Bill Tucker: Vocals, Guitar
Chris Castellan: Percussion, Backing Vocals
John Salt: Tuba
Chuck King: Bass

Base of operations: Chicago, IL

MP3s at www.myspace.com/billtucker

Biography:
Bill Tucker and Friends have been in the making ever since Bill hit the road with only 4 songs in 2006. Now with an all-star band featuring Chris Castellan/percussion (drummer for Al Scorch, ex-Walking Bicycles) Chuck King/bass(the Xylenes) and John Stanley Salt/tuba (ex Out of the Dumpster) they are taking on the country one step at a time.

It all started in November 2005 when Bill's band The Skull had went their separate ways and he would just play his old harmony stella acoustic. He wrote 4 songs that he knew he had to share and recorded Consistent Themes. He left for the west and played about 20 shows as he travelled by himself on an Amtrak month pass. When his pass ran out he did whatever he could to continue so he could share his music with as many people as possible.

Within a year he garnered distribution through Chicago distro Reformer Records who funded his release for Consistent Themes 2 which was dedicated for the midwest. His idea to sell cd's made specific for each region has left people with something a little more special than a manufactured cd and cover. In support of Consistent Themes 2 he was featured in the Chicago Reader promoting the release's show at the Empty Bottle.

Bill contacted Chris Castellan when he was in Olympia Washington and asked if he would record with him. Over the next year Bill found his "friends" by recording the album that took 2 years to finish. The album to be titled Illusions of Repetition was recorded by Kenny Rassmussen and co-produced by Kevin Fitchuk and Bill. The first tracks were recorded at a historic loft in Chicago and witnessed the end of an era. They started in the summer of 2006. This was a collaborative effort by everyone involved and there were a lot of people involved. Illusions features Jeb Bishop(The Chicago Tentet, Engines), Tim Daisy (Vandermark 5, Rempis Quartet), Jaime Macleod(Anathallo), Jared Grabb(Scouts Honor), Alberto Patino, Kevin Fitchuk, Ashley Ericsson and Andrew Dorsett(Lake), Jesse Guillombardo(Beard), Ethan Adelsman(Phil Forsyth and the Lone Gun Society/Tim Lowly/Scotland Yard Gospel Choir) and Kenny Rassmussen (No Funeral).

This led to a band like Bill had never dreamed of. After many different musicians came and went he finally found his core group. They recorded a split with Foley Alabama singer songwriter Jonni Greth at Mystery Street in Chicago and released Illusions and Consistent Themes 3 along with it.

Similar artists: Daniel Johnston, The Flaming Lips, Sebadoh, Pavement, Sonic Youth

Discography:
"Illusions Of Repetition" Thinker Thought Records 2008 (digital reissue)
Jonni Greth And The Drones/Bill Tucker And Friends "Little Jesus" Reformer Records 2008
"Illusions Of Repetition" Reformer Records 2008
"Consistent Themes 3" Reformer Records 2008
V/A "Proclomation Compilation" Reformer Records 2007
"Consistent Themes 2" Reformer Records 2007
Pilgrims/Bill Tucker "Split" 1980 Records 2006
"Consistent Themes" 1980 Records 2006


Bill Tucker And Friends - Download printable press photo 1 (1800 x 1200 jpeg - by Kristen Althoff)


Bill Tucker And Friends - Download printable press photo 2 (1200 x 1800 jpeg - by Kristen Althoff)

THI 992 - Bill Tucker And Friends "Illusions Of Repetition " 13-song download
RELEASE DATE: November 25, 2008
PDF Press Kit
BUY IT NOW: iTunes
Download printable cover art (1500 x 1500 jpeg) - by Martin Garcia

Track Listing:
1. Peoria Illinois
2. Indiana Avenue
3. Static
4. The Ghost Of Missouri
5. Chicago Illinois
6. Gameshow Fear
7. St. Louis Missouri
8. Untitled
9. Thunderschoolin'
10. Olympia Washington
11. My I.D. Is Me
12. Yr Freedom
13. Fell

Press:
"A glance at Bill Tucker passing on the street is to see a man all about individuality. At the same time, a listen to any of his albums or a jaunt to any of his shows will show a great interest in collaboration. His band is called Bill Tucker and Friends, and it is evident that everyone in it has an input, which is guided by Bill's wonderful and sometimes eccentric vision. The eccentricity of Bill and Friends only add to their appeal, however. When attending a show, the atmosphere is a definite "come as you are, enjoy yourself," which encourages the audience to rock out in whatever way they feel compelled to by the music. The last two Bill albums that crossed my path were Illusions of Repetition, a thirteen track jaunt into the world of Bill Tucker and Friends, and Little Jesus, a joint effort by BTF and Jonni Greth and the Drones. Illusions of Repetition grabs attention from the very start by combining spoken word with an instrumental backdrop in Peoria Illinois, then gets down to the rockin' that seems quintessential Bill Tucker in Indiana Avenue and following tracks. One of the standouts tracks is definitely Gameshow Fear, a song that got amazing audience participation at a recent show at the Hollywood in Chicago, Illinois. My I.D. is Me, previously featured on Consistent Themes #2, is also a notable track. Sometimes experimental, but consistently winning, Illusions of Repetition is a great album. The standouts on Little Jesus are Copper Eye and Grayscale Rainbow; both songs seem stylistically more Bill. Take it from a person who has listened to everything from Taylor Swift to Run DMC to Flogging Molly and beyond: you will like Bill Tucker and Friends." - Ann Wickboldt