Lovers Lane
In The Flesh

Archive for September, 2009

Cover Story: Riot Fest 2009

Cover Story: Riot Fest 2009

| September 30, 2009 | 0 Comments

Rocket To L.A. Music festivals tend to have an air of inclusion, a come-one come-all embrace that promises big-name acts and a sprinkling of enticing openers. Riot Fest, since its 2004 Chicago debut, has been different. This isn’t to say it’s exclusionary or private, but it’s punk rock by and for punk rockers. Headliners such […]

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Christopher O’Riley interview

Christopher O’Riley interview

| September 30, 2009 | 0 Comments

Fusion In D-Minor There’s bit of the angel and the devil to acclaimed, Chicago native Christopher O’Riley. On one hand, there’s the Van Cliburn-prize finalist, classical pianist recorder/performer, and 10-year host of NPR’s highly rated show, “From The Top”; O’Riley’s the championed poster child (if not savior) of classical music in the modern era. On […]

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Karl Denson interview

Karl Denson interview

| September 30, 2009 | 2 Comments

The Old Switcheroo Don’t judge a man by his ringtone. While Karl Denson may pull down the funkiest riffs on the sax and flute (take that, Ian Anderson) this side of a Tarantino flick, his main connection to the outside world alerts him of incoming calls with the fervor of a Kenny G track. Appearing: […]

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Say Anything interview

Say Anything interview

| September 30, 2009 | 0 Comments

Alive With The Glory Of Love For awhile there, it seemed like Max Bemis might just end up as pop punk’s permanent and resident trainwreck. Diagnosed with bi-polar disorder following the release of his band Say Anything’s 2004 breakthrough release . . . Is A Real Boy (J), Bemis’ story became one of drugs and […]

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Thirsty Whale Reunion

Thirsty Whale Reunion

| September 30, 2009 | 32 Comments

In The Belly Of The Thirsty Whale It was more than 20 years ago that I last set foot inside the Thirsty Whale. The band was Holland, on the eve of their Atlantic Records release, Little Monsters. Former B’zz singer Tommy Holland had assembled a new outfit, and I was excited to see what they […]

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Web Exclusive: More Whale Memories

Web Exclusive: More Whale Memories

| September 30, 2009 | 8 Comments

The Thirsty Whale Reunion All The Whale Memories Unfit To Print Joe Cantafio: “We were so young. I was the old guy at 19, but my brother and two of the other guys were 16 in the band, performing at the Whale and nobody knew it, nobody knew they were that young. And that was […]

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Hello, My Name Is Nils

Hello, My Name Is Nils

| September 30, 2009 | 0 Comments

Q&A With Nils Lofgren IE: What are you doing in your spare time? Nils Lofgren: Just relax for awhile until I get back to my next action, probably a solo album for next year, get some more beginner lessons [online] for my guitar school. I just found out I like to teach and so many […]

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File: October 2009

File: October 2009

| September 30, 2009 | 0 Comments

The Long Voyage Home With cranky, indie curmudgeons berating us, we at IE developed a complex about some of the music we praised in the ’80s, but no more! Maybe it’s an empowerment from this month’s Thirsty Whale reunion or finally locating the courage to call Steve Albini a Mr. Meany Pants, we’re back to […]

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The Wiitala Brothers preview

The Wiitala Brothers preview

| September 30, 2009 | 0 Comments

The Wiitala Brothers Schubas, Chicago Tuesday, October 6, 2009 Before we dig into influences and who brings what to the table, let’s get one thing out of the way: Chicago’s Wiitala Brothers have not hitched their wagon to moniker-punctuation ’09, a.k.a. the double “i” bands like Miike Snow and Sliimy. Maybe they’re Finnish (slick-skating defenseman […]

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Gear: October 2009

Gear: October 2009

| September 30, 2009 | 0 Comments

Gibson Zoot Suit LG Guitar Let’s face it, Gibson Guitars’ Zoot Suit SG maybe the ugliest guitar we’ve seen in the last several years. But sometimes ugly is cool. Cherry Poppin’ Daddies‘ leader Steve Perry has teamed up with the legendary manufacturer to take blame for this beauty. The Zoot Suit SG is a “guitar […]

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Studiophile: October 2009

Studiophile: October 2009

| September 30, 2009 | 2 Comments

Neil Larsen The name Neil Larsen might not immediately jump off the page to average music fans, but to those in the know, he’s a legendary keyboardist with credits on some 150 prominent albums. And he just so happens to be on one of this decade’s most anticipated tours, linking up with the legendary Leonard […]

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Spins: Richard Thompson

Spins: Richard Thompson

| September 30, 2009 | 0 Comments

Richard Thompson Walking On A Wire (1968-2009) (Shout Factory) Somewhere early on in his career Richard Thompson got tagged as one of the great guitarists, but I’ve never thought it was true. He is an exceptional guitarist no doubt, but he is absolutely a great songwriter. And it’s great songs that last. There are 71 […]

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Spins: Radiohead

Spins: Radiohead

| September 30, 2009 | 0 Comments

Radiohead Kid A/Amnesiac/Hail To The Thief (Capitol) Where were you on October 3rd, 2000? Did you raise a glass to pop music as it tied a kerchief to a stick and set off down the tracks? Look around you now: Nothing has been the same since.

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Around Hear: October 2009

Around Hear: October 2009

| September 30, 2009 | 0 Comments

Local Band Reviews Add American Draft to Chicago’s instrumental rock pedigree. The band’s second full-length release, the eight-track Hawk On Coachhouse, is like a less frenetic Mastodon minus the vocals. The title track showcases its multi-layered guitar attack, with variations on a soaring/airy riff. Harder-rocking tracks like “Diet Of Worms” and “Tree Of Woe” are […]

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Media: October 2009

Media: October 2009

| September 30, 2009 | 1 Comment

Pod-A-Palooza Steve Dahl unveiled his new weekday webcast September 8th (www.dahl.com), just after deadline time. The CBS Radio-sponsored show allows Dahl a chance to talk to his fans – something he hasn’t been able to do since CBS took him off WJMK-FM (104.3) late last year, and he won’t be able to return to the […]

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