All Entries in the "Featured" Category
Hey Champ at SXSW!
Vice, Austin, TX
Thursday, March 18th, 2010
It was around midnight last night when Hey Champ took the stage at dance club/rock venue Vice, which, while hardly late by SXSW standards, was still almost an hour-and-a-half after than the band’s initially set start time. Yet the room didn’t seem to mind too much, as the assembled crowd [...]
Megadeth live!
Murat Theatre, Indianapolis
Thursday, March 11, 2010
“We know why we’re here, so let’s stop fucking around.” With that Dave Mustaine declaration, Megadeth launched into “Holy Wars . . . The Punishment Due” and Tom Araya was immediately forgiven for the American Carnage tour.
Ray Davies live!
Riviera, Chicago
Saturday, March 13, 2010
A show that could have been billed AcoustiKinks ambled along smoothly if unexceptionally on Saturday night, until Ray Davies remembered from whence he came.
Scout Niblett preview
Schubas, Chicago
Friday, March 19, 2010
That Scout Niblett can make a recording so similar to PJ Harvey’s first two albums and have it be one of her most accessible really says something. Good thing they aren’t too similar, though.
The Appleseed Cast preview
Bottom Lounge, Chicago
Friday, March 19, 2010
While sure to upset a lot of bands (if not only because it calls them “emo”), “emo’s just a phase” is both true for a lot of youngsters as well as being to blame for some missed career transformations.
Win ‘Blood Into Wine’ Tickets
Now’s your chance to win two passes to the Chicago viewing of Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan’s film documentary on March 25th.
Empires live!
JBTV Studios, Chicago
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
When treated as concerts, televised band performances can be a mixed bag. It would be all too easy for artists to treat such a venture as little more than a promotional exercise, one that doesn’t “count” and ends up more phoned-in than anything. Which is what made last night’s Empires [...]
H.I.M. interview
Life In Theory And Practive
“This particular record is a funny one for me, because when I started working on the first songs, I kind of had lost hope in relationships altogether. I’m a bad boyfriend, let’s put it that way. But then, I kind of fell head over heels for somebody during the process, and [...]
John Butler Trio live!
Lincoln Hall, Chicago
Monday, February 15, 2010
Those concerned by the inherent radio friendliness of “One Way Road” – the first single from the John Butler Trio’s forthcoming album, April Uprising — can breathe easy. Using Monday night’s sold-out show at Lincoln Hall as a gauge, the songs populating the band’s fifth studio release retain Butler’s unwavering [...]
Cover Story: Billy Corgan
It’s Only Just Begun
If the adage holds true – that “rich is the examined life” – then it’s about time for society, as a whole, to grab its pipe and slippers, curl up in its comfiest recliner, and have a long, hard thoughtful stare into the ice-cold mirror. Chances are, Snow White’s unforgiving Maleficent might [...]
Joe Pug interview
Messenger Service
Joe Pug doesn’t want you to poach his music from illicit Web sites; rather he wants to give it to you . . . for free. And he hopes you’ll share it with others. Simply e-mail the Chicago-based singer/songwriter or sign up for his mailing list to receive sampler CDs meant for your personal [...]
Four Tet interview
In The Moment
Talking with Kieran Hebden in the dawn of 2010, it’s evident that the electronic producer known as Four Tet is doing exactly what he wants to with his music and life. Throughout our conversation, this Londoner sounds genuinely enthusiastic about his work and doesn’t talk about “what if” scenarios or dwell on what [...]
Carter Moss’ 2009
You thought we were done? Nothing’s over until we decide it is!
Andy Argyrakis’ Top Albums Of ‘09
1) Yeah Yeah Yeahs It’s Blitz! (Interscope)
Karen O and company deliver their most accessible punk-tipped offering to date, complete with a new found dance-floor sensibility. But even with the widening of their sonic palette, the group retain their gustsy charisma and raucous overtones.
2009 Top 10 “Forstnegers”
Late in the year, I asked our contributors for year-end Top 10 lists on anything they chose. Patrick Conlan, sick bastard he is, spent the year compiling his favorite “Forstnegers.” Each month, I, Editor Steve Forstneger, compile a list of the albums received at the office, attaching brief descriptions to help the writers pick what [...]
