The Great Society Mind Destroyers

Three going-out-with-a-bang-isn’t-usually-my-style-but-let’s-see-what-I-can-do-here reasons to read this and then head to the Bottle tonight…

1. If you’re like me, then you already know that you dig Great Society Mind Destroyers. I do. If you’re not like me, but like music and really like music that is groove oriented but doesn’t ask you to dance, you might find yourself digging GSMD. Just, here’s the thing, GSMD love to lock in and then freak out over what they’ve locked in to. You’ll dig it.

2. Iowa City’s Paleo offer up a different kind of quirk. Golly, I want to reference M. Ward here but feel like y’all will pounce. But, before M. Ward was the poster boy for Starbucks music, he made some pretty aesthetically weird and unique records, see. And Paleo seem to tread in similar territory. It’s lo-fi but that doesn’t mean it’s not full of ideas and sounds and what feels like pure joy.

3. Now, Paul Cary ain’t psych and he ain’t quirk. He’s rock ‘n’ roll in the grandest tradition. And then he fucks it all up. It’s as if Elvis had smoked like maybe a little bit of grass. Opener John Bellows reeks of the early 90′s. Oh, it smells sweet. He’s not Pavement but there’s that quality, see. Just a guy writing songs that barely stay together and vocals that sound like your drunk friend rambling on about something that sounds interesting even if you’re not quite following. I gave you four! Bye bye.

9:00 p.m. Tuesday, 8/16. Empty Bottle. 21+. Free with RSVP/$8 without.

blizzard babies

Three weening-myself-off-of-coffee-so-just-know-that reasons to not get irritable and just head on over to the Ultra Lounge this evening (if you can stay awake):

1. I kind of really like the Blizzard Babies biography on the mP Productions site. Not that I’m just going to steal it but describing a band as loving rock ‘n’ roll so much that their simple garage-y tunes often stretch passed the five minute mark really says more than a supposedly clever gent like myself could ever say. Enthusiasm is just one of those things that can’t be taught but is completely infectious. Maybe you’ll catch it tonight.

2. Oh lookie here, if it isn’t our fearless leader, one Richard Giraldi, and his cohorts known as Rodeo. Yes, that Rodeo. The very same that gets mentioned from time to time as a throw back to the pre-Nevermind era of grunge and alternative rock. So innocent, those times were. If you care to rekindle some fond memories, or perhaps make new fond memories, won’t you see Rodeo play tonight?

3. Oh boy, comedy! Yes, named after that sort of robot guy (send your letters and angry e-mails directly to me for that obviously incorrect description, nerds) in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Data And The Lore play a little electro disco that is clearly meant to make you giggle. If you like to giggle at music (Me? Well I’ll hold my tongue) then you just might want to get to this show early. Maybe also playing but maybe not are the Mainliners who, if they do play, you should totally check out.

8:00 p.m. Monday, 8/15. Ultra Lounge. 21+. Free Before 9:00 or $8 after.

1. Chicago’s Island Of Misfit Toys are good. Don’t believe me? Well, believe me. Please. Don’t get all bent out of shape that an 18-year-old is pumping out some pretty mature indie pop. hat 18-year-old in question, one Anthony Sanders, sounds like a guy that has lived longer and absorbed musical influences at some sort of freakish rate. Go to their Soundcloud page for proof if you don’t believe me. It’s ok.

2. Hudson Branch are nice. Precious would be a good word as well. Tasteful is a word as well that one might use to describe them. Hudson Branch make nice, precious, tasteful music. It is decidedly Midwest indie in the fine tradition of the oft mentioned by me Seam. Bear in mind they don’t sound a thing like Seam. They do, however, share a somber going-to-take-their-sweet-sweet-time vibe. Hudson Branch add a bit of dreaminess to the sadness. You can easily download their latest full length, “Tightrope Walker” from their Bandcamp. I would.

3. Rockford’s Warren Franklin is acoustic. He is also good, nice, precious, and tasteful. He sounds like a kid writing punk rock songs but decided to play them in his basement with just an acoustic guitar. That’s probably the roundabout description of folk music, actually. Personally, I like the juxtaposition of Warren’s strumming guitar and occasional tambourine with his freak out screaming vocals. Perhaps you’ll share the same opinion?

8:00 p.m. Tuesday, 8/9. Schubas. 18+. $8.

