Chicago alt-rockers Gypsyblood stopped by music website Audiotree to perform the sleepy track “Bright Futures,” from this year’s Cold in the Guestway. The track is anchored by low rumbling bass lines, fuzz-tinged guitars and oohs and ahhs. Don’t forget to check out Gypsyblood this Friday at Subterranean for what is sure to be an explosive show with Lollapalooza rising stars Le Butcherettes and powerhouse brother/sister duo White Mystery. Tickets are $10. By   \  comments
Monday Afternoon Quick Fix runs every Monday afternoon to showcase the best of Chicago music news, views and stories from around the interwebs and blogosphere that we might have missed. By   \  comments
Happy Halloween, folks! And a good Jesusween to all you lil angels. We’ve got a packed weekend again with JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound combining forces with White Mystery tonight at the Double Door and Mannequin Men making plans to tear it up at the Empty Bottle tomorrow night. Let's not waste anymore time. Allons-y!

FRIDAY

JC BROOKS & THE UPTOWN SOUND JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound have a new record out titled Want More, and based on what we've seen and heard, it's everything you imagined it to be and more. This means, of course, it's a fun and funky listen than seamlessly melds classic Chicago soul with indie rock tendencies. Tonight is the album release show at the Double Door, so you know it's going to be on hell of a time especially considering also on the bill are the mighty White Mystery. (Richard Giraldi) 9:00 p.m. Friday, 10/28. Double Door. 21+. $10-$12. DISTRACTIONS All the coolest local bands seem to be playing the Burlington lately. And Chicago dream poppers Distractions are the perfect fit. I once called them the ultimate modern lounge act due to their big sound that comes equipped with a piano and horn section. It doesn’t hurt that singer Tom Owens’ deep crooning vocals swoop in to whisk you off to sensual beachfront vacation on the toe-tappin’ jam such “We Were Better Off in the Rain.” Distractions will be joined by fuzzed-up indie rockers House Sounds and Kansas City’s atmospheric poppers Minden. (Audrey Leon) 9:00 p.m. Friday, 10/28. The Burlington (3425 W. Fullerton Ave). 21+ FREE!!!! SPOOKFEST: 3-D Rock & Roll Monster Party Yes, it's a good ol' fashion 3-D Rock & Roll Monster Party at the Viaduct Theatre tonight. There will be bands, art, video games, baked good a petting zoo...well, wait...scratch that last one. Set to rock late into the night are power girrrrls Swimsuit Addition, phuny post-punkers T'Bone, garage poppers The Runnies and much more. On a sadder note, tonight's Spookfest also brings about the end of Earth Program as you currently know it as the band will go separate ways. They're calling it a "hiatus," but that;s never a good word. Anywho, tonight they will still rock, so lets "Get Bored!" one last time, shall we? (Richard Giraldi) 9:30 p.m. Friday, 10/28. Viaduct Theatre. 18+. $7 w/ costume. $10 w/out.

SATURDAY

ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER The Oak Park native and one-half of brother/sister duo Fiery Furnaces returns to Chicago to promote her first solo album Last Summer. The whole record is covered in Friedberger’s light-as-air pop and filled with as much sunshine and bouncy beats as one would expect summer to sound like. Need more convincing? Check out her single "My Mistakes." Not to mention, Friedberger’s golden, smoky voice is reason alone to catch her on stage. Joining Friedberger on Saturday is Chicago’s own melodic indie rockers Pet Lions. 8:30 p.m. 10/29. Subterranean. 17+ $12. MANNEQUIN MEN Hot of the heels of their super rad new LP, Mannequin Men, Chicago's anti-dubsteppers Mannequin Men hit the Empty Bottle on Saturday night to play Football. Whoops. I mean play WITH Football, and their rowdy, punky take on indie rock. Lest we forget the sweet, sweet smile-pop of Outer Minds and the twisted guitar workings of Coffin Picks. (Richard Giraldi) 9:00 p.m. Saturday, 10/29. Empty Bottle. 21+. $10.

