WHOOO! WEEKEND! HELL YEAH! Anyway, there’s just WAYYYY too much going on this weekend for me to jabber on about right now.

Let’s just dive in, shall we?

FRIDAY

HAPPY FUGGIN’ 8TH of JULY
As we reported earlier this week, local screen printers and poster artists FugScreens Studios is opening its shop to the public for a night of free food, drink and live rock and/or roll. Loud Loop Press is proud co-sponsor this event that gives you, our beloved readers, a chance to check out such awesome acts as fuzzy indie rockers Continental Breakfast, post-punks Rodeo and garage-a-billy trio Ornery Little Darlings. (Audrey Leon)

7:00 p.m. Friday, 7/8. FugScreens Studios (1735 N. Ashland Ave). All Ages. Free.

ARCHERS OF LOAF
That’s right, Archers of Loaf. I shouldn’t even have to tell you why but I guess that’s my job so… seminal North Carolina indie rock! While everyone was loving on Pavement I was busy digging the heavier sounds of Archers of Loaf. Now, they are back and ready to get some of that retro love the likes of Dinosaur Jr. and Superchunk have been basking in lately. This shit is well deserved, see. Don’t be a dummy and let the Archers slip through your fingers again. You’ve got two chances to see them and hopefully new material is in our future? In the meantime the good folks at Merge are busy readying remastered re-issues of all four studio albums starting with Icky Mettle in early August. Merge. Archers of Loaf. I mean, this is just perfect. (Ross Meyerson)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 7/8. Bottom Lounge. 17+. $25.
9:00 p.m. Saturday, 7/9. Bottom Lounge. 17+. $22.

LOCAL H
It was only two months ago that the hard rocking duo of Scott Lucas and Brian St. Clair – otherwise known as Local H – played to a packed audience at the Metro as a part of their “All the Hits All Night” tour. Well, now the group is changing it up, playing a smaller gig at the Empty Bottle that promises to deliver the 20-year-old band’s deep cuts. If Lucas’ stop at Coach House Sounds is any indication, the band should pull out some rare gems. Of course if you want to see “Bound for the Floor,” you should hit up the band’s West Fest set on Saturday (See below for more info). (Audrey Leon)

9:30 p.m. Friday, 7/8. Empty Bottle. 21+ $15.

THEIR OCEAN
Two guys known as Keith and Jason somehow make up the entirety of the rather large and lush sounding Their Ocean. You may know Jason from his other duo Boy King Island, upon whom our own Britni Day lavished some pretty heady praise. Less indie than that combo, Their Ocean take on a more of a swirling soul-like thing that at time reminds this here writer of In Tall Buildings. Tonight they are finally celebrating the release of their Still Waters EP which can be downloaded for the low low price of free here. If you like the physical, they will be selling a limited amount of handmade CDs. I still like CDs. (Ross Meyerson)

10:00 p.m. Friday, 7/8. Morseland. 21+. FREE!

HOUSE SOUNDS
Jingly jangly indie rock is what Chicago’s House Sounds do best. A bit surfy, a bit garagey but almost always melodic and fun. But that’s not all going down this evening. Quirky keyboard-n-drum duo Billy Crystal Meth are celebrating their release of their new tape. Oh, and let’s not forget Minneapolis’ non-NFL team spastic bedroom rockers The Miami Dolphins and double keyboard action from Jacksonville’s Chicken and Whiskey. It’s gonna be a grand ol’ time. (Richard Giraldi)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 7/8. Streetside Cafe. Donations accepted.

SATURDAY

WEST FEST
We’ve hit that wonderful mid-point in summer where it is the Wicker Park neighborhood’s time to shine. It’s the second weekend fest of the season for the neighborhood and West Fest is chock full of great bands and DJs for your listening pleasure. Saturday gives us a super diverse lineup. How about black metalists Liturgy? Or girly garage rockers Hollows followed by the hard alternative rock stylings of the aforementioned Local H? Sunday promises to be just as eclectic with Chicago teen poppers Purple Apple, punks Team Band, and experimental rockers A Lull. Check out the entire lineup at WestFestChicago.com.

Noon. Saturday, 7/9 & Noon. Sunday 7/10. West Fest (Chicago Avenue between Damen and Wood). All Ages. $5 donation.

WE REPEL EACH OTHER
Noisy, abrasive, tension-filled, We Repel Each Other do all of these things well. Very well, in fact. Their latest releases are a set of two distinctly different EPs. The first, the logically titled sussurra?:?canta?:?deride, can maybe, possibly be considered “accessible” at times like on the out-of-nowhere sludge blues of “racetrack jack”, while the second EP, interruptions, fills the band’s need to make uncomfortable cacophonies. But We Repel Each Other is not the ONLY reason to get to Memories on Saturday night. Surfy punks Hotlips Messiah will also make an appearance as will power punkers Samantha and minimalist post-posters Lil Tits.(Richard Giraldi)

8:00 p.m. Saturday, 7/9. Memories. 21+. $5.

