Paul Coady
Rock-n-Roll Singer/Songwriter

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Our Father's Sons Reviews:

It’s not hard to imagine Paul Coady and his pals banging away in a basement recording Our Father’s Sons, which in no way should be misconstrued as a negative observation. There’s a roughness and immediacy to the music that’s energizing, especially on “I’m Goin’ Back” and the Rolling Stones-infused “No Excuse.” A local fixture for more than two decades, the 10 tunes here find him ready and raring for more.

– Jeff Berkwits, Illinois Entertainer

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There’s a track on here, “Closing Day,” which despite a Springsteen-ian theme sounds almost exactly like a classic Rolling Stones ballad. Think about that -- lots of bands ape the struttery of upbeat Rolling Stones, but who has the chops to pull off a “new” Stones’ ballad? I guess I never noticed Coady’s voice could get so Mick-y, but I also think his backing band, the Edsel Bros., are hitting that magical spot of spare, near perfect instrumentation. That there’s also some power pop/bar band/Americana/rootsy/Midwest alchemy going here (that no Brit band could fake, no matter how many trips to Chess Studio they took) makes this Coady’s best effort yet.

– Jake Austen, Roctober

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These guys have an image that isn't quite like anything we've seen before. Instead of trying to look cool, hip, and current...in their publicity photo they're sitting at a table playing poker and drinking...and looking like the biggest squares in the universe. We love it. The band is comprised of Paul Coady (vocals, guitars, harmonica), Joe Klapka (drums, vocals), and Rob Fore (bass, vocals). This may not be the best album ever recorded in terms of sound quality. But what it lacks in slick polished sound it more than makes up for with personality and spirit. This ten track album is simple, direct, and fun...and after hearing this we can't help but feel these guys put on one helluva fun show for their fans. Our favorite cuts include "Bad Days/Good Nights," "Closing Day," and "Horn O Plenty."

– LMNOP (aka dONW7), babysue.com

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With a charismatic vocal wonderfully reminiscent of legendary blues-rocker, Mick Jagger, Paul Coady provides the soundtrack to a celebration of honest-to-God rock 'n' roll that (together with supporting band,The Edsel Bros.) summons what it must have been like to party with The Standells.

Let it be said, only Paul Coady could turn me onto the rational exuberance of The Long Ryders' “Looking for Lewis and Clark,” not only capturing its spirit but also overtaking its lead vocal with Coady's. Indeed, with his considerable vocal chops, Coady & Co. are a force to be reckoned with when they switch things up on the album's standout track, “Horn O Plenty.” Unlike the monochrome distorted chord jangle elsewhere on Our Father's Sons, this jam is built on distortion swells that find definition in a prominent bassline recalling early-80's arcade game, Spy Hunter. On top of that, Coady's attitudinal sneer of “I feel used” (as in, “I know what you're doin', yeah, you're just killin' time / I feel used”) sets up a memorable musical hook: “I feel used one time too many / You talk of love, but I don't feel any / Lord, I feel used.”

It's no surprise that Coady & Co. have been known to share a bill with Chicago compatriots, Go Time! Their particular brand of rock 'n' roll is the type that fuels all-nighters full of drag-races and drinking on car hoods. To wit, in an interview with Chicago Indie Music Live, Coady recounted one fan's reaction to his live show with The Edsel Bros.: "That's rock-n-roll, you made me feel like I was 17." That about sums it up.

– Bryan Cahpin, Chicago Indie Music Live

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The album "Our Father's Sons" is for me a very, pleasant introduction to Paul Coady. A seasoned musician, who has spent more than two decades in the world of rock 'n roll in notorious bars and small, obscure clubs in Chicago. A purebred, right-in-your-face, storyteller with a lightly Mick Jagger referring voice, accompanied by raw, gritty, energetic, clinking, laconic, primitive, tight, exciting, radio-unfriendly...but certainly very pleasant sounding garage with The Edsel Brothers and Coady's nice howling harmonica.

Sixties garage rock and punk with a dingy, greasy nod to the "evil" music of American rebels including The Sonics, The Standells, The Seeds and the early days of bands like The Rolling Stones and the Kinks recalcitrant from England. The deja-vu feeling alone makes "Our Father's Sons" more than a little party. Proven, recognizable and incredibly fun.

