Recent Articles
Local Studio Happenings
Pete Berwick started his new, 18-song album at SKYE BLUE STUDIOS in Villa Park. Berwick is recording his third album with his most recent band, The Renegades (guitarist Rick Devries, bassist Nick Verbik, and drummer Rob Surey), and co-producer Jason Botka. It should be out in early ’09.
Reviewapalooza
Many CDs have been unreviewed during the past few months as I have focused more on the news side of the business. In a slight change of format, I will devote this entire column to playing catch up with pithy reviews of CDs from legends and newcomers alike, covering the gamut of traditional blues to […]
Public Acess Under Siege
AT&T hypes its new U-verse digital TV system as “advanced TV that brings consumers a revolutionary new ent-ertainment experience that’s cooler than cable.” U-verse boasts something like 900 channels (including more than 41 in high definition) and a DVR that can record four shows at once. But activists say it doesn’t give consumers easy access […]
Toasty!
HOTTIE AMPLIFIERS 2009 Hottie Custom Made from the body of a vintage General Electric toaster (you heard right), Hottie Amplifiers has introduced an updated version of its original Hottie Amp with the 2009 Hottie Custom.
Home Of The Free?
Bible Of The Devil’s new album (out this month) is called Freedom Metal. Initially this isn’t that eyebrow raising, certainly not controversial, but the Chicago band, which tours Europe yearly, is prepared for a backlash nonetheless. Fuck. Remember “freedom fries”?
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. […]
TV On The Radio live!
TV On The Radio Riviera, Chicago Wednesday, October 22, 2008 Shortly before the end of TV On The Radio’s Wednesday-night stint, the group’s show became too expansive to merely be contained on the Riviera’s stage. For “Let The Devil In,” the band was joined by a slew of accompanying musicians, including percussionists wielding maracas, extra […]
King Khan & The BBQ Show preview
King Khan & The BBQ Show Bottom Lounge, Chicago Friday, October 31, 2008 Who knows why it happens, but every few years a simple garage rock band captures the (indie) zeitgeist, begging us not to retreat to our flaccid existences.
Conor Oberst preview
Conor Oberst Vic Theatre, Chicago Friday, October 31, 2008 Saturday, November 1, 2008 Conor Oberst and Bright Eyes have been synonymous since the former stopped releasing solo albums in his mid-teens. Now a grizzled 28-year-old, Oberst closets the band name and reveals the two aren’t as conveniently entwined as shorthand might hope.
The Takeover UK preview
The Takeover UK Beat Kitchen, Chicago Sunday, November 2, 2008 It’s a bit jarring to discover that quartet The Takeover UK don’t actually reside in some far-off, across-the-pond location. These young fellas grew up right here in the U.S. of A. Pittsburgh to be exact.
The Stolen Minks preview
The Stolen Minks Darkroom, Chicago Sunday, November 2, 2008 I put The Stolen Minks’ High Kicks (New Romance For Kids) into the CD player to listen while perusing the band’s press interviews, liner notes (nonexistent), and other “important materials” us rock critics use to judge a band’s worth, but a funny thing happened: By the […]
Uh Huh Her preview
Uh Huh Her Park West, Chicago Monday, November 3, 2008 Riot grrrls use caution — same to you, jaunty post punk supporters. Cable TV subscribers? Come on down!
The Showdown reviewed
The Showdown Back Breaker (Solid State) Nashville’s The Showdown are a metal band. Just ask ’em. In the one-sheet for Backbreaker (Solid State) “metal” is used 10 times. Appearing: Thursday, October 30th at Metro in Chicago.
Frida Hyvönen reviewed
Frida Hyvönen Silence Is Wild (Secretly Canadian) One gets the sense Swedish musician Frida Hyvönen assumes some sort of entitlement with the way she treats her material. She’s gonna try everything, ready or not. Appearing: Monday, November 3rd at Lakeshore Theater in Chicago.
Blessed By A Broken Heart reviewed
Blessed By A Broken Heart Pedal To The Metal (Century Media) Pedal To The Metal might be the year’s oddest record. Camaro-gunnin’ ’80s hard rock (check out album cover) combined with breakdown-adoring metalcore and and synthesizer-lovin’, er, sythnesizers.
Recent Comments