• • The Tribune’s Bob Gendron attended this weekend’s sold-out Morrissey show at the Congress and was particularly struck by the British singer’s flair for the dramatic.
• • Gapers Block captured some excellent photos from The Joy Formidable’s appearance at the Metro last Wednesday night.
• • Time Out Chicago’s music editors Brent DiCrescenzo and Areif Sless-Kitain named their “Best Chicago Albums of 2011” lists and came to an agreement about including CAVE’s Neverendless.
  
• • A.V. Club Chicago spoke to I Fight Dragons vocalist Brian Mazzaferri about money, namely what the band would do with a cool $1 million.
• • During Wilco’s Chicagoland takeover last week, frontman Jeff Tweedy stopped by WGN’s morning show to deliver not only the rock, but also the weather with a side of “supplemental hair.” Don’t quit your day job, Jeff.

Oh, what a weekend Chicago has in store for us all. Riot Fest, which technically kicked off yesterday, continues with big, big, big shows around town including DANZIG, Smoking Popes and Weezer. But if you’re not into the insanity of our annual punk-a-thon, look no further than T-Bone at Quenchers, Great Society Mind Destroyers at the Viaduct and a few more fests we think you’d enjoy immensely.

You don’t want to find hell with me, mother. So let’s get to it.

FRIDAY

DANZIG
Just shut your pretty mouth. I’ll be seeing you again. I’ll be seeing you in hell. Danzig is the crown jewel in Riot Fest’s punk rock tiara. The master of horror punk will take the stage with former Misfits guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein and perform the songs Misfits fans have been waiting to hear. Sure, Jerry Only won’t be there, but it’s DANZIG. DANZIG. Dude is magical. (Audrey Leon)

7:00 p.m. Friday, 10/7. Congress Theater. All Ages. $45 – $106.66

T’BONE
Even though I reviewed T’Bone’s very awesome debut, Mt. Trashmore, back in July, tonight’s the record release show. Why the delay? Because Mt. Trashmore and it’s post-rock attack and oddball humor will be available on vinyl. So, yeah, that’s pretty much worth a party. Also rocking Quenchers tonight are raunchy rock and rollers Vamos and synth-poppers We All Have Hooks For Hands. Get ready for/to laugh/cry/sneeze/fun/dance/party/drink/eat/drink/rock/riffs/guitar/repeat. (Richard Giraldi)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 10/7. Quenchers. 21+. Free.

SATURDAY

THE SMOKING POPES
When we last left hometown heroes Smoking Popes, I was highly recommending you see them live, because the band sounds incredible on the stage. And you were probably all like, “Yeah, well, that show was sold out, and I’m broke anyway, so shut up.” But this weekend is your chance to make amends with me without paying even a dime: Smoking Popes is playing a free–that’s right, zero down and zero later–show at Double Door. For no dollars, you can see on of the best power-punk bands of (and this is not hyperbole) all time in an intimate venue. So let’s recap the pros: Smoking Popes, free, Double Door. And the cons: none. Get your ass out there. (Andy Kondrat)

8:30 p.m. Saturday, 10/8. Double Door. 21+ FREE!

CLOCKWORKED CHAOS ARTS FEST
From the creators of Bleeding Hearts Fest, it’s Clockworked Chaos Arts Fest! The event brings together Chicago’s art scene including visual and performance art, poetry, film and, of course, music! And there’s certainly no lack of that with a lineup that includes, but is not limited to, orchestral indie-poppers Panoramic and True, melodic space rockers Earth Program, psychedelic garage outfit Soft Candy and so.much.more. Get all the info, and RSVP at the Fest’s Facebook page. (Richard Giraldi)

5:00 p.m. Saturday, 10/8. Think Tank Theatre and Deagan Music (1770 W. Berteau Ave.). $10 donation.

BIKE FALL 2011
Rock out for a good cause. The Hideout is hosting a benefit for West Town Bikes that features the gritty swing of rockers Ornery Little Darlings, the all-femme punk sounds of Cathy Santonies, Elia Einhorn of Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, Nonagon and Illinois First. The music starts at 6 p.m., but the fun begins at noon with a performance by Racketeers Bicycle Dance Troupe and screenprints by New Belgium Brewing and a vegan food truck by Ste Martaen. You can even watch a BMX and fixed gear free style competition at 3 p.m. This benefit will be bananas. (Audrey Leon)

Noon – 3 a.m. Saturday, 10/8. The Hideout. 21+ $20.

