PRESS
"Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Balzer lit the place on fire with his searing vocals and impressive showmanship. Verona Red's sense of humor couldn’t be mistaken, and for the first time in a while, it was a breath of fresh air to see a band so jolly and happy, ego-free and friendly, but who could also play some fantastic music...Bluesy, sultry, rocking, and overall awesome, Verona Red made a statement for the masses. When it comes to bands kicking ass, only the truth comes out, and Verona Red is the best Chicago band you must hear, Faithful Reader, hands down."
"Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Balzer lit the place on fire with his searing vocals and impressive showmanship. Verona Red's sense of humor couldn’t be mistaken, and for the first time in a while, it was a breath of fresh air to see a band so jolly and happy, ego-free and friendly, but who could also play some fantastic music...Bluesy, sultry, rocking, and overall awesome, Verona Red made a statement for the masses. When it comes to bands kicking ass, only the truth comes out, and Verona Red is the best Chicago band you must hear, Faithful Reader, hands down."
-Consequence of Sound
Verona Red creates a "dark, yet uplifting, bluesy sound that is both nostalgic and cutting-edge." At their live shows, "expect to witness a grossly satisfying night of live music that's sure to be high in energy, talent, and pure entertainment."
-Zaptown Magazine
"It's rare to get actual twists and turns in indie rock these days (other than the contrived pre-determined ones of twisty turny-core bands), so hearing this band shift gears between hard, slinky, bouncy, ominous, rootsy, and points in between is refreshing."
-Roctober Magazine
"You don't expect a totally familiar vibe from a band you've never heard before, but there it was. With warm guitar, a well-pounded tambourine, and bongo drums laid over the full percussion, Verona Red played a set that I felt a high-school-music affection for. Lead singer Chris Balzer danced in a way that made his music seem as if it came up from the shoes of his soul. Anyone who hasn't seen this local Chicago band is missing out."
-Consequence of Sound
"There is high octane intensity that is physically undeniable in Verona Red's new wave explication. But, the kicker would have to be their ability to blend musical crafts without having created a noticeably biased opinion of what good time rock and roll should sound like."
-Fensepost
"Rock that genuinely warrants a hearty grassroots fan base... a winning combination of saloon sing-along and driving pop with a refreshing shadowy heart."
-The Daily Herald
"Well-written, driving indie rock that is almost as dancey as it is smart. In a world where most bands want to sound like some other stagnant band, this is refreshing."
-Housecall Entertainment
"Their live shows are energetic, fun and exciting. Anything to loosen up the crowd seems to be well within bounds, although their main objective is clearly to get you to dance."
-Chicago Innerview
Verona Red's January 2010 Chicago show was highlighted in the Chicago Redeye paper as a Metromix Top Show recommendation, alongside Lady Gaga, Butch Walker and My Gold Mask.
Verona Red ranked #69 of top 300 most popular bands in Chicago, July 2010! (Other artists on the list included Kanye, Wilco, Lupe Fiasco, The Smith Westerns, Ok Go, Hey Champ, The Hood Internet, and Maps & Atlases)
–Chicago Deli Magazine
“Their sense of humor couldn’t be mistaken, and for the first time in a while, it was a breath of fresh air to see a band so jolly and happy, ego-free and friendly, but who could also play some fantastic music.”
–Consequence of Sound
“In essence, Verona Red is carving a niche within the alternative rock genre with this new album. This is the album to add to your 2008 collection.”
–Fearless Radio
“Red Hot Kaiser Killers! … They have something original because they sound like a combination of styles that shouldn't really work but somehow does.”
-The Reality Podcast
“Dancing music! I bopped from one end of the house to the other when Hesitations and Clichés started blasting.”
-The Reality Podcast
“The vocals are brilliant; Crash Test Dummies on speed? I love the sound. I love the simplicity - and can appreciate how much effort goes in to making something sound simple.”
