Golden Birthday

1. Golden Birthday manage to combine tension-riddled art-pop and dreamy retrolectro into wild but quite melodic pieces. Their latest, Illusions, plays like a John Hughes soundtrack bathed in acidic tape hiss. LISTEN: “Beyond It”

2. Pilsen’s Valis utilize gritty samples for a sound that’s part trance-y electro and part Robocop. Dark, edgy and bleakly futuristic work in synch for a dense and intriguing sound. LISTEN: “Black Carbon”

3. Are you Jimmy Ray? No, it’s actually K Records’ Jeremy Jay that will bring his moody and smooth tunes to the Burlington tonight. Taking more from new wave and folk than the ever popular chillwave, Jay spices his tunes with cues from ’80s synth-pop while letting his subtle croon set the vibe. LISTEN: “Wild Orchids” – That is what I had written for headliner Jeremy Jay, but unfortunately, he had to cancel his performance tonight. But DJ Lightfoot will be there and maybe someone else. So, head on over and rock with some locals, yo.

9:00 p.m. Tuesday, 2/7. The Burlington. 21+. $7 donation.

• • WBEZ’s Jim DeRogatis has the scoop on the Cook County Board of Commissioner’s recent move to grab control over the amusement tax waiver provided to Lollapalooza. The county estimates that the annual summer festival’s tax exemption adds up to approximately $350,000 a year to the county alone.
• • ‘Soul Train’ creator Don Cornelius tragically passed away last week and Chicago Tribune’s Greg Kot detailed Cornelius’ legacy as a civil rights pioneer and musical tastemaker.
• • Brooklyn Vegan Chicago has the details on Mavis Staples headlining this year’s Chicago Blues Festival in June.
• • Deli Chicago named Mutts its “Emerging Artist of the Year” for 2011. Congrats, guys!
• • Jessica Hopper spoke to Chicago singer-songwriter Ami Saraiya about her new album, due out in April, and how her nursing career inspires her music.

Veronica Falls

The Bottle and partners will produce five events under the High Fidelity banner to be held at WBEZ’s studios at Navy Pier this year. The first one takes place on Thursday, February 16, with London indie poppers Veronica Falls. The group will also appear later that night at The Empty Bottle.

Tickets for the series are free with RSVP (RSVP@EmptyBottle.com) to the Empty Bottle by midnight February 12. Each RSVP is good for one entry (Update: admission not guaranteed – see below). Attendees will receive an e-mail on February 13 with show information. An RSVP does not guarantee admission since space is limited. So get there early.

This isn’t the first time The Empty Bottle has presented a show with WBEZ. My Brightest Diamond performed at WBEZ studios as a part of The Empty Bottle’s “Music.Friendly.Dancing” series last August.

Update from The Empty Bottle: Just to clarify: An RSVP does not guarantee admission – names get entered into a drawing and winners will be randomly chosen and notified on February 13th, along with show information. Only those who are picked will be allowed into the show so getting their early won’t get you in. It’s double-secret exclusive…

Update #2 from WBEZ: “To clarify- the concert series is primarily for High Fidelity members of WBEZ. Empty Bottle is giving away a few additional tickets.”

1. We try to stay ahead of the curve most of the time, which is why Radar Eyes appeared on our 11 Chicago Bands To Watch in 2011 list. That’s not to say they didn’t have a grand 2011 as they released a 7″, played HoZac’s Blackout Fest, opened for Wild Flag and more. But 2012 is shaping up for be the breakout year for the melodic static-poppers seeing how tonight finds them finally releasing their debut full-length on Chicago’s HoZac Records. And based on the few jams we’ve heard scattered around the indie blogopshere, the record’s release is definitely an occasion worth celebrating. LISTEN: “I Am”

2. Speaking of HoZac, record releases and our band lists, wouldn’t you know it, Bare Mutants, one of our 12 Chicago Bands To Watch In 2012, is also dropping their 7″ tonight. The band, practically a Chicago indie-scene “supergroup” featuring members of The Ponys, The 1900s, Mannequin Men and Derek & the Musicians, brings forth ramshackle rock and roll that features some psychedelic, drone and pop elements. LISTEN: “Inside My head”

3. Opening are the third HoZac band of the night, Outer Minds, who will no doubt thrill with their spooky take on melodic, psychedelic garage pop. And to not be outdone by all this new music being released this evening, Outer Minds also have a new LP set for a March 5 release – another we’re highly excited about! LISTEN: “Conversation”

9:30 p.m. Monday, 2/5. The Empty Bottle. 21+. FREE!!!