GREAT SOCIETY MIND DESTROYERS
Talk about getting the most bang for your buck in this rough economy. The Viaduct is hosting not one, not two, but four bands and none other than self-described glitter connoisseur DJ Philly Peroxide playing some jams between sets. If you haven’t seen Great Society Mind Destroyers, prepare to have your mind blown. The group plays explosive psych rock with killer guitar solos and the most fearsome drum beats known to man. Also on hand are dream poppers Panda Riot (who just released an excellent new demo called “Serious Radical Girls“), shoegaze quartet Lightfoils and Minneapolis experimental rockers Chatham Rise. Sounds win/win to me. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 10/8. The Viaduct Theatre. 21+ $8

SUNDAY

WEEZER
Ah, Weezer at Riot Fest. The Gods of early 90s pre-emo are letting us indulge in our darkest dreams by performing all of its legendary debut (blue) album. So if you want to scream along to “The Sweater Song” and talk about your dungeon master’s guide, look no further than the Congress. Also on hand are Chicago alternative rockers Urge Overkill, Wyoming punks Teenage Bottle Rocket and local garage rock duo White Mystery. Let them rock your faces off with its latest creation “Toxic Sugar,” which we introduced you to yesterday. (Audrey Leon)

5:30 p.m. Sunday 10/9. Congress Theater. All Ages. $45.

Mad Decent Block Party

I believe it was rock legends (ha!) Loverboy who said, “Everybody’s working for the weekend.” Well, it looks like we’ve reached that miraculous part of our week where we can shrug off the fatigue and get ready to party.

If you thought the summer festival season ended with Lollapalooza, you’d be wrong. We’re talking about Mad Decent’s Block Party in Bucktown this Saturday as well as fabulous shows by Birth (last show!), White Mystery, Pretty Good Dance Moves and Tyler Jon Tyler, to name a few.

Let’s get to it!

FRIDAY

BIRTH
Birth sound exactly like a loud band from Chicago, and I mean that as the highest form of complement–this trio would be right at home on a bill with Shellac or Jesus Lizard. However, come next week, Birth will be playing even fewer shows than either of the other two aforementioned bands. After this show on Friday, Birth pack it in and their singer/bassist moves to LA for the most LA of reasons (a PhD in Sociology), and then you’ll have missed your chance to have your brain rocked to sufficient levels. So make your way to Water Works and watch the triumphant death of a band that you should have been loving all along, and in five or ten years when all the new post-hardcore bands cite Birth as their number one influence, you can say you were there. (Andy Kondrat).

7:00 p.m. Friday, 8/12. Water Works (651 S. Clark St.) 21+ $8.

WHITE MYSTERY
So, there’s a new venue in Loqan Square called the Ultra Lounge. You may not have heard of it… yet, that is. See tonight, those rowdy red-headed revelers White Mystery are set to blow the roof off the joint and give it a proper Chicago opening. But that’s not all, dirty garage rockers Magic Milk, the hellish Unstoppable Death Machines, Australian noise duo DEAD and the sweet, sweet fuzz of Unmanned Ship. So, head to the Ultra Lounge tonight before this show leaves it in a pile of rubble. (Richard Giraldi)

8:00 p.m. Friday, 8/12. Ultra Lounge. 21+. $7.

RABBLE RABBLE
What can I say that I haven’t already said about this awesome rag-tag Chicago quartet. These cool cats play some groovy, body moving psych rock that is wild and crazy and absolutely fun to watch. If you haven’t paid attention to our past pleas to check Rabble Rabble out, do yourself a favor and run over to Treasure Town tonight because it’s likely the band’s last show until October. Also playing this show are atmospheric Indiana noise rockers We Are Hex, saxophone-loving Chicago experimental rockers Cool Memories and dark local pysch rock trio Killer Moon. Get some! (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 8/12. Treasure Town.. 21+ Donations accepted.

SATURDAY

MAD DECENT BLOCK PARTY
Mad Decent’s not just a clever name. The acts the Diplo-heded label attract are actually, you know, decent. On tap for the Chicago party are locals Dawn Golden & Rosy Cross, the ambient electropop sideproject of Houses frontman Dexter Tortoriello; groove rocker Bosco Delrey, dance rockers Reptar and headliners Dillon Francis and Curren$y, just to name a few. The party starts at noon and will occupy North Milwaukee Avenue between Western and Oakley. You probably don’t want to miss this. Don’t forget to RSVP at MadDecentBlockParty.com. (Audrey Leon)

Noon. Saturday, 8/13. North Milwaukee (Between Western and Oakley). ALL AGES. FREE!

PRETTY GOOD DANCE MOVES
If you needed a good excuse to put on those dancing shoes this weekend, Pretty Good Dance Moves on a Saturday night at the Empty Bottle seems like the perfect reason. They do cool groves, they do pretty vocals, they do music with drum machines and synths that’s updated for today’s rock and roll scene. What I’m trying to say is, they’re the perfect band to book at the Empty Bottle on a Saturday night. So, go. Listen to music. Be friendly. Enjoy dancing. This show is what the weekend is all about. (Andy Kondrat).