-The Reality Podcast
FEATURES
RADIO
WXRT - Chicago, IL
WPTS - Pittsburgh, PA (University of Pittsburgh)
KANM - College Station, TX (Texas A&M University)
KLSU - Baton Rouge, LA (Louisiana State University)
KURE - Ames, IA (Iowa State University)
VICRadio - Ithaca, NY (Ithaca College)
WHUS- Storrs, CT (University of Connecticut)
WIUX - Bloomington, IN (Indiana University)
WZBC - Chestnut Hill, MA (Boston College)
KQAL - Winona, MN (Winona State U)
KMET - Denver, CO (Metropolitan State College of Denver)
WPSC - Wayne, NJ (William Patterson University)
WSIA - Staten Island, NY (CUNY Staten Island)
WLFR - Galloway, NJ (Richard Stockton College of NJ)
WLTL - La Grange, IL
WVIA - Pittston, PA
KSLU - St. Louis, MO (St. Louis University)
WHFR - Dearborn, MI (Henry Ford Community College)
WUDR - Dayton, OH (300 College Park)
WASU - Boone, NC (Appalachian State Univ.)
WMCO - New Concord, OH (Muskingum University)
WNJR - Washington, PA (Washington & Jefferson College)
KTCV - Kennewick, WA
CILU - Thunder Bay, ON
WBOR - Brunswick, ME (Bowdoin College)
WEOS - Geneva, NY (Hubart/William Smith College)
WGBK - Glenview, IL
WHRW - Binghamton, NY (SUNY Binghamton)
WSBF - Clemson, SC (Clemson University)
WSIN - New Haven, CT (South CT State U)
WRST - Oshkosh, WI (UW-Oshkosh)
KCSU - Fort Collins, CO (CO State Univ.)
KDNK - Carbondale, CO
KEUL - Girdwood, AK
KMNR - Rolla, MO (University of Missouri-Rolla)
KRNU - Lincoln, NE (University of Nebraska/Lincoln)
KURA - Ouray, CO
Lasell College Radio - Newton, MA (Laselle College)
Riddle Radio - Prescott, AZ
WDWN - Auburn, NY (Cayuga Comm. College)
WERU - East Orland, ME
WGFR - Queensburg, NY (Adirondack Community College)
WMLU - Farmville, VA (Longwood College)
WOUB - Athens, OH (Ohio University)
WSBU - St. Bonaventure, NY (St. Bonaventure University)
WVYC - York, PA (York College of PA)
WWHR - Bowling Green, KY
WXIN - Providence, RI (Rhode Island College)
WITR - Rochester, NY (Rochester Institute of Tech.)
WRRC - Lawrenceville, NJ (Rider University)
KHNS - Haines, AK
KWTS - Canyon, TX (West Texas A&M Univ.)
