About us
Get ready to crank up the nostalgia with Landline, your ultimate time machine to the best of Gen X and Millennial anthems! Fronted by a high-energy, crowd-loving rock star, this band takes you on a ride through the ultimate alternative rock playlist—from the 80s to today. With decades of combined experience, each member brings the kind of stage presence that has fans reliving their glory days, one song at a time.
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Rock out to hits from The Killers, U2, Green Day, Kings of Leon, REM, The Cure, Blink-182, Counting Crows, Radiohead, and so many more. Whether it's the lively vibe of a local club, the buzz of a festival, or the intimate energy of a private party, Landline knows how to turn any event into a full-on celebration. From Bastille Days to State Fair, Greendale Village Days to Harley Davidson Homecoming, and everything in between, they've been the life of the party all over southeastern Wisconsin. Get ready to sing, dance, and relive those iconic moments with Landline—where every show feels like your best night ever!
Meet the Band
Meet James – Guitar Slinger & OG Member of Landline!
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Guitarist, gear guru, and one of the band’s OGs, James has been rocking stages since 1990 when his first band Sleight of Hand played a hard rock/hair metal backyard show (complete with DIY stage and rented wireless gear—legit!).
Favorite Landline Tune to Shred?
"When You Were Young" by The Killers—he says we nail it. (He’s right.)
On his wishlist? “Teenage Dirtbag” and “The Wrong Way.” We feel a setlist update coming...
Guilty Pleasures?
Musically: Phil Collins & Toto.
Otherwise: Chocolate. (Zero guilt there, honestly.)
Surprise Likes & Hot Takes
Bruce Hornsby, Be Bop Jazz
Bruce Springsteen (We know. Controversial.)
First Instrument: Piano
Favorite Axe: His Olympic White, refinished ‘86 Strat
First Concert: Steve Miller Band
Most Recent: Cory Wong
Coolest Show Ever: Clapton/SRV/Robert Cray the night Stevie Ray Vaughan died + They Might Be Giants & Ozomatli = total party vibes
Go-To Beverage: Whiskies of all kinds
Favorite Superhero: Deadpool (chaotic good, just like him)
Pre-Show Ritual: Panic-setup sprint + one solid drink
Most Fun Gig: Under the tent in South Milwaukee on St. Paddy’s for Moran’s Irish Pub. Crowd energy = 11/10.
Dream Home Base: Rural UK or Costa Rica
Musical Heroes: Steve Lukather & Eddie Van Halen
Foodie Vibe: Loves global flavors. Sushi? Hard pass.
O.B.L. (Optimal Beer Level): About 2 cocktails in
Hometown Journey: Born in Chicago’s North Burbs, raised between Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Illinois
Sports Allegiances: Colorado Avalanche with a side of Bruins & Blackhawks
Give it up for James—our Strat-slingin’, whiskey-sippin’, Deadpool-lovin’ rock hero!
Meet Oscar (aka Big O, The Duke) – Timekeeper of Landline
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Every band needs a heartbeat — Oscar is ours. Landline’s drummer has been pounding the skins since the early '90s, when he formed his first band, Staplegun, back in '93/'94. They even recorded a cassette (yep, still has it). Before that? Just some high school jam sessions that probably annoyed the neighbors.
Oscar's first love was drums — no lessons, no sheet music, just pure instinct and feel. His approach? “I feel the song and add my own things to it.” That style shines through in every Landline show, especially when he’s locked into “Everlong” or anything by The Killers (though he's still campaigning hard to cover Panic! at the Disco's "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" — stay tuned).
When it comes to musical taste, Oscar casts a wide net. He’s currently into Jimmy Eat World, Pierce the Veil, and REM, but he’ll borrow inspiration from any style — if it hits, it hits. And don't bother asking him what music he doesn't like — he probably likes that too.
A true gearhead, Oscar’s prized possession is his Barton drum kit. His first concert? Def Leppard at Alpine Valley in ‘87 (classic). Most recent? Snow Patrol at the Salt Shed, Chicago, April 2025. Coolest? Foo Fighters during the post-COVID comeback with Taylor Hawkins — goosebumps.
