Columns
Stuck In Muck
The ratings numbers tell us people in Chicago are hearing the radio. But how many people are really listening? Chicago radio used to crackle; it used to excite, entertain, energize, influence, and order its listeners. Now it’s white noise. Today, Chicago radio is becoming to entertainment choices what the Chicago Blackhawks are to sports choices.
Don’t Call It A Comeback
It’s a fact: Vinyl will not die. Manufacturers like Crosley and TEAC are churning out new turntables for the home user, a demographic that includes baby boomers rediscovering their old records and newbies finding out what the analog fuss is all about. Our annual Record Collecting Spotlight edition of “Gear” takes a look at new […]
Local CD Reviews
Combining elements of Vaudeville, country, and classic rock in a time when every other new band on the planet either cites the Rolling Stones or Joy Division as influences, Bakelite 78 is distinctive to say the least. Armed with the unique and stylized vocals of guitarist Robert Rial and a one-of-a-kind brass section, track for […]
Around Hear 2
Page [1] With its debut EP, May You Only See Sky, (Lone) Cub & Wolf wants you to forget about recent mainstream metal and screamo and come back to the darker side. This band excels at blending most of the metal sub-genres with a little post hardcore, no doubt a holdover from some of the […]
Hello, My Name Is Mike
Mike Simons of David Singer’s Sweet Science is an organizer of this summer’s Intonation Festival on June 24th & 25th in Chicago’s Union Park (1501 W. Randolph). The lineup features The Streets, Bloc Party, Rhymefest, Lupe Fiasco, High On Fire, Robert Pollard, Annie, and more. For lineup and ticket info, visit www.intonationmusicfest.com.
June File: Tom Petty, Reunions, Black Widows Bite
And Don’t Come Around Here No More Kudos to Tom Petty for trying to stick it to greedy-ass scalpers. When fans complained tickets for the Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers/Pearl Jam June 26th/27th shows in St. Paul, Minnesota — intended for fan club members — showed up later with big price tags on secondary market […]
DVD Zone: June
CHUCK BERRY: HAIL! HAIL! ROCK ‘N’ ROLL Image Entertainment Chuck Berry is acknowledged without hesitation as one of the creators of rock ‘n’ roll. With that lofty status comes the respect and admiration of peers and those that followed. What he never had was the fame. While The Beatles and The Rolling Stones launched themselves […]
Whole Lotta Blues Goin’ On
This year’s Chicago Blues Festival (June 8th to 11th) should be subtitled “Blues From All Over.” In its 23rd year, this is the most diverse lineup yet, showcasing talent from across the map, with special attention paid to Mississippi and New Orleans. Looks like the City Of Chicago is doing its part to support Hurricane […]
A Trick Up His Sleeve
A few years ago Andy Gerber got an email he will never forget. That email was an inquiry from Cheap Trick manager Dave Frey asking Gerber, who owns Million Yen Studios, if he would like to work with Rick Nielsen on demos for a new Cheap Trick record.
No Longer Runnin’ With The Devil
It was not a huge surprise to hear CBS Radio recently fired diminutive former Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth after just four months of trying and failing miserably to do Howard Stern‘s job in New York City and six other markets.
Local CD Reviews
A slick, full-color press kit accompanying a three-song sampler by a band with a nondescript name can mean only one thing: Chicago’s Ash Avenue wants to be the next Matchbox Twenty, The Wallflowers, Gin Blossoms, etc. With a paint-by-numbers adult-alternative sound, this five-piece is certainly on its way to completing a tired, but always-selling package. […]
Around Hear page 2
Click here to return to “Around Hear” page 1. Mira Mira ringleader Charlie Williams is a “post classical” pianist who mixes dreamy, chilling, and sometimes downright icy reflections on *Midnight For You*. “Breathe” is the most beautiful, and the title track could be likened to something by Sigur Ré¯s (only sung in English) while “Everything […]
Fall Out Boy Q&A
Hello, My Name Is Patrick Q&A with Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump IE: We last talked to you guys before From Under The Cork Tree came out, and we heard Fall Out Boy have done pretty well. When do the solo albums come out? Patrick Stump: I know you’re joking, but I’ve gotten that question […]
May File!
Festival Of Sights “I was eight-years-old and a camper at summer camp. The counselor was listening to Shout At The Devil, and that’s where it started,” Mike Mourning says, describing his introduction to Mötley Crüe. The 29-year-old Kenosha, WI resident, whose back is one big Crüe tattoo, was just one of the diehards who made […]
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