Summer Girlfriends

Another day, another box of stolen pens. Like Bill Murray, we all survived Groundhog’s Day, so let’s get out on the town and live it up. We’re talking great shows at The Burlington, Cole’s and Panchos (or Township, if you like).

Looks like at least six more weeks of rock to me.

FRIDAY

SUMMER GIRLFRIENDS
Get some upbeat, jangly garage pop in your life. Chicago’s Summer Girlfriends play fun tunes that make us think about the feeling of warm sand beneath our toes and catching some rays. Don’t miss this opportunity to see why the lovely ladies of Summer Girlfriends made our 12 Bands to Watch in 2012 list. Alt-rocking quartet Blasted Diplomats open. (Audrey Leon)

10:00 p.m. Friday, 2/3. Cole’s Bar. 21+ FREE!

WE REPEL EACH OTHER
Noise rockers We Repel Each Other have been slowing secreting new material since they decided to head into the studio to record a proper release last summer. It looks like the record may finally be done, but more on that later. The band’s combination of uber-abrasive and gritty guitars and tight but flexible rhythms work to create “pieces” rather than “songs.” In a live setting, however, it’s hard to call We Repel Each Other anything else but beastly. Not only will you be deaf for days afterwards, but don’t be alarmed by flying beer bottles or frontman Rob Majchrowski tackling audience members to the ground. Opening are throwback garage rockers The Blackbelts. Ready to get rowdy? (Richard Giraldi)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 2/3. Burlington Bar. 21+. $5

SATURDAY

MAKO SICA
Party music, Mako Sica is not. The Chicago trio make experimental pop for the thinking man or woman. It’s music that is easy to get lost in while the makers craft each tone and beat into some faraway dreamscape. It’s a brilliant escape from the rat race if you’re looking to clear your head. M. Tracka and Ben Babbitt from hypnotic folk poppers Pillars and Tongues, and acoustic folkers Chief Ghoul will open. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 2/4. Burlington Bar. 21+ $5.

SUNDAY

LIL TITS
Our favorite feminimalists Lil Tits will have the crowd purring like kittens after a set filled with raw, squealing feedback and high-energy punk. Also appearing are Chicago “post-post” punks Two Houses who will delight with smart ass songs like “DePaul University Fight Song,” which may or may not be my new favorite song. Suburban rockers Big Sur, who are heavily influenced by Husker Du and The Replacements, will open. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Sunday, 2/5. Panchos. 21+ $5.

FOOTBALL
Yeah! Yeah! Football! And no, I’m not referring to the big game. If you’re Superbowl festivities have gotten stale over the past few years, then you might want to literally spice things up at the Empty Bottle. Not only will locals Football bring their dirty, face-obliterating rock and roll to the stage during halftime (Yeah, Madonna fanatics need not apply), but there will also be a Chip & Dip-off! AND Bite Cafe’s (which is quite excellent, by the way) Chef Brendan will bring the wings, while Longman & Eagle’s Chef Jared does right with some disco fries. There’s really only one way to party in style this Sunday, and this is it. (Richard Giraldi)

4:00 p.m. Sunday, 2/3. The Empty Bottle. 21+. FREEEEEE!

ellusive parallelograms

1. Milwaukee pop rockers Elusive Parallelograms are fairly impressive in the way they can combine alt-rock epic-ness with sparkling psychedelics and infectious pop structure without it overwhelming the listener with its differences. LISTEN: “Intelligent Design“

2. I’ve got a fever for more spooky garage pop. And Chicago’s Rabbit Children are happy to oblige with their jams that are heavy on guitar and packed full of grooving, moody rhythms and sweet, haunting harmonies. LISTEN: “Friend“

3. Get your dancing shoes on because opening act, Brother George shall get you on your feet with swinging garage rock that is a little bit Rolling Stones and a little bit Eagles of Death Metal with its tracks named after ladies like “Caroline, Again” and “Olivia.” LISTEN: “Keep U Mine.”

9:00 p.m. Thursday, 2/2. Panchos. 21+ $5.

