Off The Rails: SIU Homecoming Edition - Jungle Dogs & Modern Day Saints

The SIU Alumni Association, City of Carbondale, and River Radio, LLC are closing The Strip in Carbondale, planting a stage on South Illinois Avenue in front of The Varsity Center, and hosting an SIU Homecoming Edition of the "Off The Rails" concert series on Friday, October 11.

All alumni, students, and community members are welcome to join us on The Strip, enjoy special offers from local bars and restaurants, and experience a night of great music downtown.

Jungle Dogs formed in Carbondale, IL in 1987. Founding members Eddie Chapa (bass), Dan Schingel (guitar), and D. Ward (trumpet) had played together previously in a local group called Love Rhino (1985-1986).

Jungle Dogs' style could be described generally as ‘Rock and Reggae’, but various musical styles influence their unique sound. They include the World Beat sounds of Ska, Calypso, and Latin music. The band delivers that mix of sounds into high-energy, danceable fun, and this is why the band is often referred to as the ultimate ‘Party Band’.

Being born and bred in a University town they have been a part of many SIU students' college experience. Numerous SIU alums have told the band that they loved going to see Jungle Dogs at the old Hangar 9. One time, Woody Harrelson (of Cheers fame) even showed up and joined the band on stage to sing a couple of Elvis tunes!
The band independently released six full-length albums on CD during their tenure.

Jungle Dogs (Self-Titled) – 1992

Throw ‘Em A Bone – 1993

Halloween Dogleg (Live) – 1995

Every Dog Has His Day – 1997

Jungle Jym (Book & CD) - 2002

GreatestsHIT! (Compilation) - 2010

Band Members:

Klaus Bank – Sax

Eddie Chapa – Bass

Larry Daly – Trombone

Keith Huffman – Trumpet & Keys

John Hunter – Drums

Matt Linsin - Percussion

Jim Owens – Trombone & Keys

Dan Schingel – Guitar

D. Ward - Trumpet

Modern Day Saints are a Chicago-based pop-rock-punk band that writes and performs their original songs. They originated in Carbondale, IL in 1984 and were a staple of the prolific music scene surrounding SIU through the rest of the decade. They were a traveling band and had rabid fans throughout the Midwest and South as a well-known and respected regular act in St. Louis, Chicago, Bloomington IN, Champaign IL, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Cincinnati, Madison WI, Iowa City, Knoxville & Nashville TN, Birmingham AL, Tuscaloosa, Jackson & Oxford MS, Athens GA and many many others.

In October of 1989, they moved to Los Angeles CA and ignited a welcome change in the scene on the Sunset Strip, which at the time was in the suffocating demise of big-hair metal rock. Soon the Saints were headlining shows at The Roxy, The Central, Club Lingerie and in 1991 were named the house band at the Whiskey-A-Go-Go, showcasing every Monday night, aka Industry Night. They continued to tour adding NY (CBGB’s, The China Club, The Wetlands) to their growing circuit.

The year 1993 began a long hiatus for the band. Each member continued to perform individually and finally in 2020 they reformed as a unit in Chicago. They are currently writing and recording a new record and can be seen regularly in the Chicago area and anywhere else that calls!

Host or Publisher SIU Alumni Association