Live Reviews
High On Fire review
High On Fire Double Door, Chicago Saturday, February 11, 2006 It was fitting High On Fire vocalist/guitarist Matt Pike opened his band’s set by informing the tightly packed crowd, “We’re just going straight through, so don’t expect a lot of motivational speech.” After all, the trio (rounded out by drummer Des Kensel and bassist Joe […]
BRMC review
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Metro, Chicago Wednesday, February 8, 2006 Not sure which was the more unlikely smokefree scenario: Metro or Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Two clubs in Chicago in these hardened times, sacrifices are difficult but required of us all. Both were better for it, however, and if the maturity cliché ever needed to […]
Fort Minor Review
Fort Minor House Of Blues, Chicago Sunday, January 29, 2006 Mike Shinoda has something to prove with his hip-hop side project Fort Minor. True, his regular role in Linkin Park has roots in hip-hop, but when coupled with the screaming chops of Chester Bennington, the band comes off as more rock-based. It’s no secret Shinoda […]
Anthrax live
Anthrax House Of Blues, Chicago Friday, January 13, 2006 Of the Big Four bands that ruled metal in the ’80s and into the early ’90s, Anthrax were always the easiest to forget. The band didn’t have the songwriting of Metallica, the evil of Slayer, or the chops of Megadeth. They’re kind of like the Almond […]
James Brown live
James Brown House Of Blues, Chicago Thursday, January 12, 2006 James Brown is 72 (or 77, depending on whom you believe). That’s a fierce contrast to the James Brown of ’72. Back then he was peaking both musically and chemically, shouldering “I’m Black and I’m proud” while transcribing the sounds in his head that were […]
Syn live
The Syn Martyrs’, Chicago Wednesday, January 11, 2006 Progressive rock has experienced a revival of sorts, from the bombastic nature of The Mars Volta to the dreamy etherealness of Elbow to the reckless randomness of Porcupine Tree. But long before these relative newcomers landed on anyone’s radar, the movement developed throughout the late 1960s and […]
Sister Hazel live
Sister Hazel House Of Blues, Chicago Wednesday, December 28, 2005 Even though Sister Hazel hasn’t straddled the charts quite as feverishly as it did in the late 1990s/early 2000s, it still has staying power and a cherished connection to Chicago. In fact, the dedication amongst locals is so strong that the band sold out not […]
New Pornographers live
The New Pornographers Metro, Chicago Saturday, December 31, 2005 Vancouver supergroup The New Pornographers know how to ring in the New Year. With blissful harmonies, sun-kissed melodies, sing-along choruses ensconced in sturdy guitars, shimmying tambourine, and swirling keys, the group’s jubilant sound reflected the mood of the many tipsy fans celebrating the eve of 2006.
Donovan Live
Donovan Park West, Chicago Tuesday, December 13, 2005 Outside of a brief run of chart hits in the ’60s, Donovan Leitch’s legacy has been as the archetype of prosaic, hippy pop. His wispy, English melodies and faux acid-trip imagery drew the ire of rock critics, consigning him to the dustbin and a happenstance association with […]
Iron & Wine/Calexico live
Iron & Wine/Calexico, Red Red Meat Congress Theatre, Chicago Sunday, December 11, 2005 Someone once told me listening to Sam Beam (a.k.a. Iron & Wine) made him feel “like winter.” He would have found it fitting then, that the night Iron & Wine and Calexico hit town for their In The Reins tour (in support […]
Cameron McGill & What Army live
Cameron McGill & What Army Schubas, Chicago Wednesday, December 7, 2005 A native of Champaign-Urbana, Cameron McGill began his musical career as frontman of pop-rock trio Morris Minors. The band released an EP in 2002 before splitting the following year. McGill went on to record his solo album, Stories Of The Knife And The Back […]
Fiona Apple Live
Fiona Apple Riviera Theatre, Chicago Sunday, December 4, 2005 Will the real Fiona Apple please stand up, please stand up? Overlooked in the hoopla surrounding the long-awaited release of her Extraordinary Machine is Apple’s renaissance as a songwriter. Formerly the precocious and bratty wunderkind whose only real problem in relationships was herself, the “new” album […]
Sinead O’Connor live
Sinead O’Connor Vic Theatre, Chicago Tuesday, November 29, 2005 With a fiercely defiant attitude and a powerful voice to match, Sinead O’Connor may be one of the most interesting female artists in the modern rock world. From her refusal to perform following the “Star Spangled Banner” to her much maligned tearing apart a picture of […]
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