Photoo Credit: blogs.villagevoice.com

New York’s O’Death didn’t waste any time at the Empty Bottle last Saturday night. Like the Pogues and Gogol Bordello before them, O’Death’s music is steeped in traditional instrumentation and arrangements.

What sets O’Death apart, however, is that punk rock seems to naturally fit into what they define as “traditional music.” Take a solid rhythm section and throw in singer and guitarist Greg Jaime’s John Darnielle meets inebriated Neil Young vocals, and what you get is O’Death. Assuming that the band ripped through the venue fueled purely by adrenaline and whiskey is no mistake.

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Summer is here and what better way to usher it in than with this sweet ruckus.

Windy City Sound Clash Fest

Featuring 40+ acts over 3 days that span the punk rock spectrum. Good ol’ timey punk n’ roll for the weekend.

4 PM. Fri 5/22, Sat 5/23, Sun 5/24. $ 12/17/14.  Reggie’s Rock Club.

CLUES

Indie-Rock featuring former members of The Arcade Fire and Unicorns. With (totally refreshing) local psych-punk crazies, Stranger Waves.

7 PM. Fri 5/22. $ 10. Schubas.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Not during the weekend, but a heads up anyways. Guaranteed the YYYs will make it feel like the weekend. Try and get tickets while you still can.

6 PM. Tue 5/26. $ 25. Aragon Ballroom.

It’s the weekend! Behold, more opportunities for eardrum shattering pleasure. Let’s do this…

Chin Up Chin Up

The local legends perform their final show! With Tight Phantomz, Sleep Out, & Rain Delay Theatre.

9:00 PM, Friday, 5/15 at The Empty Bottle. $10.

Cream Team Anniversary Party!

Featuring the sweet sounds of VEGA, Hey Champ, Moon Goons, & Cousin Cole.

9:30 PM, Saturday, 5/16 at The Empty Bottle. $8 adv/$10 door.

The Vaselines

With The 1900s.

8:00 PM, Saturday, 5/16 at Metro. $20.

It’s the weekend! Behold, more opportunities for eardrum shattering pleasure. Let’s do this…

Mogwai, The Twilight Sad

Everyone’s favorite post-rockers are in town. And that too with fellow-countrymen, The Twilight Sad! Lots of Scottish accents, reverb, and epic tunes to go around for all.

8:00 PM, Friday, 5/8 at Congress Theatre. $ 20.

Richard Lloyd

The former Television guitarist returns with crunchy/intricate guitar rock worthy of his former band. With the Sufi-Monkey Trio and Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra.

6:30 PM, Saturday, 5/9 at Abbey Pub. $ 12/$15.

The Kills

Bluesy, dirty rock n’ roll with plenty of depth. Band members, VV and Hotel, have been consistently playing enthralling, engaging shows for the past five years now. With gothic-tinged garage band, The Horrors.

8:00 PM, Saturday, 5/9 at Metro. $ 16.

Another Friday, another chance to beat the crap out of the workday. What better way to do so than check out these soon-to-be-big (if not already) hometown acts:

Russian Circles

Russian Circles offer powerful, deft instrumental rock. Brings to mind fellow instrumentalists (and Chicagoans), Pelican. With Plague Bringer (industrial/grindcore insanity/awesomeness) and Lichens.

Friday, 5/1 at Bottom Lounge. $12/14

OFFICE

OFFICE = lively pop collective with taut guitars, synth-driven euphoria, and hooks that would have Nick Lowe dancing along to. With The Loyal Divide, Kyle Andrews, The Seedy Seeds, Coltrane Motion.

Sat, 5/2 at Double Door, $18/20.

Aleks and the Drummer

Aleks and the Drummer are an echo-y grimy keyboard/drum duo with an enticing cabaret-pop awareness. Fresh off their recent Dave Sitek-produced EP, the band will likely not disappoint. With Jeremy Jay(breezy, Californian pop), Kristeen Young, Bengal Lancer.

Sat, 5/2 at Empty Bottle, $ 8

Every week we’ll post our top weekend diversions or shows that we dig and you probably will too. Here’s what we’re looking forward to this weekend:

Crystal Castles, Deerhunter
The dirty-digital skronk of Crystal Castles and Deerhunter’s murky psych-punk will guarantee to make you sweat (and swoon). With Empires.
$10 – Friday, 4/24 at 7pm – Conaway Center (1104 S. Wabash @ Columbia College)

The Night Marchers
The latest offering from John Reis (Rocket From The Crypt, Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes). The Night Marchers play no frills rock n’ roll perfect to guzzle your beer to. With Dynamiters, Cage The Elephant.
$14 – Friday, 4/24 at 9pm – Subterranean

Throbbing Gristle
Industrial music pioneers/legends. Speak of rare opportunities, this is not to be missed.
$20 – Saturday, 4/25 at 7pm and 10pm (differing sets) – Logan Square Auditorium