WCUR - West Chester, PA (West Chester University)
Aggie Radio - Logan, UT
Bear Cast Radio - Cincinnati, OH (University of Cincinnati)
BIRN - Boston, MA
CHMR - St. Johns, NF (Memorial U of Newfoundland)
CHUO - Ottawa, ON (University of Ottawa)
CJSR - Edmonton, AB (University of Alberta)
CSCR - Scarborough, ON
KAFM - Grand Junction, CO
KALA - Davenport, IA (St. Ambrose College)
KAMP - Tucson, AZ (University of Arizona)
KBBI - Homer, AK
KCRH - Hayward, CA (Chabot College)
KCSS - Turlock, CA (CA State Univ./Stanislaus)
KDUP - Portland, OR (University of Portland)
KDWG- Dillon, MT (Western Montana College)
KEOL- La Grande, OR (Eastern Oregon University)
KFAI - Minneapolis, MN
KGAR - Lemoore, CA
KIDE - Hoopa, CA
KKCR - Hanalei, HI
KKSM - San Marcos, CA (Palomar College)
KLPI - Ruston, LA
KMSA - Grand Junction, CO (Mesa State College)
KMSC - Moorhead, MN (Moorhead State University)
KMSU - Mankato, MN (Mankato State University)
KMUD - Redway, CA
KNDS - Fargo, ND
KNSU - Thibodaux, LA (Nicholls State University)
KOTO - Telluride, CO
KPSU - Portland, OR (Portland State University)
KPUR - Forest Grove, OR
KRCX - Denver, CO (Regis College)
KRNL - Mt. Vernon, IA (Cornell College)
KRZA - Alamosa, CO
KSCL - Shreveport, LA (Centenary College)
KSHU - Huntsville, TX (Sam Houston State University)
KSSU - Sacramento, CA (CSU Sacramento)
KSTO - Northfield, MN (St. Olaf College)
KSUA - Fairbanks, AK (University of Alaska – Fairbanks)
KSYM - San Antonio, TX (San Antonio College)
KTUH - Honolulu, HI (University of Hawaii)
KUIW - San Antonio, TX
KUWS - Superior, WI (UW – Superior)
KWCR - Ogden, UT
KWCW - Walla Walla, WA (Whitman College)
KWVA - Eugene, OR (University of Oregon)
KXZY- Stillwater, OK (Oklahoma State University)
KZMU - Moab, UT
KZOW - Forest City, IA (Waldorf College)
RadioUTD - Richardson, TX (University of Texas/ Dallas)
SCAD Radio Atlanta - Atlanta, GA
WAIH - Potsdam, NY (SUNY Potsdam)
WAMH - Amherst, MA (Amherst College)
WARY- Valhalla, NY (Westchester Community College)
WAUG - Rock Island, IL (Augustana College)
WBGU - Bowling Green, OH (Bowling Green State University)
WBRS - Waltham, MA (Brandeis University)
WBSR - Providence, RI (Brown University)
WBWC - Berea, OH (Baldwin- Wallace College)
WCBE - Columbus, OH
WCFM - Williamstown, MA (Williams College)
WCHC - Worcester, MA (Holy Cross College)
WCNI - New London, CT (Connecticut College)
WCVF - Fredonia, NY (SUNY Fredonia)
WCVM - Morrisville, NY (SUNY Morrisville)
WDUB - Granville, OH (Denison University)
WECI - Richmond, IN (Earlham College)
WECS - Willimantic, CT (Eastern Connecticut State University)
WEGL - Auburn, AL (Auburn University)
WFCS - New Britain, CT (Central Conn. State University)
WFNP - New Paltz, NY (SUNY New Paltz)
WGDR/WGDH - Plainfield, VT (Goddard College)
WGLS - Glassboro, NJ (Rowan University)
WGMU - Fairfax, VA (George Mason University)
WGTB - Washington, DC (Georgetown University)
WHRV- Norfolk, VA
WICB - Ithaca, NY (Ithica College)
WIDB - Carbondale, IL (Southern Illinois University)
WIDR - Kalamazoo, MI (Western Michigan University)
WIIT - Chicago, IL (Illinois Institute of Technology)
WIXQ - Millersville, PA (Millersville University)
WKKL - West Barnstable, MA (Cape Cod Community College)
WKNC - Raleigh, NC
WKWZ - Syosset, NY
