www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwyxaiteCQE

Everybody in the club stop getting tipsy for two seconds because we’re talking about yet another busy weekend for Chicago music. Buzzing all over our radar screens are the 10th Annual CHIRP Record Fair, Distractions/Distortions Fest, a free show by JC BROOKS & The Uptown Sound plus so much more.

As Gwen Stefani once said, what (are) you waiting for?

FRIDAY

DASTARDLY
It’s rock and roll happy hour over at Reggie’s with our favorite folkers Dastardly. This band of misfits will blast their rambunctiously playful tales of woe and whoa over the speakers for a good old fashioned hoedown. Please note that this is an early show. (Audrey Leon)

5:30 p.m. Friday, 4/13. Reggie’s Music Joint. 21+

::distractions:: ::distortions::
The third annual ::distractions:: ::distortions:: fest kicks off two days of solid Chicago made music and visual arts at Multi Kulti this weekend. Tons of local bands from rock to folk, noise and spoken word acts will appear. On tap for Friday are noise rockers We Repel Each Other, spacey indie pop enthusiasts Narrow Sparrow, rowdy good-time punks Rambos and The Peekaboos. Saturday’s show continues the fun with sets by The Day Lewis, TOOFUNCHILD, and alternative rockers The Moses Gun. Also at the fest, Tom Schraeder’s short film “92 Tales” will be screened on Saturday along with short films by Rob Majchrowski of the aforementioned We Repel Each Other. Get more information from the event Facebook page listed above. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 4/13. & Saturday, 4/14. Q4/Multi Kulti (1000 N. Milwaukee Ave.) 21+ $5

AN AESTHETIC ANAESTHETIC
Have to admit I was quite impressed with last year’s Before the Machinery of Other Skeletons from local post-rockers An Aesthetic Anaesthetic. It was chock full of raw, crunchy riffs, chugging bass and bombastic rhythms – but they were clever enough to keep it squarely on the rock end of the spectrum instead of giving into their heavy metal tendencies as they always manage to work in some intriguing melodies. So, when the news hit that they were recording their next release, NAMES, with famed Chicago producer Sanford Parker…well that’s just going to be awesome. Get there early as these guys are playing first in front of a rad bill featuring prog-rockers Blane Fonda and buzzing art rock duo Mr. Gnome. (Richard Giraldi)

10:00 p.m. Friday, 4/13. Schubas. 21+. $10.

SATURDAY

CHIRP RECORD FAIR
It’s baaaack! Yep, it’s that time of year when Chi-town vinyl lovers descend upon the Chicago Journeymen Plumber’s Union in the West Loop. All your favorites local record vendors and labels will be there including Saki, Record Breakers, HoZac Records, Addenda Records and so. many more. Additionally, there will be refreshments (Beer!) and entertainment from the Numero Group, DJs and even some trivia. Good thing you got that tax refund already, right? (Richard Giraldi)

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday, 4/14 & Sunday, 4/15. Chicago Journeymen Plumber’s Union (1340 West Washington Boulevard). $7 or $5 with any CHIRP Record Fair Ad.

JC BROOKS & THE UPTOWN SOUND
Chicago soul rockers JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound may be one of a select few local bands playing Lollapalooza this year, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait until August to see them. Watch them play a free show sponsored by Lake Forest’s student-run station WMXM and get down to their upbeat, powerful funk-tastic grooves.

8:00 p.m. Saturday, 4/14. Lilly Reid Holt Chapel (555 N Sheridan Rd, Lake Forest). FREE!

THE RUNNIES
If you’re in the mood for some soulful garage pop that is packed with powerful organ punches and fun, jangly guitar flourishes, look no further than The Runnies. Vocalist Mary McKane’s sweet, smokey vocals complete the whole package. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 4/14. Township. 21+ $5.

::distractions:: ::distortions::

See above.

