• • A cab driver, possibly Kool-Aid Man, has crashed his vehicle into a wall at Schubas this past Thursday. No one was hurt but the brick wall outside the historic building will need repairs.
• • Jessica Hopper catches up with Jeff Tweedy’s son, Spencer, to talk about his rock band, The Blisters.
• • The Reader has the details about the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago’s Summer Jazz series, which will run every Tuesday from June 5 to September 25.
• • Consequence of Sound reviews M83′s recent tour stop at the Riviera.
• • Time Out Chicago has a few snapshots from Rabid Rabbit’s gig at the Empty Bottle.

8:00 p.m. Monday, 5/7. Schubas. 18+. $10.

(Ed.’s note: We’re trying something new and switching up the format of Daily Diversions. Instead of the three reason lists, the new format will feature a more focused look at a singular Chicago act on the bill.)

eleanor friedberger

1. Oak Park-native Eleanor Friedberger once again finds herself in Chicago to promote her excellent 2011 solo album Last Summer. Friedberger, one-half of the sibling art poppers Fiery Furnaces, chooses to indulge her nostalgic side on her first album away from brother and creative partner, Matthew. She crafts serious pop songs that are wistful and brooding lyrically, while sonically maintaining an outwardly sunny disposition. The collection serves as the perfect vehicle for Friedberger’s sensual smoke-tinged vocals. Getting lost in the past has never sounded so good.
LISTEN: “Inn of the Seventh Ray“

2. Opening tonight’s shindig are Brooklyn rockers Hospitality. The first thing that comes to mind while listening to the group is how well frontwoman Amber Papini’s angelic voice anchors the band’s silky smooth pop standards. The name really fits the trio to a tee, because Hospitality’s upbeat indie pop rhythms are so endearing that you feel as though you stopped by their house to borrow a cup of sugar and left with the whole sack.
LISTEN: “Friends of Friends“

3. Since there are only two musical acts tonight, here’s some more Eleanor Friedberger action to satisfy your senses.

8:00 p.m. Tuesday, 5/1. Schubas. 21+ $14.

Everybody in the club stop getting tipsy for two seconds because we’re talking about yet another busy weekend for Chicago music. Buzzing all over our radar screens are the 10th Annual CHIRP Record Fair, Distractions/Distortions Fest, a free show by JC BROOKS & The Uptown Sound plus so much more.

As Gwen Stefani once said, what (are) you waiting for?

FRIDAY

DASTARDLY
It’s rock and roll happy hour over at Reggie’s with our favorite folkers Dastardly. This band of misfits will blast their rambunctiously playful tales of woe and whoa over the speakers for a good old fashioned hoedown. Please note that this is an early show. (Audrey Leon)

5:30 p.m. Friday, 4/13. Reggie’s Music Joint. 21+

::distractions:: ::distortions::
The third annual ::distractions:: ::distortions:: fest kicks off two days of solid Chicago made music and visual arts at Multi Kulti this weekend. Tons of local bands from rock to folk, noise and spoken word acts will appear. On tap for Friday are noise rockers We Repel Each Other, spacey indie pop enthusiasts Narrow Sparrow, rowdy good-time punks Rambos and The Peekaboos. Saturday’s show continues the fun with sets by The Day Lewis, TOOFUNCHILD, and alternative rockers The Moses Gun. Also at the fest, Tom Schraeder’s short film “92 Tales” will be screened on Saturday along with short films by Rob Majchrowski of the aforementioned We Repel Each Other. Get more information from the event Facebook page listed above. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 4/13. & Saturday, 4/14. Q4/Multi Kulti (1000 N. Milwaukee Ave.) 21+ $5

AN AESTHETIC ANAESTHETIC
Have to admit I was quite impressed with last year’s Before the Machinery of Other Skeletons from local post-rockers An Aesthetic Anaesthetic. It was chock full of raw, crunchy riffs, chugging bass and bombastic rhythms – but they were clever enough to keep it squarely on the rock end of the spectrum instead of giving into their heavy metal tendencies as they always manage to work in some intriguing melodies. So, when the news hit that they were recording their next release, NAMES, with famed Chicago producer Sanford Parker…well that’s just going to be awesome. Get there early as these guys are playing first in front of a rad bill featuring prog-rockers Blane Fonda and buzzing art rock duo Mr. Gnome. (Richard Giraldi)

10:00 p.m. Friday, 4/13. Schubas. 21+. $10.

