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. ✶
Safety Fifth, the new album by Mucca Pazza, Chicago's number one punk marching band, comes out June 12 on Electric Cowbell Records. That very night, they'll be celebrating with a concert at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia. Tickets are $15 online or at the door -- if there are any left. Above is a music video for "Boss Taurus" off the album (is that a "Bitchin' Camaro" allusion?)
Adding to an already stellar lineup, North Coast Music Festival announced its second wave of artists today. In the hip hop department, Alabama-bred, Slim Shady protege Yelawolf and West Coast crew People Under the Stairs join the bill. The fest has also scored dance music veteran Paul Oakenfold, who's been spinning for decades. Other new additions include dubsteppers Knife Party and Dutch DJ Chuckie. Perhaps the biggest news, though, is that Chicago's own Umphrey's Mcgee is joining the list of headliners alongside the previously announced Pretty Lights.
What I'm looking forward to: Yelawolf's set. Saw him at the Bottom Lounge last fall and the self-proclaimed "white trash rapper" can put on show. Here's hoping his set doesn't conflict with any of the other big name rap artists playing the fest like Atmosphere or Big Boi.
What I'm not looking forward to: hearing the live version of Umphrey's "Chicago"--the band's much laughed about attempt to create an anthem for our city with the help of Buddy Guy and Chicago (the band). Here's hoping this debauchery is absent from the setlist come Labor Day weekend.
It's a big time for Big Science. Originally hailing from San Diego, Jason Hendrix and Jason Richards, ex-members of The North Atlantic, brought to Chicago their sun-drenched songs that smack of post-punk indie influences and dance bot rhythms. This is summertime festival music, y'all. Check out Big Science tonight at The Burlington (3425 W. Fullerton Ave.) as they celebrate the release of their latest album, Difficulty. Boy Blue, Jared Grabb and Bring Yr Ray Gun open. Doors open at 9pm, and admission is a mere $5 donation.
British grunge legends BUSH are playing an accoustic set in the Cubby Bear's Underground Lounge Wednesday afternoon, before their show at the Allstate Arena with Nickelback, Seether and My Darkest Days. So yeah, this is an opportunity to see BUSH without having to pay for Nickelback.
The only way to get tickets is via the Cubby Bear's Twitter and Facebook accounts or go to the website for Q87.7, the new alternative rock station born out of the ashes of Q101, and fill out the contest form.
Summer is officially here, which for many of us means the kick off of festival season here in Chicago. Whether you are buying Mexican popsicles over the fence while hiding in the shade at Pitchfork or making bad decisions while dancing in a football stadium to Skrillex, whatever poison you pick guarantees you'll have many a fun summer night. And if you didn't sleep on it, you'll probably be attending Lollapalooza. Tickets officially sold out this past week, so if you plan on spending early August in Grant Park, I suggest you plan on standing outside with a sign asking to buy an extra ticket. But if you planned ahead, you are probably starting to check out the acts playing that you aren't familiar with (or you should be doing this), and that's where we come through with some suggestions. Sure, we'll take a deeper look closer to Lolla, but why not plan early? There are the obvious bands to see, the reunited darlings (At The Drive-In, Bloc Party), the band that always makes me cry live (Sigur Ros), the best live act around right now (M83), and the acts that always put on solid shows (Justice, The Black Keys). But we've got some deeper picks and surefire good acts to suggest checking out now so you'll be ready to enjoy come August.
You know Miles Davis' On the Corner? The early '70s one with the HEAVY funk grooves and the crazy editing? And the cartoons? Like a Ralph Bakshi/Pedro Bell key party, that one is. Inside the sleeve, there's one set of cartoons with various caricatures of what I assume are Miles' ideas of stereotypical fan responses to his music. One guy is wearing a dashiki and pulling some sanctimonious body language. His word bubble says, "Me and Miles, we go way back...you know, Kind of Blue...." The implication, as I read it, is that this is the type of fan that can relate to an artist at their point of highest mass popularity. If a similar caricature for hip hop could be drawn today, the person might be saying, "Me and De La, we go way back...you know, 3 Feet High And Rising..."
