{{Short description|American rock band}} {{about|the American rock band|the fantasy series by Brian Jacques|Redwall|the house in Cheshire, England, now called Redwalls|The Homestead, Sandiway|other uses|redwall (disambiguation)}} {{Primary sources|date=October 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians --> | name = The Redwalls | image = Redwalls-Studio-2024.jpg | caption = Logan (left) and Justin Baren recording (2024) | image_size = 250px | background = group_or_band | origin = Deerfield, Illinois, U.S. | genre = Indie rock, alternative rock | years_active = 2001–2012; 2024–2025 | label = {{plainlist| * Undertow Music (2003) * Capitol (2003–2007) * MAD Dragon Records (2007–2009) }} | website = {{URL|https://theredwalls.music/|theredwalls.music}} | past_members = {{plainlist| * Logan Baren * Justin Baren * Jason Roberts * Andrew Langer * Jordan Kozer * Rob Jensen * Ben Greeno }} }}
'''The Redwalls''' are an American rock band from Deerfield, Illinois, in suburban Chicago. In 2005, their retro sound drew comparisons to the Beatles and other British Invasion–era acts.<ref name="NPR2005">{{cite web |title=Meet The Redwalls: A Brand New Throwback Band |publisher=NPR |website=WLRN |date=July 2, 2005 |url=https://www.wlrn.org/2005-07-02/meet-the-redwalls-a-brand-new-throwback-band |access-date=February 15, 2026}}</ref>
After initially disbanding in 2012, the group returned to recording activity in 2024.<ref name="WBEZ2025">{{cite web |last=DeRogatis |first=Jim |title=Justin Baren, singer and bassist of Chicago band The Redwalls, dies at 40 |website=WBEZ |date=December 4, 2025 |url=https://www.wbez.org/music/2025/12/04/justin-baren-singer-and-bassist-of-chicago-band-the-redwalls-dies-at-40 |access-date=February 15, 2026}}</ref> Founding member Justin Baren, bassist and vocalist, died in December 2025 at the age of 40.<ref name="Baren">{{cite news|first=Mark|last=Guarino|date=2025-12-04|title=Justin Baren, vocalist and bassist of Chicago pop band the Redwalls, dies at 40|publisher=Chicago Sun-Times|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/music/2025/12/04/justin-baren-obituary-redwalls-band-deerfield|access-date=2025-12-05}}</ref>
The band's final performing lineup during their initial run consisted of vocalist and guitarist Logan Baren, bassist Justin Baren, and drummer Ben Greeno. Former members include lead guitarist Andrew Langer and a series of drummers; founding member Jordan Kozer played on debut album ''Universal Blues''.
==History== Formed in 2001 while still in high school, the Redwalls were originally a British Invasion–inspired cover band named the Pages, initially learning songs by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.<ref name="FWW2007">{{cite web |last=Loewen |first=Joshua |title=The Redwalls |website=Fort Worth Weekly |date=August 15, 2007 |url=https://www.fwweekly.com/2007/08/15/the-redwalls/ |access-date=February 15, 2026}}</ref> They played their first show at the local jazz club ''Pops for Champagne''.<ref name="VH1.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/redwalls/bio.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060412062420/http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/redwalls/bio.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 12, 2006 |title= The Redwalls |publisher=Allmusic |date= |accessdate=2009-01-02}}</ref> Soon after, they began writing original material and earned a regular booking at the local Evanston club ''Nevin's Live'', with the venue's booking manager Mitchell Marlow, who eventually quit his post to manage the band full-time.<ref name="VH1.com"/> With the help of Marlow's longtime friend and former Wilco drummer Ken Coomer, the band's demo recording made its way to Capitol Records' A&R Julian Raymond, and while in the midst of working on their debut LP for the Chicago-based indie label Undertow, the band signed to Capitol in mid-2003. The band changed their name to The Redwalls at the label's request due to a conflict regarding an earlier Capitol signing known as Pages, who were better known as Mr. Mister.<ref name="VH1.com"/> The band finished recording in 2003, however after completing sessions for the album, Kozer quit the group to attend college and was replaced by Ben Greeno. The Redwalls' debut album ''Universal Blues'' was later released on November 18, 2003. Reviewing ''Universal Blues'', PopMatters wrote that the album evoked the sound of the early Beatles.<ref name="PopMattersUB">{{cite web |last=Begrand |first=Adrien |title=The Redwalls: Universal Blues |website=PopMatters |date=October 12, 2003 |url=https://www.popmatters.com/redwalls-univeral-2496047949.html |access-date=February 15, 2026}}</ref>
