Press

INFORMATION

RECENT PRESS

Renowned national rock critic Jim DeRogatis gave a great review of their 2007 album “The City Tree” :  “It’s a strong showcase for its poetic lyrics, keyboard arpeggios and genteel but winning melodies. . . .”

Chicago talk radio superstar Roe Conn (recognized by Talkers Magazine as one of the “100 Most Influential Talk Show Hosts in America”) has twice featured Filligar in a one hour special on his show.

Chicago Reader: “Filligar’s third full-length, Near or Far, comes damn close to redeeming its fallen genre: the music is crisp, shimmering, and rich, and the fervent arpeggios and bold, starry-eyed romanticism of “The Willows” and “Nightfall” are hard to resist.” –Monica Kendrick

The Chicago Tribune: “Even though the group’s methodology has changed little in recent years, its musical prowess–like Shaquille O’Neal’s BMI–has grown immeasurably…The gorgeous “Lot Six,” with its twinkling keyboard arpeggios and layered vocal melodies, builds to a fragile climax; “Hounds,” by contrast, rumbles along on a hip-shaking bass line, layering on lightly funky guitar and a psychedelic wash of keyboard.” –Andy Downing

“Music like Filligar’s just isn’t made anymore – and it’s a darn shame… Every song is packed with melodies and loops that hooks you immediately… Still being a very young band, Filligar should be the absolute soundtrack for many springs and summers to come” -Lemur Blog

“I’m here to talk about a band that has captured a key spot in my playlist of life… I’m talking about the band, Filligar… they play an incredibly infectious brand of folk-pop music with impeccable musicianship”– Not That Young

“Both “Succession, I Guess” and “The City Tree” flash with the developing maturity of a young band that threatens to grab the world by the throat and howl in its face before long — just as soon as they register for Fall classes and submit their senior portfolios” -Culturespill

“Too often today, musicians stick with the verse-chorus-verse format and never challenge themselves or their listeners to think outside the box. Filligar is a breath of fresh air, in a genre that is growing stale“ -Consequence of Sound


“A band named Filligar just sent us their 8 song album called “Near Or Far”… they made an awesome album.” – The Tape

“Just got a copy of Near or Far, the fifth offering from once-Chicago/now-New-England-based pop-rockers Filligar . . . . They’re young guys (still in college) but their solid writing and playing skills demonstrate a maturity beyond their years. . . .These guys are poised to take the scene by storm very soon.” — Friday Afternoon in the Universe

“Drawing obvious influence from Wilco and Whiskeytown, Filligar’s latest album, Near or Far, is filled with seemingly simple songs that erupt into more complex sounds and wildly trickly indiepop, mingled with a sort of hallucinogenic Americana folk. I assume they are proud of this record and they should be.”–Kata Rokkar
“Filligar play indie rock like a rocket scientist doing long division. They add expert grace notes to the genre, hitting the sweet spots at will and doing double back flips with their eyes closed.”–Tough Customer//Wire

Last year they were awarded “Youth Ensemble of the Year” by the Madison Area Music Awards (MAMAs). This year their music has been featured on the season premiere of Real World: Hollywood and most recently on MTV’s Buzzin’. Filligar is now a featured artist on MTV , VH1  and Billboard.

PERFORMANCES

New York City
Apple Store (Soho)
Canal Room
Knitting Factory
Sullivan Hall (formerly Lion’s Den)
Soho Playhouse
The Zipper Factory

Los Angeles
The Mint
Ground Zero at USC

Chicago
Apple Store
Beat Kitchen
Martyrs’
Metro
Old Town School of Folk Music
The Note
Schubas
Subterranean
U.S. Cellular Field

Boston
Middle East (Cambridge)
Rose & Crown (Nantucket)
TT The Bear’s (Cambridge)

Washington, DC
Grog & Tankard

Madison, WI
High Noon Saloon
Journey
Warehouse (LaCrosse)

Colleges
Colby
Dartmouth
Hamilton
Middlebury
Northwestern
Rhode Island School of Design
Sewanee (University of the South)
Washington University

Festivals
Bike Chicago
Chicago Criterium
National Blueberry Festival (South Haven, MI)
Taste of Chicago Summer Festival

Instrumentation

Johnny Mathias (guitar, vocals)
Casey Gibson (keys, bg vocals)
Teddy Mathias (bass, bg vocals)
Pete Mathias (drums)

Discography

“Near or Far” (Gravity Studios, 2008)
“The City Tree” (Gravity Studios, 2007)
“Succession, I Guess” (Gravity, Studios,  2006)
“Filligar” (Studio 11, 2005)
“Hoofbeats & Heat” (Studio 11, 2004)