[caption id="attachment_30766" align="alignnone" width="445" caption="Mucca Pazza performs this Thursday at Double Door | Photo by Antonio Bovino "][/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

A YEAR IN A DAY Tonight at the Empty Bottle, 88.7FM WLUW's The Minimal Beat is presenting a night of up-and-coming local electronic slash synth-pop bands. We already shared a track from one band on the bill, Distant Cities, but there; more to talk about, specifically A Year in a Day. This local trio claim Neon Indian, Cut Copy, Goldfrapp and more as their influences and it's easy to hear why on their track, "Falling," which you can hear on their Facebook page. It's full of club-ready beat and raindrop-synths that open up into a sultry chorus hook thanks to lead vocalist Christine Gutierrez. Also set to appear are Belmont and Clark and DJ Billeh Ocean.(Richard Giraldi) 9:00 p.m. Monday, 6/17. The Empty Bottle. 21+. FREE.

TUESDAY

KATHLEEN HANNA IS DEAD Technically, Kathleen Hanna is alive and well, but tonight's diversion is something a little different. The Kill Yr Idols Reading Series -- the people behind past events like "David Byrne is Dead"-- have created another get together with poetry, music, comedy, and more, inspired by Riot Grrrl's favorite daughter, Kathleen Hanna. The complete list of those appearing is featured at the event Facebook page. Don't miss out. (Audrey Leon) 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, 6/18. Cole's. 21+ FREE!

WEDNESDAY

MORITAT Moritat have come a long way since I reviewed their debut EP One Minute Fade a couple years back. Though the core of their music remains the same - piano, drums and bass or guitar - their latest, Clill Blanzin, definitely kicks things up a notch as they delve into punchier rock territory. Don't believe me? Check out their cut "Cats" and it's accompanying, highly entertaining video. Also set to perform is The Humminbird. (Richard Giraldi) 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, 6/19. The Whistler. 21+. Free.

THURSDAY

DO312 BIRTHDAY BASH It's hard to believe Chicago nightlife-devoted website Do312 has only been around for three years, but you can't argue with birthdays. Tonight Do312 celebrates its third anniversary in the Windy City in style with food and drink (like red bull chicken wings) and local party starters and punk rock marching band Mucca Pazza. Also appearing are reggae/soul rockers Deal's Gone Bad, and local power punks Bully in the Hallway. The best part is the show is free with RSVP at http://do312.com/birthday. SCORE! (Audrey Leon) 9:00 p.m. Thursday, 6/20. Double Door. 21+ FREE WITH RSVP! By Staff  \  comments

[caption id="attachment_30718" align="aligncenter" width="445" caption="Killer Moon"][/caption] Another week another box of really good shows to choose from. This week we're talking Killer Moon's album release party at Double Door, The Runnies' fundraiser for the homeless at Cole's, and much more! Purple monkey dishwasher...

FRIDAY

KILLER MOON Chicago psych rockers Killer Moon are celebrating the release of their new album Tunnel Vision tonight. The trio specialize in blasting some deep mellow grooves with bluesy overtones. Also along for the ride are rambunctious psych-punks Rabble Rabble, the aptly-named Creepy Band, and acid punks Plastic Crimewave Syndicate. (Audrey Leon) 8:00 p.m. Friday, 6/7. Double Door. 21+. $10.

SATURDAY

THE RUNNIES Local indie rockers The Runnies pack a powerful punch with big boppin' beats, jangly guitar, and plenty of smokey vocal flourishes courtesy of singer Mary McKane. The group are rocking out for a good cause at Cole's (which also happens to be celebrating its Birthday) alongside The Sweats, Ragged Claws, Basketball, T'Bone, Basketbal and Foz the Hook because tonight's show benefits homeless families in Humboldt Park. (Audrey Leon) 10:00 p.m. Saturday, 6/8. Cole's. 21+ FREE. SAVE THE CLOCKTOWER I’m confident in saying that Save The Clocktower’s latest, Through The Glass, works better than their 2011 debut. The record definitely leans more on sultry, danceable grooves than it’s predecessor, which while a solid effort, was a potpourri of electro-pop that found the band still searching for their footing. On Through The Glass, the band absolutely sound more confident and focused. From the near-EDM take, “Away,” to the funky number “Better Than Ever” with Company of Thieves’ Genevieve Schatz laying down a heavenly hook – you can definitely say the Save The Clocktower has got it going on. Also appearing are Dangerous Cans and Paper Thick Walls. (Richard Giraldi) 9:00 p.m. Saturday, 6/8. The Burlington. 21+. $8.