SATURDAY

CHIRP RECORD FAIR
It’s baaaack! Yep, it’s that time of year when Chi-town vinyl lovers descend upon the Chicago Journeymen Plumber’s Union in the West Loop. All your favorites local record vendors and labels will be there including Saki, Record Breakers, HoZac Records, Addenda Records and so. many more. Additionally, there will be refreshments (Beer!) and entertainment from the Numero Group, DJs and even some trivia. Good thing you got that tax refund already, right? (Richard Giraldi)

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday, 4/14 & Sunday, 4/15. Chicago Journeymen Plumber’s Union (1340 West Washington Boulevard). $7 or $5 with any CHIRP Record Fair Ad.

JC BROOKS & THE UPTOWN SOUND
Chicago soul rockers JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound may be one of a select few local bands playing Lollapalooza this year, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait until August to see them. Watch them play a free show sponsored by Lake Forest’s student-run station WMXM and get down to their upbeat, powerful funk-tastic grooves.

8:00 p.m. Saturday, 4/14. Lilly Reid Holt Chapel (555 N Sheridan Rd, Lake Forest). FREE!

THE RUNNIES
If you’re in the mood for some soulful garage pop that is packed with powerful organ punches and fun, jangly guitar flourishes, look no further than The Runnies. Vocalist Mary McKane’s sweet, smokey vocals complete the whole package. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 4/14. Township. 21+ $5.

::distractions:: ::distortions::

See above.

SUNDAY

SLEEPOVERS
End your weekend with the sleek, yet scratchy surf sounds of Chicago’s Sleepovers. The HoZac-approved band creates plenty of upbeat “beach wave” tunes that radiate with plenty of reverb and keyboard jams. Art punks Japanther headline. (Audrey Leon)

8:00 p.m. Sunday, 4/15. Beat Kitchen. 17+ $10.

1. If there’s some weird area of space that exists somewhere between Fleetwood Mac and the Black Keys, then U.S Royalty seem to live in it. This DC indie rock outfit is quite flexible as they can do both airy and melodic west coast pop and dingy blues guitar rock with equal focus. LISTEN: “Equestrian”

2. Like Pioneers are no strangers to the Chicago scene seeing how the group features members of Chin up, Chin Up; The Narrator; The Vacation and Bound Stems. The term super-group might be a stretch here, but I do know that they’re super good at crafting infectious pop jams that at times recall the catchiest work of The New Pornographers. LISTEN: “Oh, Magic”

3. Opening up tonight are indie-Americana Shy Technology. These locals surely know their way around a guitar as they pull from the latter ’90s era of indie rock, you know, when it still rocked but didn’t lack melody, while still drawing in some folky leanings. LISTEN: “All The Time”

9:00 p.m. Wednesday, 4/11. Schubas. 18+. $10.

Bone and Bell

The spring holidays are upon us. So if you’re not huddled in a car, riding the highways trying to get to [insert relative here]‘s house for the arrival of the Easter bunny, why not check out a few shows?

This week we’re talking Heavy Times at the Burlington, Outer Minds’ record release party at the Empty Bottle, and Bone and Bell at the Whistler.

Let’s hop to it.

FRIDAY

HEAVY TIMES
Buried in my write up for our 12 Bands to Watch in 2012, I said if you have an opportunity to catch grit-tastic punks Heavy Times around town, you should take it. Well, what are you waiting for? The band’s debut Jacker slays with infectious, clever pop melodies that are drenched in pure abrasive fuzz and accompanied by mega-riffs and heavy beats. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 4/6. The Burlington. 21+ $7.

CLOUD NOTHINGS
Cloud Nothings made quite the leap with their latest record, Attack On Memory. The Cleveland outfit originally gained a following with punchy but catchy melodic indie rock that, while catchy, was often bunched into with the mass-produced lo-fi indie. However, for Attack On Memory, the band teamed with Steve Albini (Nirvana, Pixies), which totally makes sense seeing how Cloud Nothings’ latest batch of songs are far darker and more aggressive than any of their previous material. Opening are Italian rockers A Classic Education. (Richard Giraldi)

10:00 p.m. Friday, 4/6. Schubas. 18+. $12.

