Fermilab is one of the most elite and prestigious scientific research facilities in the United States—they also happen to employ some of the richest musical talent as well.

Local rock group Troubled Hubble is comprised of two of their faculty members, Andrew Hubble, programmer for Quark recovery, and Josh Hubble, outer-ring particle acceleration monitor—these two would go on to move from the world of science to the wonderful and exciting realm of music.

The members of Troubled Hubble are scattered across the greater part of Illinois, within the greater limits of Chicago. About 50 miles west of the city, the boys all found themselves in separate places, unaware of each other’s talents. Nate Hubble and Chris Hubble, who would later become the drummer and lead vocalist/guitarist of the band respectively, were working in a small local movie theatre. Through a series of events, Josh, guitarist and vocalist for the band, wound up offering Nate a job as a janitor at Fermilab, and from there, the two began speaking of one another’s interest in music.

Initially, Nate and Chris had started a two-piece group, but with the knowledge that Andrew, bassist, and Josh had skills as musicians, the foursome began playing together. Upon asking Chris what each of the band member’s last name was, he decided to just refer to them as all Hubbles. This is just one of the many different examples of how Troubled Hubble sees themselves as a collective unit instead of separate entities.

With all four members in the same frame of mind as to what they wanted, they began to practice. The name Troubled Hubble was picked after an encounter reading the local newspaper.

“Daily newspaper headlines read, ‘Is there any future for the troubled Hubble?’

We thought that was interesting,” Chris Hubble says, reflecting on the events of the Hubble Telescope.

Within a week of coming together, the group was already playing their first show at Fireside Bowl. The show, surprisingly, went well.

“We threw together some songs about animals, office supplies and love; things went wonderfully and we kept at it,” Chris commented.

And from there, the band was able to jumpstart some life into this fledgling group. Just recently, the group has begun pressing and distributing their first album, “Penturbia,” which was released this past October.

“We’re a completely D.I.Y. band. Some people think that we’ve been signed or are on a label considering the things that we’ve achieved. We work hard and have worked hard for what we’ve accomplished,” Chris explained.

Troubled Hubble has also managed to make a slew of friends within the indie circuit despite their lack of major label backing.

“We totally love Bicycle Day, The Amazing Kilowatts, Division, Red Hot Valentines. We don’t necessarily share bills much, or fit their style of music, but again, it’s all about the enjoyment of just playing,” Chris says.

The group continues to try its best securing airplay and other types of promotion that will allow their music to spread.

“Each major rock station in the city has their local show, but to really see and hear the underground, local indie acts that I feel are deserving of the attention, you have to dig a little deeper,” Chris comments, explaining that there are so many other outlets in the city that can help a band go the distance it needs for massive listener appeal.

But either way, Troubled Hubble sees being a local band in the city as a double-edged sword.

“We’re fortunate to be part of such an incredible and historic and notable music scene in Chicago, but at the same time it is certainly not the most friendly of scenes.  There are a lot of sub-scenes going on here.  And it’s hard to really find a warm feeling that you’d relate with ‘home’ here in Chicago,” Chris admits.

But either way, the band just wants to do what they love. Playing music and seeing the reactions of the fans is wonderful—and if the mood is right, the crowds may even get some extras.

“They dance and jive and rock out while we do the same. It doesn’t happen everywhere and every time, but if the energy level is right, Josh will do the worm and the robot. I will jump until my legs hurt,” Chris says of what may be the terms of a perfect show.

Hubble continues to utilize the college music scene to gain listeners and to help promote themselves. On Nov. 21, they will be supporting Ben Kweller at the Duke Ellington Ballroom in Dekalb. This just proves that sometimes the smallest of groups can still help out the big names and hold their own.

Troubled Hubble continues to tour most of Illinois and the greater Midwest in support of their album “Penturbia.”