviews, many critics confusing Stephen's consise and articulate vocal phrasing and enunciation as being a faux British accent. The record was solid and despite poor organization of the release, the band powered forward and won hearts and minds with their passionate, rock n roll live show. Around this time, Mark decided to leave the group, leaving the drum spot open for their longtime friend and tour mate, Andrew Coon. Andrew's fiery yet dynamic touch with rhythms was a perfect fit for Andrew Davidson's fluid bass sound. The band finally had the rhythm section it had always needed. “Fire, Blood, Water” was released in Japan (Starmole Records) and Europe (Boxson Records) in the summer of 06' and quickly began garnering critical acclaim in those regions as well. The band was given the opportunity to tour Europe in the fall of 06' supporting legendary punk rock and roller's, the Saints. The tour was a complete success and the boys wowed the European audiences with their genuine and distinct style and sound. Rolling Stone Europe had Joe and Stephen do an interview in Paris, which was printed full page with a color photo in a later issue. The band returned to the US ready to make another record, however Minty Fresh insisted that the band stay on the road, not wanting to give the boys a budget at this point. The band did one more US tour in the spring of 07' and then decided to move on without Minty Fresh. Stephen had always been at the helm and continued to guide the band by partnering with longtime friend and colleague, Bradley Scott. Bradley has directed multiple videos for the group, and over the years came to be good friends with the boys as well. In the summer of 07', Bradley flew the band out to LA were they discussed financing for the new record. The group came back to Illinois, booked a month at Phantom Manor Studios in Chicago and began recording what would become, “Walk, Talk, Rhythm, Roam” in August of 07'. The band had a much heavier hand in the production with this record, and teaming up with veteran Chicago rocker/producer, Mike Lust they have produced their finest work yet. A record that is at both times mind numbingly psychedelic and still somehow gentle. The boys are evolving individually and as a group and this record is the result. The band is preparing a release for this new record and are currently shopping for a record label, booking agent, and management as they look towards the future. The band has been playing shows locally (Chicago, Champaign) keeping the loyal fans happy and honing the new songs for the road. The Living Blue are back, but as you have just read, they've been here all the time.
Discography:
2002 Everyday is a Sunday Evening (Lucid Records)
2004 Living in Blue (Lucid Records
2005 Fire, Blood, Water (Minty Fresh Records)
2007 Walk, Talk, Rhythm, Roam (unreleased, unsigned)
ALL BAND CONTACT AND BOOKING: THELIVINGBLUE@GMAIL.COM
Over the past few years we have shared the stage with: Iggy and the Stooges, The New York Dolls, the Strokes, the Ravonettes, Dead Meadow, The Gris Gris, the Pretty Things, the Ceasars, Mondo Diao, The Makers, Dressy Bessy(US Tour), Husky Rescue, the Soledad Brothers, the Creation, The Clientele, Catfish Haven, Moving Units, Mooney Suzuki, Elf Power, The Saints(Euro Tour), Starlight Mints, The Cynics(Fucking Right On...), Make Believe, Bo Diddley, The Chesterfield King's, The M's, The Fleshtones, The Electric Prunes, The Woggles(God Bless Monteque), The Pretty Things, Big Star, The Paybacks, Agent Orange, Nancy Sinatra, OKGO, The Last Vegas, Bang Bang, The Fuzz Tones, The Evangelicals,Decibully, Rocket From The Crypt, The Lyres, Man Man, J Mascis, Arcade Fire, Headlights, And You Will Know Us By The Trail of our Dead, The Hold Steady, The Black Angels and many more...
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