Three reasons to rouse from your slumber for a delightful rock show at Double Door tonight... 1. Chicago power poppers Daemon Familiar certainly have an apt name. The trio contains trace amounts of such familiar artists as the Beatles and Cheap Trick, but with less than serious song titles that are generally named after celebrities like "Oprah" and Bangles lead singer "Susanna Hoffs." LISTEN: "Oprah." 2. If The Day Lewis look familiar, trust that you have seen at least a few of the members around. Specifically, drummer Rob Majchrowski doubles as guitarist for rowdy rockers We Repel Each Other. Under the Day Lewis banner, the band focuses on darker (read: morose), melodic rock. But don't let that description fool you, there's plenty of grinding distortion for all to go around. LISTEN: "Never Wrong." 3. Bringing up the rear are two bands that are very familiar to LLP. Percolator specialize in fun, bouncy indie rock that is sure to get your body moving. Openers I Lost Control will waltz in with their Brit Pop-influenced brand of melodic indie rock and quite possibly steal the show. LISTEN: "I Lost Control - TWB." 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 1/12. Double Door. 21+ $5. By Audrey Leon  \  comments

Three reasons why there’s no need to load up on sweets before heading down to The Hideout tonight... 1. Chicago sugary shoegazers Panda Riot make music that comes at you like a tidal wave with its swirling distortion guitar, spacey atmospheric noise and multi-part angelic harmonies. It’s not always a hard impact; for instance on “Streetlight & you & me” from 2010’s Far and Near EP, Panda Riot hits back more like an overwhelmingly gentle embrace. No matter the mood, Panda Riot always strikes the right one. LISTEN: “16 Seconds.” 2. Making the evening more eclectic tonight are Brooklyn synth-pop duo Kodacrome. Principle players Elissa Pociask and Ryan Casey effortlessly switch it up musically, going from metallic electrop-pop on their track “Modern Man” to more hip-hop flavored rhythms found on the quirky track “What’s Your Engine?” Pociask’s deep, rich vocals often become yet another instrument for Kodacrome’s crafty experiments. WATCH: “Robbery” 3. A true treat, dark cabaret-style pop group Magic Key, formerly Aleks and the Drummer, delights with body grooving rhythms and breezy vocals that are rich and fully of theatrics. Opening the show are booty shaking electro-poppers J+J+J. The Shiller Park duo bring the party with just a drum machine and synthesizer. Excellent. LISTEN: J+J+J - “Old People (Take Back the Nite)” 9:00 p.m. Thursday, 1/5. The Hideout. 21+ $8. By Audrey Leon  \  comments

Three - chillaxing is not a crime, but using that word in a sentence is - reasons to head on over to the Burlington tonight... 1. Chicago trio Close Hits make a tasty pot of musical gumbo. The group throw in a dash of bouncy rockabilly with some swinging psychedelic guitar solos and a few brash and sassy pop-punk overtones. Singer and guitarist Dan Rico even brings out his inner Chrissie Hynde on a very Pretenders-style track "Get to You." Whatever your flavor of choice, Close Hits brings enough rhythm and soul to rouse you from your winter blues. LISTEN: Get to You." 2. Fellow Chicagoans Rambos are the perfect complement to the upbeat stylings of Close Hits. Rambos' dark and smoky rockabilly, which is infused with surf and bluesy punk rock, is either the soundtrack to an flawlessly choreographed knife fight or the best dance off ever. There's no excuse for not twisting and shouting along to the chorus of "Terrorize." 3. No third band tonight, but check out Rambos performing "Human Monster" live at the Windy City Winter Ball this past February. 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, 1/4. The Burlington. 21+ $5. By Audrey Leon  \  comments

[caption id="attachment_24396" align="alignleft" width="250" caption="GSMD | Photo by David J. Hanus"][/caption]Three why-not-take-your-relationship-to-the-next-level reasons to come on down to the Bottle tonight... 1. After seeing Chicago psych fiends The Great Society Mind Destroyers at the very place they play tonight, I can safely say they didn’t choose their name at random. No, GSMD have the power to scramble your beer-soaked mind with few blistering, guitar-fueled jams and some drums beats that sink deeper than a corpse with cement shoes. The band celebrate the release of its new album Spirit Smoke tonight as well. It’s going to get heavy. LISTEN: “Divinorum.” 2. Local sludge-meisters Rodeo are currently riding the Buzztrain to Buzzville City after the digital release of its new single “Lana Deth Ray" earlier this month (Plus that artwork is really something, eh?). You won’t want to miss this set, because, as the Chicago Reader so aptly stated, Rodeo has fulfilled its destiny. Ain’t nowhere else to go but down, bros. But, hey, what a ride, right? LISTEN: “Lana Deth Rey.” 3. As if you needed more reasons to get to a show early, fearsome punk rockers Velocicopter are set to flash some pretty serious ‘tude, especially if this YouTube clip for its smash-’em-up rocker “Black Holes On Paper” is any indication. Finally, post-rockers with a sense of humor T’bone will open the show. LISTEN: “Doored by a Cop.” 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, 12/20. Empty Bottle. 21+ $8. By Audrey Leon  \  comments

The weekend is finally here. Wrap yourself in hefty layers and go out and enjoy this city's fine offerings! We're talking about Bad Bad Meow at Cole's, Carbon Tigers at Subterranean, and Pillars and Tongues' free in-store at SAKI. Let's get cookin'...