SUNDAY

JACK AND ACE Chicago duo Jack and Ace (AKA Bob Nanna and Lauren LoPiccolo) create oh so dreamy pop tunes that are delicately strummed on acoustic guitars. The pair previously teamed up on Nanna’s project The City on Film, and now they are folkin' it up with awesomely-named tracks like "I'm Sorry That You Are The Black Death." Also appearing tonight are Dustin Currier, Mike Winegardner (of On Again Off Again and Santah), and Cory Grimm. (Audrey Leon) 7:00 p.m. Sunday, 6/9. Quenchers. 21+. $5. By Staff  \  comments

The Quick Fix showcases the best of Chicago music news, views and stories from around the interwebs and blogosphere that we might have missed.

• • Official Lollapalooza Aftershows were announced today and a few shows in interest include Lana Del Rey at House of Blues, Wavves, E.T. Habit at Empty Bottle, Death Grips at Bottom Lounge. Tickets for all the shows go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.
• • Still haven't picked up your Pitchfork Fest three-day passes? Welp, they're all gone. Luckily, single day passes are still available for $50 a pop.
• • Congrats to Oozing Wound! The local metal outfit announced on their Facebook page yesterday that they've signed with local imprint Thrill Jockey.
• • AV Club/Hideout Fest announced their lineup last week, which included Neko Case, Superchunk, Mavis Stapes, The Hold Steady and more.

By Staff  \  comments

[caption id="attachment_30702" align="alignnone" width="445" caption="New Canyons play The Empty Bottle Monday, June 3."][/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

NEW CANYONS One of the reasons why I made sure that New Canyons were included in our 13 Chicago Bands to Watch in 2013 was because their sound is so focused and genre-committed. There are a lot of electronic pop bands popping up around Chicago these days, but New Canyons actually sound like an electronic pop band that hails from the late 1980's - when the genre was still finding it's bearings. Their sound is such a synth-laden throwback that it's difficult not to be swept up in the lush Tears For Fears slash Depeche Mode soundscapes. Tonight, New Canyons celebrates the release of their debut LP, which is being released by the always awesome BLVD Records. Also appearing are Shana Falana, Panda Riot and DJ Philly Peroxide. (Richard Giraldi) 9:00 p.m. Monday, 6/3. The Empty Bottle. 21+. FREE.

TUESDAY

COREY WILKES And now for something truly different. Why sit in a dank bar when you can take in some great local jazz? MCA Chicago will feature Chicago-based jazz trumpet player Corey Wilkes for its Tuesdays on the Terrace series. Wilkes grew up in Richton Park, Illinois, and took up trumpet at the age of 10. He was recently appointed Artist in Residence for the Jazz Institute of Chicago. Find out more of Wilkes' credentials at MCA Chicago's website. (Audrey Leon) 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, 6/4. Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. All Ages. FREE (to Illinois residents/or those with museum admission)

WEDNESDAY

BELLEISLE Fans of laid back and uber-melodic indie rock should check out locals Belleisle. Their ever changing and evolving lineup is at the least a sextet but can, at times, reach ten members as they use a variety of instruments to deliver sweet and soft tunage that aims to sweep the listener off into somewhere dreamy. At this time, Belleisle doesn't have any music online to share, but that should change very soon as this summer, the band will release a new single, "Get Wll Soon," so be on the look out. Also appearing are CELLRS and Sons of the West. (Richard Giraldi) 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, 6/5. Lincoln Hall. 21+. $8.

THURSDAY

LASERS AND FAST AND SHIT Local punks Lasers and Fast and Shit have the best band name ever in the history of the world. Of course, while that could be debatable, the band's rowdy riffs are not. The quartet does not mess around; Lasers and Fast and Shit play with utmost speed and precision in mind, blasting out some danceable, yet still abrasively manic grooves. And as LLP Editor Richard Giraldi pointed out in his review of LSF's EP Second: Cat Fight, the five-tracks clock in at a combined 10 minutes long. You know, quality over quantity, and what not. Also appearing tonight are Black Actress. The Bronx (who are also pretty fucking excellent) will headline. (Audrey Leon) 9:00 p.m. Thursday, 6/6. Double Door. 21+ $15. By Staff  \  comments

I think it's summer...or close enough anyway. So, kick off street festival season the right way at Do Division this weekend. But don't worry, there's more than enough to keep you entertained if fests aren't your scene like a Coffin Ships at Cole's, Love and Radiation at Saki and more. Let's dive right in...

