Contest to win FREE 3IC stuff!

The #3inCounting 24 hour Tweet-a-Thon!

This is YOUR chance to win FREE tickets to see 3IC at Matyr’s this Friday! Other prizes include CD’s and T-shirts!
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:

1. Starting at 3pm on Wednesday, April 13th, you will have 24 hours to post the most interesting tweet involving #3inCounting.

2. The tweet MUST include the hash tag #3inCounting, and you MUST be following @3inCounting on Twitter to be eligible.

3. Your tweet can be funny, sad, poetic, ANYTHING… you could even post a video or picture. The more creative, the more “outside-the-box”, the better! The content should pertain to 3IC or to music in SOME WAY; but we will also be pretty lenient on that one.

4. Only one winner per prize. However, the more you tweet #3incounting, the better your chances of winning! KEEP IN MIND: Twitter discourages the use of multiple accounts for the sake of spamming. Please see Twitter Rules(http://support.twitter.com/articles/18311-the-twitter-rules) for more info.

5. During the course of the contest, @3inCounting will periodically Re-Tweet your posts. This will not necessarily mean that you have won, but it does mean that we like it, and it is an honorable mention! ;-)

6. The contest will end at 3pm on Thursday, April 14th. The winners will be announced by @3inCounting at 6pm on Thursday, April 14th via Twitter.


GRAND PRIZE!
The greatest tweet will win the 3IC Bundle: 2 tickets to see 3IC and Ekoostik Hookah @ Martyr’s on Fri, April 15th, one T-shirt, and one CD (we will even autograph it if you wish!)

OTHER PRIZES!
-2 winners will each receive a pair of tickets to see 3IC @ Martyr’s on April 15th
-1 winner gets a 3IC T-shirt
-1 winner gets 3IC's LP, “At The Edge”

Good luck hometown heroes, see you at Martyr’s!
-Rob

Things Are About to Spring

(click image for Facebook event)

The past three months have been extremely productive for 3 in Counting and in about two weeks we'll be making our second appearance at one of Chicago's premiere venues, Martyrs', opening for national touring act, Ekoostik Hookah. Headlining act Ekoostik Hookah is the nucleus of a family drawn to its lucid, improvisational treatment of psychedelic rock ’n’ roll, blues, funk, jazz and bluegrass layered with rich harmonies. They have played in more than 30 states at venues including New York’s Wetlands Preserve, Chicago’s House of Blues, Cleveland’s Nautica Stage, Atlanta’s Variety Playhouse, and Boulder’s Fox Theater among countless others and in 1997 they were invited to play at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! 3 In Counting is excited to share the stage with such a successful act and predicts great things to come of it. This will be a gig for the books and will be our biggest show of Spring 2011. 3 In Counting will perform a 50 min set pact with original material, a few songs of which are brand new, as well as a new cover or two. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at http://www.martyrslive.com in the websites' Featured Shows section. This show is bound to sell out so get your tickets today!



April 15th is an extra special evening for Evan who, prior to the show at Martyrs', will be participating in the University of Illinois' year-end exhibition entitled, En Masse. Students graduating from UIC's BFA programs in Studio Arts, Moving Image, and Photography will showcase their work for the public at the Art & Design Hall (400 S. Peoria, Chicago IL) in the Great Space and GBU gallery on the fifth floor as well as in the third floor screening room (room 3226) from 6 to 9 pm. Evan will be performing with a collective currently working under the name, Sprockets. The performance consists of 16mm film projections manned by members; Omar Cardenas, Joe Lim and Evan Behmer as well as member Jason Ogowa on trombone. The combination of sight and sound and the manipulation of the two create an unusual experience that questions what you see and what you hear as it brings cinema, drone and noise music together within a sample based structure. The performance will take place from 6:00-7:00pm on the third floor of the Art and Design Hall in the screening room (room 3226) and is free. 3 In Counting encourages you to attend both events as they are only 15 minutes apart from one another (see directions below)!