Oscar’s pre-show ritual? Solo car ride singalongs and a quiet moment to soak in the nerves. Yes, even after all these years — the excitement never fades.
Offstage, he’s a bourbon guy (Optimal Bourbon Level: 3), partial to Mexican and Italian food, and his musical heroes include legends like Taylor Hawkins, Neal Peart, and Stewart Copeland. Also? He’s a Wonder Twins fan (form of: awesome drummer!), rocks a boxers/briefs combo, and reps all things Chicago sports.
He grew up in Crystal Lake, IL, but dreams of living anywhere with an ocean and waves. One of his favorite shows was outside Wire & Vice, and he’s stoked for what’s ahead. Just don't leave him alone with a pint of ice cream — guilty pleasures are real.
Meet Our Frontman: Chris aka Rock Singer Chicago (yes, really)
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Every band has a voice—and ours comes with a story.
As a kid he was banging out tunes on a piano in Berwyn, IL before fronting his first band, Crash Radio. From there? A wild ride through alt rock, tribute bands, castles, and even the freakin' FIFA World Cup (more on that in a sec).
His favorite song to perform? Flagpole Sitta—because chaos is fun.
What does Chris secretly yearn to play? Kashmir. (He’s working on us, maybe...)
Guilty pleasure? Gin Blossoms, and he will defend Hey Jealousy to the grave.
Surprise like? Adam Ant.
Surprise dislike? Pop country. All of it.
First concert? Rush.
Most recent? The Baseball Project.
Coolest ever? Nine Inch Nails at the Riv during the Self Destruct Tour. If you were there… you know.
His prized possession? A Gibson acoustic/electric straight from Montana.
Musical hero? John Lennon.
Non-musical hero? Ralph Nader.
Superhero spirit animal? Batman—brooding, relentless, and always prepared.
Fun facts?
He writes and releases music under the pseudonym "Rock Singer Chicago."
He was interviewed by Maxim for fronting an R.E.M. tribute band and got the article signed by Michael Stipe himself.
He sold an original song to Adidas for the 2007 FIFA World Cup. Seriously.
He once performed at Dromoland Castle in Ireland—yes, an actual freakin' castle.
His go-to adult beverage? Local beer. (no Belgians though…)
Pre-show ritual? Not eating—stage dives and full stomachs don’t mix.
Food obsessions? Sushi, pizza, and coldbrew—preferably all in one day.
Also: Wears boxers. Cubs. Bears. Bucks. And if he could live anywhere? Greece is calling.
Want to hear the voice behind all that? Come to a show. He’ll rock with you in the crowd, he’s passionate, he’s got a story to tell.
Meet our bassist: John our newest member of the Landline family.
By day, he holds it down in Muskego with his amazing wife Rachel, daughters Claire and Anna, and Teddy — widely regarded as the world’s most handsome dog.
By night, he helps bring the noise (responsibly).
Favorite song we play: “Lump” — because yes, it’s an absolute banger.
One song he’d add to the setlist immediately: "Take the Skinheads Bowling” by Camper Van Beethoven. Strong choice. No notes.
One artist he loves / one he doesn’t: Loves Slayer (seen live three times).
Doesn’t love Bob Dylan — not the songwriting, just the voice.
Fun fact: he firmly believes Dylan’s true genius is revealed through the artists who cover him. Respect.
First concert: Toadies, Bush, and Hum at The Rave. That lineup alone deserves a slow clap.
Coolest concert moment: Guided by Voices at Summerfest (2002). After Bob Pollard casually mentioned heading to the Hi-Hat Lounge, our guy sprinted over and actually met one of his idols. Legendary Milwaukee moment unlocked.
Go-to adult beverage: Beer. Simple. Honest. Timeless.
Boxers or briefs? Both — proudly rocking the boxer briefs lifestyle.
Foods: Oatmeal. Every. Single. Day. (Not an exaggeration.)
Favorite food: tacos. Balance is important.
Optimal Beer Level (O.B.L.): Unknown — and intentional. He prefers to keep it tight while playing. Estimated max: ~2 beers per set. If something goes wrong, it’s pure talent-related accountability.
Give him a warm welcome and maybe… don’t touch his oatmeal.
