This weekend, we plan on getting Blacked Out at the Empty Bottle, do some Dumpster diving at the Burlington, make a Day of it at Cole’s and so much more.

Let’s do this…

FRIDAY

HOZAC BLACKOUT FEST
It has return..eth! The garage slash punk slash rock ‘n’ roll fest thrown by Chicago’s own HoZac Records is back – this time in the neighborly confines of the Empty Bottle. And the imprints isn’t sparing the fire power with headliners like the alt-punk stalwarts Redd Kross (performing their fiery 1982 debut Born Innocent), Puerto Rican garage rockers Davila 666 and psychedelic rock legend Roky Erikson. The rest of the lineup offers familiar faces both locaally and non from across the stylistic spectrum including experimentalists ET Habit, redheaded garage rockers White Mystery, surf-poppers Fungi Girls, neo-psychers Bare Mutants, alien-punks Human Eye and that’s just skimming the surface. Unfortunately, Sunday’s fun, starring Roky E himself, has sold out, but there’s still time for you to carve out five hours on Friday and Saturday evening for some rowdy and ear-splitting good times. (Richard Giraldi)

5:00 p.m. Friday, 5/18 & Saturday 5/19, 7:00 p.m. Sunday 5/20. The Empty Bottle. 21+. $20 Friday, $25 Saturday & Sunday.

SECRET COLOURS
Get ready to dust off the week with some lush garage rock courtesy of Chicago outfit Secret Colours. Within a few seconds of hearing the opening chords of “Faust,” the opening track off Secret Colours’ recent EP3, I was overcome by an overwhelming sense of serenity. With a clear mind, I was definitely ready to get lifted by the group’s dreamy psych-pop touches. Also on hand tonight to boost your morale are Los Angeles psychedelic rockers Spindrift and Strangers Family Band. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 5/18. Beat Kitchen. 17+ $10.

SATURDAY

DUMPSTER BABIES
Does it feel like late April to you? No? Well, it should. April 26, to be exact, because that date was the last time we saw the likes of Dumpster Babies play along with the likes of Absolutely Not and Hot Garbage. The trio of chicago garage punks like each other so much they thought they’d recreate the magic. So if you like rattling, 60s-eque rockers or frenetic dance punk or even screamy experimental rock duos, look no further than the Burlington tonight. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 5/19. Burlington. 21+ $5.

THE DAY LEWIS
If a few of the members of The Day Lewis look familiar, that’s because two of them (Rob Majchrowski and Eric Quinlan) also play in the noise-rock trio We Repel Each Other. But in The Day Lewis, along with others, they create something a tad more palatable – melodic and dark pop slash alt-rock that’s at times even reaches up-tempo feels. Also performing are lo-fi melancholy poppers Esoteric Tapioca and Snapper. (Richard Giraldi)

9:30 p.m. Saturday, 5/19. Cole’s. 21+. Free.

SUNDAY

RUNNING
Running can really wail. No, seriously. The group makes a meal out absolutely heavy (and I mean, fucking heavy), thudding drum beats, tortured vocals and shrieking guitars. Somehow noise rock enthusiasts doesn’t cut it as a description because noise in all its contorted, fuzzy forms is an art in which the band truly excels. If you know a better way to work out your frustrations, I don’t want to hear it. Also appearing tonight are New York synth-punks Pop.1280, melodic indie rockers Brain Idea, and post-punks Toupee. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Sunday, 5/20. Treasure Town. 21+ $5.
6:30 p.m. Sunday, 5/20. CROWN TAP ROOM. 21+ $5.

Blonde Redhead at Millennium Park | Photo by Audrey Leon

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events has now released the full lineup for the Downtown Sound: New Music Mondays summer concert series held annually inside Millennium Park. The department previously announced that the concert returns this May 28 through July 30.

Rounding out this year’s lineup are folk rockers Scott Lucas and the Married Men (May 28), Dub-punks The Eternals (June 11), experimental rockers Cloud Cult (June 18) and indie rockers Joan of Arc (July 2).

These new headliners will join other such previously announced headliners as alt-folk singer Kelly Hogan (May 28), quirky singer-songwriter Jonathan Richman (June 4), Chilean cumbia act Chico Trujillo (June 25), and soul singer Charles Bradley (July 16).

Get the complete line up after the jump.