Of course, you'll get no argument from me or any other hip hop fanatic that De La Soul's debut is one of the great rap albums of all time, but sometimes, it's hard to convince casual fans that De La Soul never stopped producing classic albums. But with precious few exceptions, De La Soul's story is one of constant artistic ascent, with each album topping the previous in terms of lyrical content, flow, message, you name it. And even if you still like the Prince Paul era the best, the band's production has never been less than stellar. I'd even go so far to say as 2004's The Grind Date, recorded 15 years after their debut might be the of the band's very best outings. So how'd they do it? And what are they up to now?
Just a few days ago, the lineup for Chicago's beloved Wicker Park Fest was announced, set to take place on July 28 and July 29. If you're unfamiliar with the event, Wicker Park Fest is set to gain 65,000 visitors over its two-day span, which is impressive in itself. Beyond its established attendance records, this street fest is located in one of Chicago's most treasured artsy neighborhoods, featuring distinctive restaurants, unique shops, and a diverse art and music scene.
Beyond the innovative and expansive art and performance aspects of the event, Wicker Park Fest always delivers by establishing a stellar music lineup, and this year is no different. The acts announced to play sets on July 28 begin with Cursive, indie rock band that just released their energetic album I Am Gemini on February 12. Next is Brooklyn-based band The Drums, who emit an upbeat, percussive, and perfect-for-summertime sound. Take a listen to their song "How It Ended" below:
Below is video of Daniel Ho performing in 2010 in Australia.
But that's still not all! In addition to the line-up of stellar Hawaiian music concerts and workshops, there's also a chance to be a part of a Guinness World Record history. There will be an attempt to break the record for the largest number of 'ukulele players in one place and establish the record for the only group assembled to play a traditional Hawaiian song. If you're interested in participating, come to the gazebo in Welles Park in Lincoln Square at 2:30pm on Saturday, May 26th for a free lesson and then stick around and strum the song "E Huli" along with (hopefully) a few thousand new friends. This is a BYO'U (Bring Your Own 'Uke) event. Not surprisingly, 'ukuleles and Hawaiian lap guitars are on sale at the store at the Old Town School. In fact, Mahalo painted ukuleles are only $25. That's a cheap price on a fun weekend.
Monday's show at Lincoln Hall opened with Impala Sound Champions, a group of DJs that got things started on the smokey stage (my suspicions of the smokey substance dissipated as quickly as the smoke itself — it evaporated quickly and had no tell-tale scent.) The DJs varied in style and substance, ranging in appearance from a dead ringer for my uncle Lloyd circa 1958, to a man who seemed to be channeling Mars Blackmon , to a bearded guy in a flannel shirt and a hat imprinted with the words "The Boss." They took turns at the mic and at the turntable, playing a mix of Dancehall, '70s and '80s Rock Steady, and Roots Reggae. The beats were as entertaining as the visuals, combined with lyrics like "I'm Tennessee Tuxedo, never Chumley," and "I'll keep you mad open like I'm your OB Gyne."
Second on the roster were Illuminati Congo, whose heavy drumbeats and saxophone backed up the vocals of lead singer Jahn the Baptist. I had my doubts after watching the first 30 seconds or so of the video for Me And My Machete, but was pleasantly surprised — this is definitely a case of the live show far outshining the video presentation. It was at about the same moment that Illuminati Congo won me over that my olfactory receptors clued me in to the fact that the smoke in the room had just kicked up a notch. Jahn the Baptist chanted "Ain't nobody do it like we do, we gonna do it like Bruce Lee do," in raspy tones. Before they left the stage, Jahn wished someone in the crowd a happy birthday: "Happy Appearance Day Linsday," he said, "Happy Unbirthday to everyone else," and closed the set with a song which, appropriately, contained the lyrics: "life is for living, life is eternal."
Tonight Schubas with host Toronto art collective Yamantanka//Sonic Titan's debut Chicago performance. Yamanatanka//Sonic Terror's nucleus of Ruby Kato Atwood and Alaska B perform a mix of doom metal and art-damaged pop music upon a traditional Noh theatre visual scope. When these two virulent streams cross a mind bending Buddhist tale unfolds with hints of Osamu Tezuka's (Akira, Domu) classic noir sci-fi manga works. Yamantanka//Sonic Terror are touring in support of their debut album out now on The Psychic Handshake. Check out some trippy videos below the cut.