(click image for facebook event and info)



View My Saved Places in a larger map
Directions from En Masse to 3 In Counting at Martyrs'

A Saxy Perspective

It was about a year ago when I first contacted Rob Kletsky about jamming with 3 in Counting. I had just graduated from NIU and one of my main goals besides finding a job, was to play sax in a band again. 3 in Counting first made sweet love to my ears at Walter Payton’s Roundhouse and that's when I noticed that notorious Rob "The Bob" Kletsky was in the band slapping some mad bass. Rob and I had been playing on and off every now and then and we also played in a band when we were in high school. We had also worked an odd delivery job at China Kitchen where Rob and I watched Cops on TV and made the occasional delivery, but mainly Cops. So I immediately contacted Rob and expressed my interest in maybe jamming sometime with 3 in Counting.
About a week later I started practing with 3 in Counting and met the rest of the guys. Eric "Disco" Csukor and his mad skills on tickling the ivories, Mike "Manfred Awesome" Hayes killing it with his awesome pipes and stringwork and Evan "The Percussionater" Behmer laying down some sick beats. These guys all bring together a unique sound with all of their various styles that came together and made the beautiful love child that is 3 in Counting.
I have been playing with 3IC for about a year now and I have to say I have been having the time of my life. 2010 was a great year for 3IC and I am very excited with the direction the band is going in. Our new songs we are working on just keep getting better and better. 3IC is certainly great bunch of musicians and I have certainly gained some friends for life. The hometown heroes and fans have been awesome as well and as we look forward to spring and summer there are certainly some exciting times ahead.

-Chris Hagerman

To our gracious fans and loved ones,
We have an opportunity to play at the UNITED CENTER and we need your help to get us there.

Here's how to help:
1. Follow this link, http://lnk.ms/JXrvN

2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the yellow button that reads: "Enter to win by clicking here"

3. Create a Login ID by clicking the blue square button. (you can't use an email that manages a mobile device). Fill in the info and hit next

4. THIS IS WHERE YOU VOTE FOR 3 IN COUNTING! Find us in the drop down menu provided

Once you have created a user name and have voted, help us out TONS more by voting once a day till February 14th. All you need to do is log in and vote. Also, prizes will be given to participants regardless if 3 In Counting wins.

We know this is a lengthy process, but we deeply appreciate your patience and support!

Thank You SOO Much people. You ROCK!

The Green Room

The Green Room. A place of pre-performance warm-ups, photo shoots, the last place you can still smoke inside. Lots goes on in the Green Room, and most of the time, the room isn't even green. Like at the Double Door, for instance. Here, to enter the Green Room, you go downstairs, around the corner, past security, through the door, into this winding hallway with attached rooms; none of which, are green. The walls are covered in posters of bands to have already graced the stage with their presence. Sitting and waiting, staring at all the huge acts to have come through here before you, is pretty mind blowing. The thought "I'm playing on the same stage as the Rolling Stones and Tenacious D” crosses your mind and I'm not going to lie, you feel pretty bad ass. Some Green Rooms consist of nothing more than a few chairs, a bathroom, and if your lucky, a bucket of the beer the bar can't sell so they give it to you pretending it's out of the goodness of their hearts. (Like Leinekugel 1884 Bock, or MGD 64)

Anyhow, the Green Room has always been a source of intrigue and mystery for any concert goer, so I won't go any farther. Just know, what happens in the Green Room, can be shared for just a small price:)

~Eric Csukor

A fan got a 3iC tattoo, now that's hardcore!

3 In Counting's CD Release Show!!

(click image for a chance to win free tickets to the show!)


(click image for facebook event)


This is an exciting moment for 3 In Counting and we hope you are all as pumped up as we are! It's been almost a year now since we first stepped into the studio and in two weeks from today on Saturday January 22nd we will be releasing our very first full length album, At The Edge! The album represents happiness, adventure, portraiture, desolation, "dreams" ... being "caught," and is a culmination of our ever evolving friendships with one another, those that have influenced us and the past five years of making music together.

On the date of the release we will be performing the album in it's entirety, as well as a few brand new songs that no one has heard, at the Double Door located in Chicago's historic Wicker Park. The evening will begin with several up and coming acts from the Mid-West. Opening the show is a band from Nashville Tennessee known as, The Ryan Michaels Band. Incorporating styles of the Bon Jovi, U2 and Kings Of Leon variety, the Ryan Michaels Band brings to Chicago their own brand of melodic rock. Next we have The Aaron Williams Band. The band will be filming their music video and recording the set for a live release. The AWBand is currently working on a new album with Grammy nominated producer Johnny K. Blackjack Sass will be a guest singer at this show. Following The Aaron Williams Band and will be Chicago's South-Side sluggers, Stellar Road. Stellar Road has been creating music for the past decade and has since become well known through out the greater Chicago area and more recently across the United States. On Dec. 26th 2010, 3 In Counting had the opportunity to perform at Chicago's House of Blues with Stellar Road. To top off the evening at the Double Door Jan. 22nd, yours truly, 3 In Counting will perform! Our album will be for sale at the Double Door as well as available on itunes January 22nd.