SATURDAY

OUTER MINDS
It’s almost hard to believe that local garage rockers Outer Minds are only releasing their debut album when the group’s members have long been a part of the Chicago rock scene in bands such as Functional Blackouts, Lover! and The Runnies, just to name a few. The quintet celebrate 60s psychedelia by rocking big harmonies that are as fascinating and as hypnotic as the organ that anchors Outer Mind’s songs. And don’t forget the glockenspiels! Also appearing are jangly garage poppers Mannequin Men, psych-punks Radar Eyes and dreamy pop rockers Summer Girlfriends. (Audrey Leon)

10:00 p.m. Saturday 4/7. Empty Bottle. 21+ Free with RSVP (Until Midnight tonight) or $8.

MAPS & ATLASES
Now this is a real treat.The latest Saki Epitonic sessions welcomes Chicago’s own Maps & Atlases, who have seemingly crawled their way out of Chicago’s scene and into the national one with their loose, melodic and often groovy indie jams. Those in attendance will even get a chance to buy their new record, Beware and Be Grateful, which officially drops on April 17. Opening the show is another group of rad Chicagoans, Carbon Tigers. (Richard Giraldi)

4:00 p.m. Saturday, 4/7. Saki. All Ages. Free!

SUNDAY

BONE AND BELL
Sunday is Easter and if you’re not looking to get rowdy, Chicago folksy pop quartet Bone and Bell is just what the holidays ordered. Vocalist Heather Smith, armed with ukulele, fashions delicately plucked melodies around moody vocals. The mellow pairing brings to mind other minimalist pop singer-songwriters such as Feist and Mirah. Opening tonight are Jimmy Two Hands and Transmontane. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Sunday, 4/8. The Whistler. 21+ Free!

Congratulations, it’s Friday! Once again, we’ve got a great selection of shows for your weekend-planning pleasure.

There’s some Hemmingbirds’ action at Quenchers, a little bit of Carbon Tigers at Beat Kitchen and Creepy Band at The Empty Bottle, just to name a few.

Without further ado… Let there be rock.

FRIDAY

HEMMINGBIRDS
There’s nothing more delightful than a bit of jaunty orchestral pop, am i right? Of course I am. Chicago’s Hemmingbirds pair perky rhythms with folky guitar and jangly pop style. The band more than tips its cap to its moody counterparts The Decemberists. Dance poppers The Noise FM headline. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 3/30. Quenchers. 21+ $5.

DEL REY
No…no, not that Del Rey. We’re talking Chicago scene vets Del Rey who have been at it since 1997. These dudes rock tense and exciting instrumental post-rock, which isn’t an easy task, but something they tackled with ease on their latest, 2010′s Immemorial. The record was a focused one that found Del Rey completely capable of doing both the shimmering atmospheric and gut-punch heaviness. Opening are Chicago metal outfit Arriver and rockers Rabid Rabbit. (Richard Giraldi)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 3/30. The Burlington. 21+. $5.

SATURDAY

CARBON TIGERS
Carbon Tigers are Chicago’s answer to sexy math rockers Minus the Bear. The band excellently pairs swirling pop melodies with grinding hard rock aesthetics to create a sensual mash-up of slow-burning grooves. Who’s going to turn that down? No one, that’s who. (Audrey Leon)

8:30 p.m. Saturday, 3/31. Beat Kitchen. 17+ $10.

THE WANTON LOOKS
Our own Audrey Leon did a great job of covering why The Wanton Looks’ self-titled new record is so damn good. But im summation, it’s punky and poppy without sounding like horrid over-produced pop-punk non-sense. These girls write real licks and legit hooks that still sounds real and has heart. Also on tap are the rattling glam-a-billy of The Sonnets and the punchy garage-pop of The Van Buren Boys. (Richard Girald)

10:00 p.m. Saturday, 3/31. Schubas. 21+ $8.

SUNDAY

CREEPY BAND
I wrote up Creepy Band a few weeks back and I was thoroughly impressed by their – well, creepy – style. The group liberally uses organ to not only accent its 60s psychedelic sound, but to raise those goosebumps all over your skin. Every pained howl and guttural scream backed by distressed organ moans only serves to delight Jim Morrison’s ghost. Champaign R&B rockers The Dirty Feathers will open along with gritty Chicago shoegazers Begin by Gathering Supplies. Don’t forget to stay after the show for “Everyone’s a DJ” featuring Radar Eyes’ Anthony Cozzi. (Audrey Leon)

7:00 p.m. Sunday, 4/1. Empty Bottle. 21+ $3.

