Archie Powell and the Exports

It’s the last weekend in April and we can’t just let you go on your merry way without making a few suggestions on how best to live it up and rock it out.

Grab your hippest rain poncho and brace yourselves because we’re talking Archie Powell and the Exports’ record release show at Subterranean, Panda Riot’s gig at Bottom Lounge and Rabid Rabbit’s takeover of the Empty Bottle.

Up and Atom!

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Disappears

Annnnnnd, it’s the final Weekend Diversions of 2011. So sad. So, so, so sad. Or is it? Yes, it is. Maybe. Either way, there’s no shortage of rad New Years Eve shows we just have to talk about this weekend. Of course, there’s Disappears at the Bottle or Local H at the Bottom Lounge, but there’s also JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound at Schubas tonight and so much more.

Dig it, y’all.

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My Gold Mask | photo by Audrey Leon

Hopefully, you have all managed to get through this blackest of Black Fridays without getting trampled upon for a $2 waffle maker, Chicagoans, because we’ve got an incredible line-up of musical acts setting up shop all round this fair city.

We’re talking Scott Lucas and the Married Men at Hard Rock Cafe, My Gold Mask at Empty Bottle, Tandoori Knights at Bottom Lounge and so much more.

Come on, Pilgrim!

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Monday Afternoon Quick Fix runs every Monday afternoon to showcase the best of Chicago music news, views and stories from around the interwebs and blogosphere that we might have missed.

• • The Tribune’s Christopher Borrelli explores the history of one of Chicago’s best known music clubs The Hideout.
• • Speaking of The Hideout, WindyCityRock.net’s Andrew Hertzberg reviews this past weekend’s Hideout Block Party.
• • Meanwhile, TimeOut Chicago has a short review and a meat-heavy photo gallery of the first annual Rock and Roll Pig Roast.
• • Yakuza/Bloodiest frontman Bruce Lamont interviews the Swans’ Michael Gira for the Reader during their stop at Chicago’s Bottom Lounge last week.
• • Gonzo Chicago has an audio of full sets from Mayor Daley and Bad Drugs during their rager at the Empty Bottle last week.

Asobi Seksu

It’s the autumnal equinox, Charlie Brown! In celebration of the first real day of fall, we’ve got a fine selection of shows for your weekend party planning. We’re talking up The Hideout Block Party, Deerhoof, Asobi Seksu and much more!

Come on. Feel the Illinoise, already!

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Monday Afternoon Quick Fix runs every Monday afternoon to showcase the best of Chicago music news, views and stories from around the interwebs and blogosphere that we might have missed.

• • NPR is now streaming the new Wilco album, The Whole Love.
• • Jim DeRogatis has another installment of the highly entertaining The Vortis Diaries on his WBEZ blog that details their problematic gig earlier this month at Subterranean.
• • Greg Kot profiles local R&B/hip hop/jazz up-and-comers Kids These Days for the Chicago Tribune.
• • WindyCityRock.net reviews last week’s BRAIDS and Painted Palms show at the Empty Bottle.
• • Gonzo Chicago has a sweet, sweet video of Music Tapes’ Julian Koster and Robby Cuchiarro performing the song “Spare the Dark Streets” in an alley behind the Bottom Lounge last week.

The Laureates

Three Thank-Grimace-It’s-Thursday reasons to head on down to Bottom Lounge tonight…

1. How about some endearing indie rock? If you like a little bit of jingle with your jangly guitars The Laureates more than deliver with its Spoon-like bluesy, toe-tapping rhythms and its Morrissey-esque vocal stylings. Our own editor-in-chief Richard Giraldi had some nice things to say about the group’s sophomore record Spells back in June, describing the Laureate’s sound as “rough-and-tumble garage rock with a power pop sheen.” It probably doesn’t get more apt than that.

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