The Steak House Mints are a scratch and sniff band. They enjoy looking out windows and eating unicorn medallions served with a wild plumb reduction on a bed of sauteed spinach. The Mints are comprised of current and former members of Filter, Cabaret Diosa, Kick the Cat, and The Mighty Blue Kings. In the future they hope to drive their flying cars to the super market to pick up a carton of milk. Out of the Sky is their debut CD. Check out whatJim DeRogatis of The Chicago Sun Times had to say about Out of the Sky: December 14, 2008 BY JIM DeROGATIS Pop Music Critic Though one might question the wisdom of naming your band after that bowl of stale candy at the counter of an old-fashioned restaurant (best avoided for fear of other patrons who may not be so scrupulous in washing their hands after using the rest room), the Steak House Mints get absolutely everything else right on their recently released D.I.Y. debut album, "Out of the Sky." Their sound is an intricate and beautiful style of orchestral pop influenced by the Zombies, Nick Drake and "Pet Sounds"-era Beach Boys as well as more global avatars such as Os Mutantes and Astrud Gilberto. Originating as a recording project by singer and songwriter Billy Dave Sherman, the live group has coalesced to include drummer Steve Gillis, keyboardist and sitar player Vijay Tellis, guitarist Scott Tipping and bassist Shawn Sommer, while the album is further fleshed out with elaborate horn and string arrangements that never sound overly fussy or overpower the simple but effective songs. If the band can pull off live what it's accomplished in the studio (its next local gig is Jan. 22 at Martyrs'), it's poised to join the likes of the Scotland Yard Gospel Choir and Canasta at the top of this city's ork-pop heap. Here is a review from Leicester Bangs: The Steak House Mints - Out Of The Sky (Independent) There were a lot of power-pop type bands coming out of Chicago in the ‘80s and ‘90s, but it’s all slowed down over recent years. In fact, The Steak House Mints are the first new band of that particular ilk I’ve heard from the windy city in a while. Not that they’re a straight up Beatles / Byrds / Big Star inspired pop combo, hanging their songs on a hook, and forgetting the finer points of songcraft. They appear to be in possession of illustrious and eclectic record collections and, under the guidance of songwriter and vocalist Billy Dave Sherman, they’ve made the most of them. They mix up those classic pop melodies with a host of other influences, both contemporary and some a little longer in the tooth. So whilst maintaining a consistent overall sound and feel, we’re spoilt with a collection of extremely polished and beautifully arranged pop songs, which bring to mind artists as diverse as Flaming Lips, Colin Bluntstone, ELO, Tom Petty and Cars. If any of the above is of interest, feel free to check out their MySpace page, pronto: www.myspace.com/thesteakhousemints Rob F.