SUNDAY

SLEEPOVERS
End your weekend with the sleek, yet scratchy surf sounds of Chicago’s Sleepovers. The HoZac-approved band creates plenty of upbeat “beach wave” tunes that radiate with plenty of reverb and keyboard jams. Art punks Japanther headline. (Audrey Leon)

8:00 p.m. Sunday, 4/15. Beat Kitchen. 17+ $10.

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

FRIDAY

THE TWILIGHT SAD
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a preview for this show by Scottish post-punks Twilight Sad that doesn’t mention how, well, sad they seem. Angst and depression are a major part of the Twilight Sad’s repertoire, but this isn’t a voyeuristic therapy session. The group fashions its take on music by gloomy greats like Joy Division and the Cure and turns it into sparkling epics that, yes, are dark and brooding, and at times, even slightly intimidating. The searing guitars have been swapped for booming synths on its third album No One Can Ever Know, but the message is always the same: breaking up is hard to do. Dreamy garage rockers Young Prisms and moody singer-songwriter Micah P. Hinson will open. (Audrey Leon)

10:00 p.m. Friday, 3/2. Empty Bottle. 21+ $12.

GYPSYBLOOD
Now THIS is a rock show. And in a gothic chapel? Yes, please. Chicago’s Gypsyblood are set to bring their melodic, fuzzed-out stylings to the north suburbs as they’ll headline a free show tonight in Lake Forest, which is sponsored by Lake Forest College’s student run radio station WMXM. And an added bonus are openers Heavy Times who rock the gritty, punk-influenced garage rock. (Richard Giraldi)

8:00 p.m. Friday, 3/2. Lilly Reid Holt Chapel (555 N Sheridan Rd). FREE!

SATURDAY

WINDY CITY WINTER BALL
Grape Juice Records never disappoints with its picks for its annual Windy City Winter Ball. Returning for its fourth year, the label is showcasing some of the best melodic rockers Chicago has to offer, including headliners Chicago’s Pet Lions. The group creates smooth pop tunes that enables listeners to groove or sway to their hearts content. Indie rockers Brighton, MA, just released its a new EP of folk-infused sparkle pop entitled Billboard Sun. Also appearing at the Ball are soulful folk rocker Briar Rabbit, who just completed his four-song concept album The Great Routine inspired by 19th century minstrel shows, and 60s soul-inspired rocker Ben Keeler and the 500 Club. (Audrey Leon)

8:30 p.m. Saturday, 3/3. Subterranean. 17+ $5 (limited)/ $10.

E+
Unfortunately, we found out about E+ a little too late for us to include them on our 12 Chicago bands to watch list, but they’re definitely an act you should be keeping tabs on. E+ is comprised of super talented locals and members of bands Disappears, the aforementioned Heavy Times and psych-rockers Verma. We’ve heard a bit of their music, and it’s a very rad mix of old school new wave and neo-psychedelia. The band recently recorded an EP with the Pony’s Jered Gummere that we’re anxiously awaiting. Opening is Robbie Hamilton and Touched By Ghoul. (Richard Giraldi)

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 3/3. The Hideout. 21+. $8.

SUNDAY

JC BROOKS & THE UPTOWN SOUND
Sunday may be a day of rest, but when JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound are around you gotta get up on your feet. This Chicago sextet is the latest to take part in a live Epitonic session at Saki. The group is still riding high on its fantastic album Want More, which blends Soul, funk and punk into one big party anthem. Leader JC Brooks will entertain with his high energetic theatrics and smoky, velvet croon while the Uptown Sound let out some upbeat, body-moving rhythms. R&B rockers The Bama Lamas will also appear. (Audrey Leon)

4:00 p.m. Sunday, 3/4. Saki. All Ages. Free!

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.

