Whales

Cheer up, Chicago! Cold weather may be officially here, but this weekend is lining up to be pretty spectacular (i.e. no rain and possibly some sun). But, we’re not here to do Tom Skilling’s job; No, we’re talking about some sweet shows at Ultra Lounge, The Whistler and Quenchers.

Vamos… a jugar por la playa.

FRIDAY

WHALES
Local quartet make some beautiful noise. The group’s 2011 self-titled album overflows with pulsing, sweaty beats and ambient noises. Singer Maigin Blank seems to float ever so gently over all the rhymthic chaos below. Logan Square post-punks Nonagon and Chicago pop-punks Blackout Dates open. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 12/9. Quenchers. 21+ $5 donation.

SEQUOIA
I was quite impressed with the raw, heavy and earnest guitar antics of Sequoia on their latest, Couple Two Tree. A little Queens Of the Stone Age-esque stoner rock and a little Screaming Trees-like grunge feel but with a staunchly Midwestern lean, Sequoia remind the listener that hard rock can rock hard without sounding or feeling cliche or dated. Couple Two Tree finds the band dabbling in the riffy familiarity we know so well, but with a nearly folky approach in Chicago-centric lyrics that are often comforting in their directness. Also performing at The Set, Persistence of Memory and Hot Hot Robot. (Richard Giraldi)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 12/9. Martyrs. 21+. $8.

SATURDAY

THE GORILLA PRESS
Chicago rockers The Gorilla Press are children of the 90s. And like any disciple of that era’s music, the quintet plays an amalgam of sick noise rock with hard and fast guitar riffs, deep explosive rhythms and plenty of dexterous keyboard action. Headlining this show are Chicago’s own alterna-folk rockers Channel Four. Lo-fi indie rockers Black Cat Heart Attack open. (Audrey Leon)

8:00 p.m. Saturday, 12/10. Ultra Lounge. 21+ $5 (or free w/ rsvp before 8:30 p.m., if you email “mp.general.office@gmail.com”).

HEAVY TIMES
Aint no party like a HoZac party cause a HoZac party don’t…something, something…right? Um, well, anyway, HoZac brings the Holiday cheer to the Volcano Room (upstairs in the Bottom Lounge, duh) this Saturday night. There will be festivities, oh yes indeedy, that will include free (!) pinball and more (probably). But I’m most excited for an appearance from HoZac Record’s and Chicago’s own Heavy Times. Their latest release, Jacker, is a gritty take on old school punk mixed with a dark garage rock attack. Yeah, it’s pretty awesome. Additionally, there will be “Seasonal” special guests. Any guesses? Santa? The Grinch? Herman Cain? Jesus? Who knows. All I know is that this party won’t…uh…um….oh yeah…STOP! (Richard Giraldi)

10:00 p.m. Saturday, 12/10. Volcano Room (1375 W Lake St). 21+. Free or money.

SUNDAY

LAKESIGNS
Sundays are for rest and relaxation. Kick back at the Whistler with the upbeat stylings of Lakesigns. The prog rockers include all the bells and whistles (yes, actual whistles) on its recent album Imboden Hoxie. The percussive-heavy material is balanced out by the addition of a saxophone, which gives the rock-leaning tracks a bit of sexy, jazz edge. Singer-songwriter Darrick Thompson headlines. (Audrey Leon)

10:00 p.m. Sunday, 12/11. The Whistler. 21+ FREE!

With a Regina Spektor playfulness and a blues rock core, Lying Delilah go for the gusto with cinematic flair. And on the Chicago trio’s new EP, Return the Love, the combination of rambunctious organ, fat low end, prog rock rhythms and singer Jodi Rosenthal’s sultry vocals is equal parts whimsical and soulful.

While the concept isn’t exactly ground breaking, Lying Delilah prove that they’re more than the girl-with-piano-has-a-band-and-plays-pretty-stuff stereotype. The songs on Return are dense and structured in a classic rock style with jammed out codas and quirky breakdowns.

“Take Me Home” dances along with a dirty organ groove courtesy of Mike Maimone of Chicago rockers Mutts, and bassist Steve Pesich brings forth his inner Flea with an uber-funky bass line on “Magic Man.” What starts as a slow burning and sour lament, “Crybaby” descends into an angry climax. “Grey & Cold” find Delilah heading into power pop territory until Andrew Dumaresq revs up the tempo with cheery cymbal play.

