And now three reasons to high-tail it on over to Schubas this evening... 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. By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

Three reasons to get out while it's still 80 degrees and right into Schubas this evening... 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. By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

And now three reasons to celebrate Pulaski Day by rocking out at Schubas tonight... 1. Another month, another month-long residency at Schubas that features an up-and-coming Chicago act. Presented by our friends over at Consequence Of Sound, tvery Monday in March brings indie rockers The Kickback to the Lakeview bar. I really dug the Kickback's 2010 EP, Great Self Love, as it showcased a versatile band with the chops to boot. On it, the band crafted tight, melodic pop songs that still featured quite a bit of edge via alt-rock leaning guitars and frontman Billy Yost's confident, arena-ready croon. LISTEN: "Sting's Teacher Years" 2. We've split a lot of digital ink on Chicago's Mutts. But if you haven't been paying attention, the band are must listens because of their dirty organ tone, fuzzy bass and tight drum attack. Yet they're not just heavy – the band always seems to carry a menacing groove whether they go for the thrash-y or bluesy. LISTEN: "Fool" 3. Urbana's electronic poppers Psychic Twin offers a lush, artsy approach filled with vocal samples, synths and drum machines. LISTEN: "Deepest Part" Finally, lest we forget The Bears Of Blue River, who will get the night started with their folk and bluegrass inspired pop. LISTEN: "Boy Toy" 8:00 p.m. Monday, 3/5. Schubas. $6. 18+. By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

[caption id="attachment_25548" align="aligncenter" width="445" caption="Bleeding Rainbow"][/caption] Happy Friday! It's another weekend chock full o' music in Chicago, with shows like KoRn at The Congress and Van Halen at the United Center. How could we possibly choose? Well, being that we're all about options at Loud Loop Press, we decided to highlight some of the other rad shows happening around town in case you couldn't snatch those KoRn tickets. Let's get it on.

FRIDAY

MAYBENAUTS Ever since we heard Chicago glam rockers The Maybenauts reunited with singer Leilani Frey, we've been excited to see what is on the new-wave pop horizon for the band. And luckily, everyone gets a peak at what the group has been working on tonight. Also appearing are brand new folk outfit The Howl, featuring Wanton Looks guitarist Inga Olson. While we're used to her wearing all black and wailing on her ax with her aforementioned punk group, but The Howl's gentle acoustic ditties are a great change of pace. (Audrey Leon) 10:00 p.m. Friday, 2/23. Auxiliary Art Center (3012 W. Belmont Ave.) 21+ SWIMSUIT ADDITION The day is finally here! Local rockers Swimsuit Addition are releasing their debut EP, Kittyahwk, and it's all that you've ever wanted and more. Meaning it's chock full of crunchy riffs, bobbing bass and driving rhythms. Their surfy slash alt-rock antics will surely give your Friday night the kick in the butt you damn well know it needs. Also on the bill are local lo-fi janglers House Sounds and rowdy garage rockers Vamos. (Richard Giraldi) 9:00 p.m. Friday, 2/23. The Burlington. 21+. $5.

SATURDAY

FOOTBALL No, it's not Football season anymore, but it Football time. The Chicago outfit are enjoying the off season by playing some blistering noise punk that will assault your ears and probably your person with flying electric basses and roaring guitar work. It's just good, old-fashioned noise made by some of Chicago's favorite indie players. Also on hand are everyone one's favorite sludge poppers Rodeo, who are still riding high on that buzz train thanks to their single "Lana Deth Ray," and alt-rocking post-punks Blasted Diplomats. (Audrey Leon) 9:00 p.m. Saturday, 2/25. The Burlington. 21+ $7. BLEEDING RAINBOW With a name like Bleeding Rainbow, one might assume that the most hardcore of metal outfits would own this moniker, but it's not so. Bleeding Rainbow, formerly Reading Rainbow, are gentle souls who know how to turn up the distortion. The Philly trio pair blaring, buzzy guitars with dreamy hypnotic vocals and snappy beats to create upbeat garage punk that is fun to groove along to. HoZac wouldn't steer you wrong. Headlining tonight are California noise rocker duo Crocodiles. (Audrey Leon) 10:00 p.m. Saturday, 2/25. Schubas. 21+ $14.

