Dum Dum Girls

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!

FRIDAY

DUM DUM GIRLS
Good news for all those Dum Dum Girls fans who didn’t get tickets for tonight’s Empty Bottle show. The retro-rocking indie fashionistas are playing a FREE in-store at Reckless Records in Wicker Park (1532 N. Milwaukee Ave.) tonight at 7. Dum Dum Girls shook things up on their new album Only in Dreams after passing of singer Dee Dee’s mother. The album is deeply personal and conjures a sparkling smooth sound that is more pop than garage. Only in Dreams is an impressive showcase for Dee Dee and her velvety pipes. (Audrey Leon)

7:00 p.m. Friday, 10/14. Reckless – Wicker Park. All Ages. FREE. / 10:00 p.m. Friday, 10/14. Empty Bottle. 21+ Sold out.

TYLER JON TYLER
Chicago rockers Tyler Jon Tyler have all the right ingredients for a power trio: A howling, bass-playing frontwoman backed by jangly guitar and, steady, danceable drum beats. And You can really hear TJT singer Rebecca Flores turn into a young Chrissie Hynde on this WFMU live set from April. Doesn’t get much better than that. Also on hand for this FREE show are dark cabaret poppers Magic Key. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 10/14. Burlington Bar. 21+ FREE

SATURDAY

CAVE
When they’re not jamming in the bed of a truck driving around Chicago, CAVE create some of the city’s most impressive kraut and/or progressive rock. Their latest, Neverendless, may just be their best yet as its filled with synth-heavy but rocking jams that are very accessible. Also performing are locals Chandeliers who go for glitchy, hypnotic dance sounds, and garagey, psych outfit Jerusalem and the Starbaskets. (Richard Giraldi)

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 10/15. The Hideout. 21+. $10.

CMJ SEND-OFF PARTY
We hate to see you go, but we love to watch you leave. Our friends at CHIRP, HeaveMedia, Windy City Rock, Wine from the Moon and many more came together to give a proper farewell and good luck party to several Chicago bands heading East for CMJ Music Festival. On the bill are local folk poppers Paper Thick Walls – who wrote probably the most romantic love song ever, “Orange Tree.” Joining them are the gritty acoustic pop stylings of The Damn Choir as well as bedroom pop of Kellen & Me and Portland’s own Radiation City.

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 10/15. Ultra Lounge. 21+ $8 adv. / $10 day of

SUNDAY

MELT-BANANA
Since 1992, Japan’s Melt-Banana have gained quite the reputation as, um, quite crazy. Their experimental, punk and noise rock leanings have drawn comparisons to John Zorn and Mike Patton. On Sunday, they take the stage at Subterranean with support from some very fine local acts. Those being your favorite flower punks Rabble Rabble and the now-quartet riot poppers Swimsuit Addition. (Richard Giraldi)

7:30 p.m. Sunday, 10/16. Subterranean. 17+. $12.

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:

BEVERLY RECORDS

11612 S. Western Ave. Chicago, IL 60643, 773-779-0066
In-Store Performances?: Nope.
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: Yes! They’ve ordered quite a bit from the big RSD 2011 Exclusive Release list, but they won’t know exactly what they’ll have until Friday night.
Deals?: 20% off all used all vinyl LPs on the floor.
Free Goodies?: Yep! CD giveaways! And various goodies from labels! Hurray!
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DAVE’S RECORDS

2604 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL 60614, 773-929-6325
In-Store Performances?: Local band I Was Totally Destroying It will play a free acoustic set in the little store at 4 p.m.
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: You betcha! Dave ordered all the exclusives. But who knows what will come in? So, he will be posting exactly what he does have on the Dave’s Records Blog at precisely 10 p.m. this Friday, April 15, so keep an eye on it!
Deals?: All used 7″ and 12″ singles will be 50% off. All 78′s are $1 and booklets are $1. Free cupcakes if you purchase more than $25 (until they run out)! Free Dave’s Records T-Shirt if your purchase is more than $100 (until supplies run out)!
Free Goodies?: YES! Free candy for everyone! Also, some free bonus 7″, vinyl, stickers, DVDs, download cards and more (quantities are limited).
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DEADWAX