FRIDAY

DO DIVISION STREET FEST Nothing says summer like the beginning of street festival season, which as per usual, kicks off in grand fashion with Do Division. And would you look at that: 85 and sunny for the Fests first full day (on Friday, the fun starts at 5:00 p.m.). The music line-up is once again damn impressive, which should be no surprise as it's programmed by the local music gurus who book the Bottle and Subterranean. Friday's act list includes Chicago's own garage-y droners Disappears and Miami metal group Torche. Ariel Pink and Tilly and the Wall headline dueling stages on Saturday, which also features quite a bit of local flavor with sets by Archie Powell & The Exports and The Hemmingbirds. Things come to a close on Sunday with Gaslamp Killer and Jeff The Brotherhood, and even more locals sharing the big stage including Bailiff, Joan of Arc, Future Hits, Suns and Mutts. (Richard Giraldi) 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Friday, 5/31, 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Saturday, 6/1 & Sunday, 6.2. Division St from Ashland to Leavitt. All Ages. $5 Donation FAKE LIMBS Chicago rockers Fake Limbs’ 2012 LP Man Feelings is a brooding rock record that emits a certain Jesus Lizard meets Pere Ubu vibe. LLP editor Richard Giraldi, in his review of the album last year, attributed this to “vocalist Stephen Sowley’s frantic, shouted, often indiscernible Yow-isms,” and the band’s mixture of dirty scuzz riffs that intersect post-punk and classic rock. The band is hard at work on its follow-up record, so maybe if you’re lucky you’ll hear some new stuff. But tonight's more than a free performance from Fake Limbs. It's BLVD Records Night, so after their undoubtedly brutal performance, stick around for DJ sets from Population's Benny Hernandez, Fake Limbs' own Stephen Sowley and BLVD miracle worker slash Laurie's Planet of Sound Record slinger Melissa Geils. (Audrey Leon) 10:00 p.m. Friday, 5/31. Late Bar. 21+. Free.

SATURDAY

COFFIN SHIPS Musical duos should always be commended for their ability to make something out of pretty much nothing. Local rock duo Coffin Ships effortlessly create dreamy pop tunes with plenty of twangy guitar and plenty of steady drum beats, which come courtesy of singer Miranda. Her voice easily impresses with its dulcet, girlish timbre. Coffin Ships are joined tonight by Jaime Rojo. (Audrey Leon) 10:00 p.m. Saturday, 6/1. Cole's. 21+. FREE.

SUNDAY

LOVE AND RADIATION Chicago dance poppers Love and Radiation are celebrating (and taking orders for) their new lathe 7-inch, which is out via local imprint (and podcast) Notes & Bolts, with a special Epitonic session at Saki in Logan Square. Editor-In-Chief Richard Giraldi reviewed the group's whimsical, synth-drenched debut You Will Know Me back in April. Also tagging along for the fun is the trippy, chillwave one-man band Magicks. (Audrey Leon) 4:00 p.m. Sunday, 6/2. Saki. All Ages. Free. By Staff  \  comments

[caption id="attachment_25061" align="aligncenter" width="445" caption="Dastardly play Township on Wednesday night"][/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

LEE RANALDO BAND The annual Downtown Sound: New Music Mondays kicks off at the Pritzker Pavilion today with a special appearance by Lee Ranaldo Band. Ranaldo is better known as the long-time guitarist and co-founder of Sonic Youth, and owner of probably the best song ("Walkin Blue") on Sonic Youth's likely last album together 2009's The Eternal. Ranaldo's 2012 solo effort Between the Times and the Tides offers the same experimental rock and pop that you would come to expect from Ranaldo, but that is never a bad thing. Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog will open. 6:00 p.m. Monday, 5/27. Pritzker Pavilion. All Ages. FREE.

