The Usual Suspects

Classic rock, R&B, and a touch of country.

A five-piece built to keep a room full. Standards from the Southern rock canon, a few country classics, some R&B you'd forgotten you loved, and one slow burn to close it out. The set list shifts with the room — that's the whole point of a cover band that's played the same songs a thousand times.

An hour on the Rock n Roll Chicago Podcast.

Buck, Jimmy, and Frank sat down with the hosts of the Rock n Roll Chicago Podcast at the Joliet Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum. The band interviewed the hosts about themselves, played some music, and talked shop for an hour. Episode 284 — "The Usual Suspects."

Recorded at the Joliet Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum. Listen on Spotify →

Where to catch us next.

Public shows are free to attend unless noted. Private events and parties aren't listed — but if you're a venue or event planner, drop us a line.

Meet the Band

Steve "Buck" Dennison

Lead vocals · Guitar · Booking

Frontman, calls the gigs, owns the room. The guy you talk to when you're booking. Want to hear it? He'll probably know it — request just about anything and chances are he's got it ready.

Frank Gatto

Guitar

Been playing since he was a kid. Luthier at Gatto Guitars. Three decades behind the counter at music stores — selling, teaching, playing out. One of the best guitar players you'll ever meet. Most people know him when they see him.

Jim "Crash" Mihalovich

Drums · Backing vocals

Been playing drums his whole life — since before he could reach the pedals. A veteran, a lifelong baseball fan, and the kind of drummer every band wishes they had. Local bands, road gigs, every kind of room you can name. The reason the rest of the band sounds tight without ever asking for the spotlight.

Bill Thorpe

Bass · Vocals

A working musician for over 40 years. Multi-instrumentalist — bass, fiddle, and whatever else the night calls for. Wedding bands, bars, VFW halls, American Legion rooms, festival stages. He's played them all and he still shows up early.

Billy Thorpe

Guitar · Recording & Video

Guitar player and the guy who handles the recording and video for the band. Son of bassist Bill Thorpe — every time he's on stage, there's a Thorpe on the bass end too.