FRIDAY

JC BROOKS & THE UPTOWN SOUND
New Year’s starts early this weekend with the first of two Uptown Sound shows at Schubas. The soul-punk outfit had a great 2011 with the release of their brand new album Want More. If you’re looking to get down and get funky, then an Uptown Sound gig is the place to be. Let singer JC Brooks serenade you with his rich, smoky vocals while the Uptown Sound lifts you up with some upbeat and bouncy rhythms. Testify! (Audrey Leon)

10:00 p.m. Friday, 12/30. Schubas. 18+ $12.

THE RUNNIES
If you love garage rock but think there’s too much damned guitar, then The Runnies might just be the band for you. The local trio have a loose ’60s garage vibe that’s powered with some sweet organ action. The result officially finds the band dipping into some R&B feelers and rowdy revivals. Which why their recently released record, You Can’t Win, made it on my Top 11 Chicago Records of 2011 list. Headlining the show is Detroit own The Detroit Cobras who bring soulful rock ‘n’ roll antics, and Milwaukee glam rockers Ramma Lamma. (Richard Giraldi)

10:00 p.m. Friday, 12/30. Empty Bottle. 21+. $13.

SATURDAY

DISAPPEARS
Who wouldn’t want to ring in the new year with the best psych-garage rockers around? Disappears return home after one hell of a year that saw them add Sonic Youth’s Steve Shelley on drums, the release of a critically acclaimed album(s), hitting the big stage at Lollapalooza, European tours and so much more. And somehow between all of that, they’ve managed to record a new record, Pre Language, which is set to drop in March. Impressive? You bethca. Opening are Bare Mutants (feat. members of The Ponys, The 1900s, Mannequin Men and Derek & The Musicians) who will no doubt impress with their chilled out indie rock, and reverb-heavy garage poppers Outer Minds. (Richard Giraldi)

10:00 p.m. Saturday, 12/31. Empty Bottle. 21+. $25.

LOCAL H
Hard rocking, hard working Chicago duo Local H are hitting the reset button on 2011 by ringing in the new year with what is sure to be a blisting set of hits new and old at the very same venue they played last New Year’s Eve, the Bottom Lounge. Local H are regulars on the Chicago NYE circuit, and having spent a magical evening with the band rocking out with a few hundred of my drunkest friends in 2009, I can safely say Local H’s NYE shows bring the spectacle. This year’s themed event is a tribute to Rush’s 2112 so order up a Molson and wear your best Canadian tuxedo because it’s going to get heavy.
(Audrey Leon)

10:00 p.m. Saturday, 12/31. Bottom Lounge. 21+ $30.

SLUTTER
If four sexy ladies, with demon facepaint, who rock out to the hits of KISS is more your style, then come party with Slutter at Liar’s Club. I’ve had the very fortunate experience of both seeing Slutter at Liar’s Club and being pushed out of the way by Vagene Simmons en route to the stage. So. Clearly, I win. Liar’s Club may be small, but the spectacle is guaranteed to be huge when Slutter are around. Plus there’s an open bar package, which includes admission, available for $50. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 12/31. Liar’s Club. 21+ $10.

SUNDAY

CAINS & ABELS & FRIENDS
Wistful indie poppers The Cains and Abels are taking over The Whistler on New Year’s Day and they’re bringing some friends along. Come out and hear some jams from the group’s 2011 EP The Price is Right. You won’t find Drew Carey or old Bob Barker and their skinny microphones, but you will find lush, heartfelt pop melodies with just a hint of Midwestern twang. Oh, yeah! (Audrey Leon)

9:30 p.m. Sunday, 1/1. The Whistler. 21+ Free!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-8Iav4UbQY

It’s such a great weekend for festivals in Chicago. We’ve got Taste of Randolph occupying the West Loop with the salivating sounds of British rockers The Heavy and Swervedriver as well as local rockers JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound and The 1900s. Not to mention the three-day birthday bash going on at Saki featuring Great Society Mind Destroyers and much, much more.

With so much rock happening there’s really no need to wait. Let’s get on with the show!

