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

The Quick Fix showcases the best of Chicago music news, views and stories from around the interwebs and blogosphere that we might have missed.

• • Extremely rad local imprint Notes and Bolts are offering something special for local experimental and noise enthusiasts. An ONO/Piss Piss Piss Moan Moan Moan Split 7", which is limited to 100 copies with a 1.5" button and an poster included. You can pre-order this bad boy at Notesandbolts.net now until June 1.
• • Lollapalooza revealed their daily schedule today, which includes some very tough choices including Nine Inch Nails or Lana Del Rey.
• • Gapers Block reviews London indie folk outfit Daughter's recent stop at Lincoln Hall.
• • Timeout Chicago lists the best summer fests in Chicago.

By Staff   \  comments

[caption id="attachment_30559" align="alignnone" width="445" caption="An Aesthetic Anaesthetic perform at Reggie's on Monday, May 13"][/caption] Welcome to Weekly Diversions! This is our new weekly show calendar in which we preview our local show picks for Monday through Thursday.

MONDAY

AN AESTHETIC ANASTHETIC As much as I dug AAA's release, Before the Machinery of Other Skeletons, their most recent release, NAMES, tops it because of it’s mix of brutal riffs and humor that mostly comes from the album art and song titles. I mean, the titles speak for themselves with “Billy Rape Cyrus,” and “Randy Quaidludes,” but the music is serious business as proven with the mammoth climaxes and gut-punching riffs – all of which are crystal clear thanks to the impressive board-work of Sanford Parker. Also appearing are The End of the Ocean, Rocket Miner and Rhone. (Richard Giraldi) 8:00 p.m. Monday, 5/13. Reggie's . 17+. $10.

TUESDAY

HEALTH&BEAUTY One thing that will never change about Health&Beauty is mastermind Brian Sulpizio's commitment to making great music. The local mostly folk/sometimes electric eclectic rockers released the dreamy acoustic album GUNS in February, which features many reasons to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride ahead. And if you haven't, place Health&Beauty's cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark" on the very top of your playlist. Also appearing tonight are local experimental poppers Conductive Alliance and Portland ambient/garage rockers Hands In. (Audrey Leon) 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, 5/14. Subterranean. 21+ $8.

WEDNESDAY

PEOPLES TEMPLE OF AMERICA Peoples Temple of America aren’t flashy. In fact, they may be the opposite of flashy. But what’s most engaging about their music is that raw minimalism that’s driven by a punk rock edge. The indie rock trio’s steady, watery guitars are the perfect foil for lead singer Ben Leach’s urgent delivery that will undoubtedly catch be attention of Japandroids and Titus Andronicus fans. Also appearing are T'Bone, Yeesh and Evasive Backflip. (Richard Giraldi) 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, 5/15. Township. 21+. $5.

THURSDAY

JEREMY DAVID MILLER Jeremy David Miller may be better known as one of five parts of Chicago rock outfit Rambos, but Miller is an artist in his own right, unleashing the equally theatric (compared to Rambos) acoustic folk/country album Lepus in late 2011. Miller exhibits a cheeky sense of humor through all his strong observations (ex: "One Million Graves (For One Pretty Dame" and "All I Want to Do Is Dance"). Also appearing tonight is Ryan Anderson of roots rockers Go Long Mule. (Audrey Leon) 9:00 p.m. Thursday, 5/16. The Hideout. 21+ $5. By Staff   \  comments

[caption id="attachment_30526" align="alignnone" width="445" caption="White Mystery play The Hideout on Friday, May 10"][/caption] Hey, folks! It's time to shrug off that work week and get ready to rock. We're itching to talk about some great shows this weekend featuring White Mystery, Metz and more. Ch-ch-check it out.

FRIDAY

WHITE MYSTERY It's post-4/20, so that means White Mystery has dropped another record for us to bash around to. This year, it's Telepathic, a full-length that finds White Mystery in their usual wheelhouse - fuzzy guitar and drum party anthems. But this time around, White Mystery are trying some new things within that wheelhouse including have drummer Francis White take over on vocals, an acoustic ballad and some guitar riffs from Alex that are downright Sabbath-like or even grungy. Telepathic was recorded in San Francisco, so maybe the West Coast air did the band some good as they continue their plan of world domination. Also appearing are Austin's A Giant Dog and local hip-hop sensation Psalm One. (Richard Giraldi) 9:00 p.m. Friday, 5/10. The Hideout. 21+. $8-10.

