GUNS N' ROSES (Rehearsals: Mondays @ 6:00pm - 7:30pm)
In the late 1980s, rock and roll got a serious dose of attitude when five musicians from Los Angeles came together to form Guns N’ Roses. With their gritty hard rock, bluesy guitar riffs, soaring vocals, and larger-than-life personalities, GNR quickly proved they were anything but your average rock band. Their debut album, Appetite for Destruction, exploded onto the scene, launching songs like “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” “Paradise City,” and “Welcome to the Jungle” straight into rock history!
At the center of it all was Axl Rose, whose unmistakable voice could go from a low growl to a high scream in an instant. Slash brought his iconic guitar sound and soaring solos, while Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, and Steven Adler locked in the gritty, hard-hitting groove that made the band’s early sound so unforgettable.
From “Mr. Brownstone” to “Rocket Queen,” “You Could Be Mine,” and “November Rain,” Guns N’ Roses proved that rock could still be dangerous, unpredictable, and downright fun.
Join us this fall as we take on some of the greatest rock songs ever recorded. Grab your leather jacket, turn it up, and get ready to welcome yourself to the jungle!
DRUMAGEDDON (Rehearsals: Mondays @ 7:30pm - 9:00pm)
Drumageddon brings together some of the biggest, hardest-hitting songs in rock for a show packed with huge riffs, powerful vocals, killer grooves, and some seriously challenging drum parts. Featuring music from the Allman Brothers, .38 Special, Grateful Dead, Santana, the Doobie Brothers, and more, this show gives every musician a chance to take on something exciting and push their skills to the next level.
Guitarists and bassists will get plenty of opportunities to dig into iconic riffs, solos, and grooves, while vocalists can take on some of rock’s most powerful performances. And, of course, the drummers will have their hands full with double drum parts, massive percussion sections, breakdowns, and even drum duels where players trade licks and battle it out!
Whether you’re looking to master a challenging part or simply want to play some seriously fun rock and roll, Drumageddon has something for everyone.
NEO SOUL (Rehearsals: Tuesdays @ 6:00pm - 7:30pm)
Neo Soul brings together the smooth grooves of R&B, the improvisation of jazz, the energy of funk, and the attitude of hip hop for a show that is as soulful as it is sophisticated. Emerging in the 1990s and 2000s, the genre brought live instrumentation back to the forefront with artists like Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Maxwell, TLC, and Alicia Keys. Today, artists like Bruno Mars, John Legend, and Silk Sonic continue to carry the Neo Soul sound forward.
This show is all about the groove! Vocalists will take on soulful melodies and powerful performances, while guitarists, bassists, drummers, and keyboard players get the chance to dig into intricate rhythms, funky grooves, and seriously challenging parts. It’s the kind of music that demands you listen, feel the pocket, and lock in with the rest of the band.
Join us this fall and get ready to stretch your musical muscles, find your groove, and become a true groove monster!
QUEEN (Rehearsals:Tuesdays @ 7:30pm - 9:00pm)
In the mid-1970s, the rock world was forever changed by an ambitious four piece from London. “I have just seen the future of pop music,” wrote Jac Holzman of Electra Records, “and it is a rock band called Queen!” Jac’s prediction may have sounded stone cold crazy at the time, but he was right, and the band’s unique blend of pop, progressive, and hard rock soon took over the airwaves, and eventually the world as their records ran a bicycle race straight to the top of the charts!
Roger Taylor’s rock solid drumming was distinctive with heavy hi-hat accents on the backbeats, while guitarist Brian May delivered well orchestrated rhythm parts along with finely crafted leads. Bassist and secret songwriting weapon, John Deacon provided the melodic yet rhythmically precise bass lines. At the center of it all was Freddie Mercury with intense vocals, dramatic piano parts, and unmatchable stage charisma. Let’s not forget about all the amazing harmonies!
Join us this fall, and we will rock you through some of the greatest music ever recorded! Are you ready, Freddie?
ALICE IN CHAINS (Rehearsals:Wednesdays @ 4:30pm - 6:00pm)
Few bands captured the darker side of grunge quite like Alice in Chains. Emerging from Seattle in the late 1980s, the band blended crushing guitar riffs, haunting melodies, heavy grooves, and unforgettable vocal harmonies into a sound that was uniquely their own. Jerry Cantrell’s powerful guitar work and Layne Staley’s unmistakable voice became the heart of a band that could be both brutally heavy and surprisingly beautiful.
From the massive riff of “Man in the Box” to the eerie harmonies of “Rooster,” the intensity of “Them Bones,” and the emotional weight of “Down in a Hole,” Alice in Chains gives every musician something to dig into. Guitarists and bassists can take on some seriously heavy parts, drummers get to explore dynamic and unconventional grooves, and vocalists have the chance to tackle some of the most recognizable harmonies in rock.
Turn up the distortion, find your darkest tone, and get ready to explore the heavier side of grunge. Come get heavy with Alice in Chains this fall!
U2 (Rehearsals:Wednesdays @ 6:00pm - 7:30pm)
Few bands have made rock music feel as massive as U2. Formed in Dublin in the late 1970s, U2 combined Bono’s unmistakable vocals with The Edge’s atmospheric, effects-driven guitar, Adam Clayton’s melodic bass, and Larry Mullen Jr.’s powerful drumming to create a sound that could fill an arena and still feel deeply personal.
From the anthemic The Joshua Tree to the experimental sounds of the 1990s and beyond, U2 has never been content to stay in one place. This show will take you through the band’s biggest hits, from “Pride (In the Name of Love)” and “Where the Streets Have No Name” to “With or Without You,” “One,” and “Vertigo.”
Whether you’re a vocalist ready to belt out an anthem, a guitarist looking to explore The Edge’s signature effects, or a rhythm player ready to lock into some unforgettable grooves, there’s a place for you on this stage.
So turn on the delay, find your biggest sound, and get ready for a little U2 magic this fall!
BLONDIE (Rehearsals:Wednesdays @ 7:30pm - 9:00pm)
Before genre-bending was cool, Blondie was already doing it. Emerging from New York City’s legendary punk and New Wave scene, Blondie combined rock, pop, disco, reggae, and hip hop into a sound that was completely their own. With Debbie Harry’s effortlessly cool vocals and Chris Stein’s unmistakable guitar, the band went from the clubs of CBGB to the top of the charts.
Get ready for a set that moves from the disco pulse of “Heart of Glass” to the driving rock of “Call Me,” the reggae groove of “The Tide Is High,” and the groundbreaking “Rapture.” Behind it all are catchy guitar parts, funky bass lines, inventive drum grooves, and layers of keyboards and synths that give these songs their unique character.
Whether you’re a vocalist, guitarist, bassist, drummer, or keys player, this show has something challenging and exciting waiting for you. Come explore the sounds of one of rock’s most original bands!
SMASHING PUMPKINS (Rehearsals:Thursdays @ 6:00pm - 7:30pm)
In the early 90s, when the rock world was blowing up in Seattle, London, and Los Angeles, we had our own response right here at home in Chicago! We’re ecstatic to announce the return of one of our favorite SoR shows: Smashing Pumpkins! Billy and company established themselves as the Midwest answer to modern alternative rock and have proven that they can still hold that title to this day!
Jimmy Chamberlin, who has shown his support for our own School of Rock here in Naperville, is considered to be one of the greats. His dedication to developing his craft is an inspiration for any young musician. The harmonic foundation was provided by D’arcy Wretzky on bass who’s lines were seemingly simplistic, yet perfectly suited for each song. Billy Corgan and James Iva’s guitar parts explore different genres including shoegaze, metal, and dream pop.