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Local CD Reviews
“Chicago ain’t been this great since Jordan,” declares Terror Squad president Fat Joe about Logan Square rep Ace Mac on All Aces Mixtape Vol. 1. So Joey Crack’s co-sign is a little inflated, but Mac does kick some pretty entertaining “gangsta shit.” Atop a barrage of mostly borrowed, bass-heavy beats from Rick Ross, Twista, and […]
Around Hear Page 2
The three-song sampler for Secrets To Be Told, Rob Nicholas And A Moment’s Notice‘s debut CD, is tolerable but by no means terrific. “Lost Yourself” and “You Say” are run-of-the-mill alt-rock odes, with “Crave” adding a dash of jazz guitar to an otherwise mediocre melody. Hopefully the full-length disc features more originality, as quite honestly […]
Around Hear Page 3
Seven-One E/Z bring some unique elements to the razor-edged hip-hop songs and freestyles on their self-titled demo by mixing in synthesizers and using deep vocals as percussion. The gritty, first-person accounts of pimps and gangstas make this an R-rated effort, while others will be more offended by a steady flow of the “N” word and […]
Sweet Crioulo Music
It’s like the other islands, it’s easy-going and you don’t have stress. The water surrounds it and it’s like a small, beautiful jewel,” says Sara Tavares from a car on a busy Lisbon street. This fanciful summary could be about Maui or Bermuda, or some other small, tourist-heavy beach paradise. But she’s talking about her […]
Under The Sea
ANDY MASON GUITARS The Mermaid Only a guy who built a triple-neck guitar for Led Zeppelin could devise something like The Mermaid.
Rock Star Parking
Local musicians who haven’t checked out the independently produced local TV show “Upscale TV” should do so – and soon.
On The Move
Count Chris Shepard, studio manager at Chicago Recording Company, as one of those who considered Lollapalooza 2006 a smashing success.
Three Little Pigs
Blind Pig Records‘ 30th anniversary collection, Pearls From Swine, is a two-CD-plus-DVD package celebrating the Chicago blues and blues rock label’s upcoming pearl anniversary in 2007. From its humble beginnings in 1977 in the basement of the Blind Pig, an Ann Arbor, Michigan blues club, the label has grown into one of the world’s foremost […]
Lupe Fiasco’s Secret Show
Lupe Fiasco Metro, Chicago Tuesday, September 19, 2006 At last, Lupe Fiasco’s day has come. On an unseasonably cool September evening, this Chicago-reared MC gathered hundreds of fans for this free “MySpace Secret Show†— one that he initially cancelled due to illness. But after having his long-awaited debut, Food & Liquor, pushed back seven […]
Readers Poll
2006 CLUB GUIDE READER’S POLL Just what is it that you do when you’re not here? In so many words, that’s what we’re after with our Club Guide Reader’s Poll. Where do you drink? Who has the best sound? We’ll print the results in the November issue. America! Democracy! We vote, eh?
Sufjan Stevens live
Sufjan Stevens Riviera, Chicago Tuesday, September 26, 2006 Things have gotten serious for Sufjan Stevens. When Illinois was just a twinkle in his eye, he brought his so-called “Militia” to Schubas on the Seven Swans tour; Schubas holds approximately 200 people. After Illinois came out, he played a sold-out Metro. Tuesday he packed the Riv […]
The Melvins preview
The Melvins, Big Business Double Door, Chicago Thursday, September 28, 2006 IE probably should have done a feature in the magazine about the Melvins new record, (A) Senile Animal, because, well, as hard rock/metal icons they deserve it. But the thought of interviewing frontman King Buzzo, who seems to take a genuine pleasure in hating […]
Harvey Danger preview
Harvey Danger Schubas, Chicago Saturday, September 30, 2006 Harvey Danger have been around for 12 years, in the public eye for nine. During that span, they’ve released a grand total of three albums. While that’s not exactly the snails pace of Boston, it’s hardly indicitive of the alt-rock ethos around when they briefly rose to […]
Godhead preview
Godhead Durty Nellie’s, Palatine Sunday, October 1, 2006 On August 29th, Godhead’s The Shadow Line earned the distinction of being the first release on Cement Shoes Records, as Godhead was the first band signed to the label. Let’s hope they do better than five years ago, when they found themselves in a similar situation on […]
KMFDM preview
KMFDM, Combichrist House Of Blues, Chicago Tuesday, October 3, 2006 Nine Inch Nails release something every six years. Al Jourgensen is retiring Ministry. KMFDM will never stop.
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