But the EP’s biggest highlight comes in the form of opener and title track, “Return The Love,” which features a tip-toe string arrangement that gives way to bouncy, cabaret-like moments.

Lying Delilah manage to finely balance a singer-songwriter sound with a full band feel, which works to make Return the Love a modern pop delicacy.

Lying Delilah -- “Return the Love”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVxX90swH88

____________________________________________________________________
LYING DELILAH
9:00 p.m. Saturday, October 8
Martyrs, 3855 N. Lincoln Ave
21+. $15.
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Blah Blah Blah

If you are not already at Pitchfork Music Festival, then this edition of Weekend Diversions is for you, Mr./Ms. Non-conformist.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

FRIDAY

BITCHPORK
Sure, the main topic in Chicago this weekend is Pitchfork’s annual smorgasboard but if you’re looking for something a little more underground, look no further than the three-day rock-a-thon Bitchpork. On tap for Friday night are the recently reunited lo-fi experimental rockers The English Softhearts and feedback enthusiasts Bad Drugs. Spacey noise rockers Mayor Daley and the also recently reunited experimental synth rockers Mahjongg will perform on Saturday night. Brooding Chicago punks Running and (Loud Loop Press faves) post punks Radar Eyes will close out the fest on Sunday night.

6:00 p.m. Friday, 7/15-Sunday, 7/17. Mortville. 21+ $10.

WILD NOTHING
Dreamy, shoegazers Wild Nothing may be playing a set at the juggernaut that is Pitchfork this weekend but before they step foot on Union Park’s sandy lot, they’ll make an special appearance at Subterranean. Our own Joseph Montes gave the group a glowing review in our Pitchfork preview, but I’ll echo the sentiment. Wild Nothing’s shimmering rhythms takes you back to those special days in pop music where you could prance about and be moody, but still poetic. It’s a good thing.

9:30 p.m. Friday, 7/15. Subterranean. 17+ $15.

SAILOR JERRY PITCHFORK AFTERPARTIES
As we reported earlier this month, Rum brand Sailor Jerry is sponsoring three nights of Pitchfork afterparties at Cobra Lounge, a stone’s throw a way from Union Park. There re some great bands attached to each night including hard rockers White Mystery on Friday night, garage rockers Mannequin Men on Saturday and alt rockers Gypsyblood on Sunday night. The best part? The shows are free if you RSVP at this website. So whether you plan to attend Pitchfork it looks like you have plans after the fest is over.

9:00 p.m. Friday, 7/15-Sunday, 7/17. Cobra Lounge. 21+ Free!

SATURDAY

JC BROOKS & THE UPTOWN SOUND
Funky soul rockers JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound will headline Saturday’s edition of Taste of River North. With so many damn festivals happening this weekend, we’d give you one reason to check out the three-day festival and I can seriously think of none better than the Uptown Sound. The group’s modern take on Motown-style is enough to pump up your day and get you grooving under Chicago’s hot sun. Not to mention frontman JC Brook’s swagger and sweet crooner singing style is a must-see. It’s a jamming throwback that can’t be beat.

8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 16. Taste of River North (Erie & Kingsbury Sts). All Ages. $5 donation.

RABBLE RABBLE
In the midst of all this festival madness there’s one band who can get us all through it: pysch rockers Rabble Rabble. The quartet released a brand-new 7-inch back in May and if you haven’t heard it, it is swinging. There’s thundering drums, swirling guitars and some major bass action taking place on the 7-inch’s lead track “Why Not”. With all that hard rocking goodness, I’d just as soon ask you, “Why not go to this show?” Seriously. Fellow Chicagoans and alt rockers Model Strangers will headline.

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 7/16. Martyr’s. 21+ $8.

SUNDAY

BLAH BLAH BLAH
You look like you need some new wave in your diet. Chicago’s Blah Blah Blah has adopted a dignified brit pop sound that is dreamy and totally sensual. Foggy guitars rise from a sea of wavy gravy synths. Singer Solomon Moss even has a bit of a less bothered (read in a cockney Catherine Tate voice) Morrissey thing going on. Get there early because Blah Blah Blah is opening for Brooklyn rapper Theophilus London (I see what you did there, Double Door) and experimental hip-popper Kenna.

7:30 p.m. Sunday, 7/17. Double Door. 21+ FREE!!

