The Steel Chops

I don't know if it's the combination of all these big guys clustered together in a tiny radio studio sounding like a 70s country-rock band hooking up with Blue Rodeo or if it's because some of the other tunes remind me of the blue-collar grit of bands like The Tragically Hip but The Steel Chops track 'Never' is a keeper here on the Big Med Playlist for The Big One.

This group out of Glenview IL [Chicagoland] started out as duo of a classic rock guitar player and a Sinatra-esque vocalist has evolved into an Americana/Rock ensemble that sounds like it ought to be the house band the next time Mellencamp takes the stage at the Hall. Their list of influences include The Allman Brothers, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals and George Strait. The Steel Chops have real street cred from a long list of amped-up appearances in the Chicago area. They play music like they mean it.

- Big Medicine

If your sound had a taste, what would it taste like?
Jambalaya with a side of Carolina Mustard Barbeque pulled Pork.

What’s on your bar tab?
Keep in mind this is for 6 band mates. 12 Jack & Cokes; 1 Negroni, 2 Vodka Tonics, 8 Rolling Rocks, 5 Bell’s Seasonal, 4 PBR Tallboys, 4 Shots of Jack, 5 Shots of Sambuca and a Cream Soda. Is that excessive?

What do you eat before you hit the stage?
Typically bar food. We’ve played some bars with good food. Horseshoe has good brisket. Muskie’s across from the Elbo Room for Chicago style Polish, Dogs, and a great burger. It’s not healthy but it tastes good and keeps you rock’n all night!

What food do you wish was on your backstage rider?
A pizza with bacon, ham, pepperoni and a garlic butter crust from Pizza 4 U

What’s the best food city and why?
Chicago has an amazing food scene outside of the hot dogs, pizza, & awesome Italian beef. You name we’ve got it and we do it right!

Regular or Diet?
Regular

Most shameful guilty pleasure?
Krispy Kreme doughnuts when available

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Raw?
Sad, Saddest, This is an under diagnosed disease NOT A DIET, Humans don’t have 4 stomachs meaning Raw is not healthy.

What’s for breakfast?
Biscuits and Gravy with 2 Eggs over-easy.

Best non-alcoholic drink?
Tea… Hot or Iced

Spicy or Mild?
Half Spicy/Half Mild

What’s for dessert?
Homemade Cookies!



What is the worst dish you have seen on a menu?
Biscuits & Gravy Benedict and it was delicious. Cholesterol levels were peaking.

Best fast food?
In-n-Out

Favorite cocktail? How do you make it?
Scott likes Jim Beam Black & Coke. JD, Marc & Sam like Jack & Coke. 3 parts Jack to one part Coke served in a rocks glass with lots of ice. If made correctly it will taste like liquid candy.

Are you adventurous or stick to trusted favorites?
Being a chef JD is the most adventurous of the bunch. Nicko will definitely go for the spicy and hopes one day to win a ghost chili hot wing challenge.

Coffee? How do you take it?
Straight-up or Chilled Vietnamese style.

Do you like to cook?
JD is a chef so I would say yes to that. Everyone else is the band dabbles here and there. Sam makes some great Israeli dishes and Scott received a cookbook for Christmas from JD. (Scott won’t have to call Joel anymore for cooking advice)



Favorite recipe?
Simple: Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes…skin on, lots of butter, heavy cream, salt & pepper



Favorite condiment?
Spicy Mustard

Favorite midnight snack?
Torta Milanese de res from El Presidente in Chicago…sober or not it’s muy bueno.

Do you eat for pure taste or nutritional value?
Taste and in moderation

Anything else you want to add?
JD graduated culinary school with the drummer of Little Hurricane.

Check out The Steel Chops on iTunes!
- The Taste of Sound

Glenview, Illinois, November 21, 2011 - The classic rock roots will draw you to The Steel Chops and the deep emotional connection keeps the interest of their listeners. Their sound is a hybrid Refusing to adhere to the rules of overplayed radio classic rock of country, jazz, southern rock, and blues complete with a brand of exquisite musicianship and a carefully crafted sound. A testament to their diverse background is the number of sounds integrated within their new album. This includes arrangements completely divergent from traditional classic rock radio.

“Paint me a Picture” is an album with an immensely large sound. Those looking for a new spin on classic rock will appreciate the deeper than surface content of the sound and eclectic nature of their music. The music can be previewed and purchased on Amazon, iTunes, Rhapsody, and other major online music vendors.

Recorded at Gravity Studios in Chicago, “Paint me a Picture” is produced by some of the same minds who produced artists such as Tool, Smashing Pumpkins, Veruca Salt, and Rise Against. The band has already gained a large following through Internet radio around the world, and the artists hope to break into the music festival scene with their eyes set on SXSW. Stay updated at www.steelchops.com and keep an eye open for The Steel Chops as one of the most original new rock outfits this year.