3819 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL 60613, 773-529-1932
In-Store Performances?: Nope.
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: Nah.
Deals?: 50% off all used vinyl, 20% off all new vinyl, single disc DVDs and more!
Free Goodies?: TBD.
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DUSTY GROOVE AMERICA

1120 N. Ashland Ave. Chicago, IL 60622, 773-342-5800
In-Store Performances?: Yes! How about some magic? Magic By Randy will entertaining from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Then the legendary Phil Cohran & Arkestra will perform at 4 p.m.
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: They’ll have tons of the RSD 11 Exclusive Releases (but they’ll have them in very limited quantities).
Deals?: TBD – but they will be opening an hour early at 9 a.m. and stay open an hour later until 9 p.m.
Free Goodies?: Free CD to first 50 costumers! Free refreshments and Vinyl giveaways – maybe some free T-shirts as well!
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GRAMAPHONE RECORDS

2843 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL 60657, 773-472-3683
In-Store Performances?: Yeah buddy! Tim Larson from Tim Larson and the Owner Operators will perform at 11 a.m. Then the rest of the day will features countless DJs spinning away!
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: Oh yeah. A bunch of the Records Store Day exclusive releases – check out exactly what they’ll have at the Gramaphone Records Facebook page!
Deals?: Nope.
Free Goodies?: TBD.
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HARD BOILED RECORDS

2010 W. Roscoe St. Chicago, IL 60618, 773-755-2619
In-Store Performances?: Nope.
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: Yes, they’ll have a few from the massive RSD 2011 Exclusive Release list.
Deals?: Nope.
Free Goodies?: TBD.
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JAZZ RECORD MART

27 E. Illinois St. Chicago, IL 60654, 312-222-1467
In-Store Performances?: Yes sir! Jason Adasiewicz with Josh Berman will perform at 11 a.m. and then Rockin Johnny and Tail Dragger will perform at 1 p.m.
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: Yes, a few from the BIG LIST.
Deals?: 50% off main room 78s and secong hand big band/trad jazz/jazz vocals/gospel LPs, 20% off any box set, $.99 delmark cassettes will be $.49, all cassettes are $5 for $10, vinyl graveyard section will be 5 for $1 and red circled 45s will be 5 for $1. Whew.
Free Goodies?: Free snacks and refreshments!
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KSTARKE RECORDS

1109 N. Western Ave. Chicago, IL 60622, 773-772-4880
In-Store Performances?: DJs all day until 5 p.m.
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: A very limited amount of RSD 11 Exclusive Releases.
Deals?: TBD.
Free Goodies?: Free food and drinks. Record and CD giveaways! Oh yeah!
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LAURIE’S PLANET OF SOUND

4639 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL 60625, 773-271-3569
Laurie’s opens at 9 a.m.
In-Store Performances?: Oh, hell yeah! Here’s the schedule:
11:00am- DJ Peroxide
12:00pm- DJ Rachel Hinsdale
1:00pm- CANDY GOLDE LIVE (feat. Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick!)
1:30pm- DJ Mike Bennett (CHIRP)
2:30pm- DJ Mark Richardson (Pitchfork Media)
3:30pm- DJ Josh Rosenthal (Plaguebringer)
4:00 – 5:00pm Guest Laurie’s employee TERRI HEMMERT (XRT)!!!!!
4:15pm- DJ Rebecca Flores (Tyler Jon Tyler)
5:00pm- VEE DEE LIVE PERFORMANCE
5:45pm- DJs Eric Marsh & Alex Foucre Stimes (BLVD Records)
7:00pm- DJ Owen Harris (CHIRP, Kiwi Brunch)
8:00pm- POPULATION LIVE
8:45pm- DJ Eliah Einhorn (Scotland Yard Gospel Choir)

Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?:Yes, 200 copies of an exclusive Vee Dee 7” on red vinyl that can only be found at Laurie’s. You can find the rest of Laurie’s record store day goodies on this sweet Facebook note.
Deals?: Nope.
Free Goodies?: The first 50 people get a Laurie’s LP tote filled with goodies!
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PERMANENT RECORDS

1914 W. Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL 60622, 773-278-1744
Permanent Records will open from 12 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday, April 16, for all you hardcore record shoppers!
In-Store Performances?: Yeppers!
5:00 p.m. Bad Drugs
6:00 p.m. Silver Abuse
Stay after the music ends for Permanent’s annual Flaming Lips Zaireeka Boom Box Experiment Listening Party at 7 p.m. Bring your boombox!!
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: Um, yeah. The limited, color vinyl edition Purling Hiss/Puffy Aerolas 12” that is only available at Permanent.
Deals?: Nada.
Free Goodies?: Free grab bags. Gotta love it!
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RAFFE’S RECORD RIOT

4350 N. Cicero Ave. Chicago, IL 60641, 773-725-1327
In-Store Performances?: No, but it’s still possible, says the owner.
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: Quite a few from the official RSD catalogue. There’s a box full of stuff they’re waiting to unwrap.
Deals?: All used items are 50% off: Books, DVDs, 45s, etc.
Free Goodies?: A free album of your choice with purchase.
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RECKLESS RECORDS

3126 N. Broadway Chicago, IL 60657, 773-404-9588 | 1532 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60622, 773-235-3727 | 26 E. Madison St. Chicago, IL 60602, 312-795-0878
In-Store Performances?: You bet your bottom dollar! Here’s the schedule:

WICKER PARK Store (1532 N. Milwaukee)
1:00 p.m. Tyler Jon Tyler
2:00 p.m. Joan of Arc
3:00 p.m. Candy Golde (featuring Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick and Nick Tremulis)
3:30 p.m. Jeff Parker (of Tortoise)
4:00 p.m. Singleman Affair
5:00 p.m. Cairo Gang?
Rock n’ roll caricatures by Steve Krakow aka Plastic Crimewave (12-5)

LOOP store (26 E. Madison)
2:00 p.m. Roommate
3:00 p.m. Slow Witch (Angela of Sybris)

BROADWAY Store (3126 N. Broadway)
12:00 p.m. Cult of Youth?
1:00 p.m. Raw Nerve?
2:00 p.m. Owen
?3:00 p.m. Population
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: Yessir. Get your copy of White Mystery’s Blood & Venom before it officially comes out on April 20. Not enough for ya? Get your mitts on Raw Nerve’s Tall Tales on white vinyl. Ooh la la. And you can also find the No Peace/War compilation 7” by Organized Crime Records. Get down on it!!
Deals?: Nah.
Free Goodies?: Negatory.
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RECORD BREAKERS

2105 S. State St. Chicago, IL 60616, 312-949-0125
In-Store Performances?: Yes! Record Breakers got it going on! The store opens bright and early at 10 a.m. Performances kick off at 11 a.m.

Flame Shark
Darling
A Rocket to the Moon (acoustic)
Ornery Little Darlings
The Steepwater Band
Certain Stars
Hemmingbirds
Harry Breitner
Aetiology
Magic Child

Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: Yep, they’ll be offering most if not all of the Record Story Day Exclusive Releases in limited quantities.
Deals?: A 10% off storewide sale!
Free Goodies?: Oh yeah! Expect special giveaways, raffles and even free food and drinks will be provided!
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SAKI