As Mike wrote in our last blog, 2010 was an incredible year for 3 In Counting and we couldn't have done any of it with out the help of our beloved fans. We had a blast recording this album and the experience is something we wish all our fans can encounter when listening to it.

See you at the show,

Evan and 3 In Counting

This is the year!!!

It is time to kiss 2010 goodbye and welcome in the new year 2011. 2010 was a great year for 3IC. With the addition of one Mr. Chris Hagerman on saxophone, our sound has blossomed into a unique and distinct eargasm, which most of you have had the pleasure of experiencing. I can honestly say Chris is now an honorary part of the team and one of my best friends for life. I have so many things I want to say and really dont know where to begin. I suppose I can start with our most recent accomplishment. I'm talking about our House of Blues debut appearance of course!! This show was single-handedly the best experience on stage I have ever had as well as most of the members of the band. The energy, the set-list, the crowd....everything about it went according to plan (which in this business is pretty rare hehe). I felt we were very well received by the crowd and definately expanded the 3IC fan base. However, this show was just the tip of the iceberg. I expect and look forward to many more shows just like this one in the future. The best way Mitch and I were able to describe it was "surreal". I remember going to multiple Kottonmouth Kings concerts as well as many others at the House of Blues Chicago, and now I am part of that culture. Playing the House of Blues is a memory I will never forget and can be checked off my bucket list as a dream come true.
Next on the list, Our first Full-Length Album titled "At The Edge", is finally finished and being released in 2011 on Jan. 22nd!!! We had contemplated many different venues in the Chicagoland area and finally we all agreed on The Double Door in Wicker Park. It is one of my favorite venues in the city and I expect the night will be very successfull. 3IC will be closing the night after a killer line-up that goes as follows. The Ryan Michaels Band (Nashville), The Aaron Williams Band, Stellar Road, then 3IC!!! We are very proud of the album and can't wait to debut some of the new un-heard tunes that are on it. Another reason why 2011 will be great for 3IC. NEW SONGS!!!
Which brings me to my next point. I have been a monster when it comes to writing and the boys would agree when I say the newer songs seem to be getting better and better and our style of writing has matured. We aren't limiting ourselves to any one specific style. It's with this attitude I was able to write the newest well-received song "Tangled Up".
The Mike & Eric Musical Explosion has been playing during the week now for a few months and things couldn't be looking any better. No matter the size of the crowd, we always have fun and everybody leaves saying "wow....those guys were great!" I can't thank our fans and anyone who supports local music enough. The Mike & Eric Musical Explosion will also be debuting as The E.L.M. Trio featuring Leah Pearl on Vocals in 2011. E=Eric L=Leah M=Mike....clever huh?!?! It's a play on words. Either way, I am always playing music whether it be by myself, with Eric, or with the entire group. Music is my life, my passion, and it's so great that the fans (you) allow me to do what I love to do.
2011!!! This is the YEAR!! We close 2010 out with a party bash at J.T's Porch in Lombard. A local place for our suburban following to jam out as we kiss 2010 goodbye. Thank you to our families and fans for believing in our cause. Thank you Chicago for the bears, the hawks, the bulls, the sox/cubs, and great pizza. Most importantly, thank you for making us feel great about what we do. We love you all, see you at The Double Door!!!
-Mike

ps
check out our recent episdoe of 3IC Vision:


...and a fan vid from the gig at the Chicago House of Blues

Holly Jolly Holidays

Life has been nothing short of TOTALLY AWESOME for myself and the boys in the past few months. With the smell of turkey, stuffing, and greenbean cassorole right around the corner, the next couple months are huge for 3 In Counting. We recently toured down to Miami for the Miami Music Festival, where we played at the legendary Churchills Pub in, wait for it...... LITTLE HAITI!!!! There we played with 9 other bands, all which were talented, however, there was one band that really blew me away. A band from Austin, Texas dubbed "The Bright Light Social Hour". Great guys, and a great sound. After a long night of music and partying, we woke up the next morning and headed straight to South Beach for some fun in the sun...and to skope out the local talent of course ;) The weather couldn't have been better and I am looking forward to working with some of the bands we met in the near future.