SUNDAY

THE ULTRA-VIOLET PETTING ZOO FESTIVAL
Have you been to Chicago street fests this summer and thought, “Man, this fest really does lack in the petting zoo and carnival games department.” If so, then the Ultra-Violet Petting Zoo Festival might just be what you’re looking for. Curated by our local-music-loving allies Chicago Mixtape, the fest has one helluva lineup that includes, but not limited to, those wild and crazy kidders White Mystery, blusey soul-bruisers Bailiff, melodic slow burners The Record Low and much, much more. Oh, and did we mention there will be a real live fucking petting zoo where you can touch animals and shit? WHOA! And to cap it all off, it’s a benefit for the Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club. Does it get any sweeter? No. It does not get any sweeter.(Richard Giraldi)

2:00 p.m. Sunday, 7/10. Revere Park (3900 N Rockwell). All Ages. $5 Donation.

TINY FIREFLIES
It’s about time these local new wave-inspired indie rockers booked a show in town. Tiny Fireflies, better known as Lisle Mitnik and Kristine Capua, specialize in making music that consists of sweet, sparkling synths and deep, dreamy Mazzy Star-esque vocals. If those names look familiar, it’s because Mitnik and Capua also lend their musical talents to the Chicago band Very Truly Yours. Mitnik and Capua’s last venture under the Tiny Fireflies moniker was an appearance at NYC PopFest. So let’s encourage them to make way more appearances in their home city by catching Tiny Fireflies’ opening spot set at Schubas. (Audrey Leon)

8:00 p.m. Sunday, 7/10. Schubas. 21+ $10.

THE BLACK TAPE
The Black Tape are smooth. Real smooth. Their guitar-focused quartet is heavily influenced by the ’60s sounds of the Kinks and the Beatles, but their music comes across much cleaner sonically. Their tunes are crafted, poppy, melodic and tight as some kind of super tight knot. Of course, that’s not all. If you didn’t get your fix of them last weekend at their epic Obbityfest spectacular, indie space machiners Earth Program will keep doing what they do best: rock your face. Also, stick around for Unplugged and Reborn and The Window Theatre. They’re both totes rad as well.(Richard Giraldi)

8:00 p.m. Sunday, 7/10. The Beat Kitchen. 17+. $10.

So much so, that the Chicago Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club, who’ve been providing athletic, educational and arts programs for more than 1,500 boys and girls since 1931, asked Chicago Mixtape to curate their annual carnival/concert on Sunday, July 10, at Paul Revere Park, located at 3900 N Rockwell Ave.

The end result is a benefit for Neighborhood Boys and Girl Club dubbed ULTRA-VIOLET PETTING ZOO, which features quite a few local buzz bands that have had their music dispersed across Chicago and more on those sweet weekly mixes.

The lineup includes red-headed gorilla fighters White Mystery, groovy bluers Bailiff, jagged indie rockers Jonny Rumble, rowdy noise makers We Repel Each Other and more.

And, no, that name is not just some psychedelic metaphor, the event will also feature a petting zoo (with real live animals you can touch ‘n stuff), a whole mess of carnival-style rides and beer & food! Just the thought of drunkenly riding a tilt-a-whirl while White Mystery makes a ruckus is pretty amazing. The whole sha-bang kicks off at 2 p.m.

And in other Chicago Mixtape news, if you’ve been fiending for a chance at some of their past mixes, your lucky day is coming up soon.

Beginning Monday, June 27, Chicago mixtape subscribers will get access to past mixtapes by referring friends to sign up at Chicagomixtape.com.

The deal is that subscribers will get access to an old mix for every person they get to sign up for Chicago Mixtape. And if you refer more than 10 people, you might get a T-shirt, and a grand prize winner, who I’m guessing refers the most peeps, will win the chance to curate a future mixtape.

But hurry! The promotion will only be available until Wednesday, July 6, at 11:59 p.m.

Ahoy, there! May I be the first to wish you happy Street Festival season as it (un)officially kicks off this weekend with the always awesome Do Division Fest. And better yet. looks like the weather will indeed cooperate. But that’s no all that happenin’ this weekend. We’ll also preview White Mystery‘s stop at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Bailiff‘s record release show at Lincoln Hall, Nobunny at a Chinese Restaurant and more. Can you dig it? Let’s go!

FRIDAY

WHITE MYSTERY
The red-headed brother and sister duo White Mystery will lend some class to the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago for its first installment of the museum’s new series First Fridays. Listen to some primal hard rock ditties courtesy of Miss Alex White and Francis Scott Key White while munching on free Wolfgang Puck hors d’oeuvres. (Audrey Leon)

6:00 p.m. Friday, 6/3. Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. 21+ $18 / $10 (MCA Members)

ONYOU
Yet another big night at Panchos. Chicago’s Onyou play that sort of keyboard driven psych that seems to be sweeping our fair city. What separates them is their heavy, at times, tribal drumming that keeps things heavy amongst the wall of swirl. Quite the welcome addition. Lark’s Tongue might take their name from a King Crimson album but their sound is lusher and more expansive than that easy reference point. Alma Negra are the heavies in this line up. A bit doom metal and a bit post rock, these guys will probably leave your ears crawling back into your head where they really don’t belong. Opener Kundalini do not sound like what you think they sound like. The name implies a sort of hippie trippy space out. What you get is old fashioned 70′s blues rock done without the we’re trying to impress you with our 70′s blues rock. I’ll take that any day. (Ross Meyerson)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 6/3. Panchos. 21+. $8.