3716 W. Fullerton Ave. Chicago, IL 60647, 773-486-3997
Open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In-Store Performances?: Hells Yeah!
1:00 p.m. Distractions
2:00 p.m. Bob Dey’s Tank Engine Man
3:00 p.m. Chaperone
4:00 p.m. The 1900s
5:00 p.m. Rabid Rabbit
6:00 p.m. In Tall Buildings
7:00 p.m. This is Cinema
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: Too many to name. But how about Nirvana’s Hormoaning 12” or The Rolling Stone’s Brown Sugar 7”? Well, they got ‘em.
Deals?: there will be store-wide sales.
Free Goodies?: Simply too many to name. How about free Telekinesis pencils? A free Chimera Music sampler? Save your Saki receipt for tons of food, drink and show discounts like free PBR at the RSD aterparty at the Burlington! Or free admittance to Bottom Lounge’s RSD afterparty with Hollows, Suns, Light Pollution and Secret Colours. Find out more at Saki’s blog.
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SHAKE, RATTLE & READ

4812 N. Broadway Chicago, IL 60640, 773-334-5311
In-Store Performances?: Nuh uh.
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: Numero Group’s exclusive RSD releases.
Deals?: 20% off on all vinyl.
Free Goodies?: Not today, friend.
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THE OLD SCHOOL RECORDS

7446 W. Madison St. Forest Park, IL 60130, 708-366-7588
In-Store Performances?: Affirmative! Here’s the scoop:
11:00 a.m. F. Patrick Kevil
3:00 p.m. Morris Mill & Friends
Live DJs
12:00 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sonorama
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Soul Clap
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: TBD
Deals?: 25% off all budget CDs. 25% all budget LPs. 25% all 12” singles. 25% off all cassettes!
Free Goodies?: TBD.
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Know of some deals or stores participating that we missed? Let us know in the comments and we’ll add it to the guide!

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!

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

Scott Lucas performing with the Married Men | Photo by Audrey Leon

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.

“I’m psyched because I can see everything coming into focus for both bands,” Lucas said. “It’s sort of stunty but it means more to me to put them out on the same day rather than one EP.”

The EPs do share one common thread, the songs could all be viewed as covers. While Local H’s samples the wares of other musicians, The Married Men (with the exception of “Absolute Beginners,” originally by David Bowie) sample Lucas’ catalog: two re-worked versions of Married Men songs from their debut George Lassos the Moon and a cover of Local H’s “Hey Rita.”

“These (Local H’s Awesome Mix Tape #1) are just songs that we’ve been playing live for the last decade,” Lucas said. “There wasn’t a whole lot of thought behind it.”

Lucas said that Local H’s Awesome Mix Tape #1 (the title a reference to the film Boogie Nights) was an idea that had been batted around for years. Releasing covers isn’t a strange move for Local H. On its 2003 No Fun EP Local H recorded versions of The Ramones “I Just Want Something to Do” and The Godfathers’ “Birth, School, Work, Death.”

“We didn’t think about the songs (structure) too much,” he said. “That’s the spirit of the EP.”

The one exception to this would be the EPs bonus track, an acoustic version of the Misfits‘ “Last Caress.” Lucas took a different approach to the song because Metallica’s cover was so well-known.

“U2 said, ‘Charles Manson stole ‘Helter Skelter’ from the Beatles – and we’re stealing it back.’ We had the same attitude,” Lucas said. “If you do a cover of a cover, it’s like putting instant coffee in the microwave. You might go back in time and nobody wants that to happen.”

Local H’s Awesome Mix Tape #1 includes a number of songs from TV on the Radio’s “Wolf Like Me” to the Jesus Lizard’s “Puss.” However, Lucas said that there’s one track Local H won’t play live: “Spider Bite” by the UK band Winnebago Deal.

“I think it’s too hard,” Lucas said. “The riff, I don’t have the technique to play it. That’s why we played it on a keyboard.”

Lucas said that he believes just because you can’t pull a song off live doesn’t mean it should stop you from getting creative in the studio. “You don’t want to think like that,” Lucas said. “I don’t like when people think, ‘Oh, I’m not going to make this song so hard because then it won’t be so hard to play live.’”

Lucas cited “24 Hour Break Up Session” from Local H’s 2008 album 12 Angry Months as an example. “It’s really hard to sing,” Lucas said. “It’s tough, but you don’t think about how you’re going to do it (live).”