The Polyphonic Spree is a spectacle to be witnessed: numerous robed singers and musicians, an assortment of instruments (cello, an array of horns, various percussion, etc.) and an outlook that can make any dreary day sunny. But this is live music, and just looking good doesn't cut it. Where the Spree earn their accolades and separate themselves from many other large pop-oriented ensembles is in the full presentation when 14 people (the smallest I've seen them, actually) are completely in synch with each other. There are moments when it seems like everyone in the band is functioning off of one brain. It'd be easy for Tim DeLaughter's symphonic choral rock band to come off as a gimmick. But a lot of their songs would still sound good if by a standard 3-piece band. The extras just sweeten the deal.
A deep space electronic exploration vessel code named Squarepusher has scheduled a landing at Chicago's Cabaret Metro for the evening of Saturday Nov 3. Squarepusher is touring in support of Ufabulum his newest collection of broken beat extremeist high energy future music released on Warp Records. Below is a retina burning video interview with Squarepusher displaying the aggressively psychedelic visuals developed for Ufabulum's live performances. Tickets for Squarepusher at Caberet Metro Saturday Nov 3 are $25 and are on sale Saturday May 19 at noon.
Excitement was in the air Saturday night as concertgoers eagerly awaited Andrew Bird to step onstage. Bird hasn't been backed by a full band during his Chicago tour stops over the past few years, as he lent his talents to unconventional and extraordinary venues, such as his 2011 show at the Museum of Contemporary Art introducing his innovative exhibit collaboration with Ian Schneller, or 2009 and 2010 when he played intimate, magnificently beautiful sets at Fourth Presbyterian Church. Having attended each of those shows, I was unsure of how the acoustics would travel in such a large venue as The Auditorium Theatre, but I knew somehow it would exceed my expectations.
Mucca Pazza opened the show, and until you see them perform, you won't truly understand the scope of their musical efforts. Andrew Bird put it perfectly during his set when he complimented them and described them as "30 people all committed to the same idea," while their website pegs them as being an "astounding circus-punk marching band," if that's something you can even hone in on as a genre.
Just past midnight this morning Riot Fest made their initial line-up announcement for the 2012 festival, and with a roster that includes Iggy and the Stooges, Elvis Costello and Descendents, you can color me impressed. Hell, when two acts that have headlined in the past (NOFX and Alkaline Trio) are now midway down the poster, you know the line-up has gotta be good. Eschewing their standard 5-day fest of individual shows around the city, this year they're changing it up and going the outdoor festival route with a carnival in Humboldt Park. That's right, a carnival. They're also bumping the festival up to Sept. 14-16, from their typical first week of October. If you've ever wanted to see a bunch of green haired, studded leather jacketed, mohawked punks of all ages ride a ferris wheel, the time has come.
Act fast to snag a $22 Saturday/Sunday pass via Groupon. UPDATE: The Groupon sold out before 10am. Otherwise, Riot Fest's ticket page offers a $36 early bird special for the 2-day weekend pass, a $90 full 3-day festival pass that includes all secret shows, or a $155 VIP pass that will get you a private bar with 10 drink tickets per day and a special viewing area near the stage.
It sounds like summer when you're listening to We Are Serenades. The Swedish band's sugary indie-pop is infectious and doesn't let up through the debut, Criminal Heaven. Considering the band is a side project to the Shout Out Louds and Laakso, it's not terribly surprising that they'd have moments of brilliance all over their record. And while they can sometimes sound like a different band from song to song as they run the gamut of poppy indie genres, there are no real weak spots. Of course, with their pedigree, it's no surprise that the uptempo tracks are the strongest, especially "Birds", which relies on lush strings and hypnotic percussion when you manage to get your ears off of the harmonies.
