Ballistic Edna

Chicago's Ballistic Edna formed in 2001 around guitarist James Reilly, vocalist/guitarist Fran Glagkou, drummer Jack Jerozal, and bassist Paul Topping. Reilly was a veteran of the local punk scene, while Glagkou had sung for various outfits both in Chicago and her native Greece. As Ballistic Edna, the quartet plied a guitar-driven sound akin to early-'90s alternative groups like Belly or Velocity Girl, but with harder edges and the occasional foray into Middle Eastern rhythms. The band gigged regularly throughout the Chicagoland area and issued a few self-released EPs, most notably 2003's She Will Return. That same year, the band upped its profile with songs appearing on Dawson's Creek as well as www.spinner.com, an AOL-affiliated music service. ~ Johnny Loftus