10:00 p.m. Saturday, 8/13. Empty Bottle. 21+ $6.

SUNDAY

TYLER JON TYLER
I love the smell of record stores in the early afternoon. Garage rock trio Tyler Jon Tyler are no strangers to playing in-stores at Chicago record shops. During Record Store Day, singer Rebecca Flores appeared at both Laurie’s Planet of Sound as a DJ and Reckless for some casual rocking. Now the group is popping into the brightly lit Logan Square shop Saki. Should be a good afternoon for some browsing and watching some fun garage pop goodness. (Audrey Leon)

3:00 p.m. Sunday, 8/14. Saki. All Ages. Free!

BULLY IN THE HALLWAY
Chicago alt-rockers Bully in the Hallway are back for another rowdy show at the Hideout. If you’re unfamiliar, the quartet’s energetic brand of indie rock is highly reminiscent of fellow locals Braid. From the vocals, which also have a hint of Fugazi thrown into the mix, to the guitars and drums, there is a definitely a big, familiar mid-90s-era alt-rock vibe going on. Headlining the show are Seattle blues rockers My Goodness. The duo summon the sound of genre legends Jon Spencer and Black Keys, and deliver. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Sunday, 8/14. The Hideout. 21+ $8.

All’s well that ends well. Sure, it rained all week, but it’s nice and sunny outside with just a tiny nip in the air. Naturally, that means it is time to party down while we still can. This weekend, especially, is a doozy. There are so many great shows that it is almost impossible to choose among them.

Some of the shows we’re all abuzz over are Gypsyblood at Liar’s Club, Dead Milkmen at Congress Theater and Local H at the Metro. Let’s hop to it, Chicago…

FRIDAY

SOFT SPEAKER
Our own Ross Meyerson practically gushed over Soft Speaker’s debut album I’ll Tend Your Garden. The album is chock full of songs that are simply put, a mish mash of grungey guitar riffs and smoky psychedelic and brit rock influence with a dab of Thom Yorke-ness. The net result is a brilliant first release by the Logan Square quartet. Also on hand this evening are the ghostly 60s girl-group throwback Hollows, scratchy-voiced pop rockers Michael Lux and the Bad Sons (who will have free copies of its debut ep Neat Repeater available) and jangly experimental rockers Dozens. Talk about getting more bang for your buck. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 4/29. Subterranean. 21+ $8.

MOGWAI
The instrumental onslaught that is Mogwai keeps chugging along, with the band having released yet another album of soft-loud awesomeness with the best title we’ve seen this year: Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will. Live, the band does something extremely difficult to pull off: though possibly the loudest show you’ll see this year, the technical wizardry of the band is never drowned out. A Mogwai show always has the potentiol of making your top ten shows of all time (Coachella 2006), and I’d have to imagine that seeing them at the Metro is going to be a mind-blowing and ear-numbing experience. (Andy Kondrat)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 4/29. Metro 18+ $25.

GYPSYBLOOD
Locals Gypsyblood have been generating quite a bit of buzz lately with their debut record Cold In The Guestway, what with it’s guitar-heavy, occasionally early ’90s vibe. But let’s not get it twisted, Gypsyblood are their own band as they add in touches of playfulness and humor that some of those alt-90′s bands simply whiffed on. Seeing how tonight’s Liars Club (Yes, THAT Liars Club) show is Gypsybloods’ record release for their debut, they’ve invited along labelmates Cast Spells, who are the folk-pop side project of Maps & Atlases crooner Dave Davison. Opening is a Loud Loop favorite Radar Eyes, who always impress with their dark psych-garage tunes. If you miss this, you will regret it dearly. Yes, that’s a threat. Get over it, crybaby. (Richard Giraldi)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 4/29. Liar’s Club. 21+. FREE!

FIELDED
There’s nothing simple about the one-woman band Fielded. The only instrument Lindsay Powell, who is also vocalist for Ga’an, really needs is her voice. Powell uses synths and samples to twist and manipulate her voice into a rhythm section for haunting ambient pop stylings. To see her music recreated live is well worth the relatively small price of admission. Psych-rockers Verma and Zath, the metal side project of Ga’an drummer Seth Sher, will also appear. (Audrey Leon)

10:00 p.m. Friday, 4/29. The Hideout. 21+ $8.

