Posted by Aaron Fleishman on Mon, Aug 03, 2009 @ 09:27 PM
Hello ChillFans!
As ChillFanMania approaches, the anticipation is mounting. I know what you're thinking, "How can I possibly wait until September 12, to get my fix of ChillSet?" Well, to answer this problem and to keep all of the ChillFans satisfied, I have come up with an event to help get everyone pumped up for the event. We will be having a ChillFan Pub Crawl Extravaganza on Saturday, August 22.
During this event, ChillFans everywhere will have the chance to embark on a journey that will test their strength, will, wits, alcohol tolerance, and, most importantly, their ChillSet knowledge.
The team that wins the scavenger hunt, by gaining the most amount of ChillNotes, will win free tickets to ChillFanMania, and plenty of other prizes.
The Pub Crawl Scavenger hunt will begin at 7:30 p.m.; at 10:00 p.m. each team will board a luxury party bus which will take all participants to a ChillSet show where the scavenger hunt will be completed.
So please register your team name here. This will also hold your spot on the party bus and allow you to download the scavenger hunt instructions. If you still have questions, please e-mail me at chillsetmanager@gmail.com.
I look forward to seeing you all there!
-Aaron, ChillSet manager
Posted by Aaron Fleishman on Mon, Mar 16, 2009 @ 12:05 PM
Hello Chillfans,
What an Extravaganza we had last Saturday! So many great moments it's hard to remember them all. Please send us your favorite moments from the night. I always know it's going to be a great night, when I'm running around like a mad man before and after the show. If you were in my apartment before the show, you know exactly what I'm talking about. I didn't stop moving at all. I was way too excited to just stand and talk to people for more than two seconds, I was sweating like crazy to the point that I had to put a different shirt on before I left the house. But I loved every minute of it, and I hope you all did too.
I have to tell you chillfans, it is tough to mobilize you all and get you all situated onto a bus when you are all drunk. Funny stuff you all do. I don't know how many different times I told everyone where the bus was, and when it would be leaving. Not complaining at all, it was very comical and as one of the more sober ones throughout the night, I appreciate the simple funny drunken banter you all have. Along with that, I have to commend you all for the amazing alcohol intake displayed that night! The bar tender told me she had never seen such a crowd get after it the way you all did. A very proud moment for me. I also hear the bus had to stop on the way to the show to pick up a few 30 racks! ROCK ON PEOPLE! LOVE THE ENTHUSIASM! Just fyi, there was supposed to be more alcohol on the bus than I guess there was, so sorry about that, but a thank you to you all for spearheading the project of getting more alcohol on the bus. Great Work!
So thank you all for coming, I hope you had a great time. ChillSet rocked the house last Saturday. Comment below, please tell us some of your favorite moments from the night!
Your Manager,
- Aaron
Posted by Adam Mavrikos on Sun, Sep 07, 2008 @ 11:32 PM
Just wanted to congratulate ChillSet on another rockin show last night! The band packed up the van and took their music to Sullivan Hall in NYC. The venue gave the band a perfect opportunity to showcase their new originals to their loyal NY ChillFans, who had probably only heard these jams on myspace before this show. I thought the band sounded tight, and the setlist couldn't have been better. Also, can't understate what Will Davis on bass brings to their sound. We'll probably do a seperate article about him soon, but last night he rounded out ChillSet's sound and added an extra fullness needed for a venue like Sullivan's perfectly, especially on tunes like '95' and 'Railroad Betty.' All in all, the band put on their usual fun set that us ChillFans have grown to love. Last night was no exception.
By the way, I was blown away by the ChillSet following in NYC, they put up impressive numbers last night. Great stuff ChillFans. If I didn't get a chance to meet you at the gig, I apologize, but definitely leave a comment and let us all know what you thought of the show.... Now, Da Bears are beating up on Indy right now, so I gotta go enjoy this! peace!
Posted by Adam Mavrikos on Tue, Sep 02, 2008 @ 10:57 PM
So it's a Thursday night, you're a little tired from work but your friend is calling and thinks you should go meet him for an ice cold beer after a long day. "There's a live band that's about to start," he persuades you.... "Sold," you tell him, "why not?" You love live music, a cold beer sounds great, and it's always good to share some laughs and catch up with your knucklehead buddies. So you get there, and the band is so loud you can't hear a word your friend is saying. The music is ok, but it's all the band's original stuff and after a while it just becomes loud background noise. Not the vibe I was looking for after a long day. Sound familiar?
It's something I've noticed wuth alot of bar bands in Boston: a lot of bands take themselves so seriously! They turn up the volume and shove their originals down your throat, almost expecting you to buckle at the knees in awe of some great musical statement. Don't get me wrong, I love hearing new music and have a ton of respect for bands that experiment, but c'mon, know your audience. I don't know about you, but when I show up to a pub, it's to let loose a little and have some fun. Wouldn't I want the band playing at that bar to be doing the same thing?
ChillSet is a great example of a talented group of musicians, that don't take themselves too seriously and always appears to be having a good time. These guys give you a perfect blend of chill, infectious originals mixed with unexpected covers that are sure to make you either crack up laughing (Gangster's Paradise, are you kidding me!?) or move to the rhythm (Stevie Wonder's ‘Superstition' is always a crowd pleaser). And what's more, I think they make the unbelievable realization that you're actually at the bar to have a good time...because so are they! That's why they keep you laughing in between songs, with a comedic whit that works naturally in their performance and complements their music.
