Glam-pop heartthrobs Smith Westerns will drop Soft Will on June 25, the follow-up to their solid 2011 effort, Dye It Blonde. The first single from Soft Will is "Varsity," a slightly new wave and mellow tune that's pretty darn catchy. The band also released a video for "Varsity," which, for fans of fruit and intense make-out sessions, will definitely please. In other Smith Westerns news, you can catch the band at Lollapalooza 2013 in August, but check out the video for "Varsity" below in the meantime: httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykOK2XZ80vg By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

If you're a sports fan, and in Chicago it's damn near impossible not to be, then you probably know that tonight the mighty Chicago Bulls face the evil Miami Heat in game two of the eastern conference semifinals. Not only are the Bulls up a game on the star-studded and last year's champs Miami Heat in this best of seven series, but they beat the woeful Brooklyn (lol) Nets in the first round of the playoffs. For the Bulls, this is a pretty impressive accomplishment seeing how their best player, Derrick Rose, is (possibly) still healing from a torn ACL from last year's playoffs, starting small forward Luol Deng is in the hospital with a mystery ailment (after getting a spinal tap to check for meningitis), and veteran point guard Kirk Hinrich is doubtful for tonight's game with a leg injury. That being said, it's easy to find a local musicians who passionately follow Chicago sports - especially during the post-season. And minimal garage poppers Slushy have taken their passion a step further by penning a new song titled, "I love the Bulls." The tune takes it's frame from Slushy's song, "I love the Beatles," from their 2012 release, All The Rad Dudes. Musically, it's quite similar opening with a crooked "Norwegian Wood"-like acoustic guitar line before cooling off into a laid back jingle. It may not become the Bulls' 2013 playoff anthem, but it's got about a thousand times more soul than "Go Cubs Go" could ever muster up. Listen to, "I love the Bulls," below: By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

[caption id="attachment_30460" align="alignnone" width="445" caption="Scott Lucas and the Married Men play the Empty Bottle this Wednesday"][/caption] Welcome to Weekly Diversions! This is our new weekly show calendar in which we preview our local show picks for Monday through Thursday.

MONDAY

NUDE SUNRISE If you're in the mood for some tasty psychedelic rock, look no further than Nude Sunrise. Back in 2011, contributor Joseph Montes reviewed their LP, Hunks Like Us, on which he wrote, "The Chicago-based foursome draws from genres as disparate as psych-jam, kraut-rock, New Wave, and the sweet licks mentality of soulful southern rock." And that may be even more accurate on the group's latest and untitled release that kicks off with "Should Be (ziggy slop mix)" - a trudging wah-guitar laden jam that gradually catches some momentum and even finds the band quoting the classic film, "Ghostbusters." Also set to appear are Marriage and Matchess. (Richard Giraldi) 9:00 p.m. Monday, 4/29. Empty Bottle. 21+. Free.

TUESDAY

TWIN PEAKS Hey, remember when we told you to watch Twin Peaks in our 13 Chicago Bands to Watch in 2013? Well, I hate to brag, but looks like we were spot on on this pick. These local scuzzy glam-poppers are making both locally and nationally - I mean their new(-ish) single, "Stand In the Sand," was just debuted on Spin.com, and that's pretty heavy. And with this new found buzz comes new releases, including he reissue of their debut LP, Sunken due out on July 9 via Autumn Tone Records. Also appearing are NYC's Numerators. (Richard Giraldi) 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, 4/30. The Burlington. 21+ $5.

WEDNESDAY

SCOTT LUCAS & THE MARRIED MEN Showing that nothing can get him down, not even a random mugging in a foreign country, Scott Lucas returns to the Bottle tonight with his folk rock outfit The Married Men. Lucas, ever the busy bee, is set to release a new EP, Cruel Summer in late June as a follow-up to the very good, but thoroughly dark and moody sophomore effort with the Married Men, Half Blood Moon. Don't miss this chance to watch Lucas imbibe some spirits and probably raise the dead. Chicago indie rock trio T'Bone will open. EmptyMansions, the new project by Sam Fogarino of Interpol, will headline. (Audrey Leon) 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, 5/1. Empty Bottle. 21+ $10.