SATURDAY

BATTLES
Battles’ first full-length album Mirrored is kind of, well, the best thing ever (hitting No. 3 on my top ten albums of last decade). The live show, as well, was beyond stellar. There might not even be a word in the English language to describe how good their shows were. Since that record was released, however, guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist Tyondai Braxton has left the band, and Battles’ new record, Glass Drop, is sure to be divisive–the Loud Loop staff has already started drawing lines in the sand over it. The questions, then, are these: will the live show still be phenomenal? Can they play tracks off of Mirrored? Will the lack of guest vocalists live help or hinder the band? There’s only one way to find out the answers to all these questions, and just to sate your curiosity will be worth the price of admission. (Andy Kondrat)

10:00 p.m. Saturday, 4/30. Lincoln Hall. 18+. SOLD OUT.

DEAD MILKMEN
I’ll just go ahead and put this bluntly: The Dead Milkmen is the most essential inessential band I can think of. That is to say, these guys blur the already-sometimes-hazy line between punk rock and novelty, with song titles off my favorite record of theirs – Beelzebubba – including “Born to Love Volcanoes,” “Sri Lanka Sex Hotel,” and “Bleach Boys.” Either in spite of, or because of, the silliness inherent to some of the band’s songs, combined with the actual real punk rock music they produce, this show is guaranteed to be nothing short of a blast. Revered local punks The Lawrence Arms will also appear. (Andy Kondrat)

7:30 p.m. Saturday, 4/30. Congress Theater. All Ages. $18.

MANNEQUIN MEN
According to the Chicago Tribune, locals the Mannequin Men play “math rock, punk, metal, free jazz”. Huh. Well, isn’t that interesting. Here we were all along thinking they played jangly, garage rock with folky hooks. Boy, aren’t our faces red? Anyway, we’re still awaiting their next batch of tunes to get an official release. Maybe that’s where the free jazz shows up? Either way, we’re excited. And so should you for the opportunity to see the band positively wreck it at the Empty Bottle with local indie poppers Sleep Kitty ands E+.

9:30 p.m. Saturday, 4/30. Empty Bottle. 21+. $8.

SUNDAY

LOCAL H
Who doesn’t love a good homecoming? The members of Local H (Scott Lucas and Brian St. Clair) have been traversing the US, supporting of its recent “greatest hits” collection from the band’s Island Records years (i.e. The 1990s). Sunday, the hard rocking duo finally come home to Chicago’s majestic Metro. The 90s were a magical decade and Local H were produced many a great album, but if you are jonesing to hear 1996’s uber popular “Bound for the Floor,” you’re finally in luck. So c’mon and feel the nostalgia. (Audrey Leon)

7:00 p.m. Sunday, 5/1. Metro. All Ages. $15.

TIM KINSELLA & FRIENDS
Tim Kinsella, the mastermind behind such Chicago institutions as Cap’n Jazz, Joan of Arc and many more, is bringing his indie rock prowess to the Whistler stage with some friends. The friends? Why it’s John Herndon from Tortoise, Theo Katsaounis from Joan of Arc and A Tundra, and Donny Malhmeister, also from A Tundra. The Whistler’s website describes the evening as a “duel” between a “double duo,” but no word on just who will duel to the death. Electro rockers Relay Beken will open the festivities. (Audrey Leon)

9:30 p.m. Sunday, 5/1. The Whistler. 21+ FREE

Word on the street is that you “adults” are celebrating Halloween now. Very fascinating. Well, if you “adults” enjoy jamming out, then you’ve come to the right place.

It’s time for Weekend Diversions (Halloween Edition), where we give our picks for top weekend shows. Now, if you’re looking for strictly Halloween-themed events, let us point you in the direction of WindyCityRock.net’s Halloween show guide or the Reader’s all-encompassing Halloween event schedule.

We’ll talk a few of those fun cover shows, but there are quite a few other kick ass show going on this weekend. There’s Chromeo at the Congress, Kurt Vile and Soft Pack at the Empty Bottle, Double Door’s 14th Annual Halloween Bash and a whole lot more.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

FRIDAY

BORN RUFFIANS
Canada’s Born Ruffians employ that same guitar sound that Paul Simon ripped off so that Vampire Weekend could then rip it off second-generation-style. Being Canadian, I’ll give them a wider berth. Fellow Canadians Meligrove Band keep up the quirky indie vibe with hand claps and dry guitar tones. It’s pop. Chicago’s In Tall Buildings open, and we have good things to say about them. They are the musical equivalent to your best friend. (Ross Meyerson)

10:00 p.m. Friday, 10/29. Empty Bottle. 21+. $12.

