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

Tuesday, March 19

Gapers Block
Search

Gapers Block on Facebook Gapers Block on Flickr Gapers Block on Twitter The Gapers Block Tumblr


Transmission
« SXSW Tour Diary - Catfish Haven Final Entry (Reviews/mp3's of The Black Hollies, Vietnam, and The Black Angels) A Little Lolla News to Tide You Over... »

Concert Mon Mar 19 2007

Big River Singing Through a Bellowing Sky

Formed and largely led by former Boredoms and Free Kitten drummer Yoshimi P-We, OOIOO has always been a venture with no fixed musical address. But as evidenced by their recent LP Taiga, released some months ago via Thrill Jockey, they're still ever restless to strike out into more brambly terrain after a decade of experimentation. It's easily OOIOO's strongest effort to date, joyous and fierce and beautiful in its execution, one that yields unnoticed surprises upon repeated listenings. Although Taiga loosely contains much of the post-punk hodge-podgery of the group's prior efforts, it also finds them furrowing into heavily percussive, neo-tribalistic clatter, featuring plenty of pounding drums, marimbas and gamelan clanging. They switch quickly and broadly between styles throughout, occasionally breaking into zags of galloping West African funk. And through it all, Yoshimi and friends howl and hector in a mixture of cheerleading and monkeychanting, as if they're summoning or scattering the ghosts of the animistic realm. But occasionally they slow things down, grow contemplative, and settle into an interplay of elements that leaves plenty of space for the listener to crawl inside.

They're playing at the Empty Bottle this Wednesday evening. OOIOO don't hit these shores very often, so this will be a rare chance to catch them live. And in keeping with the tempo of the recent material, they're reportedly bringing an extra along drummer for the tour. Opening for the band is Lichens, the solo project of Robert Lowe, bassist for 90 Day Men and peripheral member of TV On The Radio. Under his Lichens moniker, Lowe specializes in compositions built from hauntingly atmospheric drones and loops, over which he improvises with guitar and wordless vocals. Granted, comparable waters have been charted by a number of "avant folk" artists in recent years, but Lowe's journeys always seem to begin where others' leave off. You couldn't ask for a more complimentary billing. 1035 N. Western. The show starts at 9:30 PM, admission is $12.

[video]: OOIOO - "UMO"
[video]: OOIOO - "Grow Sound Tree"

 
GB store
GB store

Feature Thu Dec 31 2015

Our Final Transmission Days

By The Gapers Block Transmission Staff

Transmission staffers share their most cherished memories and moments while writing for Gapers Block.

Read this feature »

Blogroll

  Chicago Music Media

Alarm Magazine
BackStage
Big Rock Candy Mountain
Boxx Magazine
Brooklyn Vegan Chicago
Can You See The Sunset From The Southside
Chicago Reader Music
Chicagoist Arts & Events
ChicagoMusic.org
Chicago Music Guide
Chicago Singles Club
CHIRP
Country Music Chicago
Cream Team
Dark Jive
Daytrotter
The Deli Chicago
Jim DeRogatis
Do312
Fake Shore Drive
Gowhere Hip Hop
Gridface
The Hood Internet
Innerview
Jaded in Chicago
Largehearted Boy
Little White Earbuds
Live Fix Blog
Live Music Blog
Loud Loop Press
Oh My Rockness
Pop 'stache
Pitchfork
Pop Matters
Resident Advisor
Songs:Illinois
Sound Opinions
Sun-Times Music Blog
Theft Liable to Prosecution
Tribune Music
UR Chicago
Victim Of Time
WFMU's Beware of the Blog
Windy City Rock

  Venues:

Abbey Pub
Andy's Jazz Club
Aragon Ballroom
Auditorium Theatre
Beat Kitchen
B.L.U.E.S
Bottom Lounge
Buddy Guy's Legends
The Burlington
California Clipper
Concord Music Hall
Congress Theater
Constellation
Cubby Bear
Double Door
Elbo Room
Empty Bottle
FitzGerald's
Green Mill
The Hideout
Honky Tonk BBQ
House of Blues
Kingston Mines
Lincoln Hall
Logan Square Auditorium
Martyrs'
Mayne Stage
Metro
The Mutiny
Old Town School of Folk Music
Park West
The Promontory
Red Line Tap
Reggie's Rock Club & Music Joint
The Riviera
Rosa's
Schubas
Thalia Hall
The Shrine
Smartbar
Subterranean
Symphony Center
Tonic Room
Township
Uncommon Ground
The Vic
The Whistler

  Labels, Promoters
  & Shops:

Alligator Records
Atavistic
Beverly Records
Bloodshot Records
Dave's Records
Delmark Records
Drag City
Dusty Groove
Flameshovel Records
Groove Distribution
He Who Corrupts
Hozac
Jam Productions
Jazz Record Mart
Kranky Records
Laurie's Planet of Sound
Minty Fresh
Numero Group
mP Shows
Permanent Records
Reckless Records
Smog Veil Records
Southport & Northport Records
Thick Records
Thrill Jockey Records Touch & Go/Quarterstick Records
Victory Records

GB store

Events

Featured Series














 

Transmission on Flickr

Join the Transmission Flickr Pool.


About Transmission

Transmission is the music section of Gapers Block. It aims to highlight Chicago music in its many varied forms, as well as cover touring acts performing in the city. More...
Please see our submission guidelines.

Editor: Sarah Brooks, sarah@gapersblock.com
Transmission staff inbox: transmission@gapersblock.com

Archives

 

Transmission Flickr Pool
 Subscribe in a reader.

GB store

GB Store

GB Buttons $1.50

GB T-Shirt $12

I ✶ Chi T-Shirts $15