• • Time Out Chicago says due to increased demand for tickets, Spring Awakening Music Festival will move its main stage inside Soldier Field.
• • Christmas has come early for Braid fans. Frontman Bob Nanna told Gossip Wolf that the band is planning a new album for 2013. Additionally, Gossip Wolf also breaks the bad news that post-hardcore quartet Coping is breaking up. Bummer.
• • Magic Milk have arrived. The Tribune’s Jessica Hopper interviews frontman Kenny Alden about the band’s recent release Mellows and what ensues is a pretty thoughtful and informative interview. The lesson? Don’t judge a book solely because his pants are always down.
• • Chicagoist’s Eric Hehr reviews Hollows record release show at Subterranean this past Thursday. Despite what Hehr felt was a “subdued” performance, he seemed to enjoy the retro-poppers’ sound.
• • Congress Theater’s owner Eddie Carranza speaks with Chicago Pipeline’s Jon Graef about the lawsuit he recently filed against the city regarding an ordinance that he feels is being unfairly applied to his business.

coffin pricks

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.

Coffin Pricks are releasing its brand-new EP Group Home Haircut on Tuesday, May 15, through Stationary (Heart) Records. It’s limited to 300 copies and will feature artwork by none other than John Herndon of Tortoise.

Coffin Pricks will celebrate the EP’s release at Subterranean this Thursday, May 17, along with Summer Girlfriends, Radar Eyes and Hollows. Tickets are $8.

• • 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.”
• • Archie Powell (of Archie Powell & The Exports) recently appeared on the podcast Ice Cream Headache with two radio DJs from Louisville, Kentucky. If you can get past the stereotypical DJ banter, Powell talks Mustaches vs Goatees, the hits of Collective Soul, and his love of Ke$ha despite the fact that she looks “gamey.”
• • Jessica Hopper charts the journey of Chicago electro-pop duo the Halamays from their early acoustic open mic nights in Ohio to collaborating as a dreamy pop husband and wife team in Chicago.
• • Windy City Rock catches up with Jim Carroll of Chicago noise-pop trio Unicycle Loves You.

Catch The Shams Band tonight with Dastardly and the Dirty Feathers at Subterranean. Tickets are $10, but trash talk is priceless.

• • 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.
• • Jessica Hopper catches up with Jeff Tweedy’s son, Spencer, to talk about his rock band, The Blisters.
• • The Reader has the details about the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago’s Summer Jazz series, which will run every Tuesday from June 5 to September 25.
• • Consequence of Sound reviews M83′s recent tour stop at the Riviera.
• • Time Out Chicago has a few snapshots from Rabid Rabbit’s gig at the Empty Bottle.

eleanor friedberger

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“

2. Opening tonight’s shindig are Brooklyn rockers Hospitality. The first thing that comes to mind while listening to the group is how well frontwoman Amber Papini’s angelic voice anchors the band’s silky smooth pop standards. The name really fits the trio to a tee, because Hospitality’s upbeat indie pop rhythms are so endearing that you feel as though you stopped by their house to borrow a cup of sugar and left with the whole sack.
LISTEN: “Friends of Friends“

3. Since there are only two musical acts tonight, here’s some more Eleanor Friedberger action to satisfy your senses.

8:00 p.m. Tuesday, 5/1. Schubas. 21+ $14.

• • A.V. Club Chicago has assembled a list of Chicago-inspired songs they enjoy more than the new song commissioned by Chicago’s tourism board.
• • The Reader’s Luca Cimarusti has the deets on this year’s Do-Division street festival, which includes the return of indie rockers Pinebender.
• • Windy City Rock’s Andrew Hertzberg shares his thoughts on the new LP by Stephen Paul Smoker.
• • The Chicago Tribune was there this past Friday night to review JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound’s first headline performance at the Metro.
• • WBEZ’s Jim DeRogatis gives his take on the new album by local rootsy songstress Kelly Hogan.

rabble rabble

1. Any time Chicago psych-punks Rabble Rabble play the Empty Bottle is a time you want to be around. Within those special four walls the band truly comes alive, leaping off the record with explosive precision. The beats are bigger, the guitar solos border on out of control and the banter is pure gold. Come by and see why Rabble Rabble made our 11 Chicago Bands to Watch in 2011 list.
WATCH: “Doubt It“

2. I really can’t say enough wonderful things about garage punks Heavy Times. LLP head honcho Richard Giraldi called Jacker an “absolute banger.” And I couldn’t agree more. Heavy Times doesn’t always need you to hear what they’re doing, but bubbling below all that roaring fuzz are some blissful melodies that make you want to dance, sing and knock out a few concertgoers. (note: don’t actually knock anyone out).
LISTEN: “Skull Hair“

3. Opening tonight’s headbanger is Chicago’s own Lionlimb. Back in 2010 our old buddy Ross Meyerson was left impressed by the band’s four-song 7-inch Lacerations. Lionlimb craft some quirky laidback rockers that are lightly seasoned with Midwestern twangy and pop. Rock out with a stalk of wheat hanging out of your mouth. LISTEN: “Here He Come“

9:30 p.m. Monday, 4/30. Empty Bottle. 21+ FREE!!!