6 Rock Bands From Illinois

When you think of rock bands from Illinois, what comes to mind?  Generally, people think of the fantastic collection of artists that hail from the Chicago metro area.  (For more on Chicagoland bands, click here.)  What about downstate?  Mudvayne is the only band to have achieved national success, but there others who call the area home.  Here are six from downstate Illinois.

Mudvayne

Mudvayne formed in Peoria in 1996.  It is known for complex guitar riffs and for the members’ makeup and costumes while performing.  The look changes from album to album and is abandoned for most of the band’s music videos.

The band has released five albums and is working on a sixth.  It took a break from 2010-2021, with its most recent album, Mudvayne, released in 2009.

Mudvayne’s song “Forget to Remember” off the album Lost and Found appeared on the Saw II soundtrack.

Current members are Chad Gray (frontman), Greg Tribbett (guitar), Ryan Martinie (bass) and Matthew McDonough (drums).

The Didjits

The Didjits are from Mattoon, and were active in the 1980s and ’90s, releasing five albums.  The band broke up in 1994, reuniting briefly in 2006.

Icon for Hire

Icon for Hire formed in 2007 in Decatur. Current members are Ariel Bloomer (frontwoman) and Shawn Jump (guitar and keyboard).  The band has released six albums.

Minsk

Minsk formed in Peoria in 2002.  Current members are Christopher Bennett, Timothy Mead, Aaron Austin, Zachary Livingston and Ryan Thomas.  The band has released four albums.

Planes Mistaken for Stars

Planes Mistaken for Stars formed in Peoria in 1997.  Current members are Chuck French (guitar), Neil Keener (bass) and Mike Ricketts (drums). The band has released four albums.

Trouble

Trouble is from Aurora.  The band formed in 1979 and has undergone a number of hiatuses.  Current band members are Kyle Thomas (frontman), Bruce Franklin (guitars), Rick Wartell (guitar), Rob Hultz  (bass) and Mark Lira (drums). The band has released eight albums, most recently in 2013.

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This is by no means an exhaustive list.  Which bands from Illinois would you include?  Leave a comment below.  Comments close after 90 days. For more information on the licenses mentioned on this page, visit https://creativecommons.org/about/cclicenses/.

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Here’s the 4-1-1

This blog is a companion piece to The Rock Star’s Wife, a series about sex, family, and rock & roll.  The series has elements of chick lit, romance and erotica and is best compared to The Vagina Monologues for its frank talk of sex and its consequences.  The series follows Cassandra from her teenage years into her 40s as she navigates relationships (both romantic and platonic) — all with music playing a prominent roll.

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Related posts:

20 Bands from the Midwest 15 ’90s Bands Mentioned in Mr. Right is a Myth 12 Chicagoland Bands 13 Bands From the 90s Mentioned in Sexual Awakening 10 Bands with Siblings 9 Bands Mentioned in Rock Star Romance