Welcome to 9Fifty.com

Back when Clinton was in office (Bill, that is), there were four friends who all played an instrument and who all worshiped John Hughes.  Their friendships spanned from adolescence to adulthood.  They moved apart after college but kept in touch.  During the winter of 1998, these four friends descended upon Chicago for reasons the world has yet to understand.  Chicago received:  A teacher, A radio producer, An attorney, and A consultant.  And in the spring of 1999, over a barbecue, the pieces were in place to form a band--9-Fifty.  

Later that year, 9-Fifty entered the studio to record their first album 2001's Tales From Shermer.  Twelve tracks grace the freshman effort, representing a collection of songs that chronicles the confrontation of ghosts from Relationships Past and secrets of the shadowed psyche.  Critics praised the band's anthem-like, hook-laiden alt rock sound, while touting the uniquely approachable songwriting present on Tales.  9-Fifty played numerous shows at the Hard Rock Café Chicago, outdoor festivals, and across the United States in support of the album.  

​

2007 brought 9-Fifty's second album, Head's Up, Face Down.  The 13-song collection represents a slightly grittier, roots-oriented side of the band's songwriting and sound.  The sophomore outing delivered more big hooks painted on a sonic canvas of marital discord and dissolution.  Again, critics gave nods to the diversity of songs written and recorded over the handful of years since Tales.  Again, the band continued to play in support of the new album and added the 5th dimension, Perry.     

The latter part of the decade saw the band play in front of enthusiastic crowds at Chicagoland iconic venues like The Double Door, The Beat Kitchen, Gunther Murphy's (RIP), The Abbey Pub, and The Elbo Room.  In 2015 and after a couple of years personal and professional development time, Scott on guitar and vocals, Perry on bass, John on vocals and guitar, Kary on drums, and Tony as guitarist emeritus are back and ready to continue pursuing the influences of their youth:  Springsteen, U2, Wilco, Soul Asylum, The Rolling Stones, The Replacements, Elvis, and beyond...  

Here's one for friendship.