JEREMY STEWART

When did you first discover you could sing?  I began singing at a very early age. I was in several talent shows in grade school, as well as being part of the school choir in junior high.  It was after discovering my parents record collection in the basement, and finding such bands as Uriah Heep, Deep Purple, Electric Light Orchestra, etc. I began learning all the classic rock stuff and singing along was part of the deal.

What was your favorite band or album growing up?   Electric Light Orchestra – Eldorado 1974.  My mother purchased the album at a garage sale and played it frequently while I was growing up. It is still my favorite, and can sing every song by memory.

Who are your favorite 3 singers of all-time?   David Byron, Uriah Heep.

Ian Gillian, Deep Purple.  Robert Plant, Led Zeppelin.  Although this list could go on indefinitely.

How long have you been holding down the Karaoke fort at Sidekicks and how did the relationship begin?  Going on 4 and a half years. I had just moved to Chicago and a friend took me there to sing and it turned out that I was in need of a job, so however more perfect could it be.I had the job that following week.

You’re also a musician with a rich rock & roll history — can you take us down the long & winding road?  Been playing various instruments since I was 14, started to get serious at 16 with my first electric guitar. Formed my first band shortly after, Fantasy Kitchen, and went on to play with various formations of the band until 1992. FK sadly came to an end after endless member changes and lack of interest in the project. I went into a time of nothingness for a while afterwards until my younger brother,  who at the time played in a band of his own called Thinner, who had just lost a bass player, asked if I could join the fold.

Stage 2 had begun. I bought a used bass guitar, hung up the 6 string, and joined up as a bass player to a new unit which was re-named from Thinner to Full Cast Crown.  I played with this outfit in various forms and names until 2007. Recorded in several different places, but ultimately ended up releasing a first album with a stable lineup known as Wish. Cd’s are still for sale on CDbaby reviewed as “a very progressive and heavy album”… I still have hundreds of copies for sale personally. It really is a great album. Get one! Wish sadly dissolved with the departure of a key member in 2006.  After Wish I floated around from band to band, released 3 more albums, privately pressed of course, but 3 nonetheless.

On top of all this I decided to go to college at the same time. Eventually college took over and I graduated etc.. Shortly after I joined a Waterloo Iowa based band called Burning Eve. We eventually hired a female vocalist from Chicago, Ania Tarnowska, I Ya Toyah and hit it off on a 4 year escapade of ups and downs until finally moving to Chicago, playing many prestigious shows including The House of Blues, The Abbey, etc.. Unfortunately like many others. Burning Eve came to an end in 2011, just around the time I started working at Sidekicks…About 6 months later I was approached by another band, which after listening to their music and getting a feel for their sound, Phaedra was born. I had become fairly progressive at this point playing in bands, utilizing more of a vast array of prog rock instruments including: Moog Taurus Bass Pedals, Mellotron, Bass Guitar and Bass Effects, as well as being no slouch on backup vocals and harmonies.  Phaedra ended up being one of the most unique sounds coming out of the Chicago music scene in a long time.  Unfortunately due to inner member turmoil, the band ended abruptly after the release if the first EP.

After Phaedra’s demise, I decided to take a break from bands due to my recent rapid development of psoriasis arthritis. It makes it hard to play for long periods of time anymore. No more bands for me, unless the unthinkable happens and Mick Box from Uriah Heep asks me to play bass or be lead vocalist for them someday… haha.. These days I just do the Karaoke gig, and run an open jam on Wednesday nights. It’s the only day I play anymore after my illness. But, I try not to let it get in my way too much. I still play my heart out and do my best to entertain people.  I’ve been focusing on my vocal skills. Granted, I have been singing for most of my life, but fine tuning and honing the art is challenging and rewarding. I have a feeling that my voice could grant me access to more options in the future,  such as voice overs, studio vocals, cartoon characters etc.. Even though I am now disabled physically, I still have the voice. Karaoke is a good thing for me.

What’s so great about progressive rock that many of us just don’t get?  Good question. There are so many facets and sub genres of prog rock that it makes this question difficult. My personal favorite seems to be symphonic  prog rock due to its primary use of the legendary Mellotron.  To answer your question, typically my response is that most folks these days have very short attention spans and just can’t handle 20 minutes of epic complexity in one sitting, let alone a whole album. I learned that from experience.

What is the % of ringers verses amateurs on the weekend and can you tell the difference even before they hit the stage?  It’s roughly 50/50. And no, you really can’t tell until they get up there. That is why I love the job. The total randomness of it all. It keeps things interesting.

Are there any songs that keep getting picked that you wish were perhaps never written? 

Oh of course, hmm, this shouldn’t be too difficult..

Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen

Love Shack, B52’s.

Paradise by the Dashboard Lights, Meatloaf.

Picture, Sheryl Crow & Kid Rock,

Among many others, too many to mention.

What are your go to tunes when it’s time for you to show folks how its done? I tend to gravitate towards difficult songs with lots of high notes. Kansas, Styx, Uriah Heep, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, etc..  It’s a pretty rowdy scene in there sometimes and great fun —

What’s the craziest thing that’s ever happened on stage there?  That would give away too much censored information haha.. i call it the best unknown secret in Chicago (but) as far as rowdiness, it has gotten much calmer in there.  I am also now running an open jam on every Wednesday night where musicians come in and play. I have a full back-line of instruments, guitar, bass, keyboards and drums are all supplied. All musicians and vocalists of any caliber are most welcome.

Only you can answer this question – what are the Top 10 Karaoke cuts for the Chicagoan? 

All That Jazz, Catherine Zeta Jones.

Come Together,  Beatles.

Killing Me Softly, Fugees.

Wannabe, Spice Girls.

Uptown Funk, Bruno Mars.

Shake it off, Taylor Swift

I will survive, Gloria Gaynor.

F#*k You, Cee Lo Green.

Creep, Radiohead.

Don’t Stop Believin’, Journey.