If you could combine the hot, electric sound of Austin, Texas with the soulful grooves of Chicago blues, then throw in some east coast classic rock mixed with west coast funk, you get Liberty City, the hot blues band hailing from Batavia, Illinois. The members of Liberty City use both exacting musicianship and gritty passion to extract maximum potential from each song they play.

While pursuing formal educations in the areas of classical music and jazz, guitarist and vocalist Joel Matter, bassist Andrew Maas, and drummer Jeff Matter formed the group 10 years ago to explore music styles otherwise not available to them.

In 1996, Larry Andersen of Chicago, Illinois joined the group as their harmonica player as well as contributing to vocals. Andersen's influences lie deep within the heart of Chicago blues, and have helped to tremendously widen the repertoire of Liberty City. The band is always inviting their fellow musicians to come and play with them. Whether it is A.J. Gomez to blow sax or "Brother" John Kattke to play keys, they always add excitement to the group.

Liberty City plays an exciting blend of music that is sure to appeal to a wide variety of audiences and age groups. Along with their own compositions, Liberty City plays the music of blues greats Buddy Guy, BB King, Albert Collins and Elmore James. The group also features songs from the more contemporary blues sounds of Chris Duarte, Robben Ford, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Robert Cray. Whether swinging to a classic shuffle, pouring their hearts into a soulful ballad or bringing the house down with a honky-tonk boogie, Liberty City is a sure-fire crowd pleaser.

Over a year in the making, their first cd, Four Guys and a Cadillac, was released just in time for twin brothers Jeff and Joel's 21st birthday. Teaming up with their fellow band members Larry Andersen and Andrew Maas, they are on the road to establishing themselves as the next generation of blues artists. The members of Liberty City hope that tonight, somewhere across America some young boy or girl discovers the blues as they did many years ago. By the way, if you're looking for the other Blues Brothers you'll find them here.