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.
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Thursday, March 28

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Review Mon Feb 28 2011

Review: Dropkick Murphys/Naked Raygun @ Congress Theater

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Al Barr of Dropkick Murphys (Photos by Katie Hovland)

It doesn't take much urging for Chicagoans to boast their Irish pride, love for good music ans appreciation of cold beer. The same can be said for Boston-based punk rockers the Dropkick Murphys. So it's no surprise that these two collectives meshed Saturday night at the Congress Theater. Celebrating the release of their seventh studio album, Going Out In Style, this Tuesday and more than 15 years of being a band, Dropkick Murphys plowed through a 90-minute set with relentless energy.

But before the spectacle that was the Dropkick Murphys took the stage, attendees were graced with a performance from iconic members of the Chicago punk scene Naked Raygun. Since Naked Raygun's official reunion in 2006, fans that first fell in love with the band thirty years ago have been given another chance to see and hear classics like "Surf Combat" and "Wonder Beer" played live.

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Naked Raygun's Jeff Pezzati (Photos by Katie Hovland)

Continue reading this entry »

Katie Karpowicz

Contest Mon Feb 28 2011

Contest: Dipset @ the Congress!

Dipset.jpgIt's been a while since there've been rumblings about the Diplomats (a.k.a. Dipset) doing anything, like even talking to each other after the hip-hop supergroup parted ways. But it seems that Cam'ron and Jim Jones have set aside their differences and Juelz Santana's said, "If the fans want an album, we can do that." Oh, you think they do? So it seems 2 proper studio albums and a handful of mixes won't be Dipset's legacy. Diplomatic Immunity 3 is supposedly in the pipeline, but what is confirmed is that the New York group has been back on stage doing some shows. You've got to restart somewhere, right? They'll hit Chicago on March 17. Gapers Block is giving away two pairs of tickets to see Dipset. Write to contests@gapersblock.com with "Cam'ron & Juelz & Jim & Freekey" in the subject line for a chance to win. [Update: We have winners. Congrats to Brian and Rian! (That's not intentional.)]

Dipset headlines the Congress on Thursday, March 17. It's an all ages show with GLC, Big Once, Boy Jeanius, DJ Twentys and Tony Trimm. Doors open at 6:30PM and tickets are $25. The Congress is located at 2135 N Milwaukee.

James Ziegenfus / Comments (1)

sxsw2011 Sun Feb 27 2011

SXSW 2011: Chicago Edition

sxsw2011.jpgAfter one of the snowiest winters in the cities history, Chicago bands and members of the music community are surely looking forward to escaping the city and thawing out in Austin, TX during SXSW 2011. If you're not heading south, we'll keep you up to date, since I'll be roadtripping down to provide you with daily coverage of the best showcases, panels, and bands coming out of Austin that week. Know of something you'd like covered? Leave a comment and I'll try to check it out. Because SXSW is really about finding new and interesting music. And drinking a considerable amount of gratuitous booze and consuming your weight in free tacos. After the jump you'll get some highlights of Chicago bands and venues who will be participating in SXSW 2011.

Continue reading this entry »

Lisa White / Comments (9)

Review Sat Feb 26 2011

Review: Dum Dum Girls @ Empty Bottle 2/24

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Dum Dum Girls bassist Bambi (Photos by Dave Knapik)

There's an obvious formula to girl groups: a few attractive females plus revealing clothing and any sort of gimmicky feature equals record company cash. For the most part, it's played out. The Dum Dum Girls, however, manage to pull off girl group without it feeling formulaic. Even though the Dum Dum Girls are four good-looking females, in a band, they strummed the girly-goody-goodiness out of their guitars (or beat it out of their drum kit) at the sold out Empty Bottle show Thursday night.

The Girl's ability to dodge formula may also have something to do with the fact that the group's album I Will Be was born out of lead singer Dee Dee as a bedroom solo-project. Dee Dee combined a buzz sawed up garage-pop sound with dark lyrical themes and dressed them up with sweet sounding harmonies and '60s girl group "baby baby" choruses. Adding band mates, Jules (guitar and vocals), Bambi (bass), and Sandy (drums and vocals), for live purposes. They are often lumped with other in vogue retro bands like Best Coast, but they are much darker, even though both write about drugs and boys.