In 2007, The Redwalls finished recording material for a third album, however, the band was dropped from Capitol Records. They quickly signed with indie label MAD Dragon Records and their album ''The Redwalls'' was released on October 23, 2007. In addition, their song "Build a Bridge" was featured on an AT&T commercial. By 2008, the band embarked on a US tour, which culminated with performances on the ''Late Show with David Letterman'' and ''The Tonight Show with Jay Leno'' on April 10, 2008.<ref name="answers.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.answers.com/topic/the-redwalls |title= The Redwalls Biography |publisher=Answers Corporation |year=2008 |accessdate=2009-01-02}}</ref> In the latter part of 2008, Ben Greeno left the group and was replaced by Rob Jensen. The Redwalls once again began touring in the UK, this time supporting the Zutons. However, lead guitarist Andrew Langer left the group to focus on other musical projects. Commenting on his decision to leave the band, he stated that "The Redwalls was our childhood dream. It was a fun and exciting experience for a while, but as my musical taste grew outside of that bubble, it became apparent that I wanted to move in a different direction".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://magnetmagazine.com/2009/01/02/redwalls-guitarist-andrew-langer-wakes-up-forms-new-group/|title=Redwalls Guitarist Andrew Langer Wakes up, Forms New Group|date=2 January 2009|access-date=February 15, 2026}}</ref> Session musician Duane Leinan joined the band in 2010 playing bass guitar.
The Redwalls released their debut UK single "Memories" on January 5, 2009.<ref name="myspace.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.myspace.com/theredwalls |title= the redwalls UK debut single: Memories |publisher=myspace.com |date=2009-01-02 |accessdate=2009-01-02}}</ref> Shortly after, drummer Rob Jensen announced his departure from the group to focus on other musical projects. In regards to Jensen's departure, Justin stated through the band's MySpace:
{{cquote|The Redwalls started when my brother and I started to sing and to play in harmony. And from that we have always found people to play in harmony with. And that is the idea of The Redwalls. There are many more songs to be sung, and many more people to sing and play with. But the idea remains the same. Thank you to all our fans and know that we are always singing. The music will stand for itself. We have many songs we can't wait to share with you.<ref>[http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=9096118&blogId=474463198 The Redwalls”] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120712095633/http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=9096118&blogId=474463198 |date=2012-07-12 }} ''myspace.com''. Accessed March 4, 2009.</ref>}}
===Hiatus, disbandment, and later recordings=== The band later disbanded in 2012.<ref name="AllMusicDiscog">{{cite web |title=The Redwalls Albums, Songs - Discography |website=AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-redwalls-mn0000564613/discography |access-date=February 15, 2026}}</ref> According to the ''Chicago Sun-Times'', the Baren brothers recorded sessions at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool in 2012 that remained unreleased for years.<ref name="Baren" /> The band returned to the studio in 2024, working on new material.<ref name="WBEZ2025" /><ref name="Baren" />
===Post-split=== Following his departure from the band, guitarist Andrew Langer joined Ezra Furman and the Harpoons as guitarist in 2008<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shazam.com/gb/artist/40994862/ezra-furman-and-the-harpoons|title=Ezra Furman and the Harpoons|website=Shazam|access-date=February 15, 2026}}</ref> and also formed the Sleeptalkers with the original Redwalls drummer Jordan Kozer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.newcity.com/2009/06/04/talk-to-me-andrew-lagners-sleeptalkers/|title=Talk to Me: Andrew Langer's Sleeptalkers|website=Newcity Music|date=June 4, 2009|access-date=February 15, 2026}}</ref> They self-released their debut album ''Back To Earth'' in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://magnetmagazine.com/2009/12/09/magnet-exclusive-download-the-debut-album-by-the-sleeptalkers-for-free/|title=MAGNET Exclusive: Download the Debut Album by the Sleeptalkers for Free!|website=Magnet|date=December 9, 2009|access-date=February 15, 2026}}</ref>