THE CLAMS
Chicago’s The Clams are definitely not, and I apologize preemptively, clammy. Sorry, it’s Friday afternoon. Anyway, The Clams seem to hover in this folk meets psychedelic rock realm that’s reminiscent of latter 1990′s-era Flaming Lips material. While their songs are laid back with an occasionally drone-like feel, they usually lead to a mountainous, noisy climax. You can download their last release, 2010′s three-song EP Close to the Clams for free at their Bandcamp, but let’s hope we hear something new from them sooner rather than later. Joining The Clams at Cole’s tonight are the surfy, garage rockers House Sounds and punchy, melodic indie rockers The Canoes.

9:00 p.m. Friday, 6/3. Cole’s. 21+. FREE!

Saturday

DO-DIVISION STREET FEST
Summer is here! Summer is finally here and we’ve got a street festival. The annual Do-Division Fest will take over Division Street between Damen and Leavitt and feature live music programmed by nearby venues Empty Bottle and Subterranean. This year’s edition hosts a mix of indie strongholds such as Nobunny, Mirah & Thao and Dengue Fever, but much-buzzed about local rockers White Mystery and Empires will also perform. Get the entire schedule at Do-DivisionStreetFest.com.

Noon-10 p.m. Saturday, 6/4 & Sunday, 6/5. Division Street between Damen and Leavitt. All Ages. $5 Donation.

NOBUNNY
An interesting addition to the Empty Bottle’s “Music. Friendly. Dancing.” deal in that this show is at Hing Kee in Chinatown. The Bottle is spreading their fan appreciation around, see. Hey, look, this show represents my old home town and new stomping grounds. Oakland’s Nobunny headline with their quirky brand of snotty punk rock lo-fi garage mish mash. The Chicago side will be played by Cave who, no joke, I was just thinking about the other day. Haven’t heard much from their camp recently but a show is always a good way to get things revved up again. Like the other “Music. Friendly. Dance” nights this is free with RSVP so get on it. (Ross Meyerson)

8:00 p.m. Saturday, 6/4. Hing Kee. All Ages. Free with RSVP.

BAILIFF
It took a while, but Chicago’s Bailiff finally completed their full-length debut Red Balloon. The band has had trouble keeping a bassist, so they’ve decided to just carry on as a duo – which is funny considering the sound of their new material is bigger than ever. Much of Red Balloon has moved past the riff-heavy blues rock the band is known for. Instead, Bailiff opt for a sound that at times sounds more rooted in psychedelic-rock-meets-R&B with spacey drums, keyboard nuances and Josh Seigel’s tight vocal hooks. But let’s not mince words here, Red Balloon still rocks. And I’d put money on Red Balloon sounding just as amazing live. And be sure to get there early, as throwback rockers Secret Colours and lo-fi poppers Box Jellyfish open.

10:00 p.m. Saturday, 6/4. Lincoln Hall. 18+. $8 adv/$10 at the door.

SUNDAY

PAGAN PLAYGROUND
Local instrumental, experimental rocker Bill MacKay and Tyler Beach of light and sweet Americana act Leaf Bird will come together on The Whistler’s stage to make a mish-mash of sounds that might be psych rock with a dash of folk. You don’t know what the mixture tastes like until you shake it up. Iowa City’s own ambient electro-jazz rockers Koplant No will open. (Audrey Leon)

9:30 p.m. Sunday, 6/5. The Whistler. 21+ Free.

Chicago’s Bailiff garnered much attention in the past year or two with their desert blues guitar licks and tight Bonham-esque back beats, but with their debut full-length, Red Balloon, the muscular rock gets put on the back burner in favor of soulful melodies and punchy grooves. The result is an album that maintains its edge while not sounding aggressive. Instead of a pummeling guitar and drum attack, Bailiff stretch these new songs into layered journeys with contagious hooks.

It’s always interesting when a band plays to their strengths when taking a leap. On Red Balloon, Bailiff move away from the raggedness of rock and into more mellow atmospherics.

Beefy riffs are replaced with sultry organ and gritty bass lines. Drummer Ren Mathew still pounds the skins, but through the engineering work of Beau Sorenson (Death Cab For Cutie, Sparklehorse) and producer by Jon Alvin (Wax on Radio, Dr. Manhattan), the drums sound vast and misty. When guitarist-singer Josh Siegel does let loose with his tight fretwork, the guitars aren’t crunchy but crisp and glassy.

It’s quite intriguing hearing how songs evolved in such a short amount of time. In early 2010, “Out Of Bounds” was a raging rocker with a quirky guitar lick. Now on Red Balloon, the song has become “In The Reverie,” a darker, moodier piece. Echoing tribal drums keep the pace at a crawl before bursting into a melodic chorus section in which Siegel belts out, “I’ve been getting restless/I’ve been wreckless/Dream a little while/Slept through breakfast/Lay with me/In The Reverie.”

Meanwhile, other songs work with their powerfully mean grooves. “Eventually” slugs along with its marshmellow-thick low end riff. “Curtains” is a funky rocker with a nervy electro-jam at its conclusion, and title track “Red Balloon” is a dreamy, R&B-influenced number that features a soul-sizzling chorus.

