Three cheers for the weekend! After a scorcher of a week, we’re in for a nice (slight) cool front. But it doesn’t get any cooler than this weekend’s lineup. Sure, that was a lame segue, but it doesn’t make the statement any less true.
We’re highlighting sweet shows featuring such artists as Blizzard Babies, Radar Eyes and Cursive.

C’mon ride the train…

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Three reasons to hike up your skinny jeans and strut over to the Empty Bottle tonight…

1. Mickey frontman Mac Blackout storms the Empty Bottle with his solo project Mac Blackout Band tonight. If you haven’t have a chance to check out his latest album America Stole My Baby, you have really dropped the ball. Blackout pumps up the scuzz punk intensity to craft songs that are tough-as-nails but also tender enough to include some sweet, sweet melody. The end result should get anyone in the mood to groove. LISTEN: “I’m In Love With You“

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By Audrey Leon  \  comments

Late last month, local dance-punk trio The Cell Phones made their Empty Bottle debut. Since the band were pretty excited about it, they chose to make the night even more special by busting out a cover of Rihanna’s “Only Girl (In The World).” The Cell Phones, of course, do it up in their own style as club beats are traded for Pat Benetar-esque power rock. And if you’re wondering if frontwoman Lindsey Charles can match Rihanna’s sweet pipes…you god damn right she can. Watch the band rock “Only Girl (In The World)” below…

By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

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 Chicago Tribune is reporting that, in order to deal with declining enrollment, a Columbia College report has recommended the closure of Chicago Jazz Ensemble, Center for Black Music Research and the Ellen Stone Belic Institute for the Study of Women and Gender in Arts and Media. A final decision will be made in June.
• • Congrats to the Reader on its website’s redesign! Gossip Wolf drops some more Pitchfork predictions, including the possibility of Fiona Apple making an appearance.
• • Jessica Hopper talks to Chicago trio Baby Teeth about the stigma attached to being middle-aged in rock music and whether the group qualifies as “dad rock” or “couch rock.”
• • Time Out Chicago has pictures and a short review of The Promise Ring and Joan of Arc’s sold out show at the Metro.
• • In case you missed it, Gapers Block has a nice recap of White Mystery’s tour kick off at the Empty Bottle.

By Audrey Leon  \  comments

Happy weekend, guys and dolls! I know it’s cold and gloomy outside, but you can’t celebrate the fourth annual Windy City Winter Ball without a little snow/sleet/freezing rain. And you definitely couldn’t ask for better weather for when Scotland’s the Twilight Sad ride a wave of depression into town.

Hike up those snow boots and let’s get going.

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While we can’t be certain Sausage Fest 2012 will actually have sausage, we definitely know it will offer some excellent Chicago rock ‘n’ roll goodness.

Presented by Permanent Records, in conjunction with Captcha Records, Troubled In Mind Records, Rotted Tooth Recordings and Moniker Records, Sausage Fest 2012 is a two-night, SXSW send-off that’s set to go down at the Empty Bottle on Saturday, March 10, and Sunday, March 11.

The line-up features quite a few known Chicago noise, punk and garage rockers. Running, Bad Drugs, Stacian and Bitchin Bajas will do it up on Saturday. While Sunday offers the head-banging sounds of Apache Dropout, Heavy Times, Zath and Supersonic Piss.

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By Richard Giraldi  \  1 comment

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 Reader’s Deanna Isaacs sheds some light on the city’s move to revamp the Chicago Cultural Plan. According to the website started by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the plan will help “identify opportunities for arts and cultural growth for the city.” Sounds pretty damn important. The next public hearing on the matter is this Tuesday, February 21, at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen from 6-8 p.m.
• • Gapers Block head honcho Andrew Huff gives us the low down on all the Chicago groups (and those other Midwesterners) playing this year’s South By Southwest festival in Austin.
• • Despite some bumps in her live show, Sharon Van Etten left The Chicago Tribune’s Bob Gendron enraptured.
• • Time Out Chicago checked out Netherfriends’ recent stop at The Empty Bottle and have some photos to prove it.
• • Dave Grohl’s controversial Grammy speech, which scolded other musicians for lacking the “human element,” inspired Fox Chicago to reach out to local singer Jennifer Hall, Double Door co-owner Sean Mulroney, sound engineer Jay O’Rourke and entertainment lawyer Peter Strand to discuss what it takes to make it in the business today.

By Audrey Leon  \  comments