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Local CD Reviews
Chicago-based Absolutely Perfect describes its music as “nothing you have ever heard before, yet strangely familiar.” While this sounds like typical self-promotion, these guys have actually nailed it. The band’s second release, the Live To Be . . . , has it serving up six bowls of thick, chunky basslines with sides of punk rhythms […]
Around Hear Pg. 2
Beyond boasting solid musicianship, Sam Reicher and Antony Ablan of Chicago-based quartet Blackdog can sing like seasoned vets, as heard on the band’s self-titled debut. Both have robust, gruff voices, which work with whatever sound the band is after, whether slow-churning blues (“Crawlin’ Kingsnake”) or classic rock (“Hey Mama”). Innovation may not be its strong […]
Sounds Like An Angel
“There hasn’t been a lot of growing in the blues. I don’t see any reason why it cannot grow. So many blues artists were innovative. Muddy Waters, he plugged in.” Shemekia Copeland Never Going Back (Telarc) reflects the ongoing evolution in the life and music of contemporary soulful blues diva Shemekia Copeland. Produced by guitarist/songwriter […]
Local Studio Happenings
Kevin Lee recorded at RAX TRAX in Chicago. He is co-producing his new album, Dusk Till Dawn, with Rick Barnes. The record is scheduled for an early summer release.
Reasons To Be Cheerful Pt. IV
Sound-alike syndicated shows have never gone over very well in The Windy City, where the preference for personal and authentic media dates back to the Chicago School Of Television. It emerged in the 1950s as a spontaneous, informal genre typified by shows such as “Garroway At Large,” “Kukla, Fran & Ollie,” and “Studs’ Place.” Look […]
Zoom, Zoom
Zoom H4n Handy Recorder Regular “Gear” readers know we’re big believers in taking our recorded songs to a professional studio instead of “futzing around” in basement hell. Getting those hit songs past the demo stage can be an easier process using some of today’s ultra-portable handheld recorders.
Around Hear Pg. 2
Poppy, melodic, and, at times, ragged, The Blissters creates modern-day pop rock for the masses on its latest EP. The band has a bit of a new wave sensibility that couples nicely with its garage rock guitars. “Right Of Reason” is an interesting track, but most of its stuff is pretty appealing. The band is […]
Cover Story: Nick Cave
Nick Cave Nothing But A Number “I think that for me,” says the gentleman in fitted brown slacks, Chelsea boots, and a white dress shirt (unbuttoned to the sternum) with red pinstripes, “the older you get you know what you want – you know what you need, the things that you need. I think I’ve […]
Lamb Of God interview
Lamb Of God Grrrs On Film Anthrax? Check. Slayer? Check. Megadeth? Checkaroonie. That’s three of thrash metal’s iconic “Big Four,” and Lamb Of God has traveled with each on separate occasions – three heroes turned tourmates. Appearing: Friday, May 1st at Congress Theatre in Chicago.
Baby Teeth – in half!
Baby Teeth Falling Out Examples of rock bands scattering into solo projects abound. Some of them (cough, cough, Kiss, cough) suggest one look for an alternative approach to the marketplace. Often it foretells a breakup, but in the case of a Chicago outfit like Baby Teeth, it’s like seeing what Captain Keith and Lance are […]
Siderunners interview
Siderunners Keep Your Motor Running Joseph DeFily (Sappy, as he’s also known), the guitarist/lead vocalist of Siderunners, planned to lie low after returning to Chicago in November. He avoided going much of anywhere except work and Siderunners bassist Zack Schnieder’s house, his current residence. Yet here he is, sitting in a booth in the Double […]
Hello, My Name Is William
Hello, My Name Is William Q&A with William Elliott Whitmore IE: It’s been three years since the last record. How much of that time was spent writing and recording. William Elliott Whitmore: What, Song Of The Blackbird came out in 2006, I guess it must have been? Honestly, after that record came out I wasn’t […]
File: February 2009
But Who’s Buying? We all know about the vinyl rage. Things have gotten so rough, a 62-year-old woman had her eyes clawed out at an Uptown thrift store over a bullseye-striped copy of Ozzy Osbourne’s No Rest For The Wicked the other day. Really.
DVD Zone: February 2009
The Secret Policeman’s Ball (Shout Factory) In 1976 Peter Luft, the assistant director of Amnesty International, made a phone call to John Cleese, founding member of the legendary British comedy troupe Monty Python. At the time, Amnesty was a struggling organization barely making ends meet in the fight to bring awareness of human rights violations […]
Passing The Torch: Odetta & Miriam Makeba
Two vital women, American folk singer and civil-rights activist Odetta and South Africa’s voice of hope and freedom, Miriam Makeba, passed away within weeks of one another in late 2008. Makeba, 76, died of cardiac arrest after performing in Italy November 9th, and Odetta Holmes, 77, succumbed to heart disease December 2nd. Though they weren’t […]
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