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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Friday, March 29

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Transmission

US Air Guitar Tue Jun 10 2014

Nordic Thunder Returns to the US Air Guitar Semifinals

nordic2.jpgHalf the reason I went to my first air guitar competition was that I had a free ticket; the other half was to ditch a lame party that had gotten uncomfortable. By the evening's end I had become a full fledged, hard core, air guitar nerd. I watched the gripping and hilarious documentary Air Guitar Nation and became an avid fan of Chicago's own air guitar god, Nordic Thunder.

When I got the chance to interview Mr. Thunder himself, my geek levels went into overdrive. I nabbed the interview opportunity and immediately went into a panic: how could I possibly prepare for an interview with someone who's won a world championship for playing an instrument that doesn't even exist? What on earth could I ask the man that he hadn't already been asked? How could I possibly manage to simultaneously hold in my mind these two completely true facts: by night Nordic Thunder is a world champion air guitarist; by day he answers to the name Justin Howard and holds a steady job at Rotary International headquarters in Evanston? There was only one way to find out -- screw up my courage to actually talk to the man.

Continue reading this entry »

J.H. Palmer

US Air Guitar Thu Jun 28 2012

Air Guitar is Back in Chicago this Friday!

Nordic Thunder - US Air Guitar National Championship FinalsGet ready to shred some serious air! Air guitar is back in Chicago this Friday at the Metro. The Air Guitar Regional Competition will feature competitors from all over the Midwest, all vying for a spot at the US championship competition which will be held this year in Denver.

Tickets are available for the 9pm show at the Metro here. Doors open at 8pm.
Still not convinced you should go? Check out the interview with reigning US champion, Justin Howard -- or as he is known in the air guitar world, Nordic Thunder -- for some convincing reasons to head to the show.

Continue reading this entry »

Niki Fritz / Comments (1)

US Air Guitar Wed May 02 2012

US Air Guitar Chicago Regionals Come to the Metro June 29

usairguitar_200.jpgThe 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.

Continue reading this entry »

Andrew Huff / Comments (1)

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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.

Read this feature »

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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...
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