FRIDAY

TASTE OF RANDOLPH STREET FESTIVAL
It’s another perfect weekend for a neighborhood summer festival and the 15th annual Taste of Randolph will not disappoint because there are a ton of bands, local and otherwise. Friday night’s headliners are British soul rockers The Heavy (East stage) and Brooklyn video game electro-rockers Anamanaguchi (West stage). Saturday’s highlights include 90s shoegazers Swervedriver as well as tons of local talent including JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, In Tall Buildings (East), Young Jesus (West) and Hemmingbirds. Sunday’s edition is packed to the gills with other LLP-approved artists like psych-poppers The 1900s, sparkly pop rockers Gold Motel and spacey surf-rockers Merlin Wall, all on the East stage. For only $30 for three days of live music Bob Barker would certainly say the price is right. (Audrey Leon)

5:00 p.m. – 10 p.m. Friday, 6/17; 900 W. Randolph St (between Peoria St and Racine Ave). 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Saturday, 6/18 & Sunday, 6/19. All Ages. $10.

SATURDAY

YOURSELF AND THE AIR
Well this show has a nice little pairing of a site favorite and soon to be site favorite. Firstly, the soon to be favorites Yourself and the Air have a little cd release they’d like to share with you. It’s been kicking around awhile but has found a home on Lujo Records. Fans of somber Built To Spill or maybe Modest Mouse will want to check this out. And look, Netherfriends are on the bill. No strangers to the site, Netherfriends continue to pump out music and play for you good folks like the world might end any day now. Opener Conductive Alliance make some pretty cool noise as if their indie rock was floating around in space and picked up by a transistor radio. (Ross Meyerson)

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 6/16. Subterranean. 17+. $10.

RADAR EYES
Well, well, if it ain’t the ol’ Srideo Funtime Birthday Party Celebration. What is that, you ask? Haven’t a clue. But what I can tell you is that Radar Eyes will be bringing their dark, lo-fi brand of garage rock the the festivities. Radar Eyes always come correct with pop hooks buried under rapid guitar strums and driving rhythms. But there’s more band, oh yeah. Also performing are Detroit’s rowdy rabblerousers Terrible Twos, local not-the-sport band Football, the wild and wacky Birthday Suits and Double Bird. Oh, and it’s all free. Killer.

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 6/18. Empty Bottle. 21+. FREE with RSVP (RSVP by emailing rsvp@emptybottle.com)

SANTAH
So, even though Santah released its record White Noise Bed last year (here’s our review to prove it), the band is having its record re-release party tonight seeing how the band was recently signed to No Sleep Records and the album’s getting a national release. Pretty rad! And not only is Santah bringing its alt-pop antics to the Beat Kitchen on Saturday night, but also be sure to check out melodic indie outfit Pet Lions and rhythmic rockers The Names That Spell. Can you dig it? Of course you can.

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 6/18. Beat Kitchen. 17+. $10.

SUNDAY

SAKI BIRTHDAY BASH
Logan Square record shop SAKI hasn’t been with us for very long but just by doing what a record store should do: providing a great selection, having friendly staff and – oh yeah – hosting a ton of a killer in-stores, SAKI has built a special place in Chicago’s music-loving hearts and minds. And it’s first birthday celebration is nothing short of a trip to Good Time Island. The fun kicks off on Friday night with a performance by acoustic folk rockers Last Kind Words, but Sunday’s festivities will feature great performances by post-punk rockers Tiger Bones, garage rockers Heavy Times and experimental psych-rockers Great Society Mind Destroyers as well as DJ Sets by Drag City’s Rian Murphy and CHIRP Radio’s Caitlin Lavin. Yes, indeed, it will be a trip to Good Time Island. (Audrey Leon)

1:00 p.m. Sunday, 6/19. Saki (3716 W Fullerton Ave). All Ages. Free!

While this signing may not stack up to say, Derrick Rose signing with the Bulls, it is vaguely similar in that both the band and the label are straight products of Chicago. And that’s always a good thing, right?