The band are set to drop a new two-song 7″, titled If I Wanted To c/w I Am Who I Say I Am, this Saturday, April 16. The vinyl was recorded by producer Steve Shirk, and as The Right Now state on their website, “These songs are a slight departure for us, a fun dip into some blues-rock…”

Departure is right. One of two “A” sides, “If I Wanted To” goes for a much heavier tone than anything on their debut LP Carry Me Home as the song features huge drums, dirty keys and muddy guitars. It’s quite the groover. You can listen “If I Wanted to” or download it at the price of an e-mail address below:

Dig the cut? You can pre-order the 7″ this very second at Therightnow.com, and then after you’re done spending all your hard earned cash on vinyl this Saturday, April 16, be sure to hit up Martyrs to catch The Right Now perform. Tickets are on sale right now at Martyrslive.com for only $10.

The band has released its cover of the 1971 David Bowie single “Moonage Daydream.” The song is apparently a VERY popular among Chicago (ahem Local H) artists, but the ‘Nauts do it up in style. Singer Leilani Frey belts out the chorus with brutal feminine force and grace. Guitarist Vee Sonnets blasts each guitar solo with keen precision.

You can listen to a stream of the cover below, but be sure to get your free track by signing up for the Maybenaut’s mailing list.

The Maybenauts – Moonage Daydream (David Bowie cover) by LoudLoopPress

And don’t forget to check out the Maybenauts’ headlining show at Martyr’s tonight. The girls and space panda will appear with fellow Chicago pop-rockers The Powwows and New York indie rockers Your 33 Black Angels. The fun starts at 8 p.m. and costs $7. As always the show is 21+.

1. Headlining the show are Elgin’s rock n’ roll trio the Love Shots. They keep things simple – drums, bass and guitar – and produce no frills, hook-filled garage rock that’s equal parts soul and punk. Better yet, lead singer/guitarist Danny Craig has a voice that’s part crooner and part ’50s greaser rock and fits their sound perfectly. There’s no doubt the Love Shots will rock the excellent sounding Martyrs tonight!

2. Also, on tonight’s bill are Chicago’s The Dyes. They play fast, gritty rockabilly tunes. Basically the type music to drink whiskey to and forget how cold and dreary it is outside. Perfect for this evening, in my opinion.

3. Opening the show are the duo of Christopher and Trevor, otherwise known as The Wiitala Brothers. Judging from the recordings on their Myspace, they don’t really sound like a duo with huge drums and jangly guitars driving their indie-rock flourishes. I always consider it a good sign when I’m surprised to find a band is a duo when they don’t sound like it.

So, there you have it. Three damn fine reasons for making tonight a Martyr’s night.

8:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 11. Martyrs’. 21+. $7.

Quasi

Hey Chicago! Tons of excellent shows this weekend including Quasi at Lincoln Hall, Sissy Mena at Martyrs, the Metal Haven Farewell show at Reggie’s Rock Club and so much more!

Lets get to it, shall we?

Friday

SISSY MENA
I really enjoyed Sissy Mena’s debut album Young Girl. The band is rooted firmly in the shoegaze/alt-rock era of the mid-’90s with a high powered guitar assault courtesy of singer/axeman Tyler Brinegar. Tonight, the group open up a triple bill at Chicago’s wonderful sounding Martyrs, so their wall-of-fuzz sound should surely reverberate your insides. Also on the bill are local power-pop outfit Gooey and Rescue School. (Richard Giraldi)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 4/30. Martyrs. 21+. $8.

WE LOVE YOU
I gave you a heads up about this show a few weeks back and, well, here it is. We Love You’s new guitarist Spencer Heck is, hopefully, up to speed and ready to show that he can more than ably fill Zach’s old shoes. Kam, 28 Mansions and Vital Light round out the bill. So get! (Ross Meyerson)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 4/30. Beat Kitchen. 21+. $8.

Saturday

QUASI
Portland’s Quasi have a new record, their first since 2006, and that means a tour. And here they are. Mostly a keyboard and drum-heavy band (What I call carnival indie rock. You can use that), their latest features a new bass player and much more guitar. So check out a band that, seven albums in, is continuing to evolve. Merge’s latest find, Let’s Wrestle, open. (Editor’s Note: Will you marry me, Janet?) (Ross Meyerson)

10:00 p.m. Saturday, 5/1. Lincoln Hall. 21+. $12 advanced, $14 door.