SATURDAY

THE MORNING BENDERS
San Francisco’s The Morning Benders must really like Chicago.  This year alone they’ve opened for Broken Bells at the Vic, played Lollapalooza and now they’re bringing their melodic brand of breezy west-coast indie pop back to Lincoln Hall for their second headlining gig there. Their album Big Echo is one of the year’s best and they should be in good spirits with their Giants slaying the Rangers.  They may get sick of playing here so don’t miss your chance with Twin Sister, Holiday Shores and Oberhofer opening. (Andrew Kahn)

9:00p.m. Saturday, 10/30. Lincoln Hall. 18+. $15.

KURT VILE & SOFT PACK
Philly’s Kurt Vile may want to change his nickname from Philly’s Hitmaker to Philly’s Hitmaker That Seems To Be In Chicago An Awful Lot. Sure, it doesn’t roll off the tongue the same way, but it is quite fitting. I’ve seen the guy three times already, and I don’t get out much. San Diego’s The Soft Pack are also no strangers to our home town. They’ve been touring the shit out of their self-titled debut. Purling Hiss also hail from Philly and seem to have out lo-fi’d themselves on their (His – It’s just one dude) debut, Purling Hiss LP, released by our very own Permanent Records. They open and are also doing an in-store at Permanent. On top of that, all three play two nights at the Bottle with Vile and Soft Pack switching off headlining duties. That is a shit ton of face time for them all. (Ross Meyerson)

4:00 p.m. Saturday, 10/30. Permanent Records. All Ages. Free (Purling Hiss In-Store)
10:00 p.m. Saturday, 10/30. Empty Bottle. 21+. $13 (Soft Pack headlining)
7:00 p.m. Sunday, 10/31. Empty Bottle. 21+. $13 (Kurt Vile headlining)

CHROMEO
Freaky Deaky 2 brings Chromeo back to the Congress for a killer Halloween show.  Make sure your costume allows you to move your feet and won’t get ruined if you get a little sweat on it because Chromeo’s infectious grooves will surly move you to shake your ass.  Just like last year, the French duo will no doubt throw down a high energy, beat heavy set full of the funkiest shit out there today. An impressive opening lineup of A-Trak, Gemini Club, Kid Sister, and Theophilus London means you’re going to get your money’s worth. (Andrew Kahn)

7:30p.m. Saturday, 10/30. Congress Theater. 17+. $35.

DOUBLE DOOR’S 14TH ANNUAL HALLOWEEN BASH
The Double Door will be bringing you a plethora of bands playing dress up this Halloween weekend as Saturday kicks off their 14th Annual Halloween Bash. This year they feature a gutful of Chicago bands including power pop trio The Sweeps as The Cars, glam band The Last Vegas as Aerosmith, funk rockers The Midnight Show as Duran Duran and garage rock duo Blackbox as Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Put on your Halloween best and creep on over to the Double Door for a night of frightful fun. (Britni Day)

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 10/30. Double Door. 21+. $12 – 20.

SUNDAY

INDIAN
Chicago’s mighty Indian are finally in the studio recording a new album. To be released early in 2011, it is the band’s first for the venerable metal label Relapse and is being produced Sanford Parker. This is good news. I saw them at this year’s Wicker Park Fest, and they literally made my pants move. No, not in a sexual way. France’s Monarch are slow as molasses metal. Like pulling teeth slow. Ambient black metal with creepy female screams, Monarch are not a bad soundtrack to Halloween. Chicago’s experimentally metal Rabbit Rabbit open. Go get your freaky metal on. (Ross Meyerson)

9:00 p.m. Sunday, 10/31. Hideout. 21+. $10.

MUMFORD & SONS
Though their country/bluegrass/folk sound may seem like it came from the American South, this group of talented musicians and songwriters comes to Chicago from across the pond. The London quartet’s critically acclaimed 2009 debut Sigh No More made them a quintessential buzzband. Evidenced by the massive crowd at their Lollapalooza set this summer folks liked what they heard. The more intimate Riv on All Hallows Eve seems like the perfect setting for those looking for a cozy show. Cadillac Sky and King Charles open. (Andrew Kahn)

7:30p.m. Sunday, 10/31. Riviera Theatre. All Ages. Sold Out.

THE SHOW THAT NEVER HAPPENED
Halloween is often a night of reflection as we look to pay homage (or outright mock) the past. With that said, put on your Blagojevich mask or Trent Reznor fishnet body suit and come down to the Darkroom on Sunday night because Rodeo is in town. And they’re playing a set comprised of material strictly from Nirvana’s Bleach-era. If you see one Nirvana Halloween cover band in Chicago, it better be Rodeo. If that’s not enough, Chicago psych-rockers The Earth Program will perform as Joy Division; Fuck you Kiss my Asses will perform as Free Wheelin’ era Bob Dylan and Terrible Spaceship will perform a recreation of 1938 “Invaders from Mars” radio broadcast featuring samples of Orson Wells reading and Mercury Theater Company. (Audrey Leon)

7 p.m. Sunday, 10/31. Darkroom. 21+. $5.

