Nicholas Tremulis & The Prodigals

In the fall of 1999, singer/songwriter/bandleader Nicholas Tremulis decided to release his fifth album, In Search of Woodfoot. The Chicago native had already garnered good reviews for his unique mix of rock, R&B, and pop and his dazzling live shows. Born in 1960 to a jazz piano-playing father and a blues-singing mother, Tremulis grew up in the city's Greektown and in suburban Northbrook. The household was full of music and visiting musicians, influencing Tremulis to pick up the guitar as a teenager. After years of playing in clubs, he started the Nicholas Tremulis Band when he was in his twenties. The 13-member group played an engaging combination of rock, R&B, and soul, becoming one of the top bands in Chicago. Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records, signed the band to his label in the mid-'80s, releasing two LPs: The Nicholas Tremulis Band (1985) and More Than the Truth (1988). Asking for a contractual release from Island, Tremulis trimmed down the number of members in his band and released an EP, King of the Hill on Monsterdisc, and the LP Bloody Show on rock group Shoes' label, Black Vinyl. In more recent times, Tremulis toured Europe, backed blues musicians on guitar, and started doing jingle work. He also was involved in a videotaped multi-artist benefit concert for Neon Street, a non-profit organization that helps troubled teens which featured the Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan among others. Joining with engineer/producer Rob Fraboni (Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt), whom he knew from his Island years, Tremulis formed the QRS label. Their debut release was the 14-track In Search of Woodfoot issued in October 1999. ~ Ed Hogan