SUNDAY

PILLARS & TONGUES It’s not Halloween until someone breaks out the Harmonium. Luckily for all of us, hypnotic folk quartet Pillars & Tongues have one and, boy, do they know how to use it. The chicago band entrances and delights audiences with its slow, methodical atmospheric rhythms and ghostly low, rumbling wails. If you need more convincing on the type of captivating live act Pillars & Tongues can be, check out my review from May. Pillars & Tongues will open, This is Cinema headlines. (Audrey Leon) 8:00 p.m. Sunday, 10/30. Panchos. 18+ $5. By   \  comments
To get you in the mood for JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound’s record release show tonight at the Double Door, we’ve found this tasty clip of the band adding a dash of soul to everyone’s morning on ABC-7’s “Windy City Live” earlier this week. The Uptown Sound banged out a fresh performance of “Everything Will Be Fine” and then gave a brief interview with host Val Warner about the group’s influences and how they got together. The Want More release party kicks off at 8 p.m. with performances by DJ Sloppy White, Satan's Youth Ministers and White Mystery. Tickets are $12. By   \  comments
When someone tells me that everything will be fine, I am inclined to not believe it. However, snappy soul rockers JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound feel like pretty trustworthy fellows. Their new single “Everything Will Be Fine” is big and upbeat enough to put some real swagger in your step with its groovy key strokes, twangy guitar licks, and thumping rhythm section. As always the track is the perfect showcase for Brooks' smoky, theatrical howls. Listen here. JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound’s new album Want More hits the street tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct. 25) via Bloodshot Records. But if you can’t wait, Paste magazine has the whole thing streaming right now. Those in need of a live fix can catch JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound’s free in-store performance at Dusty Groove (1120 N. Ashland Ave.) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25. But, if you’re in need of a darkened rock club, catch the guys jam alongside garage rock powerhouse White Mystery at the Double Door this Friday, Oct. 28. By   \  comments
Oh, what a weekend Chicago has in store for us all. Riot Fest, which technically kicked off yesterday, continues with big, big, big shows around town including DANZIG, Smoking Popes and Weezer. But if you’re not into the insanity of our annual punk-a-thon, look no further than T-Bone at Quenchers, Great Society Mind Destroyers at the Viaduct and a few more fests we think you’d enjoy immensely. You don’t want to find hell with me, mother. So let’s get to it.

FRIDAY

DANZIG Just shut your pretty mouth. I’ll be seeing you again. I’ll be seeing you in hell. Danzig is the crown jewel in Riot Fest’s punk rock tiara. The master of horror punk will take the stage with former Misfits guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein and perform the songs Misfits fans have been waiting to hear. Sure, Jerry Only won’t be there, but it’s DANZIG. DANZIG. Dude is magical. (Audrey Leon) 7:00 p.m. Friday, 10/7. Congress Theater. All Ages. $45 - $106.66 T'BONE Even though I reviewed T'Bone's very awesome debut, Mt. Trashmore, back in July, tonight's the record release show. Why the delay? Because Mt. Trashmore and it's post-rock attack and oddball humor will be available on vinyl. So, yeah, that's pretty much worth a party. Also rocking Quenchers tonight are raunchy rock and rollers Vamos and synth-poppers We All Have Hooks For Hands. Get ready for/to laugh/cry/sneeze/fun/dance/party/drink/eat/drink/rock/riffs/guitar/repeat. (Richard Giraldi) 9:00 p.m. Friday, 10/7. Quenchers. 21+. Free.