Riot Fest Founder Mike Petryshyn

A collection of pioneers and up-and-coming bands from across the country and spanning an array of different branches of punk music will come together this week for the sixth year of Chicago’s prominent Riot Fest.

It all started in 2005 with a two-day festival of mostly local bands along with some well-known headliners at the Congress Theater. “It happened all accidentally,” said Mike ‘Riot’ Petryshyn, one of the founders of Riot Fest. “I was doing the daily grind as an editor at a law firm when the idea popped into my head.”

The festival has been expanding ever since. This year the festival will take place over five days in seven venues and almost 80 bands will play.

“Every year I make a wish list on a dry-erase board and just go after it.” More and more bands are coming on board. “It’s much easier to get the bands we want to play,” Petryshyn said.

Now that the festival is established, bands are starting to make an event out of it. “Bands actually want to reunite for Riot Fest or do something special during their performance.” This year, Less Than Jake will be playing their entire fan-favorite album Losing Streak during their show. “That’s pretty cool and something that wouldn’t have happened five years ago.”

Riot Fest will also be holding several ‘secret shows’ during the festival this year for three and five-day pass holders. Some of the headliners, names not yet announced, will be playing at small, makeshift venues. “Those kinds of shows are generally the best received and the ones everyone talks about afterward.”

The festival also brings plenty of local talent to the table. South-suburban band X is for Eyes will open Saturday’s show at the Congress.

“If I could go back in time and meet my ten-year-old self…and tell him that he would be opening for Bad Religion he never would have believed me,” said Mike Noonan, one of the band’s guitarists. At the only other festival they’ve played, “a carnival worker ripped me off for forty dollars,” Noonan joked. “Mike really hooked us up.”

As Noonan puts it, Riot Fest has “[set] the stage for lovers of various styles of punk music to come together for one badass week all over the city.”

There is certainly no shortage of shows and bands to choose from this year.

After every fest, Petryshyn said, “I take a few weeks off to recover and decide whether I will continue with it.” But each year Riot Fest has come back bigger than ever.

“My partner Sean McKeough and I realize that we do have something cool going on,” Petryshyn said. “It’s really pretty simple. We love this music and we’re lucky that we have 30-plus years to choose from.”

Riot Fest runs from October 6-10 at the Congress Theater, Metro, Double Door, Subterranean, House of Blues and Cobra Lounge. The secret shows will take place at AAA and Exit. Headliners include Bad Religion and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. For more information, visit Riotfest.org.

Arrangements, depending on method of purchase, have been made to honor the tickets some may have already bought.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.   But compared to the devastation happening around the world, this is nothing and we can manage if you can.  Any ticket holders that can NOT attend the rescheduled date can follow these instructions for a FULL REFUND:

-    If you purchased a hard ticket at a retail outlet, such as Gramaphone Records or Sight ’N Sound, simply return to that store where you purchased your ticket.  You must bring and turn in your ticket for the refund.

-    If you purchased your ticket online and already received it in the mail, you must mail the ticket back to the following PO Box by Saturday February 6th with your information.

ATTN: CLUB TIX
PO Box 220685
Chicago, IL 60622

-    If you purchased your ticket online and had it waiting at Will Call for you, simply email support@clubtix.net by Saturday February 6th from the email you entered when you purchased your ticket.  Simply, tell them your request and include your info.

This show was included in Loud Loop Press’ Winter/Early Spring 2010 Concert Guide, without a doubt a not-to-be-missed event.

Photo Credit: Carrie Musgrave - livebabylive.com

It’s that time again, we’ve looked ahead and started filling in our calendars with all of the awesome upcoming shows headed to Chicago in the next few months. Being the good guys and gals that we are, we’re sharing our favorites with you, all of which will surely be not-to-miss performances of artists from around the globe that includes an impressive line-up of local acts. Check out below what we think are the hot Winter/Early Spring concerts, local acts are BOLD for easy access, and let us know in the comments what we may have missed.

MONDAY, JANUARY 25

Cacaw – Empty Bottle

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27

DJ Krush – Empty Bottle

Streets on Fire – Double Door
One of our 10 Chicago Bands to Watch in 2010, they bring angular and frantic guitar riffs as lead singer Chadwick spouts his gnarled, rambling messages over at tight rhythm section. It’s fun yet dark and, at times, nearly psychotic.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29

Adam Franklin – Hideout

Earth Program – Ronny’s
One of our 10 Chicago Bands to Watch in 2010, and it’s their record release party!

