Stray Bolts
The Stray Bolts perform original music inspired by influences ranging from blues, jazz, and folk to classic country and vintage rock and roll. The band has recorded three full length albums at Electrical Audio Studio in Chicago: Almost Alive at Electrical Audio © 2026; L.A. Noir © 2024; A Moth in the Glue © 2022.
Following quintessential American musical traditions from New Orleans to Chicago with a myriad of explorations along the way, the band also sprinkles into each live set unique interpretations of familiar songs by seminal American artists.
Performing together since 2017, the Stray Bolts is a trio of musicians who bring genuine perspective and emotion to their concerts through a vast and varied wealth of performance experience. Al Camus (electric guitars and vocals), Christopher Kondrath (bass), and John Roche (drums and vocals) are the Stray Bolts.
Almost Alive at Electrical Audio
is now available on multiple streaming platforms.
Full length album, Almost Alive at Electrical Audio, is available now on sites such as iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon, YouTube and Spotify. The sessions were filmed as well and videos are available on the Stray Bolts YouTube channel.
Almost Alive at Electrical Audio was recorded at Electrical Audio in Chicago in Studio B with engineer Jon San Paolo on August 24th and 25th, 2025. Guest guitarist Steve Doyle (Hoyle Brothers, Al Rose and the Transcendos) performed on all tracks. The songs were mastered by Saff Mastering and officially released on various streaming platforms in March 2026 with the help of DistroKid. The sessions were filmed by Stan Miskiewicz of CineAir LLC and have been released on the band’s YouTube channel along with some unreleased songs from the sessions.
L.A. Noir
is available on vinyl and on multiple streaming platforms
2024 full length album, L.A.Noir, is available on vinyl and on sites such as iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon, YouTube and Spotify.
“As was impressed by the trio's previous A Moth In the Glue, muscularity exercises in shrewdness. In quietude. It's always pleasurable to witness the adeptness experience produces. By not striving to awe, the men do precisely that.” - DC Larson’s Jukebox Jury
L.A. Noir, was recorded at Electrical Audio studio in Chicago with engineer Jon San Paolo in March and May of 2024. The tracks were mastered by Saff Mastering and released on various streaming platforms in December 2024 with the help of DistroKid. The album was also pressed onto 180-gram vinyl in 2025 by Smashed Plastic in Chicago. The vinyl is currently available at Stray Bolts concerts. Or message us if you would like us to mail you a copy!!
Moth in the Glue
is still available on vinyl and on multiple streaming platforms
2022 full length album, Moth in the Glue, is available on vinyl and on sites such as iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon, YouTube and Spotify.
“Across 10 cuts, three Chicagoans with Blues bearing prove understatement's benefit. They convey redoubtable aptitudes without once raising voices or amplification. In calmness, messages can enjoy particular impact, and instrumental adeptness rise for recognition. Quietude has special potency.” - DC Larson’s Jukebox Jury
Moth in the Glue, was recorded at Electrical Audio studio in Chicago with engineer Jon San Paolo in July 2022. The tracks were mastered by Saff Mastering and released on various streaming platforms in October 2022 with the help of DistroKid as well as pressed to vinyl by Smashed Plastic . There are still a very limited number of the original vinyl pressings available. You can purchase one at a Stray Bolts concert or give us a holler and we'll mail one out to you!
Contact us.
For booking or album purchases or any questions about the band, contact John at straybolts.booking@gmail.com
or reach out via social media
News and Notes
Hi everybody! 2026 is off to a bang with the release of our third album, Almost Alive at Electrical Audio.
In August 2025, we returned to Electrical Audio with ten new original songs and a couple kindred spirits in amazing guitarist Steve Doyle and videographer Stan Miskiewicz to help us simultaneously record live audio and video tracks in Studio B (our previous two recordings were in Studio A) resulting in our newest release Almost Alive at Electrical Audio!
We're continuing to add new venues and settings in which to perform our music and are always on the lookout for performance opportunities. If you have any suggestions, we’re all ears! Please use the booking link on this page to contact us.
If you have an account on Facebook or Instagram, PLEASE stop by our social pages and like us there so that we can share info, pictures, art, alerts, etc. about the band with you. Our social media links are at the bottom of this page .
