Illinois Entertainer

Mudvayne
Two Is Better Than One

Though Mudvayne’s new album, The New Game, comes out November 18th, it actually could have been in fans’ hands last November 18th. See, a funny thing happened when vocalist Chad Gray, guitarist Greg Tribbett, bassist Ryan Martinie, and drummer Matt McDonough finished recording the album (with producer Dave Fortman) a year-and-a-half ago: They decided not to release it.

Appearing: Tuesday, December 2nd at House Of Blues in Chicago.

• Read more: Cover story: Mudvayne

Blitzen Trapper
Werewolves Of Portland

The Internet has cost musicians the ability to surprise. As soon as they record and upload anything worth hearing, their work goes viral. So by the time there’s an album’s worth of songs, the public has nothing but backlash. Not only have we stripped them of the power to change your life (as NME used to tout), but by exposing young artists so early we’ve sent this country’s infant-band-mortality rate sky high.

Appearing: Sunday, November 9th at Schubas in Chicago.

• Read more: Blitzen Trapper interview

Pay To Play?
The Chicago Promoter’s Ordinance In Progress

No matter what side of the music industry one comes from (promoter, artist, record label, press, or fan), chances are rumblings of the “Event Promoter’s Ordinance” have trickled into conversation. Ever since pyrotechnics started by hair metal mavens Great White killed 100 at a Rhode Island nightclub in 2003 or, more locally, the E2 nightclub stampede that left 21 dead and more than 50 injured, several measures have been taken to advocate promoter compliance with fire codes and overall concert safety.

• Read more: The Chicago Promoter’s Ordinance

Tom Lanham’s Panic Attack
By Tom Lanham

It was one of those rare, what-the-fuck moments where you stumble upon something so incredibly odd, so completely unexpected and incongruous, that it simply stops you dead in your dumfounded tracks. And it’s a story that simply gets stranger with each retelling.

• Read more: Tom Lanham’s Panic Attack

Illinois Entertainer Endorses . . .

Barack Obama seems the obvious choice, right? He’s not only a political son of our great state, but also a proud Hyde Parker. He’s not 200-years old, doesn’t have a state-trooper-firin’, book-bannin’, moose-shootin’, embarrassingly unqualified VP candidate, and he speaks so well and confidently, we want him to read us to sleep every night. It also seems he’s against dropping bombs and imprisoning every A-rab in the world. Nice.

But we’re pulling the wildcard

• Read more: File: November 2008

Hello, My Name Is David
Q&A With David Grisman

IE: Is there still passionate debate about what does and doesn’t constitute bluegrass?
David Grisman: I imagine so, in some circles at least.

• Read more: Hello, My Name Is David

Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull
Paramount

When you’re dealing with one of the most successful franchises in film history, it’s awfully hard to resist the lure of “just one more.” Producer George Lucas, director Steven Spielberg, and Indy himself Harrison Ford all gave in to temptation and dug out the whip and fedora for one more go ’round with Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull.

• Read more: DVD Zone: November 2008 – Indy Rocks!

Pete Berwick started his new, 18-song album at SKYE BLUE STUDIOS in Villa Park. Berwick is recording his third album with his most recent band, The Renegades (guitarist Rick Devries, bassist Nick Verbik, and drummer Rob Surey), and co-producer Jason Botka. It should be out in early ‘09.

• Read more: Local Studio Happenings

Many CDs have been unreviewed during the past few months as I have focused more on the news side of the business. In a slight change of format, I will devote this entire column to playing catch up with pithy reviews of CDs from legends and newcomers alike, covering the gamut of traditional blues to soul, R&B, rock ‘n’ roll, swamp boogie, and Chicago blues.

• Read more: Reviewapalooza

AT&T hypes its new U-verse digital TV system as “advanced TV that brings consumers a revolutionary new ent-ertainment experience that’s cooler than cable.”

U-verse boasts something like 900 channels (including more than 41 in high definition) and a DVR that can record four shows at once.

But activists say it doesn’t give consumers easy access to government, educational, and public-access channels. You know, the ones where you can watch local concerts and city council meetings and find out about school closings and emergency alerts.

• Read more: Public Acess Under Siege

HOTTIE AMPLIFIERS
2009 Hottie Custom

Made from the body of a vintage General Electric toaster (you heard right), Hottie Amplifiers has introduced an updated version of its original Hottie Amp with the 2009 Hottie Custom.

• Read more: Toasty!

Bible Of The Devil’s new album (out this month) is called Freedom Metal. Initially this isn’t that eyebrow raising, certainly not controversial, but the Chicago band, which tours Europe yearly, is prepared for a backlash nonetheless.

Fuck. Remember “freedom fries”?

• Read more: Home Of The Free?

“Around Hear” is a monthly feature where a stable of IE writers review albums sent to us by local musicians. If you are interested in having your CD (must have a minimum of three songs) reviewed and are Illinois-based, mail it and any other media materials to 657 A W. Lake St., Chicago IL, 60661. Everything that meets the aforementioned guidelines will be reviewed in the order received. This may take several months.

After performing in various incarnations for seven years, The Brother Whys cemented its current line-up and recorded I Wrote This With Our Bare Hands. One third the Pixies, another part Built To Spill, and pieces of the Smoking Popes permeate the project, starting with the laid-back melodic indie popper “Thumbtacks,” the multi-layered experimentation of “Charts And Maps,” plus the post punk power of “River Black.” Add polished, but not overly glossy, production and this co-ed six piece’s priorities are finally in place. (www.myspace.com/thebrotherwhys)
– Andy Argyrakis

• Read more: Local CD Reviews

TV On The Radio
Riviera, Chicago
Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Shortly before the end of TV On The Radio’s Wednesday-night stint, the group’s show became too expansive to merely be contained on the Riviera’s stage. For “Let The Devil In,” the band was joined by a slew of accompanying musicians, including percussionists wielding maracas, extra drums, a tambourine, and much more. The numbers on stage became so many, the outfit’s horn trio relocated to one of the venue’s side balconies, resulting in a performance that featured no less than 13 players.

• Read more: TV On The Radio live!

King Khan & The BBQ Show
Bottom Lounge, Chicago
Friday, October 31, 2008

Who knows why it happens, but every few years a simple garage rock band captures the (indie) zeitgeist, begging us not to retreat to our flaccid existences.

• Read more: King Khan & The BBQ Show preview