The New Deal – Park West

SATURDAY, JANUARY 30

Cold War Kids – Vic Theatre

Pentagram – Empty Bottle

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3

Asobi Seksu – Schubas

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4

State Champion – Bottom Lounge

The Entrance Band, Lights, White Mystery – Empty Bottle

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5

Dark Star Orchestra – Vic Theatre

Gov’t Mule – House of Blues

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6

The Academy Is… – Metro
A special show in celebration of the 5 year anniversary of their debut release Almost Here with and opening set by Minneapolis based pop group Sing it Loud.

Dark Star Orchestra – Vic Theatre

Mavis Staples – Old Town School of Folk Music

Jemina Pearl – Beat Kitchen

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7

D.R.I – Reggie’s Rock Club

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11

Mako Sica – Hideout

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13

DOOM, Mos Def – Congress Theater
Rescheduled from January 29th.

Fucked Up, Kurt Vile – Empty Bottle

Gene Ween Band – Lincoln Hall

Mariah Carey – Chicago Theatre

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14

Mariah Carey – Chicago Theatre

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15

Editors, The Antlers – Vic Theatre

An Evening With The Residents – Logan Square Auditorium

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16

Nosaj Thing – Lincoln Hall

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18

St. Vincent – Metro

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19

Four Tet – Empty Bottle

Trey Anastasio – Riviera Theatre

Smoking Popes – Reggie’s Rock Club

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20

Chicago Underground Duo – Hideout
Album release party for 2010’s Boca Negra on Thrill Jockey.

Patti Smith – Park West

Smoking Popes – Reggie’s Rock Club

Tortoise – Lincoln Hall

Scott Lucas and the Married Men – Schubas
Local H frontman Scott Lucas is striking out on his own with his new group The Married Men. This show at Schubas is a record release party for their debut album “George Lassos the Moon.”

The Sweeps – Bottom Lounge
One of our 10 Chicago Bands to Watch in 2010

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21

Bela Fleck and The Africa Project – Old Town School of Folk Music

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22

El Perro Del Marr – Lincoln Hall

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25

Paul Di’Anno (original singer of Iron Maiden), Bible of the Devil – Reggie’s Rock Club

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26

Screeching Weasel – Reggie’s Rock Club

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27

Alkaline Trio, Cursive – Metro

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28

Cursive, Alkaline Trio – Metro
Cursive live is not to be missed. Frontman Tim Kasher is hilarious and unpredictable, which are all necessary components for a great live performance. Additionally, according to Audrey Leon Cursive’s “Mama, I’m Swollen” is one of the best albums of 2009.

TUESDAY, MARCH 2

Furthur – Auditorium Theatre

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3

Furthur – Auditorium Theatre

Streets On Fire – Empty Bottle

One of our 10 Chicago Bands to Watch in 2010

THURSDAY, MARCH 4

Gomez – Vic Theatre

FRIDAY, MARCH 5

Citizen Cope – Vic Theatre

J. Davis Trio – Bottom Lounge

moe. – Riviera Theatre

SUNDAY, MARCH 7

The Avett Brothers – House of Blues

Magnetic Fields – Harris Theater

SUNDAY, MARCH 8

Magnetic Fields – Harris Theater

TUESDAY, MARCH 9

Califone – Lincoln Hall
All My Friends are Funeral Singers will be shown along with a live performance of the soundtrack.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10

Califone – Lincoln Hall

JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound – Tonic Room

Vetiver – Empty Bottle

FRIDAY, MARCH 12

Hockey – Lincoln Hall

Kreator, Voivod, Nachtmystium – Bottom Lounge

Muse – United Center

Pelican – Beat Kitchen

SATURDAY, MARCH 13

RJD2 – Metro

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists – Bottom Lounge
Ted Leo is heading back to the Windy City to blow the roof off of the Bottom Lounge with songs from his latest release “The Brutalist Bricks,” many of which were performed at Lincoln Hall’s grand opening last October.

SUNDAY, MARCH 14

Orphaned Land, Indian – Bottom Lounge

MONDAY, MARCH 15

My Gold Mask – Empty Bottle
One of our 10 Chicago Bands to Watch in 2010.

THURSDAY, MARCH 18

Experience Hendrix – Chicago Theatre

P.O.S. – Bottom Lounge

FRIDAY, MARCH 19

Gil Mantera’s Party Dream – Empty Bottle

Appleseed Cast – Bottom Lounge

SATURDAY, MARCH 20

Alice In Chains – Aragon Ballroom

Norah Jones – Chicago Theatre

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24

Air – Riviera Theatre

JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound – Tonic Room

Matthew Good – Double Door

THURSDAY, MARCH 25

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Metro

Vampire Weekend – Riviera Theatre
Check out Andy Kondrat’s review of Contra, and let us know what you think of the band’s sophomore effort.