SUNDAY

WHITE MYSTERY If you've never heard of White Mystery before, well, you might be living under a rock or possibly are from Milwaukee. Anyway, the fire-headed bro-sis garage rockers are leaving their home base of Chicago for a 2.5 month tour that finds them heading to SXSW, the east coast and everywhere in between. It's sad to see them go, but like a baby chickadee you've nurtured to a strong healthy adult chickadee, sometimes you just have to let them grow up to be cowboys...or something. So send White Mystery out in style, Chicago! Opening are local psychers Dark Fog and Earthquake Party. (Richard Giraldi) 7:00 p.m. Sunday, 2/26. The Empty Bottle. 21+. $3. By Staff  \  comments

Nothing lifts the soul quite like a soothing dreampop tune. Chicago duo Tiny Fireflies are back with a new single called "Picture Perfect." The song features the same light and breezy vocals by singer Kristine Capua that we've all come to know and love, and combines them with cheery beats and lush guitar styled by Lisle Mitnik. The end result is shoegaze perfection. Listen to the track here: "Picture Perfect" "Picture Perfect" is being released as a split single with Japanese shoegazers Lily of the Valley. The split is due out via Cloudberry Records on March 15. However, if you're in need of a Tiny Fireflies fix sooner, the band will appear at Schubas along with tourmates Memoryhouse on Tuesday, February 28. By Audrey Leon  \  comments

We're mere hours away from starting the weekend, and with the season finale of football over, we'll actually have to go outside. Luckily, there are tons of great shows, and many fundraising for a good cause, over the next few days. Let's get to it.

FRIDAY

SOFT SPEAKER The Brit pop-inspired Chicago outfit come out swinging with plenty of lingering guitar licks, hazy psychedelic rhythms and even some sexy sax. It’s enough to get your blood pumping. Also on deck are hard charging, alt-rockers Sissy Mena. The Chicago group, who just released a full-length album entitled Record Machineback in November, are sure to bring plenty of roaring riffs and moody rhythms. Opening the show are Chicago shoegazers Soft Candy. (Audrey Leon) 9:00 p.m. Friday, 2/10. Beat Kitchen. 21+ $8. THE RUNNIES Rock for a good cause tonight at Cole’s. Money raised at tonight’s show will go toward Ag47, a creative arts mentorship collective in Logan Square for girls in grades 4th-12th. The group pairs mentees with women artists from disciplines such as creative writing, music, dance, and filmmaking. Appearing tonight are sultry jangle-rockers The Runnies (one of LLP’s 12 Bands to Watch), riot punkers The Cathy Santonies, aggressive garage poppers Squish, and surf punks Blizzard Babies will open. Admission is free so buy a beer or two to support young women’s artistic development. (Audrey Leon) 10:00 p.m. Friday, 2/10. Cole’s Bar. 21+ Free. NETHERFRIENDS He did it! Shawn Rosenblatt, brainchild behind local outfit Netherfriends, successfully travelled to and recorded a song in all 50 states over the past two years. Now, he's officially releasing the first set of songs in the form of Middle America, which offers up 12 tracks featuring cleverly crafted psych-pop influenced by Amercia's midsection that include names like "St. Louis, MO," "Rapid City, SD" and, of course, "Chicago, IL." So, it seems wholly appropriate that the record release show is in his home base of Chicago tonight. Supporting are throwback psychers Secret Colours and rambunctious rockers Vamos! (Richard Giraldi) 10:00 p.m. Friday, 2/10. Empty Bottle. 21+. $8. T'BONE The mighty T'Bone bring their capricious riffy and mathy antics to Treasure Town tonight. But they've got plenty of hard rocking back-up with them including prehistoric cave bangers White Mystery, Philadelphia garage poppers Univox and alt-rockers Lionlimb. Spend your Friday night in the underground with some of Chicago's best. (Richard Giraldi) 9:00 p.m. Friday, 2/10. Treasure Town. $5.

SATURDAY

CHICAGO MIXTAPE ANNIVERSARY PARTY Celebrate the majesty and variety of music jams that is Chicago Mixtape with this special shindig at Subterranean. Headliners The Shams Band will get everyone moving with its groovy take on blues rock. Also appearing at this eclectic smorgasbord are Americana psych rockers (yes, you heard that right) Elephant Gun, Lush folkers The Damn Choir, and dreamy electro poppers Architecture will open. (Audrey Leon) 8:00 p.m. Saturday, 2/11. Subterranean. 21+ $10.

SUNDAY

DON'T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB II Psych pop sextet A Lull had a pretty exciting 2011. The Chicago band released its long-awaited album Confetti, dropped a remix EP and even found time to put its own digital psychedelic spin on Bruce Springstein’s “I’m on Fire.” A Lull just finished up a winter tour with Deleted Scenes, so welcome them home in style at this show comprised entirely of bands with members who work at either Schubas or Lincoln Hall. Also appearing tonight are soothing Chicago post-rockers The Gorilla Press, bass-heavy funk rockers Laz, and local punks Panzer. If you need a bonus reason to go, proceeds from the show will go toward local charity Rock for Kids. (Audrey Leon) 7:30 p.m. Sunday, 2/12. Schubas. 21+ $5. By Audrey Leon  \  comments

If you missed experimental psych poppers E+ at Schubas last week or just want to relive the experience, the band posted a few videos from the gig on its Facebook page. E+, a Chicago group made up of members from Verma, Heavy Times and Disappears, conjures dark and mysterious forces while dabbling in distortion. E+ track "Substance D" emits a steady hypnotic rhythm and plenty of groovy synthesizer embellishments. All you need to do is sit back and sway in your chair. By Audrey Leon  \  comments