Illinois Entertainer

The Unholy Bible

Slayer guitarist Kerry King knows Chicago very well. Of course he knows many places extremely well because Slayer have now been touring the world for more than 20 years. But for Chicago, and more specifically the Aragon Ballroom, he reserves a special place in his heart. As nearly any band that have ever opened for Slayer will likely attest, it ain’t an easy gig. There may not be a fanbase in the history of music that has the reputation of Slayer’s, which, with teeth bared, hackles raised, and eyes squinted, loves to pounce on an opening band as if they were three-legged gazelles.

• Read more: Cover Story: Slayer

Tags:Features, Kerry King, Monthly, Slayer Tom Araya

INXS, Scott Stapp
Rosemont Theatre, Rosemont
Tuesday, May 23, 2006

While the rest of the country was busy picking the next “American Idol” the Tuesday before last, a former rock idol and a new “rock star” stormed the sold-out Rosemont Theatre. But this wasn’t just another ’80s rock sensation attempting to revive their career with a reunion tour — it was a chance for a new talent to prove himself.

• Read more: INXS, Scott Stapp live

Tags:Creed, INXS, JD Fortune, Live Reviews, Scott Stapp Weekly

The Giraffes
Logan Sq. Auditorium, Chicago
Thursday, June 1, 2006

Apparently The Giraffes don’t like Chuck Eddy.

• Read more: Giraffes preview

Tags:Chuck Eddy, Giraffes, Stage Buzz, Stage Buzz Weekly

Tilly & The Wall
Abbey, Chicago
Tuesday, June 6, 2006

Not to be negative, but it wouldn’t work to Tilly & The Wall’s favor to get huge. The five-piece (sometimes more) have discovered a particularly addictive brand of twee pop of the sort that’s on the rise (Decemberists, Shins, etc.), but have one element best appreciated in small clubs: Jamie Williams, tap dancer.

• Read more: Tilly & The Wall preview

Tags:Stage Buzz, Team Love, Tilly & The Wall Weekly

We’ve done this story way too many times: A well-liked, well-known local musician is blind-sided by some sort of medical emergency – be it disease or accident – that leaves him laid up in a hospital. And because he’s a working musician, there is no health insurance.

• Read more: Charitably, Come

Tags:Andy Hopkins, Billy Branch, Bobby Conn, Eddie Clearwater, Hushdrops, Joe Camarillo, Jon Langford, Kelly Hogan, News, Nora O'Connor, patrick stump, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Siderunners, Super Stolie, The Ex, Waco Brothers Weekly

Peeping Tom
Peeping Tom
(Ipecac)

Guest-loaded, long-awaited Mike Patton project might be his first work in years to appeal to conservative Faith No More fans — maybe.

• Read more: Peeping Tom

Tags:Amon Tobin, Bebel Gilberto, Dan The Automator, Dub Trio, Faith No More, Kid Koala, Massive Attack, Mike Patton, Norah Jones, Peeping Tom, Rahzel, Spins Weekly

Tea Leaf Green
Taught To Be Proud
(Reincarnate)

Jammy-award upstarts Tea Leaf Green meld downer reborn-speak with toe-tapping, hemp grooves.

• Read more: Tea Leaf Green

Tags:Spins, Tea Leaf Green Weekly

Depeche Mode
Speak & Spell/Music For The Masses/Violator
(Rhino)

Massive reissue campaign for Depeche Mode’s core albums tallies a “dexuxe edition” CD and accompanying DVD for each.

• Read more: Depeche Mode Reissues

Tags:Depeche Mode, Spins, synth Weekly

Sam Roberts
Chemical City
(Secret Brain/Fontana)

Perennial Juno Award nominee Sam Roberts, despite the exploits of fellow Candaian success stories, has been unable to crack the States.

• Read more: Sam Roberts

Tags:Juno Awards, Sam Roberts, Spins Weekly

Kris Kristofferson
Live From Austin TX
(New West)

Drafted from a full “Austin City Limits” concert that was edited into a half-hour TV program in 1981, Live From Austin TX compiles mainly unreleased performances.

• Read more: Kris Kristofferson

Tags:Austin City Limits, Kris Kristofferson, Spins Weekly

DeVotchKa
Curse Your Little Heart
(Ace Fu)

A covers EP with an LP’s heart, DeVotchKa’s cinematic treatises recall both Calexico and The Arcade Fire.

• Read more: DeVotchKa

Tags:Arcade Fire, DeVotchKa, Spins Weekly

Scott Solter
One River
(Tell All)

John Vanderslice’s aide-de-camp in the studio pours forth his second ambient work.

• Read more: Scott Solter

Tags:John Vanderslice, Scott Solter, Spins Weekly

Space Needle
Recordings 1994-1997
(Eenie Meenie)

Ignored Rhode Island indie rockers finally get their due on this selective reissue.

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Tags:Anders Parker, Space Needle, Spins, Varnaline Weekly

Cheap Trick
The Rockford Files

You know the old saying, ‘If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere’?” asks Cheap Trick’s lead guitarist and main songwriter Rick Nielsen. “I say, ‘If you can make it in Rockford, you can make it anywhere.’”

Appearing 9/3 at Ravinia in Highland Park.

• Read more: Cheap Trick

Tags:Cheap Trick, Features, Monthly, Rick Nielsen Rockford

Office
Party

It continues to surprise people that NBC’s “The Office” is a near-identical cop of a British sitcom bearing the same name. Chicago’s Office were likewise born of an idea hatched in London, though their origins and subsequent migration are hardly the stuff of cultural assimilation.

Appearing: 6/16 at Empty Bottle (1035 N. Western) in Chicago.

• Read more: Office

Tags:Features, Monthly, Office Scott Masson