The Bon Mots

Chicago's Bon Mots represent the union of two singer/songwriter/guitarists from Michigan who had led their own bands previously. Mike Coy's band, Big Angry Fish, and Eric Chial's group, Mitch, both recorded for Chicago-based Beluga Records in the 1990s. In 2000, Coy and Chial left those bands and launched the Bon Mots with Coy's drummer, Kevin Hoetger, who brought in keyboard player Chris Frantisak, while both Coy and Chial also handled bass guitar duties. The Bon Mots recorded their debut album, Le Main Drag, with Neal Ostrovsky, alternating between Coy and Chial compositions. After its completion, Hoetger moved to Austin; Jason Styx replaced him. Neal Ostrovsky joined the group and they got to work polishing their live act and writing their second and most expansive record, 40 Days and 40 Nights with The Bon Mots at Neal's B-Side Studio. This production of this record was a laborious process, no detail was overlooked. Released in 2012, 40 Days is a lush, multi-layered record that is easy on the ears. Following the release of 40 Days, they decided to record the next record in an old-school style: rehearse the shit out of the songs, then bang them out quickly. They did exactly that, and completed the basic tracks for Best Revenge in 2 days. Despite this impressive start, the record wasn't released until 2017. Best Revenge is the output of a harder-rocking Bon Mots. Frantisak switched from keys to bass, and Chial and Coy both played guitar while trading lead vocals.