California Wives

Well, if you couldn’t tell by stepping outside this morning, Summer is ending and Fall is near. It’s practically chilly in the shade! Still, Chicago’s festival season and outdoor performances roll on. Of course there’s the North Coast Music Festival set to take over Union Park this weekend. Be sure to check out our North Coast Music Festival Preview before heading out there this afternoon. Also set for this weekend is the Joyous Outdoor Event with music curated by the Metro and featuring My Gold Mask, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir and more.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This weekend, we’re highlighting Chicago’s own California Wives at Schubas, Bitchin Bajas at the Hideout, Bash On Wabash and so much more!

Let’s get to it, shall we?

FRIDAY

CALIFORNIA WIVES
Chicago’s new wave, indie pop outfit California Wives are making quite a few waves with their latest release Affair. Loud Loop contributor Faye Rasmussen reviewed the EP earlier this week and had this to say about it: “It’s the kind of EP you listen to eight times in a row, not for a specific song, or a particular verse. It’s because all five songs are just well done.” Sounds like a winner to me. You can stream Affair in its entirety at the Bandcamp page. But while tonight’s show is a release party for Affair and an official North Coast Music Festival aftershow, let’s not forget the other great local acts on the bill. Chicago’s dreamy shoegaze outfit Panda Riot always bring the glorious noise, and local Color Radio will keep things warm on this chilly September 3 with their folk-y pop-rock. (Richard Giraldi)

10:00 p.m. Friday, 9/3. Schubas. 18+. $5 or Free with a North Coast Music Fest wristband.

LOYAL DIVIDE
Chicago-via-Columbus psych-poppers Loyal Divide rock the Bottom Lounge tonight ahead of their North Coast Music Festival set on Sunday on the “Groupon: What’s A Music? Stage” at 1:45 p.m. If you missed it, check out our interview with Loyal Divide bassist and songwriter Adam Johnson where he discusses North Coast Festival, their upcoming new album and that crazy stick figure music video that hit the interwebs last May. A few songs from their upcoming album, Bodice Ripper, have already hit the interwebs and we’re salivating in anticipation. Also, expect to hear quite a few new ones tonight. And even though it doesn’t say so on the Bottom Lounge’s website, also on tonight’s bill are Chicago’s big, psychedelic outfit A Lull. You might have seen that monstrous video they premiered a couple weeks back. Their upcoming release Confetti is another local album for which we’re very excited. Opening the show are locals the Flavor Savors who will get things started with their rapid-fire, electronic assault. (Richard Giraldi)

10:00 p.m. Friday, 9/3. Bottom Lounge. 17+. $5.

THIS IS VERSAILLES
Now this is a rock show. First up, you’ve got Chicago’s This Is Versailles, a band who use post-punk as their primary weapon of choice while also adding elements of art-rock and stoner metal. We posted the video for their track “Robot Beach” yesterday, and while a strong song, it’s more melodic than they’re usually known for. What really drives This Is Versailles’ sound is the vocal contrast between bassist Caitlin Garibaldi’s melodic singing and guitarist Jaisen Ehas’ hardcore screams. Oh, and those in attendance will be the first to pick up TIV’s new EP, Capital Punishment. Headlining tonight’s show are local contemplative, experimental rockers The Poison Arrows, and slow-burning indie rockers Follows will also perform. (Richard Giraldi)

10:00 p.m. Friday, September 3. Empty Bottle. 21+. $8.

SATURDAY

BITCHIN BAJAS
Cooper Crane’s Bitchin Bajas are becoming less side project and more project project. A full-length has been released and, oddly enough, reviewed by myself. The shows seem to be quite frequent these days. Here’s another. This time they are joined by Maintain, and their crazy tape loop electronic mash ups and Windbreaker and their experimental keyboard jams. Should be weird. (Ross Meyerson)

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 9/4. Hideout. 21+. $5.