Continue reading this entry »

Bonnie Page

Concert Fri Feb 25 2011

Pitchfork Festival Tickets On Sale March 4

Pitchfork Music Festival announced some very important dates today. This year's festival in Union Park will be July 15-17. Tickets go on sale next Friday, March 4, and will be $45 for single dates, $110 for three-day passes.

No news yet on who's playing, but if last year is any indication, we'll find out a few next Friday morning.

Andrew Huff

Concert Thu Feb 24 2011

Dropkick Murphys Rock Chicago, Help Out Wisconsin Workers

St.Pat's is a few weeks away, but Chicagoans still have a reason to sport their orange and green this weekend. Check out the Dropkick Murphys' double feature at Congress Theater on Saturday and Sunday. Chicago legends Naked Raygun will be opening on Saturday night and angsty Florida punks Against Me! are kicking off the night on Sunday.

Dropkick Murphys have been at the center of the Celtic punk scene for over a decade and are preparing to release their seventh studio album, Going Out In Style, on March 1.

As if their crazed live shows and whiskey-inspired anthems weren't good enough reasons to love these guys, the Dropkick Murphys recently expressed their support for Wisconsin union workers by releasing an advanced stream of "Take 'Em Down," a song off their upcoming album. The band has granted rights to the AFL-CIO, SEIU (Service Employees International Union) and AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) allowing them to use the song at protest rallies across the nation.

Continue reading this entry »

Katie Karpowicz

Concert Thu Feb 24 2011

Katz Company "The Surgery Sessions"

It's been said that you can win over more people by telling a compelling story than by throwing stats or comparisons or any other data at people. One good story can win over the hearts of many. Alex Katz has a compelling story and through the support of his fan he will be releasing an ep tomorrow night at Subt that tells that story. It wasn't long ago that Alex could not comprehend music. The sounds coming through his stereo seemed strange and unconnected. Last summer Alex was diagnosed with have a malformed artery in his brain and the surgery that followed left he searching to rediscover the music he loved. However, with time it has come back to him and now his is back. It is stories like his that demonstrate the strength of music and our ability to bounce back from anything.

Katz has written and now recorded what he is calling "The Surgery Sessions" and will be releasing this three song EP tomorrow night (2/25) at Subt. He plans to donate 50% of all proceeds from the EP's sale to Children's Hospital where he had his surgery. Also performing will be Carbon Tigers and Fly Phoenix and tickets are $8.

Jason Behrends

Contest Thu Feb 24 2011

Contest: Ice Cube @ the Mid!

icube.jpgDoes Ice Cube really need an introduction? The South Central Angeleno was in N.W.A., contributed a wealth of rhymes to perhaps the most significant gangster rap album ever, has had a critically and commercially successful solo career and also was in the supergroup Westside Connection. Of course, he's also been slammed by critics, but that's part of the allure of the gangster rapper and only adds to the notoriety. Even though Cube's often seen in movies and television these days, he's still pumping out records. Last year's I Am the West was a bit of a departure with tracks that punctuated the life of an aging rapper, but with his talent, he's still making points and enciting some ire with those he takes digs at.

Obviously, he still busts out the hits when he performs. Right now he's on a tour that closes in Chicago on March 13. Thanks to our friends at Cold Grums, Gapers Block's giving away two pairs of tickets to see Ice Cube at the Mid. Write to contests@gapersblock.com with "It Was a Good Day" in the subject line for a chance to win. [Update: We have our winners. Congrats to Mark and Nicholas!)

Ice Cube headlines the Mid on Sunday, March 13. Mikkey Halsted, Illy & Alo and Lungz also perform. DJ 33 1/3 and Big Once will be spinning. It's 21+ and doors open at 9PM. Tickets are $22.50. The Mid's located at 306 N Halsted.