WLUR - Lexington, VA (Washington & Lee University)
WLVR - Bethlehem, PA (Lehigh University)
WMHB - Waterville, ME (Colby College)
WMPG - Portland, ME (University of Southern Maine)
WMTU - Houghton, MI (Michigan Technological University)
WMUC - College Park, MD (University of Maryland)
WMUH - Allentown, PA (Muhlenberg College)
WMUR - Milwaukee, WI (Marquette University)
WMVL - Purchase, NY (Manhattanville College)
WMXM - Lake Forest, IL
WNSU - Fort Lauderdale, FL (Nova Southeastern University)
WODU - Norfolk, VA (Old Dominion University)
WOJB - Hayward, WI
WPHS - Warren, MI
WPMD - Norwalk, CA (Cerritos College)
WPPJ - Pittsburgh, PA (Point Park College)
WQAQ - Hamden, CT (Quinnipiac College)
WQFS - Greensboro, NC (Guilford College)
WRCU - Hamilton, NY (Colgate University)
WRDP - Chicago, IL
WRFW - River Falls, WI (UW-River Falls)
WRHU - Hempstead, NY (Hofstra University)
WRKC - Wilkes Barre, PA (King’s College)
WRNC - Ashland, WI
WRSE - Elmhurst, IL (Elmhurst College)
WRUR - Rochester, NY (University of Rochester)
WSDP - Canton, MI
WSHL - North Easton, MA (Stonehill College)
WSPN - Saratoga Springs, NY (Skidmore College)
WSRU - Slippery Rock, PA (Slippery Rock University)
WTSC - Potsdam, NY (Clarkson University)
WTSR - Ewing, NJ
WUMM - Machias, ME (Univ. of Maine at Machais)
WUPX - Marquette, MI (Northern Michigan University)
WUSO - Springfield, OH (Whittenberg University)
WVAU - Washington, DC
WVMW - Scranton, PA (Marywood College)
WVOF- Fairfield, CT (Fairfield University)
WWPV - Colchester, VT (Saint Michael’s College)
WWSP - Stevens Point, WI (UW-Stevens Point)
WWUH - West Hartford, CT (University of Hartford)
XTSR - Towson, MD (Towson University)
WLUW Radio One - Chicago, IL
Fearless Radio - Chicago, IL
WCRX - Chicago, IL (Columbia College)
PODCASTS
Dark Horse Radio
Get Fit Pod
Indie Music Sampler
Marvel Noise
PMN Weekly Top Five
Pod Music Countdown, Top 10
Radio Orphans Podcast
Suffolk 'n' Cool
This Reality
FEATURES
RADIO
WXRT - Chicago, IL
WPTS - Pittsburgh, PA (University of Pittsburgh)
KANM - College Station, TX (Texas A&M University)
KLSU - Baton Rouge, LA (Louisiana State University)
KURE - Ames, IA (Iowa State University)
VICRadio - Ithaca, NY (Ithaca College)
WHUS- Storrs, CT (University of Connecticut)
WIUX - Bloomington, IN (Indiana University)
WZBC - Chestnut Hill, MA (Boston College)
KQAL - Winona, MN (Winona State U)
KMET - Denver, CO (Metropolitan State College of Denver)
WPSC - Wayne, NJ (William Patterson University)
WSIA - Staten Island, NY (CUNY Staten Island)
WLFR - Galloway, NJ (Richard Stockton College of NJ)
WLTL - La Grange, IL
WVIA - Pittston, PA
KSLU - St. Louis, MO (St. Louis University)
WHFR - Dearborn, MI (Henry Ford Community College)
WUDR - Dayton, OH (300 College Park)
WASU - Boone, NC (Appalachian State Univ.)
WMCO - New Concord, OH (Muskingum University)
WNJR - Washington, PA (Washington & Jefferson College)
KTCV - Kennewick, WA
CILU - Thunder Bay, ON
WBOR - Brunswick, ME (Bowdoin College)
WEOS - Geneva, NY (Hubart/William Smith College)
WGBK - Glenview, IL
WHRW - Binghamton, NY (SUNY Binghamton)
WSBF - Clemson, SC (Clemson University)
WSIN - New Haven, CT (South CT State U)
WRST - Oshkosh, WI (UW-Oshkosh)
KCSU - Fort Collins, CO (CO State Univ.)
