Earlier this month, we told you about the upcoming EP Ataraxia/Taraxis, from Chicago(-ish) prog-metal crew Pelican.
While the EP isn’t set to drop until April 10, late last week the band unleashed the Ataraxia/Taraxis track “Lathe Biosas” in all it’s monster-riff glory. The tune is a nearly five-minute rocker that’s pure guitar porn for those who are headbang-starved.
And there are plenty of Pelican’s patented dynamic shifts here as the song ducks along into some tense but melodic axe work in between the epic walls of crunch. This track bares no signs of additional use of the studio as a compositional tool, which Pelican promised in a press release. So for now “Lathe Biosas,” simply acts as a reminder of just how ferocious Pelican are. Listen to “Lathe Biosas” at the top left.
The band are currently slated for a European tour this April, but there’s a good bet a Chicago date will pop-up sooner than later. We’ll keep you posted.
Dreamy Brit pop-esque rockers Blah Blah Blah have returned with a new video for their single “As Soon As I Get Home Tonight,” from their album Thank You Thank You. The video is light-hearted enough to match the upbeat mood of the song. It features keyboardist Phill Ferguson going for a stroll around Chicago, proving that bartering is alive and well as he trades harmonicas for wigs and cat lamps for nunchucks. I would have kept that lamp, bro. “As Soon As I Get Home Tonight” is available for free download via the band’s website.
It’s in the late afternoon on a Tuesday. You probably need a pick me up. Screw sugary foods or energy drinks, just feat your eyes on this ridiculously killer performance from Chicago noise punchers Running on Giant System Chicago’s long awaited return. There’s too many things to like about this video, so I will just name a few: phasing slash squealing guitar, facefuck chugging bass, backbreaking rhythms and a microphone that just won’t get its act together. All of this make for a hell of a premiere for “season 2″ of band-in-practice-space-documenter’s Giant System Chicago. Jam it below:
Lightbox Sessions has debuted a new performance and interview with Chicago power poppers Company of Thieves. Singer Genevieve Schatz and guitarist Marc Walloch performed a stunning acoustic version of Tom Petty’s “Won’t Back Down” before sitting down for an interview. Among the topics discussed, Schatz revealed that she still gets nervous before each Company of Thieves show. The 15-minute session also includes performances of “Syrup” and “After Thought” from the group’s recent album Running from a Gamble. Tickets are currently on sale for Company of Thieves hometown show at the Metro on Friday, March 9.
Local self-described “garagegaze” duo Tiny Manatee have dropped their debut EP, Frusen Glädjé, and while it’s a little more gaze than garage, it’s hard to believe such a riffy racket could come from a two-piece.
Comprised of former Powers and current Sequoia rocker Cully Johnston and drummer slash Bite Cafe pastry chef Maggie Laleman, Tiny Manatee take their sonic approach from jagged alt-rock and beastly guitar shoegaze ala My Bloody Valentine.
One track we particular dig on Frusen Glädjé is “Knives,” perhaps the EP’s most melodic offering. The track begins with some clean, surf-toned guitar before building up to a wall of fuzzed out riffs that are anything but abrasive. Meanwhile, Johnston lets his scratchy gruff vocals fly as Laleman’s minimal but steady rhythms bring the song to an emotional climax. Listen to “Knives” at the top left.
If the track gets your mojo going, hit up Ace Bar (1505 W. Fullerton) tonight to catch Tiny Manatee rock out in the flesh. Seriously though, don’t let no snow make you a no-go, the show starts at 9 p.m. and also features Brice Woodall and Sad Astronaut.
In addition to being my new favorite dinosaur-vehicle hybrid, Velocicopter are a uber-rad quartet currently rocking clubs all around Chicago.
The band pull absolutely no punches on their debut, VCOP, a energetic exercise in rumbling riffs, rowdy basslines and punky beats. It’s the type of rock ‘n’ roll that would make Scott Lucas or a pre-hairloss Billy Corgan proud.
Recently, the band finally put their sweet tuneage on the interwebs in the form of two tunes, “Common Bones” and “Taurus.”
Both equally rock, but let’s talk “Common Bones.” The track kicks off and never lets up with pummeling guitars as singers slash axe players David DuCasse and Meghan MacDuff trading gritty vocal duties. The roundabout bridge then leads to explosive solos anchored by bassist Brett Klein and drummer Mathew Haywood’s rhytmic assault.
The are band is set to release their debut LP, Ripe Fruit, on Tuesday, March 20 via Chicago psychedelic and experimental imprint Kilo Records.
Ripe Fruit‘s first single, “Green City,” recently hit the next in all its dark and groovy glory. The track is mostly uptempo affair that features warped rhythms, a meaty bassline, whirring guitars and drone-y vocals. Listen to “Green City” below:
If that’s got you mind melting, then check out Stephen Paul Smoker this Thursday, January 19, at Subterranean. Grab tickets right now at Ticketweb.com.
Pilsen psych-rockers 