The fact that Bailiff is already experimenting with the blues rock-rooted style that brought them some legit local buzz is both gutsy and refreshing. And Red Balloon, while not as guitar-focused as Bailiff’s earlier material, is still a very provocative listen that is highly rewarding in its melodic impression and fluid feel.

Red Balloon will be released Saturday, June 4, at Bailiff’s record release show at Lincoln Hall and can be pre-ordered at their Kickstarter page.

_______________________________________________________________
BAILIFF
10:00 p.m. Saturday, 6/4
Lincoln Hall, 2424 N Lincoln Ave
18+ $10.
_______________________________________________________________

Loyal Divide

OK — It’s the calm before the storm, people. There are only a few days before the Springtime monster known as South by Southwest Festival awakens and all hell breaks loose. Despite the madness to come, we’re proud to highlight a tiny portion of the excitement bubbling around the city this weekend. Our finest musical acts may be readying themselves for a full-on invasion of Austin, Texas, like the mighty Napoleon going to battle but first they must tread our stages once more.

We’ve got two SXSW send-off parties featuring the likes of Rabble Rabble, Chaperone, Radar Eyes and so much more at The Hideout and Scott Lucas and the Married Men and California Wives at the Bottom Lounge. We’ve also got Loyal Divide at the Beat Kitchen and a little band called Rodeo at the Empty Bottle. Let’s get it on…

FRIDAY

NELKEN
Chicago’s Americana folk rockers Nelken will be at Mayne Stage for The Future Laureates’ record release show. Consisting of members Cyndy Fike and Wes Lambert, this duo is a little June Carter and a little Johnny Cash with their intricate harmonies floating over light, yet profoundly created melodies. Also playing the stage are a string of folk and Americana specialists like Kingsley Flood, How Far to Austin, leading up to the guest of honor: The Future Laureates. (Britni Day)

8:00 p.m., Friday, 3/11. Mayne Stage. All Ages. $10.

MUTTS
In the mood for some bluesy swamp-grooves? Look no further than Chicago’s Mutts whose sound is powered by a heavy, southern-gravy thick organ and Mike Maimone’s vocals that run the gamut from Texas drawl to metallic shrieks. Also on the bill are Bailiff, who are perfect compliments to Mutts, as their take on blues-rock features mammoth-sized riffs and Zeppelin backbeats. Epic indie-rockers Suns and anthemic poppers The Field Auxiliary are also on the bill. So looks like the Beat Kitchen is the place to be if you want to check out a great showcase of some excellent Windy City talent. (Richard Giraldi)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 3/11. Beat Kitchen. 17+ $10.

GYPSYBLOOD
A trifecta of greatness will be taking over Lincoln Hall as Gypsyblood, Light Pollution and Maps and Atlases rock the stage this Friday. All three bands have ended up on our recent plethora of “Top Ten” lists, so this show will be incredible. Indie hard rockers, Gypsyblood, are known for their acrobatic stage antics, big rock sound and intense vocals. Light Pollution will make you dance the night away (and probably shake it with you) with their upbeat, jangly indie rock sounds and swirling keyboards. And Maps and Atlases will be headlining with their eccentric prog-rock, open-hearted vocals, and sophisticated arrangement. Fans will absolutely enjoy all the musical love these three have to give. (Britni Day)

10:00 p.m. Friday, 3/11. Lincoln Hall. 18+ $14.

SATURDAY

THE ALL-DAY HIDEOUT SXSW SENDOFF PARTY
Like children heading off to summer camp it is that time of year again. The time that we proudly send our city’s finest off to SXSW to show those folks that Chicago’s music scene is as rad as it gets. As always, we gather at the Hideout to see our local heroes live one last time before they make the trek south. This year’s heroes include: Outer Minds, Chaperone, Joan of Arc, Mickey, Radar Eyes, Tiger Bones, Skull Orchard, Paul Cary, Rabble Rabble, Waco Brothers, and Kids These Days. Not bad, Chicago. Go make us proud. (Ross Meyerson)

1:30 p.m. Saturday, 3/12. The Hideout. 21+. $10.

BOTTOM LOUNGE SXSW PREVIEW EVENT
What can I say about SXSW that wasn’t already said by Ross? Not much. While the Hideout has a formidable number of bands on its bon voyage show bill, the Bottom Lounge will not to be outdone. The West Loop venue boasts the likes of melodic indie poppers California Wives, the folky side project of a certain Local H axeman Scott Lucas and the Married Men, new wavers Big Science, Montreal psyche-poppers Elephant Stone, Minneapolis’ own Brit-pop inspired The Idle Hands and upbeat dance rockers Blah Blah Blah. (Audrey Leon)

5:00 p.m. Saturday, 3/12. Bottom Lounge. 17+ $5.