Justin Baren died on November 28, 2025, at the age of 40.<ref name="Baren" />
==Musical style and influences== The Redwalls have been described as a Chicago-area indie rock band whose early recordings drew comparisons to the Beatles and other British Invasion acts.<ref name="NPR2005" /><ref name="PopMattersUB" /><ref name="AllMusicDiscog" /> A ''Pitchfork'' review of ''De Nova'' identified the album's genre as “Electronic / Rock” and characterized the band as “60s pop” revivalists.<ref name="PitchforkDeNova">{{cite web |last=Hogan |first=Marc |title=The Redwalls: De Nova |website=Pitchfork |date=July 13, 2005 |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/6935-de-nova/ |access-date=February 15, 2026}}</ref>
In a concert review, critic Jim DeRogatis wrote that the band's inspiration leaned toward the Beatles’ early, R&B-driven period, highlighting “proto-punk” energy alongside soul-, blues- and Motown-inflected rhythms, while also noting a visible Britpop influence in the group's harmonies.<ref name="DeRogatis2005">{{cite web |last=DeRogatis |first=Jim |title=Redwalls evoke spirit of early Beatles |website=JimDeRogatis.com |url=https://www.jimdero.com/News2005/RedwallsConcertReviewJune26.htm |access-date=February 15, 2026}}</ref> ''Houston Press'' similarly framed the band's appeal in terms of “good, old-fashioned… rock and roll,” emphasizing harmonies and classic-rock touchstones.<ref name="HoustonPress2005">{{cite web |last=Lomax |first=John Nova |title=The Kids Are All Right: Classic rock lives on in the hands of youngsters the Redwalls |website=Houston Press |date=August 18, 2005 |url=https://www.houstonpress.com/music/the-kids-are-all-right-6548463/ |access-date=February 15, 2026}}</ref>
On their 2007 self-titled album, ''Chicago'' magazine noted a shift toward experimentation, describing the band as emerging from “garage rock revival” origins while incorporating electronic dance and psychedelic elements.<ref name="ChicagoMag2007">{{cite web |last=Thomas |first=Jason |title=First Listen: The Redwalls |website=Chicago magazine |date=October 23, 2007 |url=https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/october-2007/first-listen-the-redwalls/ |access-date=February 15, 2026}}</ref> In announcing the album's release, ''Glide'' described the band's approach as rooted in rhythm and blues and power pop, while presenting a “grittier” rock direction than earlier work.<ref name="Glide2007">{{cite web |title=The Redwalls (Capitol) Release New CD October 23rd on MAD Dragon Records |website=Glide Magazine |date=October 23, 2007 |url=https://glidemagazine.com/9471/the-redwalls-capitol-release-new-cd-october-23rd-on-mad-dragon-records/ |access-date=February 15, 2026}}</ref> A ''Dallas Observer'' feature similarly discussed the band's blend of retro rock references with pop songwriting.<ref name="DallasObserver2007">{{cite web |last=Green |first=Mike |title=The Redwalls |website=Dallas Observer |date=October 18, 2007 |url=https://www.dallasobserver.com/music/the-redwalls-6386112 |access-date=February 15, 2026}}</ref>
==Discography== * ''Universal Blues'' (2003) * ''De Nova'' (2005) * ''The Redwalls'' (2007)
===EPs=== *''The Wall to Wall Sessions'' (2007)
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://theredwalls.bandcamp.com/ The Redwalls Bandcamp Page] * [https://www.instagram.com/theredwallsofficial/ The Redwalls Official Instagram Page] * [https://www.youtube.com/@theredwallsofficial The Redwalls Official YouTube Page] * [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4727698 NPR Interview with the Baren brothers]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Redwalls, The}} Category:Alternative rock groups from Illinois Category:MAD Dragon Records artists Category:Musical groups from Chicago Category:Musical groups established in 2001 Category:People from Deerfield, Illinois Category:Independent Music Awards winners