Greenlight is a melodic art punk band forged in the West Loop of Chicago. Their diverse musical background and influence brings out an eccentric sound based on rhythm-driven, hook-centric rock. Although the musicians are capable, the consensus is that less is more, and that every song is built around a singular idea. All expression is broken down to its simplest parts -- rhythm and melody.
Greenlight emerged onto the Chicago music scene in the fall of 2003. What began as a garage punk style has developed into a more mature sound with an art punk, new wave influence. John Hauppa’s vocals are often compared to Ian Curtis of Joy Division; however, the subtle female backing vocals and occasional leads by Shannon Hauppa create a softer, indie pop sound.
With the addition of Jon Mosier (Banking Hours) taking over on bass guitar in December of 2006, the band began again to refine their sound even further. Carefully layered guitars and vocals mixed with Thomas O’Shea’s intense drumming enhance the band’s simplicity in songwriting, allowing the rhythm and melody to remain the centerpiece of each song.
The current lineup consists of John Hauppa on guitar and vocals, Shannon Hauppa on guitar and vocals, Jon Mosier on bass, and Thomas O'Shea on drums and backing vocals. They are currently playing shows in Chicago while working on new material for a follow-up release to their debut E.P. Is This What I Am Here For?, which was released in April 2005.
In April 2005, Greenlight released a 6-song E.P. entitled Is This What I Am Here For? The tracks were recorded with Mat Prock for Area44Music in Chicago, and it was mastered by Danny Leake for Urban Guerrilla Engineers.
Chicago webzine Badresa.com presented Greenlight's CD Release Show on Saturday, April 9, 2005 at the Beat Kitchen.
Is This What I Am Here For? is available for purchase through iTunes, CDBaby.com, Amazon.com, and a number of other online music websites, as well as through the band’s website.
Greenlight has played shows at several clubs around Chicago. Some of the local shows have included the Apollo Theatre Studio, Bar Vertigo, Beat Kitchen, Betty's Blue Star Lounge, Big Horse, Cal's, Double Door, Elbo Room, Gunther Murphy's, Heartland Cafe, Lyon's Den, The Mutiny, Nite Cap Lounge, Phyllis' Musical Inn, Subterranean, Silvie's Lounge, Underground Lounge and Wise Fool's Pub. Greenlight has also played a few outside of the Chicago area including the Way Out Club and the Red Sea in St. Louis, MO; Pop Culture Coffee House in Crown Point, IN; and The Pearl Room in Mokena, IL.
Click here for a list of Past Shows.
Greenlight has received airplay on WLUW 88.7FM Community Radio, Chicago, IL, and KKFI Retro Red-Eye Express on 90.1FM Community Radio, Kansas City, MO.
In December 2006, Shannon Hauppa produced a video for the song “Cold” from the band’s E.P. Is This What I Am Here For? The video is available on YouTube.com as well as the band’s MySpace page and website.
NEUFUTUR www.neufutur.com: January 12, 2006
Greenlight – Is This What I Am Here For? / 2005 Self Released / 6 Tracks / http://www.greenlightband.net
Imagine Mission of Burma mixing with the B-52s, and one starts to get the idea of what Greenlight starts their “Is This What I Am Here For?” EP with. The vocals, which seem to tap an older set of influences, work well with the other trend regarding the track; very Cure-like bass lines. What results with “Gravity” then is a very full track, made all the more interesting with the inclusion of a quirky approach. The sing-songy nature of the vocals in the second half of the track is contextualized into some form of normality, and the track ends with listeners wondering exactly what is up with Greenlight. “head Erased” is a track that fits in better with the average brand of alternative rock; the guitar work vaguely recalls alt-country while the vocals are couched in the psychedelic tradition.
What distinguishes Greenlight from the rest of the bands currently out is the fact that each member of the band has an equal say in the track creation. Bass, guitar, drums, and vocals are all heard in equal proportion; this is accomplished through masterful layering and a cohesion that many bands simply do not have. The female vocals that “Light Phaser” opens up with gives listeners another reason to keep tuned in, and the spaciness achieved by these vocals works well with the concrete sound pushed forth by the arrangements of the rest of Greenlight. In fact, one can say that the vocals and instrumentation on “Light Phaser” are diametrically opposed to one another; the tension between the two shows an escalation of talent until the track could conceivably be said to be one of the best on the disc.
The second half of the disc allows Greenlight to stretch their collective legs; the dual harmonies of “Only You Would Call” are done in a very Husker Du-like style. The vocals bolster each other instead of struggling for dominance, making for something that is incredibly emotional while still being warm and friendly. The disc reaches another high with “Cold”, where the instrumentation still comes out in an impressive matter but the vocals are the talk of the town this time. The harmonies created by the vocals on the track are what individuals will focus in on and insert in their brains for days, weeks, months or even years to come. Three years have given Greenlight enough experience to really shine; here’s to hoping they can continue their high quality of output.
Top Track: Cold
Rating: 7.4/10
[JMcQ]
ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER, AROUND HEAR: December 1, 2005
"This trio takes a simple approach to retroturn-art punk. The six tracks on Greenlight’s debut EP, Is This What I Am Here For?, are clear cut, enthusiastic, and eccentric. ... The grooving melodies and happy-go-lucky instrumentation are the band’s focal point, especially on “Head Erased (10110).” (www.greenlightband.net)
– Jill Haverkamp
NORTHWEST INDIANA TIMES: August 2004
Click for an interview with the NWI Times (8.13.04)
Click to view the press clipping
Click here for more reviews and comments from listeners
PRESS
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2 guitar amps, 1 bass amp, 1 drum set
3 vocal microphones
E-mail Shannon or John Hauppa for booking information or for other general inquiries.
E-mail: greenlight@greenlightband.net
Website: www.greenlightband.net