LOYAL DIVIDE
When a band like Chicago’s Loyal Divide can create the perfect music video soundscape for some serious stick figure genocide, you just have to see them live. The band headlines Beat Kitchen for the BeeBillion.com launch party this Saturday. These electronic, psychedelic indie rockers take Brian Eno’s eccentricities, Animal Collective’s playful layers, and build it on a foundation of pure groove. And while they have been teasing us with EP’s for quite some time (I know, I know. The album is coming soon, my friends), fans can get their fix of the full Loyal Divide catalog at the show. Also gracing the stage are folk-rockers Derek Nelson and The Musicians, quirky electronic specialist Nick Miller and The Neighbors and alt-country rockers Bassel and The Supernaturals. (Britni Day)

8:00 p.m., Saturday, 3/12. Beat Kitchen. 21+ $10 (or free with RSVP)

SUNDAY

OPTIONS
Every week I look for little shows to write up and every week I find another hidden gem. This week’s gem is the one-man band Options. Seth Engel has put together some nice little singer-songwriter indie pop tunes that he wisely augments with moments of noisy guitar mayhem. It just feels like 90′s classic. There’s also the hip hop stylings of Ssssnake, the Canadian-ness of Pat Jordache, and the gothic folk of Leaf Bird. (Ross Meyerson)

8:00 p.m. Sunday, 3/13. Panchos. 18+. $5.

RODEO
Is it really here? So it seems, dear readers. So it seems. Our fearless leader’s own rock ‘n’ roll band Rodeo is poised to hurl its debut EP, “Sarcastic Summer“, onto your anticipatory ears. To celebrate this, a show. Go revel in the glory that is this Pixies worshiping behemoth. Not enough? I understand. What if, let’s say, we throw in some reckless rock all the way from England? You’ve got it. Chips For The Poor seem to share a love for that weird part of the late 80′s when it felt like anything was possible. And, because I say so, one of my recent favorites, Merlin Wall shall open. It has been decreed! Seriously, go see Richard’s band. He has a fragile ego and I’d hate to see him tailspin into a deep depression. Again. (Ross Meyerson) [Assist. Ed. Note: Come on down! The Loud Loop crew will be out in full drunken force.]

7:00 p.m. Sunday, 3/13. Empty Bottle. 21+. $3.

Finally, the start of Chicago’s summer festival season is upon us as the Do-Division Street Fest kicks off tomorrow! Lets just hope the rain doesn’t spoil the fun.

What’s that? You’re one of those poor souls who works during the weekend? I feel for you, brother! Luckily, there are quite a few more awesome shows around town this weekend including CAVE at the Hideout, Yakuza at the Beat Kitchen, Toro y Moi at the Empty Bottle and much more!

Lets get to it, shall we?

Friday

CAVE
By now you’ve surely read my review of Cave’s latest, Pure Moods. Too lazy? In brief, Pure Moods is good, really good. So there you go. This is their official release party show country throw down so get out there and hear the raging “Teenager” live and in person. Columbia, Missouri’s Jerusalem and the Starbaskets are Cave-like weird but in a more traditionally weird way. Something is happening in Columbia, Missouri, something trippy. Heads up, opener Daniel Lutz isn’t a dude but she does play some hauntingly beautiful music. That she does. (Ross Meyerson)

10:00 p.m. Friday, 6/4. The Hideout. 21+. $8.

THE GOOD LIFE
The Good Life started out as a side project for Cursive frontman Tim Kasher and it ballooned into a full-fledged band with four full-length albums and two EPs under its belt. The Good Life gives Kasher a chance to indulge in his softer, more acoustic pop side. The Good Life is supporting its latest release Help Wanted Nights with a show at Subterranean and an appearance at Do Division Fest’s Leavitt stage on Saturday. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 6/4. Subterranean. 17+. $12.

Saturday

DO-DIVISION STREET FEST
The summer street fest season officially kicks off this weekend (don’t even try and tell me the Belmont-Sheffield fest is real) with the always-awesome Do Division, and we’ve got two days of bands lined up to get your dancing shoes a-moving. On Saturday, be sure not to miss Chicago’s own CoCoComa at 4pm (also playing the Empty Bottle Friday!) for their sing-alongable garage punk that would do the Ramones proud. Right after that, at 5:20, things get a little bluesier and a little sludgier but stay just as rad with locals Bailiff, who will get you to bang your head slowly. BUT THERE’S MORE! Stick around til the end on Saturday to check out The Night Marchers, John Reis’ newest project. If you’ll recall, two of Reis’ bands made my top ten of the decade , and though The Night Marchers don’t pack the same raw energy of Reis’ previous projects, the band shreds live. Plus, a chance to see Reis’s frontman showmanship is never to be missed. And if you’re lucky, the band will play their non-album track “Fisting the Fanbase,” which is one of the best songs not committed to wax in the past few years.

And that’s only Saturday! On Sunday, see the now-not-on-hiatus Chicago institution The Ponys at 7pm, who have come back to rock your faces. I was lucky enough to catch them at Pritzker Pavilion last week, and I know that you don’t want to miss these garage rockers bring their feedback to the stage. Then stick around for the 8:30 act, YACHT, to end your festival day with some DFA-style dancing that’ll leave you with a smile on your face. And if that wasn’t enough, comedy legend Neil Hamburger is hosting the Damen stage both days. So get your ass out to Division this weekend. It’s gonna be epic. Also, check out the complete lineup right here. (Andy Kondrat)

1:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Saturday, June 5, and Sunday, June 6. Division Street from Ashland to Leavitt. All Ages. $5 Suggested Donation.

