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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 […]
Hello, My Name Is Dennis
Q&A With Dennis DeYoung IE: What have you been up to since appearing on these very pages two years ago? Dennis DeYoung: I’ve been on the road, including some extensive touring in Canada, and I saw the double disc [The Music of Styx: Live With Symphony Orchestra] go platinum and the DVD triple platinum in […]
File: May 2008
Nacht Nacht — Who’s There Shoot, we’ve already got a Dimmu Borgir feature in this issue, might as well keep the black metal ball rolling with some Nachtmystium news. Actually, the Chicagoans don’t want to be coined “black metal” anymore, but we’re doing it anyway, otherwise it screws up the whole intro.
DVD Zone: May 2008
Juno Fox Home Video Time was when an independent film simply meant a film released outside the studio system by an independent production company. However, once the Sundance festival became as much of a corporate-sponsored entity as any other film festival in the world, a vast majority of independent films have tried to one-up each […]
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
Sebastian Dior‘s attempt at innovative/experimental pop R&B falls a bit short on God Complex. When not slightly dull or clichéd on such tracks as “Things Can Change” and “Fallen Nature,” he slightly irritates on cuts like “Questions” and “The Martyr.” While he definitely should be commended for wanting to try something fresh and new, Dior’s […]
Around Hear Page 3
Thaddeus Rex may not be a household name, but he recruits Chicago legends Koko Taylor and Pinetop Perkins as well as Alan Gershwin to bolster his playful and quirky pop style and inspirational message to kids. There’s a satisfying, punchy crispness to “Daddy Lived Inside A Boxcar” and an admirable update of the Violent Femmes […]
Third Time’s A Charm
Plenty of people dislike Dave Mustaine (read the Al Jourgensen cover story for one), but you have to give the Megadeth frontman credit for Gigantour. Its virgin run in 2005 wasn’t all that impressive because a lineup clogged up by Bobaflex, Dry Kill Logic, Symphony X, and Life Of Agony wasn’t a convincing reason to […]
Solid Like A . . . Cable
Solid Cables Dynamic Arc Ultra Looking for a guitar cable that doesn’t fall apart after a few months? Solid Cables say they have an answer. They bill their Dynamic Arc Ultra as the world’s toughest guitar cord, designed to be “extremely rugged, gig friendly, abuse proof” and offer “exceptional tone.” Solid Cables also say the […]
Andy Austin, Courtroom Artist
“There’s been a lot of agitation on the part of the electronic media and regular press to open up the courtrooms,” says courtroom artist Andy Austin, author of the new book Rule 53: Capturing Hippies, Spies, Politicians, And Murders In An American Courtroom (Lake Claremont, $19.95). Rule 53 is a Federal Rule Of Criminal Procedure, […]
Day At The Park
When pressed to point out places on the map known for contributing recognized, high-end recording studios, Orland Park probably fails to make the short list. Yet, tucked within the vast span of suburbia, complete with Bar Louie chains and Borders and Barnes & Noble vying with each other for the same pool of book browsing, […]
Return To The Blues
“Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out/Here comes something, you never dreamed about/Life is so unpredictable, that’s the way it is. It gets a little hard to bear sometime/Things out of nowhere to blow your mind/But one thing I know for sho’/You’ve got to let life flow.” Kenny Neal – “Let Life […]
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