On their Walk Away EP, electronic pop outfit Distant Cities show why they're not your average electronic pop outfit. They have a secret weapon in lead vocalist Olivia Rose whose vigorous delivery and melodic sophistication give their tunes a certain accessibility. This can especially be heard on the EP's opening track, "Look Away," which is enticing because of it's stilted chorus that, even though it's being sung normally, you'd swear it was in reverse. Listen to "Look Away" above or download it at Distant Cities Bandcamp. 9:00 p.m. Monday, 6/17. The Empty Bottle. 21+. FREE. By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

Before we get started, let's get one thing out of the way: Yes, Jeff Tweedy's Tumblrin' son, Spencer Tweedy, plays drums for The Blisters. But don't for a second think that means the band has any sonic resemblance to Wilco. No, on their new single, "Through You," The Blisters, also guitarist Hayden Holbert, vocaliast and guitarist Henry Mosher and bassist Tory P-Lopez, have more in common with geek-pop icons Weezer and the laid back vibe of Pavement. "Through You," from their new self-titled record, set for a June 4 release, is a breezy tune powered by skin-tight guitar interplay and features a punchy alt-rock chorus that's quite infectious. This summer, The Blisters will play Lollapalooza's Kidzapalooza stage on Sunday, August 4. But if you're local and can't quite wait that long, check out their Record Release party this Friday at Schubas. Listen to "Through You" and find Schubas show details below. httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ9lVaGEmGA ___________________________________________________________________ THE BLISTERS 7:00 p.m. Friday, May 31. Scubas, 3159 N. Southport. All Ages. $8. ___________________________________________________________________ By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Where some bands are concerned, change can be a terrible thing, kind of like KISS without makeup. However, pulsating power punk trio The Cell Phones decided to pick up where they left off on their 2011 Hospital Spaceship EP and pack their brand new full-length, Get You Alone, full of grinding pop and punk numbers that fall somewhere between Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Death From Above 1979, but are as equally satisfying. From the first opening drum beats of the cheeky intro track "Heavy Flow" to the reverb-drenched closer "Out," The Cell Phones are working hard to propel you into movement. Each track pummels ear drums with hard and fast drum beats, and low and nimble bass notes. The dynamic only lets up to lull listeners into a false sense of security before dialing up the intensity. A few of the tracks on Get You Alone are not completely unknown to the Cell Phones fan base, as "Homoerotic," for instance, has been a part of the outfit's live shows for the past year and a half. However, Get You Alone's slick production adds a coat of polish, as well as a new sense of urgency, to the group's signature brand of chaos. One thing that definitely has not changed in the Cell Phones' dynamic -- and I hope it never does --  is the still unmistakable and completely tantalizing voice of lead singer Lindsey Charles. Get You Alone expertly showcases Charles' raw talent as she seductively croons and then erupts into a wall of earth-shattering wails at any given moment. Charles' voice is just as prominent an instrument as Ryan Szeszycki's throbbing acoustic bass solos or Justin Purcell's rapid fire and purely maniacal drum beats, on album highlights "French Door" and "$!". Forgive me for drawing parallel's to Get You Alone to No Doubt's Return of Saturn. But, hear me out. ROS was No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani's "grown up" record, where she detailed her logging for adulthood things like marriage and a family throughout an album-worth of songs. While things are not as sugar-coated on Get You Alone the album's title track is indeed addressed to Charles' "future husband." That's probably where the comparisons end, as Charles vocals are a notch above Stefani's California squeak. There's an age old saying, "If it ain't broke don't fix it." The Cell Phones' Get You Alone not only subscribes to this theory, the band proves why it is true. There's nothing wrong with deviating from the norm, but there's also nothing wrong with doing 'you' well. So you do you, Cell Phones. _________________________________________________________________ THE CELL PHONES SUNDAY, JUNE 23 PRFBBQ at BORELLI'S $30 (donation for 2-day pass). __________________________________________________________________ By Audrey Leon  \  comments

If you're a sports fan, and in Chicago it's damn near impossible not to be, then you probably know that tonight the mighty Chicago Bulls face the evil Miami Heat in game two of the eastern conference semifinals. Not only are the Bulls up a game on the star-studded and last year's champs Miami Heat in this best of seven series, but they beat the woeful Brooklyn (lol) Nets in the first round of the playoffs. For the Bulls, this is a pretty impressive accomplishment seeing how their best player, Derrick Rose, is (possibly) still healing from a torn ACL from last year's playoffs, starting small forward Luol Deng is in the hospital with a mystery ailment (after getting a spinal tap to check for meningitis), and veteran point guard Kirk Hinrich is doubtful for tonight's game with a leg injury. That being said, it's easy to find a local musicians who passionately follow Chicago sports - especially during the post-season. And minimal garage poppers Slushy have taken their passion a step further by penning a new song titled, "I love the Bulls." The tune takes it's frame from Slushy's song, "I love the Beatles," from their 2012 release, All The Rad Dudes. Musically, it's quite similar opening with a crooked "Norwegian Wood"-like acoustic guitar line before cooling off into a laid back jingle. It may not become the Bulls' 2013 playoff anthem, but it's got about a thousand times more soul than "Go Cubs Go" could ever muster up. Listen to, "I love the Bulls," below: By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

