Formed in 2010 by high school chums Drew Delneky (guitar/vocals), Max Shreffler (drums), and Mike Koelling (bass), The Prime quickly carved out a notable presence in the Chicago music scene. From performing at renowned venues like The Elbo Room, Martyrs’, and The Double Door to playing shows across Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin, the band’s rapid escalation to regional powerhouse was nothing short of impressive.
Their debut album “In”, produced by Joe Koelling at the Great Plains Recording Company and released in 2011, was met with overwhelming acclaim. A period of change saw Max departing in 2012 to explore new ventures, prompting Drew and Mike to scout for new members while continuing acoustic performances sans a drummer.
A shift in the band’s sonic direction led to the enlistment of Matt Widowiarz (guitar) and Jay Lutterman (drums), birthing the heavier sound of Night of Fire. Despite releasing the impactful single “Leave Me Alone”, this formation was short-lived, with each member setting off on different musical paths.
In 2018, Drew reignited The Prime’s flame with a fresh lineup including Bobby Shields (drums), Will Moeller (guitar), and the returning Mike Koelling (bass). Their electrifying comeback performance at the House of Blues in Chicago was swiftly followed by working on an EP release, all the while lighting up stages around Greater Chicago.
While the COVID-19 pandemic caused an interim hiatus in 2020, The Prime returned to their original lineup in 2022 with Drew, Max, and Mike at the helm. Currently, the band is hard at work on their 3rd studio album, “Listen”, slated for release in 2023. The band that has weathered changes, withstood trials, and consistently demonstrated a commitment to their music and fans. With the reboot of the current lineup, the magic that sparked their initial success has returned in full force. Prime is set to make even bigger waves than before in the rock and roll scene.