MSJ Local: Rockford Area Music Makers 5 Released Early

ROCKFORD, Ill. - EntSun -- On December 10th Music Street Journal released a new book on four Rockford area music acts. Music Street Journal Local: Rockford Area Music Makers Volume 5 was originally set for a December 17th release, but has now been published in paperback and hardcover a week early.

Photo heavy, the book (as did the other three books in the series) features four local bands. The first is a band from the 70s that's no longer around, Pulse18. The three still active bands featured are RIPT, Shifty Shafer and The Stevee Nix. Each book in the series going forward will follow the same general concept by featuring several local acts (some current and some past) with information and lots of photos.

The first book in the series featured The Attitudes, Audiodrive, Point Zero 8 and Rat Baxter. The second covered Clark Colborn, ModiFiRe, 99 Proof Devils and On My Six. Book three featured three current acts: Krushing Daffodils, Let Fate Decide and Sunset Strip. Rounding out the book was one act from the Rockford scene's past, Sweet Lucy. Book four included the 1970s band Cheater along with Dark Sun, Name the Moon and Red-Ball-Jet.

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The first issue of Music Street Journal was released as an email document on February 1st, 1998. Since then the publication has grown into a website and continued by releasing an issue every two months. Music Street Journal publishes music reviews (CD, video, concert and more) along with music interviews. The primary focus is on progressive rock, but they cover everything. Since 2018 the publication is primarily print with an online version also available.

Music Street Journal is launching this new series as a way of documenting the Rockford area music scene. Having books chronicling the various acts brings a certain permanence and sense of history to the scene. Rockford and its surrounding areas has been fortunate to boast a vibrant and healthy music scene for decades. Alongside and supporting the scene over the years there have been various print and web zines. Additionally, at least one book focused on the Rockford music scene has been published in recent years. What's not happened before is a series of connected books to serve as a more massive and encompassing look at the Rockford scene.  The intention of this  book series is just that - to provide a massive record of the entire music scene history. The online bookstore at lulu.com/strangesound has all the books.