We are Lunar Ticks

Lunar Ticks are an eclectic Improvisational/Alternative Rock band from Chicago, IL. 

The band is influenced by the songwriting and studio experimentation of 90's and 2000's innovative Alternative/Indie rock bands like Wilco, My Morning Jacket, The Flaming Lips, Ween, Yo La Tengo, Pavement, and Dr. Dog, and fuses it with genre-bending, progressive musicality, and exploratory improvisations in the vein of The Grateful Dead, Phish, and Umphrey's McGee. 

Lunar Ticks are equally at home on a bill with a folk singer, punk band, free jazz ensemble, you name it. Each setlist is formed from their diverse and expansive song list of originals and covers; debuting new material at almost every show. Extended improvisational passages can turn on a dime or meditate and unfurl in unexpected ways. Lunar Ticks aim to create a unique and memorable experience every time they pick up their instruments. 

 

 

Some other Lunar Ticks our crew has shared the stage with: 

members of The Disco Biscuits, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Pink Talking Fish, Turkuaz, Big Gigantic, Aqueous, Old Shoe

  • Joel Cummins and Brendan Bayliss- (Umphrey's McGee)- Keys and Guitar/Vox
  • Woody Goss- (Vulfpeck)- Keys 
  • Mike Racky (Umphrey's McGee/Fate Nite)- Pedal Steel  
  • Mike & Paul Bolger (Mr. Blotto)- Vocals 
  • Chris DeAngelis- (Kung Fu)- Bass  
  • Justin Reckamp and Matt Kellen (Mungion)- Guitar and Drums
  • Natalie Lande- Saxophone 
  • Aaron Marsala- Handpans/Percussion 
  • Van Isaacson- Violin 
  • Cassidy Stirtz (Carter's Sister)- Violin/Vocals 
  • Trevor Paulsen (AKA David Byrne/Ozzy Osbourne)- Vocals 
  • Tom Reeder- Saxophone  
  • Justin Sova- Drums  
  • Michael Dane- Drums 
  • Brad Stirtz- Steel Pan 
  • Chuck (Earthlings)- Theremin
  • David Drilling (Arbor Creek)- Guitar
  • Kyle Smith  and Jackson Gibbons (Alabaster)- Guitar and percussion
  • Naomi Culp- (KAIA string quartet/Joel's wife)- Fiddle
  • Pete Smith  (Miles Over Mountains/Grateful String Band)- Banjo 
  • Aaron Kelly- Vocals
  • Charlie Otto (Charlie Otto and his Gear)- Vocals
  • Matt Coglianse (Zoofunkyou)- Bass
  • Clayton Mutert (Rotten Mouth) - Bass
  • Mike Morgan (Box Band/Beat The Meatles) -Bass