James Ziegenfus

Concert Wed Feb 23 2011

Canasta, REGO @ Old Town School of Folk Music

This Saturday the Old Town School of Folk Music hosts two of Chicago's finest, Canasta and REGO. While Canasta is still riding off of the success of its May, 2010 release The Fakeout, The Tease And The Breather, REGO is celebrating the upcoming March 1 release of its newest EP, All These Bones And Us.

pressalbum.jpgREGO's All These Bones And Us is an acoustic showcase of singer/songwriter Rebecca Rego. Despite the fragile and dreamlike moments common on ATBAU, this six-track EP is a decidedly dark offering of songs. However, that is not to say that the songs on ATBAU are not still stunning and highly listenable.

Continue reading this entry »

Katie Karpowicz

Review Tue Feb 22 2011

Review: Dismemberment Plan @ Metro 2/20

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Dismemberment Plan (Photos by Katie Hovland)

"The only thing worse than bad memories/ Is no memories at all" goes the Dismemberment Plan song "Spider in the Snow". If that's how The Plan felt, then Sunday's Metro crowd would probably rephrase that lyric slightly to match their collective feeling: "The only thing worse than the breakup of your favorite mid-'90s indie band is no reunion tour". The post-punk band, known for their math-rockish arrangements, broke up in 2003 leaving many an angsty-early-adulter to find their relatable angst rock elsewhere. Now a bit older, the typical Dismemberment Plan fan, piled into the Metro Sunday night for day 2 of 2nd of the Dismemberment Plan's Chicago shows.

Interestingly, Dismemberment Plan named themselves after a phrase spoken by the insurance salesman in the movie Ground Hog Day. The Ground Hog Day tribute seems to suit the quartet's sense of humor and they manage to work it into their straight forward lyrical style the quirky and ironic (such as "Do the Standing Still" and "Dismemberment Plan Gets Rich") which were interspersed between the more emotional of their Sunday night songs. And they've always highly regarded for the goofy, feel-good energy of their live shows. Sunday night was no different.

Continue reading this entry »

Bonnie Page / Comments (1)

Benefit Tue Feb 22 2011

Hide N Seek For Grown Ups

Hide N Seek 450.jpgAt Transmission, we're big fans of combining rock and roll with helping young people, and this weekend you can do just that as the Chicago Children's Museum hosts Hide N Seek. Z-Trip (who you may remember from such presidential mixes as 2008's Party For Change and Victory Lap 2009) will be on hand providing the evening's soundtrack with a live DJ set. Tickets for the benefit are $125 ($100 apiece if you purchase two or more) or $200 for VIP, and include cocktails and Hors d'oeuvres, plus the opportunity to be a kid again and explore the museum's interactive rooms. So get out your big girl and boy dress up clothes and head over to Navy Pier this Saturday for some grown up fun in a youthful atmosphere.

The event begins at 9pm. The Chicago Children's Museum is located at 700 East Grand Avenue.

Michelle Meywes

Review Sun Feb 20 2011

Review: Future Islands @ Empty Bottle 2/19

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Some things are just hard to describe. Like trying to describe the torment and intensity inside of Future Island's front man Sam Herring. Or Herring's theatrical command over Empty Bottle on Saturday night. Or like trying to describe the genre Future Islands fits into. Luckily, Future Islands has already solved the issue of trying to describe their sound by creating their own genre; they call it post-wave. It's something like a heavily texturized post-punk slash new-wave set to growling, howling vocals. The Saturday night show was a little harder to depict. It was like the moody, jarring and distorted saga of the band's album In Evening Air (plus a few new tracks) were taken over and re-enacted by Herring with irrepressible drama.

Herring commandeered the Empty Bottle from the second he took the stage. With an ominous eyeball he isolated and stared down the individuals in front of him before stepping further into character and growling into opening track "The Great Fire". Herring, balanced out by stoic band mates J. Gerrit Welmers (keyboard) and William Cashion (bass/guitar), proceeded with two more unreleased tracks before getting into the reverbed, industrial noise that opens up beat driven "An Apology". The song won instant recognition from the Bottle crowd. Following the song, Herring stepped out of character for a minute, to exclaim "I am so fucking happy to be in Chicago! Goddamn!".

Continue reading this entry »

Bonnie Page

Interview Sat Feb 19 2011

Morcheeba Speaks, Heads to the House of Blues

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In the early '90s, in the electronica dominated club scene in England, kids needed something to chill out to after-hours. Born out of down-tempo electronic and hip-hop beats, trip-hop was the sound. Pioneering artists like Massive Attack, DJ Shadow, Tricky, Portishead, and the soulful, smoky, down-tempo sounds of Morcheeba provided many a kid with chilled out 3am soundtracks.

