Recent Articles
The Wiitala Brothers preview
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 […]
Gear: October 2009
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 […]
Studiophile: October 2009
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 […]
Spins: Richard Thompson
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 […]
Spins: Radiohead
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.
Around Hear: October 2009
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 […]
Media: October 2009
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 […]
Sweet Home: October 2009
Delmark Delivers Blues History Chicago remains a blues mecca, even in the face of distracting new-millennium antics of Chi-town musicians like Kanye West and R. Kelly. Despite this and a lengthy gospel, R&B, and jazz legacy, Chicago’s blues heritage towers over them all. It Ain’t Over (Delmark) showcases exactly why this is, a DVD packed […]
Caught In A Mosh: October 2009
The Seven Wonders Planet Metal can do no wrong. Fifteen months after launching, founder Chris Black (Superchrist, Pharaoh) has yet to put his label’s logo on a bad or even so-so album. Everything is gold. O.K., I haven’t heard PM001, Sentenced‘s “The Glow Of 1000 Suns/ Amok Run” 7-inch, but PM002 through PM007 are scalding. […]
DVD Zone: October 2009
Listen. I’m gonna drop a little knowledge on you. It may seem a bit controversial, perhaps even scandalous, but you need to hear it: Summer is overrated.
5th Annual Pygmalion Music Fest live!
Various clubs, Champaign-Urbana September 16-19, 2009 Begun in 2005, Pygmalion takes advantage of assets that often remain unrelated: the University Of Illinois’ 40,000 students; two cities — Champaign & Urbana — located within a three-hour radius of Indianapolis, Chicago, and St. Louis; a thriving local music scene; two prominent record labels, Polyvinyl and Parasol; […]
Poco preview
Cubby Bear, Chicago Friday, September 25, 2009 Despite being a hitching post for a number of big-time ’60s and ’70s rockers and an important torchbearer during country rock’s lean years, few people really know Poco, much less know to seek specific info about the version popping up at Cubby Bear on Friday: Who’s in it?
Oh My God preview
Double Door, Chicago Saturday, September 26, 2009 All summer, in anticipation of Oh My God’s The Night Undoes The Work Of The Day (Split Red), I’ve been writing in “File” about the Chicago band’s massive, organ-ish keyboard attack. Well, the album arrived. No organs.
Soulsavers preview
Double Door, Chicago Sunday, September 27, 2009 Despite the weight of his contributions, Soulsavers is not Mark Lanegan. It’s nothing to do with Greg Dulli either, though the English group’s noir-rock feel is a sister sound and thus why Lanegan seems so integral to their music.
Ellnora Guitar Festival review!
Krannert Center For The Performing Arts, Urbana September 10-12, 2009 For its third biennial guitar festival, Krannert Center For the Performing Arts on the University Of Illinois campus has changed the name. The Festival formerly known as “Wall to Wall” is now called “Ellnora: The Guitar Festival.” With that name change came a subtle focus […]
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