Columns
Caught In A Mosh: November 2009
The Witch Is Back The first time “Mosh” heard from — or of — Skeletonwitch was summer 2007. This column was exactly one-month old when Witch guitarist Scott Hedrick e-mailed pimping his band’s July show at Empty Bottle, inquiring about coverage for its Prosthetic debut, Beyond The Permafrost, and wondering if ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER needed freelance […]
Hello, My Name Is David
Q&A with the Pixies’ David Lovering IE: How do you feel about doing an old album in its entirety? Some bands are weirded out by it. David Lovering: It’s kind of cool because Doolittle, for me the drummer, it’s the easiest record we did. So I was happy [we chose it]. We’re all loving doing […]
Hello, My Name Is Bernard
Q&A with Bernard Sumner IE: Do you look at Bad Lieutenant as a continuation of your legacy or an entirely new act altogether? Bernard Sumner: I look at it as a new band, though there are some faces people already know. [Drummer] Steven [Morris] was in New Order [and Joy Division], [guitarist/keyboardist] Phil [Cunningham] played […]
File: November 2009
ONE FOR THE BOOKS “My Bucket Song” by Psalm One from Psalm One on Vimeo. As we mentioned last month, the Chicago Public Library capped a “we’re not just books” promotion with a music contest, challenging Chicagoans to write songs about the city.
Hello, My Name Is Nils
Q&A With Nils Lofgren IE: What are you doing in your spare time? Nils Lofgren: Just relax for awhile until I get back to my next action, probably a solo album for next year, get some more beginner lessons [online] for my guitar school. I just found out I like to teach and so many […]
File: October 2009
The Long Voyage Home With cranky, indie curmudgeons berating us, we at IE developed a complex about some of the music we praised in the ’80s, but no more! Maybe it’s an empowerment from this month’s Thirsty Whale reunion or finally locating the courage to call Steve Albini a Mr. Meany Pants, we’re back to […]
Gear: October 2009
Gibson Zoot Suit LG Guitar Let’s face it, Gibson Guitars’ Zoot Suit SG maybe the ugliest guitar we’ve seen in the last several years. But sometimes ugly is cool. Cherry Poppin’ Daddies‘ leader Steve Perry has teamed up with the legendary manufacturer to take blame for this beauty. The Zoot Suit SG is a “guitar […]
Studiophile: October 2009
Neil Larsen The name Neil Larsen might not immediately jump off the page to average music fans, but to those in the know, he’s a legendary keyboardist with credits on some 150 prominent albums. And he just so happens to be on one of this decade’s most anticipated tours, linking up with the legendary Leonard […]
Spins: Richard Thompson
Richard Thompson Walking On A Wire (1968-2009) (Shout Factory) Somewhere early on in his career Richard Thompson got tagged as one of the great guitarists, but I’ve never thought it was true. He is an exceptional guitarist no doubt, but he is absolutely a great songwriter. And it’s great songs that last. There are 71 […]
Spins: Radiohead
Radiohead Kid A/Amnesiac/Hail To The Thief (Capitol) Where were you on October 3rd, 2000? Did you raise a glass to pop music as it tied a kerchief to a stick and set off down the tracks? Look around you now: Nothing has been the same since.
Around Hear: October 2009
Local Band Reviews Add American Draft to Chicago’s instrumental rock pedigree. The band’s second full-length release, the eight-track Hawk On Coachhouse, is like a less frenetic Mastodon minus the vocals. The title track showcases its multi-layered guitar attack, with variations on a soaring/airy riff. Harder-rocking tracks like “Diet Of Worms” and “Tree Of Woe” are […]
Media: October 2009
Pod-A-Palooza Steve Dahl unveiled his new weekday webcast September 8th (www.dahl.com), just after deadline time. The CBS Radio-sponsored show allows Dahl a chance to talk to his fans – something he hasn’t been able to do since CBS took him off WJMK-FM (104.3) late last year, and he won’t be able to return to the […]
Sweet Home: October 2009
Delmark Delivers Blues History Chicago remains a blues mecca, even in the face of distracting new-millennium antics of Chi-town musicians like Kanye West and R. Kelly. Despite this and a lengthy gospel, R&B, and jazz legacy, Chicago’s blues heritage towers over them all. It Ain’t Over (Delmark) showcases exactly why this is, a DVD packed […]
Caught In A Mosh: October 2009
The Seven Wonders Planet Metal can do no wrong. Fifteen months after launching, founder Chris Black (Superchrist, Pharaoh) has yet to put his label’s logo on a bad or even so-so album. Everything is gold. O.K., I haven’t heard PM001, Sentenced‘s “The Glow Of 1000 Suns/ Amok Run” 7-inch, but PM002 through PM007 are scalding. […]
DVD Zone: October 2009
Listen. I’m gonna drop a little knowledge on you. It may seem a bit controversial, perhaps even scandalous, but you need to hear it: Summer is overrated.
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