This Chicago blues-based band may make things a little steamy in February. It seems 100¡ in the Shade has been packing in the crowds at York bars with their energetic shows. "People are usually led to the wrong conclusion when they hear the word 'blues,'" says guitarist and lead singer Frank Kennell, "but we're more of an 'uppity' rock and roll band; we play stuff you can dance to." They tend to cover the blues of B.B. King and Muddy Waters, rock blues of Motown and R&B, or more of the commercialized blues like ZZ Top. "We also sprinkle in about half a dozen of our originals," says Kennell, "which are more like jazz-funk."

Kennell, 35, has been playing guitar since 12 and is joined by three other accomplished musicians to form 100¡ in the Shade: Tony Ryder is on bass, harmonica and back-up vocals; Rich Beckley, their newest member, is on the keyboard and vocals; and Tom Dawes is on drums and vocals. Kennell and Ryder, who are neighbors, began jamming together and originally wanted to form a six-piece band. They advertised for a year and a half and finally landed Dawes. Their three-piece band was finally formed last spring, and then Beckley came on board last November when the trio met him at an open mic session at the Cove. "We really got started that way Ð at open mic sessions," says Kennell. "We got a lot of practice playing together. Now we just need to get the money to make a recording."

Kennell says future goals include a CD, which is in the works after they build up their song list and the money; and they'd also like to capture management interest. All managing and business affairs are currently conducted by Kennell's networking. "Our goal is to get big," says Kennell. "Everyone in the band has the same mindset. We don't necessarily have 'star' aspirations, but everyone realizes that this is a business." 100¡ in the Shade is also about having a good time. Kennell says the band smiles and laughs a lot at their shows. Expect to hear loose jams ... they're not a hard-core roots blues band. P4=If you'd like to know more about this hot band, join their mailing list by logging on to Kennell's Web site, guitaraddict@msn.com.