It's now been 15 years since Morcheeba's alluringly dark debut album Who Can You Trust? was released, and 12 years since the release of their platinum follow-up, and critically acclaimed, Big Calm. Since then, the trio, consisting of vocalist Skye Edwards, and sibling DJ's, composers and multi-intrumentalists, Ross and Paul Godfrey, put out two more albums together before deciding to pursue alternate paths. Skye worked on her solo career while Ross and Paul released two more albums as Morcheeba before Ross moved to Hollywood to write film scores and Paul moved to the South of France to tend to his family. Fortuitously, Ross ran into Skye on the streets of London in 2010 and, after a couple of drinks and an intense conversation, the trio decided to give their fans what they wanted: a reunited Morcheeba album.

The rest is history for 2010's release of Blood like Lemonade. The three, including an entourage of phenomenal musicians, are currently on tour in the U.S. and Canada celebrating the release of the anticipated 7th album. Morcheeba will be at Chicago's House of Blues on Tuesday, February 22, 2011. I had the opportunity to talk to Ross about the band, the new album, the future of Morcheeba and music in general.

Continue reading this entry »

Bonnie Page

Random Fri Feb 18 2011

Nicole Fiorentino, Smashing Pumpkins Bassist & Cover Girl?

SmashingPumpkins-SiameseDream.jpgTalk about weird coincidences: According to a tweet by Billy Corgan, Nicole Fiorentino, the current bassist for Smashing Pumpkins, was also one of the young girls on the cover of Siamese Dream (the one on the left, apparently). "She said she didn't want us to know because she thought maybe we wouldn't let her be in the band," Corgan added. Corgan conducted a search for the girls in 2007, so it's interesting that he just found this out now.

Before joining the Pumpkins full time, Fiorentino had been a member of the touring band, and was the bassist for the latest incarnation of Veruca Salt. She also played with Spinnerette, Light FM and Twilight Sleep. Her first band, Radio Vago, broke up in 2005.

According to Wikipedia, Fiorentino was born in 1979, which would have made her 13 or 14 when Siamese Dream came out -- which doesn't put this story out of the realm of possibility, though it would probably mean the photo was a few years old when it was used on the cover. Fiorentino has not addressed the news directly, so keep an eye out. [via]

UPDATE: According to Rolling Stone, an assistant to the photographer who shot the cover photo says he was "pretty sure the photo was shot specifically for the cover," which would most likely mean Corgan is screwing with us.

Andrew Huff

Preview Thu Feb 17 2011

Paul Collins is Working Too Hard

collins.jpg Paul Collins' latest album is one of the most accurately titled records ever - King of Power Pop. From the Nerves to the Breakaways to the Beat, he's made his mark on the genre like few people on any others. Every band he's been in has had a knack for a catchiness that always sounds similar, but never the same. From the rapid drumming to the tight hooks to the universal subjects, his bands have been planting earworms in brains for 30+ years. He and his band are on a quick Midwest tour at the moment, playing hits from across his career.

Paul Collins' Beat headlines Subterranean on Saturday, the 19th. Lafayette's Half Rats and Chicago's Sleepovers open at 10:30PM. The show's 21+ and $10. Subterranean's at 2011 W North.

James Ziegenfus

Album Thu Feb 17 2011

New Album Release/Free Song Download From Save The Clocktower

Save the Clocktower Carousel Cover.jpgOn February 26th Save The Clocktower will celebrate the release of its sophomore album, Carousel, at The Hideout. However, I've already had the pleasure of hearing the newest album from these poppy, electronica-heavy locals.

I feel that it's human nature to, upon first listen, liken new bands or albums to more familiar artists or song collections. That is exactly what I tried to do during my first listen to Carousel. However, the list of influences and likenesses that this album embodies seems to never end. Save The Clocktower's brilliant originality lies in its ability to blend an impressive repertoire of preexisting genres and styles with the grace of a much more matured and experienced band.