While Local H’s EP had no thought behind it, The Married Men’s Absolute Beginners EP grew out of a need to measure the band’s growth as performers.

“It was important because we had rushed into the studio (for George Lassos the Moon,” Lucas said. “The band barely knew the songs and if they fucked up, that was the take.

“I wanted to see if we sounded different and capture the energy coming straight off the road,” he said.

Everything appears to be aligning for both of Lucas’ projects. He is currently working on new Local H and new Married Men material simultaneously.

The two bands are mirror opposites, even Lucas testifies to that fact. Where Local H may take the angrier and harder rock route, the Married Men aren’t afraid to slow things down and add a couple of strings and accordion into the mix.

For Lucas, the creative process for both bands comes down to one thing: lyrics.

“When I’m writing a song and the riff comes out, if I can picture it with Local H it goes that way,” Lucas said. “The most obvious is if it’s soft it goes with Married Men, but that’s a boring way to work.”

Opting to shake things up for both bands, Lucas said he is working on a country song with Local H and a song that he describes as “an eight minute epic with a Black Sabbath middle section” with the Married Men.

“The new Local H is sort of snap-shotty, like a document or a state of the union,” Lucas said. “This is where we are and what’s going on around us. We’re trying to talk to people, but not in a cheese ball way.”

To say Scott Lucas is a busy man is an understatement. Before our meeting he told me that he was running late (about 10 minutes) because he came straight from the studio where he was working on new Local H material. It is easy to imagine that he enjoys the lifestyle. With just a mere mention of his electro-rock group Prairie Cartel, Lucas’ face lit up with the possibilities of getting that band back together.

“A couple of people were asking about Prairie Cartel, it kind of made me want to record a new single,” Lucas said. “I kind of got inspired, as if I needed something else to do.”

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Catch Scott Lucas & The Married Men on Tuesday, October 26, at the Empty Bottle. Tickets are $7 or free if you email RSVP@emptybottle.com.

Catch Local H on Saturday, November 27, at 115 Bourbon Street (3359 W. 115th St) in Merrionette Park. Tickets are $5 and the show is 21+.
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“Weapons For War” is a tribal drum stomper that features some twistedly melodic breaks. Listen and/or download here: “Weapons For War”.

Additionally, the single is also available in a vinyl 7″ format, which, according to A Lull’s Facebook page, can be found at both Permanent Records and Reckless Records’ Broadway and Milwaukee locations. The 7″ edition also features the B-side, “Spread It All Around”.

Finally, A Lull will play local dates this summer with some national tour dates planned for August.

005 Love of Everything from Kyle Obriot on Vimeo.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that this Saturday, April 17, is the third annual Record Store Day. Like the past two 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, 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:

