There’s honestly no better spot to hit up if you need some new vinyl, DVDs, cassettes or even CDs (remember those?) than the CHIRP Record Fair.

There are going to be a great deal of local vendors at the event including Groove Distribution LLC, Mr. Peabody Records and even Chicago imprint Bloodshot Records. For a complete list of fair vendors, check out Chicagoindieradio.org/recordfair.

The two-day record fair will also offer some kick-ass entertainment including DJ sets from locals Disappears, Mannequin Men, Alla and Deia Does Dylan. Additionally, there will also be live performances from Pretty Good Dance Moves, Maurice, The Loneliest Monk and Judson Claiborne. Heck, you can even get a rock n’ roll caricature of yourself drawn by Plastic Crimewave.

The CHIRP Record Fair gets under way from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday at Plumbers Hall. Admission is $7, but if you can get in for $5 if you bring this printable flyer with you. And if you’re one of those hardcore collector freaks, you can even get in bright and early at 8 a.m. before the fair opens to the public at a special price of $25.

Jemina Pearl

It’s Superbowl weekend, but there are still a bunch of awesome shows happening this weekend! But before we get to the shows, a reminder that Loud Loop Radio will be back on the air tomorrow, Saturday, February 6, at 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Radio DePaul.

Lets get to it, shall we?

HIDEOUT’S INTERVIEW SHOW
The Hideout’s Interview Show, hosted by Mark Bazar, turns two this Saturday. They are calling it an extravaganza and who am I to quibble. Featured this time around is Paul Kahan, executive chef and partner at the Publican, Avec, Big Star, and Blackbird. But wait, there’s more. Co-founders and owners of Chicago’s own Bloodshot Records, Rob Miller and Nan Warshaw will also be there. Need music? Bloodshot Records own The Blacks, a handsome group if ever I saw one, will be reuniting and playing their brand of boozey burlesque country. But I like to laugh, you say. Well I wasn’t done. There will also be sketch comedy from Dominizuelan. Man, this is an extravaganza. (Ross Meyerson)

6:30 PM. Friday, 2/5. The Hideout. 21+. $5.

JEMINA PEARL
Pop-Punk badass Jemina Pearl will bring her wild and unpredictable live show to the Beat Kitchen stage on Saturday, Feb. 6. The former Be Your Own Pet vocalist will perform tracks off her solo debut record Break it Up. If the all-too-real possibility of Jemina Pearl beating the tar out of someone in the middle of her set isn’t enough to entice you, Chicago’s own White Mystery will open. (Audrey Leon)

Here’s a clip of Jemina Pearl performing the song “Looking for Trouble” at Subterranean on Oct. 15, 2009.

9:00 PM. Saturday, 2/6. Beat Kitchen. 17+. $10.

VENEFICUM
The Chicago metal scene is way more vibrant and downright scary then you know. Pelican and Russian Circles garner most of the attention but lesser known Chicago bands really take genre bending to new heights. You can check out 2 of them Saturday at Reggie’s Rock Club. Veneficum play gruesome black metal swimming in nightmarish keyboards. Picture a jack in the box played at extreme speed while your mom yells at you. Or don’t. It’s just too evil. Centaurus opens and brings a slower, more progressive take. They may be less evil but are no less heavy. And, hey, both bands are recording new albums, Centaurus their debut, so go check them out before everyone and their little brother is wearing these band’s illegible shirts. (Ross Meyerson)

7:00 PM. Saturday, 2/6. Reggies Rock Club. 18+ $10.

THE GOLDEN HORSE RANCH BAND
Hmmm. So something’s going on Sunday, like all day Sunday, but for the life of me I can’t think what it is. It’s probably nothing important. So…head on down to the Whistler and spend the evening with The Golden Horse Ranch Band. There’ll be some good old 5-part harmonies and they are even raffling off a sweet 5 inch portable black and white tv! Weird. Why a tv? Let me check the site real quick. Ok. Seems they’ll be showing some game on the tv while the band plays. A big game. Anyways, cool. Music and sports. You can’t lose. I’ll see you there although I still have that nagging feeling I’m supposed to be doing something else. (Ross Meyerson)

7:00 PM. Sunday, 2/7. The Whistler. 21+. FREE!