Prizzy Prizzy Please

Three did-you-really-go-to-that-mega-fest-this-weekend reasons to assume you didn’t because you’re a pretty cool kid and so you’re jazzed up to head to Panchos tonight…

1. Prizzy Prizzy Please sound pretty much like their name. They just can’t take themselves seriously. That doesn’t mean they are Weird Al but it does mean you’ll hear songs called “New Shoes” that are literally about new shoes. The fact that they wrap their silliness in some kind of post-punk dance just muddles the whole thing. In a good way, see.

2. Our own Audrey Leon once upon a time lavished some praise on Hospital Garden‘s self titled debut. Well deserved praise indeed. Hospital Garden pump out some clean and jangly indie rock with a touch of the Feelies thrown in for good measure. It’s simple but so darn right.

3. Indiana’s Community Currency are the earnest bunch in this line-up. They embrace change and… what the..love. Perhaps not the boldest of statements but many a Beatle has made a career wanting to hold hands and give peace some sort of opportunity. Right, I’m not comparing. It’s just Community Currency’s country punk folk is peppy and pleasant and, gosh darn it, what’s so wrong with peace, love, and, let’s say, understanding?

8:00 p.m. Monday, 8/8. Panchos. 18+. $5.

1. It’s a double header tonight, see. The Hideout does this from time to time. If you’re an early bird and like to hit the hay before ten o’clock and, really, music isn’t your bag, check out tonight’s Funny Ha Ha. It’s not music at all. No sir (ma’am). It’s a bunch of funny people reading funny stories that came from their funny minds. Look at all those funny people. Take a load off, dear readers, and let some funny folks tickle your funny bone, won’t you?

2. Maybe you’re a night owl and dig the whole music scene thing. Well, the Hideout has that covered as well. Mar Caribe are pretty much regulars at this joint and, welp, here they are again. All kinds of influences come oozing from these kids. It’s Southwestern and maybe South American too. It can be dusty and it can make you dance a jig. You’ll love it.

3. Three? Y’all really need three? Not going to happen. I gave you two really good ones and if you’re not convinced no video or more babbling is going to do the trick. I could plead but I respect you guys too much for that. You’ll make the right decision I’m sure. Smart, attractive folks like yourself always do.

Funny Ha Ha
7:00 p.m. Tuesday, 8/2. Hideout. 21+. $5 suggested donation.

Mar Caribe
9:00 p.m. Tuesday, 8/2. Hideout. 21+. $5 suggested donation.

Young Coconuts

Three thank-goodness-the-fantasy-football-season-has-been-saved reasons to keep drinking hot coffee despite the obvious reason to switch to iced and then head over to Panchos tonight…

1. Three words… rock. ‘n. roll. Well, two words and a cute little abbreviation, really. Check out Young Coconut. These guys play instruments and sing in a gravelly way and when those things come together you get some righteous rock. Not quite the Replacements or Archers of Loaf but not not quite that either. Just good old loose and dirty rock ‘n’ roll with a hint of a sneer.

2. The Please and Thank Yous sound like good kids, don’t they. They certainly mind their manners and in this day and age that’s something. Sure, they might be punks but they are the kind of punks that think funny things are funny, not the kind that think society is an oozing mass of deceit and hatred and wanna fuck shit up. The Please And Thank Yous bring pop punk back to the days before it became mall friendly and, shit, their drummer sounds insanely good. Musicianship? Yes, please.

3. Uh oh, it’s chillwave. Yeah, spell check, I know that’s not really a word but the kids coined it and maybe it is time for you to catch up. Porches may be chillwave, but there’s a heaviness to their dense, slightly keyboard driven, tunes. Maybe it’s that sweet deep bass that helps them transcend the genre. Opener Oshwa is one Alicia Walter just making loops and playing over them and fiddling around with rhythms and pretty much indulging her every whim. Cool.

8:00 p.m. Monday, 8/1. Panchos. 18+. $7.

Rambos

2. All the way from Texas (hi, Rick Perry) come We Were Wolves who are apparently not wolves anymore. I’m getting the feeling that beers will be drunk this night. We Were Wolves are decidedly not garage but still share that loosey goosey vibe while stumbling and bumbling their way through blues based numbers. All the while the vocals sound like a drunk guy trying to be heard above the din of a, as the kids say, rager. Oh, it’ll be loud.