Meet the Band
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AL CAMUS
Al is a songwriter and recording artist with an eclectic, international style. Performing a variety of musical forms from rock and roll to free-form composition, he led an avant-garde ensemble in a conceptual production of Mozart’s Starling in performances across Europe in the 90’s. Having been a fixture of the Chicago music scene for over 20 years, Al previously led The Streems, a high-power blues rock band known for its blend of alternative and bluesy noise rock. The group produced three albums and was a regular presence on Chicago stages. Today, Al continues his exploration of genre-bending rock as the primary songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist for the Stray Bolts.
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CHRISTOPHER KONDRATH
Christopher is a classically trained bassist whose career spans over five decades in the Chicago music scene. A 17-season veteran of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra as well as contributing his talents to numerous regional orchestras and ensembles, Chris is a versatile stylist known for bridging the gap between orchestral precision and the raw energy of rock and rhythm and blues. Over the years, he has been a consistent mainstay and collaborator for a wide array of regional and touring acts, bringing considerable technical expertise to every stage he plays. A dedicated proponent of original music, Chris has performed at iconic venues across the Midwest, and he brings a wealth of stage experience to the Stray Bolts rhythm section.
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JOHN ROCHE
John plays drums and sings for the Stray Bolts. In 1992, he entered the Chicago music scene with the Wicker Park alt-folk band A Horse Named Bill. During his tenure, the band maintained a rigorous schedule of 50+ shows a year and released a single recorded at the legendary Idful Studios, produced by John McEntire. In 1995, John began a 20-year collaboration with Dan Whitaker in the Americana folk-blues band Great Plains Gypsies (later The Gyps). He performed on six full-length albums and played a multitude of shows throughout the Midwest. More recently, John was a frequent guest musician for West Side blues legend Smilin’ Bobby Smith until Bobby’s passing in 2023. An enthusiast of traditional Irish music, John also plays the bodhrán (Irish hand drum) in the folk band Ar Ais Aris as well as in Chicago area Irish sessions.
Upcoming Dates
Saturday March 21st, 2026 at 9pm at Phyllis’ Musical Inn at 1800 W. Division Street in Chicago, IL 60622
Saturday April 11th, 2026 at 9pm at Phyllis’ Musical Inn at 1800 W. Division Street in Chicago, IL 60622
Sunday May 10th, 2026 at 8pm at Broken Hearts, 1009 W. Lake St., Chicago, IL 60607
Friday May 29th, 2026 at 8pm at Robert’s Westside, 7321 Madison Street, Forest Park, IL 60130
Previous Shows…
March 8th, 2026 at 8pm at Broken Hearts, 1009 W. Lake St., Chicago IL 60607
December 27th, 2025 at 9pm at Phyllis’ Musical Inn at 1800 W. Division Street in Chicago, IL 60622 - (Canceled)
October 5th, 2025 8pm Broken Hearts, 1009 W. Lake St. Chicago IL 60607
September 27th, 2025 9:15pm at Phyllis Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division Street, Chicago,IL 60622
September 5th, 2025 6:30pm under the stars, LaGrange Historical Society Benefit Concert 444 S. La Grange Road, La Grange, IL 60525
August 23rd, 2025 9:15pm Phyllis Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL 60622
August 15th, 8:00 pm - LA Noir Vinyl Release Party at Robert’s Westside, 7321 Madison Street, Forest Park, IL with friends Momma Jen & the J-Tones.