YAKUZA
Chicago’s Yakuza have been around for awhile now but I still think they are the future of metal. Their ability to go from gut wrenching noise to epic beauty to free jazz freak outs is pretty impressive no doubt. This show is their record release party for June 22nd’s “Of Seismic Consequence” and rumor has it you might be able to pick up the album at the show early like. If “Stones and Bones” – listenable on their Myspace page now – is any indication of the scope of this record it might be safe to say Yakuza are ready to be the future that they should have been already. Fellow Chicagoans Alaya Conscious and The Swan King open. Heavy and epic indeed. (Ross Meyerson)

Doors 9:00 p.m./Show 10:00 p.m. Saturday, 6/5. Beat Kitchen. 21+. $10.

ENTOMBED
You’ve got to at least give props to late 80′s/early 90′s metal bands that stuck around through the shit storm of bad mid-90′s metal and are at least getting the recognition they deserve now. Entombed deserves your props for not abandoning their metal-ness during the dark days of neu metal. Maybe not the death metal band they were early on, Entombed have twisted their sound without ever looking towards the mainstream and that’s metal enough for me. Kenosha’s Jungle Rot Ohio’s Woe of Tyrants, and Chicago’s kind of radder than most Sweet Cobra open. (Ross Meyerson)

7:00 p.m. Saturday, 6/5. Reggie’s. All Ages. $18.

TORO Y MOI
Toro y Moi, the chillwave, elctro-pop product of Chaz Bundick, mixes samples and laptops with live musicians. Bundick and Co. create dreamy layers of sonic goodness that envelop you like a warm summer breeze. Hailing from South Carolina there’s some Southern softness that flavors the overall electronic sound. It’s basically the perfect soundtrack to an early June night. Locals Save the Watchtower and Glitter Bones get the live-tronica night started. (Andrew Kahn)

10:00 p.m. Saturday, 6/5. Empty Bottle. $12. 21+.

Sunday

DO-DIVISION STREET FEST
See above.

1:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Saturday, June 5, and Sunday, June 6. Division Street from Ashland to Leavitt. All Ages. $5 Suggested Donation.

The Dead Weather

As the weather finally flirts with 90 degrees, the summertime Chi music scene is really starting to heat up.

Once again, it’s a weekend chock full of killer shows including the Gapers Block 7^th Anniversary Bash with JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound at the Metro, the top secret free Dead Weather show, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings at the Vic Theatre, Twilight Sad at Lincoln Hall and so much more it’s REDONKULOUS.

Let’s hop to it, shall we?

Friday

SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS
I told you about their finely crafted album I Learned the Hard Way yesterday, but the truth is – this band may make fine albums, but on stage in front of a live audience is where they shine. Jones’ is more than a singer, she’s a true performer and the Dap-Kings are certain to make you shake your ass. The Heavy opens. (Andrew Kahn)

8:00 p.m., Friday, May 21. The Vic Theatre. 18+. $24.

GAPERS BLOCK 7^TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY
Our friends over at the Gaper’s Block are celebrating their 7^th anniversary of life on the Web with a great line-up of local bands. JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound, Blah Blah Blah, Hollows, and Lasers + Fast + Shit were tapped to bring the party. CHIRP Radio is hosting and it’s also the Blah Blah Blah’s record release show. (Andrew Kahn)

9:00 p.m., Friday, May 21. The Metro. 18+. 2-for-1 tickets for $7 in advance or $10 singles at the door, Sharon Jones ticket stubs accepted for free admission.

MAYBENAUTS
Come celebrate the release of Big Bang, the Maybenaut’s debut EP with a crazy live show at the Darkroom. The Chicago pop-rockers will perform alongside six other local groups including Gidgets Ga Ga and The Safes. It’s also space panda Vee Sonnet’s birthday so buy him a drink or three. The show is free before 10 p.m. so now you have no reason not to go and support your local musicians. (Audrey Leon)

8 p.m., Friday, 5/21. The Darkroom. 21+. FREE/$5 after 10 p.m.

LIONS RAMPART
Lions Rampart have already received my praise for their driving style of bluesy garage rock. Well, that doesn’t mean I can’t steer you to another show of theirs. Good time rock ‘n’ roll is both a good time and hard to come by. But let’s talk about the opener–another Chicago band, The Biltmores, shall we? Yes! Do I hear that dissonant guitar sound? I do. A little mathy but not in a showy way. Oh, you know, just good old fashioned indie rock again. The kind I am tickled pink is back in a big way. Guitar. (Ross Meyerson)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 5/21. Quenchers. 21+. $5 donation.

Saturday

THE TWILIGHT SAD
Scotland’s answer to Interpol, The Twilight Sad, returns to Chicago to play Lincoln Hall on Saturday night. The noise rockers are touring in support of their superb 2009 album Forget the Night Ahead with Japanese instrumentalists Mono. If you haven’t heard the album’s lead single “I was a Prostitute,” what are you waiting for? (Audrey Leon)

10 p.m., Saturday, 5/22. Lincoln Hall. 21+. $14.