BASH ON WABASH
Summer is ending. I had to pull the covers over my legs last night, so I know this for sure. But Chicagoans would never let summer die easily, and this weekend we give a collective middle finger to fall by throwing yet another street fest. This one the ominously named Bash On Wabash. Year seven of the labor day corn themed fest runs two days with two stages a day featuring local and national acts galore. Highlights include Chicago’s soon to be huge Suns, the suddenly everywhere Hood Internet, David Lowery’s other band Cracker and Detroit’s Detroit Cobras. Full line-up here. (Ross Meyerson)

Noon-10:00 p.m. Saturday, 9/4 & Sunday, 9/5. 1300 S. Wabash Ave. All Ages. $5 donation.

SUNDAY

HOUSE OF NORMANDIE
Chicago’s House Of Normandie play sweet sweet indie rock. Jangly, poppy, a little dissonant, theirs is the sound of early 90’s bands like Spent or Verses. This here show is their CD release party, so you certainly want to be there. Hanging out with them Saturday night will be one of my favorite noise makers Rabble Rabble as well as newbies People Sometimes and Hudson Landing. Good local music one and all! (Ross Meyerson)

Doors 8:00/Show 8:30 p.m. Sunday, 9/5. Subterranean. 17+. $8.

And you thought music festival previews were done for the summer, didn’t you? Not by a long shot seeing how tomorrow begins the inaugural North Coast Music Festival in Chicago’s Union Park. This festival, unlike Pitchfork Music Festival or Lollapalooza, focuses on music genres that are usually put on the backburner such as jam band, Hip-Hop and electronic music. Did we mention the number of awesome local acts that will also be rockin’ out? (Like the always awesome Loyal Divide?)

Anyway, as per usual, we’re not going to sit here and talk every band on the lineup, and we don’t think you’d be too into that either. Therefore, we’re highlighting our picks for the can’t miss acts at the festival. So, let’s get to it, eh? This is your Loud Loop Press North Coast Music Festival Preview…

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

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WYLLYS: Red Bull Local Stage, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Saturday, 9/4. Metro (with Omega Moos and DJ Thibault), 11:00 p.m. 18+. $22. | Sunday, 9/5. Bottom Lounge
(with Brendan Bayliss and Joel Cummins of Umphrey’s McGee and Van Ghost), 10:00 p.m. 18+. $18, $22.

Wyllys brings an all vinyl approach to the turntables keeping the grooves deep and the party going strong. He’s well versed in most dance styles particularly his favorite drum and bass but for his slot on Friday expect an especially funky set of Chicago house.  Whatever the vibe is in the tent – he’ll know how to lock in and elevate it. (Andrew Kahn)

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THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS: North Stage, 8:30 -- 10:00 p.m.

Pioneers of the big beat electronic dance genre that gained popularity in the 1990’s, Tom Rowlands and Ed Simon, The Chemical Brothers, are back with Further, which was released this past June. Didn’t really follow the electronic scene in the early ’90s? Doesn’t matter. You’ve still probably heard more Chemical Brothers than you realize. Rowlands and Simon started their career as the producer duo the Dust Brothers, which created all the mighty impressive samples for the Beastie Boys’ classic Paul’s Boutique record. Once they started playing original music in 1995, a lawsuit from the original Dust Brothers forced a name change to the Chemical Brothers. After that, there was no turning back as the duo pumped out some of the most bumpin’ and recognizable electronic music of the last two decades. Get ready go crazy on Friday night to “Block Rockin’ Beats”, “Galvanize”, “Setting Sun” and more. (Richard Giraldi)

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

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VAN GHOST: Groupon: What’s A Music? Stage, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Sunday, 9/5. Bottom Lounge (with Brendan Bayliss and Joel Cummins of Umphrey’s McGee and Wyllys), 10:00 p.m. 18+. $18, $22.

Michael Harrison Berg no doubt is the leader of alt-Americana rockers Van Ghost – he writes the songs, he plays guitar, he sings the leads.  But Jennifer Hartswick is the band’s secret weapon.  With a voice so captivating she can save her trumpet for her other jazz and power rock projects and bring only her powerful pipes, pay attention when steps to the mic. (Andrew Kahn)

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GRACE POTTER AND THE NOCTURNALS: North Stage, 4:30 -- 5:30 p.m.