We Are Serenades headline the Empty Bottle on Wednesday, the 16th. Chicago's Northpilot and Dozens open at 9:30PM. The show's 21+ and $12. Gapers Block's giving away a pair of tickets. Write to contests@gapersblock.com with "Criminal Heaven" in the subject line for a chance to win. [Update: And we have a winner. Big ups to Elizabeth who'll be enjoying We Are Serenades on Wednesday. Thanks for writing in, everyone.] The Empty Bottle's at 1035 N Western.
The Subterranean was packed Thursday night with fans of three diverse bands, as The Dirty Feathers, The Shams Band, and Dastardly all played sets. What I like most about the Subterranean is how intimate a venue it is, where the space is small but comfortable. Everyone enjoys the music together like they're in the company of old friends, dancing and swaying to the music. Chicago-native bands The Shams Band and Dastardly co-headlined the show, where comedic and obscure antics played out as The Shams Band and Dastardly set out to resolve their longstanding "battle."
Opening up the evening was Chicago-local band, The Dirty Feathers. Hailing from Champaign, their sound is gritty and bold, with electrifying guitar solos peppering their set. Frequently the lead singer would wail emphatically as Wolfmother-esque guitar riffs ascended in the background. This five-person ensemble is well on its way to perfecting their Southern grunge rock sound, and were a great way to start off the show.
It is easy to pre-judge bands. One look at the thick-framed-glasses-wearing, happy-fun-time-haired, trio of Pearl and the Beard, and I had already labeled them HIPSTER is bold, judgmental letters. I mean they are from Brooklyn for Christ's sake. But, being a huge fan of their 2011 album "Killing the Darlings," I also knew they were really effin' talented. As I headed into Schubas on Saturday night for their sold-out show, I was prepared for a night of solid jams with a hint of the traditional detached coolness hipster affect.
But Pearl and the Beard is one of those bands that makes you eat all of your stupidly preconceived notions and wash it all down with a healthy non-ironic gulp of PBR. They were warm, friendly and really freaking funny on stage in addition to just looking really freaking cool in those thick-framed glasses. They also immediately engaged the crowd. Halfway through the second song, the audience was already out of traditional stand-and-stare mode, and was clapping along with "Sweetness."
The latest front page story for the Reader titled Scratch and Stitch, claims to cover Chicago hip-hop artists and the brands that back them. The Twittersphere buzzed heavily yesterday in reaction to what many in the hip-hop community deemed a misinterpreted premise, however, and their initial problem with the story begins with the cover photo. "Insert Chicago Rapper Here," it says, filling a white circle that covers the space where the rest of hip-hop artist ShowYouSuck's face should be.
Anybody else see that total bull**** @Chicago_Reader cover?It's irresponsible, uninformed & the reason people say Chicago is unsupportive.
"Why was I asked by name to do this?" says Clinton Sandifer, a.k.a. ShowYouSuck. "For my face to be covered? I feel disrespected." In a statement released on Ruby Hornet to address the Reader's story, Sandifer added, "I thought we were past the 'all rappers are the same,' mentality.' Rap fans in Chicago are [finally] open to different sounds and artists, and instead of THAT being celebrated, we all get thrown back into being another rapper."
Tweets from fellow artists Auggie the 9th, and Million Dollar Mano, among others, also express concern over the essentials that the piece failed to highlight.
If you haven't heard the music of Maps & Atlases before, the band is going to be a bit hard to describe without taking a listen. I say this because their music is unique, deliberate, and dynamic, so much so that I can't categorize them to fit an exact musical genre. Hailing from Chicago, their sound has developed immensely over time, and they are making a stop on their tour here this Friday.
Their first release, Tree, Swallows, Houses, arrived on the scene back in 2007 and gives a great snapshot of the heart of the band's sound. Eccentric and inviting, Maps & Atlases has a sound based in math rock at its core, combined with indie-folk-rock elements. Their music thrives on unconventional tempos and beats that immediately draw listeners in, and keep them listening.
The harmoniously wailings of Brooklyn trio Pearl and the Beard will once again be echoing throughout Chicago. This Saturday the band will jam out at Schubas, a venue known for its close quarters and intimate feel and the perfect place fans to experience the band's intense performance as well as their quirky sense of humor.
