Recent Articles
Tafoya’s Lost Boyzz preview
Tafoya’s Lost Boyzz Champs, Burbank Friday, August 3, 2007 Chicago, 1979. Jane Byrne was mayor, the drinking age was 19, and The Boyzz from Illinois were the shit. Chicago was a scary place and the Boyzz were even scarier. A loud, bluesy biker band from the ‘burbs who were gonna be huge. It didn’t happen. […]
The Winter Sounds preview
The Winter Sounds Ronny’s, Chicago Friday, August 3, 2007 A common and valid criticism of The Winter Sounds’ Porcelain Empire (Livewire) is that the mix has the warmth of a toilet bowl (hence the title?). Opener “Windy City Nights” is probably the cleanest cut on the album, a double-timed shot drawn from Interpol’s bag of […]
The Sippy Cups preview
The Sippy Cups Lollapalooza, Chicago Friday, August 3, 2007 Saturday, August 4, 2007 When I was a youngster I remember stretching my Walkman headphones over my sister’s swollen, pregnant stomach hoping the Megadeth (Peace Sells . . . But Who’s Buying) coming from those cans would help make my future niece a lifelong music lover.
Nile & Chthonic preview
Nile, Chthonic Pearl Room, Mokena Tuesday, August 7, 2007 Here’s the thing about Ozzfest 2007: The lineup is lame. Maybe the festival lost what credibility it had left a few years ago when Sharon Ozzbourne publicly sabotaged legends Iron Maiden during their last night on the tour, or maybe they couldn’t get many “names” this […]
Tegan & Sara preview
Tegan & Sara Lakeshore Theater, Chicago Tuesday, August 7, 2007 The angular haircuts. The high-pitched, nasal vocals and seamless harmonies. It must be twin singer-songwriting team Tegan & Sara.
Bottom Of The Hudson reviewed
Bottom Of The Hudson Fantastic Hawk (Absolutely Kosher) The long-awaited follow-up to the Holiday Machine EP finds Bottom Of The Hudson testing out this whole “band” thing.
The Ghost Is Dancing reviewed
The Ghost Is Dancing The Darkest Spark (Sonic Unyon) Exuberant indie rock, like I Am Barcelona invading Conor Oberst’s practice space with the Clap Hands kids, is what makes this ghost dance.
Ma Nugent Remembered
Ted Nugent Comes To Town For Ma At a special ceremony on August 1st at Durty Nellie’s in Palatine, Ted Nugent will appear to help commemorate his late mother, Marion “Ma” Nugent.
Cover Story: The Shins
The Shins When You Wince Upon A Star When Shins frontman James Mercer tells you he has taken up gardening, you wait for a chuckle that never comes while repressing a laugh of your own. It’s not that Mercer doesn’t have the right to garden, could be poorly equipped, or might be making a euphemism […]
Beatallica (They’re So Heavy)
Not many people have realized the headbanging possibilities in The Beatles catalog, but a few clever fellas from Milwaukee did.
Against Me! interview
Against Me! The Thankless Existence Every time Against Me! frontman Tom Gabel releases an album, he’s in the unique position of having to rebuild his fanbase. Every time. Appearing: August 3rd at Lollapalooza in Chicago.
The Polyphonic Spree interview
The Polyphonic Spree Trouble In Paradise Darting out of a youth orchestra performance at the Louisiana Children’s Museum on a Tuesday afternoon to speak with IE, Julie Doyle gives off the air of any other mom taking her kids (four to be exact, ranging from 6-months to 8-years-old) on a summer vacation outing. Except, of […]
Rufus Wainwright interview
Rufus Wainwright Out And Kraut The sleeve photographs certainly tell the Teutonic tale. The kitschy gnome-peopled toy Futterhaus that beckons “Willkomen.” The closeup details of the Pergamon Altar from the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. And lastly, candid snapshots of the artist himself — cabaret-cool crooner Rufus Wainwright — decked out in traditional “RW”-embroidered lederhosen and […]
Airiel interview
Airiel The 10-Year Itch “I think it’s a great home for bands, because, it’s a very livable city, like you can actually work a job and be in a band and not go broke, y’know? You’re not paying a million dollars a month for rent like you would in New York; we don’t have to […]
Tomahawk interview
Tomahawk The Living Past Rock ‘n’ roll has never treated the past very kindly. In 1965 The Who looked at their elders and snarked, “I hope I die before I get old.” Sex Pistols took the sentiment one step further. In 1977 they cried, “No future for me,” and quickly got what they wanted. By […]
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