This Vermont, blues and soul outfit really gained a following after the release of their 2007 album This Is Somewhere, which featured the tracks “Apologies” and “Falling or Flying” that were both featured on TV shows such as One Tree Hill and Grey’s Anatomy, respectively. What really drives their sound is Potter’s smoky vocals that recall a more-countrified Stevie Nicks. Their latest self-titled album was released this past June and carries on that ’60s and ’70s approach to classic blues rock. Their music combines hopeful energy with dusty riffage, which should work perfectly on Saturday’s sunny afternoon. (Richard Giraldi)

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DE LA SOUL: Groupon: What’s A Music? Stage, 7:30 -- 8:30 p.m.

It’s pretty impressive that this Long Island Hip-Hop trio formed in 1987 and are still going strong. De La Soul, comprised of Kelvin Mercer, David Jude Jolicoeur and Vincent Mason, is highly regarded as being highly influential to modern acts such as the Black Eyed Peas, while contributing much to the advancement of Alternative Hip-Hop and Jazz-rap. Their debut album 1989 debut, 3 Feet High and Rising, is considered a Hip-Hop masterpiece. Of course, these days you are probably most aware of their involvement with the Gorillaz, for which they won a Grammy for the collaboration “Feel Good Inc.” The group is currently hard at work on their next studio release, AOI III. (Richard Giraldi)

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UMPHREY’S McGEE: North Stage, 8:30 – 10:00 p.m., | Saturday, 9/4. Metro (Omega Moos featuring Brendan Bayliss  and Ryan Stasik), 11:00 p.m. 18+. $22. | Sunday, 9/5. Bottom Lounge (Brendan Bayliss and Joel Cummins with Van Ghost and Wyllys), 10:00 p.m. 18+. $18, $22.

What used to be a regular occurrence – an Umprhey’s set at Chicago summer festival – is now an all too rare treat.  Surely the members of the improv-focused, prog-heavy but wildly diverse group of tour-holics must be excited to sleep in their own beds after a show.  With many of their friends playing the festival don’t be surprised to see special guest sit-ins or these guys showing up during someone else’s set. (Andrew Kahn)

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

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MAPS & ATLASES: Coast Stage, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

The more I listen to Perch Paperwork, Maps & Atlases LP debut, the more I think it’s one of the best albums of the year. I do know for certain that this local outfit makes a great song over and over out of elaborate lyrics sung enticingly and carefully crafted acoustic rooted instrumentation.  This band and their genuine approach lingers with you in the best way possible long after their songs are finished. (Andrew Kahn)

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DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND: Groupon: What’s A Music? Stage, 3:30 -- 4:30 p.m.

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band are probably one of the most influential and respected New Orleans brass bands. For starters, they’ve been doin’ their thang since 1977 and created the much-derived style of incorporating funk and modern elements into their traditional brass band stylings. Led by Trumpeter Gregory Davis, when he’s not teaching Music Business at Loyola University New Orleans, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band will get you moving in ways you couldn’t possibly imagine. To close in short, it ain’t nothin’ but a party! (Richard Giraldi)

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THE RIGHT NOW: Red Bull Local Stage, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

The best way for a soul-rooted band to develop its chops is to hit the road and hit it hard. That’s exactly what lead singer Stefanie Berecz and the crew that makes up The Right Now have been doing: criss-crossing the Midwest night in and night out on the strength of their debut Carry Me Home, and getting tighter by the measure. Berecz brings a youthfully soulful tone that strays into R&B and pop with ease. (Andrew Kahn)

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LUPE FIASCO: Groupon: What’s A Music? Stage, 7:30 -- 8:30 p.m.

