ilentertainer's Latest Posts
DVD Zone: December 2008
DVD Zone The 2008 Holiday DVD Gift Guide So the economy’s in the tank. Big deal. That shouldn’t keep you from treating those you hold near and dear to some great DVD sets this holiday season. Besides, you’d just spend the money foolishly on stuff like the mortgage, rent, food, or whatever. C’mon, anybody can […]
Lucky Number 53
It’s an awfully clichĂ© way to start an article, but the third time truly was a charm for Jim Johnson, owner of Planet10studios in Palatine. Planet10 is what used to be Studio 53, an iconic Chicagoland recording studio home to iconic Chicagoland recorders like Bob Blum, Don Griffin, and the late Jerry Soto. It was […]
Still Cyco After All These Years?
I try not to be too much of a fanboy in this column, but when I found out Suicidal Tendencies was playing House Of Blues December 10th, I almost cried.
Barack Rocks The (White) House
While watching the celebration unfold in Grant Park last month on television, in which Presidentâelect Barack Obama celebrated his victory with some 240,000 jubilant supporters, I felt as though I was watching another type of history in the making. Racial stereotypes were being shattered left and right as the major networks and cable channels sent […]
Reasons To Be Cheerful, Pt. 1
Last month’s firing of radio legend Steve Dahl and his staff was shocking â but not out of character â for CBS Radio. A few weeks earlier, B96’s longtime morning team, Eddie Volkman and Joe “Jobo” Bohannon, were dumped by CBS Radio with eight months left in their contracts â and no chance to say […]
Suite Software & Rockin’ Shirts
VOX JamVOX Vox‘s acclaimed JamVOX practice module and software suite includes recreations of 19 famous guitar amps and 54 classic effects. This lets aspiring guitarists reproduce their six-string heroes’ tones while playing along to the supplied 28 classic rock-song soundtrack, including The Beatles’ “Day Tripper,” Pearl Jam’s “Alive,” and Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.”
Local CD Reviews
“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. […]
Jason Mraz & Lisa Hannigan live!
Jason Mraz, Lisa Hannigan Aragon, Chicago November 22, 2008 Forget about the screaming girls for a minute. Forget about the cheesy predilection for hats. Forget about the gimmicky routines instituted to spur a rapt crowd to simultaneous action and all the other reasons Jason Mraz inspires eye-rolling among those who wouldn’t be caught dead dancing […]
Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, & Thrice live!
Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, Thrice Congress Theater, Chicago Thursday, November 20, 2008 Early in their Thursday-night set at Congress, Rise Against performed against a massive backdrop with the word RISE looming prominently. It seemed fitting, as the band has risen from the ranks of suburban sensation to national power punk staple. And while it could […]
Calexico live!
Calexico Metro, Chicago Friday, November 21, 2008 One can always count on Tucson, Arizona-based Calexico to throw a party, but a straightforward rock show? That’s like Dave Matthews crashing a White Stripes gig â strange, but not totally unbelievable.
The Herbaliser live!
The Herbaliser Darkroom, Chicago Tuesday, November 18, 2008 London’s The Herbaliser don’t make it across the pond to play very often. But in support of their latest album, Same As It Never Was, this hip-hop-rooted collective, led by Jake Wherry and Ollie Teeba, stopped by The Darkroom as part of a rare North American tour.
Jeremy Enigk & Alex Chilton previewed
Jeremy Enigk | Alex Chilton Bottom Lounge | Old Town School Of Folk Music, Chicago Wednesday, December 3 | Saturday, December 6, 2008 Jeremy Enigk hasn’t willed himself into obscurity quite the way Alex Chilton has, but as the former frontman of a beloved, obsessed-upon cult band his legend far outstrips his draw.
Wanna Be An IE Intern?
Intern Wanted! Chicago-based music monthly Illinois Entertainer seeks an editorial intern for immediate opening. Candidate must be passionate about all forms of pop music and have a feel for the local scene and industry. A background in journalism is a must, as is a grasp of the written language and a desire to hone your […]
Wild Beasts reviewed
Wild Beasts Limbo, Panto (Domino) It takes special circumstances to make the music public pine for hyper-literate, ultra-confident, flamboyant, British art-school types — but that’s the angular, post punk world we inhabit.
Beyoncé reviewed
BeyoncĂ© I Am . . . Sasha Fierce (Columbia) The success BeyoncĂ©’s fans have handed her is disproportionate to what the former Destiny’s Child has given back. Currently she’s brandishing a singular talent to slice a project directly down the middle — and still render it uneven.
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