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WATCH: Summer Girlfriends have fun with food

Richard Giraldi — Tue, 22 May 2012 19:27:59 +0000

In their new video for their breezy tune “Shockwaves,” Summer Girlfriends have fun with food. Literally. The indie-pop quintet smash up raw meat, get awkward with fruit, sprayed by mustard and even commit the nefarious act of murder by popsicle. As odd as it may sound, somehow it all works together with the song’s thick bass, glossy guitars and beach-fun vocals. Digging video? Then be sure to check out their Addenda Records self-titled debut LP, which drops on June 5 (our review is coming shortly). In the meantime, watch the foody fun below:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwkJR3AYtYY

Daily Diversion – T’Bone at Fireside Bowl

Richard Giraldi — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:50:48 +0000

If you’ve taken in one of Chicago’s numerous underground shows in the past few months, then you’ve probably seen T’Bone. They’re quite hard to miss – a power trio that kills with a hybrid of punk, math and melodic indie rock. I’ve spilled much ink on T’Bone before especially seeing how they were one of our 12 Chicago Bands To Watch In 2012, but it must be said that it’s quite something to find a band that embraces both the lyrically tongue-in-cheek and exquisite musicianship with the same degree of passion. Their debut, Mt. Trashmore was one of my favorites from last year, so it’s safe to say I’m excited for their next release – and the band has already sprinkled a couple new ones during their live shows like the rocker “Song Of Praise,” or this melodic new untitled jam. LISTEN: “Mt. Trashmore” | Also appearing: Opposites, Bully In The Hallway & Costanza.

8:00 p.m. Tuesday, 5/22. Fireside Bowl. 17+. $8.

Daily Diversion – The Hudson Branch at the Double Door

Richard Giraldi — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:57:44 +0000

When former Loud Loop Press contributor reviewed The Hudson Branch’s 2009 release, Tightrope Walker, he couldn’t get over how well the band knew their way around open-ended and spacious melodies. With their latest release, World Kid, the Chicago indie rock outfit once again offer up a warm sound that’s even more tight and focused. World Kid opener “What Did I Eat” is carried along melancholy piano work that seemingly draws inspiration from the slow, meditative work of Sigur Ros, while the take “Insane” incorporates a slick bass groove and nearly psychedelic tinges before opening into a densely layered coda. LISTEN: “What Did I Eat” | Also appearing: Ok Sweetheart & The Canes.

8:30 p.m. Monday, 5/21. Double Door. 21+. $8.

WATCH: Football’s piledriving new video

Richard Giraldi — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:07:55 +0000

Well, this will get your blood flowing. Garage-punks Football released a Mouse Television-created video for their abrasive little ditty, “Hit by Broken Glass.” It features and only features footage of old school wrestling matches from what appears to be good ol’ down southern leagues and independent federations from the ’70s and ’80s. And let me tell you, it compliments Football’s noisy assault to a tee. And lucky you, there’s a chance to catch the band live tomorrow afternoon at The Burlington for a what’s being dubbed a HoZac Blackout Fest (more on that in Weekend Diversions) “Pre-Game” event. So check out then video below, then check out Football tomorrow:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkuJUbjDxEM

LISTEN: Save The Clocktower – “Like That”

Richard Giraldi — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:40:31 +0000

Get ready to move. Chicago’s Save The Clocktower have announced their new record, Through The Glass, will be released on July 3.

The electro-pop outfit will continue the dreamy feel of their debut, Carousel, but will incorporate in upbeat and accessible pop approaches as well. Additionally, the album’s track, “Better Than Ever,” will feature guest vocals from Genevieve Schatz (courtesy of Wind-up Records) of Chicago rockers Company of Thieves.

Through The Glass‘s first single is titled “Like That,” and it’s a smooth one. The track finds Save The Clocktower reaching into some uber-melodic, near R&B grooves that’s just dripping with sexed-up synths. Listen to “Like That” after the jump.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=olAA33FP9Rs

Pre-orders for Through The Glass will be available at Clocktowermusic.bandcamp.com in the coming weeks.