Last weekend was a big one for Their / They're / There. Not only did the new band featuring members of Into it. Over it., Loose Lips Sink Ships and Owen/Cap'n Jazz (Evan Weiss, Matthew Frank and Mike Kinsella, respectively) release their debut EP on Polyvinyl Records, but they also played their first show - a Record Store Day in-store at Permanent Records. And it's easy to see, or hear, why this young band packed the house at Permanent and why their the lead single from their debut EP was premiered on RollingStone.com. The single, "Concession Speech Writer," showcases Their/They're/There pop-prowess as it combines both hyper-melodic guitar leads reminiscent of another Chicago favorite, Maps & Atlases, and warm grooves of both the rhythmic and vocal variety. If you are bummed you missed the band's debut performance, turn that frown upside down, because Their/They're/There headline the Beat Kitchen on Saturday, May 11. In the meantime, head on over to RollingStone.com and listen to "Concession Speech Writer." ___________________________________________________________________ THEIR/THEY'RE/THERE 9:00 p.m. Saturday, May 11. Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont 17+. $12. ___________________________________________________________________ By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

Though bathed in synthesizer and from a digital foundation, Love and Radiation's debut, You Will Know Me, is not exactly a record to, say, Harlem Shake too. But that's definitely not a criticism, in fact it's more a compliment as the duo offer up far more depth than your typical commercial or disposable dance pop record. Instead, You Will Know Me melds dark pop with a electronics for a sound that's equally melancholy as it is whimsical. You Will Know Me is a bit of a collision between the pop music's future and it's past. The flickering synths at the start of "Ganymede" along with the delicate yet desperate vocals ("In The Night He Whispers In My Head") aren't at all that far off from buzzing electro-pop star Grimes. Then there's "Three Kingdoms" that is jump started with a drum machine beat that's not too far away from Kid A's "Idioteque" and even features some Daft Punk-like guitar snarls and video game sound effects. Though the band self-labels themselves as dance pop on their Facebook page, I'm worried that may be a disservice to themselves. Not many dance pop bands have a member who studied ancient Roman history, in Love and Radiation's case that would be member Lakshmi Ramgopal. And much of their lyrics and moods are derived from spiritual and intellectual sources that would be a waste in a club filled people pounding cheap beer. No, Love And Radiation 's You Will know Me begs to be listened to with a keen and observant ear. That way the listener will become fully engulfed in the chaotic synth-avalanche at the forefront of "Heart Eater" or the warm floating vocals of "Look For My Sign." You Will Know Me is a solid debut and welcome addition to Chicago's electronic pop scene that shows Love And Radiation as both reflective on the past and forward thinking. ___________________________________________________________________ LOVE AND RADIATION 9:00 p.m. Thursday, April 11. The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia 21+. $7. ___________________________________________________________________ By Richard Giraldi  \  1 comment

After a very solid duo of EPs in 2010, which included A Thousand Voices, arguably the band's most popular release because of the catchy noir rock of "Violet Eyes," My Gold Mask are back with Leave Me Midnight. The record finds My Gold Mask in the same darkened realm that embodied those previous EPs. And though they never really reach another "Violet Eyes" apex on Midnight, they do stretch their songwriting wings and deliver their most cohesive effort to date. The eerie tone of Leave Me Midnight is set immediately as "Never Go Home" builds on rubbery, chant-like vocal harmonies. That's why when My Gold Mask unleash something oddly un-moody, the record is most satisfying. The opening hook of "Lost In My Head" finds howler slash percussionist Gretta Rochelle at her most unbridled both vocally and emotionally, but then, in a drastic but effective contrast, she immediately pulls back in to a near child-like inflection. But the track's success also comes from the tight and sturdy guitar-drum coaction. Speaking of guitar, Jack Armondo's nylon string still sounds as ghostly on ever on the earthy shuffle of "Burn Like The Sun," which he also enhances with his deep and chesty vocals. Everything's in sync on "Nightfalls," in which Rochelle's voice and Armondo's guitar play melodic tag, while new percussionist James Andrew provides a retro-rhythmic backdrop. Darkened, minimal but downright catchy in all the right places, Leave Me Midnight finds My Gold Mask having nearly mastered their craft. Each song on the album emits a wholly different vibe than the other, and yet they all echo that same distinct ominous vibe. How My Gold Mask consistently do it is why they continue being one of Chicago's most intriguing bands. Buy Leave Me Midnight at My Gold Mask's Bandcamp. My Gold Mask - "Burn Like The Sun" Video httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6pRQSHLyKA ___________________________________________________________________ MY GOLD MASK 10:00 p.m. Saturday, March 9. Schubas, 3159 N. Southport 21+. $12. ___________________________________________________________________ By Richard Giraldi  \  comments