Continue reading this entry »

Katie Karpowicz

Preview Tue Feb 15 2011

Preview: Future Islands @ Empty Bottle 2/19

Future Islands.jpg

"I don't consider myself a singer, I consider myself a performer who sings." says Future Island's front man Sam Herring in an LA Times blog interview. Herring has been described as intense, captivating and one of the most interesting front men in indie music. Maybe that's because, as a performer, Herring is so able to recreate the energy, passion and pain that existed when his songs were first felt.

Future Islands' genre-defying sound is something like a conjugal combination of New-Wave and Post-Punk, it having the emotion and synth of the former and the power and drive of latter. They have self-described their sound as "post-wave". If anything, Future Islands' 2010 album In Evening Air (released on Chicago's Thrill Jockey label) is an autobiographical, yet universally applicable, chronicle. It's moody, jarring and distorted with layers of synth, pulsating drums and the occasional industrial electric guitar riff. Herring's voice quivers and growls with Waits-like roughness through each song's relatable struggle. It's perfectly raw.

Future Islands are at the Empty Bottle Saturday, February 19th, and promise to put on an intense live show. There are threats that this will be an Empty Bottle sell out so get tickets pre-show. The Show starts at 10:00 pm and tickets are $8. Empty Bottle is at 1035 N Western Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60622, (773) 276-3600.

As a warm up, Check out Future Islands' live in-studio sets at KCRW or KEXP .

Bonnie Page

Contest Tue Feb 15 2011

Contest: Bobby Long @ Schubas!

It's been written that Bobby Long picked up a Gibson J-200 because it's the guitar that Bob Dylan's holding on the Nashville Skyline album cover. Now, it's completely premature for a 24-year old Brit to make such comments public, lest he be compared to Dylan constantly. But it does make for a good story. And that's something Bobby Long can get away with because his music's filled with good storytelling. On his latest record, A Winter Tale, he exemplifies that with timeless tales and a spirited imagination. He borrows here and there from classic folky singer/songwriters, but he's well on his way toward developing a voice of his own.


Bobby Long headlines Schubas on Friday, the 18th. Local singer/songwriter Julia Klee opens at 10PM. The show's 18+ and $15. Schubas is at the corner of Southport & Belmont. Gapers Block is giving away a pair of tickets to this show! Write to contests@gapersblock.com with "Winter Tale" in the subject line for a chance to win. [Update: We have a winner. Congrats, Molly!]

James Ziegenfus

Concert Tue Feb 15 2011

The Return of Robert Turman

This weekend was supposed to be what is now becoming a once-yearly event, namely the return of metal percussion wizard extraordinaire Z'EV to Chicago's welcoming arms and the accommodating third-floor experimental safe-haven Enemy (1550 N. Milwaukee, floor three). Sadly, an airline merger collided mid-air with Z'EV's impending plans, so he will not be here. However, the gig as assembled will still be on the shortlist for most hotly anticipated of the year.

The biggest news is a rare Chicago appearance by Robert Turman. A founding member (along with Boyd Rice) of NON, Turman's industrial bona-fides are beyond question. His early tape releases featured snarling guitar figures over primitive drumbox and throbbing synth -- a dream for fans of early Cabaret Voltaire and DAF. He planted his flag in the sand for keeps in 1988 with the eleven year-spanning, eight-cassette boxset (!) Chapter Eleven (briefly reissued by Hanson a few years back, and slated for eventual CD treatment). Recently, Dais Records reissued an early Turman tape, Way Down, as an LP in an edition of 500 copies. Turman has seen a spike of activity in recent years, collaborating closely with Hanson Records' Aaron Dilloway (ex-Wolf Eyes) and issuing both new and archival material on various formats. Turman's return to Chicago after many years is a huge deal for industrial rock fanatics. Give him a king's welcome, why don't you.

Also on the bill: a duet performance by electroacoustic alchemist Olivia Block with Lou Mallozzi; Karl Paloucek, whose combination of metal percussion, piano, and amplified sewing machines always goes down a treat; and Startless, a duo featuring Blake Edwards of Vertonen and Ohio's Jason Zeh. Zeh's specialty is obscure but rigorous tape manipulation, while Edwards will stick primarily to one of his new favorite axes, the turntable. Prepare to be dragged through the analogue muck. This show coincides with the release of their debut record.