ChillSet is just one example of good live music to hear at a bar, I'm sure there are others out there. One reason I started this blog, was to discover other like-minded music fans in Boston and the chill bands they follow. If you've got a band you think I would dig, leave a comment...
Posted by amavrikos@hubspot.com on Fri, Aug 22, 2008 @ 09:47 AM
So the boys are leaving Boston and headed to New York City...(hey, they got calzones here?!)
Yes, they do have calzones. They also have a big ChillSet following, so I know all you NYC ChillFans are excited to see the boys play your home town. This one will probably sell out, so I suggest scooping up your tickets soon. I'll try to organize a caravan so that the locals can easily get to the show. Not sure the best way to get there, but I plan to just follow that Gorgeous Purple Van.
The show is Saturday September 6th at Sullivan Hall, located at 214 Sullivan Street, between Bleecker St and W 3rd St. Doors open at 7:30.
Posted by amavrikos@hubspot.com on Wed, Aug 13, 2008 @ 03:44 PM
Hey all, so here is the first blog article...are you as excited as me? Probably not, but anyway, here we go! I'd like to use this blog as a place to communicate with my fellow Chillfans. We can share thoughts on past shows, new songs, Scott's van, Dan's raw sex appeal, etc.
Seeing as this is my first blog post, I figure I'd start with a quick history on the band for all those ChillFans that don't know much about the boys.
So Scott Fovel, Dan Ober, and Justin Jones have been playing music since middle school. Justin was playing in a band known as Animicus. Their hit "Intricate Song" was evidence at an early age that Justin's musical creativity would be promising. (Note- I can't remember the name of the B-side to Intricate at the moment, but in my opinion, it contains the best guitar solo Justin has ever recorded...and he wasn't even old enough to drive himself to the recording studio!)
At the same time, another band was tearing up the local music scene. In Case of Fire showcased Scott Fovel singing and a 13 year old Dan Ober behind the drum kit. ICOF was a punk band that played originals and covered songs from bands like the Misfits and MXPX. Unfortunately, the band was struggling to find a unique sound, and this was perhaps no more evident then at a Medway High fundraising event. As fate would have it, Justin was performing some material from his solo project at the event, and introduced himself to the clearly frustrated, but obviously talented Scott Fovel. They soon joined up to form a new band, Void. At this same time, Dan would continue to jam with other local musicians and work on solo compositions.
In my opinion, Void represented the exploratory years in Scott and Justin's musical journey. Their sound was much heavier and much less chill then the tunes we all enjoy today. However, this is not to say the band was without success. With songs such as "Dawning," Void would go on to win a Battle of the Bands contest at Lupos in RI.
Void would ultimately decide to change musical direction. They added new members and with that, a new name: Visceral. Visceral, similar to Void in sound, would write some great songs such as "Rondo in C," "Speed," and of course "The Phoenix." The band enjoyed much success with regular gigs in the Boston and Providence, RI areas. They even opened for Vince Neil of Motley Crue. However, the band was dealing with internal personality struggles and ultimately decided to call it quits after a local college rugby fundraiser gig in 2005. (fun fact, OJ Simpson's daughter was in attenance at this final show!).
Side note- I went to several Void and Visceral shows back in the day, and never once saw an even remotely attractive girl. This should have been the first sign that things weren't on track, but I digress...
If nothing else, these bands brought Justin and Scott closer, both musically and personally. It was in the wake of Visceral that the unlikely beginings of ChillSet would form. It started with Justin performing solo acoustic performances at local metro west bars. And not just your typical covers you usually hear out at most bars either...I'm talking about Juice singing "Come Sail Away" with more passion then I should probably be allowed in public!
Naturally, Scott would sit in on songs every now and then, always to the audiences' delight. The two produced an energy and connection with audiences seldom achieved with acoustic duo acts. In fact, their shows at Tennessee's in Milford are legendary. It was here that Justin would begin his trademark standing on chairs and tables while playing, where Scott would dress up like Santa Claus (and I think a cow once too?), and where the infamous "Chillshot" was first drank....no, imbibed! These gigs also began to showcase an old familiar face, Dan Ober. Without doubt, Dan brought the band to the next musical level. With Scott at lead vocals and bongos, Justin on 12 string acoustic guitar and vocals, and Dan on drums, the ChillSet sound was complete and things really took off.
The incomporable Aaron Fleishman joined the band as manager, and soon they were booking gigs throughout the Boston area. They've packed Harper's Ferry, they sold out the Hard Rock Cafe in Boston, and they finally got some girls to attend their shows that, shall we say, possess many of the qualities that the superficial male would find attractive (great seinfeld line right there). Today, the band continues to play packed shows and their following is growing quickly. The other day I was in the Watertown mall and I saw a random girl wearing a ChillSet t-shirt. Couldn't believe it, how cool is that?
Well, there's the quick history. Please post a comment! What is your earliest Scott, Dan, or Justin musical memory? What did I miss in the history that you would add? Let's hear it Chillfans...