BEVERLY RECORDS
11612 S. Western Ave. Chicago, IL 60643, 773-779-0066
In-Store Performances?: Nope.
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: TBD.
Deals?: 10% off all used 45s and LPs.
Free Goodies?: The first 10 – 15 people who purchase an album will receive a free Record Store Day commemorative goodie bag!
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DAVE’S RECORDS
2604 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL 60614, 773-929-6325
In-Store Performances?: Nope.
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: You betcha! You can find the master list for the boatload of exclusive vinyl releases here, here, here, here, here and here! They’re even going to have a great History of Chicago Punk vinyl on sale. So, keep an eye on Myspace.com/davesrecordschicago as Dave will be updating the blog with additional releases he has received up until the big day!
Deals?: Free cupcakes if you purchase more than $25. Free Dave’s Records T-Shirt if your purchase is more than $100 until supplies run out. AND Free Jazz Record tote if your purchase is more than $200 until supplies run out!
Free Goodies?: YES! They have a bunch free 7″, vinyl, stickers, candy and more!
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DEADWAX
3819 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL 60613, 773-529-1932
In-Store Performances?: Nope.
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: Nope.
Deals?: 20% off all vinyl, posters and magazines.
Free Goodies?: No, but they will be raffling off a free stereo system! Sweet!
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DEATH OR GLORY
2557 1/2 W. Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL 60302, 773-360-8721
In-Store Performances?: Yep! There will be live performances from Tyler Jon Tyler and Maximum Wage! Music starts at 7 p.m.
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: A few including the exclusive Them Crooked Vultures 10″ single, Queens Of The Stone Age “Feel Good Hit of The Summer” 10″ EP, The Flaming Lips’ The Dark Side of the Moon limited edition vinyl and possibly a few more.
Deals?: Nope.
Free Goodies?: A few surprise giveaways! Show up to find out more!
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DUSTY GROOVE AMERICA
1120 N. Ashland Ave. Chicago, IL 60622, 773-342-5800
In-Store Performances?: The East of Edens Soul Express DJ Duo will be spinning from 2 – 4 p.m.
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: TBD.
Deals?: Nope.
Free Goodies?: Free CD to first 25 customers, free prizes for every purchase (while supplies last) and free refreshments! Score!
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GRAMAPHONE RECORDS
2843 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL 60657, 773-472-3683
In-Store Performances?: Nada.
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: Oh yeah. A bunch of the Records Store Day exclusive releases including the La Roux “Bulletproof”/”In For the Kill” 7″, Jenny Lewis “Carpetbaggers” 7″, The Doors “People Are Strange, The Crystal Ship” 7″, Goldfrapp Head First 12″ vinyl, White Lies The Remix EP, Rolling Stones “Plundered My Soul, All Down the Line” 7″, MGMT “Siberian Breaks” 12″, Four Tet Ringer 12″, Jimi Hendrix Live @ Clark University 12″, CD samplers and much more!
Deals?: Nope.
Free Goodies?: Nuh uh.
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HARD BOILED RECORDS
2010 W. Roscoe St. Chicago, IL 60618, 773-755-2619
In-Store Performances?: Nope.
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: TBD.
Deals?: Nope.
Free Goodies?: Free gift to the first 100 customers!
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JAZZ RECORD MART
27 E. Illinois St. Chicago, IL 60654, 312-222-1467
In-Store Performances?: Josh Berman’s Old Idea will perform at 12 p.m.
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: TBD.
Deals?: Used LPs will be 3 for $1.
Free Goodies?: Nope.
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KSTARKE RECORDS
1109 N. Western Ave. Chicago, IL 60622, 773-772-4880
In-Store Performances?: TBD.
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: TBD.
Deals?: 15% off on vinyl when purchase is more than $10.
Free Goodies?: Free giveaways throughout the day!
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LAURIE’S PLANET OF SOUND
4639 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL 60625, 773-271-3569
In-Store Performances?: Oh you better believe it! Schedule is as follows:
12:00 performance by local fave Algebro
1:00 performance by VEE DEE
2:00 performance by Johnny & the Limelites
DJ Sets:
3:00-5:00 Bill & Lisa of Cococoma/Trouble in Mind Records
5:00-6:00 Pat & John of Autumn Defense/Wilco
6:00-8:00 Trevor & Laurent of Pelican
8:00-9:00 Elia of Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
9:00-10:00 Samorama of Laurie’s
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: Tons. And I mean tons. Check out what they’ll have and their RSD rules in this very well written Facebook Note from the Laurie’s FB Fan Page, and the list isn’t even complete yet! Oh my!
Deals?: Nope.
Free Goodies?: The first 50 people get a Laurie’s LP tote filled with goodies! Free monster energy drink! Maybe a appearance from the Tamale Guy! WOWZERS!
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PERMANENT RECORDS -> BIG UPDATE: Permanent Records will open at 12 a.m. until 2 a.m. TONIGHT for all you hardcore record shoppers! OHHHH YEAAHHHH!
1914 W. Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL 60622, 773-278-1744
In-Store Performances?: Yeppers! Chicago garage duo White Mystery and Cleveland psych-punk group Puffy Areolas will be performing. Music starts at 5 p.m. Then stay after the music ends for Permanent’s annual Flaming Lips Zaireeka Boom Box Experiment Listening Party!
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: Um, yeah. They’ve ordered everything on the official Record Store Day Exclusive Release List, and they’ll have a Moon Duo/Bitchin’ Baja (CAVE Side Project) 7″ Spilt available!
Deals?: Nada.
Free Goodies?:They’ll be raffling off some tickets to see White Rabbits at the Metro and many more last minute surprises you jut gotta show up to see!
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RAFFE’S RECORD RIOT
4350 N. Cicero Ave. Chicago, IL 60641, 773-725-1327
In-Store Performances?: Negative.
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: A few including Buddy Guy A Man And The Blues 12″, Joan Baez Self-titled debut album 12″ and Doc Watson Doc Watson 12″.
Deals?: Buy one, get one free on all used vinyl.
Free Goodies?: Nope.
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RECKLESS RECORDS
3126 N. Broadway Chicago, IL 60657, 773-404-9588 | 1532 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60622, 773-235-3727 | 26 E. Madison St. Chicago, IL 60602, 312-795-0878
In-Store Performances?: You bet your bottom dollar! Here’s the schedule:
WICKER PARK Store (1532 N. Milwaukee)
PHIL COHRAN 12:30PM
THE ETERNALS 2PM
PNS from MOLEMEN 3PM
LIAM HAYES & PLUSH 4PM
AZITA 5PM
Rock n’ roll caricatures by Steve Krakow aka Plastic Crimewave (12-5)

