Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that this Saturday, April 21, is the fourth annual Record Store Day. Like the past three years, record stores around the country are offering exclusive releases, great deals, free goodies and even in-store performances for Saturday’s celebration of independently owned record stores. The event is even better if you live in Chicago because there are many great record stores strewn across the city, but it’s hard to keep count of which one is doing what. Therefore, once again, we’ve done the dirty work for you in this handy guide to record store day in Chicago in which we break down which stores have what releases and even which bands you might find playing.

One thing to keep in mind: If you’re on the hunt for the Record Store Day Exclusives, GET THERE EARLY. All of the exclusive releases are being released in limited quantities. Plus, some stores are even offering free goodies, but only to the first few who show up. Finally, we’ll be updating our guide up until Saturday morning with more information as to who will have what and maybe even add some additional locations that we’ve found will be participating as well. But enough small talk. On with the Loud Loop Press Guide to Record Store Day in Chicago:

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By Staff  \  1 comment

Chicago noise enthusiasts Running have unleashed an explosive new track off their upcoming album Asshole Savant, due out this year on Captcha records.

Running is the kind of band that gets off on leaving you wanting more. From the band’s minimal web presence to this short, tasty track, the band is great at building up a thirst.

“I Can’t Believe I’m Alive” begins its aural assault with brutally heavy drum beats accompanied by screeching guitars and howling vocals that sneer with perfect punk rock prowess. The song chugs along at break-neck speed becoming the perfect soundtrack for an old-school pogo dance party or the standard punch-to-the-gut mosh pit experience. Listen to the track after the jump.

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By Audrey Leon  \  comments

Thank Urkel it’s Friday, y’all. There are a lot of great options for this weekend’s entertainment and, as we do every week, we’re picking out our faves. We’re talking Dum Dum Girls, Cave, Melt Banana and more.

Treat yo self!

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that this Saturday, April 16, is the fourth annual Record Store Day. Like the past three years, record stores around the country are offering exclusive releases, great deals, free goodies and even in-store performances for Saturday’s celebration of independently owned record stores. The event is even better if you live in Chicago because there are many great record stores strewn across the city, but it’s hard to keep count of which one is doing what. Therefore, once again, we’ve done the dirty work for you in this handy guide to record store day in Chicago in which we break down which stores have what releases and even which bands you might find playing.

One thing to keep in mind: If you’re on the hunt for the Record Store Day Exclusives, GET THERE EARLY. All of the exclusive releases are being released in limited quantities. Plus, some stores are even offering free goodies, but only to the first few who show up. Finally, we’ll be updating our guide up until Saturday morning with more information as to who will have what and maybe even add some additional locations that we’ve found will be participating as well. But enough small talk. On with the Loud Loop Press Guide to Record Store Day in Chicago:

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Well, we have some very exciting news! The Rumble, a multi-city concert event, finally makes its debut in Chicago, its ninth city, on Tuesday, April 12, at The Hideout!

The musical lineup for the show features some of our local favorites including heavy psych rockers The Great Society Mind Destroyers, punchy indie rockers Pet Lions and garage punks The Rambos.

Oh, did we mention the show is completely FREE? Well, it is.

The Rumble was lovingly put together by Future Sounds and we’re happy to announce that Loud Loop Press is one of the official sponsors. But it’s just not us. Our blogging buddies in arms CreamTeam, Giant System, VEOBA, Harmon Drive and more are also sponsors. Even Reckless Records got in on the act.

RSVP for the Rumble on the Facebooks. Pretty rad, no? See you there!

By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

We really, really dig The 1900s‘ new album, Return Of The Century, which drops November 2 on Parasol Records. But you can listen now as the band have begun to stream ReturnBandcamp page. Additionally, The 1900s announced today that they’re going on tour in early November, and the dates open and close here in Chicago. Catch the band next Friday, November 5, at Reckless Records in Wicker Park for a free in-store, and then on Friday, December 3, their sweet sounds will grace the Empty Bottle. Oh yeah, and check out this brand new self-made video for their new song, “Amulet”, which features band members acting out Return‘s concept, loosely based on the real story of The Incredible String Band’s Licorice McKenzie, about a woman who gets lost in the desert.:

The 1900s – Amulet from The 1900s / M/\ZES on Vimeo.

By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

I’ve never had the pleasure of visiting the Flat Iron while it’s busy, but Scott Lucas — frontman for Local H and Scott Lucas & The Married Men — assures me the place is packed after 2 a.m.

We’re sitting in the heart of Wicker Park not far from the hustle and bustle of six corners. The area is not only Lucas’ home base in the city, but where he works; Lucas played a headlining show a few feet down the street at North Milwaukee and Honore during Wicker Park Fest and across the street at the Double Door this past New Year’s Eve, both with Local H. Lucas also played an in-store with his solo project the Married Men at Reckless Records back in February.

However, we find ourselves sitting at a tiny table in the darkened bowels of the Flat Iron because Lucas has, not one, but two EPs releasing on Tuesday, October 19. The first being Local H’s Awesome Mix Tape #1 with his hard rock band of over 15 years Local H and the second being Absolute Beginners with his romantic folk-rock solo project Scott Lucas and the Married Men.

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By Audrey Leon  \  comments