Broken Vegas

When fans of the band BROKEN VEGAS began contacting its members upon hearing they had been picked as one of Chicago's TOP 10 BANDS in the 101.9 the Mix FM's, Bon Jovi "Have a Nice Gig" contest in the summer of 2006, they knew that the word was getting out about the band they called their very own. They knew that being part of the "BROKEN FAMILY," (as being a fan of the band is affectionately called) long before everyone else knew about them was about to become even more exhilarating.

BROKEN VEGAS went on to make the next cut by receiving several thousands of votes to narrow the field to just 5 bands. BROKEN VEGAS was the only hard rock band that made the cut...the only hard rock band that played on a station that didn't play hard rock. It was clear that their songwriting was breaking through barriers.

After a stirring 1/2 hour performance at Chicago's Aragon Ballroom, the crowd, the town, the area, knew Chicago was back on the nation's hard rock map and BROKEN VEGAS was bringing it with energy, impact, and some good old-fashioned unadulterated fun undertow.

THE HISTORY

Broken Vegas leans on its hard rock roots yet is not afraid to be its own thing. Performing a variety of rock and hard rock covers from the Doors to Disturbed from the band's first show in 2002, the members of BROKEN VEGAS have now defined themselves by what they have become together as musicians, as friends, and as people experiencing life's rolling of the dice.

In late 2000, vocalist Mike Vester and bassist Beau Carbonneau “officially” met and found themselves passing time in a cover band together after years of playing in separate original outfits for nearly a decade. The cover project never squelched their urge to keep writing original material, and together they began to form a songwriting partnership that would blossom.

When they decided to branch out and begin a new original band, it didn’t take long for them to find the lead guitarist that would give the band its signature guitar identity that they wanted. Ricky Rolon had been Beau’s band mate since high school and had ruled Chicago’s metal scene in the acclaimed band Section 8, and their writing bond and friendship was an ideal fit for this new, “yet to be named, project." The Rolon/Carbonneau combination was crunch and character in a truly original package.

In 2004, they released a 6-song demo “Sounds From Room 118,” and in May 2005, they released a 7-song EP (3 studio, 4 live) called “2:15”. The “…118” demo caught the public’s attention, and “2:15” kept it. Then just as the “2:15” CD was released, BROKEN VEGAS introduced a new face to fans, but not a new face to the band. Drummer Matt Cowen had played with Vester during their 9 year run in their own bands Locket and FEELTRIP. FEELTRIP had been recognized as Backstage Pass Magazine’s “Chicago Band of the Year” in 1999 so Cowen and Vester were no strangers to one another (having written and recorded well over 40 songs together), and no strangers to the Chicago rock scene. Cowen stepped in and the band was off and rocking.

With this line up, BROKEN VEGAS headlined many shows throughout 2005 spreading their musical message all over Chicago and beyond culminating in the success of their 2006 showing in Bon Jovi/Saturn and 101.9 the Mix's "Have a Nice Gig" contest where BROKEN VEGAS was recognized as one of the TOP 5 BANDS IN CHICAGO.

The band’s “virtual” presence online has grown to an international level with fan bases existing in 20 countries. Their U.S. fan base continues to grow as well with street teams developed in Illinois, Florida, New Mexico, Wisconsin, and Louisiana. The band has truly made their desire to reach the masses through drive and determination and the crafting of great original hard rock apparent to fans the world over.

2007 will a new full length studio release to be recorded at Chicago's UTR studios under the guidance of engineer/producer Rae Nimeh. Armed with riffs and vocals that hook at every turn, this release will be the band's breakout recording.