Chicago’s own Lupe Fiasco closes things down at the Groupon stage on Sunday night. Lupe hit the big time after Kanye West asked him to perfrom on his track “Touch The Sky” from the 2005 album Late Registration. A short time later, Lupe would release his debut album Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor, which not only garnered critical acclaim but earned him a Grammy for “Best Urban/Alternative Performance” for his Jill Scott collaboration “Daydreamin”. Additionally, it was around this time that Fiasco became even more well known for his extremely high-energy live shows, which caused him to get booked a Lollapalooza three years in a row -- 2006, 2007 and 2008 -- something that you rarely see. We’re still waiting for Lupe’s new album, the announced Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, to see the light of day. Luckily, we did get a peek at one track, “Go To Sleep”, last week. Color us excited! (Richard Giraldi)

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Get the complete North Coast Music Festival Schedule at Jambase.com.

Chicago’s Suns have pretty much burst onto our local scene in a big way. Folks still talk about their January debut at the Metro. I suppose when your band is comprised of members of other formerly well known bands such as Wax On Radio and Blame Twilight you’ve got a built in buzz. Roughly eight months (Actually six, but I received the album a few months late) after their forming, Suns have released a double EP. This may sound odd because you might think “isn’t a double EP just a full-length?”, and you wouldn’t be a fool for asking such a question. But, The Howl and The Many and Close Calls In The U.S. Space Program are different enough that I can see why they chose to release them this way.

Suns are basically an indie rock marching band. No, not like Mucca Pazza. Suns hide their marching band tendencies underneath their epic sound, but listening to them, it’s not hard to imagine Suns parading down your street. Dual drummers Clinton Weber and Chris Pagnani give most songs a thundering rumble rather than a standard high hat/snare beat. Mikey Russell’s vocals often sound as if he is standing away from the mic and ecstatically yelling to make up for the space. So you’ve got that, a rumbling beat and shouted vocals, and it’s augmented by banjo, glockenspiel, harmonium, mandolin and guitar to create this feeling that the band is constantly rolling downhill and, like a child, loving every second of it.

Of the two EP’s Close Calls… is the more straight forward indie rock sounding. Opener “You Are On” recalls Pedro The Lion at its grandest. Epic and grand are two words you’ll constantly hear when discussing Suns. Yet, despite its constant epic feel and denser, darker sound, Close Calls… still has much room to breath and that’s a testament to Suns restraint. A band of six with instruments galore could easily end up over stuffing their songs to the point of claustrophobia, but instead they use them to add atmosphere like the swirling underbelly of “Small Parts”. And it makes for some pretty beautiful music.

The Howl And The Many contains my favorite tune on either EP, the extremely grandiose “Everything Changes”. It’s more guitar heavy than anything on Close Calls… and signals the slight yet consequential change between EPs. The Howl And The Many is the heavier, more experimental and, yes, epic of the pair. I know I keep throwing around the word epic, but when the shoe fits as they say. One can imagine “Everything Changes” is the song that really gets everyone sweating when performed live. At this point, the marching band has throngs following it Rocky-style wherever it leads.

The beauty of Suns, and specifically these EPs, is that I imagine they have a pretty large appeal across genres. Close Calls… should grab early to mid-90’s emo lovers. Not mall emo mind you but Pedro The Lion or Sunny Day Real Estate emo. And The Howl…, with its amped up ecstasy, will easily grab the attention of ecstatic lovers of Arcade Fire and the like. True, Suns probably could have released this as one full length, but there’s something clever in making us look at them as two short separate pieces. The sound may be similar but each leans a different way. Full-length or EP, Suns have provided us with nine songs that sound new and slightly classic at the same time. No wonder we’re still talking about their first show eight months later. We’ll probably still be talking about them for many months to come as well.
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Catch Suns on Sunday, September 5, at Bash On Wabash! Suns play at 4:00 p.m. on the North Stage. Admission is a suggested donation of $5.
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Download The Howl And The Many & Close Calls In The U.S. Space Program for free right now at Sunsband.com!

Yesterday, the band announced a four-song, 12″ vinyl, titled A Million Miles (From Where We Were Last), will be available on Saturday, November 13. Sans record player? Don’t worry! According to the art rock duo’s Facebook page, the release will also be available digitally. Also, that pic in the upper left hand corner? That’s the sweet album art for A Million Miles (From Where We Were Last).

