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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bandits On The Run / Makeshift Hammer | 7:00pm | Nikki Lopez | 21+ |
| Skullcrusher | 8:00pm | Johnny Brenda's | 21+ |
| Eidola (Night #1, Performing "Eviscerate") | 8:00pm | Underground Arts | 21+ |
| Time | Venue | Age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandy Valentine / Old Lady | 7:00pm | Nikki Lopez | 21+ |
| Acopia | 7:00pm | Warehouse on Watts | All Ages |
| Time | Venue | Age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bootblacks / The Discussion / Cult Objects | 7:00pm | Nikki Lopez | 21+ |
| Cornelia Murr | 8:00pm | Johnny Brenda's | 21+ |
| Fatal Agent / Paralysis / Atomic Cretins / Traitor | 8:00pm | Cousin Danny's | 21+ |
| The Slackers | 8:00pm | Underground Arts | 21+ |
| Liv Greene / Melanie MacLaren / Shona Carr | 8:00pm | Kung Fu Necktie | 21+ |
| Time | Venue | Age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flyingfish / Love Letter / Knifeplay / Day Aches | 7:00pm | Ukie Club | All Ages |
| Time | Venue | Age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| moondoggy | 8:00pm | Kung Fu Necktie | 21+ |
| Kresten Osgood w/ Bobby Zankel, Marshall Allen, Dave Burrell | 8:00pm | Solar Myth | 21+ |
| Grrrl Gang | 8:00pm | Silk City | 21+ |
| Niloufar Shiri & Bahar Badietabar / Parsa Ferdowsi | 8:00pm | The Rotunda | All Ages |