Columns
Studiophile: June 2011
Rapture Recordings When Chicago’s newly formed Dashing Assassins went to the record at MOTHERSHIP STUDIOS in Chicago on May 21st, they weren’t sure if they’d come out alive after laying down tracks during the not-to-be Rapture. While tracking a six-song LP due this summer, guitarist/vocalist Erik LaVergne tells IE that, despite the pending armageddon, “The […]
Sweet Home: June 2011
Blue Ladies This year’s Chicago Blues Fest includes Shemekia Copeland, an all-star Robert Johnson centennial salute, and harp master Billy Branch & The Sons Of The Blues. But another Blues Fest must-see kicks off on opening night, after the actual festivities are over.
File: May 2011
O Come, O Come Emanuel On the 16th, Chicago will inaugurate its first new mayor in 22 years. Despite the inevitable letdown breathed by every new administration that has ever taken office anywhere, Chicago’s music community seems cautiously optimistic
Hello, My Name Is J.P.
Q&A with Surfer Blood’s J.P. Pitts IE: Describe the EP: stuff you’re playing live, a tip of the cap to Kanine Records before diving into Warner Bros.? J.P. Pitts: A little bit of everything. We did want to release something to bridge the first record
Around Hear: May 2011
Local Band Reviews King Sparrow‘s fusion of bluesy garage-rock and spastic, new-wave punk will undoubtedly draw favorable comparisons to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, as its self-titled, full-length debut
Caught In A Mosh: May 2011
We’re Gonna Need More Power Alehorn Of Power is back. Promoter Greg Spalding took last year off for a number of reasons, including the hectic schedule of his own band, Bible Of The Devil. He admits, though, much of Alehorn’s 2010 shelving was the fact a solid start-to-finish lineup never materialized. “I am a fan […]
Digital Divide: May 2011
The Green Hornet Sony Pictures The Green Hornet has always been sort of the red headed stepchild of the hero world. Beginning as a radio serial in 1936, the Hornet was created to capitalize on the popularity of The Lone Ranger.
Gear: May 2011
ChicBuds RockBoom Keychain Speaker ChicBuds made its name selling earbuds for girls in 2006, and though the female demographic is their target audience, they’ve finally found a speaker with the ball(s) to appeal to their male audience.
Media: May 2011
In Praise Of Slow Journalism Print is not dead. For all the wily charms of the digital world with its tweets, feeds, blogs, and apps, there is still nothing like the pleasure created by ink on paper.”
Studiophile: May 2011
Another Kind Of Monster Heart-Set Self Distruct recorded the follow-up their 2007 debut, Victims Like Me, with producer Dan Malsch (Framing Hanley, Tantric) at the Sound-mine Recording Studio in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. During the summer and fall of 2010,
Sweet Home: May 2011
A Century At The Crossroads May 8th marks an extremely significant event in blues history. The date commemorates the 100th birthday of Robert Johnson, King Of The Delta Blues and Father Of Modern Rock. Although he lived a brief life and recorded only 29 songs, his legacy stretches way beyond his era and genre.
Hello, My Name Is Corporate
Q&A with Macabre’s Corporate Death IE: We want to give you a little grief, because you took eight years to put an album together, which conveniently landed you on your 25th anniversary.
File: April 2011
Oil-ty Payments Conventional wisdom says that if record companies are so miserly when it comes to doling out royalty monies, the only real way for an artist to make bank is through appearance and performance fees. Corporate events and celebrity/billionaire birthdays have long been part of the circuit, but, while North Africa burned, it emerged […]
Around Hear: April 2011
Local Band Reviews Fans of jazz/rock fusion will find a lot to like in Zachary Biggus‘ eight-song Jusqu’â Présent, wherein, aided by able bass and drums sidemen, he displays not inconsiderable prowess on guitar.
Caught In A Mosh: April 2011
Total Relapse I have a love-hate relationship with Relapse Records. On one hand, the label never, ever, ever sends me music. Never. Ever. And I’ve asked. Many times.
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