THURSDAY

ISLAND OF MISFIT TOYS In the days pre-Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, broken or otherwise damaged toys were banished to a really morose little island to spend all eternity. Who can say whether the Chicago collective by the same name feels an affinity for those poor unwanted toys, but the acoustic pop group led by Anthony Sanders and his mad-cap friends create simple, yet affective songs that are part Bright Eyes, part Cursive and part Broken Social Scene. Island of Misfit Toys are opening for London alt-rockers The Veils and Philly rockers Lantern. (Audrey Leon) 9:00 p.m. Thursday, 5/2. Subterranean. 17+ $15. By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

[caption id="attachment_30446" align="alignnone" width="445" caption="Swimsuit Addition play the Empty Bottle on Sunday April 28"][/caption] Let's get the party started...

FRIDAY

THE PEEKABOOS Hey, look! One of our 13 Chicago Bands To Watch In 2013 is playing. In Chicago. Tonight. I mean, tonight! Anyway, you should definitely heed my advice and check out these cats. The Peekaboos’ Stay Positive is pure geek rock on the surface, with plenty of pup culture references in the canine rocker “Let’s Pet Puppies,” but the record also has some interesting, and locally minded, societal commentary. Think Talking Heads with loud guitars. Also appearing are Bad Bad Meow, Cusses and Shiloh.(Richard Giraldi) 9:00 p.m. Friday, 4/25. Gallery Cabaret. 21+. FREE.

SATURDAY

VAMOS Local rockers Vamos have impressed us time and again with their abrasive, free-wheeling brand of poppy garage rock. The group can pummel the drums and shred guitars with quick precision all the while knocking out bass that rattles your ear drums. Check out Vamos new EP Heatwave if you feel like getting slapped around. Also appearing are noisy Brooklyn garage rockers Hunters, who've been causing quite a stir with their fuzzed out riffs and unbridled melodies from frontwoman Izzy while on tour with the show's headliners, poppy punks Bleached. (Audrey Leon) 9:00 p.m. Saturday, 4/26. Subterranean. 17+ $10. BULLY IN THE HALLWAY Chicago’s Bully In The Hallway impressed us with their latest release Crooks and their Castles as it’s a smartly constructed blend of hardcore punk and melodic alt-rock. At times the record rushed along with a Fugazi-esque sense of urgency, while at others, the band unleashes melodic but powerful flourishes that are nearly arena-rock ready. Even better news is that the band is currently in the recording phase, and we're excited to hear what they come up with next. Hidden Hospitals, That's No Moon, Revision Plan are also appearing. (Richard Giraldi) 8:00 p.m. Saturday, 4/26. Township. 18+ $7.

SUNDAY

SWIMSUIT ADDITION If it feels like just yesterday we were talking about melodic rockers Swimsuit Addition, it's because we can’t rave enough about these lovely ladies. Swimsuit Addition rattle off perky, surf-inspired alt-rock with extreme ease. Case in point, the group's Kittyhawk EP is chock full of crunchy riffs, bobbing bass and driving rhythms that you just can't get out of your head. If you like the Pixies or the Breeders, chances are you’ll dig Swimsuit Addition as much as we do. Also appearing tonight are Montreal poppers Valleys. And, as if, you needed a reason to mill around the Bottle for a while after the show, ex-Tyler Jon Tyler vocalist Rebecca Valeriano-Flores will be spinning some tunes at 10 p.m.(Audrey Leon) 7:00 p.m. Sunday, 4/27. Empty Bottle. 21+ $3. By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

Last weekend was a big one for Their / They're / There. Not only did the new band featuring members of Into it. Over it., Loose Lips Sink Ships and Owen/Cap'n Jazz (Evan Weiss, Matthew Frank and Mike Kinsella, respectively) release their debut EP on Polyvinyl Records, but they also played their first show - a Record Store Day in-store at Permanent Records. And it's easy to see, or hear, why this young band packed the house at Permanent and why their the lead single from their debut EP was premiered on RollingStone.com. The single, "Concession Speech Writer," showcases Their/They're/There pop-prowess as it combines both hyper-melodic guitar leads reminiscent of another Chicago favorite, Maps & Atlases, and warm grooves of both the rhythmic and vocal variety. If you are bummed you missed the band's debut performance, turn that frown upside down, because Their/They're/There headline the Beat Kitchen on Saturday, May 11. In the meantime, head on over to RollingStone.com and listen to "Concession Speech Writer." ___________________________________________________________________ THEIR/THEY'RE/THERE 9:00 p.m. Saturday, May 11. Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont 17+. $12. ___________________________________________________________________ By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

[caption id="attachment_30406" align="alignnone" width="445" caption="The Bingers play Schubas on Wednesday | Photo by Drew Reynolds"][/caption] Welcome to Weekly Diversions! This is our new weekly show calendar in which we preview our local show picks for Monday through Thursday.

