The Back Alley stemmed from the solo recording project of lead singer Ralph Porter who wrote songs such as ‘Your Love’ and ‘Flower Girl’ before the band was formed in 2022. Now a 5-piece independent rock band based in Chicago, Illinois, the band is a hybrid of Ax and The Hatchetmen’s members Hunter Olshefke (Bass), and Sal
Defilippis (Guitar), who have joined forces with Jaden Cone (Guitar), Ralph Porter (Vocals), and Ben Kremer (Drums) to perform and record original music while still paying homage to their singers past discography by performing completely new takes on his songs at their live shows.
The bands debut EP ‘Live From Picture-Minded Studio’ marked a major transition for the band as they begin to move from the “bedroom pop” vibes of Porter’s solo work into a more guitar-heavy indie rock approach with songs such as “Gump”, “Lightning” while still including the new takes on his original music as part of the EP.
The band has started to find their own rhythm within their new songs ‘Brand New’ and ‘Grey Skies’ leading the way.
After carving their path in the Midwest scene in 2023 and 2024 with new music and shows at iconic venues such as Lincoln Hall and Park West, the band is ready to take on 2025.
The bands latest single ‘Shaking Off The Snow’ will be released on March 20th as they kick off their first tour together.
Time | Venue | Age | |
---|---|---|---|
Break Free Fest (Day 1 - Unity / Fulano! / PSyop / Lake Lanier / FOCO / Brainwashed / Bruise Bath) | 4:00pm | Foto Club | All Ages |
Nematode / Bren / Det Cart Sid / Pine Barons | 7:00pm | Ortlieb's | 21+ |
Dogs On Acid / more TBA | 7:30pm | Ukie Club | All Ages |
Mary Fahl | 8:00pm | Music Hall at World Cafe Live | All Ages |
Astrid Sonne / Nina Ryser | 8:00pm | PhilaMOCA | All Ages |
Thomas Strønen, Eivind Opsvik, and Anna Webber (Trio) | 8:00pm | Solar Myth | All Ages |
Khalil Amaru (Album Release) | 8:00pm | The Lounge at World Cafe Live | All Ages |
All The Living And The Dead / I Think Like Midnight / Ben Smith | 9:00pm | Johnny Brenda's | 21+ |
WKDU Presents: Thrifty Disco | 9:30pm | Philly AIDS Thrift | 18+ |
Time | Venue | Age | |
---|---|---|---|
Love Injection / Joshua Lang | 4:00pm | La Chinesca | All Ages |
Break Free Fest (Day 2 - No Man / Payasa / Angry Blackmen / LA Gimas / Pucker Up! / Commitment) | 4:00pm | Foto Club | All Ages |
Special Interest / Eraser | 7:00pm | Nikki Lopez | 21+ |
(Film) Pavements - biopic of the band Pavement | 7:30pm | PhilaMOCA | All Ages |
Lords of Acid / Little Miss Nasty | 8:00pm | Underground Arts | 21+ |
Special World / Lowercase Roses / Song People | 8:00pm | Johnny Brenda's | 21+ |