Recent Articles
Florence + The Machine live!
House Of Blues, Chicago Monday, April 12, 2010 Florence Welch is no fluke. The British 23-year-old wowed an already converted, sold-out audience during her debut Chicago appearance. In just over an hour, the fiery redhead’s bellowing vocals and surprisingly demure demeanor brought her lone album, Lungs to life with the determination of a woman poised […]
Lazer Crystal preview
Hideout, Chicago Saturday, April 17, 2010 Comparing an electronic act to Kraftwerk is usually as helpful as dubbing an acoustic-folkie “Dylanesque,” not to mention a lazy approach to ingesting a new artist’s music. Guilty as charged, then.
Charlotte Gainsbourg, AM preview
Park West, Chicago Wednesday, April 21, 2010 Charlotte Gainsbourg almost died a couple years ago. So the fact she’s touring is pretty good.
International Pop Overthrow preview
Various clubs, Chicago Thursday, April 22 to Saturday, May 1, 2010 Midway through a telephone interview, International Pop Overthrow founder David Bash is happy to hear about someone becoming an instant fan of The Lackloves after seeing the Milwaukee-based band perform at a Chicago IPO gig.
The Soft Pack, Male Bonding preview
Empty Bottle, Chicago Friday, April 9, 2010 What’s in a name? Apparently not much. Before they were The Soft Pack they were The Muslims, though that’s where the daring ended.
Hugh Cornwell preview
Abbey Pub, Chicago Saturday, April 10, 2010 “My Generation” and its ilk get more ridiculous each time their creators perform them, but 30-years later “Peaches” is just coming into its own.
Adam Green preview
Schubas, Chicago Thursday, April 15, 2010 Like The Frogs, it seems it’s easier to find people who shiver at the thought of Adam Green than support him.
CHIRP Record Fair!
Journeyman Plumbers Union, Chicago This weekend (April 10th and 11th) is the Chicago Independent Radio Project (CHIRP)’s annual record fair, once again in the West Loop at 1340 W. Washington.
Cover Story: Bernard Sumner
Don’t Sweat The Technique The odds of a band breaking big are astronomical enough, but what are the chances it will happen twice let alone three or perhaps even four times for the same artist under different incarnations?
Kate Nash interview
No More Pissing And Moaning When English folk-rocker Kate Nash closes an album, she really knows how to do it in fine sardonic style. Ergo, “I Hate Seagulls” stands as the coda to her lovably droll new sophomore set, My Best Friend Is You, wherein she sunnily chirrups down a huge list of everything she […]
Dr. Dog interview
No Shame In Trying Scott McMicken possesses a long-windedness normally associated with blathering history professors and parents gushing over week-old bundles of joy. It’s a wonder the Dr. Dog guitarist/vocalist can pare his thoughts enough to squeeze them into the Philly-based band’s four-minute-or-less compositions on Shame, Shame — let alone sharing songwriting duties with bassist/vocalist […]
The Felix Culpa interview
Planting New Seeds It’s an unseasonably warm January night at Metro, and the Wrigleyville concert hall is respectably and, surprisingly, full. Respectably because, while not sold-out, the turnout is full of passionate fans, all out to witness the triumphant live return of an act that’s been all but M.I.A. from the local-music circuit for the […]
Stone Temple Pilots live!
Riviera, Chicago Saturday, March 27, 2010 After a five-year hiatus, which included the formation of several new groups, a couple of solo albums, and several stints in rehab, the ’90s’ other grunge pioneers Stone Temple Pilots have reunited for a tour and a new album.
Michael Bublé live!
Allstate Arena, Rosemont Saturday, March 27, 2010 If it seems like Michael Bublé exploded from obscurity to being able to sell out arenas in a finger snap, that’s because the 34-year-old was instantly embraced for his ability to juggle traditional ideals with contemporary pop appeal. Raised just as much on Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin […]
Puscifer live!
Vic, Chicago Saturday, March 27, 2010 In some ways, Puscifer’s Saturday-night set — if not the band’s entire approach and aesthetic — shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise. After all, frontman Maynard James Keenan is no stranger to elaborate stage props and jarring costumes.
Recent Comments