With our Miami trip a safe success, now 3 In Counting has 2 premium events to look forward too, as well as our fans! The day after X-Mas we take the main stage at the House of Blues in Chicago. 5 years ago, this would have seemed like a dream that would maybe never be achieved, but here we are in 2010 and 3IC is making that dream come true. The guys from Stellar Road will be headlining the show and I can't thank them enough for inviting us out to play. We will see all of you there Dec. 26th. Tickets are on sale now!!!

The time has almost come!! Our long anticipated Cd Release show has finally been announced!!! We are going to play out debut Cd in its entirety at The Double Door in Chicago on Jan. 22nd 2011!!!! With 4 GREAT bands on the bill, this night will be a for sure BLOWOUT concert!! I can't thank our fans enough for being patient about the cd and promise you that the wait will be well worth it. Tickets are also available for this event online now!

On a side note. With all the traveling, practicing, and hard work being put into this band, 3 In Counting has been very prolific in producing new songs, which will be showcased throughout 2011. I believe in trying to keep things fresh and fun for our fans and I Promise.....2011 is the year everybody. Thanks for all the support and we love you all. -Mike

3iC at Tailgaters this Fri from 8 to 10pm! 3iC again at Quigleys this Sat starting at 9pm until they kick us out! Show us some support!

A Taste of Tour Life- By Mike hayes

About 7am on a Thursday morning, the boys and I are finally up and getting ready to hit the road on what would ultimately be our first official band road trip. Now, 7am is probably the earliest both Rob and I have been awake in a long time, however, we are pretty amped about heading to NYC that it doesnt even phase us. A little stop at Dunkin Donuts for some coffee and some hangover grub, then it's off to the space to load up the van. Our plan was to meet up at about 8 or 8:30 and be on the road by 9ish. This is where things start to go slightly askew, cuz of course, why would anything go according to plan right? For many different annoying reasons, we putz around Glen Ellyn in this van and dont end up actually getting on the highway til about Noon! Great start to the trip huh? However, we were on the road. Once on the road it was smooth sailing. We seemed to be enjoying each others company (for the most part) and Mitch was on a B-Line straight for NYC. After a few naps and some comedy routines off Rob's zune, we made it into Jersey, where we started fist pumping to bring the moral of this 15 hour drive back up, as we were starting to get really anxious. I didnt think he could do it, but Mitch drove the entire way from Illinois to New York and we made it in one piece. It was time to grab some sleep to rest up for our drive down to Atlantic City, New jersey for our House of Blues show the next day.

We wake up after about 4-5 hours of sleep to hit the road and pick up Evan and Chris from the La Guardia Airport. Once, in Atlantic City, we were pumped and ready to rock The House of Blues opening for Fishbone! The feeling on the stage there was incredible, almost surreal. We played our entire debut album for the Jersey Fans and everything went as smooth as it could. A great experience I will never forget. Now, it's time for the after party!

After Fishbone's set, we partied with the band in their green room, which was stocked with Grey Goose and Patron! After what seemed all to short of a time, the House of Blues staff told us it was time to leave. So where do we go???? The casino of course!! At the RESORTS Casino there were $2 games of blackjack and Eric is having a blast at the table, slightly blacked out of course. Meanwhile, Mitch and I are chowing down on hot dogs from the stand right outside the casino, after that, next thing I knew, we were waking up and heading back to NYC for one more night of sight seeing and partying with J.D.!

What did I learn? Well, on a full fledged tour, you have to try and get sleep whenever possible. Do not go to the casino when your blacked out. Woman really like musicians! My band is really hilarious and fun to hang out with. The New York Clap is not an STD and may or may not actually exist, and.....It's definately something I could get used to doing. Can't wait to go back to NYC in about a month. Much love to all our fans and I hope you enjoyed reading this. Peace

p.s. we took some video of the trip and made the first webisode of a series that will document our various journeys throughout the U.S. and wherever we may go.

