Kevin Thomas-vocals
Caleb Pepp- Guitar and lead vocals
Arthi Meera- vocals, keyboards, guitar
Cody Josephson- Guitar, harmonica
Matt Wysocki- Bass guitar
Nick Coleman- Drums

Fender-fueled Chicago quintet 1997 espouses an especially passionate and effervescent brand of pop rock, drawing influences from contemporaries such as Promise Ring, Bright Eyes, Rilo Kiley and Radiohead.

Belying the group’s youthful age, 1997 (that’s MCMXCVII if you’re into Roman numerals, by the way) rose from the collective rosters of several established Chicago-area bands, including Constance, Funeral Etiquette and October Fall.

1997 puts as much energy into creating provocative songs as it does in putting on a great show, as evidenced on the group’s 2007 debut album, A Better View of the Rising Moon.