– Johan Schoenmakers, AltCountryForum.nl
Translated from Dutch

Driftin' Years Reviews:

Coady has been around the Chicagoland rock scene forever, always delivering some solid, working class, rock n roll for the regular guy. But this newest release really cranks up everything that makes his earnest, heartland songwriting so special. I have always dug PC, but the lead track here "Show You How" is probably twice as good as anything I've ever heard him do. Screw Mellencamp, you want Midwestern everyman rock, that's willing to reference everything from Buddy Holly ("Maybe Baby"), to the Boss ("Nothin' For Free"), to American history ("Billy Needed Killin', about the Kid not Corgan) Coady is your cat.

Jake Austen
Roctober Magazine (#49, 2011)

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Paul Coady is a twenty year veteran of the Chicago music scene and was with the band Prairie Town. Driftin 'Years (self-released) is the kind of rock'n'roll that will never perish as long as there are people who believe in the sacred fire of uncomplicated pop music. And Coady does, which was evident everywhere. His way of singing for example: A rough rock voice like Mick Jagger and on Another Lost Night it even sounds like Kurt Cobain. Show You How is a strong opener. It exudes the same energy as the fantastic debut of Redwing (1971). Coady's rootsy garage rock is as American as the vast plains of the Midwest. On the country rocking Billy Needed Killin' (about Billy the Kid), for the voice of Coady think Domingo Samudio, of Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. Coady (vocals, guitars, harmonica) writes narrative songs and is a rocker. Maybe Baby is a cover of Buddy Holly that we know well. (translated from Dutch)

John Gjaltema
altcountry.nl

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It's fitting that singer/songwriter Paul Coady thanks the "pals who have hoisted a drink or two at shows" on the jacket of Driftin' Years. He recorded the 11 straightforward rock songs with the idea of recreating the atmosphere of a live performance in a club. Coady's at his best channeling The Stones or Bob Seger on the workingman's lament, "Nothin' For Free," and on the opening track, "Show You How."

Terrence Flamm
Illinois Entertainer


Quarter Mile Reviews:

Recording Magazine - November 2009 Review of "Not Gonna Run" from Paul Coady's CD "Quarter Mile"

Music: "Not Gonna Run" is a male vocal rock song. Paul wrote, engineered, produced and mixed the track. He also sang lead and played the guitar and organ. The bass was played by Rob Fore, the drums by Joe Klapka, and Dave Stepanich provided additional guitar.

Recording: Every now and then we get a submission whose sound quite accurately matches the environment in which it was recorded. Such is the case with "Not Gonna Run". Paul tells us that the song was "recorded in my unfinished basement/laundry room. Main guitar, bass and drums recorded live with a scratch vocal. Recorded in as much a plug-in and play method as possible, allowing bleed between the instruments. Final vocal, organ and additional guitar recorded as overdubs. Eleven tracks used."

Fair enough then, so how's it sound? Well, pretty much as advertised. We hear an energetic, gritty band pumping out a heartfelt mid-western version of Exile on Main Street. Paul has done a nice job separating the guitars using tone and panning (a la Keith and Mick Taylor) in order to give each its own voice. The drums have a nice organic feel to them, particularly the kick with its '60s-style thump. Paul's raspy lead vocal is also well represented, no sibilance or digital nastiness to be found.

Suggestions: So, does "Not Gonna Run" get the big thumbs up? Well, as the man says, "it's great if you like that sort of thing." In other words, someone who is deep into pop, modern R&B and other heavily produced styles would likely find Paul's effort to be somewhat lacking. After all, most modern sessions use more than eleven tracks on just the drums!

If however, your tastes run more towards indie rock, this may sound right in the ball park for you. As for us, we love the energy and the honesty of the track. Have we heard better tones? You bet. But we're not convinced that the song would have been more successful with them.

Summary: Rock on, boys!

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"For more years than I can remember Coady fronted Prairie Town, a great regional combo that combined rootsy Americana with the kind of bar band earnestnest that made you wish they were playing at your party. After a recent amicable parting of ways, the remaining members became Go Time and Paul went solo. And the party's over! These are some amazing moody, introspective compositions; really solid songs that explore some dark places, though not all are grim (a bar band take on "Piano Man" called "Sell a Lot of Beer" is more of a philosphical shrug than a suicide note). While you probably don't want him playing your birthday, you would do well to check out this Chicago classic."

Jake Austen
Roctober Magazine (#47 September, 2009)

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"Singer/Songwriter Paul Coady is a masterful storyteller. He tells his story through his amazing music with enriching lyrics and soulful vocals. Paul also mixes Americana and Rock into his music that fit perfectly together. If you are a fan of music with meaning and purpose, then Paul Coady will surely delight."

Isaac Davis, Jr.
Junior's Cave Magazine - www.juniorscave.com

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"First off. "Not Gonna Run" is a cool track."

Alexandria
www.mymusicsite.com