Bullet Called Life

The Black Crowes may be doing a bit of a reshuffling these days, but the reliable Bullet Called Life have hit their stride six years in with Home Sweet Home. These South Siders celebrate the blues within their tight, jammy rock. “The Train” rides a vintage Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ vibe all the way to the bar. “I Hope You Get The Chair” adds a touch of live smokestack sound, culled from a recent Double Door blowout. (www.bulletcalledlife.com)
– Mike Meyer

- Illinois Entertainer

With such influences as Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, The Who and Black Sabbath, it is no surprise that the guys from Bullet Called Life found their niche in the music world by playing bluesy guitar riffs and classic drum improvisations. Hailing from the South side of Chicago, guitarist and lead singer Aaron Hosek, bassist Dave Lundeen, drummer Dave Jodelka and keyboardist Tom Miller do know a thing or two about blues. Since forming Bullet Called Life 5 years ago the band has written over 100 songs to put together set lists that thrill the audience for hours. Throwing in a couple of covers through the show, the band not only pays homage to their idols but displays their versatility in being able to put their own ideas to classic songs. Through out their existence, the band has traveled extensively around the Midwest area and performed extensively in Chicago clubs such as the Elbo Room and O’Malley’s. During the school year, you can catch Bullet Called Life in great venues around town like the Cowboy Monkey, Highdive, Canopy Club and the Iron Post as well as performing live on WPGU 107.1 FM. This young and talented band has shown time and time again that they are able to draw fans to their shows, no matter the venue, and never leave any disappointed. With a few shows coming up this Spring in the Champaign-Urbana area, Bullet Called Life concert should definitely be on the list for everyone to attend and experience the return of what rock music is all about: performance. - Krannert Artists Review

http://redeye.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/red-chitunes-abulletcalledlife,0,7326850.htmlstory

A BULLET CALLED LIFE: The Day I Bought A Gun

Listen to A Bullet Called Life's "The Day I Bought A Gun"

By Michael Schmitt
For RedEye

January 3 2009

Listen to A Bullet Called Life's "The Day I Bought A Gun"

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A Bullet Called Life can be found at myspace.com/bclrock.



Whether onstage or in the studio, A Bullet Called Life excels when the members are sharply focused.

Though the group plays blues-infused stoner rock, bassist Dave Lundeen says band members "try to sound like an extremely tight and well-rehearsed R&B/soul band."

"We focus on playing the music," he said, "and we know what we are going to play because we have drilled our set to death."

A Bullet Called Life writes its music with a similarly organized mind-set, creating a central storyline to run throughout a series of songs.

"We often start with a couple songs and then one of us comes up with a story and we start retro-fitting the lyrics to fit that," Lundeen said.

The band's eponymous release earlier this year followed a storyline that captivated the entire nation: the recent presidential election. But the group's in-progress full-length album, set to drop this Spring, may not have a central theme.

"We have some ideas kicking around," Lundeen said. "When there is a story it makes lyric writing a lot easier."

A Bullet Called Life's attraction to well-established order may result from the inherently chaotic blend of each member's talents.

Half of the band has formal training in music while the other half is self-taught. Such a hodgepodge of styles and backgrounds could easily result in a mess without some level of organization.

To Lundeen, it's that streamlined focus which multiplies the talents of each of A Bullet Called Life's members.

"We are all great players as individuals," he said. "But nothing feels and sounds as good as playing together."

Michael Schmitt is a RedEye special contributor. - The Red Eye