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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.

Monday Afternoon Quick Fix

Audrey Leon — Mon, 21 May 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Monday Afternoon Quick Fix runs every Monday afternoon to showcase the best of Chicago music news, views and stories from around the interwebs and blogosphere that we might have missed.

• Time Out Chicago says due to increased demand for tickets, Spring Awakening Music Festival will move its main stage inside Soldier Field.
• Christmas has come early for Braid fans. Frontman Bob Nanna told Gossip Wolf that the band is planning a new album for 2013. Additionally, Gossip Wolf also breaks the bad news that post-hardcore quartet Coping is breaking up. Bummer.
• Magic Milk have arrived. The Tribune’s Jessica Hopper interviews frontman Kenny Alden about the band’s recent release Mellows and what ensues is a pretty thoughtful and informative interview. The lesson? Don’t judge a book solely because his pants are always down.
• Chicagoist’s Eric Hehr reviews Hollows record release show at Subterranean this past Thursday. Despite what Hehr felt was a “subdued” performance, he seemed to enjoy the retro-poppers’ sound.
• Congress Theater’s owner Eddie Carranza speaks with Chicago Pipeline’s Jon Graef about the lawsuit he recently filed against the city regarding an ordinance that he feels is being unfairly applied to his business.

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.

Weekend Diversions

Staff — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:03:36 +0000

This weekend, we plan on getting Blacked Out at the Empty Bottle, do some Dumpster diving at the Burlington, make a Day of it at Cole’s and so much more.

Let’s do this…

FRIDAY

HOZAC BLACKOUT FEST
It has return..eth! The garage slash punk slash rock ‘n’ roll fest thrown by Chicago’s own HoZac Records is back – this time in the neighborly confines of the Empty Bottle. And the imprints isn’t sparing the fire power with headliners like the alt-punk stalwarts Redd Kross (performing their fiery 1982 debut Born Innocent), Puerto Rican garage rockers Davila 666 and psychedelic rock legend Roky Erikson. The rest of the lineup offers familiar faces both locaally and non from across the stylistic spectrum including experimentalists ET Habit, redheaded garage rockers White Mystery, surf-poppers Fungi Girls, neo-psychers Bare Mutants, alien-punks Human Eye and that’s just skimming the surface. Unfortunately, Sunday’s fun, starring Roky E himself, has sold out, but there’s still time for you to carve out five hours on Friday and Saturday evening for some rowdy and ear-splitting good times. (Richard Giraldi)

5:00 p.m. Friday, 5/18 & Saturday 5/19, 7:00 p.m. Sunday 5/20. The Empty Bottle. 21+. $20 Friday, $25 Saturday & Sunday.

SECRET COLOURS
Get ready to dust off the week with some lush garage rock courtesy of Chicago outfit Secret Colours. Within a few seconds of hearing the opening chords of “Faust,” the opening track off Secret Colours’ recent EP3, I was overcome by an overwhelming sense of serenity. With a clear mind, I was definitely ready to get lifted by the group’s dreamy psych-pop touches. Also on hand tonight to boost your morale are Los Angeles psychedelic rockers Spindrift and Strangers Family Band. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 5/18. Beat Kitchen. 17+ $10.

SATURDAY

DUMPSTER BABIES
Does it feel like late April to you? No? Well, it should. April 26, to be exact, because that date was the last time we saw the likes of Dumpster Babies play along with the likes of Absolutely Not and Hot Garbage. The trio of chicago garage punks like each other so much they thought they’d recreate the magic. So if you like rattling, 60s-eque rockers or frenetic dance punk or even screamy experimental rock duos, look no further than the Burlington tonight. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 5/19. Burlington. 21+ $5.

THE DAY LEWIS
If a few of the members of The Day Lewis look familiar, that’s because two of them (Rob Majchrowski and Eric Quinlan) also play in the noise-rock trio We Repel Each Other. But in The Day Lewis, along with others, they create something a tad more palatable – melodic and dark pop slash alt-rock that’s at times even reaches up-tempo feels. Also performing are lo-fi melancholy poppers Esoteric Tapioca and Snapper. (Richard Giraldi)

9:30 p.m. Saturday, 5/19. Cole’s. 21+. Free.

SUNDAY

RUNNING
Running can really wail. No, seriously. The group makes a meal out absolutely heavy (and I mean, fucking heavy), thudding drum beats, tortured vocals and shrieking guitars. Somehow noise rock enthusiasts doesn’t cut it as a description because noise in all its contorted, fuzzy forms is an art in which the band truly excels. If you know a better way to work out your frustrations, I don’t want to hear it. Also appearing tonight are New York synth-punks Pop.1280, melodic indie rockers Brain Idea, and post-punks Toupee. (Audrey Leon)

~~9:00 p.m. Sunday, 5/20. Treasure Town. 21+ $5.~~
6:30 p.m. Sunday, 5/20. CROWN TAP ROOM. 21+ $5.

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.

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.

Monday Afternoon Quick Fix

Audrey Leon — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Monday Afternoon Quick Fix runs every Monday afternoon to showcase the best of Chicago music news, views and stories from around the interwebs and blogosphere that we might have missed.

• The Chicago Reader has raised the ire of the Chicago hip-hop community with its recent cover story, “Scratch and Stitch,” about the relationship between Chicago rappers and the streetwear companies that release their music. The cover depicts local rapper ShowYouSuck with a circle over his face that reads: “Insert Chicago Rapper Here,” which many including ShowYouSuck (AKA Clinton Sandifer) interpreted that action as the Reader saying that all rappers are the same. Gapers Block has responses from both The Chicago Reader’s editor-in-chief Mara Shalhoup and ShowYouSuck about the controversy.
• The Congress Theater’s owners have filed a lawsuit against the city for what it calls an unfair crackdown on the concert venue’s ability to sell alcohol during concerts. Chicago Pipeline reported last week that the Congress’ general manager was taken into custody and charged with “failure to cooperate with police regarding illegal activity in a licensed premise and with violation of hours of operation.”

• Archie Powell (of Archie Powell & The Exports) recently appeared on the podcast Ice Cream Headache with two radio DJs from Louisville, Kentucky. If you can get past the stereotypical DJ banter, Powell talks Mustaches vs Goatees, the hits of Collective Soul, and his love of Ke$ha despite the fact that she looks “gamey.”
• Jessica Hopper charts the journey of Chicago electro-pop duo the Halamays from their early acoustic open mic nights in Ohio to collaborating as a dreamy pop husband and wife team in Chicago.
• Windy City Rock catches up with Jim Carroll of Chicago noise-pop trio Unicycle Loves You.

Daily Diversion – Killer Moon at the Empty Bottle

Richard Giraldi — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:48:29 +0000

It’s hard to not just plug in the lava lamp and roll one up when Killer Moon come on. Their sludgy neo-psychedelia references every classic rock band ever associated with expanding one’s mind – Sabbath, Hendrix, Floyd. Their tunes, which usually keep at a crawl, are carried by shimmering guitars leads and lead singer Jesse Garza’s spacey mumbles and occasionally majestic howls. But it is impressive how they’re able to channel their influences so fluently. And tonight Killer Moon celebrate the release of their new self-titled EP, which unfortunately does not come with a free bottle of Febreze. LISTEN: “Heavy Trip” | Opening: Eerie rockers Creepy Band & Sludgy shoegazers Alma Negra.

9:30 p.m. Monday, 5/14. Empty Bottle. 21+. FREE.