METAL HAVEN FAREWELL SHOW
As we previously reported, Chicago’s one and only place for all things metal, Metal Haven, is shutting their doors for good. This is like the Sear’s Tower walking away from the Chicago skyline or something like that. Well, don’t let it going out with a whimper. Let it go out with a bang…a headbang (ZING!). Reggie’s is hosting their farewell gig and Enforcer, High Spirits, The Chasm, Slauter Xstroyes, Kommandant, Diamond Plate and Empyreus will all be there to send the Haven off in style. So will you? Of course you will. (Ross Meyerson)

6:00 p.m. Saturday, 5/1. Reggie’s. 18+. $15.

COLUMBIA COLLEGE’S CHICAGO REVEALED
Nothing makes a lazy Saturday afternoon better than a concert featuring kick ass local bands. Well, Columbia College Chicago is throwing a show tomorrow from 2:30 p.m until 5:30 p.m. The show, titled Chicago Revealed, is sponsored by student run record label AEMMP Records, features Chicago bands The Webelos, The Kickback, Katz Company, The Roots Rockers Club and Sour Apples Crew. Did I mention there will be free Pizza and AMP energy drink? Well, there will be free pizza and amp energy drink. The show is free, but a suggested donation of $3 is requested to benefit Rock For Kids. (Richard Giraldi)

2:30 p.m. Saturday, 5/1. Columbia College’s Conaway Center (1104 S. Wabash). All ages. $3 Suggested Donation.

Sunday

ELEVENTH DREAM DAY
Old is the new new. Chicago’s Eleventh Dream Day are yet another brilliant and brilliantly underrated band that has risen not quite from the dead to remind us how vital alternative music was when it truly was alternative. Well, they are taking up residency starting this Sunday at The Hideout so now is your chance to remember what it is you loved or, if you never had that chance, remember for the first time. (Ross Meyerson)

8:30 p.m. Sunday, 5/2. The Hideout. 21+. $8.

Photo by Audrey Leon

From Lincoln Hall to the Beat Kitchen, Chicago music venues are always looking for new, creative ways to bring more people through their doors.

When Lincoln Hall opened at the former site of the 3 Penny Cinema, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., in October 2009, the 500-capacity venue found it difficult to have shows each night, said Tim Stephans, communications director for Lincoln Hall and Schubas.

“We probably do only five shows a week,” Stephans said of Lincoln Hall, which is owned by Mike and Chris Schuba.

With calendar space to fill, Lincoln Hall’s employees voiced some of their ideas.

“Since we have a screen and a projector,” Stephans said. “We thought about doing a movie night.”

The monthly “3 Penny Was Here” film series – named in honor of the space’s former resident – was officially born in January 2010 with a screening of the cult classic “The Big Lebowski,” which attracted 200 people.

Turnout has fluctuated but remained steady. The second event featured the 1977 Paul Newman comedy “Slap Shot,” which brought in 75 people, Stephans said.

Lincoln Hall set up a poll on its Facebook page for its third event, a double feature. The winners were the cult comedies “Wet Hot American Summer” and “Meatballs,” which resulted in a turnout of 175, Stephans said.

“For a non-show night, we’re pretty happy,” Stephans said. “We’ve been pretty surprised by the success.”

Paul Natkin, executive director of the Chicago Music Commission, is not surprised.

“The fact of the matter is you can’t support any kind of business on hip, trendy stuff seven nights a week,” Natkin said. “Given the choice of three bands playing on a Tuesday night and having 12 people show up or putting on an event that 100 people will show up at, it’s not much of a choice in my estimation.”

The next “3 Penny Was Here” on May 11 will be devoted to the work of film-maker Wes Anderson with a double-feature of “The Royal Tannenbaums” and “Bottle Rocket.”

Michael Orlove, the founder of Chicago’s World Music Festival and senior program director at the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs, said that it is great that music venues are re-inventing themselves.

“It’s less about being music venues and more about being cultural centers and serving the community and particular constituencies,” Orlove said.

In addition to hosting numerous up-and-coming local and national music acts, the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., aims to be a place where members of its Humboldt Park community come to hang out.

The Empty Bottle opened its doors to an alternative farmers market in December 2009; kicking off in the afternoon rather than morning, the farmers market features the wares of local businesses.

“The Empty Bottle has always been a community place,” said owner Bruce Finkleman. “It doesn’t make sense not to have neighborhood events like that.”

Kris Swanberg, a DePaul graduate student and owner of Nice Cream – a Chicago-based ice cream company – is a frequent vendor at the Empty Bottle farmers market.

