Tired of contemporary mainstream music, avid 78 speed record collector Robert Rial established Bakelite 78 while living in Chicago, IL in 1998. He decided to deviate from the punk and metal style of his youth and become more acoustic, involving himself with more archaic forms of music, specifically those with harmonic vocal styles reflecting a bygone era that has come and gone. An old time music enthusiast, Rial began to emulate the styles of music he loved most. Country Blues/country swing, vaudeville, tin pan alley, folk, jazz, and mountain music pervaded his songwriting style.
An old time music enthusiast, Rial began to emulate the styles of music he loved most. Country Blues/country swing, vaudeville, tin pan alley, folk, jazz, and mountain music pervaded his songwriting style. The result was his foundation for Bakelite 78.
The original lineup of Bakelite 78 performed throughout Chicago till 2008. Robert met Jason Grey at O.U. in Athens in 1995, and has collaborated musically with Grey numerous times through the years. Jason is accordionist, percussionist, and plays 'miscellany', and he has devised a unique and rather ingenious drum 'kit'. In 2003, Robert met Gregg Coffey, an amazing local artist/musician, who introduced Robert to Bob Kessler, clarinet/harmonica rocker, radio personality, and photographer. Kessler also plays occasional washboard when Jason Grey is playing accordion or slide instead. A year or so later, the trio met "Dick" Unetich at one of our shows and he joined us with trumpet and six-string shortly thereafter. Dick is also capable of filling in on washboard. Finally. In December 2004, Ariel Bolles joined on upright bass, harmony vocals and trombone. A versatile 'skiffle' combo creating new blues, jazz and country classics, and paying homage to the American musical heritage, Bakelite 78 has come to let you all know that happy days are here again.
They headed to Como, Mississippi in October 2006 to work with Grammy Award-Winning Producer/Musician James Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers). He heard the first CD, "It's a Sin" and was inspired to produce the follow-up recording at his Delta Recording Service studios. In 2007, the group released "Delta Disc" while performing at street festivals, parties and local venues such as The Famous "Hiawatha" Pizza Lounge, Bad Dog Tavern, The Beat Kitchen, The California Clipper, Candlelite, The Hideout and The Charleston.
Robert departed for Seattle in 2009 and sought a new line-up of musicians of multi-instrumentalists that preserved the group's original sound. The Seattle chapter of the group includes Erin Jordan on piano and accordion, Austin Quist on upright bass and sousaphone, Ashley Komoda on clarinet and saxophone, Erik Reed on trumpet, Steve Baz on drums and Robert Rial on tenor guitar and voice.
The group's persistence of vision is echoed in music that often takes on an exciting feel of its own. Fans of ragtime, blues, jazz, and swing will appreciate the anchoring rhythm section and strong vocals of Bakelite 78. The band's mellow harmonies and hard-hitting rhythms haven't aged a day.