The First Rule is a Kenosha-based band which mixes alternative rock and punk. They combine anger with sensitivity, both lyrically and musically. Drawing from a variety of artists, including The Offspring, Bad Religion, Green Day, and Weezer, among others, the band crosses genres to create an original blended sound. Their live shows are always a high energy experiences.
Currently consisting of Nick O’Malley on vocals, Bo Ledman on lead guitar and backing vocals, Chelsey Corrin on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Chris Shanahan on bass and backing vocals, and Mike Wynn Jr. on drums and backing vocals.
Formed in 2014 when Nick and Chris decided to start working on music together. The band grew to a 5 piece and started playing out the following year. Since then, they have played in Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee, Chicago, and various places in between. Among their many shows, they have performed at Summerfest in Milwaukee, and opened for nationally touring Project 86 at the Miramar Theater in Milwaukee.
The First Rule currently has 2 albums. "Street Fight" was released July 22nd, 2016, and "What Could Possibly Go Wrong?" on October 13, 2017. A music video for the song "Bully" was released on youtube and facebook in May of 2016 (directed by Arlo Revolution and ShriverDiver Productions). A music video for "Can't Wait To Be Famous" will be released some time in November of 2017 (also directed by Arlo Revolution).After listening to the album a few times through, I can honestly say The First Rule brings something completely new to the table. It was refreshing to hear their take on alternative rock and use punk/metal influences throughout the album. It's reminiscent of alternative music of the past, but rejuvenates and brings to life a whole new sub-genre.
I was able to go back and forth with the rhythm guitarist, Chris Shanahan, and ask him a few questions about the band. Read below for the interview:
1. Collectively, what is your favorite song on the album?
While we each have individual favorite songs, our collective "favorite song" on this album would‎ have to be Life Lessons in the Key of Self-Righteousness. While being one of our oldest songs (pre-dating a lot of songs on even our first album), it has a different vibe from most of the rest of our music. Because of this, it often gets excluded from our sets when we play live. However, during the recording process, the song took off. We added more to the climax of the song, particularly with the drums and bass, but then we asked our friend (and Mike's cousin), Tawny Mitchell, to come in and "just wail", and that's exactly what she did.
2. What are your plans for 2018?
We're hoping to expand our reach some more in 2018. We've primarily played regionally since forming, playing regularly in Southeast Wisconsin and Northeast Illinois, with occasional shows in Milwaukee and Chicago. While we'd like to play Chicago more, we'd also like to do some extended weekend tours. We're not looking to cross the country (...yet). But we would like to get around the Midwest a bit more.
3. How does The First Rule differ from other bands similar in genre?
What makes The First Rule differ from other bands is we don't limit ourselves to ‎just one genre. Rather than say "we're a punk band" and try to make all our songs sound like one style of punk, we take whatever ideas we have and run with them. We have some songs that sound pop punk, some that like 90's punk, and some that sound more like rock.
4. What are some bucket list goals for the band?
‎Some things on our bucket list would include putting together a 1-2 week tour, playing The Metro in Chicago, and playing some larger festivals around the Midwest, including Summerfest again. We'd also like to keep releasing music on a regular basis, like every 1-1 1/2 years
5. Favorite memory with "The First Rule" so far?
While we each have our own favorite memories of the band, our favorite collective show with our current lineup would be Fridayween at The Brat Stop in Kenosha in 2016.‎ It was our first show with "fill-in" guitarist Bo Ledman. The crowd was energetic and really into the music, and we felt it was one of the best shows we played. It was also the moment when we realized we wanted Bo to be our full-time lead guitarist. We asked him to after the show, but it actually took two more shows before he said yes!