Nice Cream promotes its winter 2010 flavors at the Empty Bottle's Farmers Market. | Photo by Audrey Leon

Swanberg said she chose to be a vendor at the market because of its low vendor fee and its reputation.

“The Empty Bottle is a really cool space,” she said. “It’s cool to have it open during the day, especially on a sunny day, to walk into the dark Empty Bottle and be inside a farmers market. It really transforms.”

Additionally, the Empty Bottle began hosting a weekly “Rock and Roll Cinema” night on Sundays in mid-February, featuring rock documentaries on acts such as Anvil, the Minutemen and the Ramones and plenty of drink specials to entice potential patrons.

The Empty Bottle similarly uses a large screen, which hangs over its stage, and a projector to screen films. Seating is also available.

“People just hang out,” Finkleman said. “People are able to sit at the bar as well; it’s just a relaxed, neighborhood, living room kind of feel to it.”

Finkleman said films are chosen either by customer input or staff suggestions. “People tell us what they want to see,” Finkleman said. “Customers email with suggestions or we suggest things we want to see.

“I mean, I love the Minutemen; my dog is named after (Minutemen vocalist) D. Boon so it was kind of normal that we would show that film (“We Jam Econo – The Story of the Minutemen” featured on Feb. 21).”

These special events will likely not be the last of their kind at the Empty Bottle.

“We’re always trying to come up with new and interesting ideas,” Finkleman said. “It keeps things original and keeps you moving forward.”

The next Rock and Roll Cinema will feature the film “Rolling Stones: Sympathy for the Devil” on Sunday, April 25.

Since December 2006, Beat Kitchen on 2100 W. Belmont Ave. has devoted its Tuesday nights to the Chicago Underground Comedy showcase.

John Benetti a talent buyer for House Call Entertainment, which books shows for Beat Kitchen and Subterranean, said via email that Beat Kitchen was not originally looking to branch out into non-music events. “They came to us and it seemed like a good match,” Benetti said.

While the attendance numbers differ from regular show nights, Benetti said Beat Kitchen is not looking to change.

“It has been very successful for both parties,” Benetti said. “Chicago Underground Comedy is very consistent and we are very happy to host it.”

Chicago Underground Comedy could not be reached for comment.

According to Natkin, Chicago music venues have a hard time booking acts because of the sheer number of available spaces in the city. “It’s a simple equation: the amount of available spaces divided by how many bands there actually are,” he said.

“If the alternative to comedy night is being closed,” Natkin said. “Then I commend them for taking a chance to stay open.”

Of course, Lincoln Hall, the Empty Bottle, and Beat Kitchen are not the only venues in town throwing alternative events. Look who else is branching out in Chicago.

The Hideout holds a monthly crafts fair called “Dirty Needles Chicago.” The latest installment occurs on Thursday, May 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Double Door is making its foray into the funny business with the free event “Jon Griffin’s Comedy Night & Zinger Showcase” on Monday, May 24, at 8 p.m.

Martyrs’ hosts The Moth Story Slam every last Tuesday of each month. Be one of 10 participants on Tuesday, May 25, at 8 p.m. to expand on the evening’s chosen topic.

Kadlecik announced yesterday in a letter posted on the band’s website that he will be leaving Dark Star Orchestra to join Furthur, the newly formed ban comprised of founding Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, along with Joe Russo of The Duo and Jeff Chimenti and Jay Lane of Ratdog.

Taking Kadlecik’s place in Dark Star Orchestra for all future scheduled shows is Zen Trickster’s guitarist Jeff Mattson. The Dark Star Orchestra will continue to recreate past Grateful Dead show in their entirety at concerts across the country.  Kadlick’s final show will be on December 5, in Buffalo New York, he will join Further for an East Coast run of shows starting December 8 in New York City.

Dark Star Orchestra play tomorrow night in Ithaca, NY at the State Theatre (with Mattson on guitar) at 8 p.m.

The new club, named Lincoln Hall according to the Trib article, will be a mid-sized music club in the vein of the original Schubas at 3159 N. Southport Ave. and other mid-sized Chicago venues such as the Double Door and Martyrs.

The club is being built in the old Three Penny Cinema building, which is sweet for me because I pretty much live right next door. But a music club should be a great addition to a beautiful area that already has the Biograph Theater, Clarke’s Bars And Grille and a number of college bars.

Kot’s article states that construction on the new club continues, but there is no set opening date at this time.