Live Reviews
BB King Review
B.B. King House Of Blues, Chicago Thursday, February 16, 2006 In what just might be his farewell tour, B.B. King exuded nothing but class on Thursday at House Of Blues, never bowing to the indignities of self-congratulation or hinting the blues are anything but alive.
Jeffersons Reviewed
Jefferson Starship & The Jefferson Airplane Family Galactic Reunion House Of Blues, Chicago Tuesday, February 21, 2006 The latest billing of the Jefferson Starship brand name has so much additional information that it couldn’t all fit on the ticket. But then again it’s only natural for this lengthy lineup to bill tours extremely specifically, given […]
Bob Mould Review
Bob Mould Old Town School Of Folk Music, Chicago Friday, February 17, 2006 Whether fronting the seminal Hüsker Dü, working solo, or with his second band Sugar, the constant hallmark of Bob Mould has always been the quality of his songwriting. Very few people can write such natural hooks as Mould, and there’s no better […]
Matt Pond/Dios (Malos) Review
Matt Pond PA, Dios (Malos) Double Door, Chicago Monday, February 20, 2006 I couldn’t believe it and neither could Matt Pond. What were all those people doing at the Double Door on a Monday, for a band that have never headlined a Chicago venue larger than the old Fireside?
Supergrass review
Supergrass, Pilotdrift Vic Theatre, Chicago Tuesday, February 14, 2006 Growing up comes at varying intervals depending on the band, but in the case of Supergrass, it has hit a maturation stride with 2005’s Road To Rouen. That’s not to say the group’s previous projects didn’t have elements of evolution or seasoned songwriting, but nowadays the […]
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 […]
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