Last Vegas, the Bio

The Chicago based, The Last Vegas deliver hi-energy spectacles, with a deliciously trashy, roughed-up edge, eliciting the inner rock star in all of us. Armed with their unbridled, raw talent, The Last Vegas posses the ability to musically beat crowds into submission, leaving fans no choice but to beg for more. The band destroyed the competition as they outplayed close to 8,000 entrants for the Guitar Center On Stage contest, landing the chance to open for the world's most notorious rock band, Motley Crue, as well as record and management deals alongside the rock icons.
With influences like Johnny Thunders, AC/DC, Black Flag, Misfits, Guns N' Roses and the Sex Pistols, The Last Vegas sought out rambunctious music to get their adolescent blood pumping. The bands' first concerts include Cheap Trick, AC/DC and KISS, influencing them as they grew up in punk rock clubs throughout the local Chicago scene. Keeping the punk rock dream alive, Danny Smash was into the glam scene, Chad Cherry began playing in noise experimental bands, and brothers Adam and Nathan Arling started punk bands doing Johnny Thunders and Ramones covers while John Wator was growing up on a strong breed of metal and hard rock.

Living the small town life in Normal, IL (really), the members of The Last Vegas were anything but. Combining three of their favorite past times, Adam and Nathan began playing house parties throughout town, where they could also drink free beer and score girls. John was on the same path, and soon the three connected through blasting loud music late at night and jam sessions to irritate the neighbors. Creatively in sync, the three began writing their own material and made the decision to head to Chicago for some new action and more trouble. It was there that the three met their lead vocalist, Chad Cherry at a Roller Derby Girl event a year later. Chad then brought ex-band mate and childhood friend, Danny Smash into the line-up to stack the rhythm section.

When The Last Vegas woke up the morning of Monday, November 10th, they were one of six final unsigned bands, eagerly awaiting the chance to play in front their idols, Motley Crue, with everything on the line at the Guitar Center On Stage finals. After a demanding performance later that evening at the world famous Whisky A-Go-Go, The Last Vegas claimed victory over the "greatest prize in rock," which catapulted them into a dream sequence of writing, recording and producing their first single as a signed band and a gig opening for Motley at the Hollywood Palladium four days later. It was that night at the Palladium when the announcement was made the band would also be going on tour with Motley in 2009.

"The overall talent and energy of The Last Vegas surpassed our expectations," said Motley Crue's Vince Neil. "Motley Crue is excited to pass the torch on to these amazing musicians, just as Ozzy did for us over 25 years ago."
A whirlwind musical journey shortly ensued for The Last Vegas. After they were hand picked as winners by the members of Motley Crue, the band immediately went into the studio with acclaimed producers Nikki Sixx, DJ Ashba and Marti Frederiksen (Aerosmith, Mick Jagger and Buckcherry) to record their first single, "I'm Bad." The single was premiered exclusively on AOL just two weeks after the competition. At midnight the following day, iTunes became the exclusive digital single retailer and notified their email list of over 40 million people that The Last Vegas' new single was available for download.

"When artists talk about when they 'made it' they always say it 'happened overnight,' but it really has been an overnight phenomena for us," said The Last Vegas front man, Chad Cherry. "From opening for Motley at the Palladium just four days after they announced we had won the contest to releasing our first single "I'm Bad" - Motley Crue and Guitar Center On-Stage have changed our lives in an instant."

Although the band is just getting acclimated to their new digs, top Rock Label Eleven Seven Music, The Last Vegas are no strangers to hard work and success. They have independently sold over 10,000 records, tirelessly toured in 17 countries including the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe, and are undoubtedly a top rock act in their hometown of Chicago. The band has been featured on Guitar Hero 2, Nascar.com, NBC Sports, UK's Kerrang Radio, MTV, MTV2, Fox, Fuel TV, Fearless TV/Radio, Q101, WLUP, The G-Hole, Camel Farm Program and was honored to be the official music of Kyle Busch Motor Sports. The first single, "I'm Bad" was also featured in the bed of national Guitar Center radio spots.

The Last Vegas have made festival appearances at Sweden's Gearfest, Italy's Bridgestock Festivo, Denmark's Primitive Fest, Milwaukee's Summerfest, Austin's South By Southwest, Belgium's Sjock Festival, CMJ, Sleazefest, Van's Extreme Sports Tour, Montreal's Degeneration Overdrive, and Rockford Speedway's Memorial Day Event, all leading up to their opportunity to open the Saints of Los Angeles 2009 Tour with Theory of a Deadman, Hinder and Motley Crue. Loaded with an extra $25,000 in cash and $20,000 in gear from Gibson Guitar from winning the Guitar Center On Stage contest, The Last Vegas have been professionally equipped to present a rock show as large and loud as their music merits.

This band is cocked and loaded, ready to kick some serious Rock and Roll ass.... bringing back arena rock to the top where it belongs. Strap it on and turn it up.