Although this band hasn't launched into indie fame along with the likes of other soulful vocally deep bands such as Mumford and Sons or Of Monsters and Men, they clearly have the raw talent to continue to draw crowds to their shows. This Saturday they will be joined by Chicagoan, Brendan Losch, who just released his new albumn "Low" in April. Expect a night full of full harmonies and fuller beards.
The show starts at 7:00 p.m. at Schubas. Tickets are $12 and can be bought on Schubs website.
In case you missed Gapers Block's review of The Right Now's latest album, we loved it. In case you haven't had the chance to check out the album, filled with more sassy Motown flavor than you can shake a stick out, you'll get your chance this Saturday, May 12, when the band celebrates its record release at Lincoln Hall.
Gets Over You, this Chicago band's sophomore effort, takes the blues-y, jazzy, R&B-filled sounds of The Right Now's sounds one step further, pitting them as serious contenders against other genre buddies like fellow locals JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound. After weeks of being on tour in support of the new disc, The Right Now is finally coming home and throwing a party in their well deserved honor Satuday night and you could be on the guest list. The Right Now is giving away two tickets to their show. Just email contests@gapersblock.com with the subject line "Right Now!" and you and a friend could be headed to the show.[Update: This contest is closed. Congrats to Brian. Have a blast!]
The Right Now play Lincoln Hall Saturday, May 12. DJRC and Derobert & the Half Truths open the show. It starts at 9pm. This one's limited to 18+.
I remember sitting in music business classes while our professors assured us that you can't make it in the music industry if you give away your music for free. No matter how radical our new thoughts (at the time) were that you could, they refused to budge. Well, years later I finally have a perfect case study to refute their claims in The Weeknd. Sure, other bands have given away their music for free (the almighty Radiohead) and most bands now find it standard to give away music, but few have had the trajectory from obscurity to having a choir of fans. The Weeknd has done just that. With three free releases under his belt, and only a handful of shows, he sold out his Lincoln Hall show in nine minutes. It's a different industry than most people visioned, but clearly it works.
Mashup heroes The Hood Internet released their latest mixtape today. It's 26 tracks of hip hop meets alt rock, including a timely Beastie Boys-Santigold-Weird Tapes mashup. Listen to it via Soundcloud below or download it here.
Everybody likes a comeback, especially when it's better than the first go-round. That's the case with Lee Fields, blessed with a voice that could've shot him to stardom forty years ago and plagued by bouts with bad luck. But passion and persistence won out. His latest record, Faithful Man, picks up where 2009's My World left off -- gut-wrenching vocals over sublime southern soul and funk instrumentation. It's smooth, but with an edge that only a survivor could provide. Even if Fields had some rough patches, he's been performing more or less non-stop since his debut and it shows on stage. He's a bona fide performer basking in the glow of his renaissance.
Lee Fields & the Expressions headline Lincoln Hall on Wednesday, the 9th. The O'Mys open, along with Dave Mata from Soul Summit. The show's 21+, $15 and starts at 9pm. Lincoln Hall is at 2424 N Lincoln.
This morning Metro announced the inaugural Hot Stove Cool Music charity concert, featuring performances by The Smashing Pumpkins, The Figgs, Jenny Dee and the Delinquents, and members of Buffalo Tom. The event, which will benefit Chicago Cubs charities and Foundation To Be Named Later, goes down on Thursday, June 14 and will act as the kick-off party to the Cubs vs. Red Sox 3-game series at Wrigley Field. This rare chance to catch the Pumpkins at a small venue also falls just days before the release of their latest album Oceania on June 19, so it's safe to say we'll be hearing some new tracks from Billy Corgan & Co.
Tickets for the event are $50 and on sale this Saturday, May 12 at noon, online at Metro's website and fee-free at the Metro box office at 3730 N. Clark St. VIP tickets are available to purchase immediately for $1000 here, which includes tickets to the Cubs vs. Red Sox game the following day.
Earlier this year, Gibson USA released a new Jeff Tweedy Signature SG electric guitar. Modeled after the 1961 SG, the guitar features a solid mahogany "double horn" body and neck, a decorative "lyre" vibrato tailpiece cover and two BurstBucker pickups. The body is finished in a misty "Pelham blue" with a cream pickguard, a satin-finished neck and acrylic inlays in the rosewood fingerboard; full specs here. Suggested retail price is $2,599.
