Concert Mon Apr 14 2008

24 bands in 72 hours? Really?

It's a magical week for those of you with iron ears, lead-lined stomachs, and a taste for strong, bitter musical substances, because for the next three days, two different Chicago venues (The Empty Bottle on Tuesday, AV-Aerie on Wednesday and Thursday) will present no less than TWENTY FOUR different acts for your mid-week surrender to the void. Watch your productivity at work plummet to just-short-of-grounds-for-dismissal levels, as a whole slew of crazy mofos keep you out all night, whether you're jumping up and down, frugging, throwing horns, or just standing in the back and nodding approval. Your choice man - nobody's here to judge.

Tuesday, April 15
The Empty Bottle (1035 N. Western Avenue)
9:00 p.m.
$8 door

Triage presents its monthly gathering of noise, drone, and free improv artists at its new location, the Empty Bottle. Tonight, four acts: Vadim Sprikut (of Shattered Hymen) teams with Floridian Aaron Zarzutzki; Blake Edwards (Vertonen) and Byran Tholl (Is) do their superhero quick-change routine to become their seldom-seen duo Burrow; Mark Solotroff unleashes the Loyal 47 Microphones of Fury upon the Bottle's ample amplification system; and then there's a four-piece group consisting of people I normally identify as soloists (Steve Hess, Keefe Jackson, Brian Labycz, Jason Roebke) doing a reeds/drums/electronics/bass thing.

Wednesday, April 16
AV-Aerie (2000 W. Grand Avenue)
9 p.m.
$6 door

First of two nights in a row at this fast-rising West Loop hub for the outre. Australia's Naked on the Vague, a No-Wave two piece (guitar/drums/vocals/electronics) with an LP on legendary scum-haven Siltbreeze Records (CD version on Australia's Dual Plover), make their Chicago debut; with a name like Mayor Daley, it's hard to imagine this tight, spazzy heir to the Coughs coming from anywhere other than the City of Big Wind; then there's Bomb Banks and Whale Walks Into A Bar, two bands I can find no info on whatsoever, despite seconds and seconds of internet research.

Thursday, April 17
AV-Aerie (2000 W. Grand Avenue)
7:00 p.m.
$5 door

The annual, Miami, Florida-based International Noise Conference takes it on the road, bringing a hefty handful or three of its most road-savvy bands for a night of ridiculous reverie. SEVENTEEN BANDS! You read that right. Expect brevity, confusion, and lots of pantomimes for "wrap it up!" Bands include: Laundry Room Squelchers (Miami's FINEST, truly), Ca Caw, Shattered Hymen, Vigilante, Unshown II, BAVA, traMADOL, Beau Wanzer, Max Cloud, Magic is Kuntmaster, pisspisspissmoanmoanmoan, ASER? E RUBRA, Rolan Vega, Folk & Violence, Tiny Music, The Helpers, Daniel Diareah, and likely a few other goofnuts that decide to rush the stage. Note early start time - there's a lot that needs doing here, and you do need to get to work by 9 a.m. Friday morning, after all. That is, unless you decide to call in "sick." (don't do it! You're in your 20s...this is your time to live on no sleep!)

— Chris Sienko / Comments (0)