Show starts at 9:00, admission is $7 $10.

Chris Sienko

Review Sat Feb 12 2011

Review: Hollerado and Gang of Four at Metro 2/11

To Encyclopedia Britannica "Gang of Four" is a notorious faction of the counter-revolutionary forces to the Chinese Communist Party who were responsible for massive societal chaos. To a Friday night Metro crowd "Gang of Four" is THE politically motivated post-punk band from the late '70's early '80s who were responsible for an hour and a half set of fervor- inducing, hard-angled music.

Despite their graying hair and softened bellies, the remaining two of the original Gang of Four members, singer Jon King and guitarist Andy Gill, reassured the packed house that they haven't lost their edges and angles. Leather outfitted King jerked around the stage with almost reckless abandon, gyrating against the microphone, arms crossed overhead. Antithesis to the antics of King was Gill's deadpan backing vocals, steely persona, and familiar, aggressive staccato.

Continue reading this entry »

Bonnie Page

News Sat Feb 12 2011

ChicagoMixtape.com: Bringing New Tunes To Your Inbox

Local musician and record label owner Casey Meehan is offering up a nifty new treat for fans of Chicago music. Starting Monday, Feb. 14, Meehan is launching ChicagoMixtape.com. ChicagoMixtape.com's goal is simple: to highlight noteworthy local musicians playing throughout the city each week.

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Meehan vows to scour the weekly live music listings for the nearly 120 (according to Yelp) Chicago venues for acts that stand out or simply shouldn't go unheard. Then he'll compile an .mp3 mixtape filled with tracks from a select number of bands which will be delivered to e-mail subscribers' inboxes on a weekly basis. Listeners are then encouraged to choose a favorite or two from the compilation and check out their live shows that week. "The idea is that we take all those thousands of acts and distill them down to a handful of bands that deserve attention," said Meehan.

As an added bonus new subscribers will instantly receive a "Starter Mixtape" featuring unreleased material from long standing Chicago favorites Oh My God and from up-and-comers JC Brooks and The Uptown Sound.

Katie Karpowicz

Concert Fri Feb 11 2011

Ladies Funk for Free Tonight

george-clinton-flyer-small.jpgPrint out or bring an electronic copy of this flyer on your phone to tonight's show at the Congress Theater, and you'll already be in a good mood when you pass through the door. Not only can you dance to the boogie of George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic, but you'll also have some spare cash to spend. Ladies get in free, and dudes pay only $15 with the flyer. It's not just every romantic holiday weekend that the ever-colorful, always musical P-Funk comes to a venue down the street. C'mon, yall, let's rock this town like it's Port Chester.

Doors open at 7:30 at the Congress Theater located at 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago bands Spare Parts and Mos Scocious open.

Anne Holub

Music & Film Wed Feb 09 2011

Mucca Pazza Hits the Big (-ger) Screen


You may already know that Mucca Pazza, Chicago's own 30-piece, cuckoo-bananas, circus punk marching band, is a whole hell of a lot of fun to see live. But did you know that they want to transfer that magic to film? It's true! The group, along with Chicago-based artists Danièle Wilmouth (filmmaker) and Peter Carpenter (dancer/choreographer), will star in the short film Marching Banned.

This is where you come in: In order to see the light of day, the group is seeking to raise $4k through Kickstarter. As of this writing, they're already more than halfway to the mark, but the trick is if they don't raise enough dough by the end of the allotted amount of time, they don't get any of it. Boo. Check out their hilarious video explaining the project on the Kickstarter site, and give a little, won't ya?

Kara Luger

Concert Wed Feb 09 2011

Spend Valentine's Day with White Mystery

Our favorite redheaded brother/sister duo are keeping popular these days, attracting love from Pitchfork, Paste, and ranking on Greg Kot's list of top 10 albums from local acts in 2010. The duo will embark soon on their "White Mystery Shreds SXSW II" tour, landing in Austin during the massive music event before a homecoming at the Double Door on March 25th. All this will be leading up to their new release, Blood & Venom, dropping April 20th. Needless to say, these two stay busy.

