Three reasons to shout “everything’s coming up Milhouse” and run over to Beat Kitchen tonight…
1. Chicago quartet The Limbos clearly worship at the altar of alternative rock. The band takes heavily from groups like Weezer and Pavement, which in turn were heavily influenced by the Pixies. The Limbos fashion a jolly good time out from tracks that feature obscured sing-talking, quirky lyrics along with thick basslines, rumbling guitars and even a trumpet. Why? Because, why not? The Limbos are the love child ska should have had with indie rock. LISTEN: “South Dakota Drag Queen“
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.
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).
We LOVE the smell of commerce in the morning. And this Saturday is the day all record nerds plan their Spring around: Record Store Day 2012.
We highlighted all the sick happenings in our Guide to Record Store Day yesterday, but this weekend still belongs to the night. We’re talking about The Cell Phones at The Burlington, Cool Devices at Township, The Luck of Eden Hall at Red Line Tap and more.
Three reasons to ride the buzz train all the way down to the Empty Bottle tonight…
1. Brooklyn duo Tanlines have garnered acclaim from outlets like The New York Times and Pitchfork for their mix of dance pop that is largely reminiscent of good old 80s synth wave. But that’s not where this story ends. No, Tanlines go the Vampire Weekend route adding some tropical flavor into the mix with the help of computerized beats. The end result is a collision of lush synth pop and warm island rhythms that should have you swaying on the dancefloor. WATCH: “All of Me“
Three reasons to put down your gin-soaked gummie bears and head over to the Whistler tonight…
1.Houtakker (Dutch for Lumberjack) is the new project by Pet Lions’ synth-smith and guitarist Joseph Murphy. Houtakker strikes a mellow chord with its minimalist, sun-aged 60′s pop style. Murphy’s influence on Pet Lions is evident on each lingering guitar note and cathedral-esque organ groove in Houtakker’s repertoire. LISTEN: “Hush-a-Lala“
There’s nothing more pleasant than opening your inbox and finding the tasty new video for “Electromagnetic Force” by hard rockers The Wanton Looks. The song’s own playfulness lends itself to an equally cheeky video and this one definitely has a mid-90s MTV alt-rock video feel to it with the fabulous foursome primping and playing their tune in various locales around Chicago including Livewire Lounge. The sledgehammer bit at the end is also pretty rad. You can catch The Wanton Looks live and in person at Underground Lounge along with The Sonnets, Tiny Riots and Sky Road Fly on Thursday, April 19.
Three reasons to drop everything and rock and/or roll tonight at Crown Tap Room…
1. Chicago noise poppers Squish are celebrating the release of their first HoZac Hookup Klub 7″ tonight at Crown Tap. The ferocious four-piece whip out an impressive propulsive punk assault by shaping distressed guitar riffage and loud feedback into danceable, shoutable pop tunes with sharp as knives beats. LISTEN: “Buzz with Me“
We LOVE the smell of commerce in the morning. And this Saturday is the day all record nerds plan their Spring around: Record Store Day 2012. 