SATURDAY

BIKE COPS If you dig jangly guitars and good-time vibe-age, then Bike Cops are local outfit you need to check out. They, like many of their local contemporaries and often gig-mates, go for the whole “less is more” garagey/surf rock approach. But they do interject some interesting mayhem into their songs, which works quite well. The band are currently recording the follow-up to their most recent, Piehl Sessions Vol. 1, but that release showcases that aforementioned mayhem quite well like on the rollicking and stumbling mid-section of “Whiskey Drinker." They manage to bend the familiar just so that it keeps the listener’s attention. And that in itself is a win. Also appearing are Energy Gown, Night Beats and Strychnine. 9:30 p.m. Saturday, 5/11. Subterranean. 17+. $10.

SUNDAY

METZ It is easy to see why Toronto grunge rockers Metz have shared a stage with the likes of Death From Above 1979 and Mission of Burma. The trio turn up the bass nice and loud for maximum fuzz and employ an old-school punk approach: play fast, play loud and get the fuck out. Also appearing tonight are Indiana art punks TV GHOST. (Audrey Leon) 9:00 p.m. Sunday, 5/12. Lincoln Hall. 18+. $15. By Staff   \  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

The Quick Fix showcases the best of Chicago music news, views and stories from around the interwebs and blogosphere that we might have missed.

• • NEW SHELLAC RECORD! AV Club has the details.
• • WBEZ's Jim DeRogatis confirms the musical lineup for this year's Taste of Chicago and it boasts some pretty big names including: Robert Plant, Neon Trees, Estelle, and fun.
• • The North Coast line up is also out and this year's headliners include Wu-Tang, Afrojack, and Nas. Locals JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound and ON AN ON are also playing.
• • Windy City Rock's Gene Wagendorf reviews Swedish psych-voodoo rockers GOAT, and it looks like it was a pretty sweet time.

By Audrey Leon   \  comments

[caption id="attachment_30506" align="alignnone" width="445" caption="Roach Beach play this Thursday at Quenchers"][/caption] Welcome to Weekly Diversions! This is our new weekly show calendar in which we preview our local show picks for Monday through Thursday.

MONDAY

FOUL TIP Foul Tip is a new project from T'Bone drummer Ed Bornstein and multi-instrumentalist Adam Luksetich. The The jist of the band is this: They were once a band in Iowa. Then they weren't. And now they are again except in Chicago. I'm certainly glad they are as should fans of Death From Above 1979. Foul Tip's mostly bass and drum attack are on point with DFA's most aggressive numbers. But Foul Tip, like T'Bone, keep it lighthearted with seemingly silly songs with silly hooks, "No Pets Before Sets," being morphed into post-punk ravers. Also appearing are Banned Books and No Safari. (Richard Giraldi) 8:00 p.m. Monday, 5/6. Township. 21+. $25.

TUESDAY

OOZING WOUND Featuring two members of the now defunct Cacaw (drummer Kyle Reynolds and guitarist Zack Weil), Oozing Wound will have old-school thrash fans elated with their massive riff barrage, which should also appeal to those who currently dig High on Fire. Their October 2012 release, Vape and Pillage, is head-bang ready with cuts like the careening “Two Forces” or the thunderous “Sustained by Hatred (Rambo 4).” Also appearing are Mounds and Black Pus, which features Brian Chippendale of Lightning Bolt. (Richard Giraldi) 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, 5/7. Empty Bottle. 21+ $10.

WEDNESDAY

STRYCHNINE Strychnine produce the kind of guitar rattling rock that goes best with a cheap beer or maybe one of those cheap beer + shot combos. Part frantic garage, part dive bar soul and part jazz odyssey, this Chicago trio is dirty in all the right places. You should absolutely peep their latest, A Terrible Way To Go, up for download now on their Bandcamp page. Also appearing are Massive Ego, The Sueves and Esoteric Tapioca (whose celebrating his tape release). (Richard Giraldi) 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, 5/8. The Burlington. 21+. $5.

THURSDAY

ROACH BEACH Local trio Roach Beach combines the crunchiness of Seattle grunge with some SoCal stoner punk and smooth blues riffs. Singer George Hunter howls along with enough wounded soul on Roach Beach's track "How's the Band," to guest star on a Mark Lanegan record. The dream of the 90s is alive at Quenchers tonight. Also appearing tonight are Blizzard Babies, Blasted Diplomats, and Pink Torpedo. (Audrey Leon) 8:00 p.m. Thursday, 5/9. Quenchers. 21+ $5. By Staff   \  comments