Before they hit the dusty trail, they're inviting everyone out to the Empty Bottle for a free show on Valentine's Day. Single? Maybe you'll meet a redhead of your own. Taken? What better way to spend this commercialized holiday than doing shots of whiskey with your beau or babe and bopping around to catchy garage rock. Either way, you're guaranteed a good time.

If you haven't seen the band live, check out their video for "Powerglove" below:

White Mystery plays Empty Bottle Monday, February 14th. Dark Fog and The Pleats open. The show starts at 9:30pm and it is free.

Lisa White / Comments (1)

Review Wed Feb 09 2011

Review: The Radio Dept. @ Empty Bottle, 2/8

I should mention up top that I went to this show in place of another Transmissioner who was under the weather. However, until Tuesday's early gig, I hadn't consciously heard the Radio Dept. in nearly 7 years because [name redacted] adored their first album, listened to it often and then ended our relationship in a brutal manner. After that their presence just sort of eroded in my memory. But every band deserves a second shot, even if the people who introduce them to you don't.

The Radio Dept. once came off as a Jesus & Mary Chain soundalike that happened to incorporate electronic beats. Over the years they've flipped it to where the focus appears to be the electronics. (They even ditched the live drummer.) Distorted guitars still play a major role, but now the band sounds like a noisy male-led Saint Etienne with elements of jangly C86 music. Songs become recognizable on the beats and then bring in guitars and vocals like clockwork. The Swedish trio eased into their set thanks to each tune's reception of hoots, hollers and excited applause (and requests for "Bad Reputation") from a clearly rabid audience.

Once they fell into their groove, they plowed through 45 minutes that hit across the stages of their career. From their most shoegaze-like "Why Won't You Talk About It?" to the recent "David" sounding like the Junior Boys to numerous other songs between those styles. (A guy standing behind me said he only knew them from Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette, so I don't feel too bad about forgetting some song titles.) With every song clocking in under 5 minutes and the night being on a timer, it wasn't a surprise that the band ended early to the disappointment of the crowd. They got on stage, played well, cracked a joke about it being too early to be drunk and made their exit. How about it for Swedes and their efficiency?

James Ziegenfus

mp3 Mon Feb 07 2011

Load Up with Free Music Monday

The Hood Internet released its fifth mixtape today, while Bloodshot Records released the Lonely Hearts Valentine's Day Sampler for free on Amazon.

Andrew Huff

Artist Mon Feb 07 2011

Kill Hannah Wakes Up with a Promise

Kill Hannah debuted the first single from their upcoming latest album, Wake Up the Sleepers, on Bandcamp today. "Promise Me" is available as a four-track digital album, with the album version and three alternate versions, for $1.99. The band promises "other goodies" later in the week. [via]

Kill Hanna, "Promise Me" official music video (v1) on Vimeo.

UPDATE: As Marijn notes in the comments, Wake Up the Sleepers came out last year. Apologies for the error.

Andrew Huff / Comments (2)

Review Fri Feb 04 2011

Review: Less Than Jake @ the Bottom Lounge

Four years ago, longtime ska-punk scene members Less Than Jake were granted a release from their contract with Warner Bros. imprint Sire Records and began their own label, Sleep It Off Records. This was arguably one of the best moves the band has made throughout the course of its nearly 20-year career.

Fan's reaction to LTJ's final record with Sire, 2006's Out With The In Crowd, was painfully dismal. As the band continued to drift further and further away from its ska roots, even longtime fans began to remark that it might be time for Less Than Jake to throw in the towel.

If it weren't for the resilience of these ska-punk veterans, last night's show at the Bottom Lounge would not have been such a good time. Not long after LTJ's departure from Sire the band began replacing Warner Bros.-produced singles with older catalogue selections during touring cycles and recording what would become 2008's GNV FLA, an homage to the band's beginnings in Gainesville, Florida. Less Than Jake fans wanted the old Less Than Jake back and that's what the band was finally giving them.

Continue reading this entry »

Katie Karpowicz

News Fri Feb 04 2011

Friday Quick Links

When we're not enjoying the sound of snowpants, we're often stuck inside during blizzards, finding cool music-related things online:

  • Get something free for Valentine's Day, like this Bloodshot Valentine's Day-themed sampler available for download on Amazon which includes tunes from Ha Ha Tonka, Alejandro Escovedo, the Old 97s, and more.
  • Don't miss out on a chance to see Elvis on the big screen at Sound Opinions' next movie screening, featuring Jailhouse Rock on Tuesday, February 8th at the Music Box. (Oh! Those hips!)

