"Muddy Waters said it, you know the blues got a soul...
Well the blues had a baby and they named the baby rock & roll"

Measured Chaos takes that statement to heart. Blues, Soul & Rock 'n' Roll. Those three ingredients are their inspiration, as well as their direction. The band is heavily influenced by Chicago's classic blues, Detroit's R&B, the Rock music explosion of the late sixties, and they have the pedigrees to prove it.

Al Jacquez, Mark Tomorsky, Mark Gougeon and Bill Gordon enjoyed impressive musical careers before being fused together as Measured Chaos. Their collective credits include; Savage Grace, Lightnin', Mitch Ryder, Guardian Angel, Mark Lindsay, Little Richard, Billy Preston, Jamie James, John Mellencamp, Johnny Powers, The Suspects, The Reflections, Frigid Pink, as well as work for commercials, film and television.

Live shows by the Detroit based quartet are a powerful reminder that connecting with an audience is the most important part of any performance. It brings a physical definition to the phrase “substance over style.” No histrionics. No explosions. No fake personas. Just honest, "from the footprint of their soul" performances, revealing a life spent working to get to this point.

Measured Chaos has been touring since 2003, delighting audiences from 8 to 80. From die-hard blues aficionados to kids raised on rap and rock, from clubs to theatres to festivals. Whatever the combination, when Chaos plays, something good happens.  With countless miles logged and 2 CDs under their belts, MC is gaining on the dream.

"Somewhere Between Detroit & Chicago"

Their second disc, released in 2006, showcases the band as writers with all original songs. It runs the gamut with traditional blues mixed with their more hybrid "blues-fusion" styles. It’s their first studio recording. Along with fusing musical elements, Measured Chaos incorporated more sonic textures like; bottleneck, acoustic guitar, harmonica, and percussion along with its basic pallet of drums, bass, electric guitars and vocals.

“Livin’ The Dream” written by Mark Tomorsky is the CD’s opening tune. It’s a slightly askew look into the lives of some very colorful folks, set to a funky, up-tempo swing groove. The vivid lyrics and tasty guitar playing really set the tone for the entire disc. Another foray into the land of the “second line” finds Mark Gougeon penning another lyrical winner in “Cruisin’”, a story of some friends out on the town, looking for a little “satisfaction.” In a total change of pace, Al Jacquez serves up a bone-chilling acapella track, “Rubin Stacy” based on the true story of a murderous lynch mob from the 30’s and its prey. Reminiscent of a field holler, it delivers its message with a haunting intensity. You will also find some heavy rock-blues in “How Many Men You Got Livin’ There?”  Combining a lyrical “hat’s off” to Albert Collins’ “Dirty Dishes” over a ZZ Top style groove, they have touched the best of new and the true.  Again, you find that restraint, (or taste) plays a big part in the way Tomorsky delivers up his guitar work on these 14 tracks. As they say, “Less Is More.”

"LIVE"

On their first disc "Measured Chaos LIVE", recorded live in 2003, the band combines inspired classics and satisfying originals. For example; Willie Dixon's "You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover" has been invigorated by a sassy New Orleans second-line groove. BB King's "The Thrill Is Gone" is wrapped in dreamy intensity and Peter Green's "Oh Well" is played with sheer animal force. The CD's fiery opener, "Spreadin' The News (Not Preachin' The Blues)" written by Al Jacquez, combines a downriver Detroit energy with passionate sentiment. "Six Days Of Sinnin'" is as "down home" Chicago as they come and features a spot-on solo by guitarist Mark Tomorsky. And the jazzy "Night Ridin'", a Mark Gougeon composition, reflects a Kenny Burrell state of mind.

“Blues, Soul & Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Three simple ingredients. One simple explanation; Measured Chaos.

(photos: Julian Konwinski)