Uncommon Ground ^ Drew Neely

Drew Neely
Drew Neely has been a part of Chicago’s local music scene since his late high school years. "Granted at the time," he says, "it was a much more ‘a casual get-together between friends who owned instruments’” but it proved to plant the music bug! A progression began and unknowingly a catalog of self-penned music was slowly being gathered. In 1998, after performing in many local projects, Drew began playing bass for True Tunes Etc. recording artists "Not The Joneses." After a successful two-year stint playing in venues ranging from The Lyon's Den with a capacity of 100 to Cornerstone Festival in front of an audience of 2000, Drew decided it was time to move on. He then joined a band called "Short Arm Trick" and grew as a performer and guitar player. After a few years of touring with this band, Drew decided to take his own engineering desires and producing goals to the next level.

By investing in a recording studio called Thrift Store Studios, Drew was able to learn and perfect his engineering and recording skills. In a few short years his reputation as a producer has brought him notoriety and respect in the local industry - he's produced projects for "Short Arm Trick", "Split Habit", "O.D.M" and "5th Wall."

Although his behind the scene experience has taught him the importance of strong song-writing, excellent musicianship and a keen ear, the longing to be onstage was still a major calling. By going through the catalog of unrecorded music he'd been writing since high school, he realized that forming a new band was imminent. He then joined forces with area musicians and fronted Thrift Store Heroes in 2003. They were a fun power pop trio who released a 3 song Christmas EP in November of that year and then a full-length in early 2004. In the short time they were together, they have made a name for themselves by playing such Chicago venues as Wheaton Grand Theater, Beat Kitchen and the Double Door.

Unfortunately, in April of ’04 Thrift Store Heroes reached a crossroads. Drew felt that in order for him to take his music to the next level it was time to “take the show on the road”. Due to other priorities the other members could not make that kind of commitment, so he decided to branch off and begin a solo career. He quickly jumped back into the studio and began work on new material. The songs would eventually become This Could Be You Volume 1. Give his music a listen and you are sure to be humming his catchy tunes hours later!