Tijuana Hercules is the primary musical outlet for Chicago musician John Forbes, who has been involved in Chicago’s music scene since ’80s and ’90s. The band pretty much play by their own rules as they jam on weird but quirky blues numbers that at times approach kitschy lounge, quasi-gypsy or a New Orleans rhythm and blues feel. Speaking of the Crescent City, the music is punctuated by Forbes’ throaty, croaky vocals that occasionally recalls New Orleans bluesman Dr. John. Also, be sure to check out the Tijuana Hercules’ Facebook and Bandcamp pages, which are littered with goofy cartoon squiggles that look like School House Rock on a really bad acid trip. Adding to the dementedness is the fact that tonight’s show is being billed as the Alan Scalpone Memorial Concert, or as Tijuana Hercules writes on their Facebook, “…a wake for an individual who has not yet walked into the light.” LISTEN: “Quicksand Passin’ Through” | Joe Adamik & Jim Becker Duo (Califone) open.
9:00 p.m. Wednesday, 5/9. Quenchers. 21+. $5 Donation.
By Richard Giraldi \ comments
If you don’t like longform, heartfelt letters, then simply go HERE and vote for LoudLoopPress.com for BEST LOCAL MUSIC BLOG. If you DO like longform, heartfelt letters, read on!
I don’t usually break kayfabe, but this is one of those times.
For the past two years LoudLoopPress.com has won Best Local Music Blog in the Chicago Reader’s Best Of Chicago. I cannot tell you how much that means to all the contributors and myself.
As I wrote last year, running this site and making it the best place for local indie rock acts on the web is a lot of work – Especially this year as the staff has been in flux at times.
But we’re passionate about what we do. And winning in 2010 and 2011 validated only validated that. So, now we ask you again. Help us take the title for third year in a row. It’s all we ask in return for keeping Loud Loop Press the most timely, most consistent, best looking and hopefully most intriguing Chicago-focused indie rock publication on the web. All we ask for dedication to reporting Chicago’s scene to you is a simple vote for Best Local Music Blog in the Chicago Reader’s Best Of Chicago 2012.
Here’s all we need you to do. Go to the Chicago Reader’s Best Of Chicago 2012 Ballot, head to the Music & Nightlife section, and then in that little field next to BEST LOCAL MUSIC BLOG, simply type LoudLoopPress.com.
Help us defend our title like we help promote some of Chicago’s most killer bands – with vigorous and unyielding enthusiasm. And please to LIKE or Retweet this post and help spread the word. Let’s Rock The Vote, Chicago!
By Richard Giraldi \ comments
Since the mid-90′s The Sea and Cake have delivered an airier, more upbeat and often palatable version of post-rock as opposed to Chicago’s other post-rock icons, Tortoise. While both groups indeed grab from a diverse set of influences including a large dose of jazzy feels, The Sea and Cake often go with a more pop-leaning organic and melodic approach – often aided by synthesizers and electronics on their earlier work. And wouldn’t you know it, Tortoise’s John McEntire handles things behind the kit in The Sea And Cake and is joined by members of former Chicago outfits Shrimp Boat (Sam Prekop) and The Coctails (Archer Prewitt). Windy City roots run deep with The Sea and Cake as they’re also on local imprint Thrill Jockey, which released their latest EP, 2011′s The Moonlight Butterfly. A six-song effort that featured the glassy, bouncy take, “Up On The North Shore.” LISTEN: “Up On The North Shore” | Ambient/Psychedelic outfit Golden Retriever opens.
9:30 p.m. Tuesday, 5/8. Empty Bottle. 21+. $20.
(Ed.’s note: We’re trying something new and switching up the format of Daily Diversions. Instead of the three reason lists, the new format will feature a more focused look at a singular Chicago act on the bill.)
By Richard Giraldi \ comments
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.
By Audrey Leon \ comments
Volcanoes Make Islands, which features ex-members of Company of Thieves and Tom Schraeder and His Ego, first caught our attention with their genre-bending 2010 Release, Sick City. On the EP’s first half, the band conjure up noisy post- punk – much of which is laden with familiar melody and even emits a danceable feel, which is especially heard within the steely groove of “Still Here.” Other times the Volcanoes Make Islands rely more on driving hooks and even delve into a bit of psychedelic alt-country at the EP’s concluding track, “Granola,” that finds influence drawn from Being There-era Wilco. LISTEN: “Still Here” | Also appearing: Indie rockers The Spring Standards, Folk singer-songwriter Shelby Pollard.
8:00 p.m. Monday, 5/7. Schubas. 18+. $10.
(Ed.’s note: We’re trying something new and switching up the format of Daily Diversions. Instead of the three reason lists, the new format will feature a more focused look at a singular Chicago act on the bill.)
By Richard Giraldi \ comments
Squish
May the fourth be with you! Seriously though, it’s Friday and and Chicago’s finally getting warm. It’s pretty great.
That’s all the more reason to cool down inside a venue to check out one of the numerous rad local shows happening this weekend. Yep, we’re talking Squish’s opening slot at The Burlington tonight, Local H’s Cinco De Mayo celebration at the Double Door on Saturday and Videotape at Subterranean on Sunday.
Dig it…
Continue Reading…
By Staff \ comments
And now three reasons to shimmy on over to the Empty Bottle this evening…
1. Heavy and fast is the mantra The Swan King live by. This Chicago trio, that featuees members of Asschapel and Planes Mistaken For Stars, prowess is certainly impressive as they toss off throaty yells and punchy stoner metal riffs in bunches. But they don’t veer off into the hazy, but rather careen off at a red bull-powered pace, which keeps their tunes flowing. LISTEN: “Staring Through Skulls”
Continue Reading…
By Richard Giraldi \ comments