Anne Holub

Review Fri Feb 04 2011

Review: Steve Dawson @ The Hideout, 1/28/11

[Reviews and photo submitted by reader Rob Reid.]

The last year was a good one for Steve Dawson's current project, a collaboration with a tremendous backing band — Frank Rosaly on drums, Jason Roebke on bass, and Jason Adasiewicz on vibes. In May of 2010 they celebrated the release of Dawson's second solo album, the organic and emotive I Will Miss the Trumpets and the Drums with a release party at the Old Town School of Folk Music, and followed up with regular gigs at city and regional venues. Last weekend's show at the Hideout (a venue whose sepia tones befit the alt country scene) — where they were joined by Alton Smith on keyboard and accordion — is evidence that they're only getting better. While on the surface it might seem like the jazz cats in Dawson's group would be overqualified to play singer/songwriter fare, this group not only excels at weaving an emotional fabric around Dawson's expressive vocal and guitar lines, but also sneaks in free jazz style jams throughout the set. This is a group that clearly has fun on stage, and likewise is fun to watch.

Following a lively and engaging set by Melanie Budd, one of Dawson's overachieving songwriting students at the Old Town School of Folk Music, Dawson's band gently eased into "The Monkey Mind is on the Prowl." Murmurs in the crowd revealed that the strange keyboard instrument that Diane Christiansen (Dawson's wife and Dolly Varden collaborator) blew into was a melodica. Patiently building the set, Dawson's band followed with his fingerstyle gem "Long Overdue." This tune — performed with only bare guitar and vocals on the album — was given a little extra kick from the band's shuffling groove. It wasn't until the third song that Dawson picked up the energy with the anthemic "Obsidian," followed by a cover of Buck Owens' "Your Tender Loving Care."

steve_dawson_hideout_2011_01_28.jpg

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News Tue Feb 01 2011

Chicago Blizzard Concert Cancellations

Thanks to the snowpocalyptic conditions, a number of Chicago's music venues have announced cancellations for tonight and tomorrow. Here's a rundown of what we know:

Meanwhile, some venues are proudly touting that they're staying open. The Empty Bottle will remain open for business, while Schubas is open tonight for Scott Lucas and the Married Men and is offering free soup to anyone who shows up for Wednesday's DICK WOLF! record release show. And B.L.U.E.S. boasts on Facebook, "15 years from today when your child asks you where were you during the BIG SNOW of "11"... you can say.... "we were listening to the B.L.U.E.S. until the music stopped then..."

Andrew Huff

Contest Tue Feb 01 2011

Contest: Fitz & the Tantrums @ Metro!

It would be silly to not mention that Fitz & the Tantrums' major influences include acts from arguably the greatest era of songwriting in American history. That's a lot for a relatively new band to live up to, but their influences don't stop at the end of Holland-Dozier-Holland's reign. They pull from a wide range of R&B, pop and rock periods that may have once been slighted, but include undeniably catchy hooks and phenomenal arrangements. (A recent performance on "Live from Daryl's House" was flat-out excellent.)


On the strength of bandleader Michael Fitzpatrick's background as an engineer, the band's 2010 Pickin' Up the Pieces is a sonic marvel in modern soul music. Just like how Sharon Jones isn't trying to reinvent the wheel, Fitz & the Tantrums incorporate dynamic elements of classic R&B and soul, and sprinkle touches of recent inspirations. As if the single "MoneyGrabber" didn't make it clear, they're a force live, too. And Transmission's giving away a pair of tickets to see them on Saturday. Write to contests@gapersblock.com with "moneygrabber" in the subject line for a chance to win. [Update: We have our winner! Congrats to Jordan!]

Fitz & the Tantrums headline Metro on Saturday, 2/5. Local acts JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound and the Right Now open at 9PM. Soul Summit DJs will also spin. The show's 18+ and $14. Bring your dancing shoes to 3730 N Clark.

James Ziegenfus

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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.

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