FRIDAY, MARCH 26

Tegan and Sara – Aragon Ballroom

Vampire Weekend – Riviera Theatre

THURSDAY, APRIL 1

The Black Lips – Logan Square Auditorium

Spoon, Deerhunter – Aragon Ballroom

FRIDAY, APRIL 2

Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O, Plastic Crimewave Sound – Empty Bottle

Passion Pit – Congress Theater

SATURDAY, APRIL 3

Xiu Xiu – Lincoln Hall

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7

Henry Rollins – Vic Theatre

THURSDAY, APRIL 8

The xx, jj – Lincoln Hall
Each group put out killer albums last year making several of our top 10 lists.  This pairing of double consonant named bands will be grooving and moody and is already sold out.

FRIDAY, APRIL 9

Japandroids – Lincoln Hall
Check out Dan Henshaw’s review of their 2009 release, Post Nothing, a favorite of Andy Kondrat’s.

SATURDAY, APRIL 10

Mission of Burma – Double Door

FRIDAY, APRIL 16

Dr. Dog – Metro

King Sunny Ade and His African Beats – Old Town School of Folk Music

MONDAY, APRIL 19

Hot Chip, The xx – Riviera Theatre

FRIDAY, APRIL 23

Trans Am – Empty Bottle

SUNDAY, APRIL 25

B.B. King – House of Blues
The legend returns for another show at the HOB. If you haven’t seen him and Lucille do yourself a favor and get out for this concert.

THURSDAY, APRIL 29

Yeasayer – Metro

FRIDAY, APRIL 30

Owl City – Aragon Ballroom

1. For all his movie appearances, commercials, reality shows, and general ridiculousness, it’s always good to remember that Snoop Dogg is actually a really talented rapper.

2. He will definitely play “Gin & Juice.” Which is actually probably worth the hefty $36 admission price alone.

3. This summer, I was in Las Vegas, and lucked my way into a party at the Palms pool where Snoop Dogg performed. I got in for free and skipped the line. We had both a table and a cabana, both with free bottle service. The dress code for women, too, was lingerie. And since it was put on by this company called KandyLand, they had little dudes dressed as Oompa-Loompas running around, and girls in like day-glo paint dancing inside big plastic bubbles. Also, a girl came around with a tequila gun and would just spray it into your mouth. And once Snoop Dogg started performing, someone just handed me a photographer pass so I could go anywhere I wanted. And Snoop’s microphone had a HUGE cannabis leaf made out of gold on it, and he had dozens of girls in underwear on stage with him.

This has nothing to do with why you should see Snoop Dogg tonight. But it’s awesome, right?

7:00 PM. Wednesday, 11/4. Congress Theatre. 17+. $36.

The air is getting chilly, the leaves on trees are changing – yes autumn has come to Chicago.  That of course means only one thing: It’s time to starting making plans for which concert to go to on New Year’s Eve. Several acts have announced plans to hosts shows in Chicago for the last night of the decade.

UPDATE: Chicagoist reports that The Jesus Lizard will headline The Metro’s NYE show. The show is 18+, and tickets go on sale this Saturday at noon. Additionally, the Jesus Lizard dates on November 27 & 28 at the Metro are sold out.

The Fiery Furnaces have added New Years Eve gig at Lincoln Hall. The show begins at 9 p.m. on Thursday, December 31, and tickets are on sale now at Lincolnhallchicago.com for $20 ($25 at the door.)

Girl Talk,  aka Gregg Gillis, is bringing his mashed-up, sample driven dance party to the Congress Theater.  The show starts at 9:30 pm with $35 tickets already on sale.

The Black Keys, the Akron, Ohio based bluesy rock duo of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, are booked at the Riviera Theatre.  Tickets are on sale now for $49, the show is 18+ and starts at 10pm.

The city’s own prog-improvisers Umphrey’s McGee will  ring in the new year here in Chicago for the ninth year in a row, this time  returning to the Aragon Ballroom.   Prefuse 73 will open and spin between Umphrey’s three sets.  Tickets, including a $125 3-night pass which includes admission to the Aragon on the 30th with special guest Z-Trip and a show on the 29th at The Vic Theatre are on sale now.  Individual New Year’s tickets are available for $62.50 all three shows are 18+.

Big Head Todd and the Monsters will be celebrating at the House of Blues with their unique brand of southern flavored alternative rock.  The group has detailed extensive travel packages on its homepage and is selling some tickets ($59.50) direct to fans.  You can also go the TicketMaster route for $57.50 (plus ridiculous service fees) for the 21+, 8 pm show.