Monday Afternoon Quick Fix runs every Monday afternoon to showcase the best of Chicago music news, views and stories from around the interwebs and blogosphere that we might have missed.
In a world filled with dubstep DJs and party rock anthems, Chicago punks Coffin Pricks are standing tall under the banner of “unchill wave.”
Coffin Pricks take a page or two from bands like Mission of Burma and Husker Du by displaying speed and agility while maintaining a minimalist punk approach. Because of this, the lead track on the group’s recent EP, “Group Home Haircut,” isn’t overly intimidating. There’s enough melody and catchy guitar parts to compel listeners to dance while the back beats crackle at their feet.
If “Group Home Haircut” sounds like a weary, but wise old track, maybe it’s because Coffin Pricks themselves have seen and heard it all while playing in previous bands such as Ignition, Maximum Wage, Daylight Robbery, and Bob Tilton.
Monday Afternoon Quick Fix runs every Monday afternoon to showcase the best of Chicago music news, views and stories from around the interwebs and blogosphere that we might have missed.
• The Chicago Reader has raised the ire of the Chicago hip-hop community with its recent cover story, “Scratch and Stitch,” about the relationship between Chicago rappers and the streetwear companies that release their music. The cover depicts local rapper ShowYouSuck with a circle over his face that reads: “Insert Chicago Rapper Here,” which many including ShowYouSuck (AKA Clinton Sandifer) interpreted that action as the Reader saying that all rappers are the same. Gapers Block has responses from both The Chicago Reader’s editor-in-chief Mara Shalhoup and ShowYouSuck about the controversy.
• The Congress Theater’s owners have filed a lawsuit against the city for what it calls an unfair crackdown on the concert venue’s ability to sell alcohol during concerts. Chicago Pipeline reported last week that the Congress’ general manager was taken into custody and charged with “failure to cooperate with police regarding illegal activity in a licensed premise and with violation of hours of operation.”
There’s nothing wrong with a friendly rivalry, especially when it compels one to attend what would have been a regular, old-fashioned rock show. Anyway, the tiff between Gabe Liebowitz of Dastardly and Donnie Biggins of The Shams Band erupted in mid-April over comments made about Shams Bands’ efforts to clean up Logan Square. Shams Band made the video below, which Liebowitz followed up with this disturbing response. Who will have the last laugh at tonight’s gig? Judging by this photo of Subterranean’s marquee, I’d say it’s Shams Band FTW.
Catch The Shams Band tonight with Dastardly and the Dirty Feathers at Subterranean. Tickets are $10, but trash talk is priceless.
Trippy imagery in a Stephen Paul Smokervideo is certainly to be expected given the group’s past efforts including last year’s “No You No Me.” The Chicago psych-rockers outdo themselves on “Green City” by getting lost in an abandoned, green-tinted, wasteland. The video feels like an ode to photographer Anton Corbijn’s music videos for Nirvana and At the Drive-In, which featured bleak, gritty imagery including crucifixion. If you were looking for OK Go’s next upbeat, choreographed dance effort, this isn’t it.
Monday Afternoon Quick Fix runs every Monday afternoon to showcase the best of Chicago music news, views and stories from around the interwebs and blogosphere that we might have missed.
• A cab driver, possibly Kool-Aid Man, has crashed his vehicle into a wall at Schubas this past Thursday. No one was hurt but the brick wall outside the historic building will need repairs.
Three learn-from-your-mistakes reasons to come out to Schubas tonight…
1. Oak Park-native Eleanor Friedberger once again finds herself in Chicago to promote her excellent 2011 solo album Last Summer. Friedberger, one-half of the sibling art poppers Fiery Furnaces, chooses to indulge her nostalgic side on her first album away from brother and creative partner, Matthew. She crafts serious pop songs that are wistful and brooding lyrically, while sonically maintaining an outwardly sunny disposition. The collection serves as the perfect vehicle for Friedberger’s sensual smoke-tinged vocals. Getting lost in the past has never sounded so good. LISTEN: “Inn of the Seventh Ray“