KDNK - Carbondale, CO
KEUL - Girdwood, AK
KMNR - Rolla, MO (University of Missouri-Rolla)
KRNU - Lincoln, NE (University of Nebraska/Lincoln)
KURA - Ouray, CO
Lasell College Radio - Newton, MA (Laselle College)
Riddle Radio - Prescott, AZ
WDWN - Auburn, NY (Cayuga Comm. College)
WERU - East Orland, ME
WGFR - Queensburg, NY (Adirondack Community College)
WMLU - Farmville, VA (Longwood College)
WOUB - Athens, OH (Ohio University)
WSBU - St. Bonaventure, NY (St. Bonaventure University)
WVYC - York, PA (York College of PA)
WWHR - Bowling Green, KY
WXIN - Providence, RI (Rhode Island College)
WITR - Rochester, NY (Rochester Institute of Tech.)
WRRC - Lawrenceville, NJ (Rider University)
KHNS - Haines, AK
KWTS - Canyon, TX (West Texas A&M Univ.)
WCUR - West Chester, PA (West Chester University)
Aggie Radio - Logan, UT
Bear Cast Radio - Cincinnati, OH (University of Cincinnati)
BIRN - Boston, MA
CHMR - St. Johns, NF (Memorial U of Newfoundland)
CHUO - Ottawa, ON (University of Ottawa)
CJSR - Edmonton, AB (University of Alberta)
CSCR - Scarborough, ON
KAFM - Grand Junction, CO
KALA - Davenport, IA (St. Ambrose College)
KAMP - Tucson, AZ (University of Arizona)
KBBI - Homer, AK
KCRH - Hayward, CA (Chabot College)
KCSS - Turlock, CA (CA State Univ./Stanislaus)
KDUP - Portland, OR (University of Portland)
KDWG- Dillon, MT (Western Montana College)
KEOL- La Grande, OR (Eastern Oregon University)
KFAI - Minneapolis, MN
KGAR - Lemoore, CA
KIDE - Hoopa, CA
KKCR - Hanalei, HI
KKSM - San Marcos, CA (Palomar College)
KLPI - Ruston, LA
KMSA - Grand Junction, CO (Mesa State College)
KMSC - Moorhead, MN (Moorhead State University)
KMSU - Mankato, MN (Mankato State University)
KMUD - Redway, CA
KNDS - Fargo, ND
KNSU - Thibodaux, LA (Nicholls State University)
KOTO - Telluride, CO
KPSU - Portland, OR (Portland State University)
KPUR - Forest Grove, OR
KRCX - Denver, CO (Regis College)
KRNL - Mt. Vernon, IA (Cornell College)
KRZA - Alamosa, CO
KSCL - Shreveport, LA (Centenary College)
KSHU - Huntsville, TX (Sam Houston State University)
KSSU - Sacramento, CA (CSU Sacramento)
KSTO - Northfield, MN (St. Olaf College)
KSUA - Fairbanks, AK (University of Alaska – Fairbanks)
KSYM - San Antonio, TX (San Antonio College)
KTUH - Honolulu, HI (University of Hawaii)
KUIW - San Antonio, TX
KUWS - Superior, WI (UW – Superior)
KWCR - Ogden, UT
KWCW - Walla Walla, WA (Whitman College)
KWVA - Eugene, OR (University of Oregon)
KXZY- Stillwater, OK (Oklahoma State University)
KZMU - Moab, UT
KZOW - Forest City, IA (Waldorf College)
RadioUTD - Richardson, TX (University of Texas/ Dallas)
SCAD Radio Atlanta - Atlanta, GA
WAIH - Potsdam, NY (SUNY Potsdam)
WAMH - Amherst, MA (Amherst College)
WARY- Valhalla, NY (Westchester Community College)
WAUG - Rock Island, IL (Augustana College)
WBGU - Bowling Green, OH (Bowling Green State University)
WBRS - Waltham, MA (Brandeis University)
WBSR - Providence, RI (Brown University)
WBWC - Berea, OH (Baldwin- Wallace College)
