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[caption id="attachment_5725" align="alignnone" width="445" caption="Photo Credit: Carrie Musgrave - livebabylive.com"]
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There are thousands of great local bands playing every week in our fair city. Some you might know and some you might not. Seeing as it’s the beginning of a brand new year, we thought we’d point out some local bands who we think you might want to keep your eye on in 2013. And isn’t it always cool to say you were a fan of popular act back in the day when they were playing for eight people in a crappy dive bar? Yes, it is always cool. (Ed. Note: Although numbered, this list is in no particular order)
It takes a truly special band to capture your attention in about four seconds, and a throbbing heavy bass line is definitely one way to achieve just that. But Rainbow Gun Show offer more than sick bass licks, the group sets a fun, quirky mood with its take on groovy glam pop and psychedelic punk that burns bright alongside bands such as Flaming Lips and MGMT. It’s pretty much a no-brainer that HoZac is releasing Rainbow Gun Show’s Cinderella Sizzle 7” later this winter. (Audrey Leon)
Must hear: Cinderella Sizzle
The Peekaboos let it all hang out on their newly released debut LP, Stay Positive. On it, the band's quirky subject matter (suicide cults, puppies and skeletons) is brought to life via '70s rock riffs and fits somewhere nicely between Talking Heads and Weezer on the rock 'n' roll spectrum. But just when you think they've reached their nerdiest, The Peekaboos will launch into thoughtful and often dark social commentary, which is surprisingly poignant. (Richard Giraldi)
Must hear: Western Fall
Paper Thick Walls first caught my attention with the blissful folk pop style of their debut album A Thousand Novels in 2011. The piano-driven album evokes the spirits of bands like Wilco and Cursive with its flair for drama that is drenched in whimsical harmonies. And that penchant for theatrics lends itself well to the band’s videos (Check out their clip for Orange Tree). Twenty-thirteen is poised to be a big year for Paper Thick Walls because co-vocalists Eric Michaels and Kate Schell star in the indie drama “We Grew Up Here” and, oh yeah, the band is set to release a new EP later this year. (Audrey Leon)
Must hear: Masters of the Sea
Back in 2008, Mayor Daley suggested a new motto for Chicago, "City of Children." And if you're judging by the buzzing rock scene, it's not that far off. Twin Peax are another in a line of young Chicago bands that are blog-worthy before they're legally allowed to drink a PBR (The Orwells, Smith Westerns). But Twin Peax debut, Sunken, hangs with some of the best glam-pop out there with its seasoned melodies, youthful energy and glistening production. (Richard Giraldi)
Must hear: Fast Eddie
I believe it was philosopher Mick Jones who said, “I want to know what love is / I want you to show me.” 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. You know what else is the equivalent of a double rainbow? Running releasing its third full-length later this year on Castle Face records. (Audrey Leon)
Must hear: I can’t believe I’m alive
It's impressive how The New Diet take gray and angsty guitar jams and turn them into emotionally inflicted, but quite catchy pop gems. Their 2011 cassette, Common Cold, showcased the band's love for real '90s indie rock but with a stylistic flare that brings their tunes into the tumblr-age. In 2012, the New Diet were gigging machines and relatively quite release-wise (exception being the murky rocker "Miles and Days" from a spilt 7" with binary marketing show). But their new full-length is expected sometime this summer. (Richard Giraldi)
Must hear: See Millions, Saw Few
There’s nothing more endearing than gentle, velvet-voiced songstress armed with nothing more than a ukulele. Heather Smith, the multi-instrumentalist mastermind behind pop outfit Bone and Bell, enchants with a heady mix of gloomy harmonies on the 2011 EP Organ Fantasies. Joined by friends and musicians Jason Tuller, Rick Roberts and Ryan Farnham, Organ Fantasies’ mournful organ moans and powerful, yet delicately-plucked, melodies bring to mind the music of singer-songwriters Cat Power, Feist and Mirah. Bone and Bell are currently working on new tunes with which to haunt and inspire. (Audrey Leon)
Must hear: Weave the Marrow
The retro '80s feel of New Canyons' dreamy shoegaze sure is intoxicating. This new duo teased Chicago in 2012 with a modest two-song digital release, titled "Everyone is Dark," which features hints of Depeche Mode in their lush, dripping programmed soundscapes - especially on the shimmering, moody cut, "Pitch Black." Thankfully, local imprint BLVD Records is putting out New Canyons' full-length debut this Spring. (Richard Giraldi)
Must hear: Pitch Black
Until NASA commercializes time travel -- what? You know they have the ability-- music will have to take us there. Chicago’s Uh Bones is the perfect vessel with which to get your groove on 60s-style. Uh Bones specialize in slick Brit-pop-esque tuneage as heard on the band’s four song self-titled EP, which was released in June. The record brings the fuzz up to a simmering boil and sprinkles plenty of shimmery, jangly garage rock flavor into the mix. If Uh Bones can’t get you twisting and shouting, then I don’t know what will. (Audrey Leon)
