News

Conrad was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer 4 years ago. He underwent numerous painful surgeries to battle the carnivorous beast inside him, but ultimately lost to its all too aggressive advances. His last show on stage with any band was with Cooler by the Lake in Schaumburg at Chicago City Limits on September 29th. His health declined drastically after this show, to the point where he could no longer strap on a bass. Music was the most important thing to my friend, and to take that away from him meant ya might as well take all of him. I like ta think he's in a much better place, at least he's out of pain. Somewhere up there he's lookin' fer various odd jobs, like puttin' up dry wall any place he damn well pleases, or he's finally found every size of mason jar that ever existed. I know fer sure he's rockin' the bass and, it goes without sayin', reelin' in the bass. There will be a show at the Beat Kitchen, Chicago on Conrad's birthday, February 4th, 2010, featurin' some of the bands Conrad has played in to honor his memory. The show starts at 8pm, but please check www.beatkitchen.com for more info. Here's the line up:

COOLER BY THE LAKE
SWEET COBRA
DEMINER/CRASH COURSE
CLOSING IN
LYNYRD'S INNARDS (Black Flag set - Con used to sing these vox)

Even though he physically couldn't play, I made sure Conrad was involved in writing new Cooler by the Lake tunes right up until the end. Pickin' up the bass duties from now on will be Con's friend and mine, Eddie Waters. He's pretty much the only guy fer the job, in my opinion. This memorial show is meant to be a celebration of Con's life, that's why we're havin' it on his birthday. It is also a benefit show fer Grind For Life (www.grindforlife.org), an organization that provides assistance to cancer patients.

Stay close,
Rory

1/16/10
It is with a degree of sadness that I am writin' to you at this moment, as I have lost a member of my family to cancer. It's taken me a while to get a hold of myself enough to write sumthin' like this. On Thanksgiving, the bass player of Cooler by the Lake, my dearest friend and song writin' compadre of over 20 years, Conrad Shore (aka Mat Arluck, aka Teri Tenderchunk) passed away at his folks house in Seattle. I wanted to make some shit up, like he drowned in an ice fishin' accident or got mauled by a bear, but instead the brutal truth of the matter has risen.

4/7/10
Cooler by the Lake made the Deli Chicago’s list of the top 300 Chicago bands. The band brings up the rear, coming in at #300. Guess that makes Cooler a band full of nice guys and gals.

Cooler is still working on new material for their sophomore release. From what we’ve heard already there are some hits a-brewin’. There are summer shows being scheduled as we speak. A couple that are booked are the Chicago Metronome Fest on June 13th and the 2nd Annual American Legion FDR Post 923 Booster Block Party on August 28th. There’s a Milwaukee show slated for May 21st. Keep checking back for further updates.

Rory is planning another update to his Catalogue of Dreams, so keep an eye out for new songs soon. Be sure to get on the Rory Lake Presents Email List in the ABOUT section of this site so you never miss a thing!

10/4/10
Mr. Lake will be traveling to the Lone Star State this weekend to the city of El Paso. Yes, the one Marty Robbins made famous. He will be performing as part of the Chalk the Block arts festival in the downtown square, bringing the Karaoke Dreams to the Southwest. You can learn more about the event at www.chalktheblock.com.

There are some big Halloween events coming up for us here at Rory Lake Presents, including a show with Cooler by the Lake and the Chicago Mud Queens on October 25. Rather than mud wrestle on this eve, these fine ladies will attempt to BLOOD wrestle. All proceeds from the event will benefit local Chicago charity, The Bod Squad.

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of Rory Lake’s Two-Headed Monster on October 30. After a show with Cooler at the Hideout, Mr. Lake will high-tail it back to the Legion for his Karaoke Nightmare and Kostume Kontest for Kold Hard Kash.

2/22/11
Finally, the hit single from Cooler by the Lake, “F**** Me With A Stick,” has arrived. You can rock it here, and it’s also for sale in our Merch area. The band continues to work on demos for the new album. It’s a process, that’s for sure. A Texas tour is also planned for the first week of October.

Dreamers, take note: American Legion FDR Post 923 has raised their annual Booster Membership fee to $20. It’s still a great deal considering you get into all Karaoke Dreams shows free and the low drink prices are well worth it.

Remember, Mr. Lake is also available for private Karaoke Dreams parties at the Legion and at other venues. Feel free to email us with questions.

Lastly, the Arluck Time DVD, the live concert video featuring Cooler by the Lake and all the bands that played at Mat Arluck’s (aka Conrad Shore) memorial will be available in the next month or so. We are very excited for this release, as it was professionally taped and recorded for quality audio.

11/6/11
Cooler by the Lake has been cranking in the studio. We think that you will be blown away about how good it is. The band has been recording basics with Johnny “Z” Zweirzko (front of house guy for Thin Lizzy, Cheap Trick, Van Halen) out at his house on the Fox River. And then doing overdubs and mix with John Hiler (Hedwig & The Angry Inch, Smashing Pumpkins, The Frogs, Slayer). We have to give a shout to Matt at Pieholden Suite Sound for letting the band invade his studio for overdubs. Also recruited was Bruce Murphy (formerly of Men Without Hats) on Hammond B3 and Wurlizer and other sound effects. You seriously won’t be prepared for this new record. Cooler has to go back out to Z’s place to record a couple more tunes in December and you should start hearing stuff early in the year. Keep your ears open!

Cooler by the Lake also made their ChicA-Go-Go debut. It was for their Halloween show. You can watch the video of their performance here.

Rory is planning a New Year’s Party at the Legion so watch or tickets soon!