The band will start taking preorders for the release on Friday, September 10. Until then, keep rockin’ out to “Bobbi” on My Gold Mask’s Bandcamp page.

Finally, if you want to celebrate the release of A Million Miles (From Where We Were Last) in style, My Gold Mask are having their record release party at Schubas on Saturday, November 13. Tickets are available right now at Schubas.com for only $10!

That catalog is getting the Numero Group treatment in the form of the box set, Syl Johnson: Complete Mythology, a four CD, six LP collection that spans the entirety of Johnson’s storied career.

To celebrate this release Johnson will take the stage at the Old Town School of Folk Music on November 27 and for the first time ever he’ll be performing songs from throughout his 50 year career, many of which have never been played outside the walls of the studio.

To describe Syl’s somewhat overlooked place in the music history it’s best to let him state it in his own words.

“I made my opportunities, but I never got the breaks I should have gotten,” he said. “I was a jack-of-all-trades. More soul than Marvin, more funk than James. If I’d gone pop, you’d be talkin’ about me, not them. I rate right at the top, though I’ve been underrated all my life.”

Think you’ve never heard a Syl Johnson original number? Well you’ve probably heard a tune featuring a Johnson sample. His “Different Strokes” is one of the most sampled songs on record used by the likes of Kid Rock, Michael Jackson, N.W.A. and Public Enemy among countless others.

Tickets for the show in which Johnson will be backed by a 14-piece band go on-sale today at 11:00 a.m. ($28 General Public, $26 Old Town School Members, $24 Seniors & Children).

Here’s what the team at Numero Group has compiled for the box set, slated to hit the street on November 7:

Re-mastered versions of no less than twenty eight singles from the Twinight, Federal, Cha-Cha, Tmp-Ting, Special Agent, and Zachron labels, facsimiles of the Dresses Too Short and Is It Because I’m Black albums, ten previously unreleased tracks and detailed track by track notes from acclaimed music historian Bill Dahl. The fifty-two page booklet contains a thirty-five thousand word essay, scores of previously unpublished photos, a sampling index, and complete discography--all presented in a lavish hardbound box.

JEFF The Brotherhood | photo by BEKAH COPE

2. Finally! I finally get to write up Mobile, Alabama’s Wizzard Sleeve! Hot damn. Just the name alone is recommendation worthy, but there’s also their lumbering, garage, psych, space rock to talk about. Everything you’d expect from a Wizzard Sleeve in fact.

3. Chicago’s Daily Void open up. Featuring members of the Functional Blackouts, Daily Void play a weird disjointed punk rock. Now I’m no expert of mid-80’s death-punk but I’ve done some research here and hear it is making a comeback. So, get on the mid-80’s death-punk wave and ride it till it takes you to late 80’s pop-punk? But get off there because it’s about to get really shitty for punk rock come the 90’s.

9:30 p.m. Thursday, 9/2. Empty Bottle. 21+. $5.

Qwel & Maker was born out of an occasional collaboration between Chicago MC Qwel and Chicago DJ/producer Maker that has developed into a full-fledged musical partnership. The duo were described by Rolling Stone magazine as having, “stark, biographical songs that occupy the same bleak terrain as Francis Bacon paintings or The Dark Knight.”

Still, according to a Ground Lift Media press release, Qwel & Maker have matured since their 2009 sophomore LP So Be It, which can be heard in “El Camino”. The track features some melodic samples over snare-heavy beats, and the laid-back delivery from Qwel that is a tottaly throwback to old-school hip-hop sounds from Jurassic 5, Talib Kweli and influential predecessors A Tribe Called Quest.

The release of Owl will also bring about a nationwide tour, which gets under way with the Owl record release party on Friday, September 10, at Reggie’s Rock Club. Find Qwel & Maker’s complete tour dates below.

