Ballistic Edna

Ballistic Edna came together in Chicago during 2001, built around guitarist James Reilly, vocalist/guitarist Fran Glagkou, drummer Jack Jerozal, and bassist Paul Topping. Reilly already carried experience from the city’s punk community, whereas Glagkou had previously lent her voice to multiple groups in both Chicago and her native Greece. The resulting quartet pursued a guitar-driven style reminiscent of early-’90s alternative acts such as Belly and Velocity Girl, yet infused with sharper edges and intermittent excursions into Middle Eastern rhythms. Throughout the surrounding Chicagoland region the group performed steadily and put out several self-released EPs, the most prominent being 2003’s She Will Return. During that same year their songs gained wider exposure through placements on Dawson’s Creek and the AOL-affiliated service www.spinner.com.