Skanking to the East by next week + Labor Day weekend fun

Well, we have a pretty awesome labor day planned. It will definitely be jam packed with fun starting with our annual Back to School Show at Curly's in Glen Ellyn on Friday 9/3, then our first show ever at 191 South with Stellar Road on Saturday 9/4 - We'll go on stage around 9:30 and only be playing for about 45 minutes, so if your planning on coming on out your going to want to get there early! Sunday will be freakin' awesome - we'll be playing at Last Fling Naperville at 2pm and play until 3:30. So all the Naperville Hometown Heroes...time to get down with our dancing kicks! You can find more information on Last Fling here: http://www.lastfling.org/


In the meantime, we are preparing for our big show with Fishbone at the House of Blues in Atlantic City - here is a little video for you to watch. These guys are the shit!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxZeNHBD2Kk

AUGUST SHOW SCHEDULE

Please take a minute out of your day (everyday til 15th) to vote for 3IC to play northcoast music festival! The link can be found at 3icmusic.com

VOTE FOR 3 IN COUNTING!!!

Please vote for 3 in Counting to win the Toast the Coast play in contest to win a chance to perform at the North Coast music festival this Labor Day weekend in Chicago's Union Park!!! Let Bob the 3IC puppet do some further explaining by checking out the video post above!!!

click this link to go straight to our Voting Page: http://www.northcoastfestival.com/contests/profile.php?aid=169

"At The Edge" OFFICIAL Music Video

3iC will be playing at "The Palace" in Chicago this weekend July 17th, 2010 for a breast cancer benefit. Click here to read more at the events website.

VISIT US HERE!

3iC at tailgaters TONIGHT!!

3 In Counting makes the front cover of the June issue of the Chicago Rocker Newsletter, pick up a copy at clubs and bars around the burbs today! Included, a full page article about the boys!

#blackhawks PARTY at Shark City this fri with @3inCounting and Udaside! Puck drops at 7 and music starts when the final buzzer sounds!

3iC at Quigley's tonight! 43 E Jefferson ave, Naperville. No cover, Music starts at 9 and goes till close!

Some pics from the studio

Album out in July

It's funny how time seems 2 move @ a slower pace when you're staring @ the clock. I can't wait to go to @clubnorthbeach !

3iC with the AW Band this Sat! @ the House Cafe, 263 Lincoln Highway in DeKalb. Show starts at 10pm and the party goes all night! www.3iCmusic.com

3IC @ World Record event! This fri, 9pm, catch 3IC w/ Groove Ethics @ The Aurora Marketplace, NO COVER! NW corner of 75 and 59, by Sport Authority. 3iCmusic.com

Durty Nellies Party Bus

If only we had some photos from when the Hometown Heroes were getting off the bus at the end of the night, could anyone walk upright?

Congratulations Hometown Heroes, we officially killed 149 beers from the ride there and back alone!

It's a gloomy easter sunday, and a great day to be alive. Last night at Durty Nellie's was a BLAST! I want to thank every one for coming out, heard the party bus was a lot of fun. I would also like to thank Tony Shark for putting us on the bill, it was great to see him at the event as well. Mark, the owner of Durty Nellie's came up to me personally to say nothing but great things about our band and that we would be welcome back, so don't be surprised to see 3IC back at the DN soon! Sam did a fantastic job, filling in as our drummer for the night. Sam is also our engineer for our upcoming album, release date is TBA.

THE NEW WEBSITE IS UP AND RUNNING! www.3ICmusic.com

In other news...

Blackhawks have clinched 1st place in the central division! it's the first time the Hawks have done this since '93, and their 49th win this season ties for the franchise record.

A major event will soon take place in Aurora, IL;

Endurance athlete George Hood will attempt to break the World Record with a 12 1/2 day, 300 hour ultra spin-cycling marathon ride! This event will take place from April 11th-24th, and is part of a fund raiser for the United Way and the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. As part of the festivities, 3 IN COUNTING WILL BE PLAYING ON APRIL 16TH! So come see history being made, and enjoy some good tunes while you're at it! For more info on this event, visit www.ridegeorgeride.org.

For all of you NIU students, 3IC will be playing at the House Cafe in downtown Dekalb on Sat. April 17th. check www.3ICmusic.com for details.

And now that my "blog cherry" has been popped, I am signing out. Peace.

Rob