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.