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To learn more about Steel Chops check out http://www.steelchops.com
- Mi2N Music Industry News Network

Glenview, Illinois, November 21, 2011 - The classic rock roots will draw you to The Steel Chops and the deep emotional connection keeps the interest of their listeners. Their sound is a hybrid Refusing to adhere to the rules of overplayed radio classic rock of country, jazz, southern rock, and blues complete with a brand of exquisite musicianship and a carefully crafted sound. A testament to their diverse background is the number of sounds integrated within their new album. This includes arrangements completely divergent from traditional classic rock radio.

“Paint me a Picture” is an album with an immensely large sound. Those looking for a new spin on classic rock will appreciate the deeper than surface content of the sound and eclectic nature of their music. The music can be previewed and purchased on Amazon, iTunes, Rhapsody, and other major online music vendors.

Recorded at Gravity Studios in Chicago, “Paint me a Picture” is produced by some of the same minds who produced artists such as Tool, Smashing Pumpkins, Veruca Salt, and Rise Against. The band has already gained a large following through Internet radio around the world, and the artists hope to break into the music festival scene with their eyes set on SXSW. Stay updated at www.steelchops.com and keep an eye open for The Steel Chops as one of the most original new rock outfits this year.

--

To learn more about Steel Chops check out http://www.steelchops.com
- Mi2N Music Industry News Network

GLENVIEW — Joel Hetrick grew up singing around his Princeton home, and he is now living his dream. Hetrick and his band, The Steel Chops, have been playing in the Chicago area and northern suburbs for about six years, and the group has finally recorded and released its first album, “Paint Me a Picture.”
Hetrick was born and raised in Princeton and graduated from Princeton High School in 2001. In addition to singing in all the school choirs, Hetrick made a name for himself locally by singing Frank Sinatra hits.
It was about six years ago that Hetrick met Scott Pucci one night in a local bar. Pucci had played in other bands, and both men worked in the service industry. They hit it off immediately.
“He played guitar; I was a singer; so we decided to put a band together,” Hetrick said. After years of playing and some casual recording, Hetrick said they decided it was time to record an album. Hetrick said that “Paint Me a Picture” was recorded at Gravity Studios in Chicago and produced by some of the same minds who produced artists such as Tool, Smashing Pumpkins, Veruca Salt and Rise Against.
Hetrick said the album, which was released in September, shows The Steel Chops members come from a wide variety of musical backgrounds. The result is plenty of catchy hooks, well-engineered vocal harmonies, and a sound that connects deeply with listeners.
Hetrick describes The Steel Chops music as “roots rock” — rock and roll combined with country, jazz, southern rock, and blues touches. He said this includes arrangements completely divergent from traditional classic rock radio.
A digital download of “Paint Me a Picture” can be purchased through iTune, Amazon, Rhapsody and other major online music vendors. For a hard copy or more information, go to the band’s website at www.steelchops.com/.
Hetrick also works as a chef, and he said his hours allow him to do both his passions. Hetrick said he would love to bring The Steel Chops to Bureau County for a concert sometime.
“Hopefully I can bring the band back home to Princeton for a show,” he said.
- BCR News

GLENVIEW — Joel Hetrick grew up singing around his Princeton home, and he is now living his dream. Hetrick and his band, The Steel Chops, have been playing in the Chicago area and northern suburbs for about six years, and the group has finally recorded and released its first album, “Paint Me a Picture.”
Hetrick was born and raised in Princeton and graduated from Princeton High School in 2001. In addition to singing in all the school choirs, Hetrick made a name for himself locally by singing Frank Sinatra hits.
It was about six years ago that Hetrick met Scott Pucci one night in a local bar. Pucci had played in other bands, and both men worked in the service industry. They hit it off immediately.
“He played guitar; I was a singer; so we decided to put a band together,” Hetrick said. After years of playing and some casual recording, Hetrick said they decided it was time to record an album. Hetrick said that “Paint Me a Picture” was recorded at Gravity Studios in Chicago and produced by some of the same minds who produced artists such as Tool, Smashing Pumpkins, Veruca Salt and Rise Against.
Hetrick said the album, which was released in September, shows The Steel Chops members come from a wide variety of musical backgrounds. The result is plenty of catchy hooks, well-engineered vocal harmonies, and a sound that connects deeply with listeners.
Hetrick describes The Steel Chops music as “roots rock” — rock and roll combined with country, jazz, southern rock, and blues touches. He said this includes arrangements completely divergent from traditional classic rock radio.
A digital download of “Paint Me a Picture” can be purchased through iTune, Amazon, Rhapsody and other major online music vendors. For a hard copy or more information, go to the band’s website at www.steelchops.com/.
Hetrick also works as a chef, and he said his hours allow him to do both his passions. Hetrick said he would love to bring The Steel Chops to Bureau County for a concert sometime.
“Hopefully I can bring the band back home to Princeton for a show,” he said.
- BCR News

