Gapers Block has ceased publication.
Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
✶ Thank you for your readership and contributions. ✶
TODAY
Wednesday, October 9
Fuel
Kenan / March 18, 2004 11:30 AM
Probably the Aluminum Group, though The Sea and Cake's *The Fawn* is one of my all-time favorites.
jima / March 18, 2004 12:02 PM
Oh, do I have to pick just one? J. Davis Trio, then. Previous favorites have included Twang Bang and the New Duncan Imperials, who tend to give out a lot of free stuff during their concerts. Honorable mention: Casolando!
jennifer / March 18, 2004 12:08 PM
crap. too many to choose from. The Buckinghams, Chicago, Hum, The Sea and Cake, 90 Day Men.
Naz / March 18, 2004 12:09 PM
Hum was good. The Pumpkins were good. Currently, I like the 90 Day Men and dakota/dakota.
Eamon / March 18, 2004 12:10 PM
Naked Raygun, hands down.
Phineas / March 18, 2004 12:18 PM
I'm going to have to go with Twang Bang. They turn up everywhere, you often get to see them for free, and Redd has been known to play drum solos with rubber squeaky hammers on the heads of the audience. That's hard to top.
Carlos / March 18, 2004 1:36 PM
I would have to go with T3FA!
miss ellen / March 18, 2004 1:39 PM
I gotta give it to the Pumpkins. I was in my 1st mosh pitt at one of their shows (aragon '93 or '94).
It was something my brother & I could share....I was always into his music growing up; would steal his mix tapes & copy them for myself.
Carly / March 18, 2004 1:57 PM
Seam
Alice / March 18, 2004 2:38 PM
Awesome, I can't believe I'm NOT the first person to mention The Buckinghams, but I would also like to add The Cryan' Shames and New Colony Six.
Pat / March 18, 2004 2:44 PM
going into the wayback machine, i have to say i'm fond of My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult and Material Issue.
they're not really local, but since Neko Case has on-again-off-again residence in Chicago, i'll have to say the New Pornographers.
'That Ian' / March 18, 2004 2:53 PM
Dead to Fall. They have been around forever (I saw them in high-school) and despite these crazy lineup changes they're still around! Gotta give props to that crew cos even if they aren't my best buds they still bring the mosh...
~fingerpoint~ GO!
Andrew / March 18, 2004 2:56 PM
Having been in high school during the early '90s, I'm partial to the Chicago bands of that time:
-Urge Overkill
-Liz Phair
-Smashing Pumpkins (though I burned out on them by mid-college)
-Material Issue
-Ministry
-Thrill Kill Kult
-Murder Inc. (the industrial band, not the rap label)
Andrew / March 18, 2004 2:58 PM
As far as current local bands go, I like:
-OK Go
-Gaza Strippers
-Tortoise
-The Dutchmen
-Dolorous Canter
Ken / March 18, 2004 3:12 PM
I've been living in Naples, Florida for a couple years now so I'm a bit behind on the local music scene of my beloved home town so these may not be around anymore. I've gotta go with Brother Brother, Howard & The White Boys, Paul Butterfield Blues, Buddy Guy, Dark Star Orchestra, Liquid Soul, Smashing Pumpkins....was it supposed to be one band? Damn, I want to come home, there isn't anything for local music here.
Pat / March 18, 2004 3:14 PM
Totally forgot... Went to the Andrew Bird Show at the Old Town School of Folk Music, and was totally blown away with the amount of sound one guy could make with a violin and loops. Oh the Grandeur, indeed!
amyc / March 18, 2004 3:31 PM
The WAC Drum Core!
Xan / March 18, 2004 3:42 PM
Kevin O'Donnell, in his various incarnations (Quality Six, National Revue, etc.) is nonstop.
KOD brings it, changes it, brings it again.
At Schubas back in November, watching Kevin, Jimmy Sutton and Joel Paterson play together was heavenly. I thought I was going to turn the table over.
daruma / March 18, 2004 3:47 PM
Without a doubt, BUMPUS! They keep that funk going. Other good ones: Figdish, Heathers Damage, Buddy Guy, Anna Fermin, Caviar, Big Hello, Grumpy Mope, Kim, hmm I'll think of some others...
A lex, x, x / March 18, 2004 5:42 PM
Absolutely has to be Naked Raygun (Free shit!)
Followed closely by Ashtray Boy and The Baltimores.
Laura Doherty / March 18, 2004 9:05 PM
The Hoyle Brothers. Good country fun.
laura / March 18, 2004 9:07 PM
oopps, didn't mean to put my last name.....i've had 2 margaritas 2-nite.....i'm a little slow w/ the computer.
Kevin / March 18, 2004 11:48 PM
Still love Uptighty and 5ive Style. As for present, I like Antje and our labelmates Ripley Caine and Heather's Damage.
Does Jeff Boyle Band count?