In the years that have passed since that Lincoln Hall gig, Wanton Looks have grown up and buffed out those rough edges. The production values on Wanton Looks’ debut are certainly crisp and clear, the kind that is more befitting a power pop group than punk rockers certainly. However, Wanton Looks’ self-titled album reflects the simple fact that punk can clean up without having to lose any of the flavor.

Wanton Looks (the album) plays like a vinyl record even if you listen to it on some digital platform. The songs rise and fall with intensity on both “sides.” Album opener “Electromagnetic Force” kick-starts “side one” with a bouncy, light-hearted guitar riff that weaves throughout while middle track “All I Want is You” slows things down only to have the mood turned upside down again for “side two” with the machine gun-like drums of “Demons” (courtesy of Meg Thomas) hammering you into submission.

This album brings to mind punk rockers the Distillers and The Pretenders. Both bands exhibit the same penchant for mixing slick pop melodies into serious hard rock grooves that Wanton Looks craft on its debut. Songs such as “86 Me,” “Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah” and “All Your Fault” feature crunchy guitars (Inga Olson and Susie Q. Winn) and rough and tumble vocals, courtesy of lead singer and bassist Traci Trouble.

Wanton Looks are at their best when they are having fun and being playful, rowdy rockers. While there’s no substitute for the quartet’s live shows, Wanton Looks’ debut is certainly the next best thing for your daily infusion of infectious pop with a bit of hard rock edge.

Wanton Looks’ self-titled debut album is available on vinyl and mp3 via the group’s Bandcamp page.

____________________________________________________________________
WANTON LOOKS (Album Release Party)
10:00 p.m. Saturday, March 31.
Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave.
21+. $8.
____________________________________________________________________

1. It’s the final Monday in March, so that means it’s the last night of The Kickback’s residency at Schubas. I must give props to The Kickback for booking some excellent locals to jam with them this month, which is why we’re spotlighting one of tonight’s supporting acts: The Dirty Pigeons. This Chicago act offers up a sizzling batch of laid back Midwestern roots and folk rock. But most of all The Dirty Pigeons seem to have a particularly good at crafting hooks as their tunes are filled with catchy, FM-radio ready melodies. LISTEN: “Forgot What You Said”

2. Hopefully locals Tin Tin Can are cool with being compared to Bright Eyes because that’s what I’m hearing. The band play a similar brand of warbling indie-pop, which is layered with instrumental nuances while vocalist Justin Turner’s smokey, delicate croon delivers the goods. This results in some sweet and dusty anthems. LISTEN: “Year Of The Rat”

3. Opening up are Truman & His Trophy who jam indie rock that’s quite lively as it sometimes goes for then gut with punk stylings but also still maintains some poppy sensibilities. LISTEN: “Jake Babe” Finally, lest we forget the night’s headliners The Kickback, who we’ve written about quite a few times this month, but if you still aren’t keen to their fun alt-rock stylings, then tonight’s the night. LISTEN: “Sting’s Teacher Years”

8:00 p.m. Monday, 3/26. Schubas. 18+. $6.

1. It’s a Monday in March, so that means it’s another Kickback residency night at Schubas. I must give props to The Kickback for booking some excellent locals to jam with them this month, which is why we’re spotlighting one of tonight’s supporting acts, Pet Lions. The local indie rock quartet seem to have a good handle on infectious melodies and danceable grooves based on their latest release, Houses. But perhaps most importantly, Pet Lions’ delivery lively, energetic up-tempo takes that keep the listener engaged. LISTEN: “When I Grow Old”

2. We’ve long been on the Panda Riot bandwagon over here at Loud Loop Press. For those not in the know, Panda Riot produce lush dream pop with touches of shoegaze and early alt-rock – i.e. fuzzy guitars and electro-grooves. The group is working on the follow-up to their damned fine 2010 EP, Near and Far, and I hope it sees the light of day sooner rather than later.LISTEN: streetlight & you & me

3. Opening things up tonight is California pop-rockers Mister Loveless who deliver loads of catchy instrumentations and sweet hooks. LISTEN: “Nineties Children” Finally, lest we forget the evening’s headliners, the multi-talented The Kickback, who manage to effortlessly shift between edgy guitar rock and more poppy leanings on a dime. LISTEN: Sting’s Teacher Years

8:00 p.m. Monday, 3/19. Schubas. 18+. $6.