Scott Pucci, lead guitarist for The Steel Chops, is uninhibited on stage. His Gibson SG is practically an extension of his body as he jumps on amps and channels Angus Young’s infamous devil horn salute. Roots rock band The Steel Chops played the Cubby Bear North, 21661 N. Milwaukee Ave., Linconshire, Ill., in March 2011. The band is currently working on its second album. “It’s a way for a us to get away from our day jobs and let go,” Pucci told The Chronicle after a show at the Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave. That is the essence of the Glenview, Ill., band, whose current album, “Paint Me a Picture,” has gained momentum in the Chicago metro area during the past few months. The band also won sixth place at the Elbo Room’s I AM FEST Battle of the Bands in May 2011, competing against 107 other hopefuls. Marked by a multifarious arrangement of raw classic rock riffs, simple songwriting and a no-nonsense attitude, The Steel Chops are currently writing new music for its second album. The Chronicle had the chance to sit down with lead vocalist Joel Hetrick and Pucci to talk about classic rock, the group’s eclectic sound and Hetrick’s epic mutton chops.
The Chronicle: How did you guys come up with the name, “The Steel Chops”? I have a feeling Joel’s chops had something to do with it.
Scott Pucci: My friend was the one [who] came up with the name [and] put it together. We were sitting around one night, and we were trying to figure it out. I said I wanted [the name to have] something with “steel” or “steel this.” And we were just laughing and kind of joking around, and then she was like, “How about the Steel Chops? [Be]-cause Joel’s chops are awesome.” And I was like, “Yeah, all right, that works!” That was pretty much it.
JH: We can’t take credit for the name, but it was agreed upon.
The Chronicle: You guys give a short definition on your website of “roots rock.” What kind of blues, country and classic rock bands influence your sound?
SP: It’s so eclectic!
JH: It shows on our album, too, [with the influence of artists] like Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings and that early rock, country, kind of classic country [sound]. I mean, you could throw Boston in there and Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin and AC/DC.
SP: With six guys in the band, everyone comes from a little bit different place or whatever. We really don’t turn anything away. Anybody in the group who wants to bring a little something [can do so]. It’s really cool to mix all these different backgrounds and get this fusion sound.
The Chronicle: Joel, who are some songwriters who influenced you?
JH: Cash is definitely one. [Frank] Sinatra, somewhat, as far as lyrics go. That’s what I grew up listening to, which is weird, being the age that I am [28]. As far as other songwriters go, someone [who’s] relatively new is Aidee McDonald. She’s out of Ireland. She’s somebody I’ve listened to and really enjoyed. Lyrically, you could go as far as to say [Led] Zeppelin [is an influence] and Robert Plant, with his new folksy album.
The Chronicle: What’s the story behind your song “Rebel Red”? Is it about a specific woman?
JH: When we wrote that song, Nicko [McCurley], the guitar player, came up with the riff and everything and he just started laying it out, and he’s like, “Oh, I got this great Southern rock tune, we need to put it together.” He started writing it, so I started listening to it, recorded it and sat there and started writing lyrics to it. It was one of those songs where we wanted to pay tribute to the Southern-rock genre and our influences, like [Lynyrd] Skynyrd and Blackberry Smoke out of Georgia. Those were some of the bands that influenced us and we were like, “We want to pay tribute and write a song in that vein.”
SP: I think it has evolved into a more classic rock feel, as well, which is very cool.
JH: It’s not about anybody in particular. It’s just a good, fun song.
To listen to The Steel Chops discuss its upcoming album, visit FearlessRadio.com. For more information about tour dates, visit TheSteelChops.com.
- The Columbia Chonicle

“Refreshingly, the album's more heartfelt songs don't rely on a vocalist's sappy voice to portray emotion. Instead, songs like "Diamond" & "Drifter" use carefully-crafted instrumental melodies to enhance lead singerJoel Hetrick's candid lyrics.” - Gabrielle Rosas, Aberrant Chicago

The song "Rebel Red" takes no prisoners (but all the ladies) with its gritty guitar solos, suggestive lyrics and leering hook; Bon Scott, bless him, would be proud.” - Gabrielle Rosas, Aberrant Chicago

“A bottle of whiskey. A winding country road. A honky tonk woman. The Steel Chops paint quite the picture with their debut album "Paint Me a Picture," a classic & Southern rock influenced effort that will lead you on a personal journey of self-identity and then have you downing a beer the next. In fact, it is the album's emmense breadth that makes it a true stand- out amongst a plethora of classic rock wannabes.” - Gabrielle Rosas, Aberrant Chicago

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