Anyway, if you’re new to JC Brooks & The Uptown sound, then you obviously don’t get out much. Their punky take on classic soul and Motown has kept Chicagoans groovin’ for more than four years. Plus, you’ve probably seen their funky cover of Wilco’s “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart,” which has caught of the attention of Wilco main man Jeff Tweedy himself and even new Mayor Emanuel (the band played his inauguration concert).

JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound are set to release their Bloodshot Records debut, titled Want More, this fall. This Summer, however, they’re hitting the road. Check out their complete tour dates, including a stop at Chicago’s Taste Of Randolph Festival in two weeks, after the jump.

JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound:

Thursday June 16 – Ravinia, Highland Park, IL
8pm, opening for Robert Plant & the Band of Joy

Yet another sign of summer, despite Chicago’s foray into November-like Fall temperatures, is the announcement of the Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival’s musical lineup.

The three-day street festival kicks off Friday, July 29 and ends Sunday, July 31, along North Milwaukee between California and Kimball Avenues in Logan Square. The Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival includes two stages chocked full of local artists, including four of our 11 Chicago Bands to Watch in 2011.

The main stage will be ruled by groovy soul rockers JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound on Friday. Brother and sister fuzz rockers White Mystery headline on Saturday and dance rock mash-up masters The Hood Internet follow suit on Sunday night.

Cole’s stage, located at the south end of the festival along Milwaukee and Belden Avenues, turns up the rock-and-roll ferocity with several local psych-rockers on Friday night including The Great Society Mind Destroyers and headliners Rabble Rabble.

More acts will likely be announced, but you can get the full festival lineup after the jump.

Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival Main Stage

Friday, 7/29

6:00 p.m. Furious Frank
7:30 p.m. Los Vicios de Papa
9:00 p.m. JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound

Saturday, 7/30

3:00 p.m. Rafter
4:30 p.m. This Is Cinema
6:00 p.m. Hollows
7:30 p.m. The Arrivals
9:00 p.m. White Mystery

Sunday, 7/31

2:00 p.m. Black Bear Combo
3:30 p.m. Beaba Do Samba
5:00 p.m. Papo Santiago
6:30 p.m. Sidewalk Chalk
8:00 p.m. The Hood Internet

Cole’s Stage

Friday, 7/29

6:00 p.m. The Great Society Mind Destroyers
7:00 p.m. Secret Colours
8:00 p.m. Panda Riot
9:00 p.m. Outer Minds
10:00 p.m. Rabble Rabble

Saturday, 7/30

7:30 p.m. Soft Speaker
9:30 p.m. The Eternals

Sunday, 7/31

Cafe Mustache Presents
8:00 p.m. Tyler Jon Tyler
9:00 p.m. Netherfriends

The coming-of-age tale, penned by Stew and adapted by local theater company Bailiwick Chicago, is centered on a young man (Uptown Sound lead singer Jayson Brooks) breaking away from family and friends and strutting out on his own.

Per the play’s website:

PASSING STRANGE is a daring new musical that takes audiences on a journey across boundaries of place, identity and theatrical convention. Loaded with soulful lyrics and overflowing with passion, the show takes us from black, middle-class America to Amsterdam, Berlin and beyond on a journey towards personal and artistic authenticity.

The musical also stars fellow Uptown Sound members Billy Bungeroth, David Keller, Kevin Marks and Ben Taylor, in what is probably the most important role: backing band.

“Passing Strange” starts previews on April 21-23 and runs from April 25 to May 29. Tickets for the preview are $10 for general admission, $20 for reserved seating, $5 for students. Regular run tickets range from $25-35 and $15 for students.

The Chicago Center for the Performing Arts is located at 777 N. Green St., just off of Chicago Avenue. More information on tickets, performance schedules, and the cast and crew can be found at BailiwickChicago.com.