Recent Articles
This Is Hell! Turns 10
The most witty, politically incisive talk show on the radio doesn’t air on a commercial station. It’s engineered by students, who are trained on the job. And the host isn’t paid.
Area Studio Happenings
At COMFORTZONE RECORDS in Oswego, Dbl-Shot, featuring Chicago songwriter/vocalist/guitarist John Mark Iverson (The Speedways/ LEVEL), recorded. The project was produced by Johnny Mack . . . Comfortzone recently completed remodeling.
Play ‘Em All
RANDALL Kirk Hammett RM100KH Randall‘s Kirk Hammett signature RM100KH amp not only offers a general array of guitar tones that have been longtime favorites of the acclaimed Metallica guitarist, but it offers these tones in a unique historical order.
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
You might be able to dance to Pretty Good Dance Moves‘ self-titled EP, but chances are you’ll pass. Like so much indie-electronic music, PGDM is not all about moving the party people. This duo’s first effort features texture electronic instrumentation, male and female vocals, and a bunch of heart-ache. This EP proves Postal Service’s influence […]
Stone Temple Pilots live!
Stone Temple Pilots Charter One Pavilion, Chicago Thursday May 22, 2008 Click picture for full gallery Stone Temple Pilots always wanted it both ways. In the halcyon days of Seattle grunge, they yearned for the credibility of torchbearers like Nirvana, Mudhoney, and Soundgarden. Instead, they got blamed for birthing Bush (the band, not the president). […]
M83 preview
M83 Empty Bottle, Chicago Thursday, May 29, 2008 Was there a creepier moment on record in 2005 than the waking nightmare of “Car Chase Terror!”, off M83’s previous effort, Before The Dawn Heals Us (Mute)? Probably not. The song, as voiced by one adolescent girl playing herself and her mother, tells the tale of the […]
Mudhoney preview
Mudhoney Reggie’s, Chicago Friday, May 30, 2008 Revisionism can be a beautiful thing: After Metallica and Megadeth blew their wads in the ’90s, rock critics swore they always loved Slayer. Kurt Cobain and Layne Staley are long dead, Chris Cornell is a laughing stock, and Pearl Jam have joined the David Bowie-curated “best album since […]
Adele preview
Adele Martyrs’, Chicago Saturday, May 31, 2008 It’s a bit jarring when a pasty British teenager opens her mouth and out comes the whopping voice of an old-time soul diva.
Hoots & Hellmouth preview
Hoots & Hellmouth Schubas, Chicago Saturday, May 31, 2008 It should be a rule that if your last name is Hoots and you have a band, you must play down-home, folksy, rootsy, backporch music. Though IE currently sit on the Rules & Regulations committee of our condo association, our power to issue such a decree […]
Everest preview
Everest Abbey Pub, Chicago Monday, June 2, 2008 Count Neil Young as a fan. The legendary Canuck signed Everest, an L.A.-based conglomerate of disparate indie collectives, to his Vapor Records label earlier this year. The quintet sports an impressive résumé with members citing stints in Sebadoh, Earlimart, Folk Implosion, John Vanderslice, and the Watson Twins. […]
Firewater reviewed
Firewater The Golden Hour (Bloodshot) Firewater’s Tod Ashley disappeared in the Far East to work on The Golden Hour, venturing from India to Istanbul until nature — specifically the natives — intervened. Appearing: Friday, May 30th at Empty Bottle in Chicago.
U.D.O. reviewed
U.D.O. Metallized (Locomotive) Who would have thought the one song almost any heavy metal fan can associate Udo Dirkschneider with, “Balls To The Wall,” would be the standout track of U.D.O.’s newest best-of compilation for all the *wrong* reasons?
Thee Silver Mt. Zion reviewed
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band 13 Blues For Thirteen Moons (Constellation) Keeping their bandname the same embarrassing length as for 2005’s Horses In The Sky, Thee Silver Mt. Zion Blah Blah Blah are able to focus their energies on this equally strong follow-up. Appearing: Saturday, May 31st at Logan Square Auditorium […]
The Cure live!
The Cure Allstate Arena, Rosemont Saturday, May 17, 2008 Click picture for full gallery Judging from those at Allstate Arena, the average Cure fan has moved on. Somewhere along the way, they ditched the black clothes, stopped moping about their lot in life, and joined society. As a result, the only eyeliner was on the […]










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