The Space Ape Sides exist.
Number one, Evolution, has dropped.

Evolution is the first in a new ongoing series of EP length bursts of material to be released throughout 2023 by Chicagoland's improvising art rockers, Grape Juice Plus.

The series is called, The Space Ape Sides, and it takes its cue from ringleader Barry Bennett's pandemic spanning 20 EP series, The Shut In Sides. (barrybennett.bandcamp.com)

Says Bennett:
"When everything first shut down, i initially thought I'd make a couple EP's while the world did a quick quarantine.
That turned into a 2 plus year, 20 EP project that became a real meditative creative practice personally. I cherish what we have in Grape Juice Plus so much.
Now that the world is moving again, I'd like apply that mindset to GJP."

The Space Ape Sides also is not just inspired by the nickname some have for the GJP lads, either. When Tony Churchill (projectionist for GJP's live shows) started sending Bennett these beautiful ape portraits he was making, everything seemed to click into place.

Again Bennett:
"Every time i'd try to conceptualize what a Grape Juice Plus recording project could be, I'd get stuck. How to get Tony involved? Even if he is not at every show we do, he adds so much to what we are about.
The first portrait I saw became the cover for Evolution. The second that thing popped in my inbox, I knew I was no longer stuck. I had found a way for Tony's work to be a prompt for us in the recorded realm."

The Space Ape Sides are primarily meant to be a studio project, but the series actually kicks off with a live recording captured at one of Grape Juice Plus' haunts, REGGIES' in Chicago. Asked how this came to be, Bennett had this answer:

"I had the whole Space Ape Sides project already in my mind when I came across someone sharing a twitch feed recording of our last show at Reggies.
I pulled the board feed audio and it sounded great. I didn't want it to go to waste. I thought, just start the project. Once you begin it exists. No turning back."

So, welcome.
The Space Ape Sides exist.
Number one, Evolution, has dropped.
Stay tuned in to Grape Juice Plus for more...