This isn't the only special edition Tweedy guitar released this year. Martin also released the 00-DB Jeff Tweedy acoustic guitar, built with wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. It'll run you $2,999.
Back in 2008 Breedlove created a 25-piece edition of Jeff Tweedy signature acoustic guitars. Neither Gibson's no Martin's guitars won't be nearly as limited.
Motown soul meets retro funk flavor and epitomizes the problem with labels and genre, in a sound that can only be best described as Mayer Hawthorne. The singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist will be taking the stage at the Park West on May 17, sharing some of the revamped vintage goodness that his latest album, How Do You Do, is filled with.
Growing up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, not far from the Motor City, it isn't hard to tell where a great deal of his influence stems from. Influence aside, there's no doubt he's been doing something fresh from the vine since his debut album, A Strange Arrangement, released back in 2009. There's an air of confidence in his latest tracks from How Do You Do, however, that sounds like the perfect balance between the music of the good ol' days and a sound, style, and presentation of something not yet explored.
Tickets are sold out, but a limited quantity can be found at Stubhub.com. The Park West is located at 322 W. Armitage Ave. Music begins at 7:30pm with The Stepkids. 18+.
It's a heavy week for fans of experimental music in Chicago, with three shows in the next six days. Gas up the car (or do some calf stretches if you're biking), and head to these three venues for some cheap (and in one case, FREE) creative destruction.
Monday, Wicker Park's Enemy (1550 N. Milwaukee, 3rd Floor) welcomes Bob Bellerue (previously written about here for his project Redglaer) and his new project, Diablo. Bob's been on the scene for at least 10 years, also performing under his own name and as Halfnormal. He's on tour with Mister Matthews and Isa Christ, and for any of you who's toured, you know what a bugger it can be getting people out on a Monday. But look at you, you're not old, you're young! You can totally rage on the weekend and still hit this show! Show 'em what you got. Locals Jason Soliday and Neil Jendon open. Donation for out of town bands suggested, showtime 8 p.m., be prompt as it's a weeknight.
Wednesday, Logan Square's groovy live-band bar, The Burlington (3425 W. Fullerton), is hosting a rare treat for Chicago, Maine-based tape mangler Jason Lescalleet. If you attended the first Neon Marshmallow Fest, you vividly remember his two performances, including an intense set in collaboration with the reed/trumpet duo nmperign. His collection of much-abused tape machines and visceral manipulations (up to and including stomping down on the drive motors with a big ol' boot) is the the yin to Joseph Hammer's elegant yang. Chicago experimental composer Olivia Block opens. $7 donation, doors at 9 p.m.
Finally, get to Lampo's second spring event this Saturday at the Graham Foundation's Madlener House (4 W. Burton Pl.) on Saturday for a rare local appearance by noise titan John Wiese. You may know him from his releases on Troubleman, No Fun Productions, or any of the one hundred (!) 7"s he's appeared on in the past 10 years, but however you've heard him, solo or in one of his many groups, you might still be surprised by the immersive, four-channel stereo experience offered up by the Lampo sound system. Show at 8 p.m., the event is FREE, RSVP here.
French superstar Yann Tiersen may have been competing with another popular French band, M83 (how could they split up the Chicago French contingency like that?!) but at the end of the night, it was quite certain the audience for Tiersen was not only impressed but feeling confident they made the right choice. Though this review/photographer is certainly a fan of both bands, Tiersen's appearances in Chicago have been much less frequent than M83 and fans of the latter can always catch them at Lollapalooza Friday August 3rd. (and hopefully an after show will be announced soon too!)
A raucous band of cellos. A tuba concerto. A double bass concerto. May is Low Register Month (you didn't know?), and the deep-voiced instruments are full of surprises and rare appearances. Plus, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra kicks off its Keys to the City piano festival. If you survive the NATO summit and Mother's Day Brunch, come back for June.
Head over to Beat Kitchen - 2100 W. Belmont - this Saturday, May 5th for The Treasure Fleet's record release show for their debut album "Cocamotion" out on Recess Records.