July 4th, 2025 Time TBA Phyllis Musical Inn July 4th Extravaganza, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL 60622
June 20th, 2025 8pm Broken Hearts, 1009 W. Lake St. Chicago IL 60607 with Nick Dittmeir & the Sawdusters
June 7th, 2025 9pm Phyllis Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL 60622
April 26th, 2025 8pm to Midnight Hometown Sports Bar and Grill, 241 E. Lincoln Hwy. DeKalb IL 60513 with friends Tall Grass Captains
April 19th, 2025 - 9:30pm Phyllis Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL 60622
March 7th, 2025 - 9:00pm Phyllis Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL 60622
December 21st, 2024 - 9:30pm Phyllis Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL 60622
November 23rd, 2024 - 9:30pm Phyllis Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL 60622
October 26th, 2024 - 9:30pm Phyllis Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL 60622
September 28th 8:00 pm - Moth in the Glue Vinyl Release Party at Robert’s Westside, 7321 Madison Street, Forest Park, IL with friends Momma Jen & the J-Tones. Tickets available at:
August 31st, 2024 - 6:00 - 10:00pm Kochanski’s Concertina Beer Hall, 1920 S. 37th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53215 Outdoor Patio Show with Western Grand
August 30th, 2024 - 9:30pm Phyllis Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL 60622
July 20th, 2024 -9:30pm Phyllis Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL 60622
July 4th, 2024 2PM Fourth of July Extravaganza at Phyllis in the Courtyard, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL 60622
June 29th, 2024 Hometown Sports Bar and Grill, 241 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb IL 60513 with friends Tall Grass Captains 8pm to Midnight
June 15th, 2024 -9:30pm Phyllis Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL 60622
April 27th, 2024 - 9:30 Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60622
April 20th, 2024 - 8:30pm-12:00pm - Kochanski’s Concertina Beer Hall, 1920 S. 37th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53215 with friends Frequency Maintenance Service
March 30th, 2024 - 9:30 Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60622
February 9th, 2024 - 9:00pm - Phyllis Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division, Chicago, IL 60622 with SSD’s Springa
January 13th, 2024 - 9:30pm - Phyllis Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division, Chicago, IL 6062
December 9th, 2023 - 9:30pm - Phyllis Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division, Chicago, IL 60622
November 25th, 2023 - 8:00pm - OuttaSpace, 6840 32nd Street, Berwyn IL 60402
November 18th, 2023 - 9:30pm - Phyllis Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division, Chicago, IL 60622
October 7th, 2023 - 9:00pm-11:30pm - Kochanski’s Concertina Beer Hall, 1920 S. 37th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53215
September 30th, 2023 - Noon to 1pm - Brookfield Fine Arts Festival, Kiwanis Park, 8820 Brookfield Ave, Brookfield IL 60513
September 16th, 2023 - 9:30pm - Phyllis Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division, Chicago, IL 60622
August 31st, 2023 - 10pm - Montrose Saloon, 2933 W. Montrose, Chicago IL 60601 773-463-7663 with Belladonna Road/EMBASSIES/Dig Engines
August 26th - 2pm-3:30pm - Music on Grand Outdoor Music Fest - Stage locate at the corner of Grand Ave and Prairie Ave, Brookfield IL 60513
August 18, 2023 - 6:30pm - La Grange Area Historical Society Benefit, 444 South LaGrange Road, LaGrange IL 60525
July 15th, 2023 - 9:30pm Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60622
June 17, 2023 - 9:30pm Phyllis Musical Inn, 1800 W Division St., Chicago, IL 60622
May 18, 2023 - Ballydoyle 5157 Main Street Downers Grove, IL 60515 (630)969.0600
May 13, 2023 - Phyllis Musical Inn, 1800 W Division St., Chicago, IL 60622
March 31, 2023 - Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division, Chicago IL 60622
March 25, 2023 - Brauer House, 1000 N. Rohlwing Rd #13, Lombard, IL 60148
February 18, 2023 - Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division, Chicago IL 60622
January 20th, 2023 - 8:00pm Outta Space, 6840 32nd Street, Berwyn IL. 60402 with Cody Lee’s Last Detail
January 1st, 2023 - 5pm with Smilin’ Bobby and the ClemTones Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division, Chicago IL 60622
December 31st, 2022 - NEW YEARS EVE SHOW - 9:00pm until past Midnight Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division, Chicago IL 60622