SATURDAY

THE SMOKING POPES When we last left hometown heroes Smoking Popes, I was highly recommending you see them live, because the band sounds incredible on the stage. And you were probably all like, "Yeah, well, that show was sold out, and I'm broke anyway, so shut up." But this weekend is your chance to make amends with me without paying even a dime: Smoking Popes is playing a free--that's right, zero down and zero later--show at Double Door. For no dollars, you can see on of the best power-punk bands of (and this is not hyperbole) all time in an intimate venue. So let's recap the pros: Smoking Popes, free, Double Door. And the cons: none. Get your ass out there. (Andy Kondrat) 8:30 p.m. Saturday, 10/8. Double Door. 21+ FREE! CLOCKWORKED CHAOS ARTS FEST From the creators of Bleeding Hearts Fest, it's Clockworked Chaos Arts Fest! The event brings together Chicago's art scene including visual and performance art, poetry, film and, of course, music! And there's certainly no lack of that with a lineup that includes, but is not limited to, orchestral indie-poppers Panoramic and True, melodic space rockers Earth Program, psychedelic garage outfit Soft Candy and so.much.more. Get all the info, and RSVP at the Fest's Facebook page. (Richard Giraldi) 5:00 p.m. Saturday, 10/8. Think Tank Theatre and Deagan Music (1770 W. Berteau Ave.). $10 donation. BIKE FALL 2011 Rock out for a good cause. The Hideout is hosting a benefit for West Town Bikes that features the gritty swing of rockers Ornery Little Darlings, the all-femme punk sounds of Cathy Santonies, Elia Einhorn of Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, Nonagon and Illinois First. The music starts at 6 p.m., but the fun begins at noon with a performance by Racketeers Bicycle Dance Troupe and screenprints by New Belgium Brewing and a vegan food truck by Ste Martaen. You can even watch a BMX and fixed gear free style competition at 3 p.m. This benefit will be bananas. (Audrey Leon) Noon - 3 a.m. Saturday, 10/8. The Hideout. 21+ $20. GREAT SOCIETY MIND DESTROYERS Talk about getting the most bang for your buck in this rough economy. The Viaduct is hosting not one, not two, but four bands and none other than self-described glitter connoisseur DJ Philly Peroxide playing some jams between sets. If you haven’t seen Great Society Mind Destroyers, prepare to have your mind blown. The group plays explosive psych rock with killer guitar solos and the most fearsome drum beats known to man. Also on hand are dream poppers Panda Riot (who just released an excellent new demo called "Serious Radical Girls"), shoegaze quartet Lightfoils and Minneapolis experimental rockers Chatham Rise. Sounds win/win to me. (Audrey Leon) 9:00 p.m. Saturday, 10/8. The Viaduct Theatre. 21+ $8

SUNDAY

WEEZER Ah, Weezer at Riot Fest. The Gods of early 90s pre-emo are letting us indulge in our darkest dreams by performing all of its legendary debut (blue) album. So if you want to scream along to “The Sweater Song” and talk about your dungeon master’s guide, look no further than the Congress. Also on hand are Chicago alternative rockers Urge Overkill, Wyoming punks Teenage Bottle Rocket and local garage rock duo White Mystery. Let them rock your faces off with its latest creation “Toxic Sugar,” which we introduced you to yesterday. (Audrey Leon) 5:30 p.m. Sunday 10/9. Congress Theater. All Ages. $45. By   \  1 comment
Your favorite fire-headed is back with a brand new track. Yes, White Mystery has posted a new song, "Toxic Sugar," which was just recorded last Sunday at Chicago's Electrical Audio, to their Bandcamp, and, yep, it's a rocker. "Toxic Sugar" pulls no punches as it opens with rumbling drums and stiff guitar strikes. The tune's garage-y sound and momentum never let up with lyrics such as "Rock and Roll Salvation! New Generation! No Complication!" and a snarling, crooked solo that gives way to a particularly crunchy breakdown. Listen to "Toxic Sugar" above. And if you just need a White Mystery fix, tickets are still available for the band's gig this Sunday night at the Congress Theatre where they'll be opening for some band called Weezer as part of Riot Fest. Grab'em while you can at Ticketfly.com. By   \  comments

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