Meet Middle 8
The Chicago-based quartet was created when Brian Sheridan and Andy Perostianis accidentally discovered they were brothers, albeit only in the musical sense. Brian and Andy are a team where each will, at times, sing lead, sing harmony, play guitar and play bass. Sometimes songwriting is a solo effort, sometimes collaboration. Both born in Chicago, each started on an instrument in their pre-teen years, Brian with bass, Andy with drums. Later both would take up the acoustic guitar, an instrument that Brian and Andy found to be the tool that enabled them to become serious songwriters.
Brian and Andy met while both were auditioning for another band altogether. The two spent a few years developing the songs and simpatico. The result is music that is melodic, heartfelt, but still has punch to it. The earliest incarnations of a quartet based around Andy and Brian's songs started playing regularly in 1998. It was in this early time that the duo first attracted the attention of Ralph Covert, leader of The Bad Examples. When Middle 8 was ready to record, Ralph was eager to get behind the control board. "What appealed to me was that the songwriting and performances were already so strong and defined. I just had to make sure I stayed out of their way and let Middle 8 shine through." Ralph's choice to bring in session ace Ron Barnes on drums and later former Bad Example guitarist Tommy O'Brien, proved to be the catalyst for solidifying Middle 8's line-up.
The two Middle 8 CD's thus far include their debut "Ever Since Ever" and the follow up "Praying for a Rendezvous" feature the talents of some of Chicago's best musicians: guitarist/mandolinist John Rice, Buddah Slim, Steve Wozny, the legendary Corky Siegel and Steve Gerlach. Middle 8 has been featured on WXRT and other local radio and television programs.
Middle 8 has recently released its second CD, "Praying for a Rendezvous" on Waterdog Music.
