Monthly
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
Victory Records, a label known for its jagged hardcore, seems an unlikely home for 1997. Their brand of uprising, punchy pop songs is decidedly less confrontational, while still retaining a subtle bite. New singer Alida Marroni’s sensational presence elevates On The Run as her vocals drive the lead track, “One Track Mind, Four Track Heart,” […]
The Toxic Avenger
This interview with Toxic Holocaust‘s Joel Grind took place September 3rd, the day after his newest full-length, An Overdose Of Death . . . was released. I say “his” instead of “the band’s” because Grind is the band – a one-man thrash act who, since 1999, has written, played, and recorded all Toxic material in […]
Sex, Lies, And Cassette Tapes
TASCAM CC-222SLmkII Last month we took a look at the the latest crop of turntables to hit the market for vinyl junkies, but we’re also happy to report longtime professional-audio manufacturer Tascam is keeping the cassette alive in its pro-audio and Portastudio lines. Tascam’s updated CD-and-cassette recorder, the CC-222SLmkII, includes a pitch control for both […]
He Gone
Chicago Tribune. Recent redesigns have reduced story length and page count plus relegated much of the national and world news into bite-sized briefs.
A R.A.W. Deal
Don Byczynski remembers exactly what his wife told him when he proposed gutting the entire basement of the couple’s Lake In The Hills home and converting it into a recording studio. “She said, ‘As long as I can’t hear anything, fine,” Byczynski, who goes by dB, says, seemingly still unable to believe it himself.
A Tribute To Phil Guy
The Chicago blues community lost part of its soul August 20th when guitarist/vocalist Phil Guy, 68, passed away from prostate cancer complications. Just a month earlier, Guy was onstage with other blues luminaries at the Pritzker Pavilion to watch his older brother, Buddy, receive the very first Great Performer Of Illinois Award. He was also […]
Cover Story: Eagles
Eagles Packin’ Em In It’s hard to think of a band whose members have had more time to themselves than the Eagles. A 14-year breakup from 1980 to 1994 allowed them to recharge their nerves, and even then they didn’t have to really do anything but tour and make appearances. Last fall, 13 years after […]
Million Dollar Show
The Million Dollar Quartet Lives Move over Jersey Boys. There’s a new sweet-sounding gang of four rolling into town — this time from the South. Million Dollar Quartet brings to life the extraordinary afternoon on December 4th, 1956 when Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins all converged on the birthplace of […]
Steve Cropper interview
Steve Cropper Staxing The Deck Once a music journalist has been around the block a couple times, it’s inevitable that certain patterns emerge. For example, it’s a sure bet at some point a baby band will sound uncannily like “Nuke” LaLoosh in Bull Durham: “Well, we’re just going to tour really hard and hope our […]
David Vandervelde interview
David Vandervelde Back To Front In a storybook world, David Vandervelde’s Chicago-to-Brooklyn-to-Nashville wanderlust would make him the ideal Dylanite troubadour. Sprung from the clutches of Holland, Michigan, he would crush our feeble intellects with a slapdash, rustic urbanity and cut a straight path through the hyper-media mire, grooming himself for a biopic to premiere in […]
Record Spree!
Passing Out Needles, Or: How To Stop Worrying And Love Your Vinyl Again Record Collectors: Start Your Engines Undoubtedly, you’ve heard vinyl is back. Maybe, to you, it never went away. There were rumors, however, that the traditional LP was a relic, abandoned for much shinier and more-portable storage units called compact discs. Fifteen to […]
Hello, My Name Is Susan
Hello, My Name Is Susan Q&A With Susan Carr IE: So how did you get into this area, screaming, of vocal training? Susan Carr: When I was going to school for my degree — I have a degree in vocal performance and also in vocal pedagogy, which is the study of voice — I started […]
File: September 2008
Mr. Poularity This just in from Atlantic Records: Rapper T.I. now has more than 2 million Myspace friends! In an unprecedented, “record-breaking” accomplishment, the Atlanta rapper blew past the milepost, prompting his label to tell press the news. It really is amazing, if you think about it, because it’s not like just anyone can be […]
DVD Zone: September 2008
Shine A Light Paramount After 45 years, countless live albums, and several live films and videos, it was only a matter of time before The Rolling Stones hooked up with Martin Scorsese. It’s a natural: The biggest band in the world teams with the most acclaimed director since Kurosawa, who seems to be contractually obligated […]
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