Old Coke

Old Coke is a Chicago-based band focused on pushing the boundaries of heavy shogaze by incorporating elements from a wealth of genres. Sharing members with Sleepwalk, Old Coke brings a driving edge to a genre that focuses more on larger than life guitar tones rather than energy.

The name was inspired by bottles of Coke modified by artist Cildo Meireles on display at the London Tate Modern that hid political statements on the bottles, one of which taught civilians how to make molotov cocktails.

On percussion, drummer Ethan Toenjes beats away the nuanced fills and stylistic precision at a feverish pace. Guitarist/vocalist Christopher Ruiz's loud style of songwriting riffs on nostalgia, romance, and human connection. Ruiz's melancholic vocals balance the big guitar tone and colourful chords with the aggression and thrashiness often found in heavier genres. 
 Their upcoming EP “Seasonal” is their most emotionally charged and musically ambitious project to date. A journey that weaves between lovers and loss, where tracks such as ‘Coffee Eyes’ are about doing psychedelics with a girlfriend in lockdown, ‘Suntinged’ reflects on a California summer heartbreak, and ‘Vapor Drunk’ being a light love letter in song form 
 Showcasing a varied sonic range from shoegaze, dream pop, punk and noise rock Old Coke has quickly evolved and leveled up to the technically dynamic and energetic live performances you will witness in 2023. 
 ~Tracy Kawalik