Biography
Ahab Rex (singer, songwriter, producer and performer) is a Chicago native with Russian blood. Hard yet lyrical, the music of Ahab Rex is sometimes caustic but always surprisingly catchy. His music combines aggressive rock vocals with smooth refrains. It brings to mind a rainy day version of Nirvana or The Ramones with a slight hangover and a dingy shot glass. With influences ranging from Broadcast and Death From Above 1979, to the Isley Brothers, Tom Waits, and Garbage, Ahab Rex is unapologetic rock with killer pop sensibility. In his own words "Music is everything. I've never had a back-up plan. I was never going to do anything else."
After stints in multiple local punk and rock bands, Ahab decided to define his own sound by forming The Ahab Rex Quintet. He recruited his cousins, musicians Devin and Dylan Ryan. No sooner did they start to lay down tracks with engineer Griffin Rodriguez, than Dylan left to tour with his own band, Michael Columbia (Alabaster/Galapagos 4) and Devin moved to Florida to attend sound engineering school. Undaunted, Ahab continued working and independently released his debut Rollin' with the Ahab Rex Quintet.
Rollin's gritty sound and detailed production gained the attention of local label Lens Records who promptly offered a deal. Not satisfied to re-release Rollin', Ahab opted to complete a new album, Blood On Blonde, with friends: vocalist Brooke Cassell, drummer Martin Atkins and guest vocals from Chris Connelly .
Befitting his eclectic musical tastes, Ahab has performed guest vocals on Emulsion's Death of the Author ep (Lens Records) as well as lending his talent to a series of tribute records on FTC Records including, David Bowie, The Cure, Nick Cave, and New Order. Ahab can also be seen performing as one half of the band Mr Russia, a pounding two-piece consisting of bass, drums and vocals.
Ahab’s gripping lyrics and heartfelt melodies explore the emotional underbelly of life. Sometimes dark and gritty, sometimes sweet and full of promise but always real.
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