3. The Keepsies keep their sound underground. It is, to coin a phrase, Lo-Fi. Feel free to use it. Lo-Fi does not, however, mean inaccessible in this case. Beneath the fuzz are some pretty memorable hooks and melodies. This is much more the sound of folks who know how to write using minimalism as a tool and not as a way of covering up their lack of musicianship. Psst….our BF’sF are headlining this show. We’re keeping it on the down low for we just highlighted their show at the Bottle recently. Yes, that’s right. Shhh. The Fuck Knights!!!

8:00 p.m. Tuesday, 7/26. Panchos. 18+. $7.

Unicycle Loves You | Photo by Anthony Dixon

Three tennis-Mondays-continue-as-we-all-try-to-get-in-the-swing-of-things-get-it-swing reasons to get your weary self to the Empty Bottle tonight…

1. It’s Monday, it must be free. It’s Monday, you probably just sighed heavily. Fret not, music lovers, Chicago’s Unicycle Loves You wish to turn that sigh upside-down. These kids play just about the most up-beat and infectiously peppy music this side of the Mississippi. If you love them half as much as they love themselves, well, you’ll love them a whole lot.

2. La Scala is an interesting band. I say that because the group’s music is meticulous and rather adult. You don’t often come across music this serious and dark in our little underground scene. Maybe the Scotland Yard Gospel Choir would be a kindred spirit but even they sound like La Scala’s snotty younger brother at best. It’s refreshing the hear some locals take themselves seriously without sounding bloated and pretentious. Plus, Adam, formerly of Unicycle Loves You fame, has joined La Scala, basically moving from the kid’s table to the adult one. Cute.

3. Opener Elephant Gun share a similar gypsy vibe with La Scala, but sound drunk at best. Maybe picture an Eastern European Pogues? I’ll wait while your brain wraps itself around that train wreck. It’s an interesting line-up the Bottle’s thrown together. Start off the night in a drunken swagger, then tighten your tie and comb your hair for some sophistication time, and end it by putting on your short shorts and propeller beanie for the gosh darndest happiest music on Earth. No, really. Do all of those things!

9:30 p.m. Monday, 7/25. Empty Bottle. 21+. FREE!!!

Harvey Milk

Three I-just-realized-how-amazing-sunblock-is-like-it-really-works reasons to just keep wiping your brow on your way to the Beat Kitchen tonight:

1. Athens, Georgia’s enigmatic maybe metal band Harvey Milk come a-rumbling through town. Formed in the early 90′s, Harvey Milk has seen the proverbially line up changes and disbandment only to re-emerge in 2005. They’ve gone from some painfully slow heaviness to more straight forward rock and continue to follow their own odd little muse. Recognition has come slowly but it feels like folks are catching on. Now it’s your turn, see.

2. Chicago’s jazzy metal psych whatever Yakuza return after what seems like a bit of a hiatus. I mean, main man Bruce Lamont has been a bit busy with Bloodiest as well as on his own solo album lately so it’s no wonder. If you need a refresher, maybe take a gander at my review for Of Seismic Consequence or just trust me on this one. Yakuza are rad.

3. Opener Heaving Mass firstly have a great name. They certainly play up to that name. You think plodding, you got plodding. It’s not surprising considering their pedigree. See, Heaving Mass feature members of American Heritage, Blood Of The Tyrant, and the lovely Cunting Whoreliquor. Spell check really doesn’t like either of the words.

9:00 p.m. Tuesday, 7/19. Beat Kitchen. 17+. $12.

1. Well lookie here, it’s our old friends the Fuck Knights. Not a Chicago band. No sir. These kids hail from Minneapolis, but they make the trek down here so often I’m willing to give them an honorary local band pin. Still riding high from their The Recorded By Gary Burger From The Monks EP, it appears the boys are about to spring another slab of garage-y styled rock ‘n’ roll, their first full-length even, on us this month. According to their website, Let It Bleed shall be released by Italy’s Boss Hoss Records any day now. Good news.

2. Actually from Chicago come the obviously named Creepy Band, who ride carnival meets the Addams Family like keyboards and some manic drumming to create something…wait for it…a bit creepy. Maybe they sound like a blues band channeling Uncle Fester. You get my drift, yes?

3. Oh, Dumpster Babies. You just keep pumping out catchy yet obnoxious garage rock like it’s your day job. Instead of telling you allow me to show. Check out the Babies on that super duper public access show Chic-A-Go-Go:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX7DIHEZZ1k

9:30 p.m. Monday, 7/18. Empty Bottle. 21+. FREE!!!