TUESDAY

RUNNING The first few seconds of Running’s brutal assault on the track “I Can’t Believe I’m Alive” – off last May’s Captcha Records release Asshole Savant – unleashes a powerful avalanche of pure love and joy. Which I’ll admit is an odd feeling to arise from noisy punk rock song; yet, somehow, when those beastly drum beats and throbbing bass lines are coupled with tortured vocals and shrieking guitars at breakneck speeds, all the chaos melts away into a double rainbow of epic proportions. Also appearing tonight are Torture Love and Broken Water. 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, 5/28. Empty Bottle. 21+ $8

WEDNESDAY

DASTARDLY Our favorite folkers, Dastardly, have returned! This band of misfits will blast their rambunctiously playful tales of woe and whoa over the speakers for a good old fashioned hoedown. Also appearing tonight are the Cains & Abels, Teenage Rage, and Matthew Shelton. 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, 5/29. Township. 21+. $5.

THURSDAY

ELECTRIC HAWK Once upon a time, LLP’s cool uncle Ross Meyerson alerted us to the overall radness of math metal-ers Electric Hawk. The band brings the heavy, executing plenty of giant meanacing riffs, pulsing bass rhythms and thundering drum action with deadly precision. Also appearing tonight are Bear Claw, and Eric Chaleff and Bruce Lamont. 9:00 p.m. Thursday, 5/30. The Burlington. 21+ $7. By Audrey Leon  \  1 comment

It's our 200th Weekend Diversion (at least according to our link generator)! What a long, strange trip it has been. We want to thank everyone for making this moment possible by spreading the good word about some sweet local shows this weekend; like Soft Speaker at the Empty Bottle, BlahBlahBlah at Double Door and so much more! Kick out the Jamz!

FRIDAY

HOSPITAL GARDEN Before last week when we debuted their new video "What To Do," it had been a pretty long while since we had heard from alt-rockers Hospital Garden. The Pavement-meets-Dinosaur Jr-meets-REM group returned with its third album Mover on Tuesday, and it showcases a band that is very rooted and self-assured in its sound. Mover boasts plenty of crunchy, fuzzed up alternative rock tracks that delightfully shred with plenty of distressed guitar solos and chunky rhythms. Also appearing tonight are Handsome Lady, and Puritan Pine. (Audrey Leon) 10 p.m. Friday, 5/24. Cole's. 21+ FREE! SOFT SPEAKER Chicago foursome Soft Speaker create a dreamy pop world all their own that lies somewhere between 70s psych rock and 90s Brit pop. On the band’s second LP Vortrobos the band indulge in plenty of smoky solos and extended, fuzz-filled jam sessions. The end result is a captivating, albeit spacey, adventure. Tonight, the band celebrate the release of their new LP, Turkish Mindbathers as opposed to their new EP, International Scheiße, Dummkopf!. We hope to get our hands on Turkish Mindbathers soon, but in the meantime, we're trying to wrap our heads around the crunchy-tone drenched Radio Edit of, "Little Boysenberry Boy Sings 'Bring Me Gilded Prostitues.'" The nine minute version of the cut appears on their International Scheiße, Dummkopf! EP. Also appearing are Radar Eyes and Bitchin' Bajas. (Audrey Leon/Richard Giraldi) 9:30 p.m. Friday, 5/24. Empty Bottle. 21+. $10.

SATURDAY

THE DIRTY PIGEONS The Dirty Pigeons offer up a sizzling batch of laid back Midwestern roots and folk rock. But most of all The Dirty Pigeons seem to have a particularly good at crafting hooks as their tunes are filled with catchy, FM-radio ready melodies. Back in October, contributor Davis Inman clued us in on the band's cut “Idle Dollars" from their self-titled EP and compared it to Neil Young's more rocking material, which is pretty impressive. Also appearing are Moritat and The Heavy Eyes. (Richard Giraldi) 9:00 p.m. Saturday, 5/25. Cole's. 21+. FREE.

SUNDAY

BlahBlahBlah Local rockers BlahBlahBlah impressed us with their luscious Brit Pop-esque stylings on the group's Thank You Thank You EP back in 2011 (read our interview with the band here). There's plenty of dreamy rhythms backed by foggy guitars and wavy gravy synth action to go around. Also playing tonight are delightful powerpop outfit The Bright White, folky crooners Paper Thick Walls, Good Evening, God and the Architects. This show is presented by Radio One Chicago and is an opportunity to drop off your band's demo and network with other musicians, for free! How cool is that? Pretty damn cool. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, 5/26. Double Door. 21+ FREE! By Staff  \  1 comment