Brian Krumm and His Barfly Friends is the name of the first solo project from Brian Krumm, frontman for Chicago’s Americana-noir group The Great Crusades. His debut album, Just Fade Away, was recorded with members of his regular band as well as other Chicago music scene notables with Crusader Christian Moder co-Producing with Krumm. The new album arrives via Pravda Records as a digital download, 12” vinyl LP, CD and via streaming platforms June 2nd, 2023.
Krumm wrote the songs on Just Fade Away in 2020. In an effort to stay sane during the first days of the lockdown, Brian would drink a shot of whiskey each evening at 5PM and try to write a song. Twenty-five days later, he had 25 songs, 11 of which he’d take into his and Moder’s home studios.
Along with long time band mates Brian Hunt (bass, vocals), Brian Leach (keyboards, vocals, guitars), and Christian Moder (drums, percussion, keyboards, vocals, production), he recruited Dana Anderson (vocals), Tony Artimisi (drums), Erik Attkisson (bass), and more.
Many of these musicians had performed as special guests at his monthly residency at Chicago’s Montrose Saloon that started in 2021 and continued into 2023. Additional vocals, guitars and horns were tracked at Chicago’s JoyRide Studios.
Vocalist/guitarist Brian Krumm formed The Great Crusades more than 20 years ago, following his tenure with The Suede Chain. In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic put music venues on hold worldwide, Krumm focused on solo work and began writing the materials that’d wind up on Just Fade Away. With the album set for release, Brian Krumm and His Barfly Friends plans to tour in 2023.
