Rock. Country. Americana. Wild Spirit.
~Southern-tinged Classic Rock Vibes~
Performing Favorites from America's Songbook 1967 - 2026
A Musical Melting Pot.
Twistin' and Turnin' like America's highways
A cover selection that ranges from Chris Stapleton to the Goo Goo Dolls; Tom Petty to Shaboozey; Neil Young to Pearl Jam; Prince to Britney Spears; Tyler Childers to the Grateful Dead. Mash ups and tasty jams.
Seriously, the bases are covered so bring your dancin' shoes and let's get to some two-steppin!
The Heretics are:
Ryan Herrick : Lead Vocals + Guitar
Marcus Newman : Mandolin, Guitar, Vocals
Tom Galla : Bass
Tom Stukel : Drums
As a band since 2024, The Heretics have performed on stages across Chicago and its burbs, Northern Illinois, and Wisconsin, stretching as far as New York and the Eastern Seaboard. Recently, Ryan Herrick and The Heretics have performed at Lakeview Taco Fest; Nashwood in Highwood; Great America; Blarney Island; Dock's Bar and Grill and favorite Hometown Breweries, Restaurants and Distilleries like Sew Hop'd Brewery, Rush Creek Distillery, Tighthead Brewery, Potter's Place, and Sideouts 3D. Charity events and philanthropic causes are also near and dear to the mission of the band, and they tend to spend their time finding ways to support humanity and the planet through their live music.
Private and corporate events & Weddings are their bread and butter-- Contact Ryan for Booking Inquiries in 2026 and Beyond!
Ryan + Marcus
The Bromance that started it all...
Opening Scene. A newspaper tumbleweed collides into a crushed Portillo's cup, blowing along a deserted Lake Shore Drive in Downtown Chicago on a Friday night. One brave couple at a wine bar on the Mag Mile walk in to two hippies belting out a Neil Young tune. This was the night the city shut down from COVID-19 in March 2020. End Scene. Helluva first gig as a duo, huh?! Shortly thereafter, the two co-wrote a song called "Holdin' On" which you can find streaming everywhere. The song exemplifies their collaborative spirit and creative chemistry as both fellow songwriters and passionate music fans with a shared musical aesthetic. As the core of The Heretics, Ryan + Marcus embrace folk music and jamming while inviting the listeners to join in with open hearts and up-turned hands.
