Born in 2004 at a coffee shop in the south Chicago suburbs (Muse Cafe in Lansing, to be exact), the Rub is a true musicians collective--members of regional jam bands, cover bands and original bands of all genres coming together for full-on, totally improvised space rock freakouts staged regularly in the south Chicago/northwest Indiana area.

The Rub is structured almost like a sports team; there are many players on the roster but only a fraction of the full squad is in action at any given time. But that's where the analogy ends, because there is no competition among the participants other than to elevate the level of musicianship (and also the enjoyment of the audience) with each successive jam.

Featuring lineups ranging from power trios to improv orchestras comprised of keys, horns, percussion and even the occasional vocalist (but never three guitars; we aint Skynyrd) each Rub is a musical adventure unto itself. No two are the same, and few clock in at less than 15 minutes.

The structure is certainly influenced by the approach of such jam rock stalwarts as the Grateful Dead and Phish, but the Rub also draws heavily from harder rock styles, old school dub and '70s funk for a blend that's musically compelling and thoroughly pleasurable for the adventurous jam band fan.