Weekly
David Vandervelde Preview
David Vandervelde Schubas, Chicago Saturday, February 3, 2007 David Vandervelde sounds old, which wouldn’t seem like such a big deal except this young lad from Holland, Mich. was actually born around the time David Lee Roth was “jumping” around in spandex. And it’s not that he sounds over the hill vocally as much as the […]
She’s Spanish, I’m American Reviewed
She’s Spanish, I’m American She’s Spanish, I’m American (Bedroom Classics) Stupid moniker in tow, Josh Rouse’s side project drags bilingual girlfriend Paz Suay into a lite rock splash befitting its lighthearted title.
The Early Years Reviewed
The Early Years The Early Years (Beggars Banquet) With a built-in title for a debut album, the name of this London-based trio could reference a number of things: 1) a preemptive apology for soft spots in their songs, 2) a reference to what the band members were listening to at formative ages, or 3) a […]
The Photo Atlas Reviewed
The Photo Atlas No, Not Me, Never (Stolen Transmission/Morning After) There’s a lot of apologizing going on around The Photo Atlas’ debut. First, you didn’t know about it ’til now because it was cultivated in a cultural vacuum called Denver. Secondly, yeah, it’s dance punk, but you can actually dance to it.
2 Bit Pie Reviewed
2 Bit Pie 2 Pie Island (One Little Indian) Masterminded by Fluke’s Mike Bryant and Jon Fugler and producer Andy Gray, 2 Bit Pie give the No Limit crew a run for their guest-spot money on this techno debut.
Hella Weird
Hella There’s No 666 In Outer Space (Ipecac) Time is not a factor for Sacramento duo-now-quintet Hella. There’s No 666 In Outer Space has an hour to state its case, but still machine-guns as many notes, time signatures, and beats as humanly possible.
O.A.R. & Gomez live
O.A.R./Gomez U.I.C. Pavilion, Chicago Friday, January 19, 2007 Calling O.A.R. a Dave Matthews Band rip-off is both unfair and misleading, though it’s a frequent comparison from critics and casual fans alike. Sure, the guys have opened for Dave and company on numerous occasions, built their fan base with a similar grassroots approach, tour incessantly, and […]
The Chamber Strings live
The Chamber Strings Double Door, Chicago Saturday, January 20, 2007 Those wondering if The Chamber Strings have lost a step since their last gig are missing the point. Seeing how founder Kevin Junior was literally scrounging for heroin from a cardboard box in an L.A. slum quite recently, Saturday’s reunion wasn’t about gelling or marketing […]
Cougar preview
Cougar Empty Bottle, Chicago Thursday, January 25, 2007 Tricky band, this post rock combo Cougar. Law, due for release on February 20th, has already been released before — twice. Easy, Cougar.
Vega4 preview
Vega4 Metro, Chicago Thursday, January 25, 2007 London-based Vega4 are sort of an international conglomerate (Irish, Canadian, and New Zealand-ish? -er? -ese? -ous?) and a right cocky bunch. In their bio, frontman Johnny McDaid says things like “It’s so hard to describe our sound.” Quick — somebody hand this guy a Snow Patrol record.
The Paper Chase preview
The Paper Chase Subterranean, Chicago Friday, January 26, 2007 When there’s no more room in hell, the dead shall walk the earth . . . and The Paper Chase shall provide the soundtrack.
First Blood preview
First Blood Champs, Burbank Monday, January 29, 2007 The disparate worlds of bloodlust and veganism combine for First Blood, who mangle hardcore metal into a fist-pumping paradigm.
Uri Caine preview
Uri Caine University Of Chicago, Chicago Tuesday, January 30, 2007 Mozart’s most cherished pieces reworked with electric guitar and turntables? Blasphemous?
moe. Preview
moe. Park West, Chicago Wednesday, January 31, 2007 Seems like fans of jam band extraordinaire moe. finally just digested the quintet’s two-night stand at the Chicago Theatre over Thanksgiving weekend. Ready or not, the boys are back in town.
Family In Need
Benefit For Callum Robbins A lineup featuring Eleventh Dream Day, Chin Up Chin Up, Bobby Conn, The Life And Times, and Red Eyed Legends will be on hand at Empty Bottle on January 27th to raise money for the afflicted one-year-old son of musician/producer J. Robbins.
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