Daily Diversion – Hollows at Subterranean

Richard Giraldi — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:02:03 +0000

Hollows first made waves in Chicago with their bopping, sometimes spooky garage rock that garnered comparisons to The Shangri-Las and Ronnie Spector. Those comparisons were fair and fine seeing as their tunes had a proclivity to lean on classic girl group vibes (FWIW, the drummer is a dude). But their latest track “V Is For Vulture,” from their new record Vulture, finds the band in a more reflective mood that even features a near chamber-pop bridge that’s downright heavenly. Unlike some of their more popular contemporaries, one thing that’s undeniable about Hollows is that their songs, regardless of sound or style, are soulful in all the right places. LISTEN: “V Is For Vulture” | Radar Eyes, Coffin Pricks and Summer Girlfriends open.

8:30 p.m. Thursday, 5/17. Subterranean. 21+. $8.

LISTEN: Big Science – “Blind Our Eyes”

Richard Giraldi — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:05:25 +0000

Chicago melodic post-punks Big Science are back with an all new LP, titled Difficulty (that’s the album art to the left), due to drop on May 29.

The record’s second single, “Blind Our Eyes,” is making its way around the interwebs, and it’s easy to hear why.

The track, recorded in the band’s home studio in Logan Square, definitely sounds professional. It opens with a thick guitar strums, which leads the tune in a funky arrangement complete with bouncy bass, sharp guitar leads and solid rhythms (shaker included!) over which melodic vocals soar. Listen to “Blind Our Eyes” after the jump.

Blind Our Eyes by Big Science
____________________________________________________________________
BIG SCIENCE
9:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 30.
The Burlington, 3425 W Fullerton Ave.
21+. $5 Donation.
____________________________________________________________________

Daily Diversion – Golden Birthday at the Burlington

Richard Giraldi — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:24:12 +0000

Throughout Illusions, the latest from Chicago’s Golden Birthday, the band stretch and tweak exotic art-pop and electronica to their tension-filled breaking point. The simmering cut, “Beyond It,” is richly layered with sharp but bouncy melodies that give the tune a peculiar retro feel. Other times Golden Birthday emit a sullen mood such as on the crawling “Vexed,” and it’s deep vocal tones and synth play. While Golden Birthday are aiming for new territory, their music offers an eerie familiarity like a John Hughes soundtrack bathed in acid. LISTEN: “Beyond It” | Also appearing: Experimental synth-pop artist Dylan Ettinger & Ambient/Experimetal outfit Criminals.

9:00 p.m. Wednesday, 5/16. The Burlington. 21+. $7 donation.

Riot Fest 2012 initial lineup announced

Richard Giraldi — Tue, 15 May 2012 05:02:42 +0000

Since 2005, Autumn in Chicago means not only meant Football but music venues all over the city hosting the massive punk rock party known as Riot Fest.

This year, Riot Fest will undergo a transformation in to a three-day outdoor festival in Humboldt Park on September 14-16 and join the ranks of other Chicago destination festivals including Lollapalooza, Pitchfork Music Festival and North Coast Music Festival.

The initial lineup for the revamped Riot Fest includes headliners Rise Against, Iggy and the Stooges, The Offspring and Elvis Costello.

Other acts of note are Coheed And Cambria, Descendents, Gogol Bordello, NoFx, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Promise Ring, Built To Spill, GWAR, Nobunny and Chicago’s own White Mystery. Check out the complete lineup here.

Additionally, here’s a map of what the Humboldt Park grounds will become during the festival:

Three and two day passes are on sale for $90 and $36, respectively, and two-day VIP passes are on sale for $155 now at RiotFest.org.

Daily Diversion – The Gorilla Press at Subterranean

Richard Giraldi — Tue, 15 May 2012 05:01:41 +0000

On their latest release, A Natural Thing (Unnatural To Me), The Gorilla Press fully embrace their alt-rock influences and deliver a beautiful sounding record that alternates between urgent and collected. Album opener, “On Fire,” is fun and melodic indie rock romp that concludes with an epic choral call to arms, while “Everything That Can Be Done” is a fiery, grungy shapeshifter that explodes into arena rock solos. The Gorilla Press also flex their dark and synths muscles on the slow burner, “When I Care.” It’s one thing when a band feels as focused as Gorilla Press do on A Natural Thing (Unnatural To Me), but it’s another to do so and still deliver the goods. LISTEN: “On Fire” | Also appearing: Punk rockers Old Black and Blue Eyes & Melodic alt-rockers Lights Over Bridgeport.

9:00 p.m. Tuesday, 5/15. Subterranean. 21+. $8.