Monthly
DVD Zone: July 2008
Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten Sony After the demise of The Clash, Joe Strummer wandered. His musical inspirations stagnate, he relegated himself to film scores and the odd acting gig with a side project or two here and there. Eventually, he would hold a series of “bonfire discussions” originating at the Glastonbury Music Festival. […]
Alk3p2
The bassist, who moved to St. Augustine, Florida last September, was a fixture in the early-’90s northwest suburban punk scene that spawned Smoking Popes and the Third Floor, the now-shuttered all-ages Elgin venue whose booking agent, Brian Peterson, would later book Chicago’s Fireside Bowl during a period of considerable punk interest. (Peterson has since left […]
Alk3p3
“Andy just said, ‘The only thing you guys need to worry about is going into the studio and making a record that you love.’ He’s like: ‘That’s all you need to do. Don’t worry about us. Don’t think about anything else.’ And that’s what we did, and then Andy came in the last day when […]
Perpetratin’ The Blues
The Byther Smith, Blues On The Moon: Live At Natural Rhythm Social Club (Delmark) DVD/CD is a false document – fiction, cooked up by writer David Whiteis and the Delmark Records folks desperate to return the “negro” to his natural habitat.
Hope For Local TV
The station that launched the legendary dance show “Soul Train” in 1970 recently hired two WTTW-Channel 11 alumni to help develop local programming. Weigel Broadcasting, which owns WCIU-Channel 26 (where “Soul Train” got its start back in 1970), as well as WWME-Channel 23 and WMEU-Channel 48, recently hired Harvey Moshman and Randy King to create […]
Martin’s Guitar Town
MARTIN M-21 Steve Earle Custom Steve Earle and Martin Guitar did something unique for the guitar biz: They created a “special edition” guitar without the customary big price tag that goes along with a collectable axe.
To Thrash Or Not To Thrash?
Look no further than our own city and sprawling suburbs for proof of just how extensive this whole thrash revival thing is. Do a quick Myspace, “Illinois metal” search, and you’ll find a list of Chicagoland bands like Degradation, Infinite Missiles, Air Raid, Vicious Attack, Diamond Plate, Sulfox, and Slayasylum. They vary in quality, of […]
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
Textbook‘s Boxing Day Massacre is certainly a catchy album and has plenty of pop hooks to spare. Unfortunately, it’s also bland. While there’s no doubting the sincerity, Textbook come off as very Gin Blossoms-ish or, more generously, The Archies, but without the nostalgic charm. “The Weight Of Everything” is when this really becomes apparent and […]
Photo Gallery Updated!
Vist the official IE Photo Gallery for new additions from R.E.M. at the United Center, Alicia Keys at Allstate, and Rush at the United Center, plus one metric boatload of pics from the 2008 Chicago Blues Fest.
Cover Story: Local H
Local H Time Marches On It was fairly early on the fifth night of Local H’s seven-night stand at Beat Kitchen when it became apparent why the two-man outfit are so beloved locally, somewhere around when gruff but affable frontman Scott Lucas spit out “Fall Out Boy’s on the radio,” in the middle of fan […]
Local Indie Label Special
It’s A Woman’s Woman’s Woman’s Woman’s (& Man’s) World Bloodshot’s Nan Warshaw and Southport’s Joanie Pallatto might not agree on every talmudic aspect of running an independent record label, though neither would say being female has made any difference.
R.E.M. Interview
R.E.M. Old Tricks Every iconic act is entitled to a dud or two, and Athens, Georgia’s elite R.E.M. are no exception. The jangle-pop purveyors-turned-alternative rock icons were generally consistent their first 20 years, though 2004’s sleeper Around The Sun was a black cloud. Beyond the project’s sluggish sales and critical lashing, frontman Michael Stipe, guitarist […]
Go Forth And Die
Nathan Explosion, frontman of Dethklok, was supposed to talk to “Caught In A Mosh” this month. As were guitarist Skwisgaar Skwigelf and drummer Pickles. But a day before the interview I was informed I wouldn’t get to talk to any of the “Metalocalypse” stars (Toki Wartooth and William Murderface complete the band). Seems Explosion didn’t […]
Los Campesinos interview
The Internet Startups Of Los Campesinos A funny thing happened to seven university students in Wales who were well on their way to graduation a year ago: Their fledgling side-project (Los Campesinos) dropped a debut single (“You! Me! Dancing!”) that not only became an overnight Internet sensation, but also the biggest next big thing to […]
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