THE DEAD WEATHER
It’s official. This week has been rock super group week in Chicago. Tuesday saw an appearance by Them Crooked Vultures and now the Jack White-helmed four-headed monster The Dead Weather plans to descend on the Windy City this Saturday at a location to be determined. The group is playing a free promotional show for Microsoft’s new cell phone, Kin, and to build some buzz the show location is being kept under wraps until hours before the show. In the mean time, wander over to the event’s Facebook page and keep clicking refresh. (Audrey Leon)

8:30 p.m., Saturday, 5/22. ?????????. 21+. FREE!

BAILIFF
After a brief hiatus to record a new album, Bailiff returns to the stage this Saturday at the Subterranean. The Chicago gritty-blues rockers debuted a couple new tunes at their Lincoln Hall show back in January that offered a funkier side to their guitar-heavy, tight back-beat sound they’ve etched for themselves. I’m guessing the band are itching to play some more new material since they’ve been in hiding for most of the Winter and early Spring. Opening the show will be locals The Poison Arrows, and headlining will be Chicago new wave, post-punk outfit Big Science who’ll be celebrating their EP release. (Richard Giraldi)

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 5/22. Subterranean. 17+. $10.

Sunday

LOCAL H
Hometown heroes Local H return to the Metro to conclude its Six Angry Records tour after a grueling trek through east coast, playing whatever record in full that some lucky SOB picks out of a hat each night. I, for one, cannot wait for this show. For the love of God, someone pick “Whatever Happened to PJ Soles.” Wait! No. Pick “As Good As Dead!” Err… “Here Comes the Zoo!” — Fuck it. Just play “Pack up the Cats.” (Audrey Leon)

7:00 p.m. Sunday, 5/23. Metro. All Ages. $13.

HEAVY TIMES
Chicago’s Heavy Times feature members of Cacaw. They don’t sound like Cacaw. More punk than in your melting face intense, Heavy Times still rock a-plenty. Tonight’s is a record release so you can celebrate with them. Hey, look, it’s Bitchin Bajas again. Seems this Cave side project is becoming a full-fledged force in the world. John Bellows will play his fucked up tunes with a childlike lack of self-consciousness. Openers Campfire kind of play a lo-fi garage version of Pavement songs? Can I say that? Sure. (Ross Meyerson)

9:00 p.m. Sunday, 5/23. Empty Bottle. 21+. $3.

LOST: SERIES FINALE
So, the most pressing question this weekend is…how will it all end? Is Jack really going to take Jacob’s place? Has Ben joined forces with FLocke? What exactly is the suave Desmond Hume up to in the alternate reality? When will Kate die? Will we ever see Vincent or the Hurley Bird again? WALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLT!!!!! Tune in and geek out. (Richard Giraldi)

8:00 p.m. Sunday, 5/23. ABC. All Ages. FREE cause it’s like on TV and stuff.

This year’s fest, held Saturday and Sunday, June 5th & 6th on Division between Ashland and Levitt, will have two stages booked by Empty Bottle Presents and Subterranean / House Call Entertainment chock full of great Chicago bands.

Among those recruited to perform are heavy hitters Pelican and The Ponys, mash-up driven Hood Internet, Local H‘s Scott Lucas and The Married Men, and one of our 10 Chicago Bands to Watch in 2010, Bailiff.

Here’s the full list with stage location and set times:

Damen Stage programmed by Empty Bottle Presents

Saturday, June 5th

1:00pm             Jeremy Messersmith

2:30pm             Maritime

4:00pm             CoCoComas

5:30pm             Headlights

7:00pm             Pelican

8:30pm             Hood Internet

*Stage Hosted by “America’s Funnyman” Neil Hamburger

Sunday, June 6th

1:00pm             The Mynabirds

2:30pm             Earl Greyhound

4:00pm             Warpaint

5:30pm             El Ten Eleven

7:00pm             Ponys

8:30pm             YACHT

*Stage Hosted by “America’s Funnyman” Neil Hamburger

Leavitt Stage programmed by Subterranean  / House Call Entertainment

Saturday, June 5th

1:00 pm             Days Off

2:05 pm             The Gunshy

3:10 pm             The Poison Arrows

4:15 pm             Vacations

5:20 pm             Bailiff

6:30 pm             Sybris

7:40 pm             The Good Life

9:00 pm             The Night Marchers

Sunday, June 6th

1:00 pm             John Drake & The Shakes

2:05 pm             Cameron McGill & What Army

3:10 pm             Tim Larson & The Owner Operators

4:15 pm             Rego

5:20 pm             Soft Speaker

6:25 pm             Scott Lucas And The Married Men

7:35 pm             Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons

9:00 pm             Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

PHOTO CREDIT: LENNY GILMORE

Bailiff front man and lead guitarist Josh Siegel contorted the strings of his Fender Stratocaster in the opening riff for their avalanche-esque take, “Out Of Bounds,” while drummer Ren Mathew completely disregarded the pocket and played huge rhythms that could easily be mistaken for John Bonham. Even new bassist Adam Schneider’s beefy bass thumped along with pure energy as he danced around the stage like a madman.