Naz / March 18, 2004 11:54 PM
Ooh, 5ive Style - been a while since I've heard them. They are/were good.
steve sleeve / March 19, 2004 12:17 AM
new black, neko case, new constitution, and probably some other bands that start with the letter "n"
armaghetto / March 19, 2004 1:40 AM
New Black! And I really did adore the pre-Melon Collie Pumpkins.
Eamon / March 19, 2004 10:12 AM
Billy Corgan is the Bob Dylan of the new millennium.
That's not a good thing.
There was a time when songwriting was an honorable profession. When, if your voice was not unlike the horrid screech of nails on a chalkboard, causing earbleeds and revulsion in the old and risking permanent injury to the young, you politely let someone else sing the damn song and got the hell out of the way.
I miss those days.
Mark / March 19, 2004 10:39 AM
Songs: Ohia... not only my favorite Chicago band, but one of my favorite 3-4 bands from anywhere.
Kenzo / March 19, 2004 12:34 PM
Ramsin just had to post first to show how punkrock-punkrock he is! Pfft!
Chicago bands with a special place in my heart:
Apocolypse Hoboken, The Feds, Slapstick, Offsides, Juxtapose, Pinko Commie Bastards
A lex, x, x / March 19, 2004 12:41 PM
I'm surprised only one other person has mentioned Naked Raygun.
Eamon / March 19, 2004 1:11 PM
No doubt. There's even a Naked Raygun Orkut Community for Pete's sake.
I'll tell you what: in the grand tradition of free shit, I'll mail a el-cheapo NR bottle opener to the first person who emails me their address. How's that for a fanbase? Not like you Corganites. I'VE GOT YOUR INFINITE SADNESS RIGHT HERE, YOU CANDY-ASSED PANSY RAT-BASTARDS!
A lex, x, x / March 19, 2004 1:17 PM
Yeah!
Mark / March 19, 2004 1:20 PM
Forgot Milemarker -- though i guess they're transplants from N. Carolina.
I've only hear a single Challenger song, but i liked it.
jim / March 19, 2004 1:46 PM
i liked everlast (the sxe hardcore band), june of 44 (i think they moved to chicago for a while), ministry, smashing pumpkins, five fingers half a hand, seam, and probably a bunch more that i can't think of right at this moment.
Stewart / March 19, 2004 2:38 PM
Lord help me, but I always thought Trenchmouth was kinda fun, way back in the day. Mmmm...most of the Wax Trax! stable was great for a brief shining moment as well...
Nowadays, I'm pretty into the whole Bloodshot Records gang, and Wilco still puts the lotion in the basket for me. Oh, and Grimble Grumble, too. And John Hughes under his Slicker nom de techno is all righty.
daruma / March 19, 2004 3:13 PM
I will say BUMPUS again...plus Deals Gone Bad and Chin Up Chin Up.
Carl / March 19, 2004 3:32 PM
The Handsome Family, though they've since left for warmer parts. Eleventh Dream Day. Red, Red Meat. The Cocktails. Tortoise.
nameless / March 19, 2004 4:15 PM
screeching weasel!!
Andrew M / March 19, 2004 4:54 PM
Glad S. Weasel made it! I'd like to add Pegboy.
As far as current band, Shot Baker gots that sound I wanna hear.
Naz / March 19, 2004 5:08 PM
Pegboy is a good one. I forgot to add Pelican - the slow heavy drudge jams.
clodius / March 19, 2004 6:33 PM
The M's. Imagine if Ray Davies knocked up Suzi Quatro. This would be the outcome.
pete / March 19, 2004 6:36 PM
does Cheap Trick count? even if i dont i vote for them.
pete / March 19, 2004 6:36 PM
does Cheap Trick count? even if they don't, i vote for them.
Kris / March 19, 2004 8:35 PM
Only one Wilco mention? What, are they too mainstream now for us hipster intellectuals? I don't care, they're one of my favorites local or otherwise. I'll also throw in a smaller-scale vote for Kelly Kessler and the Wichita Shut-Ins.
marilyn / March 20, 2004 1:52 PM
Right now...ASSASSINS.
The Patriot / March 20, 2004 3:15 PM
The best band out of this city is Styx, of course. I am referring to the original Styx, when they were on the Wooden Nickel label and playing hard rock. The "popped-out" version of Styx is not nearly as good. As for the second best band, I'd have to go with Chicago.
Charlene / March 20, 2004 5:33 PM
Tuts/Avalon and Ska music, oh the memories..I have to go with Heavy Manners. We're talking 80's but you said past. ;d
Still a Wilco fan they weren't always mainstream.
LIAM / March 22, 2004 4:02 PM
Haymarket Riot. Mahjongg.
John / March 22, 2004 11:20 PM
Skafish! Nothing, but nothing, comes close.
T.C. / March 23, 2004 1:07 AM
Mr. Rudy Day
holden / March 29, 2004 9:39 PM
Lucky Boys Confusion.
Swizzletree.
Lovehammers.
New Black.
Electricon.
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Ramsin / March 18, 2004 11:17 AM
Oh man. Gauge and the Bollweevils for me. With Oblivion right behind. All R.I.P. Although the best local act we ever produced was the Harlem Globetrotters.