[caption id="attachment_30319" align="aligncenter" width="445" caption="Architecture, Chandeliers, and Oscillator Bug play the Burlington on Wednesday, April 17"][/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

TODAYSHITS Todayshits is a collaboration between members of Magic Milk, The Sueves and Jovantes. While we can't confirm that Magic Milk's Kenny Alden will stay pantsed for these sets, we are sure that he'll be behind the kit in this group, which offers up a sound not unfamiliar to Chicago - rattling, lo-fi folk with a bit of garage-psych thrown in for good measure. Also appearing are Earring and Soft Opening. (Richard Giraldi) 9:00 p.m. Monday, 4/15. Burlington. 21+. $7.

TUESDAY

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 Los Vigilantes and Las Ardillas. And be sure to get to this one early! (Richard Giraldi) 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, 4/16. Permanent Records. FREE.

WEDNESDAY

NOTES AND BOLTS ANNIVERSARY SHOW If you follow our weekly news-in-review feature The Quick Fix with any regularity, you've probably notice that we point readers every so often to the podcast Notes and Bolts. Well, its not just a podcast that features pretty sweet music, it's also a label. So come out and celebrate Notes and Bolts one-year anniversary by listening to some sweet bands like two-lady indie poppers Architecture (featuring members of shoegazers Panda Riot), dance-psych outfit Chandeliers, and groovy new wavers Oscillator Bug (featuring Zaid Maxwell of Shapers). Bonus: Architecture's new seven-inch (released by Notes and Bolts) is included in the ticket price! (Audrey Leon) 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, 4/17. Burlington. 21+ $10.

THURSDAY

FAKE LIMBS Chicago rockers Fake Limbs' 2012 LP Man Feelings is a brooding rock record that emits a certain Jesus Lizard meets Pere Ubu vibe. LLP editor Richard Giraldi, in his review of the album last year, attributed this to "vocalist Stephen Sowley’s frantic, shouted, often indiscernible Yow-isms," and the band's mixture of dirty scuzz riffs that intersect post-punk and classic rock. The band is hard at work on its follow-up record, so maybe if you're lucky you'll hear some new stuff. Also appearing tonight are chaotic sludge punks Pissed Jeans and lady surf punks Blizzard Babies. (Audrey Leon) 9:00 p.m. Thursday, 4/18. Empty Bottle. 21+ $12-15. By Staff   \  comments

Turn that frown upside down because the weekend is upon us and there are some pretty great shows happening. Why stay in when you can check out Distractions::Distortions Fest, Santah at Burlington or the free TEEPEE in-store at Permanent Records? Come on feel the noise...

FRIDAY

DISTRACTIONS/DISTORTIONS The fourth annual Distractions::Distortions fest kicks off two days of solid Chicago-made music and visual arts at Multi Kulti this weekend. We spoke a bit about what you should expect earlier this week, and if you haven't, we suggest downloading the fest's FREE compilation. Tons of local bands from various genres, as well as local artists will be there. Some of the musical acts on tap for Friday are House of Normandie, Percolator, The Runnies, BIGCOLOUR, Rambos, Sexy Fights, Rodeo and Velocicopter. On Saturday, expect to see Absolutely Not, Swimsuit Addition, Vamos, The Peeakaboos, Earth Program, Videotape, and many many more. (Audrey Leon) 7:00 p.m. Friday, 4/12 & Saturday, 4/13. MultiKulti. 21+ $7. SANTAH Indie rockers Santah make creating pop songs look so easy. The band effortlessly blends candid lyrics with lush folk and slick guitars and soulful melodies that takes from bands like Decemberists, Wilco and Fiery Furnances. The band is busy working on its second full-length, a proper follow-up to 2010's White Noise Bed. Also appearing tonight are Future Monarchs and Colorfeels. (Audrey Leon) 9:00 p.m. Friday, 4/12. The Burlington. 21+. $8.

SATURDAY

DISTRACTIONS/DISTORTIONS See above.

SUNDAY

TEEPEE Permanent has done it again. The record store is hosting another fine in-store, this time with Miami shoegazers TEEPEE. The band's most recent release 2012's Distant Love exhibits a lush tapestry of smooth, velvety alt-rock that wears like that one ratty, old comfortable sweater that you refuse to throw away. Memories! Also performing are upbeat Chicago alt-rockers Outside World, which features Ben Scott of Brain Idea. If you can't make this in-store, TEEPEE will appear at the Empty Bottle on Monday night with Purling Hiss and AXIS:SOVA. (Audrey Leon) 5:00 p.m. Sunday, 4/14. Permanent Records. 21+ FREE. By Staff   \  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

Now in its fourth year, Distractions/Distortions, a two-day event hatched from the melting brains of local noise rock band We Repel Each Other that aims to celebrate Chicago's eclectic indie rock scene, returns this Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13, at Noble Square arts center Multi Kulti. This year’s edition, sponsored by Two States Audio and Weaponized Guitars, features perhaps their most impressive and diverse lineup yet [Full Disclosure: Our editor's band is also playing.]. But don't take my word for it. Download, or just listen, to this compilation that features quite a few bands performing at this year's Distractions/Distortions event including psychedelic pop outfit BigColor, bubble punks Swimsuit Addition and instrumental post-rockers An Aesthetic Anaesthetic and a whole lot more (full line-up is here). Grab or just listen to the comp after the jump: ___________________________________________________________________ DISTRACTIONS/DISTORTIONS 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 12 & Saturday, April 13. Multi Kulti, 1000 N. Milwaukee Ave. 21+. $7. ___________________________________________________________________ By Staff   \  1 comment

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

• • Gossip Wolf makes its predictions for this year's Riot Fest.
• • Wilco's Jeff Tweedy has teamed up with Mavis Staples yet again. This time Tweedy and his son Spencer helped out on Staples' new album One True Vine, which was recorded at Wilco's Loft here in Chicago.
• • Gapers Block interviewed lively punk rock marching band Mucca Pazza leader Mark Messing on why it is taking a seat these days.
• • Windy City Rock reviews Garbage's most recent stop at the Riviera.
• • Time Out Chicago reviewed and captured some great photos from Kim Gordon's Face the Strange appearance at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art back in March.