It was Saturday night at Lincoln Hall and the nearly sold out crowd were transfixed on every twist and turn of Bailiff’s gritty, progressive take on electric blues. The crowd, diversely comprised of Logan Square Hipsters, Lincoln Park college students and Wrigleyville 30-somethings, all head banged in unison and hooted and hollered at every short break between Bailiff’s powerhouse set.

Meanwhile, the band oozed a quite confidence on stage and performed more to the level of an arena rock band than local flavors of the month. They showcased a poise and instrumental mastery that will no doubt push them to the next level.

It was a little more than a year ago that Bailiff was stuck in local band limbo. They had released a great sounding EP in early 2008, but their bassist left the group due to creative differences in March of the same year.

Flash forward to November 2008, and the band was hole up in a studio apartment-sized practice space in an Ukrainian Village warehouse auditioning bass players they’d been in contact with through Craigslist.org. Auditions came and went, but Siegel and Mathew were unable to find that certain someone who they had a real rapport with.

But in January of 2009, Siegel and Mathew received a Myspace message from Adam Schneider, who had seen their bass player ad on Craigslist. However, Schneider admitted that he was only looking because he still had a full semester of school at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL – a three-hour drive from Chicago. But Schneider reiterated his goal was to move to Chicago to find a band once he graduated.

Even more intriguing is the fact that Schneider’s girlfriend, who was living in Chicago at the time, told him she had heard of Bailiff’s bass player woes, and he should get in contact with them. Schneider received her suggestion after he had already seen their Craigslist ad and was preparing to contact the band. It was this seemingly destiny-foretelling coincidence that spurred him to write Bailiff sooner than later.

“He wrote to us telling us that [the girlfriend story] had happened,” Bailiff front man Siegel said. “And he wanted to see what our goals were for the band to make sure we weren’t being casual and that we really wanted to make this our career. So, I wrote him a long reply talking about what we were looking to do, and he got back to us saying it sounds like we have similar goals.”

Bailiff frontman Josh Siegel leads the band through an electrifying set at Lincoln Hall

Shortly thereafter, Schneider took a train up to Chicago to jam with Siegel and Mathew.

“It all just kind of clicked right from the get-go,” Siegel said. “He was the best bass player that we had auditioned. And personality wise, we all just felt real comfortable like old friends.”

After Schneider headed back to Charleston, Siegel and Mathew talked it over and determined that this was their man. They called Schneider the very same evening informing him he got the gig. For the next few months while Schneider was finishing school, he would take the train up to Chicago on his free time to play. Finally in June, Schneider moved to Chicago, and all three members of the newly energized Bailiff took up residence in a Lakeview area home.

Once everyone finally got together in Chicago, Bailiff took Chicago’s live music scene by storm playing at all the major venues including Schubas, Subterranean and even opened for Poi Dog Pondering at the Vic Theatre. Additionally, the group slowly caught the attention from local press and write-ups on Bailiff appeared in the Chicago Tribune and The Onion’s AV Club.

But while the band’s popularity is increasing, they’re still grounded. Siegel understands that, especially for bands beginning to gain a following, it’s best not to over saturate the local market and possibly wear out your welcome.

“For me, even with bands that I love, I’ll see them and then you just need that two month break to recharge from the show, “ Siegel said. “And give the band time to make some new songs and change something and keep it interesting.”

Bailiff bass player Adam Schneider performs at Lincoln Hall

Now that Bailiff opened 2010 with a bang at Lincoln Hall earlier this month, the band is taking a quasi-break to focus on writing new material and recording their first full length album.

“We want to put out an album,” Siegel said. “Right now we’re just working on figuring out the funding and then where we want to record it. Once we have the album, the plan is to tour on it as hard as we can.”

Those in attendance at Lincoln Hall two weeks ago were the first to get a taste of the new material, which is quite groovy. From the bass-heavy, R&B-influenced rocker, “So Low (Timbagroove),” to the tribal vocals of romp-stomper “When I Leave You Will Stay,” which even features drummer Mathew on trumpet, the band’s sound is evolving.

Bailiff drummer Ren Mathew is a blur as he lays down big beats at Lincoln Hall

This new organic sound stems from a more collaborative writing process to which even Siegel admits was difficult for him at times.

“I used to think a song is done and then feel hurt if [Mathew and Schneider] think it could be better,” Siegel said. “I would think these guys are crazy. This is perfect. So, I’d say okay and try something else. Then something else would pop up while I’d be sitting and writing that was way better. Then I’ll look back and say I don’t know what I was thinking with that first idea.”

According to Siegel, Mathew and Schneider have been huge in the arranging process and backup vocal ideas. But even with this new collaborative way of writing, the basic writing process for Bailiff hasn’t changed much. Siegel will bring in a song idea, the band will jam on the idea and record it and then listen back to make changes from there.

If everything goes according to plan, Bailiff will have a new studio record out sometime this year and then will hit the road including a stop at this year’s South By Southwest in Austin. But don’t count on Bailiff resting for very long. Siegel says he wouldn’t be surprised to see Chicago or other Midwest shows pop up in the very near future as they now have a piece of equipment that’s a necessity for all major rock bands.

“Now we have a van,” Siegel said. “ So, we’re still anxious to get more shows under our belt.”