Counterpunch formed in 2003 from the ashes of Chicago acts Dear You,
Rocks Pennycar, Last Annual and Last Man Out. The original lineup
included Ross Michel (drums), Andy Lareau (guitar/vocals), Jared Rohde
(bass/vocals) and Eric Hausser (guitar/vocals). The lineup lead to a
few (albeit unreleased) recordings, plenty of shows, and a sense of
something bigger that could be acheived. It was that same sense of
urgency that lead to the band parting ways with Ross Michel shortly
after agreeing ... (more)
Counterpunch formed in 2003 from the ashes of Chicago acts Dear You,
Rocks Pennycar, Last Annual and Last Man Out. The original lineup
included Ross Michel (drums), Andy Lareau (guitar/vocals), Jared Rohde
(bass/vocals) and Eric Hausser (guitar/vocals). The lineup lead to a
few (albeit unreleased) recordings, plenty of shows, and a sense of
something bigger that could be acheived. It was that same sense of
urgency that lead to the band parting ways with Ross Michel shortly
after agreeing to a licensing agreement with Radtone Records (Japan).
The record was produced/engineered and mixed by Counterpunch at Andy's
home stucio in Streamwood, IL and was subsequently released as An
Idiot's Guide to Being an Asshole in Japan with two bonus live tracks.
It couldn't have been done without the help of Jevin K (formerly of
Much The Same) who played drums on the live tracks, with Andy taking
the reins for the remainder of the record. That same record became the
self-titled stateside debut for Counterpunch, minus the bonus tracks.
The 11 track LP was self-released in the US under Punch It Records and
is still in circulation today.
While supoorting their self-titled debut, Counterpunch got the chance
to play with some great acts and great friends. Rise Against, Much The
Same, A Wilhelm Scream, The Flatliners, The Loved Ones, The Swellers,
Only Crime, and The Vandals to name a few. But as time passed, the
times they were a changin' (thank you Bob Dillon). A revolving cast of
characters took up shop behind the drums in Mickey Molinari, Jevin
Kusitznow, Jeff Lareau, Mark Michalik, and finally Richo Marquina.
Only the latter stuck, creating a solid nucleus of Jared, Eric, and
Richo. As new material was being fleshed out, Andy had several changes
in his life that wouldn't allow him to operate in the capacity the
band needed. It became plainly evident that while the three of them
were moving forward, their feet we're stuck in the mud if you will.
The band decided it was time to say goodbye to Andy, allowing him to
persue other endeavors.
So began the search for the final puzzle piece. The last remaining
element to transform a three headed monster into a four headed terror.
It's during this search that another Chicago band went the way of the
flesh. Break The Silence came to a quiet end, and somehow Brian Phee's
phone number ended up in Eric's hands. Phone calls were made, demos
were listened to, and when all was said and done Brian was exactly the
fit that Counterpunch needed. A stand up guy with great ideas who was
as excited if not more than the rest of everyone in camp Counterpunch
about the new material.
That brings us to November 2008, when the band stepped into the studio
with good friend/producer/engineer Mark Michalik at Mystery Street
Studios in Chicago, IL. Fifteen songs were laid down, the bulk of
which are almost ready to be unleashed upon the general public. After
stints at three to five other studios in Chicago over the course of
the Winter of '08 and Spring of '09, the final mix is at hand. So keep
your ears to the ground, becuase you'll be hearing from us soon!!