MONDAY

OOZING WOUND Seeing how it's Metal Monday, in cool people's camps at least, it's fitting that Oozing Wound plays this evening. Featuring two members of the now defunct Cacaw (drummer Kyle Reynolds and guitarist Zack Weil), Oozing Wound will have old-school thrash fans elated with their massive riff barrage, which should also appeal to those who currently dig High on Fire. Their October 2012 release, Vape and Pillage, is head-bang ready with cuts like the careening "Two Forces" or the thunderous "Sustained by Hatred (Rambo 4)." Also appearing are Running and Austin's Spray Paint. (Richard Giraldi) 9:00 p.m. Monday, 4/22. Burlington. 21+. $5.

TUESDAY

AMI SARAIYA Eclectic singer-songwriter Ami Saraiya's compositions span the musical spectrum from chamber pop with a bit of Eastern mysticism to blues rock and big band. No doubt Saraiya will showcase her jazzy and soulful vocals through some of her new material tonight. Also appearing are instrumentalist Jared Bartman and local folk singer Ty Maxon. (Audrey Leon) 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, 4/23. Empty Bottle. 21+ $8.

WEDNESDAY

THE BINGERS The Bingers landed on our 13 Chicago Bands to Watch in 2013 because they're just so much fun. Their lo-fi garage rock is equally catchy as it is danceable, which makes their live experience that much more entertaining. Their latest, Rhymes w/ Fingers, does show the band maturing a bit, however, as they slow things down to a soulful crawl on "In a Thought" but the EP will no doubt wake you up with it's concluding fiery fuzz-fest, "The Flying Shitshow Fuckfest Blues." Also appearing are The Babies and The Uglies. (Richard Giraldi) 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, 4/24. Schubas. 21+ $10.

THURSDAY

MAGIC MILK Nothing gets you in the mood to dance more than bouncy garage rock jams that have the power to transport you into a swinging 60s state of mind. Thankfully, Chicago’s own Magic Milk is here to serve this pressing community need. Come get down to Magic Milk’s sleazy, distortion-heavy rockers at the Bottle and maybe pick up their new cassette. Also appearing tonight are Vancouver punks White Lung and Chicago rockers Daylight Robbery. (Audrey Leon) 9:00 p.m. Thursday, 4/25. Empty Bottle. 21+ $10. By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

As vinyl sales reach their highest in over a decade and cassettes still finding a niche audience in scratchy sound enthusiasts and thrifty local bands, once antiquated music mediums are making a comeback. So, what's next? Local imprint Notes and Bolts may have an idea with its new Digital Series that resurrects the 3.5" floppy disk. "Floppy Disk? I don't think I've seen one of those since 1996," is what you're probably thinking slash saying to yourself right now. But in the Facebook post announcing the Digital Series, Notes And Bolts explain how in the world you would play a floppy, and why it's quite different than the cassette experience:

Why floppies, you ask? How much did you pay for yr cassette deck? An external USB floppy disk drive can be purchased for a paltry ten bucks and to make matters easier, the music contained inside can be put directly into yr iTunes. Can't do that with a cassette, can you?

The first floppy disk release features ambient compositions from Yrramus + Ommetry, a duo that includes Metallic Ghosts' Chaz Allen. Each disk costs $3, and also includes a link to download the tunes. And lastly, "Future installments coming." Speaking of Notes and Bolts, the label will celebrate it's one-year anniversary this Wednesday with a party at the Burlington with Chandeliers, Architecture and Oscillator Bug. The completely DIY, Chicago-based label has been impressing the hell out of us with their podcast and short-run vinyl, lathe and cassette offerings featuring some of our favorites including BigColour and Disappears. Check out Notes and Bolts' full set of releases and additional information at NotesAndBolts.net. By Richard Giraldi  \  comments