Must hear: Like a Woman
Bomb Banks seem ready to emerge from Chicago's underground and basement scene. The art-punk outfit gained a following last year with their intense, theatrical and often noisy live shows. They recently dropped their new full-length cassette, Not People, via local label Love Lion, and our friend John Yingling of Gonzo Chicago debuted the raw, tension-filled cut, "Beauty is the Beast," over at his Impose blog. (Richard Giraldi | Photo by Ray Ellingsen)
Must hear: Beauty is the Beast
Based on history alone, collaborations between talented local bands pretty much nearly always yields very good results. This time, it's members from popular local indie groups Maps & Atlases, Suns and Joan of Arc who have hatched a new project - Wedding Dress. Hints of their primary bands can be heard in Wedding Dress' highly melodic tunes, but they're definitely going for a more adventurous sound that's an eclectic mix of jangly guitar rock, new wave and punchy rhythms. The result is some dazzling indie-pop. (Richard Giraldi)
Must hear: The Mange
Another Chicago underground act that's poised to breakout sooner than later is The Funs. The Funs teeter totter between unlistenable metal-scraped noise and sullen punk rock. Their 2012 self-titled debut is a grime-covered collection of buzzsaw guitars and gritty drums punctuated by Jesse Crane's apathetic drawl that leaves your bones rattled and ears tinnitus-ed. And they offer a pretty visceral live show to boot. (Richard Giraldi | Photo by Mary Clemens)
Must hear: Screaming Eagle
Judging by The Binger’s recently released EP/cassingle Rhymes with Fingers, the band has done some growing up. The lo-fi garage rock collection blisters and stings with a heavy sense of doom. The kind of doom that seems to follow adults in their late 20s. Nearly gone -- until the last track -- is the carefree fun of the band’s 2012 EP Rock Lobster with its warbling peppy brand of surf rock-infused power pop. Underneath it all, The Bingers are still the same bunch of rowdy whippersnappers who enjoy dressing up in fancy suits while guitars wail and drums thrash about them, but they’re just a little older and maybe a little too wise. (Audrey Leon)
Must hear: The Flying Shitshow Fuckfest Blues
[/caption]
There are thousands of great local bands playing every week in our fair city. Some you might know and some you might not. Seeing as it’s the beginning of a brand new year, we thought we’d point out some local bands who we think you might want to keep your eye on in 2013. And isn’t it always cool to say you were a fan of popular act back in the day when they were playing for eight people in a crappy dive bar? Yes, it is always cool. (Ed. Note: Although numbered, this list is in no particular order)
It takes a truly special band to capture your attention in about four seconds, and a throbbing heavy bass line is definitely one way to achieve just that. But Rainbow Gun Show offer more than sick bass licks, the group sets a fun, quirky mood with its take on groovy glam pop and psychedelic punk that burns bright alongside bands such as Flaming Lips and MGMT. It’s pretty much a no-brainer that HoZac is releasing Rainbow Gun Show’s Cinderella Sizzle 7” later this winter. (Audrey Leon)
Must hear: Cinderella Sizzle
The Peekaboos let it all hang out on their newly released debut LP, Stay Positive. On it, the band's quirky subject matter (suicide cults, puppies and skeletons) is brought to life via '70s rock riffs and fits somewhere nicely between Talking Heads and Weezer on the rock 'n' roll spectrum. But just when you think they've reached their nerdiest, The Peekaboos will launch into thoughtful and often dark social commentary, which is surprisingly poignant. (Richard Giraldi)
Must hear: Western Fall
Paper Thick Walls first caught my attention with the blissful folk pop style of their debut album A Thousand Novels in 2011. The piano-driven album evokes the spirits of bands like Wilco and Cursive with its flair for drama that is drenched in whimsical harmonies. And that penchant for theatrics lends itself well to the band’s videos (Check out their clip for Orange Tree). Twenty-thirteen is poised to be a big year for Paper Thick Walls because co-vocalists Eric Michaels and Kate Schell star in the indie drama “We Grew Up Here” and, oh yeah, the band is set to release a new EP later this year. (Audrey Leon)
Must hear: Masters of the Sea
4. TWIN PEAX
Back in 2008, Mayor Daley suggested a new motto for Chicago, "City of Children." And if you're judging by the buzzing rock scene, it's not that far off. Twin Peax are another in a line of young Chicago bands that are blog-worthy before they're legally allowed to drink a PBR (The Orwells, Smith Westerns). But Twin Peax debut, Sunken, hangs with some of the best glam-pop out there with its seasoned melodies, youthful energy and glistening production. (Richard Giraldi)
Must hear: Fast Eddie
5. RUNNING
I believe it was philosopher Mick Jones who said, “I want to know what love is / I want you to show me.” 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. You know what else is the equivalent of a double rainbow? Running releasing its third full-length later this year on Castle Face records. (Audrey Leon)
Must hear: I can’t believe I’m alive
6. THE NEW DIET