WCBE - Columbus, OH
WCFM - Williamstown, MA (Williams College)
WCHC - Worcester, MA (Holy Cross College)
WCNI - New London, CT (Connecticut College)
WCVF - Fredonia, NY (SUNY Fredonia)
WCVM - Morrisville, NY (SUNY Morrisville)
WDUB - Granville, OH (Denison University)
WECI - Richmond, IN (Earlham College)
WECS - Willimantic, CT (Eastern Connecticut State University)
WEGL - Auburn, AL (Auburn University)
WFCS - New Britain, CT (Central Conn. State University)
WFNP - New Paltz, NY (SUNY New Paltz)
WGDR/WGDH - Plainfield, VT (Goddard College)
WGLS - Glassboro, NJ (Rowan University)
WGMU - Fairfax, VA (George Mason University)
WGTB - Washington, DC (Georgetown University)
WHRV- Norfolk, VA
WICB - Ithaca, NY (Ithica College)
WIDB - Carbondale, IL (Southern Illinois University)
WIDR - Kalamazoo, MI (Western Michigan University)
WIIT - Chicago, IL (Illinois Institute of Technology)
WIXQ - Millersville, PA (Millersville University)
WKKL - West Barnstable, MA (Cape Cod Community College)
WKNC - Raleigh, NC
WKWZ - Syosset, NY
WLUR - Lexington, VA (Washington & Lee University)
WLVR - Bethlehem, PA (Lehigh University)
WMHB - Waterville, ME (Colby College)
WMPG - Portland, ME (University of Southern Maine)
WMTU - Houghton, MI (Michigan Technological University)
WMUC - College Park, MD (University of Maryland)
WMUH - Allentown, PA (Muhlenberg College)
WMUR - Milwaukee, WI (Marquette University)
WMVL - Purchase, NY (Manhattanville College)
WMXM - Lake Forest, IL
WNSU - Fort Lauderdale, FL (Nova Southeastern University)
WODU - Norfolk, VA (Old Dominion University)
WOJB - Hayward, WI
WPHS - Warren, MI
WPMD - Norwalk, CA (Cerritos College)
WPPJ - Pittsburgh, PA (Point Park College)
WQAQ - Hamden, CT (Quinnipiac College)
WQFS - Greensboro, NC (Guilford College)
WRCU - Hamilton, NY (Colgate University)
WRDP - Chicago, IL
WRFW - River Falls, WI (UW-River Falls)
WRHU - Hempstead, NY (Hofstra University)
WRKC - Wilkes Barre, PA (King’s College)
WRNC - Ashland, WI
WRSE - Elmhurst, IL (Elmhurst College)
WRUR - Rochester, NY (University of Rochester)
WSDP - Canton, MI
WSHL - North Easton, MA (Stonehill College)
WSPN - Saratoga Springs, NY (Skidmore College)
WSRU - Slippery Rock, PA (Slippery Rock University)
WTSC - Potsdam, NY (Clarkson University)
WTSR - Ewing, NJ
WUMM - Machias, ME (Univ. of Maine at Machais)
WUPX - Marquette, MI (Northern Michigan University)
WUSO - Springfield, OH (Whittenberg University)
WVAU - Washington, DC
WVMW - Scranton, PA (Marywood College)
WVOF- Fairfield, CT (Fairfield University)
WWPV - Colchester, VT (Saint Michael’s College)
WWSP - Stevens Point, WI (UW-Stevens Point)
WWUH - West Hartford, CT (University of Hartford)
XTSR - Towson, MD (Towson University)
WLUW Radio One - Chicago, IL
Fearless Radio - Chicago, IL
WCRX - Chicago, IL (Columbia College)
PODCASTS
Dark Horse Radio
Get Fit Pod
Indie Music Sampler
Marvel Noise
PMN Weekly Top Five
Pod Music Countdown, Top 10
Radio Orphans Podcast
Suffolk 'n' Cool
This Reality