LOOP store (26 E. Madison)
LOVE OF EVERYTHING 1PM
PLAGUE BRINGER 2PM
SWEET COBRA 3PM

BROADWAY Store (3126 N. Broadway)
POISON ARROWS 1pm
GRAVEYARD TRAIN (CREEDENCE COVER BAND) 2pm
HEAD OF SKULLS 3PM
REGRESS 4PM

Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: Yep. Plan to find all the Record Store Day Exclusive Releases in limited quantities.
Deals?: Nah.
Free Goodies?: Negatory.
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RECORD BREAKERS
2105 S. State St. Chicago, IL 60616, 312-949-0125
In-Store Performances?: Yes! Two full days worth! Check out the schedule:
Saturday April 17th
2 pm- Apteka (you can load in at 1pm please)
2:45- Truman & His Trophy
3:30 pm- Gunshy
4:15 pm Single Helix
5 pm- Dasterdly
5:45 pm- The New Diet
6:30 pm- Far Things
7:15 pm- Tiifighter

Sunday April 18th
2 pm- Musikanto
2:45 pm-Benton Harbor Lunchbox
3:30 pm- Magic Milk
4:15 pm- Aetiology
5 pm- Juicehead
5:45 pm- Haru Haru
6:30 pm- Capehart
7:15 pm- Lost In Blue

Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: Yep, they’ll be offering most if not all of the Record Story Day Exclusive Releases in limited quantities.
Deals?: A 10% off storewide sale!
Free Goodies?: Oh yeah! Expect special giveaways, raffles and even free food and drinks will be provided!
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SHAKE, RATTLE & READ
4812 N. Broadway Chicago, IL 60640, 773-334-5311
In-Store Performances?: Nuh uh.
Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: Nope.
Deals?: 20% off on all used vinyl. 50% off on any music related magazine, book and CDs!
Free Goodies?: Not today, friend.
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THE OLD SCHOOL RECORDS
7446 W. Madison St. Forest Park, IL 60130, 708-366-7588
In-Store Performances?: Affirmative! Here’s the scoop:
12 – 2 pm: Hollus with Independent Artist Early Release Promotion
2 – 3 pm: Black Bear Combo, Balkan Brass Band with New Independent Release Promotion
3 – 5 pm: Ernie Hines, Stax Recording Artist & Colorful Music Baby Blue Label Artist

Exclusive Record Store Day Releases?: Yep! Many Record Story Day Exclusive Releases but in limited quantities. And even exclusive RSD Beatles mugs!
Deals?: 50% off all budget bin compact discs! 50% off all used 12″ singles!
Free Goodies?: TBD.
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Know of some deals or stores participating that we missed? Let us know in the comments and we’ll add it to the guide!

