Recent Articles
DVD Zone: July 2008
Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten Sony After the demise of The Clash, Joe Strummer wandered. His musical inspirations stagnate, he relegated himself to film scores and the odd acting gig with a side project or two here and there. Eventually, he would hold a series of “bonfire discussions” originating at the Glastonbury Music Festival. […]
Alk3p2
The bassist, who moved to St. Augustine, Florida last September, was a fixture in the early-’90s northwest suburban punk scene that spawned Smoking Popes and the Third Floor, the now-shuttered all-ages Elgin venue whose booking agent, Brian Peterson, would later book Chicago’s Fireside Bowl during a period of considerable punk interest. (Peterson has since left […]
Alk3p3
“Andy just said, ‘The only thing you guys need to worry about is going into the studio and making a record that you love.’ He’s like: ‘That’s all you need to do. Don’t worry about us. Don’t think about anything else.’ And that’s what we did, and then Andy came in the last day when […]
Perpetratin’ The Blues
The Byther Smith, Blues On The Moon: Live At Natural Rhythm Social Club (Delmark) DVD/CD is a false document – fiction, cooked up by writer David Whiteis and the Delmark Records folks desperate to return the “negro” to his natural habitat.
Hope For Local TV
The station that launched the legendary dance show “Soul Train” in 1970 recently hired two WTTW-Channel 11 alumni to help develop local programming. Weigel Broadcasting, which owns WCIU-Channel 26 (where “Soul Train” got its start back in 1970), as well as WWME-Channel 23 and WMEU-Channel 48, recently hired Harvey Moshman and Randy King to create […]
Martin’s Guitar Town
MARTIN M-21 Steve Earle Custom Steve Earle and Martin Guitar did something unique for the guitar biz: They created a “special edition” guitar without the customary big price tag that goes along with a collectable axe.
To Thrash Or Not To Thrash?
Look no further than our own city and sprawling suburbs for proof of just how extensive this whole thrash revival thing is. Do a quick Myspace, “Illinois metal” search, and you’ll find a list of Chicagoland bands like Degradation, Infinite Missiles, Air Raid, Vicious Attack, Diamond Plate, Sulfox, and Slayasylum. They vary in quality, of […]
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. […]
Around Hear Page 2
Textbook‘s Boxing Day Massacre is certainly a catchy album and has plenty of pop hooks to spare. Unfortunately, it’s also bland. While there’s no doubting the sincerity, Textbook come off as very Gin Blossoms-ish or, more generously, The Archies, but without the nostalgic charm. “The Weight Of Everything” is when this really becomes apparent and […]
Liz Phair live!
Liz Phair Vic Theatre, Chicago Tuesday, June 24, 2008 An unintentionally ironic sign greeted Liz Phair fans Tuesday night. Anyone approaching from the north was reminded why they were clamoring to hear her first album performed in its entirety: “LIZ PHAIR — SOLD OUT.”
Dilated Peoples live!
Dilated Peoples, Aceyalone Double Door, Chicago Friday, June 20, 2008 Hip-hop shows have become a rarity at the Double Door, which is why it was a welcome surprise to see Los Angeles’ Dilated Peoples play the compact venue on the first night of summer. Of course, in 15 years this hip-hop trio – comprising Rakaa […]
Mavis Staples live!
Mavis Staples Hideout, Chicago Monday, June 23, 2008 In explaining why she decided to record her forthcoming live album at Hideout Monday night, Mavis Staples cited its closeness to home, even joking of starting a Wednesday-night residency. But her second reason was much more telling: “Keep up these positive vibrations for at least the next […]
Richard Marx live!
Richard Marx, Matt Scannell Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire Monday, June 23, 2008 “You have to make sure a hometown show is great because chances are you’ll run into some people who were there at Starbucks the next morning,” joked Richard Marx during an unplugged storytellers set just a few miles from his North Shore residence.
Dawn Landes live!
Dawn Landes Hideout, Chicago Thursday, June 19, 2008 Dawn Landes’ music and performance were so lacking in artifice Thursday night, she had to invent some by having her backing band wear sequined accessories.
Green Jelly preview
Green Jelly Double Door, Chicago Friday, June 27, 2008 In nearly three decades as a band (“3 Little Pigs” in 1992 might have been the first time you heard ’em, but they have actually been around since the early ’80s), Green Jelly have released two full-length, studio albums. Two. In 27 years. That’s 226 fewer […]
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