Monday, May 28, 6:30 pm
Kelly Hogan + Scott Lucas and the Married Men

Monday, June 4, 6:30 pm
Jonathan Richman + Joel Paterson and the Modern Sounds

Monday, June 11, 6:30 pm
The Eternals + Wild Belle

Monday, June 18, 6:30 pm
Cloud Cult + Judson Claiborne

Monday, June 25, 6:30 pm
Occidental Brothers Dance Band International + Chico Trujillo

Monday, July 2, 6:30 pm
Joan of Arc + Daniel Knox

Monday, July 9, 6:30 pm
The Sadies + James Vincent McMorrow

Monday, July 16, 6:30 pm
Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires + Abigail Washburn

Monday, July 23, 6:30 pm
Ana Tijoux + Sidi Touré

Monday, July 30, 6:30 p.m.
SMOD + M.A.K.U. Soundsystem

Architecture

1. If there was one word to describe Chicago dream popper Architecture‘s When We Were Young EP, it’s enchanting. The trio of Rebecca Scott and Melissa Harris (also of the band Panda Riot), along with Erin Dorr, bewitches listeners with lush atmospherics, ethereal vocal harmonies and distressed guitars flourishes. Architecture’s low-key melodies are nothing short of magic. LISTEN: “in the morning“

2. Brilliant Brazilian indie poppers Some Community create an endearing collection of mostly upbeat rockers that still manage to sting with a bit of twinkling melancholy. Lead vocalist Juliana Vacaro impresses with warm harmonies that shoot into the air like a bottle rocket blend of Neko Case and Chrissie Hynde. The end result is the perfect soundtrack for a sun-filled vacation. LISTEN: “Head and Tail“

3. Chicago’s Videotape draws heavily from early 90s shoegazers like Stereolab and even Mazzy Star on its self-titled EP. The quartet fashion a heady mix of ghostly wailing harmonies and buzzing spaceship-esque bleeps and blorps that rise ever so menacingly over traditional guitars and drum beats. It’s familiar, kind of like being at home. LISTEN: “The Ship is Sinking“

9:30 p.m. Thursday, 4/5. Empty Bottle. 21+ Free w/RSVP or $8.

Hunx and his Punx

1. I first came across Hunx (Seth Bogart) back in his Gravy Train!!! days. There were plenty of colorful short-shorts and pom-poms to accompany the raunchy electro-punks’ performances. Bogart still dons the colorful, body-hugging outfits with his solo project Hunx and his Punx, but these days he’s pumping out fuzzy garage pop that is heavily styled by 50s doowop. It’s quick, dirty, sentimental and oh, so good. LISTEN: “Always Forever“

2. Nashville quartet Heavy Cream put the Joan Jett back into gritty pop punk. Don’t let the three ladies and one guy of Heavy Cream fool you. They may look cute and harmless, but lurking underneath is pure badassery. Heavy Cream crafts smart, bouncy rockers that are both fun and completely serious. The music comes at you with fuzzed out rays of sunshine, like the band’s first single “Watusi” and then rip you to shreds with furious, grinding tunes like “Tina.” LISTEN: “Run Free“

3. Rounding out the night’s two other opening spots are some fantastic local talent. First up is The Artist Formerly Known as Vince (TAFKAVince). The Chicago group plays up the power pop quotient with plenty of wailing guitars and glam rock style. Opening the show are dance punks Absolutely Not. The band will get the party started with plenty of deep, thumping beats and crunchy guitar riffs. LISTEN: Absolutely Not – “I Don’t Want to Get Married“

8:30 p.m. Thursday, 3/29. Double Door. 21+ $10-12.

Shotgun Zombie

1. If you ever desire a little bit of fizzy pop flavor to accompany your bucket full of grinding metallic guitar riffs and brooding, beastly drum beats, then look no further than Chicago’s own Shotgun Zombie. The quartet display some of the same edgy experimental hardcore in which bands like Thrice specialized, but Shotgun Zombie also opt for a little bit of synthesizer action to cleanse the palate. It’s definitely fast, and its almost certainly furious. LISTEN: “Show me the Rulebook“

2. And just like that the whole night can shift. Chicago’s Back Alley Riot whisks us away to a world where southern rock commingles with punk. All that fraternizing gives way to a couple of sped up rockers that sneer with punk rock attitude but ooze twangy swagger. LISTEN: “I See Red“

3. Bass-heavy local punks Blastoff are as old school as a band can get that has only been around for a couple of months. The band’s love of Black Flag, DRI and Minor Threat really shine through on tracks like “$13 Moons” and “G.A.S.” Blastoff chugs along with heavy, solid riffs and sloppy, but powerful beats. Ramones cover band The Ungrateful Punks will open the show.
LISTEN: Blastoff – “Bush Vs. Oprah“

8:00 p.m. Wednesday, 3/28. Beat Kitchen. 21+ $8.