Combining the organic sound and dark imagery of traditional American country music with the tension and noise of modern rock, Buy Bullets is a five man-band seeking to reconsider and rediscover the artistic value of music, so that they might share it with those who wish to listen. The band challenges audiences to forget everything they know about listening to an album or attending a show. Although you'll be familiar with the elements of their sound - a vocal twang here, some distorted feedback there - you'll most likely be both unable and unwilling to use generic terminology in describing what comes through your ears.

The band's foundation exists in the songwriting of singers/guitarists Rahul Kakkar and Jeff Rufo. From standard folk progressions to more complex arrangements, the rhythms produced by the acoustic-electric pairing, augmented by a southern-gothic lyrical approach, provide a canvas on which the rest of the band creates veritable "soundscapes," pictures transmitted through sound. The actual rhythm section is fashioned by drummer Charles Waldo and bassman Charlie Moore. Never satisfied with simply being the so-called backbone, the two seek to provide the songs with a dual aspect of rhythmic continuity and unexpectedness. Violinist/Mandolin-player Peter Berk rounds out the rest of this lineup, - one which might otherwise reflect a more typical, less immediately divergent, rock band - providing melodies and musical phrases that pack an emotional wallop.

The overall sound of the band is intricate, but not overly-complex. The music is challenging and yet strangely inviting once the listener is able to shed whatever preconceived notions he or she might have about "alternative country music" or other experimental genres. Stories are told, tensions are built - sometimes resolved, and sometimes not. In either case, the melodic and crafted songs that come out are bound to sound original upon each and every listen and performance.

Biographies

Peter Berk, a classically trained violinist from age 6, joined the band after having burned out on classical music a few years ago, a type of music he finds "unduly restrictive at times." His performance history includes stints with a professional orchestra (The Illinois Symphony) and several college groups (including the Illinois State University Orchestra, Washington University Orchestra among others) - one of which took him out on a European tour. Pete's other musical interests and pursuits include traditional Irish music. Not only has he played under well-known Chicago fiddle player Sean Cleland, formerly of the Irish rock band The Drovers and now playing in Bohola, but he can still be found performing at jam-sessions in pubs around Chicago, including Cullens and the Irish Oak.

Charlie Moore is a self-taught bassist who joined Buy Bullets after leaving the Chicago rock band Liquid Fire, a project that had him play throughout Illinois and on tour.

Singer, songwriter and guitarist Rahul Kakkar moved to Chicago in 2002 to start a band, now known as Buy Bullets. Having been a prominent figure on the Boston music scene for a number of years (as lead singer of the rock band The Threads, and founder of the Empty Oak Barrel series at QingPing Gallery and Teahouse), Rahul brings his distinctive lonesome voice and songs of death and heartache to the stages of Chicago for the first time.

Former "Threads" guitarist Jeff Rufo has been playing and singing in Chicago for the past 3 years as the former frontman of Abandoned Silos. His twangy art-pop band played venues such as the Empty Bottle and Schubas Tavern, with national acts such as Kleenex Girl Wonder and Scott Tuma, not to mention many performances with local talents/friends Starlister, Leon Chance and the Longshots and Kaspar Hauser. Jeff was the organizer of the Hyde Park Music Festival, which took place at the Beat Kitchen on May 3rd 2002, and continues to play in his artpop side-project Swansea Mass. He also writes for the up and coming online music magazine, "Dusted," and is employed by the editorial office of the renowned academic publication Critical Inquiry.

Drummer Charles Waldo is the junior member of the band, although listening to him play you would never guess it. The veteran musician / Massachussetts native started learning at the age of 7, and continued on at the Berklee School of Music before moving to Chicago to resume his studies in music at DePaul University at age 18. His career as a professional drummer began early on, when he joined up with rock and funk bands SuperMonkeyFunkHouse, Ear 2 Ear, and Righthere - playing shows in and around Boston. Charles's other work in the world of drums includes a gig as an instructor for the Cape Cod Performing Arts Seminars, session work with Righthere and Swansea Mass, and as a drum tech for Vater-sponsored artists.