When the lights come up at the House of Music on Jan. 24, the stage will feel like familiar ground to Joe Verble.
The Homer Glen resident, drummer and founding member of Chicago-area alternative rock band The Just, will help kick off the venue’s 2026 live music calendar with a hometown-leaning show that blends original music, local connections and the next chapter of a career built on creativity and persistence.
The all-ages show will take place at the House of Music, 14426 John Humphrey Drive in Orland Park. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with music beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. The public event is hosted by House of Music and The Just.
The Just will headline the night, joined by fellow Chicago-area rock band Stopping The Sun, with The Bagels, a House of Music student band, opening the show in a featured performance.
The Jan. 24 appearance carries personal weight for Verble, who lives nearby. Bandmate Robert “Bob” Biedron also grew up in the area, making the Orland Park show a chance to share original music with family, friends and longtime supporters.
“It’s great to have people close to home see what we’ve been building,” Verble said.
Formed in 2018, The Just grew out of a desire to create something new. Verble, Biedron and bassist Matthew Duckworth had experience playing cover music but wanted a tighter, more efficient creative unit focused entirely on original material.
The original trio, Biedron of Schaumburg on vocals and guitar, Duckworth of Streamwood on bass, and Verble on drums, spent years developing an alternative rock sound shaped by collaboration and experimentation. In late 2024, guitarist Charlie Salto of Grayslake joined the band, rounding out its live sound and bringing a shared passion for the project.
Songwriting sits at the heart of Verble’s connection to the band, with ideas often surfacing at unexpected moments.
“I love writing music,” Verble said. “Whether it’s using a guitar riff I wrote in high school, writing lyrics in the middle of the night because I can’t sleep or trying not to forget a melody line while I’m driving on the highway, it’s all fun. I love finding a way to be creative and take risks.”
That creative drive is paired with an extensive academic background. Verble graduated from Saint Xavier University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication. He later earned a master’s degree in applied computer science in 2014, a master’s degree in education in 2016 and a master’s degree in business administration in 2019, all from Saint Xavier.
Since forming The Just, the band has written a large catalog of original material. Performing those songs live became a reality in 2025, marking a major milestone.
“Finally being able to perform our songs live on stage in 2025 was incredible,” Verble said. “The feedback we received was so positive that it makes me want to keep working at it and create more.”
The Jan. 24 show reflects both where the band has been and where it is headed. Stopping The Sun returns after previously sharing a bill with The Just in St. Charles last fall, while The Bagels bring a student-band presence that Verble said he is excited to showcase.
Looking ahead, The Just is booking shows throughout 2026 and working toward official releases, with plans for multiple singles or a full-length album later this year. Following the Orland Park performance, the band is scheduled to appear Feb. 22 at the Underground Lounge in Chicago.
As The Just continues to build momentum, the House of Music show offers a meaningful stop that brings together a local stage, an expanding catalog of original songs and a musician whose journey blends education, persistence and a deep love of creating music.
“We’re just getting started,” Verble said.
Fans can follow The Just online to keep up with shows, new music and updates. The band is on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @thejustchicago, and their music can be heard on SoundCloud. An electronic press kit is available at EPK Builder. Booking inquiries can be sent to thejustchicago@gmail.com or by calling 708-837-4266.
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