Qwel & Maker + DJ SPS ‘Master Your Machine’ US Tour 2010

Fri 9/10/2010 Chicago, IL @ Reggies (w/ Typical Cats, Maxilla Blue, Meaty Ogre)
Sun 9/12/2010 Evansville, IN @ The Jungle
Mon 9/13/2010 Columbia, MO @ Mojos
Wed 9/15/2010 San Marcos, TX @ Triple Crown Live
Thu 9/16/2010 Austin, TX @ Ruta Maya
Fri 9/17/2010 Dallas, TX @ The Green Elephant
Sat 9/18/2010 San Antonio, TX @ Limelight
Sun 9/19/2010 Corpus Christi, TX (venue tba)
Wed 9/22/2010 Albuquerque, NM @ Burt’s Tiki Lounge
Thu 9/23/2010 Albuquerque (in store/blackbook session) @ LA Underground
Fri 9/24/2010 Las Cruces @ Mikey’s Place
Sat 9/25/2010 Colorado Springs, CO @ Bella’s Lounge
Sun 9/26/2010 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
Mon 9/27/2010 Pueblo, CO @ The Senate
Wed 9/29/2010 Bozeman, MT @ Zebra Lounge
Thu 9/30/2010 Boise, ID @ The Reef
Fri 10/1/2010 Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey
Sun 10/3/2010 San Francisco, CA @ The Farmer’s Block
Wed 10/6/2010 Santa Cruz , CA @ Blue Lagoon
Thu 10/7/2010 Palm Springs, CA @ Space 120
Fri 10/8/2010 Los Angeles, CA @ Airliner
Sat 10/9/2010 Pomona, CA @ Friar Tucks
Mon 10/11/2010 San Diego, CA @ Queen Bees
Thu 10/14/2010 Merced, CA @ Urban Illustrators
Sat 10/16/2010 Yuma, AZ @ The Dunes Bar
Sun 10/17/2010 Phoneix, AZ @ Hidden House
Mon 10/18/2010 Tucson, AZ @ The Congress
Thu 10/21/2010 Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room
Fri 10/22/2010 Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
Sat 10/23/2010 Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews
Wed 10/27/2010 Cincinatti, OH (venue tba)
Fri 10/29/2010 Boston/Cambridge @ The Western Front
Sat 10/30/2010 Buffalo, NY (venue tba)
Tue 11/2/2010 Asbury Park, NJ @ The Saint
Wed 11/3/2010 Portsmouth. NH (venue tba)
Thu 11/4/2010 Washington DC @ Asylum
Sat 11/6/2010 Atlanta, GA @ The 529
+ more in Florida, the Carolinas, Tennessee. Champaign IL tba pending confirmation…

First off, according to Soundcheck Magazine, OK Go will launch a remix contest early next week for their latest single, “White Knuckles”. The contest is set to run from September 7 until October 14, and beginning September 21, track producer Dave Fridmann will pick his favorite remixes to use across OK Go’s web properties. More information about the contest will available net week on OKGo.net.

Additionally, OK Go are hitting the road this fall. Of course, they’ll be stopping in their hometown! The band plays Chicago’s House Of Blues on Sunday, October 10. Tickets for the show are on sale right now at Livenation.com for $28.77.

Check out OK Go’s complete Fall 2010 tour dates after the jump.

10/3 Pomona, CA Los Angeles County Fair
10/6 Boulder, CO Fox Theater
10/10 Chicago, IL House of Blues
10/12 Louisville, KY Discover Louisville Festival
10/13 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom
10/14 Toronto, ON Phoenix Theater
10/15 Ottawa, ON Capital City Music Hall
10/16 Montreal, QC Le National
10/17 Burlington, VT Higher Ground
10/20 Portland, ME Port City Music Hall
10/21 Camden, ME PopTech Conference
10/26 Syracuse, NY Westcott Theater
10/27 Clifton Park, NY Northern Lights
10/28 Hartford, CT Webster Theater
10/29 New York, NY Terminal 5
11/2 Asheville, NC The Orange Peel
11/3 Charleston, SC The Music Farm
11/4 Athens, GA 40 Watt Club
11/5 Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge
11/6 New Orleans, LA Tipitina’s Uptown
11/19 Santa Barbara, CA The Hub @ UC Santa Barbara