Radiodisc – Birds At The End Of The Road

Formed in the mid 80’s in Grayslake IL, Birds at the End of the Road first started playing “Rock Against Depression” shows at, then, Cabaret Metro in the fall of 88’. They came of age with acts like The Slugs, The Connells and pre-fame Smashing Pumpkins. After being asked back to open for 10,000 Maniacs they soon became regulars at Metro and other Chicago stops like Avalon, Gaspars, Batteries Not Included and the legendary Club Stodola.

This is a band that once had a critic call their live show “Cleaner than a Baptist’s conscience and tighter than a rugby team on St. Patrick’s Day”. What they are remembered for is the incredible power conveyed both musically and lyrically. Combining a wide variety of influences including folk/country, jazz and rock, the “Birds” ooze sincere emotion, intense passion and desire. That is what made them stand out in the Chicago boom of the early nineties. Musician Magazine even named them “One of America’s Best Unsigned Bands” in 1992.

Comprised of singer, Ken Fountain, Jason Lee (Guitar), Henry Jansen (Drums) and John Ryan (Bass). Birds at the End of the Road were first heard locally in Chicago on (the sorely missed) WCBR and their Compilation “Best of CBR/ Bear tracks 92”. Their first release was on Columbia College’s AEMMP records in 1993. Not long after that the Birds signed with Minneapolis based Channel 83/ Sci-Fi Western and put out a mix of studio and live tracks called “Chowderbox”. This record was toured mercilessly and with college radio support went on to sell 10,000 copies. Before its releasing a new record in 1996 the group took a break and reorganized under the name “Mother Factor” and returned to release Queery on Channel 83. This was a proud studio effort and the band toured intensely in support of it until eventually calling it quits in December of 1997 with a record-breaking show at Martyrs’ in Chicago. The Birds returned to Martyrs’ under their maiden name on August 11th 2007 for their ten year reunion “one off”. The occasion found them in step, drawing a big crowd and as tight as ever.