My Gold Mask (Photo Credit: Josh Reed)

For the weekend of December 18, we’re spotlighting tonight’s My Gold Mask show, tomorrow’s Bloodshot Records 15th Anniversary Holiday Merriment and Benefit, and Sunday’s Dasboton gig at the Hideout.

And a reminder for next week: Starting on Monday, December 21, we’ll be posting contributor ‘Best Of 2009 Top 10′ lists all week long. Then beginning on Monday, December 2008, we’ll throw up our contributor ‘Best Of 2000-2009 Top 10′ lists concluding on Friday, January 1. It should be a fun time, so if you need to take a break from last minute shopping, then head over to Loud Loop Press for some great lists and discussion.

Lets get to it, shall we?

My Gold Mask
They rocked out Loud Loop Press Presents Show last month, and you can catch them tonight at the corner of Fullerton and Western better known as Quenchers. My Gold Mask offers a densely orchestrated and mature sound for only having two members. Lead singer Gretta Rochelle’s ability to intertwine twisted vocal melodies with occasional low growls or spoken word is fresh and really takes My Gold Mask to new heights. Local instrumentalists Sharpers open and Chicago indie-experimental outfits Reds and Blue headline. – Richard Giraldi

9:00 PM. Friday, 12/18. Quenchers. 21+. Suggested Donation of $5.

Bloodshot Records 15th Anniversary Holiday Merriment and Benefit
It’s that certain time of year. You know, peace on Earth, good will towards men. You can put your money where your mouth is Saturday by heading to the Double Door for a benefit for the good folks in The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir and good folk Lawrence Peters, whose Lawrence Peters Project will be opening the night’s festivities. The Detroit Cobras headline. And although not directly benefiting from the night’s proceeds, supporting anything from Detroit these days can be seen as an act of charity and kindness. If you say bah humbug to the holidays then be selfish and just go out and treat your ears to an evening on good music and you might just learn the true meaning of Christmas yet. – Ross Meyerson

7:30 P.M. Saturday, 12/19. Double Door. 21+. Suggested Donation of $10.

Dasboton
If you’re like me (or me) you look at Rockford, Il as the mecca of rock ‘n’ roll thanks to its favorite sons, Cheap Trick. Well, hailing from the same sacred ground is Dasboton, and although they don’t deal in the same territory as CT, they still do Rockford proud. Sunday they play the Hideout with Chicago’s Slick Conditions. Again I say local local local. You need the scene and the scene needs you so put on a coat and a scarf and head on out. – Ross Meyerson

9:00 PM. Sunday, 12/10. The Hideout. 21+. $5.

UPDATE – 10/11/09: Check the comments for Ross Meyerson’s update on Mark Yoshizumi’s condition

The rest of the band’s scheduled dates have been cancelled and their planned Halloween show at Subterranean will now be a benefit concert for the group.  Details on the benefit will be announced next week.

Finally the following partial list of damaged equipment was posted for those wishing to contribute or donate replacements:

Taylor 12 string acoustic guitar (not sure of model)
Roland KC300 keyboard amp
Premier drum kit
White Gibson Melody Maker electric guitar
Handmade violin

If you have something you’d like to donate, please contact Nan: nan@bloodshotrecords.com

Donations can be made via the PayPal account set up to support the group’s medical costs.   All of us here at Loud Loop Press hope the band has a speedy and full recovery – help them out if you can.

This year’s block party will be devoted entirely to the 15th Anniversary of Chicago’s Bloodshot Records and is titled the Bloodshot Beer-B-Q. The good news is that the event will still take place outside the music club on West Wabansia starting at noon on Sept. 12.

The lineup from Jim DeRo’s Sun-Times blog is as follows:

Alejandro Escovedo, the Waco Brothers with Rico Bell, Bobby Bare Jr., Deadstring Brothers, the reunited Blacks, the Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, Scott H. Biram and a reunion by Moonshine Willy, playing one show only after a decade-long break.

According to bloodshotrecords.com, a $10 donation is required for admission and will benefit Rock For Kids and 826 Chicago. The event is also ALL AGES. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.