Monthly
Media: March 2010
Chicago’s Very Own: CHIRP Radio & ‘JBTV’ photo by Cara Jepsen Two of the nation’s coolest indie-rock outlets originate right here in Chicago. Both “JBTV” and CHIRP radio are staffed by volunteers who are more passionate about music than money. And both have launched 24-hour Internet stations.
Caught In A Mosh: March 2010
Bow To Your Kreator All the talk nowadays is about the big boys. Slayer, Megadeth, Testament, and Exodus are all touring together in some way, shape, or form, and rumors of a Big Four package (Dave Mustaine told Decibel magazine that Megadeth received an offer) continue to swirl. It’s easy, then, to get swept up […]
Sweet Home: March 2010
Gospel Woman Blues Although she didn’t hear secular music until she was a teen, Valencia Bey always knew she wanted to be a blues/rock diva. She grew up in Chicago but her musical chops were formed in the Mississippi Delta, where she’d spend summers with her grandparents. There, she absorbed the intricacies of gospel music […]
Digital Divide: March 2010
The Informant! Warner Bros. The hip thing to do these days is to take all your anger and frustration about the stagnate economy, aim it at big business, and let the bile fly. All the cool kids are doing it, and rightfully so. Insurance companies make record profits only to jack up premiums to ungodly […]
Gear: March 2010
Tascam DP-008 8-Track Recorder Old-timers will remember Tascam invented the home-recording studio with the original cassette Portastudio 4-track recorders back in the 1970s. Their new DP-008 takes the ease-of-use of those classic songwriting cassette recorders and aims to add the same portability and ease of use for new musicians. Unlike the lo-fi qualities of cassette […]
B.J. Thomas reviewed
The Original Scepter Records Years (1966-73) (Collectors’ Choice) B.J. Thomas was a country-flavored pop crooner in the era of the singer/songwriter. Still, Thomas’ ’60s classic hits, including the infectious “Hooked On A Feeling” and his seminal smash, “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” made him a star.
Cover Story: Billy Corgan
It’s Only Just Begun If the adage holds true – that “rich is the examined life” – then it’s about time for society, as a whole, to grab its pipe and slippers, curl up in its comfiest recliner, and have a long, hard thoughtful stare into the ice-cold mirror. Chances are, Snow White’s unforgiving Maleficent […]
Joe Pug interview
Messenger Service Joe Pug doesn’t want you to poach his music from illicit Web sites; rather he wants to give it to you . . . for free. And he hopes you’ll share it with others. Simply e-mail the Chicago-based singer/songwriter or sign up for his mailing list to receive sampler CDs meant for your […]
Four Tet interview
In The Moment Talking with Kieran Hebden in the dawn of 2010, it’s evident that the electronic producer known as Four Tet is doing exactly what he wants to with his music and life. Throughout our conversation, this Londoner sounds genuinely enthusiastic about his work and doesn’t talk about “what if” scenarios or dwell on […]
Justin Townes Earle interview
Mainlining Chicago Coming off a meteoric two years – starting with 2008’s stellar, honky-tonkin’ debut, The Good Life (Bloodshot), followed quickly in 2009 by the much more urban-indie Midnight At The Movies and earning both a new/emerging artist Americana Music Award and GQ fashion spread in the process – Justin Townes Earle is at home […]
File: February 2010
Fallen: Can’t Get Up It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when old age becomes a source of amusement, but the thrash-metal community caught quite a jolt when the frontman of its charter member, Slayer, had to cancel a megatour because of back problems. (If only it had been a hip.) If it had been one of […]
Hello, My Name Is Don
Q&A With Don Jamieson IE: “That Metal Show” – how did you get dragged into it? Don Jamieson: They didn’t have to drag me! I’ve been trying to get on TV for 13 years. Basically, Jim [Florentine], Eddie [Trunk], and I are best buddies. Appearing: Friday, February 10th to 12th at Zanie’s (1548 N. Wells) in […]
Around Hear: February 2010
Local Band Reviews “Break Little Branches,” one of the five tracks on Arboreal by the Chicago/Austin, Texas-based band Box Of Baby Birds, sounds like one of the more introspective and meandering songs by Red Red Meat. The folk-rock offerings, penned by Gary Calhoun James, are delicate compositions that rely on hushed vocals augmented by guitar, […]
Caught In A Mosh: February 2010
The First Great Album Of 2010 It’s become an unspoken rule that we, music writers and critics, must crown such an album within the first 59 days of the new year. You can squeeze one in before the new year? Fantastic! I’m fairly sure scribes who cover any of the arts are guilty as well, […]
Sweet Home: February 2010
At The Threshold There was a time when Grammy-winning, blues harp master Sugar Blue believed there were only certain types of music appropriate for a blues musician to play. He came up listening to and being molded by icons like Memphis Slim, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, and Junior Wells. By the time he was in […]
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