THE BAND

Daemon Chili is a Boston-based American Roots Rock band. Formed in the fall of 2013 by Michael Dion (lead singer/songwriter/rhythm guitar/harmonica/lap steel), the band quickly gained regional traction by way of their energetic and powerful live performances. Dion, formerly of the acclaimed New England string band Hot Day at the Zoo, reworked much of the material from his former outfit and has created something entirely new and exciting (think Bob Dylan going electric at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival).

 

Daemon Chili’s personnel is composed of Jason Moretti (lead guitar); Jay Samiagio (bass) formerly of Cotton Mouth, and Jay Breen (drums) formerly of The Freelance Bishops. Heavily influenced by the unique and eclectic sounds of such luminary acts as The Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers, and The Band, Daemon Chili fuses elements of rock, blues, folk, Americana, bluegrass, and reggae, into their sound.

 

Mercy of the Sea (April 2017) is Daemon Chili’s sophomore album, which peaked at #5 on the Relix/Jambands.com Radio Chart. The album marks the band’s unquestionable metamorphosis into a musical outfit that truly defies genre categorization. It also features a myriad of additional musicians whose talents help to round out a sophisticated musical juggernaut that heaves up-and- down with purpose and intention.

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The lineup includes Steve Benson (Freelance Bishops), Max Chase (Amulus) on keys; Nick Heys (Hot Day at the Zoo) on piano; Seth Bailin, Mike Kaskiewicz, Alex Allman (The Party Band) on horns; and Jes Sheldon (The Lightkeepers) on backing vocals.

 

Daemon Chili’s first album - Rise Up (2014) - is a hybrid album which features the last of the Dion-penned studio material from his time with Hot Day at the Zoo as well as some live material from Daemon Chili’s 2013 live New Year’s Eve performance at the historic Stone Church in Newmarket, NH. This album clearly showcases the transition from acoustic string band to roots rock powerhouse.