It's impressive how The New Diet take gray and angsty guitar jams and turn them into emotionally inflicted, but quite catchy pop gems. Their 2011 cassette, Common Cold, showcased the band's love for real '90s indie rock but with a stylistic flare that brings their tunes into the tumblr-age. In 2012, the New Diet were gigging machines and relatively quite release-wise (exception being the murky rocker "Miles and Days" from a spilt 7" with binary marketing show). But their new full-length is expected sometime this summer. (Richard Giraldi)
Must hear: See Millions, Saw Few
There’s nothing more endearing than gentle, velvet-voiced songstress armed with nothing more than a ukulele. Heather Smith, the multi-instrumentalist mastermind behind pop outfit Bone and Bell, enchants with a heady mix of gloomy harmonies on the 2011 EP Organ Fantasies. Joined by friends and musicians Jason Tuller, Rick Roberts and Ryan Farnham, Organ Fantasies’ mournful organ moans and powerful, yet delicately-plucked, melodies bring to mind the music of singer-songwriters Cat Power, Feist and Mirah. Bone and Bell are currently working on new tunes with which to haunt and inspire. (Audrey Leon)
Must hear: Weave the Marrow
8. NEW CANYONS
The retro '80s feel of New Canyons' dreamy shoegaze sure is intoxicating. This new duo teased Chicago in 2012 with a modest two-song digital release, titled "Everyone is Dark," which features hints of Depeche Mode in their lush, dripping programmed soundscapes - especially on the shimmering, moody cut, "Pitch Black." Thankfully, local imprint BLVD Records is putting out New Canyons' full-length debut this Spring. (Richard Giraldi)
Must hear: Pitch Black
9. UH BONES
Until NASA commercializes time travel -- what? You know they have the ability-- music will have to take us there. Chicago’s Uh Bones is the perfect vessel with which to get your groove on 60s-style. Uh Bones specialize in slick Brit-pop-esque tuneage as heard on the band’s four song self-titled EP, which was released in June. The record brings the fuzz up to a simmering boil and sprinkles plenty of shimmery, jangly garage rock flavor into the mix. If Uh Bones can’t get you twisting and shouting, then I don’t know what will. (Audrey Leon)
Must hear: Like a Woman
10. BOMB BANKS
Bomb Banks seem ready to emerge from Chicago's underground and basement scene. The art-punk outfit gained a following last year with their intense, theatrical and often noisy live shows. They recently dropped their new full-length cassette, Not People, via local label Love Lion, and our friend John Yingling of Gonzo Chicago debuted the raw, tension-filled cut, "Beauty is the Beast," over at his Impose blog. (Richard Giraldi | Photo by Ray Ellingsen)
Must hear: Beauty is the Beast
11. WEDDING DRESS
Based on history alone, collaborations between talented local bands pretty much nearly always yields very good results. This time, it's members from popular local indie groups Maps & Atlases, Suns and Joan of Arc who have hatched a new project - Wedding Dress. Hints of their primary bands can be heard in Wedding Dress' highly melodic tunes, but they're definitely going for a more adventurous sound that's an eclectic mix of jangly guitar rock, new wave and punchy rhythms. The result is some dazzling indie-pop. (Richard Giraldi)
Must hear: The Mange
12. THE FUNS
Another Chicago underground act that's poised to breakout sooner than later is The Funs. The Funs teeter totter between unlistenable metal-scraped noise and sullen punk rock. Their 2012 self-titled debut is a grime-covered collection of buzzsaw guitars and gritty drums punctuated by Jesse Crane's apathetic drawl that leaves your bones rattled and ears tinnitus-ed. And they offer a pretty visceral live show to boot. (Richard Giraldi | Photo by Mary Clemens)
Must hear: Screaming Eagle
13. THE BINGERS
Judging by The Binger’s recently released EP/cassingle Rhymes with Fingers, the band has done some growing up. The lo-fi garage rock collection blisters and stings with a heavy sense of doom. The kind of doom that seems to follow adults in their late 20s. Nearly gone -- until the last track -- is the carefree fun of the band’s 2012 EP Rock Lobster with its warbling peppy brand of surf rock-infused power pop. Underneath it all, The Bingers are still the same bunch of rowdy whippersnappers who enjoy dressing up in fancy suits while guitars wail and drums thrash about them, but they’re just a little older and maybe a little too wise. (Audrey Leon)
Must hear: The Flying Shitshow Fuckfest Blues 
15 Responses to “13 Chicago Bands To Watch In 2013”
14. Pillars & Tongues
15. Dowsing (http://dowsing.bandcamp.com/)
16. Apollo House (http://apollohouse.bandcamp.com/)
17. Basic Cable. Members of Running, Heavy Times, E+, and Loose Dudes.
13.5: SOFT CANDY
but what about Snow Ghost? Where’s the Snow Ghost love?
Paper Plane
Love the Peekaboos!!!
Internet Comments!
Whoa, I learned about Cross Record from your 2012 Bands to Watch post and have been listening to her ever since. The first time I actually saw her live was tonight — the very day you post your 2013 Bands to Watch list.
Angela James
Daniel Knox
Angel Olsen
blizzard babies doctor pyramid just seen ‘em this week
awesome
Mutts
magic milk frozen pizza disaster
Cosmic Fury is the best new band in Chicago. Period.
#1 A Lull
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