Six studio albums, endless touring, and a dynamic onstage presence are just a few of the elements that contribute to folk/alt-country band My Morning Jacket's immense success. A fan for years, I waited at Lollapalooza last summer to gain a front row spot to their headlining show, and I can honestly say that it was one of the best performances I've ever seen. Their energy and ever-changing music style instantly captivated the audience and kept everyone begging for more. Enjoy highlights from the Lollapalooza show below, which showcases their vivacity and unique onstage performance style.
The US Air Guitar train is revving back up with the announcement of this year's regional competitions. The Chicago regional will be held June 29 at the Metro, site of the 2011 National Finals, which saw Chicago's own Nordic Thunder win the title.
The web's been buzzing, banging, twittering and Facebook blasting all about the recent remix released by Kanye West. The track titled "I Don't Like", was a Chief Keef original that stood strong in getting attention on its own; over two million views and rising to be specific. Add a cosign from Mr. West, as he gives shout outs to other local rappers including King Louie, Bump J, and the LEP Bogus Boys, and the local scene is sure to get a few more listens from the big markets.
Elegance. It's the overwhelming quality that's present in the music of The Damn Choir. Take the band's lead single from their newest album, "Noah," for example. An electric guitar line dances between the simple strumming of an acoustic rhythm. Singer Gordan Robertson's brawny croon is softened by the haunting swells of co-vocalist Katy Myers. The sound of a snare drum rolls softly in the background and the steadfast strumming of a cello plays backbone to it all.
Hopefully this song is an indication of what the rest of The Damn Choir's sophomore release You're My Secret I Called Fire will bring. Any speculation will end this Friday, May 4 though when these Chicagoans play their record release show at The Hideout. Paper Thick Walls and Kingsley Flood kick off the night at 9pm. Tickets are $10.
Ask Me This is Alcoholic Faith Mission's 4th album and it's all over the map, in a good way; from beautiful multi-part harmonies to synth-driven noise to prog-pop to earworming folk across. And that's just the first half. It's difficult to listen to Ask Me This without thinking at random points, "I could hear how this would be on a [Field Music/Dungen/Other Lives] album." Yet through that melange is a consistently grandiose aesthetic and moments of brilliance, such as the quirky "Into Pieces" or "We Need Fear", which could be like a dark and frenetic Sufjan Stevens track. Watch the video for the title track:
Alcoholic Faith Mission headlines Schubas on Saturday, the 5th. You Won't and Hot as Hell open at 10PM. The show's 21+ and $12. However, Transmission is giving away a pair of tickets to this show. Write in to contests@gapersblock.com with "Ask Me" in the subject line for a chance to win. [Update: This contest is closed. Congrats to Debra. Thanks for writing in, folks.] Schubas is at the corner of Belmont & Southport.
The Chicago duo Supreme Cuts are travelers from a world where Mannie Fresh, Missy Elliot, and Timbaland never fell out of R&B graces. In this world Missy Elliot gets down on some high tea with Phillip Glass and Stephen Hawking on the first Tuesday of every month. Today Supreme Cuts slipped a new audio artifact named Gully featuring rapper Haleek Maul out of their four-dimensional spacetime printer.
The rambunctious duo, Craig Nice and Andy R. of Gauntlet Hair (Dead Oceans Records), may seem like two typical, young, and energetic mid-western gentlemen, but their onstage demeanor draws an opposite conclusion. Praised in the local grunge scene, Gauntlet Hair drew quite the crowd at Schubas Sunday night, where they headlined with tour mates and fellow Chicago natives, A Lull.
The duo that make up Gauntlet Hair, now-Denver dwellers, are familiar with the names, faces and places of Chicago. The audience was filled with friends and family, and Gauntlet Hair gave shout outs to Mom and Dad. Oh, the sweet adoring families doting on their offspring on stage — a truly heart-melting occasion. Sentiment aside, the duo made sure this fact was known: their undeniable stage presence is a force to be reckoned with. Chicago is their home turf and it would have been a damn shame not to witness them in full-unabashed fervor.
Count me among the skeptics who will believe it when I see it, but there have been rumblings recently that the long-vacant 
The 
