Captain Phil's Planet filling in for the Cool Down. Today lots of great music from the Chicago based Progressive Rock Band District 97 and around 3:30pm a phone interview with District 97 Drummer and main composer Jonathan Schang. In the 4pm hours we switch gears and get into Christmas with a bnch of Christmas, Hanukah and Winter tunes and a live reading of The Grinch who Stole Christmas featuring Captain Phil and WUSB staffer Lonnie Chu! You won't want to miss this!

Jonathan Schang Bio:

Jonathan Schang is the drummer and primary composer for the Chicago-based progressive rock band
District 97. After attending Berklee College of Music and studying with Paul Wertico at the Chicago
College of Performing Arts, Jonathan focused his attention to forming his own band, District 97, in 2006.
Originally formed as a prog instrumental foursome in a no-holds barred style of Liquid Tension
Experiment, District 97 later decided on adding the right vocalist to complement their sound. Enter 2007

"American Idol" Top 10 Female Finalist, Leslie Hunt. With a look, sound, and stage presence comparable
to a young Ann Wilson from Heart, Leslie’s dynamic performances pushed the band into a new direction
that forged a unique marriage between accessible, catchy vocal melodies and an adventurous instrumental prowess.
In addition to his activities with District 97, Jonathan is one of Chicago’s busiest and most in-demand modern dance accompanists. He has been commissioned to write works for Deeply Rooted Dance
Theater and Thodos Dance Chicago, with future collaborations in the works involving the most gifted
members of Chicago’s thriving dance community.

In 2012, Jonathan was nominated in Modern Drummer Magazine's Readers Poll in the "Best Up &
Coming Drummer" category. In March of 2013, he joined Simon Collins (son of legendary Genesis
vocalist/drummer Phil Collins) and John Wesley (Porcupine Tree, Fish) for the inaugural live show of
Simon's band, Sound of Contact, at Marillion Montreal Weekend. Later in the same year, Jonathan and
District 97 toured the U.S. and Europe with famed vocalist/bassist John Wetton (King Crimson, U.K.,
Asia (band)) to perform the music of King Crimson. Each show consisted of 2 sets: the first featuring D97 songs and the second featuring John Wetton joining the group.
Jonathan and District 97 have recently released their third studio album, "In Vaults."

Learn more by visiting: www.district97.net

"Jonathan writes and plays like a demon."
- Bill Bruford (Yes (official), King Crimson, Genesis, U.K. Earthworks)