November 21st, 2022 - 7:30-10:30pm Lizard’s Liquid Lounge, 3058 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago IL 60618
November 19th, 2022 - 9:30pm Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division, Chicago IL 60622
October 7th, 2022 - 8pm - 11pm - Club Belmont, 7844 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, IL 60131
September 30th, 2022 - 9pm - Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division, Chicago IL 60622
September 24th, 2022 - 12pm-1pm - Music on Grand, 3700 block of Grand Boulevard, Brookfield IL 60513
August 27th, 2022 - 9pm Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division, Chicago IL 60622
July 21st, 2022 - 6pm-9pm - Mackey’s Hideout, 2601 S. River Road, McHenry, IL 60051
July 16th, 2022 - 4pm-6pm Fitzgerald’s 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn IL 60402 - Outdoor Patio Stage
July 4th, 2022 -7pm - Phyllis’ Fourth of July Extravaganza - 1800 W. Division, Chicago IL 60622
June 18th, 2022 - 9-10pm Montrose Saloon, 2933 W. Montrose Avenue, Chicago IL 60618 with Uncle Pigeon and Vulgar Commons
June 16th, 2022 - 6:30pm Misanthrope Green Room, 4218 W. Haddon, Chicago IL with Dan Whitaker Trio, Western Grand, Jay and the Gypsies, Carpenter John, and Rambling Jack Regan
June 5th, 2022 -6pm- Phyllis’ Musical Inn - 1800 W. Division, Chicago IL 60622 with the Dan Whitaker Trio
June 4th, 2022 - 7-bb10pm BuckleDown Brewing, 8700 47th St., Lyons IL 60534
May 6th, 2022 - 8-11pm Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St., Chicago IL 60622
March 25th, 2022 - 8-11pm Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St., Chicago IL 60622 with Michelle Shafer
February 26th, 2022 - 8p-9pm. Outta Space, 6840 32nd Street, Berwyn IL. 60402 with Blue Lincolns
January 1st, 2022 - Phyllis' Musical Inn New Years Celebration, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL (Canceled due to COVID)
November 26th, 2021 - 9pm-11pm - Phyllis' Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL with Western Grand
November 12th, 2021 - 8pm-10pm Montrose Saloon 2933 W. Montrose Avenue, Chicago IL 60618 with Thomas Comerford and Lemon Knife
October 31st, 2021 - 1pm-3pm Fitzgerald’s Outdoor Patio Stage 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn IL 60402
October 29th, 2021 - 9pm-11pm - Phyllis' Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL
September 4th, 2021 - 9pm-11pm Fitzgerald’s Sidebar 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn IL 60402.
October 29th, 2021 - 9pm to 11pm Phyllis' Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL with Max Cherry and the Invisible Hand
October 22nd, 2021 - 8pm-9pm Outtaspace, 6840 32nd Street, Berwyn, IL 60402.
August 29th, 2021 - 1pm - Stray Bolts at PorchFest Roscoe Village, Chicago, IL. Email us at info@straybolts.com for exact location.
August 6th, 2021 - 7pm - Phyllis' Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL with Jeff and Mario
July 4th, 2021 - 7pm - Phyllis' 4th of July Extravaganza, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL with Dan Whitaker, Smiln’ Bobby, Chicken Dolphin and others
July 3rd, 2021 - 9pm - Sugar Skull, 9743 Franklin Ave., Franklin Park, IL with Jeff and Mario
June 12th, 2021 - 8pm - Phyllis' Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL
May 16th, 2021 - 1pm - Outtaspace, 6840 32nd Street, Berwyn, IL 60402 with the New Heartaches
October 17th, 2020 - 3pm-5pm Montrose Saloon 2933 W. Montrose Avenue, Chicago IL 60618
October 2nd, 2020 - 7pm - Outtaspace, 6840 32nd Street, Berwyn, IL 60402 with Woolly Rhinos
September 27th, 2020 - 1pm - Stray Bolts at PorchJams Lakeview, Chicago, IL 60657. Email us at info@straybolts.com for exact location.
May 29th, 2020 - 8pm - Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 W Division St., Chicago IL (Canceled due to Covid)
April 4th, 2020 - 8pm - Moe’s Tavern, 2937 N Milwaukee Ave., Chicago IL 60618 (Canceled due to Covid)
March 28th, 2020 - BuckleDown Brewing, 8700 47th St., Lyons IL 60534 (Canceled due to Covid)
March 27th, 2020 - Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St., Chicago IL with Dan Whitaker (Canceled due to Covid)
March 21 2020 - 8pm -, Montrose Saloon, 2933 W Montrose Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618 with Decoy Prayer Meeting and Echo & Ransom (Canceled due to Covid)
January 24, 2020 - 9pm to 11pm - Outtaspace, 6840 32nd Street, Berwyn, IL 60402. With The Ions
January 11, 2020 - 9pm to 1am - Mackey’s Hideout, 2601 S. River Road, McHenry, IL 60051
January 4th, 2020 - 9:30pm -Doors 8:30 - Tonic Room 2447 N. Halsted in Chicago with Chaos In Creation and Lime Forest.
