Suburban teens make Metro debut
Just four years ago, a group of Northwest suburban teens practiced with their rock band, Coventry, in their parents' basements.
Friday night, they find themselves moving up in the world, all the way to the stage of the famed Chicago rock venue, Metro, located at 3730 N. Clark St., two blocks north of Wrigley Field.
The Metro just celebrated its 25th anniversary in the local music scene, reaffirming its commitment to bring a cross section of the best local, regional and national emerging artists to Chicago, says spokeswoman Jenny Lizak.
Some of the bands who have cut their teeth at the Metro include Smashing Pumpkins, Fallout Boy, Plain White Ts, and The Academy Is, to name just a few.
Coventry features Prospect High School graduates, Bryan and Kevin Farris, playing drums, and lead vocals and guitar, respectively; Rolling Meadows High School graduate J. P. Richgels on bass guitar, Elk Grove High School graduate Mike Chiero on keyboards, and St. Viator High School graduate Teddy Winters on guitar.
During Friday night's concert, they will share the stage with three other bands, including: Cavashawn, Danger is My Middle Name, and Hotel Ahead. Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets are $9.
"We always enjoy the experience of playing live," Kevin Farris says. "The rush we get during a half-hour set is something so special and unique, you can't really compare it to anything else."
At the gig, Coventry members will be self-releasing their seven-song CD titled, "I Said No!" The new release features some of their original pop rock songs, that reflect their wide ranging influences, from The Beatles, Weezer and Jimmy Eat World, to the Foo Fighters and even the Beach Boys.
"Even though we have a number of influences," Kevin Farris adds, "we like to think we have our own original sound."
Leading up to Friday night's show, the band has divided their time between attending college, and composing, recording and performing in smaller venues throughout the Midwest. They point to the Knights of Columbus Hall in Arlington Heights, as one of their first local concerts, and they see Friday night's Metro gig, as their Chicago launch.