Illinois Entertainer

Local H
Time Marches On

It was fairly early on the fifth night of Local H’s seven-night stand at Beat Kitchen when it became apparent why the two-man outfit are so beloved locally, somewhere around when gruff but affable frontman Scott Lucas spit out “Fall Out Boy’s on the radio,” in the middle of fan favorite “California Songs.” Chicago loves Local H not only because they’re ours, but because the duo — including thrash-machine drummer Brian St. Clair — are not above us, and they get it.

Appearing: June 22nd at Metro in Chicago.

• Read more: Cover Story: Local H

It’s A Woman’s Woman’s Woman’s Woman’s (& Man’s) World

Bloodshot’s Nan Warshaw and Southport’s Joanie Pallatto might not agree on every talmudic aspect of running an independent record label, though neither would say being female has made any difference.

• Read more: Local Indie Label Special

R.E.M.
Old Tricks

Every iconic act is entitled to a dud or two, and Athens, Georgia’s elite R.E.M. are no exception. The jangle-pop purveyors-turned-alternative rock icons were generally consistent their first 20 years, though 2004’s sleeper Around The Sun was a black cloud. Beyond the project’s sluggish sales and critical lashing, frontman Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, and bassist Mike Mills admit it wasn’t a cornerstone collection, and cranked out a raucous, electricity-doused response via the new Accelerate (Warner Bros.).

Appearing: Friday, June 6th at United Center in Chicago.

• Read more: R.E.M. Interview

Nathan Explosion, frontman of Dethklok, was supposed to talk to “Caught In A Mosh” this month. As were guitarist Skwisgaar Skwigelf and drummer Pickles.

But a day before the interview I was informed I wouldn’t get to talk to any of the “Metalocalypse” stars (Toki Wartooth and William Murderface complete the band). Seems Explosion didn’t want to talk to a regular jack-off like me. Skwigelf said “Illinois Entertainer? Sounds dildos.”

• Read more: Caught In A Mosh: June 2008

The Internet Startups
Of Los Campesinos

A funny thing happened to seven university students in Wales who were well on their way to graduation a year ago: Their fledgling side-project (Los Campesinos) dropped a debut single (”You! Me! Dancing!”) that not only became an overnight Internet sensation, but also the biggest next big thing to happen to U.K. pop music since (insert fave band name here) were the big next biggest thing.

• Read more: Los Campesinos interview

Slim Cessna’s Auto Club
It’s Only Rock And Roll?

Not to complain about a job many people consider pretty damn sweet — talking to famous musicians and writing a story about it — but doing a piece on Slim Cessna’s Auto Club is tough.

Appearing: Friday, June 6th at Reggie’s in Chicago.

• Read more: Slim Cessna’s Auto Club interview

Hello, My Name Is Dave
Q&A With Iron Maiden’s Dave Murray

IE: Talk about milestones: Vans has actually made official Iron Maiden skate shoes, featuring the “Killers” and “Trooper” Eddie artwork by Derek Riggs.

Dave Murray: I know! I’ve seen ‘em walking around at our shows. Sometimes by themselves! But it’s something that teenagers tend to like, especially if they’re Iron Maiden fans, as well.

• Read more: Hello, My Name Is Dave

I Got Down On My Knees And I Began To Shoot

Annie Leibovitz was rock’s best-known photographer long before the Miley Cyrus incident, with Linda McCartney running a close second. Still, many musicians from the mid-’60s on have posed for Henry Diltz. His accomplishments have been given an epic treatment via a limited-edition, leather-and-denim-bound book entitled California Dreaming (Genesis Publications LTD).

• Read more: File: June 2008

“That was one of the things about just taking something about relationships that you don’t necessarily hear in music all the time, and that [is] all too real, and that everyone goes through,” Lucas offers. “But, you don’t hear about that stuff, people would rather talk about how their love is as big as an ocean, or something stupid and that has absolutely no fucking meaning and doesn’t mean anything to anybody.”

• Read more: Local H 2

“One of the ideas of going with it, the 12 months, was that you could sort of go back and forth,” he continues, “so, say on something like ‘Summer Of Boats,’ when you’re talking about it happening in May and you’re starting to accept that this is over, and then you go over the next three months, and you still don’t accept it, you go back the other direction, and then you have to go through this whole acceptance situation again, four months later.”

• Read more: Local H 3

I’m Not There
The Weinstein Company

How strange is it to be Bob Dylan? On one hand, you’re revered as one of the most respected and influential artists in the history of music. Every bit of your work is dissected, annotated, and sifted through for every possible meaning. On the other, your past achievements are held in such esteem that it’s often forgotten you’re still producing new material and are, in fact, still among the living.

• Read more: DVD Zone: June 2008

Can’t Stop Now (Electro-Fi) by Juno Award winning keyboardist/singer-songwriter Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne is a CD to get excited about. Recorded in various locations from St. Louis to Whitehorse, Canada, it is a pleasing gumbo of contemporary and traditional blues with a distinctive New Orleans flavor.

• Read more: Boogie Woogie Chillun

The most witty, politically incisive talk show on the radio doesn’t air on a commercial station.

It’s engineered by students, who are trained on the job.

And the host isn’t paid.

• Read more: This Is Hell! Turns 10

At COMFORTZONE RECORDS in Oswego, Dbl-Shot, featuring Chicago songwriter/vocalist/guitarist John Mark Iverson (The Speedways/ LEVEL), recorded. The project was produced by Johnny Mack . . . Comfortzone recently completed remodeling.

• Read more: Area Studio Happenings

RANDALL
Kirk Hammett RM100KH

Randall’s Kirk Hammett signature RM100KH amp not only offers a general array of guitar tones that have been longtime favorites of the acclaimed Metallica guitarist, but it offers these tones in a unique historical order.

• Read more: Play ‘Em All