Wood Dale band on Grammy ballot

If last year you would have asked the members of After Never how soon they would be in Grammy contention, they may have given you a response mimicking their band's name.But a month after finishing second in a national battle of the bands competition, the Wood Dale-based rock group finds itself on the 2008 Grammy awards ballot.Guitarist Adam Cieslak said the band appears in three crowded categories: Best Rock Performance by a Duo or a Group, Best Rock Song and Rock Record of the Year.Band members hope the mere listing on the Grammy ballot lends the entire band "more credibility, and maybe spark some interest" from the industry."Dude, we're not even signed on to a record label, and we're on a Grammy ballot," Cieslak said Friday. "You can't top that."Of course, band members are realistic when it comes to After Never's chances."We know we're a longshot to win," Cieslak said. "But, hopefully, we can use this to get noticed and signed to a label."Grammy spokeswoman Stephanie Schell said any group that is a member of the Recording Academy and commercially released music between Oct. 1, 2006, and Sept. 30, 2007, can apply to be listed on the ballot.Thankfully, Cieslak said, the band has an EP they sell at concerts and distribute as demos to record labels.That qualifies them despite not having a full-length album, which they say would be much easier to produce with the backing of a label.The full-length ballot will be sent to academy members who will narrow the list in each category to four or five nominees that will be announced during the first week of November. Winners will be announced during the live broadcast in January"Everyone on the ballot has a chance," Schell said. "So it's good for them to even get in to consideration."Cieslak said all the band needs is a shot."Just one shot on a label is all we need to show the world what After Never's all about," he said. "Someone will see us on the ballot and take that chance on us."After Never's music video for "Late Night Alibi" finished second in last month's "Living Room ... Live! Battle of the Bands" contest hosted by CBS' "The Early Show."