• • Windy City Rock had the scoop on Mr. Russia and Reckless Records teaming up to offer a free vinyl copy of the band’s latest 7”.
• • Gaper’s Block posted a solid review of The XX at Lincoln Hall last Thursday.
• • Jambase has a clip and details about Umphrey’s McGee’s entrance into the Rock Band Network with their song “1348.”
• • HiddenTrack covered the Wilco show complete with some stage shots from the Orpheum Theatre in Boston from last week.
• • The Reader filled us in on what’s happening with Lampo’s experimental music presentations as it searches for a new permanent space.

Local H frontman Scott Lucas takes a page from singer-songwriters Bob Dylan and Neil Young for his debut George Lassos the Moon with his new group the Married Men and comes out a winner.

I called Scott Lucas the last angry man in my Top Ten of the Decade list, but it appears that even angry men can mellow out sometimes.

George Lassos the Moon, the title a reference to the film It’s a Wonderful Life, is a risk for Lucas. He is widely known for his work with the hard rock duo Local H where he made a career out of being an untamable, macho loner for the last 15+ years. Take a look at any of that band’s six albums and there is guaranteed to be a track devoted to Lucas’ distaste for either people in love (“Lovey Dovey” from 1996’s As Good as Dead), settling down (“(Baby Wants to) Tame Me” from 2000’s Here Comes the Zoo) or allowing anyone the satisfaction of breaking his heart (“Michelle (Again)” from 2008’s 12 Angry Months).

Nearing 40, Lucas is telling the world that he is ready to accept all that comes with being hopelessly in love and because of this George Lassos the Moon is his most raw and introspective work to date because he had nothing else to lose.

The songs on George Lassos the Moon weren’t always meant for public consumption. Lucas crafted each composition and emailed them to his ex-girlfriend during a year-long separation.

Lucas allows his lyrics to shine prominently by choosing a more stripped down, almost lounge-like at times, sound. Lucas puts his heart on his sleeve, track after track, admitting his faults in a tremendous effort to win back the one woman who got away. “I fucked up the day I let you go” Lucas sings on the album’s second track “You Put a Spell on Me.”

Lucas indulges in his folkier, almost country, side on George Lassos the Moon with plenty of help from slide guitar (Pete Muschong), horns and strings (Rebecca Brooke Manthe); he even croons instead of growls. This side of Lucas has always been there, surfacing in a gentle ballad or two on each Local H album, but it was always smothered by the songs’ louder, faster brethren.

The album’s lead single, “Extra Special Bitter,” is a bluesy 70’s rock inspired number reminiscent of Neil Young (with Crazy Horse) that brings the heavy, along with an excellent cover of Bob Dylan’s “Positively 4th Street,” on an album of otherwise lighter fare.

“Weatherman” is by far the best track not just on the album, but of Lucas’ entire career to date. The emotion contained within is slowly built upon until it erupts with Lucas gently yelling the chorus until the song’s end. The lyrics paint a beautifully sad portrait of a ruined winter to convey the hurt Lucas caused.

From the dreamy “Stolen Umbrellas” to the haunting “Last One,” Lucas’ risk paid off because he wrote an album full of love songs that aren’t sappy enough to leave the listener in a diabetic coma. By the album’s end, the listener can’t help but root for the guy. George Lassos the Moon may be the beginning of a new stylistic direction for Lucas, but if the album is any indication, this isn’t necessarily a terrible thing.

Check out this clip of Scott Lucas and the Married Men in the studio, recording “Stolen Umbrellas.”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EUCCOHevag

Catch Scott Lucas and the Married Men perform at a free in-store at Reckless Records, 1532 N Milwaukee, on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 5 p.m. They will also hold their record release party later that day at Schubas at 10 p.m. Tickets are $10/$12 day of and the show is 21+. Buy tickets at Schubas.com for only $12.
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