By Audrey Leon   \  comments

[caption id="attachment_30269" align="alignnone" width="445" caption="Screaming Females play Subterranean this Thursday"][/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

T'BONE T'Bone is one hell of a power trio, and they kill with a hybrid of punk, math and melodic indie rock with skillful musicianship, what makes them stand out is that they keep their sense of humor about things with lyrics that embrace the tongue-in-cheek. Their debut, Mt. Trashmore was one of my favorites from 2011, and I’m excited about their next move. A couple new T’Bone songs have already made their way on the internet like the rocker “Song Of Praise,” or this melodic new untitled jam. The show is also Young Man's record release.(Richard Giraldi) 8:00 p.m. Monday, 4/8. Schubas. 21+. $12.

TUESDAY

SHILOH You should always be wary of bands that make up genres for themselves. Now, having said that, Shiloh's self-described "scum pop" is fairly catchy stuff, right up there with the beloved indie stylings of Built to Spill. The band's new record Mrs. is a collection of indie rock that contains just the right amount of grime, Midwestern twang, and plenty of introverted quirkiness. Also appearing tonight are Cold Country, The Pinkerton Raid, and My Great Elephant.(Audrey Leon) 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, 4/9. Township. 21+. $5.

WEDNESDAY

BASIC CABLE Basic Cable is a new-ish band that consists of members from local favorites Heavy Times, E+, Running, and more. So, from that description alone, I think you know what you're in for. Meaning loud, rough and abrasive rock that sits on the fringes of punk and lo-fi garage rock. Their three-song demo that dropped back in February is a beast of a debut, and also the perfect soundtrack to chug whiskey/vodka too. Yeah, it's going to be that kind of night. Also appearing are Toupee and Solid Attitude. (Richard Giraldi) 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, 4/10. The Burlington. 21+. $5.

THURSDAY

SCREAMING FEMALES New Jersey punks Screaming Females impress with dark, ferocious rhythm and bluesy, blustery guitar riffs. Frontwoman Marissa Paternoster is a character who leads the trio with an impressive vocal range that drifts between high-pitched, high-tension screams and low dramatic howls. The band’s fifth album Ugly, which was recorded by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio, stays the course with plenty of speedy guitar work, commanding bass lines and crashing drum beats. With Screaming Females at the helm, things are sure to get loud. Also appearing are Chicago's The Treasure Fleet, and Elgin's the Brokedowns. (Audrey Leon) 8:30 p.m. Thursday, 4/11. Subterranean. 17+. $10. By Richard Giraldi   \  comments

The more things change the more they stay the same. While we've introduced Weekly Diversions this Monday, we're keeping this ol' Weekend Diversions thing running strong. Check it, we're talking sweet shows by Sybris at the Double Door, Huntsmen at Quenchers, and Blizzard Babies at Bottom Lounge. Dig it...

FRIDAY

SYBRIS Break out your twelve-sided die because local rockers Sybris will unleash some D&D madness tonight. The group usually emits a powerful punch to the senses with their sound that comes off like a mashup between speedy alt-rock and experimental pop. Sybris are celebrating the release of their new seven-inch Voyage of the Stag Party tonight, and, yes, it is packaged in an actual playable Dungeons and Dragons module. Also appearing tonight are Rabbid Rabbit and Killer Moon. (Audrey Leon) 8:00 p.m. Friday, 4/5. Bottom Lounge. 21+ $10. HUNTSMEN Once upon a time this band was called The Gorilla Press. Despite the name change, the group - fronted by Chris Kang - remains fully capable of delivering a powerful live show that is coated in a fine layer of 90s alt-rock nostaliga, complete with grungy ragers and sweet melodic crooners. Also appearing tonight are Soft Jolts and Queen Buzz. (Audrey Leon) 9:00 p.m. Friday, 4/5. Quenchers. 21+ $5.

SATURDAY

BLIZZARD BABIES LLP faves and all-femme punk quartet Blizzard Babies take hazy surf rock and give it a darkened edge that is plenty cool and smart as a whip. The band’s minimalist rock gems are sure to get the crowd moving at the Burlington tonight. Also appearing tonight are the very cool 60s-style throwbacks Girl Group Chicago, The Revelettes, and the Goblins. (Audrey Leon) 8:30 p.m. Saturday, 4/6. Double Door. 21+ $8. PANDA RIOT Panda Riot’s latest, Northern Automatic Music, is undeniably their best effort yet. It definitely showcases the band’s tight focus as it seamlessly melds shoegaze with warbling indie pop. Whether it’s the shimmering instrumental, “Golden Age,” or the alt-era, noisy MBV hum of “Good Night, Rich Kids,” it's all quite exquisite. Also appearing are Videotape and Pink Frost.(Richard Giraldi) 9:00 p.m. Saturday, 4/6. The Burlington. 21+. $7. By Audrey Leon   \  comments