The Chicago indie rockers released a trailer on their Facebook page this morning announcing their new LP, Beware and Be Grateful, which is set for a US release on Tuesday, April 17.

The trailer is quite an intriguing one that features a coffee-drinking, suited man dramatically describing a car accident from afar that may or may not have happened. Near the end he opens a door to a club that also allows our first listen of Maps & Atlases’ new material.

Judging strictly on the few seconds of music available, it’s apparent that Beware and Be Grateful is probably more akin to the melodic, groove-laden approach on their 2010 release Perch Patchwork than the twitchy guitar-tapping from their 2007 debut, Trees, Swallows, Houses.

Watch the Beware and Be Grateful trailer after the jump as well their newly announce UK Tour Dates.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=llGfT2KC-xM

Maps & Atlases UK/European April Tour

16 Mon UK BRISTOLCooler
17 Tue UK LONDON Garage
18 Wed UK MANCHESTER Night and Day
19 Thu UK GLASGOW Nice ‘N Sleazy
20 Fri UK LEEDS Brudenell
22 Sun Belgium BRUSSELS Botanique
23 Mon Netherlands AMSTERDAM Paradiso
24 Tue Germany COLOGNE Gebaeude 9
25 Wed Germany HAMBURG Haus III&70
26 Thu Germany BERLINBi Nuu
27 Fri Germany FRANKFURT Das Bett
28 Sat France PARIS Fleche D’or

1. Having a (slight) bit of down time can be a marvelous thing, especially when members of bands such as Disappears, Heavy Times and Verma decide to join forces. E+ specialize in doling out rhythms so fuzzy, creating atmosphere so dark and moody that they ultimately entrance the listener with swirling fits of minimalist psychedelics. LISTEN: “{Mithra} Sunn 88 (Live at Beat Kitchen)“

2. Tasked with whipping the audience into a small frenzy are local quartet Coffin Pricks. The decidedly “unchill wave” post-punks rumble with the same brewing intensity of bands like Mission of Burma and Husker Dü. LISTEN: “Group Home Haircut“

3. Getting the night off to the oh-so-right start are Chicago trio Wimps. The band waft by on a hazy cloud of bouncy, thick basslines and slick mellow grooves that transport us back to those sweet 60s surf rock days. LISTEN: “Every Night“

9:00 p.m. Wednesday, 2/1. Schubas. 21+ $8.

Hay Perro

1. Hay Perro play the kind of old school metal slash hard rock that offers absolutely no hidden agendas. Their chugging, Motorhead-esque riffage, aggressive vocals and wailing Thin Lizzy leads would go just right with downing cheap beers and shots of Jameson. LISTEN: “No Visons”

2. Yes, locals Knife Of Simpson did take their from OJ’s murder weapon. Utilizing a more early ’00s FM-metal tone with flourishes of AC/DC blues rock, their sound is very in your face. Plus, with song titles like “Rave un2 the Ghetto Fantastik” and “Coke Stroke in Vegas,” these dudes obviously know how to party. LISTEN: “Rave un2 the Ghetto Fantastik”

3. Today’s My Super Spaceout Day have technically been around since 1995, but after numerous lineup changes, the original band ended in 2001. That is until last year when the dynamic alt-rockers got together at a friend’s memorial and decided to reform with the classic line-up of Rick Nitz, Eric Anderson and Tony Jeswald. The music follows the lead of loud-quiet-loud rockers from the mid-’90s and features a major dose of Sunny Day Real Estate-like guitary emo. LISTEN: “Sipp Flippy”

9:30 p.m. Tuesday, 1/31. The Empty Bottle. 21+. $8 or free with and e-mail to rsvp@theemptybottle.com

• • In stories that make you go “hmm” news, Gossip Wolf reveals that Chicago math rockers Del Ray have noticed a sales boost in Germany. Naturally, this can only be attributed to confusion with pouty pop temptress Lana Del Ray?
• • Brooklyn Vegan Chicago has some rad shots from last Tuesday’s Tortoise show at the Empty Bottle.
• • Gapers Block provide us with a wealth of photos in its review of Friday’s Los Campesinos! show at the Metro.
• • Gene Wagendorf of Windy City Rock discovers that even pounding sinus headaches accompanied by “orbs of phlegm” can’t stop a person from enjoying Yawn’s special brand of psych pop.