Feature Thu Sep 10 2009

Bloodshot Records' 15th Anniversary Beer-B-Q

By Anne Holub

Our dear old local label Bloodshot Records is turning 15 this year and they've been partying across the country like Paris Hilton. Setting up this weekend in their sweet home Chicago, you can catch some of the best acts from Bloodshot's roster (past and present) for a measly ten-spot. Plus, there's food, drink, art, activities for the kids, and yes, belt sander races. What follows is our run down of some of the best fun to be had between noon and 10pm Saturday out in front of the Hideout.

Take a listen to all these artists at a special Imeem playlist courtesy of Bloodshot.

Sanctified Grumblers - 12pm
Catching the Sanctified Grumblers live is currently the only way to hear this Chicago jug band, as they've yet to release an album. However, if you've haunted The Hideout on a Tuesday night, you may remember Rick "Cookin" Sherry, who performed there regularly as a part of Devil in a Woodpile. Rick is now ½ of the Sanctified Grumblers, accompanied by Eric Noden, who lists "foot" as one of his instruments, along with the guitar, kazoo, harmonica, and 6-string banjo. If you're able to head out to the BBQ a little early, make sure to catch this joyful duo open the day.
-Stephanie Griffin

Jon Langford & Sally Timms - 1 pm
Two members of the legendary rock band The Mekons share the stage at the Hideout this weekend. The Mekons of course rock, and if you have been lucky enough to see Jon Langford when he surprisingly shows up with fellow Bloodshot Records mates, The Sadies, you know what a show he puts on he is. Add Sally Timms who along with Langford is in kids/folk roots band The Wee Hairy Beaties and who knows what to expect Saturday, something fun, nostalgic and remarkable.
-Aharona Ament

The Blacks - 1:35 pm
The Blacks are just one of the bands reuniting especially for this Bloodshot event. Jazz, hardcore rock and country blues was the mix that made them great, but somewhere along the way the recipe proved explosive and the group disbanded after just two records. The band was comprised of guitarist/vocalist Danny Black, Gina Black (a hellion on the standup bass), Drummer James (plucked from an Eagles cover band), and Nora O'Connor (who has gone on to her own success with Bloodshot). If you never got the opportunity to see them live, you're in for a hell of a show.
-Michelle Meywes

Bobby Bare Jr. - 2:30 pm
One thing that Bobby Bare Jr. will bring to the show Saturday is a big stage presence. His band of "merry makers" behind him, he's likely to be up for just about anything, especially at this monumental party. His songs can be epic jams or sweet harmonic rockouts. If there's anything to count on it's Bare Jr.'s big hair, bigger-than-life performance, and his ability to have a ton of fun up there.
-Anne Holub

Moonshine Willy - 3:30 pm
Blazing the trail for the punk and country mix that bands like Wilco are making popular today as alt-country, were Moonshine Willy, Bloodshot's first band. The group hasn't played together for a decade, some of them retiring from music to raise families, but the whole gang has reunited to celebrate Bloodshot's 15th Anniversary.The only one who will be missing from the original lineup is guitar player Nancy Rideout who sadly was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2007. While the band holds the distinction of the label's first single artist record in 1994, they went on to put out 3 LPs and 2 singles on the Bloodshot label.
-Michelle Meywes

Scotland Yard Gospel Choir - 4:25 pm
Local heroes The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir are keeping busy these days. The band's latest album, ... and the horse you rode in on drops September 15th, and they're getting ready to rock out three shows in Chicago to celebrate. You can catch them at the Bloodshot BBQ of course, but also check them out today, Thursday September 10th, performing at Reckless Records in Wicker Park at 6pm, where you can purchase the new album at a super-sale price, five days before it's released to the masses! The band is a delightful mixture of jingle jangle indie pop, similar to Belle & Sebastian and Or, The Whale, with a touch of southern charm and twang. Their music will be the perfect cool shimmering catalyst for an afternoon of beer, bbq, and wonderful music.
-Lisa White

Scott H. Biram - 5:25 pm
Scott H. Biram is one possessed scary dude. His songs reach the edge of psychobilly sanity with a gruff, powerful voice that makes The Reverend Horton Heat seems like sweet gentleman callers. This Austinite has been on Bloodshot records since 2005 and his shows have been the subject of conversation for days. He released his newest album Something's Wrong/Lost Forever earlier this year.
-Aharona Ament

Deadstring Brothers - 6:25 pm
Real rock and roll was born in the dark corners of bars, full of grit and raw guitars and whiskey soaked vocals, stealing equal parts honky tonk and blues to create a lovechild that the toughest crowds could love. And The Deadstring Brothers are keeping alive the roots of rock and roll with the help of Bloodshot Records. Hailing fittingly from Detroit "Rock City," the group cranks out bluesy rock tunes that are clearly influenced by both the dirty delta blues and the UK bands of the '60s that thrived on American blues music. Their garage rock sound is polished and sexy, keeping rock and roll alive and in better form than anything the actual Stones have done in the past 20 odd years. Catch them Saturday before they head across the pond for a UK and European tour and the release of their forthcoming album, Sao Paulo.
-Lisa White

Alejandro Escovedo - 7:25 pm
Alejandro Escovedo rocks the honky tonk guitar like nobody's business. After listening to his set, you'll likely be ridden hard and put up wet, like a cowboy's saddle. You can imagine him playing some fine establishment that caters to both kinds of music (country and western) with some fine chicken wire up to protect the band from flung bottles from the rowdy crowd. Or he might be just the ticket to play that sweet song you can walk your lady across the room to and do a little boot scootin'. Either way, a good time will be had by all.
-Anne Holub

The Waco Brothers with Rico Bell 8:40 pm
Jon Langford really gets around, but The Waco Brothers, formed so Jon could explore his country side, have become a Bloodshot Records and Chicago staple. If you're familiar with Bloodshot, chances are you already know all about the Wacos, rocked out at one of their rambunctious live shows, noticed that poster in the background of The Devil Wears Prada, etc., etc. If not, it's about time to find out what you've been missing. Here's a little preview, taken from the Bloodshot DVD compilation Bloodied but Unbowed:

-Stephanie Griffin

Bloodshot Records 15th Anniversary Beer-B-Q at the Hideout Street Party
Noon Saturday at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia. Tickets, $10 suggested donation, children under 10 free.

Schedule:

Noon: Sanctified Grumblers

1 p.m.: Jon Langford & Sally Timms

1:35 p.m.: The Blacks

2:30 p.m.: Bobby Bare Jr.

3:30 p.m.: Moonshine Willy

4:25 p.m.: Scotland Yard Gospel Choir

5:25 p.m.: Scott H. Biram

6:25 p.m.: Deadstring Brothers

7:25 p.m.: Alejandro Escovedo

8:40 p.m.: The Waco Brothers with Rico Bell