Bands/Music - Polish Tornado

Lunar Breakdown

Chicago native, Mike Szymanski, has played in live bands since the inception of his drumming career, which began in 1998 at the University of Illinois with the formation of Lunar Breakdown, an original psychedelic rock band. Having quickly developed a strong reputation and following via the house-party circuit, the band increased its popularity by performing live on WEFT Champaign 90.1 FM, a community radio station for East-Central Illinois, and at The Canopy Club, a venue known for booking regional and national acts. Despite having an enormous amount of potential, the band ultimately met its demise in 2000 when the band members drifted apart upon graduation because Szymanski was recruited by Hypnofugue.

Although PT did not play drums on this track, “Judgment Sells” is indicative and characteristic of Lunar Breakdown’s purpose and direction. The Polish Tornado is fond of this song written by his old bandmates Mike Melie (guitar/vox) and Ed Schlicksup (bass) and drummer–Ed Nudd. Thank God for Lunar Breakdown! Without this band, PT may never have explored the drum set.

Hypnofugue

Szymanski accepted a position with Hypnofugue, an original urban-techno-rock group that was generating a buzz in the Chicago music scene as a result of their top-flight performances at notable venues such as Double Door and Metro. The band was also chosen in 2002 to participate in MOBfest, a three-day music conference that gives bands in the Midwest an opportunity to be seen and heard by a gathering of A&R reps from both coasts, media executives, managers, producers, and other music industry professionals. In 2003 Hypnofugue moved to Los Angeles, California. When the band wasn’t rubbing elbows with celebrities at Rainbow Bar and Grill or appearing as extras in science-fiction westerns, they were performing at venues on Sunset Boulevard such as Stray Cats’ Slim Jim Phantom’s The Cat Club. At this time the band also had their record produced by Logan Mader (of Machine Head and Soulfly fame) and were managed by Shawn Barusch of Music Gallery International (Hollowpoint Management).

The Heard

Mile 60

Click the play button to listen to “Chardonnay”, a Mile 60 original composition. PT plays the djembe and conga on this track.

PT and Mike Brostek of Mile 60 with friends also created an original Chicago Cubs song for a radio contest on WGN. Listen now.

Handsome Dave and the Ravens

Handsome Dave and the Ravens were booked frequently by United Talent Coordinators across the Chicagoland area. The band played Saint Pascal’s carnival annually. They performed at Hard Rock Cafe and Six Corners Fest in 2017, and played Music for Mammograms charity event at Lubeck Studios in 2016. They opened for grammy-nominated blues musician Nick Moss at Uptown Lounge in March of 2014. The members of HDR raised money (Jam for Jeff) to be used for musical instruments and supplies for addiction treatment centers in 2013. The band played the Norwood Park festival in 2012 and won the United Way Battle of the Bands at S.P.A.C.E. in Evanston in 2011. The band recorded two albums at Uptown Recording in 2009 and 2013.

Coma Boys

From the depths of Chicago, the Coma Boys are establishing themselves as an up and coming rock band. Mixing the grit and energy of 60s and 70s punk rock with various genres, from soul to blues, the Boys boast a high energy stage show, catchy songs, and great hooks.
Leading the Coma Boys is singer/songwriter Reverend Trent Stevenson, combining glam rock charm with Detroit Punk Rock madness. Fellow songwriter/guitarist Brandon Reed supplies a mix of primal blues licks and driving rhythms. The thunderous rhythm section propels the band forward with the melodic grooves of bassist Patrick O’Keefe, and the reckless abandon of drummer Mike Szymanski.
The Coma Boys are on a mission to restore rock to its glorious and subversive roots!