December 13, 2019- 8pm - Phyllis' Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL with Jeff and Mario
November 30, 2019 - 8pm - BuckleDown Brewing, 8700 47th St., Lyons IL 60534
October 11th, 2019 - Iowa City Yacht Club, 13 S Linn Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52240 - With 6 Odd Rats
September 28th, 2019 - Rock to Fight Suicide-Suicide Awareness Concert, Ziggy’s Bar and Grill, 278 Main Street, Marseilles, IL 61341
July 26-27, 2019 - 8pm - Three Flat Fest, 8249 Buckwheat Ridge Rd, Lancaster, WI
July 20th, 2019 - Phyllis' Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL with Max Cherry and Friends
July 13, 2019 - 8pm - BuckleDown Brewing, 8700 47th St., Lyons IL 60534
June 02, 2019 - 1-5pm - Porch Fest Lakeview
June 01, 2019 - 8pm - Bremen Cafe, Milwaukee WI with Western Grand and Ruckus Bucket
May 18, 2019 - Kelli’s Cuckoo’s Nest, Beer Palace, Wedding Chapel, and Chinese Laundry At 100 Crystal St. Cary, IL 60013
May 04, 2019- 8pm - Phyllis' Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL with Otter River
April 20, 2019 - 8pm - Drunken Donut, 821 Plainfield Rd, Joliet, IL 60435
March 30, 2019 - 8pm - BuckleDown Brewing, 8700 47th St., Lyons IL 60534
March 22, 2019 - 8pm - Phyllis' Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL with Birdgangs
January 26, 2019 - 8pm - Phyllis' Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL with Western Grand
January 19, 2019 - 8pm - Drunken Donut, 821 Plainfield Rd, Joliet, IL 60435
December 28, 2018- 8pm - Phyllis' Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. Chicago IL with Ramblin’ Jack Regan
December 22, 2018 - 8pm - BuckleDown Brewing, 8700 47th St., Lyons IL 60534
November 28, 2018 - 8pm - Doors 7:30 Tonic Room 2447 N. Halsted in Chicago with Kaldi Jones.
November 9th, 2018 - 9pm - Phyllis’ Musical Inn at 1800 W. Division in Chicago with special guest Jeff & Mario
August 4, 2018: Bremen Cafe, Milwaukee, WI with Western Grand
August 3, 2018: Phyllis' Musical Inn at 1800 W. Division in Chicago, IL
July 7, 2018: Phyllis' Musical Inn, Chicago at 1800 W. Division in Chicago, IL with Stereoactive
July 6th, 2018: BuckleDown Brewing, 8700 47th St., Lyons IL 60534 - with Bart Attacks
May 25, 2018: Phyllis' Musical Inn at 1800 W. Division in Chicago, Chicago
May 18, 2018: The House Café, 263 E Lincoln Ave., DeKalb, IL with Dr. Unk and Alabaster
April 28, 2018: BuckleDown Brewing, 8700 47th St., Lyons IL 60534
April 7, 2018: Phyllis' Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division in Chicago, IL with special guest Jeff & Mario
February 17, 2018: BuckleDown Brewing, 8700 47th St., Lyons IL 60534
February 16, 2018: Phyllis' Musical Inn at 1800 W. Division in Chicago, IL
January 27, 2018: Phyllis' Musical Inn at 1800 W. Division in Chicago, IL
December 30, 2017: Phyllis' Musical Inn at 1800 W. Division in Chicago, IL with Kaldi Jones
November 17, 2017: Phyllis' Musical Inn at 1800 W. Division in Chicago with The Streems
October 14th, 2017: 9pm The Burlington Bar, 3425 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago, IL 60647 with Western Automatic and Owen and the Ghosts
September 7th, 2017: 9pm Phyllis Musical Inn at 1800 W. Division in Chicago, IL
August 25th, 2017: BuckleDown Brewing, 8700 47th St., Lyons IL 60534
July 27-28, 2017: 3 Flat Fest 8249 Buckwheat Ridge Rd., Lancaster WI 53813
July 8th, 2017: 9pm Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 W Division St., Chicago IL - with Secret Means of Escape (Mark Shippy and Richard Syska)
May 18, 2017: 9pm Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 W Division, Chicago IL with New Zeitgeist (Jen Reilly and Ed Bluma)