FRIDAY

BAD BAD MEOW Chicago quartet will unleash their country punk stylings on yet another unsuspecting rock audience at Cole's tonight. The group summon the lyrical prowess of wild 80s pop-rockers Violent Femmes and then twang it up Midwestern-style on its latest album Big Phat Pussycat, which is kind of funny because the band originated in North Carolina. Also sharing the bill are intense acoustic/electro-poppers Pinto and the Bean. (Audrey Leon) 10:00 p.m. Friday, 12/16. Cole's Bar. 21+ FREE!! THE DIRTBOMBS Holy eff, it's The Dirtbombs! Started by Mick Collins of The Gories, The Dirtbombs have been rocking scuzzy, fuzzy garage rock since 1992. These Detroit-ians were also nameed one of the Top 25 Live Acts by Spin magazine in 2006. Yes, THAT Spin magazine. If you think that's a treat, get their early for Chicago red raiders White Mystery, who I'm sure you know by now if you read this site like ever. Let's rage, ya'll. (Richard Giraldi) 11:30 p.m. Friday, 12/16. Subterranean. 21+. FREE!

SATURDAY

THE SEA AND CAKE It would be mighty difficult to discuss the Chicago indie rock scene without mentioning local stalwarts The Sea And Cake. The group makes sure to douse a good bit of jazz and pop into their brand of post-rock, which is not surprising seeing how Tortoise member John McEntire is a member. Their latest release dropped in May and was the EP, The Moonlight Butterfly that features the lovely, Chicago-inspired number, “Up On The North Shore” that rocks the clean guitars. Luke Roberts and Brokeback open. (Richard Giraldi) 10:00 p.m. Friday, 12/16. The Empty Bottle. 21+. $20. CARBON TIGERS Come celebrate Popstache's one-year anniversary with a night filled with experimental rock. One band defintiely worth paying attention to is Carbon Tigers. The Chicago outfit's melodic synth-tastic math rock is most akin to current-era Seattle groovers Minus The Bear due to the band's striking sensual rhythms. Also on the bill are psych-poppers Yawn, hip-hop trio Treehouse, and indie-tronic duo Rites. (Audrey Leon) 8:30 p.m. Saturday, 12/17. Subterranean. 17+ $10.

SUNDAY

PILLARS AND TONGUES We just can't get enough of Pillars and Tongues' brand of experimental rock. And lucky for everyone, the group is playing a free in-store at the lovely Logan Square store SAKI. Pillars and Tongues take your ordinary church hymnal-sound and turn it on its ear with added ambient noise and hypnotic rhythms. It's truly a sight to be seen. Also rocking the free in-store are experimental poppers A Tundra. (Audrey Leon) 4:00 p.m. Sunday, 12/18. Saki (3716 W. Fullerton Ave). All Ages. FREE! By Staff  \  comments

The Empty Bottle has announced that, for the first time ever, it will offer perk-heavy "Friends of Bottle" year-long concert passes for upcoming Bottle shows in 2012. The "FOB" pass will be offered at two levels: basic ($150) and Gold ($500). The basic level allows free entry to any show under $10; skipping the line privileges; an Empty Bottle t-shirt; 15 percent off Bite Cafe (between door and showtime); 15 percent off Empty Bottle merch; a free drink (up to $5) and members-only access to pre-sales for shows $10 and up; and invites to special VIP events. Gold allows all of the above AND free admission to any price Empty Bottle or Empty Bottle presents show.

Via the "FOB" pass fine print: "We’ve never extended our friendship to our patrons quite like this before, but we are pleased as punch that you want to bask in the warmth of our boozy embrace.

Best of all, you get a special laminated FOB members-only card. The card is only good for one person's admission and is non-transferable. Misuse results in revoking of privileges without refund. For more information or to purchase the FOB passes click here (basic) and/or here (gold). By Audrey Leon  \  comments

[caption id="attachment_24303" align="alignleft" width="250" caption="geronimo!"][/caption]Three the-heart-of-rock-and-roll-is-still-beating reasons to head down to Panchos tonight... 1. The 90s were a good decade for establishing the parameters of today's indie rock scene: aggressive, yet Weezer-like in its nerdish leanings. Chicago trio Geronimo! utilize this formula well on the its 2010 LP Fuzzy Dreams and reach new impressive heights on the a Bandcamp teaser for its upcoming follow-up. Come out for the tasty melodic jams and stay for the wailing distortion emitted through Geronimo's speaker stack. LISTEN: "Design Yourself a Heart." 2. Chicago outfit Volcanoes Make Islands are just overflowing with influences from the country-twang of Americana to heady psychedelic rock. The creative brains behind the space rockers, Henry Bianco and Brad Sawicki, make moody pop with the capacity for getting down and getting groovy. Check out our review of Volcanoes Make Island's most recent release Sick City here. LISTEN: "The City of Big Yellers." 3. The very moment loveable bartender/owner Pancho jumps on stage to tap on wood blocks or play some wacky sax along to math rockers Dick Wolf!'s disjointed pop melodies, this concert will have paid for itself. Singer-songwriter Joe Robinson will open. LISTEN: Dick Wolf! - "I Wish I Were Still on Rollerskates." 8:00 p.m. Thursday, 12/15. Panchos. 21+ $5. By Audrey Leon  \  comments